A Time For Renewal

There’s a lot said about renewing the church. And I’m convinced that we must continually be aware of the changes in our culture and society and meet the changing needs of people around us.

Following their liberation from Egypt, the Israelites continually did things that tried God’s patience, to say the least. Finally, they gradually descended into idolatry and began to forget Jehovah. In the closing pages of the Old Testament we find the prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and
Malachi calling for the renewal of zeal to rebuild. Ezra and Nehemiah emerge as leaders to guide God’s people in rebuilding themselves at Jerusalem - spiritually by Ezra and physically by Nehemiah.

We, as God’s people today, must note what happened to the Jews - God’s chosen - as they allowed themselves to be swallowed up by culture and society around them. We, the church, are in like jeopardy if we do not recognize some of the same symptoms today.

• They desired to have what those around them had.
• They desired to live as those around them lived.
• They failed to maintain their relationship with God.
• They forgot the great things God had done for and with them.
• They failed to teach their children the laws of God.
• They forgot the laws / word of Jehovah.
• They became indistinguishable from those around them.
  

It was time for renewal. That was the message God sent to His people time and again. The message is the same for the church today. It is time for renewal. It is always time for renewal. Each day we should renew our commitment to God. Each generation must renew its zeal for the truth of God’s Word.

There are politicians who talk about “re-inventing” the government. There are some in the church today who want to “re-invent” the church - worship, organization, policy(?), etc. It is not re-inventing that we need in government. It is renewal of commitment to the principles that made this country great in the first place. Nor do we need to re-invent the church. We must, rather, commit to a renewal of fidelity to what God has given us - the pattern and process of the church described in the New Testament.

“Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds. That you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” - Romans 12:2

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony

Thinking About Those Who Have Gone On

Several asked me about the poem I wrote in memory of Mary Hoffman and read at her funeral and the suggestion was made to me to print it in the bulletin. The thoughts offered in this poem can just as well relate to others of our brothers and sisters who have departed this life. Their memories linger with us and their lives inspire us for, as faithful Children of God, the words of Revelation 14:13, “Blessed are those who die in the Lord…….their deeds follow with them” are so appropriate.

IT'S HARD TO LET YOU GO...BUT...
It's hard to let you go because there'll be an empty spot.
We'll look for you in all the places where you're not.
But... we'll still see you there in the memory of our heart,
For no one or nothing else will ever take your part.
It's hard to let you go because you've always been right there,
And now the place you filled will sadly be too bare.
But..., then again, that place will always show us you,
And remind us of the things that you would always do.
It's hard to let you go because we would want you here
To be with us and share with us and help to calm our fear.
But... then we give thanks for you and all the many years
You cared for us, loving us, even as you shed your tears.
It's hard to let you go, but then again, despite the pain,
Though you're not here, our loss is heaven's gain.
So now, although in sadness, but with all your family's love,
We send you with our blessings to your Father up above.

Tony Lalli - 9/13/08
In honor of Mary Hoffman

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony

Audience or Participant?

Since football is on the minds of many right now I thought I might try to provoke some thoughts about the differences between those who are in the stands watching the game and those who are down on the field playing. Have you ever thought what it would be like if there were no fans in the stands to cheer the teams? That is called support. Think about what it would be like with any performance - sports or fine arts - if there were no audience. It
would be futile, wouldn’t it?

Another thought. What would it be like if those in the audience never reacted or responded in any way to what is being done on the playing field or stage, etc.? No cheering. No applause. No laughter. No show of emotion. No approval or disapproval. It would make for a somewhat empty meaning to the whole thing. Just performers going through the motions.

Compare this with a worship service. How often is it the case that those of us in the “audience” just sit passively doing what is expected at the appropriate times. Going through the motions. No emotion. Just motion.

Worship is not something to just “sit through” until the preacher and everyone else goes through their procedures. Worship is joint participation of Christians meeting together to praise God! We are not the audience - God is!

As the Psalmist says in Psalm 100, “Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.”

On the other hand, worship is not just an emotional experience. Paul therefore encourages us with these words in 1 Corinthians 14:15, “I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind (understanding) also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind (understanding) also.”

Bottom line - let us be joyful participants in the worship of our God, not just spectators.

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony

The God of All Nations

One of the most recognized verses in the Bible is John 3:16. It has been called the “Golden Text” of the Bible. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” That encompasses all. It speaks of a God who is universal in nature. Paul spoke of this nature of God as he talked to the Greeks in Acts 17:24-28.

God is the God of all nations because He made the world. “In the beginning, God created…” He has created and He sustains all things.

David expresses it thusly in Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.” And in Psalm 86:9 he says, “All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And they shall glorify Your name.”

God has called all nations to Him. Psalm 145:18 says, “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.”

God has provided for salvation of all nations. In Genesis 22:18 God promises Abraham, “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” Paul repeats this in Galatians 3:8. And in Ephesians 2:13, Paul writes, “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

This promised salvation was realized in Jesus (Galatians 4:4-7). He came to earth when God’s timing was right.

Jesus proclaimed salvation to ALL people in ALL nations. In Matthew 11:28 He says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” He said in Matthew 28:18, “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations…” and in Mark 16;16, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Peter proclaims in Acts 10:34, 35, “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.”

Notice this says the man who “fears Him and does what is right” is welcome. That says that, although this salvation is for all people of all nations, ALL are accountable. Hebrews 5:8, 9 says Jesus is the “source of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him.”

God is the God of all nations. His love for all is universal. It knows no national boundaries. It is blind to the color of skin. It speaks all languages. It calls for a response from all peoples. Our purpose as the church and individual Christians is to share this love of God with all nations by presenting the gospel of Christ to all.

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony