Tom Branch - Roads of Faith

Last night in sermon we had a different speaker. This guy is good. He may have the place extra quiet, but he has some serious points that make me stop and really think on it. I found his blog and then saw he posted the notes.

Here is something I found to be profound for me...

“In many places in the world today we see people fighting and lobbying under the banner of Christianity for all sorts of human rights and freedoms, both personal and political. To what extent the Bible actually recognizes such rights is a complex question. But in terms of individual spirituality, at least, the mature Christian should know that he has no right even to the shirt on his back or to his next meal, let alone the right to vote, to have a pension, to enjoy good health, or to get eight hours of sleep every night.“. . . We Christians know in our bones that we never had any right to be created in the first place, let alone redeemed. We know we have no more inherent title to life and its goodness than a dead man has. For us the coffin lid has already been nailed shut on all the natural joys and privileges that earth can offer. Knowing this, we are free to bless the Lord in all circumstances, whether we find ourselves clothed or naked” (Mike Mason, The Gospel According to Job, 37-38).

But in terms of individual spirituality, at least, the mature Christian should know that he has no right even to the shirt on his back or to his next meal, let alone the right to vote, to have a pension, to enjoy good health, or to get eight hours of sleep every night. Um ya know I never thought of it this way. Even if we did ya know how much sinful pride comes into play over these? We get a I deserve attitude all the time. That's human yes but that does not make it holy behavior. Even putting all that completely in God's hands to provide, is easier said than done. But I know there are so many millions less fortunate than I, yet I DESERVE a shirt on my back. That's the mentality of so many. I mean how can we deserve our next meal?

We know we have no more inherent title to life and its goodness than a dead man has. Ya know, I can't make a comment on this. I mean a dead man has no rights, and we have the same. That's just powerfull stuff to deal with.

For us the coffin lid has already been nailed shut on all the natural joys and privileges that earth can offer. Nothing on this side of the clouds...nothing can offer us these joys? That too is rough. But that really is the point is why and how we try to let things on this side get to su, dominate us, live for them. Our goals can and are out of whack! It reminds me of a verse in Phillipians:

I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be,[a] but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. Phil 3:12-14

Knowing this, we are free to bless the Lord in all circumstances, whether we find ourselves clothed or naked. So are we thankful? Am I thankful....obviously not. Not anywhere near as thankful as I know I could and should be. I know that giving thanks back is personally an issue I am coming to terms with in my walk. But I know I am not the only one. Now to tie this all up as it seems harsh but what got me going on this quote in the first place was...

Everything is Grace!

Everything is grace? Um that's a lot to swallow but after taking this quote in context it is very true. Everything we do, breathe, eat, receive, feel, everything on this side of the clouds is grace. I feel like I am in a coyote and road runner cartoon and just got an acme anvil dropped on my head...except the light that comes on above your head (ya know when they get an idea) is going off like a strobe light right about now. I do not see the whole picture but glimpses f bits and pieces of it all.

Deep sermon.
Great sermon.

2 Comments:

Jason Ramage said...: So Tom actually went to church Sunday night... I'm impressed, considering the Super Bowl was on. :)

I understand that we don't deserve anything, but I don't think that's a very deep concept. So what? Should I sell everything and go live among the world's poorest? And even then, what would I do?

The fact is, we do have money and possessions, and as United States citizens we have a vote and a voice. Surely God is not indifferent about how we handle the responsibilities we've been given. Are there certain "inalienable rights," as the Constitution puts it, that we should defend? The Constitution spells out the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Those are very broad and could be defined as almost anything, which I suppose is the point. Specifically, I suggest that all people have the right to vote in fair, democratic elections, to free speech, to freedom of worship, to own property and the privacy that should come with ownership, and to fair trials; also, the right to receive an education, healthcare, some form of decent housing, clean water, and safety.

I believe it's very biblical to defend these rights. We don't deserve even to live at all, but by the grace of God we do. Therefore, every person to whom the gift of life has been given deserves the opportunity to live in dignity.; Tuesday, February 07, 2006 10:25:00 PM
Refreshment in Refuge said...: For us the coffin lid has already been nailed shut on all the natural joys and privileges that earth can offer.

I love this quote! It is so true but most Christians do not recognize it. I think Paul called them carnal Christians.; Thursday, February 09, 2006 6:11:00 PM

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