All posts by : Joel Phillips

People have lots of opinions about church.  Although the viewpoints are countless, and can be extremely divergent, they basically come from one the three following groups.

The churched

These are people who are inside the church. They mostly agree on who Jesus is, but disagree and argue over styles and philosophies of ministry.  While one group believes in the  importance of worship, another stresses the importance of prayer.  While one believes that evangelism ought to be the primary focus, another contends for biblically-centered teaching. In another place discipleship is the main pursuit, while in another place it’s small groups, or it’s cultural relevancy, or it’s political activism, or it’s concern for the unborn, or it’s men’s ministries, etc.  While each of these areas has validity, more times than not, these particulars are often pursued in a way that polarizes anyone with a different view.

The un-churched

These are people who are outside the church. These people mostly see the church as irrelevant to their lives.  They most likely have had some exposure to church, but it seemed boring and old-fashioned to them.  And when compared to the rest of the voices and influences in their lives, the message from the church comes across as narrow and judgmental.

The over-churched

These are the people who are no longer attending church. These people have been raised in the church and/or were actively involved, but have found that the traditional model of church no longer satisfies them.  In search of a new experience to rekindle their love for God,  they try attending different churches, maybe even the local mega church, but find themselves feeling more disconnected and more disillusioned.

People inside the church are arguing about things. People outside the church who don’t seem to care.  And an ever-increasing number of people who are losing interest in the church altogether.  Yet listen to Apostle Paul’s words,

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her…” (Eph 5:25)

This passage is usually referred to, and rightly so, for the instructions it gives to husbands.  But the reference to God’s love for the church is equally important and should not be overlooked. Paul continues,

“…that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” (Eph 5:26-27)

Maybe the church needs to make adjustments.  Maybe the church seems passé to our modern culture.  But the church is loved very much by God. So much that he will do whatever is needed to bring out the best in her.  Look at what he’s done in you and me!

Johnny Carson read one night on The Tonight Show an item from the lost-and-found column of a Midwestern newspaper:

“Lost dog–brown fur, some missing due to mange, blind in one eye, deaf, lame leg due to recent traffic accident, slightly arthritic. Goes by the name of ‘Lucky.’”

It’s funny to me how many people actually believe in luck.  I know people who hang their lives and decisions on certain numbers, days, etc. that they consider lucky.  They believe there are fortunes and notoriety to be had all attributed to luck.  They might’ve been listening to this guy:

“Everything in life is luck.” (Donald Trump)

Based on his success it would seem Donald Trump must have a bunch of luck.  So what is luck and where does one get it?  After extensive research I have discovered that luck is found at the end of a rainbow and guarded by a leprechaun (please remember where you heard it, and best o’ luck finding it).

Seriously though, sorry to get spiritual on you, but luck isn’t even a biblical concept.  Blessing is.  Curse is.  But not luck. Either you’re blessed or you’re cursed.  And the Bible teaches us that sin has cursed our lives, but Jesus has taken away that curse.

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.” (Ga 3:13)

God has taken people who resemble the dog Johnny Carson was talking about, and calls them “Blessed.” And when you see a rainbow forget about the pot of gold.  Instead think of the God who created it also created you and wants to bless your life.

Back in the 80’s a movement began in the church that became widely referred to as the “prosperity gospel.”  With such notions as equating one’s faith to the type of car they drive (a Cadillac was seen as entry level), or the brand of watch they wore (special kudos for a Rolex), criticisms of this movement were/are justifiable.

The prosperity movement found its roots in the “Word of Faith” movement, which has also earned criticism for its over-emphasis of material things.  I can remember one prominent Word of Faith preacher, Jerry Savelle, saying that if Job had had more faith he wouldn’t have suffered the things he did. But God said this about Job,

“He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” (Job 1:8)

Yet out of the prosperity and faith movements came some genuinely good things. Prior to these movements, you would rarely, if ever, hear any teaching about the authority of the Believer, or about the idea that God wants to bless His people. Defeat  and lack were seen by many as badges of true holiness. 

The pendulum often swings between the two positions: you’re either a poor old holy wretch eking out an existence, or, an upwardly mobile Bible-quoting expert, naming & claiming your way to blessing.  Obviously both of these extremes are wrong, but finding a middle ground can prove a little tricky.

