Jesus entered into the world even in more uncertain and chaotic times. Mark records His message about good news in one verse, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:15) The scripture tells us that Jesus came into the world at just the right time in history. When Jesus preached, “The time is fulfilled,” it was a very loaded statement. Not only was it the right time according to God’s grand salvation plan for the world. It was also perfectly right in that it fulfilled many prophecies and catapulted the world into a whole new era as Jesus and the Holy Spirit launched the Church. And now the Church that is to represent Jesus and His Kingdom on earth is to exist in the midst of worldly governments and rulers. This has taken on many different forms and many different conflicts through the ages. So, in our current confusion, chaos and conflict how can we be a stable and powerful force in the culture, to be the “city on the hill,” and “salt and light,” in obedience to our Lord’s commands?

(1) Clarify the Gospel in our Heart

First, I believe we need to clarify the Gospel in our heart. The Church’s understanding of and teaching of the Gospel needs to be renewed and strengthened. Three major aspects that for years have been missing are that the Gospel at its core is first about King Jesus and His coming Kingdom not primarily about our individual experience of salvation. And that at Jesus’ first coming He inaugurated the reign of His kingdom on earth now and has tasked the Church to carry out His mission until He returns with the fullness of His kingdom. And finally, we have to recover in the Gospel that heaven is not ultimately up in the sky, but Jesus is coming back to reign here over all nations and that the Father will bring at the right time the fullness of heaven to earth. All of these have huge ramifications for the Gospel’s work in our heart and soul.

(2) Beware of the Crowd

Second, I believe we need to learn from the Gospel writers how they described the crowd and its influence over people, culture and politics. This needs to be deeply thought through in the Church today. Jesus never catered to the crowd. He called people out of the crowd to follow Him intimately as a disciple. Jesus preached the crowd down, whereas for years we have preached to maintain the crowd. We have believed that if there is a crowd there is fruit and health, but Jesus focused on individual deliverance and transformation and leadership health of a few. The Gospels and Jesus’ teaching make clear that there is danger in the crowd, for the crowd is fickle and can easily become a mob. Today, the power of the crowd has media and technology to fuel its dangers even more ubiquitously. So, beware of the crowd, pursue intimate Christian fellowship over being entertained and be a follower rather than just a Jesus admirer. Jesus doesn’t want admirers, He wants followers.

(3) Let the Gospel and Understanding about the Crowd Inform our Politics

Third, I believe we can take a renewed understanding of the Gospel and insight into the power of the crowd to inform our view and involvement in politics. Christians who have grown up in America most likely have been more deeply discipled into a political party and ideology than they have into the glorious Gospel. So, the first critical step is to become aware of this and take intentional action to change this. Most would say that the scriptures and faith primarily dictate their politics, but this is not very evident. Another task that we all can start immediately is to pray. Genuinely pray for both candidates and leaders on all sides. Let our speech always be respectful and genuinely desiring to understand others perspectives – this is truth and love. Take time to test everything we stand for and promote with the scriptures. Let God speak to us before we speak to others. And if we start to do these things and encourage each other we will be better prepared to get actively involved and vote. And we should be involved and we should vote. It is a God given blessing and stewardship – may we all be faithful.

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“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

(1 Corinthians 15:58)

I recently read, Jesus and the Powers, Christian Political Witness In An Age Of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies, by N.T. Wright and Michael F. Bird. I highly recommend this book as a wonderful tool to help equip the Church for these times. In the rest of this blog I will give some of the highlights of the book and action points for us moving forward.

***

“Jesus and the Powers has one objective: to say that, in an age of ascending autocracies, in a time of fear and fragmentation, amid carnage and crisis, Jesus is King, and Jesus’ kingdom remains the object of the Church’s witness and work…Such a conviction means that the Church needs to understand how it relates to empires biblical and burgeoning, how to build for the kingdom in our cities and suburbs; to understand the time for obedience to the State and the time for disobedience to the State. We need to grasp where the Church sits between presidents and principalities. We must think deeply as disciples, without partisan prejudice…” (p. xiii-xiv)

Tragically, a highly individualized and therapeutic gospel has taken center stage in much of the church. We need to restore the centrality of Jesus is first and foremost King and has a kingdom that has been inaugurated and coming in its fullness. Any personal application of the gospel and its awesome promises should be secondary to Jesus’ true and full identity and the repentance and submission in response to that truth. So, we need to fully evaluate the Gospel we proclaim and disciple others into. Are we living under the reality that Jesus is King in our life, our church and in the world?

***

“The urgency is not about the next election, the latest scandal or hot political issue; what is up for grabs is the place of Christians in the State and the type of state that Christians should support.” (p.175)

The Church has always had to deal with differing empires. The Gospel first came into the world in the midst of the Roman Empire where “Jesus is King” came into direct conflict with “Caesar is King.” This led to great persecution, but starting in the 4th century Christianity became the dominant religion and so began this complex mix of Church and State. So, we need to wrestle today with what is the place of the Church in the State and what kind of State can we support and help develop?

***

“…Christianity has always had a public witness, and our conception of the kingdom shapes how we relate to the political and social challenges of the day…to build for the kingdom means building something on earth that anticipates the new creation. Such witness and work does cross over into the political realm.” (p.176)

A critical issue is understanding the difference between “building for the Kingdom” and building the Kingdom. Only God can build the Kingdom and only God knows when it is coming in its fullness. So, how are we “building for the Kingdom in our witness and work? And how are we keeping the Great Commission as the priority over political action? And how can these actually work together?

***

“Christians must seek to serve, not dominate. That is because cross and kingdom go together…We discovered in the New Testament that there is an oscillating perspective of submission to state authorities and at other times subversively resisting them…The case was made that texts such as Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17 do not give carte blanche to government authorities. Disobedience to unjust government is possible…” (p.177)

To follow Jesus is to honor Him as King. This allegiance and faith sometimes requires the Church and believers to act in civil disobedience when asked to do things against the Word of God. And it requires great wisdom and Spirit led action to know how to speak truth to the government powers. So, how are we cultivating right language and civil service to address the issues of the day as servants not hungry for power but desirous of good for all?

***

“In the quest for a good and just state we have set forth the case for liberal democracy and an ethos of confident pluralism. We do not regard liberal democracy as uniquely Christian; neither is it perfect, infallible or beyond criticism. But liberal democracy and confident pluralism constitute a form of government and political philosophy that gives us the best opportunity to love God and to love our neighbor.” (p.178)

We are in critical times today where there are primarily two forces working against our ability to maintain a healthy liberal democracy where everyone can flourish and worship freely. One is the idea of Christian Nationalism which in its unhealthy form seeks a dangerous blend of Church over State. But more critical and dangerous today is the Progressive Democracy Religion, which has taken over the education system and social media. It is systematically trying to cancel any voice that opposes its values or agenda rather than engage is heathy dialogue as a liberal democracy. So, how can the Church better equip followers of Jesus to lovingly, boldly and appropriately engage the culture in healthy productive dialogue?

Finally, one of the practical things that was mentioned in the book was to encourage every believer to pray about finding at least one main area in their local church to commit to serve within and help advance its vision and impact. And to also, pray about one area in the community to commit to serve and advance its health for the flourishing of all.

Let’s abound in the work of the Lord!

The post The Gospel and Government appeared first on Stephen Woodrow.

