Religion vs. the Gospel

A classic misunderstanding of Christianity is how it's viewed as a religion versus a Gospel-centered movement.  When rules, structure, formalities, performance, judgment, and appearance are highlighted more than love, grace, joy, forgiveness, kindness and just a worshipful response to the goodness of God, people get turned off and can get hostile.  I've had a couple different conversations over the last week with both believers and non-believers, with people from each category expressing their disdain for all things "religion".  One of my believing friends struggles with the corporate-ness that religion can bring which is causing him to suffocate from simply living and influencing under the direction of the Holy Spirit like he feels he should.  One of my non-believing friends is quite hostile toward any "religious" and simply sees a different form of capitalism and buildings full of judgmental hypocrites.  In both cases, formalized religion has failed.

While Jesus did speak of building a church and appointed leaders for his church which the Apostles and then Paul helped further develop as more and more people began to follow Jesus, I don't think that Jesus quite had in mind for "Christianity" to what it has developed into today.  Jesus was a movement leader more than a CEO.  Jesus influenced more than he controlled (which I also believe was the way the Apostles went about things as well).  Jesus loved more than he judged.  Jesus had a clear sense of right & wrong, and when he confronted people on their sin, there was always this deep undercurrent of love that went along with it.  The only people that he just blasted with judgment were the religious people, not the ones who were far from God! That's a great model and method to continue!

A great summation of all of this comes from something that Jesus himself said in John 3:17: "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."  Love always trumps condemnation.  Gospel always wins over religion.

Being a True Fan

I'm reading this book called "Tribes" by Seth Godin that given to me by my friend Dave.  One thing that he points out in his book deals with the idea of being a "true fan" regarding the leader, mission, or philosophy of the particular tribe that the fan is a part of.  He credited the idea from Kevin Kelly.  Godin (and Kelly) define a "true fan" as someone who buys anything you produce (especially pre-releases & limited editions), will drive 200 miles to hear you sing, buy the t-shirt, the mug, and commemorative pin.  Some fans are really easy to identify like Elvis fans, sports teams fanatics, and given the time of year, Christmas junkies (the ones with the gaudy decorations & bad sweaters and listen to nothing but Bing Crosby for a month).

This got me thinking: what does a "true fan" of Jesus look like?  Is it simply "consuming" all things Jesus from cross necklaces, worship music, bumper stickers, and books?  Or is there more to it than that?

One point that Kelly makes on his blog is that once a person/movement reaches 1000 "true fans" they can make a living because they have a stable base of consistent support.  This got me thinking of my church, Delta.  While I think we have a small number of "fans" and an even smaller number of "true fans", there are lots of people out there that would be a "fan" of what we're seeking to do here in Springfield; which is simply connecting disconnected people by loving God, transforming lives, and changing the world.

Here's what I think a "Fan" of Delta looks like: 1) believe in our vision & mission; 2) they spread the word about us & what we're doing (promotion); 3) they follow our progress (through our website, blog, Facebook, etc.); and 4) they create more fans.

But what about "True Fan"?  True fans: 1) financially support Delta; 2) attend & become a member at Delta; 3) serve at Delta; 4) lead at Delta; 5) bring people to Delta.

I think 2009 will be a great year for Delta.  Part of it I think will be building our "fan base".  What would happen if Delta got 500 fans and 100 true fans this year?  I think we would see the Gospel kick into overdrive here in Springfield.  You see, it's not necessarily about growing a big church, but it's about being a part of a bigger movement - the movement of Jesus Christ invading the hearts of people far from him with his love here in Springfield.  What could be better than that?

Here's what you can do now to advance your "fan-dom":

1. If you're local, come hang out with us on Sunday mornings or midweekCommunity Groups.

2. Follow this blog.

3. Follow me on Twitter.

4. Join our Facebook group.

5. Join our Google Group.

Grace & Peace...have a great Christmas this week! (of which I am a big fan of!)

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Incarnation

“Seeing is believing.” “Don’t judge someone until you’ve walked in their shoes.” Sentiments like these have woven themselves into the very fabric of our culture.  These statements communicate that we are a culture of experience and relationship. Until an idea has “flesh and bone” we typically fail to buy into it.  God knows this about us.  God knows the power of experience and the power of relationship…for He is the One who created us with those desires. And in His great love to fulfill His great plan of being our Rescuer, he meets us where we are at. The Incarnation – God Himself taking on flesh – shows the height, the width, the depth, and the breadth His love.  And more than that…He came humbly…as a baby born in a barn, wrapped in rags to keep Him warm, and placed in a manger.

Scripture: John 1:1-5, 14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Christmas Hymn “What Child Is This?”

Sing or listen to "What Child Is This?", with our hearts gazing at the Christ Child, singing of the wonder of the Incarnation.

Third Week of Advent

Peace

Confusion…pain…angst…fear…corruption…chaos…not having enough room to breath…always on the move and trying to keep up…these are words and phrases that illustrate both our lives and the world we live in.  We inwardly groan for something – for Someone – to bring order and peace to our lives and to still our restless hearts.  The quiet birth of the Christ Child amid the hustle and bustle of a town bursting at its seams due to a major national event reminds us that God can and does inject His peace into the busyness that defines our lives.

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Reflection: The Christmas Hymn “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”

Sing or listen to "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear", reflecting on the peace that is afforded us and that was proclaimed by the angels at the birth of the Prince of Peace.

Second Week of Advent

Joy

The source of our joy is in God Himself.  God is good.  God is trustworthy.  God is love.  He sees us in our great need, marred by sin, unable to save ourselves, destined for an eternity without Him.  And so, driven by love, grace, and mercy, God plans on sending us a Rescuer; One who will save us from our sin and create peace between us and the Father.  This plan for salvation, birthed in eternity past, began to come to fruition in the birth of the Christ Child.

Scripture: Isaiah 52:7-10

How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice;
together they sing for joy;
for eye to eye they see
the return of the Lord to Zion.
Break forth together into singing,
you waste places of Jerusalem,
for the Lord has comforted his people;
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has bared his holy arm
before the eyes of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of our God

Song: Sing or listen to the Christmas hymn "Joy to the Word" and celebrate the great joy of the Gospel that is promised us through the birth of the Christ Child.

Practice: Share some 'Christmas joy' with your neighbors or co-workers this week.  Personally deliver a Christmas card, some homemade cookies, or a handmade gift.

First Week of Advent

We are officially in the Advent season, which begins four Sundays before Christmas.  At Delta, we have customized our Advent themes this year, and are encouraging tangible practices of each theme.  This week, our theme is "glory."

Glory

Our God is a glorious God who had made a promise to rescue us from our sin.  The birth of Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of that glorious promise.  And as 1 Peter says how even angels longingly look at the wonder of the Gospel, we see the angels present at the birth of the Christ Child announcing the miracle and proclaiming the glory of God to the shepherds; who in turn gave glory to God for the fulfillment of sending our rescuer.

Scripture: Luke 2:8-15, 20

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Christmas Hymn to sing: “Angels we have heard on high”

Practice: Spend this week in meditation on God’s Glory, God’s Word, and repenting of any selfish desires that the holiday season can bring.