At the close of 2008, my family and I went to Palm Springs, Ca for the Western Baptist State Convention’s Congress of Christian Education. My original plans were to relax but that didn’t happen. Tracy and I attended a class for pastor and wives on the ins/outs of managing ministry and family. This class was a blessing to both of us to hear the challenges of other pastors and their wives explain battles with teenage children, un-realistic expectations of church members for the pastor and his family, and so on.
I remember one pastor expressed his frustration with his wife (who wasn’t there) about music. He loves all kinds of music while she believes Christians should only listen to gospel music. The differences at that time created tension in their marriage and among the children. His position is he didn’t see anything wrong with listening to all kinds of music. So he asked our instructor for help in dealing with the issue. The instructor quickly pronounced his love for music, all kinds, because of his musical background. He possesses a Masters in Music and Arts. As well as, the church he pastors offers a Music and Arts educational ministry.
As I was driving home yesterday, for some reason the experience in Palm Springs, Ca began to re-play itself in my head. I’ll state my position upfront, I LOVE MUSIC OF ALL KINDS! I’m not sure if it’s because of genetics or what, I just know I love music.
Growing up, my uncle and his friends would hang out in his back house listening to music and playing dominoes. LPs were everywhere. I would be sitting right there with them as a little boy listening to Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind, and Fire, The Jackson 5, Brothers Johnson, War, Stylistics, Chi-Lites, Four Tops, Temptations, Curtis Mayfield, Curtis Blow, Bobby Caldwell, Rufus and Chaka Khan, The Dramatics, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Teddy Pendergrass, Hall and Oats, Pieces of a Dream, The Supremes, Melba Moore, and so many others. I enjoyed those days and still to this day when I hear some of those songs it takes me back to my childhood. I LOVE MUSIC OF ALL KINDS!
I love Jazz music. My choice of music is jazz. Smooth, fusion, Latin, Big Band, and classical jazz. As often as I can, Tracy and I will go to a jazz concert. We’ve attended the Playboy Jazz Festival for the past 5 years. It’s a time for her and I to share quality time together as well as the outdoor atmosphere of the Hollywood Bowl is relaxing to us from the stress and strain of everyday life. I listen to 94.7 The Wave and 88.1 KJAZZ on a regular basis. At work 94.7 The Wave is played and on my drive home 88.1 KJAZZ because of the Latin Jazz segment. I enjoy Latin Jazz because of percussions, awesome. My favorite artists are Gerald Albright, Najee, Eric Darius, George Duke, Joe Sample, Fourplay, Hidden Beach All Stars, Chick Corea, Wayman Tisdale, Phyllis Hyman, Kenny G, Norman Brown, Paul Jackson Jr, Boney James, Chris Botti, and the list goes on and on and one.
I love Gospel music. I love the message in gospel music. I get a little concerned with some of the taglines in gospel music because it mis-interprets the clear teaching and principles of Scripture. Nevertheless, I love gospel music. I miss the choir sound in gospel music. The sounds of Milton Brunson and Thompson Community Singers, Mississippi Mass Choir, DFW, Edwin Hawkins – Music and Arts Seminar, Keith Pringle, James Cleveland and GMWA, LACC – Los Angeles Cathedral Choir, LA Mass Choir, Riverside Mass Choir and so many others. My favorite choirs currently are GLACC – Greater Los Angeles Cathedral Choir, GMWA Youth Choir, Voices of Fulfillment of San Diego, and LA Inner City Mass Choir. I love quartet groups. They have church with one song that can last for 30 minutes but who’s watching the lock. I know times have changed so praise teams, ensembles, and worship leaders are in now. But give me the choir sound. I love the many voices in harmonious structure, choir robes, hand clapping, rocking from side to side, and directors. I love gospel music.
I love R&B music. I’m not too crazy about much of the stuff that is played today because most of it is about sex, the mistreatment of women (and now men), and all other garbage that has no meaning at all in my opinion. What happened to good clean music that families could enjoy together at a picnic, family reunion or just sitting at the house? Nowadays, you have to watch what you play for fear of what words will be spoken in the song. I’m stuck in 70s, 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. I’m really stuck in the New Jack Swing era with Guy, Johnny Gill, New Edition, Bobby Brown, Teddy Riley, Club Nouveau, Keith Sweat, Wreckx-N-Effect, Janet Jackson, Babyface, TLC, BBD, Ralph Tresvant, Whitney Houston, Color Me Bad, Boys to Men, Brandy, etc. These were the days for dancing the centerpede, running man, pop-locking, gigolo, and of course, the electric slide. A party or family gathering wasn’t right without the electric slide. Now, it’s the cupid shuffle but you can’t get a way from the electric slide for it is the originator of dancing without a partner. OMG, the Cha-Cha, get back! If you haven’t noticed I love to dance too.