I met Howard today who came here in the 60s. He loves this town, but is worried it has lost its soul. I heard about someone spending 4200.00 dollars a night for a small little box hotel room in town. I heard about all the big names coming to the big concert tonight where they are constantly having to expand the VIP area and make it even more exclusive. I have seen big changes in the last 24 years. Aspen is an amazing place. It has a very unique history, but there is one piece of history I hope and pray will change.

Aspen has never had a move of God here – a revival. What does that mean? It means a special outpouring of God’s presence and grace in conjunction with the prayers of God’s people. It is where heaven opens and the curtain is pulled back on all the lies and false promises of Vanity Fair. I know, I bet your response is similar to mine, “In Aspen, really, is that possible?”

In Ephesians 3:20-21, Paul is overcome with the possibilities of what God would do through a church that takes serious God’s desire to bring His glory through the fullness of Christ to a church. When a local church gets consumed with the glory of God and experiencing the fullness of Christ it will truly be salt and light in its community and beyond. It will get heaven’s attention to bring kingdom of God realities into the church and city so that people’s heart are supernaturally opened up to God. Where the Gospel of Jesus Christ is clear and piercing deep into hearts bringing conviction and love of God.

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” -Ephesians 3:20-21

I recently read about a famous revival (The Hebrides Revival) that came to a very small village in Scotland called Arnol, which is located on the Isle of Lewis. In the small village of only about 400 people there were two sisters in their eighties who would pray faithfully into the wee hours of the night. They petitioned their pastor to rally the troops in prayer, trusting that God was going to move. Faithful prayer and cries to God went on for years. Then, it happened. As many eyewitnesses have given testimony, one night the presence of God swept through the village so powerfully that it is said every household was shaken by God. In the years from about 1949-1952 God met people powerfully in this small little village in a remote part of Scotland. It is said that people came under the conviction of the Spirit as they walked through the streets of the village and then found their way to a church meeting and the freedom of the Gospel.

Can what happened in Arnol happen in Aspen? Will you pray with me?

Lord, I know that our town for many reasons is the least likely to see revival. In its long history You have not moved across this city. But, we are crying out to You. Hear our prayers and come Lord Jesus. Father, would You do something here that is beyond anything we could even ask or imagine. Awaken Your Church, awaken this city. O Lord, let this city be a place people come to encounter You and be sent out by You. Stir up the heavenlies and stir up people’s hearts to want more than Vanity Fair. Make us hunger for Jesus and the eternal Celestial City. In Jesus name Amen.

“The Kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.”

– Matthew 11:12

The post What Aspen Needs – A Move of God appeared first on Stephen Woodrow.

Remind them why I am doing this series going over big swaths of the OT and tying it to the NT, because we need to hold onto the entire Bible in the midst of a time when people are leaving it as the authority, realizing Jesus can’t be our authority unless His Word is our authority otherwise we can make God into our own image.

The kingdoms of the kings rose and fell according to how they honored God’s house.

David the man after God’s own heart is the one who desired to build a temple for God – breakdown the connection – if my heart is after God’s heart I am going to want to be with God and be with others with God – I am going to want to be close never far from the household of God and a builder of it – use this as an opportunity to encourage our locals and seasonal folks in their roles.

So for David, the symbol, the center of God’s presence with His people so far had been the ark of the covenant, so David put his mind to get it centrally located among the people.

For David, the presence of God was of utmost priority, because this was the natural overflow of being a man after God’s heart. Ps 84

Ps 69;9, John 2:17, Zeal for your house has consumed me.

We need some stirring for some zeal again for the house of God.

LESSON SEVEN:

Verses: 2 Samuel 6-7, Psalm 84, Ephesians 2:18-22, 1 Timothy 3:14-15, Hebrews 12:18-29

People after the heart of God desire to enjoy the presence of God and work to build the household of God where heaven and earth come together.

2 Samuel 6

“How can the ark of the Lord come to me?”

If God is going to break out like this because of His commandments not being obeyed and because of His justice and righteousness, how can God dwell with man on earth?

A heart for God is a heart for His house

The kingdoms of the kings rose and fell according to how they honored God’s house.

Oh, the only answer to this is the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. He has made the sacrifice sufficient for us to enjoy the presence of God so that we now have access right into the holy of holies for He has torn the veil.

The next time, David and the priests stopped every six feet to sacrifice and followed the law that God had given for moving the ark

2 Samuel 6-7, David and the Lord’s covenant, David’s heart to build a temple for God and bring the ark into it,

David and Michal – And here we can see this contrast between David’s wife Michal and himself, he is the man after God’s own heart in the way he worshipped, why is this contrast reversed so much today between husbands and wives – Ps 84:4, we have embraced a lie today that stoicism is more spiritual and trusted expression of worship and faith

2 Samuel 7:5

“Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in?”

2 Samuel 7:11

“Moreover, the Lord declares to you the Lord will make you a house.” 7:11

Psalm 84

“How lovely is your dwelling place O Lord of hosts! My soul longs yes faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God…Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise…For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”

David had this heart, but Michal did not and therefore was fruitless.

Ephesians 2:18-22

God through Jesus is building His Church today, His household.

Hebrews 12:18-29,

“Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

The importance of place: now because of the Spirit indwelling believers and the Church the dwelling place of God is in our hearts and among us as we gather together wherever that is.

Use this view of the temple and presence to connect to NT, the temple now, is the body but our individualistic western mentality has isolated it from the larger temple household of God, the family of God, 1 Tim. 3:14-15, the household of God, the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

1 Chron 13

David brought ark up without Levites and Uzzah was killed

13:17, “And David was afraid of God that day and he said, How can I bring the ark of God home to see?’

1 Chron 15:

The Lord chose the Levites to carry the ark along with other rules that David did not follow resulting in Uzzah being killed

1 Chron 17

Davids desire to build a temple

LESSON EIGHT:

Verses: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21, Matthew 16:18-19, Ephesians 6:10-12

God’s plan is always bigger and better than we can perceive, and Satan and the world are at war against the household of God and His plan.

2 Samuel 24

It was the Lord who was angry against Israel – reason not given led him to incite David to count Israel – could this be because they were acting like other nations and not honoring His presence and the ark of the covenant as their central trust rather than the strength and might of David’s army? Could it be that they had lost their first love in the midst of the peace and blessing that David’s leadership brought.

There was a connection with military and the census, since Joab was commanded and the result was fighting men, this seems to imply a lack of trust in God

1 Chronicles 21

Why did Satan entice David? Why did Satan come against Israel? He knew this was God’s chosen nation and David was special and the temple, presence of God and ark would come to rest there, Is the angel of the Lord the pre-incarnate Jesus? guarding the place, Ornan’s threshing floor where the future site of the temple would be  David sees him standing between earth and heaven standing watch over the future place of the temple –

1 Kings14:21

Jerusalem, the city that the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name – it is where Jesus will return, it is where the new Jerusalem will descend, it is Zion the city of God

I believe there will be a rebuilding of the temple by the Jews in an effort to start sacrifices and a renewal of the presence of God, and it will be this effort and event that will launch the end times, and it will be this effort that will lead them to the lamb of God ultimately.

Matthew 16:18-19

Jesus is the builder of the Church, not man. And He has given us the keys to the kingdom, spiritual resources we are to build with rather than like David fall back into trusting our know-how and what we can accomplish with best-practices, metrics, and business practices etc.

The problem with counting, just like in the church, crowd management can easily distract from focusing on what God’s heart is about – presence, holiness, transformation etc.

1 Chron 21 Davids great sin of numbering Israel, why was this so angering to God, God in this sin though led David to buy the threshing floor or Ornan which became the place of the temple

1 Chron 22:1, God confirmed temple mount, here and that this would be the future place of the temple and His sacrifice

But why was the numbering of Israel so abhorrent to God? 1 Chron 21:1, says that Satan himself stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel

This figure Satan, used 3 times in OT Job 1:12, 2:6, Zech 3:1-2 but here it is with the article so seems to be a personal name

Ephesians 6:10-12

Oh the consequences of spiritual warfare and the importance of who we are listening to and being led by.

What reality are you aligning your soul with?

God’s plan is always bigger and better. Thankfully He is sovereign even over the evil forces.

1 John 5:18-19

Jess holds us securely from the evil one in the midst of the world which is under the control of the evil one.

This concluding chapter also serves as a fitting climax to 1, 2 Samuel, for it simultaneously links David with the best of Israel’s past and the glory of their future. By sacrificing burnt offerings provided for him in the very area where Abraham had once done the same (cf. Gen 22:13; cf. 1 Chr 3:1), David’s life and ministry become identified with the greatest of the Torah patriarchs. By acting as an intercessor to bring a divinely sent plague to a halt, as Aaron once did (Num 16:47–49), he assumes the status of a priest and thus foreshadows the priestly actions of Jesus, the ultimate Davidic priest. By acquiring the site of the Lord’s temple for Israel, David also lays the groundwork for the most celebrated material aspect of Israelite religion.

Bergen, R. D. (1996). 1, 2 Samuel (Vol. 7, p. 474). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

In order to bring judgment against Israel, the Lord “incited David” to “take a census of Israel and Judah.” The writer’s attribution of the action to the Lord is not contradictory to 1 Chr 21:1; it reflects his understanding that Yahweh is Lord of the universe, exercising dominion over all powers and authorities, whether in heaven or on earth (cf. Ps 97:9; Eph 1:20). From this position of utmost strength the Lord apportions power to lesser beings to be used in enforcing the moral aspects of the created order. The Bible teaches that God empowers even destructive beings—whether superhuman (cf. 1 Kgs 22:19–23; 2 Thess 2:11) or human (cf. Judg 1:14; Hab 1:6; Acts 4:28)—in limited ways to bring judgment and, ultimately, redemption. In the present case the Lord used both superhuman and human beings to enforce the moral order, enabling Satan to entice David to act foolishly so as to bring judgment on Israel.

Bergen, R. D. (1996). 1, 2 Samuel (Vol. 7, pp. 474–475). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

The fact that the Lord oversees the entire judgment process is ultimately a comfort to humanity. It means that no malevolent action can occur that is not subject to God’s oversight and divinely imposed limitations. It also means that nothing can occur in the universe that God cannot ultimately use for good (cf. Gen 50:20; Acts 2:36; Rom 8:28).

Bergen, R. D. (1996). 1, 2 Samuel (Vol. 7, p. 475). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

What then created the problem in this census? It was either David’s motivation for the census or the manner in which it was carried out. Perhaps it was undertaken for purposes of self-aggrandizement⁵⁴—David may have wanted to “know how many” Israelite males above the age of twenty there were in Israel in order to be able to boast more accurately. Alternatively, it may be that David did not require all enrolled males to pay the half-shekel ransom required by the Torah (cf. Exod 30:13–16), an oversight guaranteed to bring a plague against Israel. Speaking in favor of this second option is the fact that on a previous occasion, David had failed to enforce Torah regulations for an otherwise permissible action—transporting the ark of the covenant—with disastrous actions (cf. 6:7).

“Joab” (v. 3) was clearly troubled by the king’s order and openly questioned it when it came. While expressing the wish that the Lord might “multiply the troops a hundred times over” during David’s lifetime, Joab was convinced—perhaps based on the Torah warning (Exod 30:12)—that ascertaining the number of Israelite soldiers would automatically endanger them.

In spite of Joab’s public misgivings about the project, “the king’s word … overruled Joab and the army commanders” (v. 4). Thus David’s leading officers set about the daunting task “to enroll the fighting men of Israel.”

Bergen, R. D. (1996). 1, 2 Samuel (Vol. 7, pp. 475–476). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

but in the case of David, the sin appears to lie in self-sufficient pride, the very opposite of the attitude that typified him in the psalm of 2 Samuel 22 and in his ‘last words’ of 2 Samuel 23. Accepting that David lapsed here and acknowledged his fault, we return to verse 1 and ask what the narrator was wanting his readers to grasp from his thought-provoking way of introducing the incident. Was he not drawing attention to the mysterious way in which God’s plan for human history takes in even the lapses of God’s servants?

Baldwin, J. G. (1988). 1 and 2 Samuel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 8, pp. 315–316). InterVarsity Press.

It is important to recognize here also that regardless of what or who “incited” David to take the census, he is held accountable for the action, which is judged as sin (cf. also v. 17).

Thompson, J. A. (1994). 1, 2 Chronicles (Vol. 9, p. 162). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

An interesting difference between the accounts in Chronicles and Samuel is that in 2 Samuel 24 God himself gives the command to David whereas here it is the angel of the Lord who orders the prophet Gad to tell David to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah.

Thompson, J. A. (1994). 1, 2 Chronicles (Vol. 9, p. 162). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

The plague was lifted, the angel returned his sword to its sheath, and the site for the temple had been determined. The Chronicler now gives an explanation of why the center of worship in Israel could be moved from Gibeon to Jerusalem. Through the centuries continuity had been preserved. The worship at the altar of the Mosaic tabernacle (cf. Lev 9:24) gave way to the worship at Gibeon and finally at the Jerusalem temple. Thus David could declare, “The house of the Lord God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel.” Furthermore, in 2 Chr 3:1 we are told that this site was none other than Moriah, the place where Abraham offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice (Gen 22:2). Many years later Jesus would die in Jerusalem on Calvary, completing the work of atonement and defeating Satan “once for all” (Heb 7:26–28; Col 2:15). The events that led to the choice of this place were of God’s doing. This was the place where divine wrath and divine mercy would meet.

Thompson, J. A. (1994). 1, 2 Chronicles (Vol. 9, p. 163). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

In the act of taking the census of a people, there is not only no evil, but much utility. But numbering Israel—that people who were to become as the stars for multitude, implying a distrust of the divine promise, was a sin; and though it had been done with impunity in the time of Moses, at that enumeration each of the people had contributed “half a shekel towards the building of the tabernacle,” that there might be no plague among them when he numbered them (Ex 30:12). Hence the numbering of that people was in itself regarded as an undertaking by which the anger of God could be easily aroused; but when the arrangements were made by Moses for the taking of the census, God was not angry because the people were numbered for the express purpose of the tax for the sanctuary, and the money which was thus collected (“the atonement money,” Ex 30:16) appeased Him. Everything depended, therefore, upon the design of the census [Bertheau]. The sin of David numbering the people consisted in its being either to gratify his pride to ascertain the number of warriors he could muster for some meditated plan of conquest; or, perhaps, more likely still, to institute a regular and permanent system of taxation, which he deemed necessary to provide an adequate establishment for the monarchy, but which was regarded as a tyrannical and oppressive exaction—an innovation on the liberty of the people—a departure from ancient usage unbecoming a king of Israel.

Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 260). Logos Research Systems, Inc.

LESSON NINE:

Verses: 1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 5-7, James 4:5-10

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Within these verses we can see several issues we could call house cleaning, reseting the Church to honor the household of God.

1 Kings 8:27

Solomon brings ark into temple

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this home that I have built?”

