Last week, a man named Manute Bol passed away at age 47. He will be remembered by people in our area for his career with the Washington Bullets (now Wizards.) At 7’7” he was a force to be reckoned with on the court. He never scored lots of points, but at defense he was amazing. He was at least 6" taller than anyone else on the court, and he had long arms.
I saw him at the gym a year or two ago: it was impossible not to stare at him. Everyone in the gym watched him constantly. His head nearly touched the ceiling. He moved with a certain grace, despite his awkward frame.
Bol was well known among area people for his faith. A Christian who came here as an immigrant from Sudan, he made a fortune in the NBA but he never forgot his roots. In 2004 he told Sports Illustrated, “God guided me to America and gave me a good job, but he also gave me a heart so I would look back."
He saw his life as a gift from God to be invested here. After retiring from basketball, he made various celebrity appearances to continue to capitalize on his basketball fame. But he never lived a celebrity lifestyle.
The fact is, Bol gave most of his fortune, estimated at more than $6 million, to the Sudan. He earned more money only to send it home as well. He made frequent trips to assist and inspire the desperate folks back home. On one relief trip, he contracted a skin disease which ultimately contributed to his death last week.
I obviously don’t know what happened when he arrived in Heaven last week, but I have an idea. I suspect Manute Bol walked into the gates and was given a standing ovation- the kind that can only be given in Heaven. No, I don’t mean that all the saints stood and cheered him with one voice, although perhaps they did.
Rather, I suspect that Jesus Christ, the son of God, stood in his honor; and that Christ walked over to say, “Well done, faithful servant. Welcome Home. Come now and receive an inheritance prepared for you since before the world began.”
Manute Bol spent his career in the USA looking back to his desperate countrymen in the Sudan. And in doing so, he taught us all a powerful lesson. Live every moment for Christ. Do whatever you can while it is still called today. And someday, you'll be able to celebrate in Heaven with no looking back.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Interview with an Unborn
Sunday morning's sermon was all about the coming resurrection. In
1 Corinthians 15: 35-48, Paul explains that resurrection is not some distant fantasy. We see a simple form of resurrection every time we bury a seed, allow it to die, and then watch a squash or a tomato or a watermelon grow and ripen. The seed has to die in order to create new life. And when the new life comes, it's larger and more wonderful than the seed was! (Listen to the sermon: "Resurrection & Reality.")
It's a difficult concept not because we are so scientifically oriented, but simply because it's hard to imagine. I tried to imagine an interview a journalist might have with an unborn child, snuggled safely inside the womb:
Reporter: So are you excited about what happens after you leave the womb?
Baby: Leaving? Who's leaving? I'm not going anywhere. Why would I want to leave?
Reporter: But being born is the whole purpose behind your existence! Have you ever thought about how wonderful it will be to walk around and smell the flowers, breathe the fresh air of spring time or enjoy a juicy steak?
Baby: What do you mean 'breathe?' What's a steak? Do you know how flaky you sound right now?
Reporter: Don't you ever want to fall in love and enjoy some romance?
Baby: I have my mommy. What's romance, anyway?
Reporter: Think of all the amazing sights you'll see once you open your eyes!
Baby: What are eyes?
If you could interview an unborn baby, you'd probably find a little person tucked safely away in the womb who has no desire to leave all that instant gratification. Floating safely inside the body of his mom, he would be utterly unable to imagine the joys and freedom of walking on land, riding horseback, dining at a restaurant or seeing the Grand Canyon. All the uncertainty of life after birth would be more terrifying than appealing.
And so it is with life after death. It's hard to imagine exactly how it works, but the Bible says it's the point of our current existence. One day, all these problems and limitations will pass away, and we will enjoy even more freedom and more astonishment in a world unlike anything we can imagine here. We have the Holy Spirit transmitting God's Word into our hearts here, but there we will see the Father face to face. We will worship him in person with no intermediary, no veil of mystery in between.
Granted, it's hard to imagine what you've never experienced. But an unborn baby has the same problem. There is indeed life after birth, even though he can't imagine it. God says there is also life after death. It's hard to believe, but if you've ever eaten a watermelon, you know what I mean.
1 Corinthians 15: 35-48, Paul explains that resurrection is not some distant fantasy. We see a simple form of resurrection every time we bury a seed, allow it to die, and then watch a squash or a tomato or a watermelon grow and ripen. The seed has to die in order to create new life. And when the new life comes, it's larger and more wonderful than the seed was! (Listen to the sermon: "Resurrection & Reality.")
It's a difficult concept not because we are so scientifically oriented, but simply because it's hard to imagine. I tried to imagine an interview a journalist might have with an unborn child, snuggled safely inside the womb:
Reporter: So are you excited about what happens after you leave the womb?
Baby: Leaving? Who's leaving? I'm not going anywhere. Why would I want to leave?
Reporter: But being born is the whole purpose behind your existence! Have you ever thought about how wonderful it will be to walk around and smell the flowers, breathe the fresh air of spring time or enjoy a juicy steak?
Baby: What do you mean 'breathe?' What's a steak? Do you know how flaky you sound right now?
Reporter: Don't you ever want to fall in love and enjoy some romance?
Baby: I have my mommy. What's romance, anyway?
Reporter: Think of all the amazing sights you'll see once you open your eyes!
Baby: What are eyes?
If you could interview an unborn baby, you'd probably find a little person tucked safely away in the womb who has no desire to leave all that instant gratification. Floating safely inside the body of his mom, he would be utterly unable to imagine the joys and freedom of walking on land, riding horseback, dining at a restaurant or seeing the Grand Canyon. All the uncertainty of life after birth would be more terrifying than appealing.
And so it is with life after death. It's hard to imagine exactly how it works, but the Bible says it's the point of our current existence. One day, all these problems and limitations will pass away, and we will enjoy even more freedom and more astonishment in a world unlike anything we can imagine here. We have the Holy Spirit transmitting God's Word into our hearts here, but there we will see the Father face to face. We will worship him in person with no intermediary, no veil of mystery in between.
Granted, it's hard to imagine what you've never experienced. But an unborn baby has the same problem. There is indeed life after birth, even though he can't imagine it. God says there is also life after death. It's hard to believe, but if you've ever eaten a watermelon, you know what I mean.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
One for the Record Books
Columnist Thomas Sowell said it best when he asked, "How long has it been since anyone has done anything that called for the word grace?" We've all seen plenty of victimhood and outrage. In public settings, arrogance and insults have are all too familiar. But what a wonderful thing it was last week to behold something as rare and truly refreshing as Grace!
Everyone knows the story: seasoned umpire Jim Joyce cost Tigers' pitcher Armando Galarraga an historic perfect game. On the last play of a hitless nine innings, Joyce called a runner safe on first when video would confirm he was out by a mile. Minutes later, the remorseful ump took off his cap and confessed that his mistake had cost a young man his place in the record books. He apologized to the pitcher. He apologized to the fans. Then Armando Galarraga did something amazing: he graciously accepted the apology of this man who had wronged him. A few days later, finding himself in another game with Joyce as ump, Galarraga made it a point to greet the official and treat him with great respect.
We all experienced a bit of grace on the part of Joyce and Galarraga. The public continued to debate whether the Commissioner should intervene and right the wrong. But the recriminations and public anger were instantly dissipated.
Compare that with what happened in South Africa only a few days after Sowell's column was published. In a hard fought World Cup battle between the US Soccer Team and the Brits, England's goalkeeper expertly fielded a hard driven kick headed straight for the net. Then strangely, the ball rebounded from his glove and gently rolled around his knees, sauntering into the net for a quirky US score!
Goalkeeper Robert Green toppled onto the turf in bitter humiliation. The US went on to retain the tie against a superior team. Fans of England were crushed and outraged! Commentators unleashed scorching analysis suggesting even high school players would never make such a pathetic mistake. Green remains a goat and the butt of jokes. Days later, we have still heard nothing from the unfortunate goalie or his team mates. The rancor hangs heavy in the air. Insults and second guesses continue to rise like smoke from a burned-out crater.
We sing that familiar old hymn about grace, never pondering the reasons why that asset, that divine virtue, is truly so astonishing- so remarkable. Yes, grace is certainly amazing because it must be offered by someone who has been wronged, and offered to someone undeserving. But grace is also breathtaking because of what it makes possible: it instantly removes hostility and restores relationships which seemed dead and buried only moments before.
