Cup of Cold Water

"I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward." - Mark 9:41

This verse was part of Sunday's sermon at KCC and a discussion at our Life Group. It can be confusing. However, in light of a parallel passage and other Bible verses, we can shed some light on it.

The parallel passage to Mark is found in Matthew where he writes,

"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." -Matthew 10:42

Looking at the context of Matthew 10 we can understand that Jesus was sending out the 12 Apostles to "drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." They were going on a mission. Their mission was to proclaim the Kingdom of God using wonders of divine healing giving validity to their message. It was at the tail end of their commissioning that our focus verse appears.

Some terms are clear.

"Anyone" refers to a person who recognizes the value of your relationship to Christ and the purpose for which you are living your life. It may exclude someone like an atheist who may perform a good deed, but probably wouldn't do something "in my (Jesus') name."

"You" or the recipient of the "cup of water" would be a disciple or follow of Jesus Christ.

"A cup of water" could be taken literally or taken to be inclusive of any act of kindness no matter how small or simple.

William Barclay sums it up like this, "Any kindness shown, any help given, to the people of Christ, will not lose its reward." 

Notice the addition of the words "even" and "cold" in Matthew.

"Even a cup of cold water" connotes that the simplest act of kindness is noticeable by Christ. No deed is too insignificant to be qualified for a reward.

"A cup of cold water" lends to the idea that this is a deed providing relief to the Christian laborer. It is refreshing and soothing. It may be sharing warm clothing on a cold, winter day or taking someone in to give them shelter after a disaster.

This generosity of good deeds jives well with the parable of the sheep and the goats found in Matthew 25: 31-46.

Does this verse helps us focus our generosity? I believe it does. Many times the church is approached with a need. With a limited budget, there comes times when all the requests for help cannot be met. It is in times like that when Members of the church may receive aid first before someone who is not part of the family of God.

Two examples from scripture come to mind:

Cain's selfish response when asked by God about the whereabouts of his younger brother was, "Am I my brother's keeper?" This rhetorical question should be clear in the Christian's mind. Yes, of course we are! We are commanded to bear one another's burdens, loving, and caring for each other.

Paul writes to the Galatian church to encourage taking care of fellow Christians a priority when he says,

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." 

The priority is clear, but it doesn't end there. In James 2 the concept is clear that the Christian is one who does good deeds whenever the opportunity presents itself. To not do so, deems our faith as worthless.

Church Suicide - Staying Alive

Yesterday over lunch, I drove to the East Jordan Church of Christ. I had gotten word that the church building, after being empty for over 5 years, had been sold and the new owner was looking to get rid of the items left in the building before remodeling it into a housing unit.

Two typewriters, an overhead projector, several boxes of hymn books, many pews, and a flannel graph with cut-out characters were among the items that needed to be removed.

I'd saddened to see the remnants of a church that was forced to shut it's doors. The Huffington Post reports that:

somewhere between 4,000 and 7,000 churches close their doors every year. Southern Baptist researcher, Thom Rainer, in a recent article entitled "13 Issues for Churches in 2013" puts the estimate higher. He says between 8,000 and 10,000 churches will likely close this year.

Many online articles speak to the problem of older churches closing their doors. Their solutions are usually the planting of new churches. Why? Because existing churches, such as the East Jordan Church of Christ, struggle with change. Many times without knowing it long-time members resist the very changes that would allow the church to continue.

Churches that remain stagnant - refusing to update, refresh, and improve - find their relevance in society is diminished and their impact fading. Without realizing it, they are committing church suicide - slowing killing themselves and fading into irrelevance.

I serve in a church 127 years old. We could have easily fallen into the "church suicide" trap, but the leadership and membership have all understood we needed to change. As a result of adopting new methods and new strategies to reach people with the Gospel message, we have experienced significant growth over the past 5 years.

Here are some of the changes we have experienced as a church that kept us alive.

Changes in Technology
Free wifi in the church building allows members to read the Bible on tablets and phones. Our website is the new welcome mat. Facebook, twitter, and other social media sites allow us to pray, encourage, and mourn with people. Connecting online is the new "small group."