2 Chronicles 5-7

2 Chronicles 3:1 Mt Moriah also when Abraham and Isaac, the place where divine wrath and Divine mercy would meet

2 Chron 5:3 – ark brought up into temple on feast of tabernacles, Jesus has fulfilled the first four Spring feasts at His first coming and will fulfill that las three in the fall when He returns, culminating with His grand purpose of uniting all things in heaven and earth together.

2 Chron 6:18-21, “But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built” access through prayer, is location, place important? Worship was central to God’s people, Jerusalem chosen by God.

2 Chronicles 6:32-33

At the core of the temple is God’s heart for all people of all nations to see His presence and power in His temple, his household and honor Him.

Pretty amazing passage about God’s purpose and heart for all people even in the midst of working specifically with Israel.

The fact that this was the only temple of all nations in which the true God was worshipped imparts a moral grandeur to the scene and prepares the mind for the sublime prayer that was offered at the dedication. The pure theism of that prayer—its acknowledgment of the unity of God as well as of His moral perfections in providence and grace, came from the same divine source as the miraculous fire

Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 269). Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2 Chron 7:1-3

Fire, glory, presence, filling, pentecost, the people saw the fire come down, at Pentecost the fire came down and consumed people as tongues of fire, as Romans 12 says, to be a living sacrifice – consumed by the fire of God’s presence.

Should we expect today a manifestation of God’s presence and power in His household? This is a big question for believers and the Church today?

A healthy church is always getting ready to steward revival, which at the center is an honoring of the presence of God in our bodies and in the household of God the Church

Big issue: Solomon and the people expected God to manifest His presence among them, not just religious routine, do we expect the fire of the Spirit to come upon us and His presence or just routine?

2 Chron 7:3

Prayer at the heart of worship, “For He is good for his steadfast love endures forever. – what is the origin of this worship statement and process?

2 Chron 20:21, Ezra 3:11, Neh 12:24, Ps 100:5, 106:1, 107:1, Ps 118:1, Jer 33:41, Ezek 36:11, Ps 136:4-26

2 Chron 7:3, For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. (1 C 16:34, 41, 2 C 7:3, 20:21, Ezra 3:11, Ps 100:5, 106:1, 107:1, 118:1, 136:1, Jer 33:11

Deal with these big heart issues for experiencing his presence, believing God is good even in discipline and trauma and war and pestilence etc and believing, we can question God’s ways but to question his character is a whole and to also believe in his faithfulness to his covenant promises and steadfast love, without this faith wanes and falters. When we are down and struggling is when we need to engage the church and worship and restore our faith and hope in His goodness and love.

Two key requirements for worshiping God and enjoying His presence: we met come to him, the only one who is truly good (refer to Jesus’ words) and believe He is love, heed faithful to His covenant throughout the ages. This might be a good ministry time – breaking through people’s doubts of His goodness and sovereign faithfulness and love.

2 Chron 7:4

David dancing before the Lord, and Solomon’s incredible sacrifices, 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep – what do we know of extravagant worship before the Lord, shoot for most of America church is optional and most look at this like Judas’ heart toward the woman who poured out the alabaster of oil, that it should have been given to the poor.

2 Chron 7:6

1 Chron 25

David set up the muscicians, Asaph and other who prophesied with lyres, with harps, and with cymbals – so there is a merging of prophesy and leading people into worship – we are not just singing songs, we are ministering to the Lord, which is prophesying

2 Chron 7:14

If my people who are called by my name…

2 Chronicles 7:14

Focus on 2 Chronicles 7:14 as it applies today to the Church laying the foundation of the temple from David to Solomon to 70 AD and the Church’s role today leading to the new heavens and earth

Ask them what the role of the preacher is?

Lead them to see that it is to equip them for ministry, the whole counsel of God, all that is right, but it is to bring us all under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and Word of God, but what about encouragement – yes, but to come into the presence of God and to draw closer requires humility, contrite in Spirit and tremble at his Word, that is the one God says He will look upon, Is 66:2, Is 64:1-2 and James 4:5-10, “Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, ‘He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us? But he gives more grace. Therefore, it says, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” Jesus’ words in the sermon on the mount, all with goal of bringing people under conviction so they could receive grace, 6:29-30, Jesus is serious about how intensely we are to fight sin.

Conviction is of things we need to stop doing and conviction of things I am not doing I need to do – thoughts and actions.

How do we get more grace and get God’s attention – James 4:5-10

Humbling often involves fasting in the scriptures

Until this conviction and humility happens within the Church, we will not be united and able to see God heal our land – this promise stands for the Church today no matter what nation they find themselves in.

Revelation 2:4-5, Jesus tells the church in Ephesus to repent or He will remove their lampstand! They were told by Jesus they had lost their first love – it is pretty evident in how the church worships their God.

2 Chronicles 7:15, 16, 19

How does Jesus fulfill this, not only the destruction but the future return to reign within the new covenant. How can the old temple inform us about the new covenant and the promises for the church and future new jerusalem – zion

1 Kings 11:1-8

Sadly, King Solomon did turn away from the Lord and the presence of the Lord left Israel. The rest of the story of the kings is some seasons of renewal, but overall a movement toward judgment and exile into Assyria and Babylon.

Later Solomon did worship other gods (1 Kings 11:4–8), as did many of his successors, so the nation was exiled (2 Chron. 6:36; 36:17–18, 20) to Babylon and the temple destroyed (36:19). Everyone who would witness the desolation of the land and the temple would know that it was a mark of God’s judgment on His people because of their sin (7:21–22)

Merrill, E. H. (1985). 2 Chronicles. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 626). Victor Books.

The opportunity chosen to move the ark to its final resting place was the time of the festival of the seventh month, the Feast of Tabernacles. According to 1 Kgs 6:38, the temple actually was completed in the eighth month of Solomon’s eleventh year. The dedication must have taken place during the month before the actual completion of the work. The seventh month is designated by its old Canaanite name in 1 Kgs 8:2, “Ethnaim,” the later “Tishri.”

Thompson, J. A. (1994). 1, 2 Chronicles (Vol. 9, p. 222). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Tell the story and importance of the shekinah glory of God, and when it left everything was different leading up the 70AD and the new temple and the coming temple, this starts with the ark being taken during the beginning of Samuels ministry

5:13 (7:3) “for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

The quotation from the Psalms (v. 13b) encapsulates in a sentence what the entire temple project was about, that over the years since God’s first promise to David (1 Chr. 17:12), God’s faithful love (Heb. ḥesed) had ensured the project’s success. Underlying the temple was the person of God: He is good. That is why he responds to Israel’s worship with what later Jews called the shekinah glory (vv. 13c–14). Both in the case of the cloud and the glory filling the temple, the associations with Moses are very close (especially Exod. 40:34–35). Clouds are a particularly rich biblical symbol of God’s presence (e.g. Exod. 13:21–22; Dan. 7:13; Acts 1:9), emphasizing his mystery and majesty. The temple could never belong to humankind, not even to priests who, though they had sanctified themselves, now found it quite impossible to carry out any of their prescribed tasks.

Selman, M. J. (1994). 2 Chronicles: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 11, p. 336). InterVarsity Press.