I’m not and have never been a fan of rap. If I hear it cool, if I don’t cool. I listen to some Country and Western. Rock-N-Roll no way. I like Latin music, Salsa and Kumbias.
I love music. What about you?
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sunday Thoughts - 7/26/09
I didn’t sleep well on Saturday night for thinking of the message. When I got up I was calm, relaxed, and ready for worship. But when I pulled on the parking lot, I got so nervous. I started pacing the floor in my office ready and anxious to preach. When worship began, I started to relax and as the service progressed I really started to relax.
But, when sermon time came, I got nervous all over again. I knew my manuscript but was fumbling over words, getting tongue tied, and for the first time we turned the A/C on. I’m not used to preaching with air blowing directly into my mouth but I need to get used to it. The Lord carried me through.
How do I describe our worship experience? Wonderful! Man, we had church yesterday!
I started our series; “Trusting God Our Shepherd – An Exposition of Psalms 23”
Topic: I’m Safe In His Arms
Text: Psalms 23:1A
Thesis: He knows how to keep me because I don’t know how to keep myself.
The Importance of the Sheep to the Shepherd
Point: You’re never so far away from God that He will not come find you
The Intentional Caring of the Shepherd to the Sheep
Point: God knows how to take care of you
The Intimate Relationship Between Shepherd and Sheep
Point: God knows you by name
The Irrevocable Nature of the Shepherd
Point: God will not mistreat you
Thank God for the message and to all our guest who came to church may God continue to bless you with His loving care. Tracy sang Safe In His Arms before the message. She did a real good job blessing us. Thank you!
After church, we had dinner together as a family with lasagna, salad, bread, First Goodwill swamp juice, cake, cookies, and what is a church dinner without fried chicken. Hmmmmm good! Thank you to our I’m Hungry Ministry (Culinary Ministry).
Glen and Marie celebrated 23 years of marriage yesterday and spent they’re day in church all day long. Thank you both and Happy Anniversary from your pastor. Much love to you
We celebrated the men and women of our church with 3:30 pm service with guest church New Birth Community Church, pastor Michael Saunders III. He preached our theme “It’s Our Time” from Galatians 6:9. Wonderful job! He really blessed me and the church and killed us singing the hymn “I Need Thee Every Hour”. Wow!
To Deacon Loud and Deacon Ham, thank you for your service in coordinating our afternoon service. God is not unjust to forget your labor of love. Thank you!
And when I though it couldn’t get any better, a member I’ve been praying for, Joseph Brown, came to our afternoon service. I did everything I could to fight back the tears. But I broke down during my remarks at the end of the service. It was really good for us, as a church, to see him and he looked real good. I proud of the church I pastor because when he came through the door they showered him with love and affection. That’s the kind of church I want to pastor. Praise God!
Many former members came to the afternoon service as well. Some with a church home and others without. Just about every person who walked through the door was amazed at the new look and it took them 5 minutes (no exaggeration) before they took a seat. One lady was so encouraged that she held my hand with tears in her eyes, only to say, “I knew you were the one God called to pastor this church. I’m coming home!”
I told her to pray for us and asked if she was committed to a church. Her response; “Not, really!” I then told her she’s always welcomed to come home.
I’m still riding on cloud nine from our worship experience. God is truly doing something wonderful, new, and exciting in our church. I’m just making myself available to be used by God. Keep praying for us.
Finally, sermons are now online at www.fgmbc.org “Good Life Media Ministry” tab and click on sermons. Progress!
Until next time, be blessed!
But, when sermon time came, I got nervous all over again. I knew my manuscript but was fumbling over words, getting tongue tied, and for the first time we turned the A/C on. I’m not used to preaching with air blowing directly into my mouth but I need to get used to it. The Lord carried me through.
How do I describe our worship experience? Wonderful! Man, we had church yesterday!
I started our series; “Trusting God Our Shepherd – An Exposition of Psalms 23”
Topic: I’m Safe In His Arms
Text: Psalms 23:1A
Thesis: He knows how to keep me because I don’t know how to keep myself.