Grace resurrects things we had thought were gone forever. That's why only the power of God can generate amazing grace.
Everyone knows the story: seasoned umpire Jim Joyce cost Tigers' pitcher Armando Galarraga an historic perfect game. On the last play of a hitless nine innings, Joyce called a runner safe on first when video would confirm he was out by a mile. Minutes later, the remorseful ump took off his cap and confessed that his mistake had cost a young man his place in the record books. He apologized to the pitcher. He apologized to the fans. Then Armando Galarraga did something amazing: he graciously accepted the apology of this man who had wronged him. A few days later, finding himself in another game with Joyce as ump, Galarraga made it a point to greet the official and treat him with great respect.
We all experienced a bit of grace on the part of Joyce and Galarraga. The public continued to debate whether the Commissioner should intervene and right the wrong. But the recriminations and public anger were instantly dissipated.
Compare that with what happened in South Africa only a few days after Sowell's column was published. In a hard fought World Cup battle between the US Soccer Team and the Brits, England's goalkeeper expertly fielded a hard driven kick headed straight for the net. Then strangely, the ball rebounded from his glove and gently rolled around his knees, sauntering into the net for a quirky US score!
Goalkeeper Robert Green toppled onto the turf in bitter humiliation. The US went on to retain the tie against a superior team. Fans of England were crushed and outraged! Commentators unleashed scorching analysis suggesting even high school players would never make such a pathetic mistake. Green remains a goat and the butt of jokes. Days later, we have still heard nothing from the unfortunate goalie or his team mates. The rancor hangs heavy in the air. Insults and second guesses continue to rise like smoke from a burned-out crater.
We sing that familiar old hymn about grace, never pondering the reasons why that asset, that divine virtue, is truly so astonishing- so remarkable. Yes, grace is certainly amazing because it must be offered by someone who has been wronged, and offered to someone undeserving. But grace is also breathtaking because of what it makes possible: it instantly removes hostility and restores relationships which seemed dead and buried only moments before.
Grace resurrects things we had thought were gone forever. That's why only the power of God can generate amazing grace.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Paul & The Silence of Women
There’s quite a bit of controversy surrounding 1 Corinthians 14:34 – 40. This is the passage in which Paul explains “The women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission.” Many insist this is sexist and discriminatory. Others argue that Paul is simply speaking to women who are uneducated and have not been taught how to read. Still others teach that these cannot be the actual words of Paul because he has permitted women to speak on other occasions.
Because this topic is so charged with emotion in today’s cultural setting, you can read 10 different commentaries on this text and find 10 different slants on what the language actually means. With all that controversy and complexity in mind, allow me to make a few observations that should be obvious.
First, the context of this passage is very narrow. 1 Corinthians 14 teaches that the gift of prophecy, applying God’s Word to life, is more helpful in a local church setting than the gift of tongues. “Tongues” in 1 Corinthians refers to the gift of speaking a human language one has never learned. In a local church setting, people are instructed and inspired only when leaders speak in the native tongue which they all understand.
It is within this context of teaching God’s Word publicly in the local church that Paul directs women to be silent. This dovetails with his comments in 1 Timothy 2:12 that he does not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. These texts comprise part of the reason why most Baptist churches do not call women as pastors or “overseers.” We understand that women can be gifted speakers and can make powerful applications from God’s words. (Acts teaches that Philip had four daughters who were prophets.) Rather, we simply believe it is important to follow the teachings of God’s Word in season and out, even when it collides with conventional wisdom.
Secondly, this is rather discriminatory, but God reserves that authority for himself. Indeed, he exercises it frequently. It is discriminatory, for example, that men cannot give birth to sons and daughters or breast feed them after they are born. In Scripture, God practiced discrimination when he favored Jacob over Isaac; when he elevated Moses over older siblings Aaron and Miriam; when he selected the Jews as his chosen people out of all the nations of the earth. While human discrimination is evil whenever it is based on selfishness and ignorance, the same is never true of what God does. Divine discrimination is based on purpose and eternal wisdom.
Finally, it is baseless and hypocritical to suggest that the Bible continues to oppress women just as the world has done throughout history. Around the planet today, the nations where women are treated best are those where the Bible has advanced, and where the Gospel has prevailed. Historically, whenever Christian missionaries have penetrated pioneer areas, one of their first priorities has been building schools and introducing education that includes girls, who have historically been neglected. Wherever the church has gone, polygamy has been discouraged in favor of sacred, one man-one women matrimony. God's Word has not reflected the unjust culture: it has challenged it.
The advances of women in the West today have been fueled largely by the momentum created by the Word of God over the centuries. One need only visit any Muslim nation to observe the sort cultural bias which the Christian Faith has tirelessly resisted since the earliest days of the movement when Jesus encouraged his friend Mary to sit with his disciples as he taught them. Sister Martha indignantly continued to putter around in the kitchen, fulfilling her duties assigned by the culture. Jesus corrected Martha for her proud spirit, and explained that she should leave the kitchen and join the men at his feet as well.
In our church as in most churches today, the vast majority of ministry slots are available to leaders of both sexes. Indeed, many of the most powerful, life-changing ministries are conducted by strong, tireless women. Unlike Eve, these unnumbered heroines of the faith have refused to obsess on one forbidden tree. To the contrary, they have surveyed all the boundless opportunities crying out for attention on every side. And they have responded, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.” So should we all.
Because this topic is so charged with emotion in today’s cultural setting, you can read 10 different commentaries on this text and find 10 different slants on what the language actually means. With all that controversy and complexity in mind, allow me to make a few observations that should be obvious.
First, the context of this passage is very narrow. 1 Corinthians 14 teaches that the gift of prophecy, applying God’s Word to life, is more helpful in a local church setting than the gift of tongues. “Tongues” in 1 Corinthians refers to the gift of speaking a human language one has never learned. In a local church setting, people are instructed and inspired only when leaders speak in the native tongue which they all understand.
It is within this context of teaching God’s Word publicly in the local church that Paul directs women to be silent. This dovetails with his comments in 1 Timothy 2:12 that he does not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. These texts comprise part of the reason why most Baptist churches do not call women as pastors or “overseers.” We understand that women can be gifted speakers and can make powerful applications from God’s words. (Acts teaches that Philip had four daughters who were prophets.) Rather, we simply believe it is important to follow the teachings of God’s Word in season and out, even when it collides with conventional wisdom.
Secondly, this is rather discriminatory, but God reserves that authority for himself. Indeed, he exercises it frequently. It is discriminatory, for example, that men cannot give birth to sons and daughters or breast feed them after they are born. In Scripture, God practiced discrimination when he favored Jacob over Isaac; when he elevated Moses over older siblings Aaron and Miriam; when he selected the Jews as his chosen people out of all the nations of the earth. While human discrimination is evil whenever it is based on selfishness and ignorance, the same is never true of what God does. Divine discrimination is based on purpose and eternal wisdom.
Finally, it is baseless and hypocritical to suggest that the Bible continues to oppress women just as the world has done throughout history. Around the planet today, the nations where women are treated best are those where the Bible has advanced, and where the Gospel has prevailed. Historically, whenever Christian missionaries have penetrated pioneer areas, one of their first priorities has been building schools and introducing education that includes girls, who have historically been neglected. Wherever the church has gone, polygamy has been discouraged in favor of sacred, one man-one women matrimony. God's Word has not reflected the unjust culture: it has challenged it.
The advances of women in the West today have been fueled largely by the momentum created by the Word of God over the centuries. One need only visit any Muslim nation to observe the sort cultural bias which the Christian Faith has tirelessly resisted since the earliest days of the movement when Jesus encouraged his friend Mary to sit with his disciples as he taught them. Sister Martha indignantly continued to putter around in the kitchen, fulfilling her duties assigned by the culture. Jesus corrected Martha for her proud spirit, and explained that she should leave the kitchen and join the men at his feet as well.
In our church as in most churches today, the vast majority of ministry slots are available to leaders of both sexes. Indeed, many of the most powerful, life-changing ministries are conducted by strong, tireless women. Unlike Eve, these unnumbered heroines of the faith have refused to obsess on one forbidden tree. To the contrary, they have surveyed all the boundless opportunities crying out for attention on every side. And they have responded, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.” So should we all.
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