Solomon responds to God’s glory (6:1–2). This brief statement, which is part testimony and part prayer, evokes a sense of wonder that the same God whose glory fills the temple (5:13–14) also dwells in ‘thick darkness’ (v. 1, nrsv, rsv, reb, neb). This latter phrase is associated with the cloud of God’s mysterious presence at Mount Sinai (Exod. 20:21; Deut. 5:22) and with his appearing on the Day of the Lord (Joel 2:2; Zeph. 1:15). Solomon is amazed that this intangible, sovereign deity whose mystery is symbolized by the darkness of the windowless Holy of Holies now promises to dwell in this temple (v. 2). The theme of God’s dual residence cascades through the chapter, without ever being logically resolved. It is enough to know that God lives on earth as well as in heaven. Even though the temple is ‘exalted’ (nrsv, rsv, KB; cf. reb, neb), it cannot physically contain God any more than he can be confined by human philosophy. And yet anyone can approach him in prayer (vv. 18–40).

Selman, M. J. (1994). 2 Chronicles: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 11, p. 339). InterVarsity Press.

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Who is King?

Summer 2023 Series: Lessons from the Kings

Series Description

This summer at Crossroads Church Aspen we will be learning from the kings of Israel as found in 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles. With the world becoming more and more chaotic and the general anxiety of society rising we will look to the Word of God for wisdom and peace.  We will journey with Israel from rejecting God as their king to having a king like the other nations to the Church’s role in the world. We will look at some big picture stuff like: How do we understand the kingdom of God in light of the current geopolitical landscape. And we will look at some practical issues like: How can it be well with our soul in the midst of so much chaos and transition? And how the freedom found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ transforms people, families and nations.

Let me get some things off my chest as I introduce this series. I have no interest in watering down the Word to simple life lessons and to brush over the tough stuff. Nor to tickle ears or entertain. My calling is to uphold the whole truth of the scriptures, OT and NT, and a glorious God. Also, to reveal what a desperate situation we are in without His glorious grace. I have no interest or biblical imperative for gathering a crowd by addressing felt needs or using emotionalism. I have no desire to preach for a lukewarm normative Christianity that is all knowledge without radical transformative testimonies. I am disturbed and will continue to preach with anguish until the gap between what is described as a vibrant Christian church in the NT is our actual experience here and beyond! So, if there are things in this series that are confusing, that you have never heard, please invite us into your spiritual formation journey. Do not hesitate to ask and pursue understanding – that is what we all need to do. So I am putting these messages into sermon manuscript form if you want to dig deeper and wrestle with these truths.

Who is King?

How humanity has answered this question has formed who they have become, what families have become, what society has become and what nations have become.

How we answer that question today will in turn impact the quality of our hearts, lives, families, society, nations and ultimately our eternal state.

Lesson One:

Read Judges 2:10, 21:25, 1 Samuel 8:1-9, 12:19-25, Eph. 1:7-10; 3:10-11, 1 Peter 3:15

God in His divine tolerance uses Israel’s sin of rejecting Him as King to prepare the way for redemption through King Jesus who is head of the Church today representing His Kingdom on earth until He unites all things in heaven and earth together at His return.

What was the role of the judge of Israel?

“Samuel was the third Levitical judge mentioned in the Bible, Moses (Exod 18:13–26) and Eli (1 Sam 4:18) being the first two. When he grew old, Samuel obeyed the Torah (cf. Deut 16:18) by appointing judges—in this case his sons Joel and Abijah—to function as judges in Beersheba (vv. 1–2). The succession of Eli, Samuel, and his sons suggests that an attempt was being made to bring Israel back to the original Torah pattern of hierocracy, or at least rule by Levites (cf. Deut 17:8–13). Perhaps the belief was that Levites, members of the tribe divinely entrusted with the task of preserving the divine revelation and providing spiritual leadership for Israel, were uniquely qualified to provide the sort of leadership Israel truly needed.”

Bergen, R. D. (1996). 1, 2 Samuel (Vol. 7, p. 114). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

1 Samuel 3:20, Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord, became he knew the Lord, the word of the Lord coming to him, 3:7, 4:17-18, Eli judged for 40 years, as priest, 7:6, Samuel judged the people.

1 Samuel 8:1-5, Samuel is old, and has been judge over Israel and the Philistines had been defeated all his days, but his sons he appointed and the elders came to Samuel and wanted a king rather than his sons who were corrupt – so this evil the people did, was in desperation they defaulted to the world’s plan rather than wait on the Lord and seek Him as king.

1 Samuel 8:19-20, the World desires a king not God

When people reject God as their ruler, they are submitted to earthly kings and governments which will only serve themselves ultimately and manipulate the people and control them as seen in 1 Samuel 8. That is the progression of earthly government.

Who is King? Today it is ever since King Saul, Israel became a nation like the other nations and gradually lost their distinction as God’s people with God reigning as King. But God used this sin of Israel to show them and us like all nations the consequences of rejecting God, as King, Israel believed in God, but rejected Him as King. So God showed them over the course of many kings and failures that in earthly king cannot lead without God leading.

What happens to Church people when they lose faith in church leaders put their faith in politics, worldly gov – and misled to put their trust in a political king rather than the king of kings, but this is the same mistake Israel made in wanting a king like the other nations.

1 Samuel 12, he rebukes the people on his death bed for rejecting God as their king, but God does not forsake His people even in all this.

1 Samuel 12:19-25

So even in our sin, God is gracious, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) His plan of redemption is greater than our sins, the worldly powers, and the devil etc. God’s plan of redemption is greater than the consequences of sin. (Rom 8:28-30.)

God works His glorious plan of redemption of uniting all things in heaven and earth together in the midst of our sin, and He even uses it, works with it, and this explains all kinds of things like polygamy and other things that God seemed to tolerate for awhile (Romans 3:23-26) and why He allows Israel to have a King and reject Him.

Rejecting God as King and adopting an earthly king like the other nations comes with all kinds of other sins of earthly kingdoms like evil power politics, polygamy, etc. (1 Samuel 8)

Not everything we ask for and get are necessarily blessings from the Lord. What do you think about this? It still doesn’t nullify that truth of Romans 8:28, that He works all things for our good.

Israel wanted a king, not God – that’s what they got. Solomon wanted more wives that’s what he got, but they stole his heart away from God.

Not everything we ask for and get are necessarily blessings from the Lord. Do we know the difference? Can we truly say we want His kingdom to come and His righteousness more than anything, and that to be the primary inheritance for our children?

Ephesians 1:7-10

⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸ which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight ⁹ making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Build a bridge to Ephesians 1:10, 3:10, to show now the beautiful powerful important role of the Church that God now reigns through the Church, disciples unto the nations and the Gospel is to be setting Jesus as Lord in our hearts. Unless God is Lord of our heart, enthroned upon our heart, we and all mankind will go the way of the kings.

Ephesians 3:10-12

¹⁰ so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ¹¹ This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

Remember: the world and its governments want a king not God!

Raise up the glory of the Church, it is to represent the Kingdom of God, where Jesus reigns as head of His church until He returns uniting all things in heaven and on earth. Eph 3:10, the powers and principalities are the fallen rulers over the nations of the world who are led by the devil himself. Is this too spiritual for your western mind, is this an affront to your intellect? This is the biblical worldview.

The way of the Kings is ultimately the way of the world under the influence of the gods of the world, the devil, fallen angels and demons.

Eph 3:10, power and principalities represent these worldly national powers and the Church is to be the representative of the Kingdom of God, Jesus as Lord, King so we are not primarily citizens of the world but of His kingdom. Connect Eph. 3:10 with Eph. 6:12 to show that the rulers and authorities are evil spiritual forces.