Changes in Worship
Worship music style has changed from Hymns to contemporary Christian music. The talented musicians and singers in our worship band are becoming younger and younger. Light boards, soundboards, and updated computer software set the mood for worship. The digital screen has replaced stained glass windows.

Changes in Decor
In 2012 we finished a new modern church building. We're using fewer flowers and more creative stage elements. TV screens are replacing paintings and wall hangings. Comfortable chairs have replaced pews. The pulpit is in storage.

Changes in Giving
Right now, how much cash do you have on you? A 2014 study from bankrate.com showed that 80% of Americans carry less than $50 cash in their wallets. Online giving & tithing with Credit and Debit cards will soon be a necessity if a church wishes to stay afloat financially. Newer methods include the lobby giving Kiosk and giving via text.

We could go on with the changes, but I think you see the point. And as always, we'll strive to remain true to the Bible. We'll continue to present the timeless truth of the Gospel in a manner that is timely and culturally relevant.

Paul's words in Corinthians speak to his desire to maintain his leverage for reaching the culture, "...I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." 1 Corinthians 9:22

Today, we must stay committed to the Gospel message with no compromise - and yet balance our presentation of that same message in respect to the culture around us. Not an easy task, but one that all Christians must undertake.

Food That Satisfies

After Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well (John 4), his disciples urged him to "eat something." But he said to them, 'I have food to eat that you know nothing about.'"

These words of Jesus did not indicate that he had a granola bar packed away in his knapsack. Nor a Snickers bar hidden in his back pocket. And even as the disciples questioned if someone had brought Jesus food, he continued by saying,  “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. (John 4:34) 

Jesus' spiritual food was to be actively doing the will of God. How can working fill you up? Doesn't working deplete you and make you hungry? Evidently Jesus was tapping into a different meaning. 
"Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” (John 6:27)

Have you ever completed a job, then sat down with great satisfaction of a job well done? You just feel like you couldn't have done any better. The job is done. Your work is finished. What a feeling of accomplishment! 

Jesus said the harvest is plentiful and the crop is ready for eternal life (John 4:35). As more and more people listened to his teaching and began to follow Him, He was fed. God's will was that no one be lost. Jesus was leading people away from themselves and into a selfless cross-bearing life. 

Review of Exodus: Gods and Kings

I watched the movie "Exodus: Gods and Kings" this week. It's described as a "Biblically-inspired epic fantasy" by Wikipedia. At least they are honest about it. It's "Biblically-inspired" but NOT Biblically accurate. These movies, and I'm referring to other so called "Biblically-inspired" movies such as "Noah" and "Left Behind," leave a disturbing sense of foreboding judgment due to the tampering with the inerrant Word of God, the Bible. 

Two striking inaccuracies from Exodus are: the character of Moses and the depiction of the crossing of the Red Sea.

It seemed throughout the entire movie that Moses was NEVER on-board with God and his plan. He never bought in. He never experienced the life transformation that God brings a person through (burning bush for Moses), in preparation to use mightily for His glory and purpose. We become His vessel as we submit to His Lordship.

The crossing of the Red sea was just inaccurate. It was a miracle and not the result of some earthquake producing resulting in a tsunami. They crossed over on "dry land" and didn't wade into waist-deep water. Moses was not consumed by the returning waves either. He LED the people to freedom. The waters that returned killed everyone who were still in the seabed. He wouldn't have survived.

The problem I have with these movies is the tolerance that they are creating in the minds of people. It began with "The DaVinci Code" years ago. They encourage people to think outside the pages of the Bible. To say, "maybe it could have happened that way" and then ultimately, "well, who knows how it happened!" "No one knows" And it boils down to the atheist agenda of believing and accepting anything you want. Truth is diluted to the point of no longer being recognized.

I hesitate to try to interpret some verses in the Bible, due to their connection with judgment, but as I watched Exodus: Gods and Kings my mind drifted to Revelation where John wrote:

"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." (Revelation 22:18-19 ESV)

It may be fine to fill in storylines with your imagination as to how events could have happened historically ("Son of God," "A.D."), but don't straight-out change the facts that are already in place. The Bible is history and NOT fiction. I think it should be treated that way. Write a fictional story if you like. Make it into a movie even. But don't mix it with the Bible nor call it a "Biblically-inspired fantasy." Biblical fantasy is a contradiction in terms. Same as truth and a lie.

