A STRUCTURED APPROACH TO EASTER

This month, I would like to expand our thinking regarding the season of Lent. Lent is generally not practiced by those in the Baptist tradition. Lent is considered too Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist or Lutheran for Baptist to recognize.  More likely it comes from the belief that we as Baptist have found freedom through Christ from obligational practices of ancient traditions. Lent is not found anywhere in scripture and  Baptist often say we should practice only what is explicitly commanded in the New Testament. But then again Christmas and Easter are not found in the bible, yet we celebrate these “Holy” days. We might believe we do not need a structured approach to Easter, or wait, could we benefit by observing a season of introspection, self-examination and repentance. Could Lent have some of the same benefits as our celebration of Advent provides. Maybe its time we change that.

This past month, February 22, 2023 was Ash Wednesday; it marked the beginning of the season of Lent. Christians around the world received ashes on their forehead in the form of a cross as a sign of their repentance and fasting. The 40-day Lenten period is marked by a time of prayer and preparation to celebrate Easter. Since Sundays celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the six Sundays that occur during Lent are not counted as part of the 40 days of Lent, and are referred to as the Sundays in Lent. The number 40 is connected with many biblical events, but especially with the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for His ministry by facing the temptations that could lead him to abandon his mission and calling (Luke 4:1-13 .) Lent officially ends on the Saturday, April 8, 2023, the day before Easter Sunday. As well, there is an entire list of events leading up to the finale that is called Holy week. Holy week begins with our celebration of Palm Sunday.

Now that I have shared with you a short lesson on Theology and Christian history, perhaps we can turn our attention to whether observing Lent would be beneficial. Let me also say that I am by no means suggesting you are obligated to observe Lent. For Baptists, Lent is absolutely a choice and not a requirement. If you decide that Lent has significant meaning for you, it would however, put you in sync with the broader Christian community. It is also important for us in our celebration of Easter to place an emphasis on reflecting upon and appreciating the suffering of Jesus. Do we recognize the hardship Jesus endured to give us salvation. In our western world of living, hardly anyone truly suffers for being a Christian. Yes, someone from work, school, or our own family might make a snide comment but can we really call that suffering.

People associate Lent with “giving things up.” In the process of giving something up we enjoy, we might then reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus dying for our sake. What you give up can be something you enjoy, like soda, candy, etc., or something you spend your time doing, like watching TV or scrolling through Facebook, and then, ideally, you’ll replace that time with spiritual disciplines such as praying or reading your Bible. You might also take time to practice the spiritual discipline of fasting. Not only can this be healthy for you, you experience another type of going without to appreciate what you always have. In the privileged society we live it, it might do us a bit of good to experience hardship to build some spiritual character which can help us deepen our understanding of our faith and appreciate this sacred season.
 

Seeking God and Being a Light,

Pastor Kevin

 

THE ABSENCE OF LOVE IS NO LIGHT AT ALL

 

We are one month into our new theme/motto for the year, “BE THE LIGHT!” We have examined Matthew 5:14-16 and embraced the words of Jesus, “to not hide but to be light in a dark world.” It seems every time we tune into the news we see more evidence of “darkness” in our world. Allow me to be clear, darkness is not something new. It has appeared in many forms throughout history.

Even as I pen these words, the world is commemorating the darkest time in its existence with the observance of International Holocaust Day. There were six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism. Lives were forever changed because hatred prevailed over love. As these words permeate my mind, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,” I can’t help but think, the only thing necessary to triumph over evil is LOVE. God calls us to love our neighbor. If we are going to be the light in a world filled with hate, evil, violence and darkness, we must do everything possible to eradicate hate in our own hearts and then love others like Jesus loved.

The apostle John writes in 1 John 2: 7-11,

^“7Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. ⁸ Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing, and the true light is already shining.⁹ Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. ¹⁰ Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. ¹¹ But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

Clearly John conveys to the reader an important message about being in the light. If you hate, you are still in darkness. If you love, you live in the light. The light is Jesus who showed us how to love unconditionally. We do not create the light, we simply reflect His light and love to those in darkness.

