Dark Orthodoxy

Imagine, this!  A preacher who sets time limits on how much he can say! I've prayed for those who pray I might watch the clock! So is timing the sermon blasphemy or a sacred obligation? You are free to hold either outlook. It's not a point of Orthodoxy:  a "must-have belief" universally held among all those who embrace the faith.

As I preach through the gospel of John, I can't do it in one sitting. Yesterday we considered what Jesus meant when he claimed to be "The Light of the World".  Because the instant he made that claim public, "Orthodox people" scrambled to cut the power on his mic.  Their reaction said, "In OUR world, you are static, not light!" 

We can make nice distinctions between Jewish Orthodoxy, Christian Orthodoxy, or orthodoxies of the secular kind, but there was a contest going on between what Jesus proposed, and what a group already presumed to be right.

Dark orthodoxy lets organizational outlook replace a real, and honest relationship with God. Let believers beware.

Dark orthodoxy enshrine our ways in opposition to the way Christ would show us.  This is a clear and present danger. In contrast, LIGHT keeps us honest with ourselves before God. 

How does Dark Orthodoxy react to Light? Add your own observations to this list: when "holy wars" are anything but holy, dark orthodoxy comes to light.

Dark Orthodoxy...

... Wants to silence voices that their group hasn't legitimized, or can't control.

... Claims to uphold truth, but rules out facts that could be inconvenient.

... Professes freedom while producing fear. They threaten expulsion and punishment for those who won't comply.

... Uses organizational power to hide what others ought to know. 

... Promotes hidden and hostile agendas.

... Is quick to engage in smear campaigns. They paints others who love God with a sinister brush.

Jesus makes it plain how God would purify the people who call upon His Name. We either receive or resist His grace. 

But The Light is where heaven's fellowship is.

Prayer and God's Calling for His People

Not to be legalistic, but is there still something God's people should learn when we read about how God had Israel live and worship before Jesus came? 

Back when life and worship were integrally connected. For instance, in Numbers 10:1-10... could there be any relevance today to how the camp of Israel used their silver trumpets? When ministers sounded the call to a sacred assembly, or before engaging the enemy, it was not a "come if you feel like it" invitation.

The trumpets were culturally nothing new, perhaps a refined example of bronze-age technology. God had his people use the technology available for his service, his way: that's another discussion for another day. The trumpet was used to call people together, so Israel knew when it was time to break camp and move out, according to God's order and timing. At feasts, the trumpets were used like a call to prayer.

The same trumpets were used in times of crisis to sound the alarm.  In war, before battle, the trumpet was sounded not only to direct troop movements--but in an especially significant way: as a prayer to the Lord of hosts--an appeal to heaven that God might remember them and spare them from the Enemy. The sons of Aaron were the ministers who sounded the trumpet call.  Likewise, thy sounded the trumpets for heaven's remembrance when Israel offered festal sacrifice ... for burnt offerings offered for sin or consecration, and for peace offerings offered in fellowship with God.

So God provided means for to call together His people.

 This was sanctified and set in place by God. 

Salvation and blessing was sought both in battle, and at the altar.

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THIS  SUNDAY, Jan. 27 at 5 PM the trumpet is sounded for us to join in a Concert of Prayer.

May what we offer through this Concert of Prayer be that which pleases God 

 May this hour attune our ear to where He would move us. 

May we present ourselves holy and united before Him. 

May our coming together truly be our appeal to heaven 

that God might remember His Church. 

Let us break camp to follow the Lord where He would take us... 

Lest our actions say, "We gather when we feel like it, rather than at the time of God's call,"

 May we come out from our homes, and our private lives, and be the Lord's assembly. 

For "church" means  "those called out" ~ and His call for us includes the Call to Prayer.

We're More Than Ornaments, Aren't We?

Today we'll take down the Christmas tree, so I had to spend a few minutes as some of you might, enjoying that last look over decorations given and received over the years. Thinking back where this or that ornament was acquired. Some are  as old as any of my memories, treasures that my newlywed parents owned. Most came from different cities and countries visited over the years during different seasons of life, courtship, and ministry. You realize that different likes and different lessons became part of passing through places where you've been. The "places we pass through" leave a lasting imprint on who we are... where we're likely to go.

Tell me where you grew up, and I can at least take a good guess at how you like your cornbread or if you like it at all. More importantly, environments may not determine our faith, but God knows they shape it. Therefore healthy churches and communities are maybe partially defined as where people are becoming the family and force for God that they are meant to be. Places we meet God and meet the people of God will shape us, and what we believe life is about, and how deeply we are able to care for others. From where we've been, God wants to develop in us a capacity to be present where we are: to bless and be blessed. If the places we've been were consciously walking with God, great. Others like Jacob suddenly awaken to understand that we do not camp where we camp by accident, but by some unseen providence. (This certainly leaves its imprint upon us.) A realization and reclamation by God in our hearts. As we move from place to place with God, the imprint will not just be made on us--but believe this--God will somehow make His Imprint through us.