Disappointment with A.D. Miniseries

The TV miniseries, A.D - The Bible Continues, on NBC has been disappointing in some ways. Granted, the acting is very good. The plot is intriguing. But after painfully enduring recent Hollywood release "Noah" and it's departure from scripture, I had hoped that A.D. would remain true to the Bible. I believe you can use creative license and still stay true to scripture. Sadly, it hasn't happened. Here are three departures from the Bible in A.D. that bother me. 

The Character of Peter

Prior to encountering Jesus on the shores of Galilee, Peter was an impetuous fisherman known for speaking before thinking. However, the book of Acts depicts Peter having been changed from the inside out through Jesus' teachings and the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet in A.D. we see Peter again and again confronting Saul face to face in some sort of pre-heavyweight title fight stare down.

In one scene, Peter sets up a petroleum filled trench to light afire as Saul and his cronies come for the Christians in their impromptu camp. As Peter ignites the gas/oil mixture he shouts, "Now we'll see whose flame burns the brightest!" That's totally out of character for the new Holy-Spirit filled Peter.  This is the man who wrote, "love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing because to this you were called..." (1 Peter 3:8b-9)

Peter was bold and courageous preaching to thousands publicly, in the temple courts, and before the Sanhedrin. Yet when confronted by the authorities, he remained meek and passive. 

Camp of Christians not Biblical

The camp of Christians set up outside Jerusalem supposedly by Peter and the other apostles is not found in the Bible. In fact, quite the opposite is shown in the book of Acts. From Acts 2 we see Jews who had come from "every nation under heaven" (2:5) present, being baptized (2:38) and logically returning back home after Pentecost. They didn't stay in a Christian compound worried about the Jews finding them. The Christians who lived in Jerusalem met daily in the temple courts and from house to house (5:42). Again, we don't see everyone huddling up together in a camp, but rather boldly proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead (4:2).

Omissions of Powerful Conversions

Nothing inherently wrong here, just disappointed in what has been omitted from A.D. The creative license to weave the conflict between Christians, Jews, and Zealots may be entertaining, but to do so at the cost of leaving out powerful conversions, is disheartening. 

Peter's sermon (Acts 2) and subsequent baptisms of 3,000 people was only hinted to. 2,000 more people came to Christ at Solomon's Porch (4:4). The Samaritan's came to Christ after the church in Jerusalem was persecuted and scattered (8:1). Philip was instrumental in preaching in Samaria (8:5,6). And while the scene involving Simon the Sorcerer was given a lot of airtime, it should be noted that Simon wanted to buy the powers of Peter and John, not Simon. Peter and John could give the Holy Spirit by placing their hands on people. Simon sought to buy this power and was rebuked for wanting to do so. 

I'm anxious to see how A.D. will treat Philip and the Ethiopian as well as the conversion of Saul. I would not discourage anyone from watching A.D., but watch it with your Bible open. 

Created to Live

Facing the death of a loved one is never easy. The pain we feel is the absence of that friend or family member. Like the loose thread we pull from a sweater, we do not know when our life on this earth will end. This sobering fact, makes life precious, priceless, and meaningful. David wrote in the Psalms:

"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Psalm 139:13,14

 It was God's plan from the beginning of time to create you, patiently weaving your physical body together like one knits a sweater or a pair of mittens. "Fearfully made" to place within you a respect for dangerous situations so as to not naively enter in unguarded. "Wonderfully made" to reflect the wisdom, skill, and brilliance of our maker.

As we live out our days on this temporary sphere, it behoves us to remember that,

"...we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." 

Ephesians 2:10

You are God's workmanship fashioned by the skill of His hands. You're on display for all to see His talent and creativity. Born again through Jesus Christ, we no longer live for ourselves, but for a much higher purpose - that of reflecting or glorifying God!