The glory of the Gospel is that it makes Jesus King of our heart, sets us apart as a holy nation with an eternal inheritance. 1 Peter 3:!5, is in the context of a church which was suffering persecution.

1 Peter 3:15

¹⁵ but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Is Jesus the Lord, the King of your heart? Is He going to be King of the Church today and our lives?

Teach Jesus is King and the importance of honoring authority and the discipline that goes with that – the church is to represent the God designed authority structure of Jesus reigning and the Father on the throne. Today everything is about tearing that down. Woe to the church that doesn’t uphold this structure of authority and caves to culture. The glory and word of the Lord will leave and they will be removed from his presence, the lamp stand will be removed. (Revelation 2:5)

Our life now and our role in His Church is a dress rehearsal for eternity.

May our time be a restoration of regular words from the Lord and frequent visions, the restoration of Acts and from 1 Samuel 3:1. For even the church age can move into a time of spiritual famine.

Lesson Two:

Read 1 Samuel 15:17-24, John 10:27

Partial obedience is not obedience. Jesus is King of our heart when we listen and obey by faith.

To obey and listen to the voice of God is better than the ritual of religion. No matter how much we give or sacrifice in what we perceive as good efforts, it cannot surpass obedience. God wants our heart. Today, no amount of social justice will bring about ultimate good if there is not obedience to God’s Word. (John 15:5)

He is King in our heart when we listen to and obey His Word, Ways and Will.

Beware of mis-guided fear, Jesus is King of our heart when we listen and obey with faith in Him greater than fear of others.

Beware of spiritual manipulation, doing something that appears good with a wrong hidden motive.

1 Samuel 13-15, lessons from Saul, ch 15:22, to obey is better than sacrifice, obedience is listening, partial obedience is not obedience and reveals a heart not whole heart toward God, verse 24 – I feared the people and obeyed their voice  – man pleasing rather than God pleasing

1 Samuel 15:22

²² And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

“The third couplet (v. 23a) provides two of the three logical premises that underlie the serious punishment announced at the conclusion of the final couplet. The first line of the third couplet states that “rebellion” (Hb. merî; v. 23), or willful disobedience, is as serious a sin as the capital “sin of divination.” The conclusion of the couplet declares that “arrogance,” or insubordination (Hb. ʾaven), is equivalent to “idolatry” (tĕrāpîm), presumably since it likewise involves the removal of Yahweh from his rightful place in every person’s life, or as A. F. Kirkpatrick notes, “It elevates self-will into a god.” Interestingly, before Saul’s life ended, he and a member of his family would be connected with both divination (cf. 28:7–19) and tĕrāpîm (cf. 19:13).”

Bergen, R. D. (1996). 1, 2 Samuel (Vol. 7, pp. 172–173). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

“What had motivated Saul to move away from obedience to God’s command? Fundamentally it was misdirected fear: instead of fearing the Lord as required by the Torah (cf. Lev 19:14; 25:17; Deut 6:13, 24; 10:12, 20), Saul “was afraid of the people” (cf. Mark 11:32; John 7:13). Because of that misguided fear, Saul “listened to the voice of” (“gave in to”) the people instead of listening to the Lord’s voice as required by the Torah (cf. Deut 27:10). Perhaps the desire to achieve economic gain by sparing Agag in exchange for ransom or trade concessions from the Amalekites had also led Saul into sin (cf. 1 Tim 6:10).”

Bergen, R. D. (1996). 1, 2 Samuel (Vol. 7, p. 173). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

John 10:27

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

How much time do we spend listening for His voice versus hearing lots of other voices? When we are pressured and under the gun to respond to something or make a decision, do we take time to pull away and seek the voice of the Lord?

We need two evaluate our devotion. Are we coming to the communion table out of religious ritual or from a heart that is in line with God’s Word and Ways and Will?

Lesson Three:

Read Judges 2:10, 21:25, 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-29, 3:13, 8:1-5, 16:7, Malachi 4:5-6, Matthew 28:18-20

Healthy people, churches and nations are dependent upon the passing down of generational faith where the next generation knows the voice and heart of God and that Jesus is King of all!

1 Samuel 3:13, the iniquity of Eli and Samuel’s sons, for not disciplining his sons!! This possibly resulted in the people’s lack of confidence in the prophet and judge and led them to ask for a king rather than ask God to rebuke and revive His leaders.; Tie this to Judges 2:10 and  21:25 to see how quick the generations can fall away.

1 Samuel 8 – great problems of lack of discipleship and preparing the next generation, Why were Elis and Samuel’s sons so ungodly, where was the breakdown? So in fear of the future and corruption in the office of judge and prophet the people lost faith and asked for a king, rejected God as King, not trusting His guidance – they deferred to the world to be like all the other nations,

1 Samuel 16:7

“For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Passing down generational faith is more important than generational wealth in that generational wealth will follow generational faith, but generational faith will not follow generational wealth.

Both Eli and Samuel passed down to their sons the form of religion in the priesthood, that included wealth and privilege, but failed to pass down a heart for the Lord with great tragic consequences in both. This failure taints the entire history of the Kings of Israel and the history of the Church.

We can see the Jesse Davids father did not even see the potential and heart of his youngest son David.

1 Samuel 8:19, 8:3-5, 3:13, this seems to be a trend throughout the kings and is today – what can we learn moving forward about importance of discipleship preparing the next generation?

“Then, in a particularly memorable statement the Lord uttered one of the most important statements in all of Scripture regarding divine concerns and human capacities. God first affirmed his fundamental “otherness”: “the Lord does not look at the things man looks at” (v. 7). Neither the Lord’s considerations nor his abilities are the same as those of humans; whereas “man looks at the outward appearance” (lit., “the eyes”), “the Lord looks at the heart.” The Lord alone has the capacity to observe and judge a person’s “heart” (Hb. lēb), that is, one’s thoughts, emotions, and intents. On God’s scales these matters outweigh all other aspects of a human life.”

Bergen, R. D. (1996). 1, 2 Samuel (Vol. 7, p. 179). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

The Old Testament ends with a hopeful prophecy of what God is going to do in restoring the hearts of fathers to their children. This is part of what defines healthy people, churches and even nations, it is a picture of the household of God and the powerful work of the Spirit. Tie Malachi 4:5-6 to Luke 1:16-17.

Malachi 4:5-6

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. ⁶ And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

The post Who is King? appeared first on Stephen Woodrow.

Jesus’ teaching during His earthly ministry was focused on the kingdom of God and the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom. We can see in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus laid out some of the key principles of the Kingdom of heaven. When Nicodemus, a faithful Pharisee encountered Jesus, he was told to be born again or he could not see the kingdom of God. In speaking with His disciples, Jesus told them they had to receive the Kingdom like a child. And after His resurrection, the scriptures tell us that Jesus taught about the kingdom of God for 40 days.

Jesus was laser focused about ushering in, modeling and teaching the kingdom of God.

So, why are we as followers of Jesus and the Church so distracted and confused about the Kingdom of God?

There are in my view today 4 primary distractions and attacks against the Kingdom of God that believers and the Church need to be aware of so they can stay focused on the Kingdom of God.

1.) Christian Rationalism: This is nothing new. This distraction and attack has its roots back in the age of enlightenment and age of reason where mankind started believing they could think their way through life and exalted the human mind above the wisdom of God. This idea has filtered into the Church in many different forms, but basically it is any exalting of man’s wisdom and ideas over the power of the Spirit. In our time this shows up in the Church embracing business models and leadership methods over the supernatural power and gifts of the Spirit. Also, this shows up in an over emphasis on apologetics. It is believing the lie that we can lead people to Jesus by reasoning with them alone without a demonstration of the Spirit’s power on their soul.