Certainly there are strengths and lessons gained during seasons of shortages and attacks, but seeing them as the destiny for God’s people I believe is wrong.  It brings no praise to God that we would settle for lives characterized by  lack and/or demonic attack.  Whether its circumstantial or spiritual, Jesus has overcome everything on our behalf and has given us the necessary resources to be overcomers.

This kind of living can be difficult when the pendulum starts swinging.  We could find ourselves feeling totally unworthy, or feeling totally entitled, but Paul centers this issue by saying,

“We are to have no confidence in the flesh.” (Php 3:3)

This means there’s nothing in the natural we can do to merit or demerit what God has given us.  God’s not impressed with our doing without, nor is He coerced by the natural things the signal success.

We may see God prospering his people as too materially oriented.  We may have a hard time believing that God would want to prosper his people.  But these principles are built upon our faith in what God has promised.  Not because we are entitled.  Not because God wants us to rise in socioeconomic levels.  But because He is God and we are His people.

“Let us continually say, ‘The Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His people.’” (Ps 35:27)

Are you good at math? I can vividly remember my first algebra class in junior high. My friend Tim was in the class with me. In a monotone voice the teacher introduced himself and then drew “x = ?” on the chalkboard. He then said unenthusiastically, “Algebra is about finding out what x is worth.” We then begin solving different problems. It wasn’t too long that things starting getting confusing for me. I wasn’t getting it, and what made matters worse, Tim was!

That experience began an unraveling of sorts in my life that left me not liking math, and lacking any confidence when came to it. It wasn’t until 15 years later when I earned my Private Pilot’s License that during the training process I learned that math could actually be fun and very useful. What was the difference? Besides having an amazing instructor, I was doing something I loved.

God has a math class too. Some people understand it, many don’t. Things like giving, generosity, and faith can be difficult to understand, but when it comes to money and the idea of God blessing His people the real problems begin.

There are those who teach faith as a formula to get wealth. There are those who teach poverty as a way to prove holiness. Certain ideas, doctrines, and even words have become so hotly contested that people feel about them like I did after that math class…not liking the subject and lacking any confidence in it.

This past December, while I was praying for my family and the new year that lay ahead, three words came to my mind: abundance, prosperity, and blessing.  At first I wasn’t quite sure why those words would come to my mind, especially the first two, because I don’t use them very often for the reasons stated above. But I felt the insistence of God’s spirit, so I begin to pray:

God, I speak abundance, prosperity, and blessing over my family.

I spoke them over my wife Kathie, and then each of our children and my son-in-law. As I did I could feel something begin to surge within me. It was faith, but it had a passion attached to it that was different. I was familiar with those words, but it was as if I was understanding them for the first time. I could sense God saying to me that those words were important to Him and should be to me as well.  

“You crown the year with Your goodness, and your paths drip with abundance.” (Ps 65:11)

She was nervous about her first day of work, but she was thankful for the job.  Her and her husband had started a family and they needed all the income they could get. Yet, she was still afraid.

Her and her husband were up early.  Kids off to school.  Then to the bus stop to catch their buses each going in opposite direction.  They wouldn’t see each other until evening.

Nervously she made her way into the shop where she would be working.  The man who hired her didn’t say much as he showed her where to go and what to do. She could feel all eyes watching her as she began to work.  A lady nearby greeted her, “Good morning.” She smiled and nodded in return.  Later at break time, the same lady introduced herself and asked her where she was from. 

Now came the moment she dreaded.  As she told the lady her name and where she was from, the others standing near who heard her began to laugh.

She looked different and talked different.  Her accent betrayed the fact that English wasn’t her first language. They laughed at her because she was part of a people group they didn’t understand, and whom many saw as a threat.

_________________________

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about this story. It’s not only true, but it’s about someone very near and dear to my heart—my grandma.

Grandma was from Norway, and in the 1930’s her and my grandpa moved from the farmlands of North Dakota to Portland, Oregon.  Many of the experiences they had living, raising their family, and establishing themselves remind me of what Latinos face today.

Latinos, and other minority people groups, are viewed by many as a threat.  “They’re taking our jobs!” some will argue.  But the core of the issue isn’t jobs, it’s the collision of different cultures.  We don’t understand those who are different, and we fear that which we don’t understand.

Being led by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul wrote…

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Ga 3:28)

God is saying that in His church, in His kingdom, and therefore in the hearts of His people, there should be no distinction of anyone that places them at different levels of acceptance.  There must be room for everyone, especially those who are different. 

Someone might dread going to work, or somewhere else because they are different, but let never be said that it’s the church.