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

Matthew 5:14-16

Yet, our time here is brief, passing quickly, with no reverse nor replay button available. Life only moves onward, forward; and while our physical bodies wear out, our spiritual eternal souls, become more aware that what lies beyond this carnal existence is not only far superior, but also eternal.

When we finally do breath our last breath in this body, we can know it's only a transition from the temporary to the eternal. Our citizenship is realized in that moment! Real life begins. Paul says in Philippians that "our citizenship is in heaven" and in 1 Thessalonians "you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope."

Comfort can come from knowing our loved one has simply gone ahead of us. We do grieve because they are no longer with us, but we have a promise and a hope that we, too, will one day follow in their path to be welcomed into our eternal home.

Baptism - The Forgotten Step

This summer my family plans to attend not one but two Christian music festivals - The Big Ticket Festival in Gaylord, MI and the Unity Festival in Muskegon, MI. While I enjoy the music greatly, I don't look forward to the multitude of "alter calls" given both by featured speakers and the bands themselves. Inevitably every music set and every message culminates with an invitation to "pray the sinner's prayer." The popular "sinner's prayer" as it is advocated as an invitation to make Jesus your Lord and Savior unfortunately is not found anywhere in scripture.

What I believe those Christian artists and speakers are trying to communicate is just one of the Biblical based steps to becoming a Christian - the step of Confessing Jesus as Lord, master, and boss of the rest of your life. That's wonderful and necessary. However, if we are simply asking people to recite a couple phrases and leading them to understand they have committed to a sacrificial Christian life, we are being highly deceptive.

"Salvation," "Getting Saved," "Coming to Christ," "Becoming a Christian" or whatever term you chose to use MUST include four non-negotionable steps: Faith (John 3:16), Repentance (Acts 3:19), Confession (Romans 10:9-10), and Baptism (Mark 16:16). Biblical teachers do a good job talking about the need for belief or faith in order to accept Christ. They occasionally teach on repentance of our sins prior to knowing Jesus. And of course, confession, normally spoken in the form of a prayer, is included. Sadly, however, Christian baptism has become the forgotten step to salvation. If practiced at all, it is often an afterthought to the salvation process.

How did this happen?  How did we lose the importance of baptism in Christianity? Everett Ferguson in Early Christians Speak: Faith and Life in the First Three Centuries writes that baptism began to be forgotten "in the early second century when certain influential Christians taught that baptism must be presided by a period of instruction, prayer, and fasting." This trend grew worse in the third century as Believers were being forced to wait 3 years to be baptized! Today, churches may forget altogether to even require a new convert to be baptized!

The Bible is very clear that baptism is the moment our sins are forgiven (Acts 2:38; Acts 10:48; Acts 22:16), depicting our separation from the world (1 Cor. 10:1-2), a death to the old man of sin (Romans 6:1-4), a cutting off of the sinful body of flesh (Colossians 2:11-12), clothing ourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:27), and saving us (1 Peter 3:20-21)! We dare not leave out this vital key to our salvation in Christ.

The upcoming TV series event, A.D. - The Bible Continues, will be depicting stories from the first 10 chapters of Acts. If executive producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey stay true to scripture, it should be an eye-opening program for many believers. Why? Because every salvation story in the book of Acts includes baptism!

Just flipping through Acts, where the early church started, we find 3000 baptized on the day of Pentecost (2:38-42), 2000 were baptized at Solomon's Porch (3:1-4:4), the Samaritans were baptized (8:4-25), and the Ethiopian Eunuch (8:26-40) was baptized as soon as he spied water!

The only conversion in the book of Acts that scholars confuse on baptism is Saul of Tarsus. That confusion stems from the understanding of when Saul, later called Paul, was converted. Many will claim he was converted on the road to Damascus when he saw the light and heard the voice of Jesus (yet none will say we are converted this way today). However, they leave the account too early. On the road to Damascus, Saul is instructed to enter into the city and there he would be instructed on what to do. It was there that Ananias healed him of his temporary blindness and baptized him (9:17-18; 22:16) for the forgiveness of his sins.

As we share our faith with others, may we leave behind the traditions of man, and include that which was part of those salvations in the first church - including baptism.