2.) Christian Sensationalism: This often has been a reaction to Christian Rationalism and focuses on experience, but often instead of a healthy pursuit and display of the spiritual gifts and the power of God, it moves into disorder and a forced stirring up of manifestations rather than waiting on genuine manifestations of the Spirit. This also is behind much of the seeker sensitive movement that uses entertainment to attract people and keep people. It is an over emphasis on technology and entertainment methods rather than a genuine, authentic, theologically sound pursuit of the Kingdom of God.

3.) Christian Progressivism: This distraction is a full attack on the Church and the Kingdom of God in that it denounces the authority of the scriptures and is more concerned with pleasing the culture than staying true to the scriptures and to pleasing God and upholding His holiness. Christian Progressivism in some of its forms is minimizing the biblical foundations of our nation and actively trying to make us more of a secular nation.

4.) Christian Nationalism: This is a relatively new term, but the idea is not new. Christian Nationalism believes that America is God’s preferred nation, not that it is just blessed by God. They believe that America was established as a “Christian Nation” and that the relationship of the Church and the State need to be protected. It seeks to blend American and Christian values and identities. This raises a huge theological question, “Is there any support in the Bible or in Jesus’ teaching for a Christian Nation, rather than the Church focusing on the Kingdom of God?” What would be the difference between a Christian Nation and a theocracy? This is probably the most difficult of the 4 to deal with because for many their politics are deeply woven into their Christian faith. Yes, we are to be active citizens and involved in all areas of politics, but the Church as a family is to stay focused on the Kingdom of God and equipping the saints to be salt and light in each of their unique areas of influence.

So, what is the way forward? These are confusing times, so it is critical that believers and the Church shore up who they are and what Jesus has primarily called us to. I believe one of the great outcomes of this season we have been in is that it is allowing believers and the Church to rethink their views on the Kingdom of God and re-establish that as priority. The priority of every Christian is faithfulness to Jesus, His Word and His Church. And for the Church, Jesus was clear that it should be equipping the saints to do what Jesus did; usher in, model and teach the kingdom of God and the Gospel of the Kingdom. This is a time for us all to deeply evaluate our faith and make sure we are viewing everything through a Gospel biblical lens rather than a Christian Rationalist, Sensationalist, Progressive or Nationalist lens.

The post Staying Focused on the Kingdom of God appeared first on Stephen Woodrow.

1. Geographic relocation
2. Theological disunity
3. Cliques within the church
4. Relational conflicts

So with all the moving and shaking going on, what are some things that the church can do to address these four things? Rather than just accept the reality of these 4 reasons for leaving, how can we look at these things as opportunities to rethink and refine our church community?

What if we addressed Geographic Relocation as Missional Opportunities?

Since our community is a resort community it has always had lots of people moving in and out through the different seasons. The last couple years our whole nation has been experiencing big demographic changes. Some people will move to a different area of the city, a suburb or in our situation down-valley because they can afford a house or for many other reasons. Many of these folks will get plugged into a local church in their area and that is great. But, what if those folks wanted to stay connected to the community, but the commute was too long? This could be a great opportunity to pray about starting a new gospel community or microChurch that developed a missional approach to their new location but stayed plugged in with the original church. And if someone moves to another city, but struggles to find a church to plug into, this could be an opportunity to pray about starting a simple Gospel community. There is no greater evangelistic impact than starting new simple Gospel churches.

What if we addressed Theological disunity with Theological clarity and unity?

The leadership of the church needs to make sure they are being diligent to be the theologians of the church and maintain sound doctrine and teach sound doctrine. Unfortunately, today the importance of theology has been minimized in the midst of a culture that has been overtaken by secularism. When there is disagreement, this should be a great opportunity to have healthy discussion and to clarify the essential doctrines of the church and refine the non-essential doctrines. There can be no unity without theological unity.

What if we addressed Cliques with Intentional Engagement beyond our groups?

No matter how hard a church works to be welcoming there will always be those who feel like they cannot break into the community. So, we can and should always be evaluating the relational aspects of our church culture to knock down barriers that keep people from plugging in. We need to regularly teach and model a practice of always looking outside our comfortable relationships to development other relationships.

What if we addressed Relational Conflicts with Gospel-Centered resolutions?

There will always be some relational situations that just for some reason or another were not able to be resolved. At best for these, hopefully people can agree to disagree. But, most unresolved relationships are the result of not being willing to put on a Gospel lens when dealing with the conflict. The Gospel transforms us to learn to live unoffendable, quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger (James 1:19) and “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:3) The main way we learn to put on a Gospel lens is through discipleship where we learn to be like Jesus and minister with Jesus.

The post Why People Leave and What To Do appeared first on Stephen Woodrow.

I am uncomfortable even writing that sentence, but sadly that is the growing attitude among many people in America today and a sure sign of our rapid secularization.

Every week I try and walk into the core of our town (Aspen, CO) and get a coffee, hang out, be available and pray for our little resort town. Apatheism is in full swing here. This is a secular city that is busy with all the best the world has to offer. To be a follower of Jesus and be a part of a church is a minority group here and there is very little to affirm faith. People will talk about ‘spirituality’ and all kinds of spiritual experiences, but the idea of God is marginalized. So, how are Christ-followers to live in this growing secular society and be faithful to Jesus’ mission?

Stefan Paas in his book, Pilgrims and Priests, Christian Mission in a Post-Christian Society, describes his experience of living in Amsterdam:

“For the first time we lived in a place where our deepest convictions were not acknowledged at all, or even respected. Despite yourself, you begin to realize how completely self-evident it is for the vast majority in Amsterdam to live without God or the Church. In this profoundly secularized environment people do not even bother to be atheists…You start to wonder whether it really is worth your time to invest so much in one seeker who knocks on the door, while so many others leave through the back door. These questions hit you with double strength when you notice that people can be really happy without religion, and that they do not need God either to care deeply about their fellow humans, or to give to charity. In most of them you do not find this sense of emptiness, or the vague sense of guilt that can be found among non-believers or ex-churchgoers in more religious areas. In Amsterdam, faith has nothing to do with ‘doing the decent thing’ or ‘following tradition’.” (xiv-xv)

All of these sentiments converge here in our little international mountain town. So, how can we maintain a positive faith identity and be salt and light within this rapidly changing culture? Paas goes on in his book to encourage believers to remember that the Bible was written by minorities – believers whose faith and religious practice had been marginalized within the culture and were experiencing hostility. He mentions the story of Daniel in exile as a great encouragement and makes this profound statement:

“Daniel managed to develop a positive faith identity in a context that did not support or affirm his faith. If your faith survives in exile, it will only happen by being thrown back on the nourishing narratives of the Bible, and by being connected with a faith community. The rest will soon become insignificant, or fade away…Again, the faithful formed small groups here amidst a rather disinterested world.” (xv)

We all need to take some time and deeply think about this and press into the scriptures and evaluate our commitment to the church and smaller faith groups within. We cannot move on to being salt and light until we are aflame with hunger for Jesus and His Word and deeply committed to His Body the Church.

The post What is the Spirit saying to the Church? (part 2) appeared first on Stephen Woodrow.

I will be raising important questions and thoughts from the above resources that we as Crossroads Church Aspen and the Church at large can hopefully engage together on in prayer and discussion. I hope you will use this blog series to engage in prayer and for discussion in your discipleship groups and microChurch. Feel free to engage in discussion in this blog or directly with me at steve@ccaspen.com.

