At Stapleton Fellowship Church, the church I pastor in Denver, we are currently doing a series entitled “Igniting a Life of Generosity.” It is all about living responsibly and open-handedly with the resources God has entrusted to us: our material possessions, our gifts/abilities, and our time.
In light of this, I came across this morning an idea from Dr. Francis Schaeffer from over 25 years ago. He warned the church that it faced the potential of embracing what he called the two terrible values of “personal peace and personal affluence.” He translated this to mean, “Leave me alone (peace) with my materialism (affluence, things, toys, lifestyle) and I don’t really care about what else happens in the world around me.”

Has Dr. Schaeffer’s prophetic warning come to fulfillment? With allowances for some remarkable exceptions, I think the answer is pretty obvious all around us. The question is, now what do we do about it?

The only answer that makes any sense is a generosity revolution that begins on a personal level. In other words, individual followers of Christ must come to a personal decision and conviction that breaking through the spiritual malaise caused by a devotion to personal peace and personal affluence is a high-priority personal value for them.  A commitment to a lifestyle of generosity is the clear practical antidote. Sure, we can pray for spiritual deliverance from the entanglements of materialism, but until we commit to a life direction away from it, this is only lip service. Our comfort and complacency and immersion in a lifestyle of acquiring and hoarding must be challenged with real, concrete steps of “divestment.” The particulars of these steps will depend upon the individual believer’s spiritual journey and where they find themselves in regard to material entanglements. For instance, persons deep in debt who cannot afford their bills can be as entangled in these values as those who have selfishly accumulated millions only for their own pleasure, comfort, and aggrandizement. Not to mention the potential for those who barely scrape by, living paycheck to paycheck, to allow their lives to become an obsession with “getting to the next step on the ladder,” or “making a better life for myself and my family,” resulting in a heart condition that is little different from their “richer” or “poorer” counterparts. However, the steps toward breaking free will look radically different for each of these groups.

The important question, though, comes back to the personal level for each of us: How entangled is my heart in the pursuit of personal peace and personal affluence? What must I do (beyond praying about it) in order to begin to break free? What role could a step toward generosity play in helping my heart break free from these idolatries? What is my own very next step in this process?

A Mother’s Day Poem
You treasured and nurtured me when I was born
Provided the things that I needed;
But more than all that, you gave yourself up,
And from your own interest retreated.

You rocked me to sleep, you bandaged my wounds,
You made our house into a home;
And now I still carry you deep in my heart
No matter how far I might roam.

Today is the day that our world sets aside
To honor you and what you’ve done
But I should thank God for you every day
Instead of just giving you one.

Though God gave you to me as a teacher and sage
To guide me to Him and His ways,
I see him most clearly not in what you’ve said,
But in the way you’ve lived your days.

You’d give up your life to save mine if you must
I’ve never doubted it’s true;
Reminds me of Jesus who gave up His life
To win heaven for me and you.

You’ve loved me like no one else ever could love
Believed in me like no other;
And everything good that comes of my life
I owe in some way to you, mother.

Dean Hill
Mother’s Day 2010

The second week we looked at the character change Christ wants to work in our lives as a result of our new birth into his kingdom. It is not just about settling our eternity, but about becoming who he wants us to become here and now. Don’t settle for being “so heavenly minded you are no earthly good”! The two lists in Galatians 5, describing the contrast between the works of the sinful nature and the fruit of God’s Spirit, depict for us the journey he has called us to pursue, from the lifestyle promoted and displayed by this world to the character of Christ, which he is busy about accomplishing in our lives. We need to join him in this quest, being constantly “transformed by the renewing of our minds” so that we are no longer being “conformed to the image of this world”.

This week (4/18) we examined the access we now have into God’s presence as a result of becomng followers of Christ. We are granted unlimited access to God, based not on our good works or righteousness, but totally on the grace and mercy of God through Christ. This access is an invitation to all believers to develop a dynamic prayer life and an intimacy with God we never would have thought possible. Like a ticket to the best seats at a ballgame, we can now go confidently to God to receive comfort and mercy and vision and power whenever we are in need. We are invited to get to know God and walk in intimate fellowship with him. When we take him up on this, we begin to live in and for the purpose for which we were created. Why would we not?