The differences between love and hate are not difficult to see because they are absolute opposites. Hate creates division where love creates unity. Hate exploits differences and fosters uniformity where love elevates those same differences and recognizes diversity. Hate is concerned with a “what’s in it for me mentality,” where love reflects a “concern for others above myself.” Hate focuses on the negative, when love focuses on the positive. My list could go on and on but I think you get the picture.

Take time to read 1 Corinthians 13 and reflect upon all the ways Paul describes love. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth etc.”

Hate is the opposite. It is impatient, unkind, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, angered, revengeful, spiteful and delights in evil. It would not be a stretch to say that it is much easier to hate than to love. Love requires selflessness, sacrifice, forgiveness, provision and protection. Love takes care of the other person instead of trying to tear them down. Love requires work. Throughout the bible we are shown what perfect love is. While the world cheapens love and only makes it available to those who are considered worthy. The type of Love God calls us to share as we are in the light goes far beyond.

As we think about being light, we need to examine and evaluate our own hearts. Can our hearts be hardened by the world, people, and the experiences of life? I would say absolutely and definitively, yes. But does our God also soften and heal our hearts so we can experience His love and then love others in the same way? Yes. May I suggest our ability to love is dependent upon the knowledge and experience of God’s love for us. And if we hate, the love of God is not in us. So, check your love tank, check your level of hate, Be filled with God’s love so you can be love and be light to your family, your friends, your co-workers, your classmates, and your community. And remember this, the absence of love is no light at all!

Shine His Love in 2023,

Pastor Kevin

 

 

 

 

 

Be The Light in 2023

 

BE THE LIGHT IN 2023

As we flip the calendar to a new year, we recognize God’s faithfulness in the past and we trust Him for the future no matter what it holds. Some people say, “the future will be a very dark world.” The culture continues to decline into violence, unrest and moral corruption. In the U.S. the decline of Christianity is evident. Growing number of Americans who were raised Christian are now disaffiliating from the religion.  Fifty years ago, some researchers indicate that 90% of the population identified as Christian. Today, that number is rapidly headed toward 50%. People ask why? The only sensible answer I can come up with is this. When I examine Christianity and the church, I see very little resemblance to what the scriptures teach. Many young people are choosing a different path. So perhaps this future dark world has already arrived or perhaps it has always been? I tend to lean toward the latter.

In John chapter one, the gospel writer tells us about the light coming in to the world, a very dark world. That light refers to Jesus who we recently celebrated being born in the manger.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  

During the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus says to his followers,

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” 

In the midst of darkness and uncertainty we’re reminded that Jesus calls us, not to hide but to be light in a dark world. The ministry theme for 2023 will challenge us to “Be The Light.”  I admit the world can be a very dark and depressing place. Often that darkness seems to be creeping in around us but I am reminded that through Christ we can dispel the darkness. How do we do this? By letting our light shine. Remember the childhood song, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine?” What did you promise to do? Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. I know, sometimes it feels like an uphill battle or a winless battle, but the light of Christ shining through us will make a difference in the dark. We just have to “Be The Light.”

I am reminded of an experience I encountered as a teenager. A group I was with went spelunking into some caves in Indiana. Upon arriving in a rather large cavernous area, our leader asked us to turn off our flashlights. Let me tell you, it was a very dark place. You could not see anyone else or even your own hand in front of your face. Darkness had consumed every nook and cranny of that cave. What I heard next was the strike of a match and I saw our leader lighting a candle. Soon the darkness dissipated. But how could this be? We’re not talking about an oil lamp or lantern, we are talking about a rather small   candle. In this scenario one might say the light shone in the darkness and the darkness was overcome. A singular candle moment was all it took. It didn’t take a huge light for everything to be seen.

In 2023, I invite you to be the light in a dark cavernous world and it doesn’t have to be a huge light. Look for the “candle moments” in your life to shine brightly for Christ. You don’t need to be Billy Graham, Rick Warren, Tony Evans or whomever. Just be yourself. Use your gift (light) in a way no one else can. I know this, in a very dark world your light will be seen!