At the end of each of the letters to the churches in Revelation Jesus ends with the exhortation, “He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” It is more important than ever that we turn our ears to the Spirit and pray, listen and be ready to shift.

In Tim Keller’s recent article, “The Decline and Renewal of the American Church: Part 2 – the Decline of Evangelicalism” he mentions two primary features of the secularization of our culture which have contributed to the decline of Christianity in America; 1) science and tech rule and religious beliefs are no longer allowed in public discourse. 2) radical individualization which sees the individual rather than community as the primary building block of society. Both of these issues have had a bigger impact on our lives and our faith than we realize. Our culture has been radically secularized, so how are we going to respond? More importantly, “What is the Spirit saying to the Church today?” This is not just a question for theologians and pastors, but is critical for all believers, the whole Church to pray, listen and be ready to shift.

In this article Tim gives 6 reasons that we can have hope for renewal within the Church:

1.) The limits of secularization

He points out that with the rapid secularizing of our culture that there is a very limited ability to form community, provide meaning, healthy identity, contentment, and the ability to face suffering.

Now, here is where the Church should be shining, for God has provided clarity on each of these issues. But how are we to effectively model and provide these to our community, which is post-Christian and secular in nature? We need to pray, think deeply and biblically about these things and listen to what the Spirit is saying. Church – what do you think, how can we best model and provide these important issues to our community?

2.) The strength of global Christianity

He points out that outside the West, Christianity is growing and that future leaders will primarily be multi-ethnic.

So, how can we learn from and partner with the global church? Even this last Sunday, it was awesome to hear powerful exhortations during our ministry time from a visiting Armenian, Romanian. and Argentinian. We are blessed here in Aspen to be truly a Crossroads of the nations. How can we better learn and partner with them for the kingdom?

3.) The demographics of religion

Tim Keller points out that the more religious people are the more children they have. “Some social scientists say the world’s secular population will ‘top out’ sometime in the mid 21st century and begin to shrink.”

It is not just about having more kids, but about building healthy families where parents are discipling their children in the word and ways of the Lord. So, as the church we should have a clear vision for reaching-building-equipping families in the areas or marriage, parenting and discipleship. There is very little support in our community for marriages and parenting, so there are huge opportunities for us to provide help that bring the great promises of God’s design for family. What are your thoughts on how we can prepare to better reach-build-equip families?

4.) The subversive fulfillment of chosen religion

This one is a bit complicated. What Keller is basically saying is that most religions are inherited, meaning you are born into them. And these churches decline more rapidly with secularization. Chosen religions are ones that require conversion and are better adapted to modern culture.

One of the trends we have been seeing is the falling away of people who claim to be Christian just because it was the faith they grew up under. What separates being a follower of Jesus from other religions is that it requires a radical born-again conversion experience. The current pressures of secularization are weeding out people from the church who have just been Christian because of their culture rather than a true conversion experience with Christ. This means we need to be clearer about the Gospel and salvation and bolder in our communication with people so that they are not just accepting a moralistic and therapeutic message but understand the radical cost of following Jesus as His disciple. What implications does this have on how we do church and discipleship? This also brings to the forefront the importance for parents to walk alongside their kids and pray that they will “own” their own faith and have a born-again experience with Jesus.

5.) The translatability of faith

Keller describes this as “Christians don’t have a code-law like Leviticus like cults and other religions so we are more able to integrate into surrounding culture.”

This brings to light our mission to be salt and light in the world, to be in the world but not of the world. Christians are not to be “at war with the culture” but are to be involved in the culture with the joy of the Lord. We must learn to balance the reality of “being set apart as holy to God” and “being sent into the world as salt and light.” The two most destructive movements today for the Christian witness in our culture are Christian nationalism and Christian progressivism. One has an unhealthy blending of the Gospel and politics and the there has an unhealthy blending with secularism. How can we better be the salt and light today? How do we keep from falling into Christian nationalism or Christian progressivism?

6.) The promise of Jesus

Keller states that, “Historically when the church is attacked it comes out stronger.” In Matthew 16:18, Jesus states, “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”

We see throughout history that God uses trials and persecution to discipline and strengthen His church. So, we should be listening to what the Spirit has to say to us to get our house in order. Another important aspect I would add to this last point is Jesus’ promise of the empowerment of the Spirit for ministry. Have we in the American church – here at Crossroads – relied more on man’s methods, best business practice, psychology, programs and consumer entertainment than on the power of the Spirit? How can we truly learn to live and minister by the Spirit? How can we know that we are operating by Zechariah 4:6, “not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts”?

I hope you will prayerfully think and discuss these issues with your discipleship group, community group and microChurch. I would love to hear your thoughts.

What is the Spirit saying to us today? What do we need to shift?

The post What is the Spirit saying to the Church? (part1) appeared first on Stephen Woodrow.

No one has been unscathed from all the banter and volatility around masks, vaccines and mandates. It is tragic to see how these issues have polarized our society, fractured families and even brought great disunity into the Church. The Church should be leading the way in how to discuss and handle these issues with grace and respect. Unfortunately, these issues have exposed within the Church community how our opinions about things are more formed by media and bias than by biblical conviction.

In Romans 14, Paul deals with certain issues that were disputable. These were issues where different believers could take different positions on things like whether to eat meat or drink wine and Paul urges the church to respect each other’s convictions. Later in the chapter Paul calls on believers to be considerate of each other and not lead anyone to stumble, which means, we should not influence anyone to do anything they could only do in defiance of their conscience. The main point of the chapter and what we must apply to all of our convictions is:

“For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23)

Leon Morris states, “It is important that we act in accordance with our fundamental Christian beliefs, for “any action that is not based on faith is a sin” (Moffatt). The apostle is condemning conduct that springs from motives like selfishness or greed or fear. Faith is that by which one receives salvation, but it is also basic to the whole Christian way of life. Faith is a humble reliance on God, on God alone, for salvation and for the living out of the implications of that salvation. What cannot be justified by being in accord with our relation to Christ is sin.”

People of faith can have different convictions about vaccines and masks and both stand on faith for their decision and therefore both need to respect each other for the sake of unity. Some might have a conviction about masks or vaccines that they need to follow the rules given by the government, while others can have conviction that transcends those mandates out of obedience to God. What matters is that the believer’s conviction stems from faith and not fear or selfishness.

Now the issue of mandates is tricky. When anything that is a disputable issue, in other words, not the law of the land, is mandated for a society there will be disunity and unrest. This is especially true when it comes to something that impacts our personal body or our future children’s body. People should be able to make personal decisions and believers should make a decision based on faith and not be forced to make a decision against their own conscience and faith conviction. (Side note: this does not apply to abortion, since there is another living being involved that should be protected) However, it seems that we as a society are far down the road of not recognizing individual faith conviction. So, this comes back to the individual and what they believe being faithful to God looks like when pressured into a decision against their conscience. Again, different believers can have different convictions on what to do and each position if it is a faith decision should be respected. The scriptures are clear that as the end draws near believers faith convictions will be challenged more and more. If we do not learn how to make decisions from the Word of God and the wisdom of the Spirit we will easily be led astray in the future.

In conclusion, it is critical that the church foster a healthy grace atmosphere on disputable things, where everyone is encouraged to take time to make sure their convictions flow from faith rather than fear or bias so that we are able to stand strong when the stakes get much higher.

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