Next Sunday (4/25), for the last week of the “Everything Changes” series, we will be considering the change in direction that occurs in terms of our life’s mission and purpose relating to other people. “The Weight of the World” is something we now share – not as an unbearable burden, but as a joyful and fulfilling mission to help others come to know the God who loves them and offers them this change we have received. It is simply not enough any more for us to live for our own purposes and our own glory. We now get the privilege of being God’s “fellow workers” in the grand purpose of history, the redemption of people for the Kingdom of God. Have you joined him in this great enterprise? It doesn’t require that you be a “superstar”, but simply that you embrace and pursue the person he created you to be and allow him to use you to touch others. If you are in Denver, be sure to come to SFC on Sunday and allow God to speak to you through his Word. Or, if you are not able to be here with us, you can catch the audio of this entire series at http://www.stapletonchurch.com/Audio_Messages/

Sunday, August 16, 2009
Revelation 22:13-21
“Amen, Come Lord Jesus”
In this final passage of the Revelation, several of the most important truths revealed in the book (and indeed, in the whole Bible) are restated. The eternal authority and immutability (unchanging nature) of Christ (vv.13, 16); the separation of the redeemed to eternal life (v.14); the consignment of the unrepentant to hell (v.15); the longing of the Holy Spirit and the Church for the return of Christ (v.17a); the free offer of forgiveness and eternal life to all (v.17b); and the imminent return of Christ (v.20). If we believe all these things to be true, then the only logical response we can make to our reading of the Book of Revelation is a commitment to live for Christ as never before, to seek to contribute to the spread of his Kingdom like never before, and to look eagerly for his return as never before. Perhaps now, as your reading of this book draws to a close, it is a good time for you to freshly commit your own life to these pursuits. Are you right now living as if Christ is the unchanging King of the universe; as if heaven and hell are real eternal destinations; as if the return of Christ is both the highest good for his followers and a soon coming event; and as if there is a free offer of a future in paradise still on the table for multitudes in our world today?

Prayer Starter:
Lord, after reading through this book I am struck by the gravity of the drama in which the human race is involved. Help me to take seriously the pursuit of following you with my whole heart and life, living my life and making an impact for you more intensely and intentionally than I ever have before. Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

Saturday, August 15, 2009
Revelation 22:6-12
The Imminence of His Coming
We begin today to look at the very conclusion of the book, and this conclusion resembles the opening back in chapter one. We hear the voices of the angel, Jesus, the Spirit, the bride, and finally John himself. A major them of this last chapter (mentioned twice in this passage and once in the remainder of the chapter) is the imminence of Christ’s return. He says in verses 7 and 12, “…I am coming soon!” Verse 6 calls all these events “the things that must soon take place.”
We certainly cannot know the day or the hour when Christ will return and the Book of Revelation will be fulfilled. However, we do have the assurance that it could happen at any time. It is the next thing on the “eschatological clock”. With this in view, we should keep ourselves ready and keep working for the King, and we should also stay encouraged that the glorious scene we saw yesterday is one day closer!

Prayer Starter:
Lord, thank your for the assurance that you are coming soon. However the details exactly work out, I know that your return will be glorious. Help me to stay faithful to you until then, and keep my heart encouraged by the nearness of your appearing.

Friday, August 14, 2009
Revelation 22:1-5
A Place of Life
The description of the New Jerusalem continues with a more detailed look at the inner life of the city. The picture John paints is truly one of paradise returned. There are three dominant images that drive home the message that this is above all else a place of life, perpetual and abundant: the river, the tree, and the light. The river of life flows from God’s throne, recalling water as a frequent metaphor in scripture for life. It is frequently associated with the salvation of God and cleansing by the Holy Spirit – life from God streams constantly through this new world. The tree represents the restoring of everything that was lost at the fall, when Adam was thrown out of Eden. This tree has abundant fruit and medicinal leaves, signifying the overcoming and healing of all of the effects of sin. Finally the presence of perpetual light due to the manifest presence of God communicates his glory. Because God is there among his people, death and sin have no place there. What a glorious place for us to spend eternity!

Prayer Starter:
Lord, as I live today in this world, with all of the evidence of the fall so visible around me (sin, death, and darkness), I thank you that I can look forward to a time when there is no falleness left. I rejoice as I look forward to that day of life, and I ask that you keep me focused on eternal values today.

Thursday, August 13, 2009
Revelation 21:1- 27
Newness after Judgment
This vision of newness (the new heavens, the new earth, and the New Jerusalem) provides a striking contrast to the dark scenes of war, judgment, and destruction that precede it. There are numerous images of hope an contentment that all work together to deliver the message that this is a fresh start and a new reality – that the time of war, death, suffering, sin, and judgment have given way to an eternal age of peace, life, joy, and unbroken relationship with God. There is the church as a bride; the spring of the water of life where the thirsty can drink without cost; the beautiful jewels all around; the river of the water of life; the tree of life; and the closeness of God to his people, resulting in no temple, no light source, and an atmosphere of absolute purity. Praise God today as you experience this promise in the form of a vision. Give him thanks and glory for the perfection of this eternal home. Dedicate yourself anew to living as a child of the God who will make this all a reality for you.

Prayer Starter:
Thank you, Lord, that as your follower I will one day get to participate in this ultimate existence of bliss and eternal peace. Allow me to walk through my day today with the knowledge that I am a citizen of a different kingdom, and that although it is not here in its fullness yet, I have your promise that it will be truly glorious beyond all that I have experienced in my life here.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Revelation 20:11-15
The Great White Throne
Now that the millennial reign of Christ and the judgment of the dragon are complete, the scene shifts to the final judgment of all of humanity, past and present. God, the judge, is seen as an awe-inspiring presence on a great white throne, so fearsome that both heaven and earth physically flee his presence. As everyone stands before him, a set of books containing a complete record of all human deeds is opened for inspection. Then another book is opened, the book of life, containing the names of all who have been redeemed by Christ.
It is quite sobering to ponder the truth that these books contain absolutely everything from all the lives of those standing before the throne. There is nothing that is forgotten in the sight of God; all will ultimately give an account for their actions. The most important issue is obviously that our names be found in the book of life. If so, the ultimate punishment for whatever we have done wrong has been paid for by Christ. We also should be spurred on to right living, however, by the fact that even those things we do and say that seem to be hidden from everyone’s sight are seen and remembered by God. They are written in these books of deeds, and they will be opened before his great white throne.

Prayer Starter:
Lord, thank you for the truth that those in Christ will not experience the punishment their sins deserve – instead we are cleansed of all our sins to live with you forever. Make me aware, though, of the importance of living right for you. Whatever the level of exposure for believers at your great white throne judgment, I do not want to be ashamed before you for how I’ve lived.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Revelation 20:1-10
The Millennium and the Judgment of the Dragon
The next events in this sequence moving toward the end are the thousand year reign of Christ and then the defeat and judgment of the dragon (Satan). We are told that Christ will set up a thousand year reign in which Satan will be bound and the overcoming saints will reign with Christ. Although there are numerous views of this reign among scholars, it makes the most sense to interpret it as a literal, physical thousand year reign. After this period, Satan is released, he gathers the nations to oppose God, and is finally defeated and sent to final destruction.
The Millennium will reveal that man’s rebellion against God lies deep in man’s own heart and not just in the devil’s deception. We can say this because we see that even with Satan bound and righteousness prevailing in the world, there will still be those who rebel against God (because after Satan is released, there is enough latent, hidden evil left for him to draw out into an army to oppose God. Be very aware of the tendency to blame Satan for wrong choices and other evidences of fallen-ness in your life. Take responsibility for your own rebellion and allow God to help you deal with it.

Prayer Starter:
Lord, I know that the potential for evil lies within the hearts of men and cannot be simply blamed on Satan. Forgive me for the times I have attempted to blame him in this way. Teach me to take responsibility for keeping rebellion out of my heart and choosing to say no to temptation when it comes.

Monday, August 10, 2009
Revelation 19:1-21
The Fall of the Beast
As this great story of the end hurtles toward its conclusion, it is clear that the final judgment sequence is underway. In this chapter we see a great celebration over the destruction of Babylon followed by a description of the destruction of the Antichrist and the false prophet. It is interesting that these two who have until been in absolute control of the unbelieving population of the earth are totally defeated by the power of God. They are judged and thrown into the lake of burning fire. The one who is called Faithful and True, the Word of God, comes riding on a white horse and leading the armies of heaven to execute this judgment. As you ponder the final triumph of Christ over the Antichrist today, celebrate the reality that Jesus, who died for us and was thought defeated by Satan, is coming back as a triumphant warrior. His Kingdom will be victorious in the end, and those who oppose it will meet a bitter end. Stad strong in your faith no matter what kind of opposition you may face – the authority of those who oppose Christ is temporary!

Prayer Starter:
Lord, thank you that the Antichrist will not stand. I know that whether or not the Antichrist is alive as a person today, certainly the antichrist spirit is alive and well. Help me to cling to Christ now, that I might share in your ultimate victory and be part of the chorus of celebration in that day.