The Importance of the Sheep to the Shepherd
Point: You’re never so far away from God that He will not come find you
The Intentional Caring of the Shepherd to the Sheep
Point: God knows how to take care of you
The Intimate Relationship Between Shepherd and Sheep
Point: God knows you by name
The Irrevocable Nature of the Shepherd
Point: God will not mistreat you
Thank God for the message and to all our guest who came to church may God continue to bless you with His loving care. Tracy sang Safe In His Arms before the message. She did a real good job blessing us. Thank you!
After church, we had dinner together as a family with lasagna, salad, bread, First Goodwill swamp juice, cake, cookies, and what is a church dinner without fried chicken. Hmmmmm good! Thank you to our I’m Hungry Ministry (Culinary Ministry).
Glen and Marie celebrated 23 years of marriage yesterday and spent they’re day in church all day long. Thank you both and Happy Anniversary from your pastor. Much love to you
We celebrated the men and women of our church with 3:30 pm service with guest church New Birth Community Church, pastor Michael Saunders III. He preached our theme “It’s Our Time” from Galatians 6:9. Wonderful job! He really blessed me and the church and killed us singing the hymn “I Need Thee Every Hour”. Wow!
To Deacon Loud and Deacon Ham, thank you for your service in coordinating our afternoon service. God is not unjust to forget your labor of love. Thank you!
And when I though it couldn’t get any better, a member I’ve been praying for, Joseph Brown, came to our afternoon service. I did everything I could to fight back the tears. But I broke down during my remarks at the end of the service. It was really good for us, as a church, to see him and he looked real good. I proud of the church I pastor because when he came through the door they showered him with love and affection. That’s the kind of church I want to pastor. Praise God!
Many former members came to the afternoon service as well. Some with a church home and others without. Just about every person who walked through the door was amazed at the new look and it took them 5 minutes (no exaggeration) before they took a seat. One lady was so encouraged that she held my hand with tears in her eyes, only to say, “I knew you were the one God called to pastor this church. I’m coming home!”
I told her to pray for us and asked if she was committed to a church. Her response; “Not, really!” I then told her she’s always welcomed to come home.
I’m still riding on cloud nine from our worship experience. God is truly doing something wonderful, new, and exciting in our church. I’m just making myself available to be used by God. Keep praying for us.
Finally, sermons are now online at www.fgmbc.org “Good Life Media Ministry” tab and click on sermons. Progress!
Until next time, be blessed!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Psalms 23 Mini-Series
I’ve been studying Psalms 23 this past week and man, what a word of comfort. This text is so rich with truth, encouragement, and strength that I’ve decided to preach a mini-series within a series:
Series: The God of Our Trust
Mini-Series: Jehovah-Roi – God, Our Shepherd
Topics:
1. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I’m Safe In His Arms: “The Lord is my Shepherd
2. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I’m Satisfied: “I shall not want”
3. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I Can Rest: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures”
4. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I’m Refreshed: “He leads me beside still waters”
5. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I’m Restored: “He restores my soul”
6. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I Have Direction for my life: “He leads in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake”
7. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I’m Not Afraid of Death: “Yea, tho I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil”
8. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I Find Comfort: “Your rod and staff, they comfort me”
9. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I’m Taking Care Of: “You prepare a table before me in the presence on my enemies”
10. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I’m Honored: “You anoint my head with oil”
11. Trusting God Our shepherd – I’m Blessed: “My cup runs over”
12. Trusting God Our Shepherd – It’s all Good: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”
13. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I’m Going Home To Live With Jesus: “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”
I can’t wait for Sunday morning to get started!
Series: The God of Our Trust
Mini-Series: Jehovah-Roi – God, Our Shepherd
Topics:
1. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I’m Safe In His Arms: “The Lord is my Shepherd
2. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I’m Satisfied: “I shall not want”
3. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I Can Rest: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures”
4. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I’m Refreshed: “He leads me beside still waters”
5. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I’m Restored: “He restores my soul”
6. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I Have Direction for my life: “He leads in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake”
7. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I’m Not Afraid of Death: “Yea, tho I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil”
8. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I Find Comfort: “Your rod and staff, they comfort me”
9. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I’m Taking Care Of: “You prepare a table before me in the presence on my enemies”
10. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I’m Honored: “You anoint my head with oil”
11. Trusting God Our shepherd – I’m Blessed: “My cup runs over”
12. Trusting God Our Shepherd – It’s all Good: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”
13. Trusting God Our Shepherd – I’m Going Home To Live With Jesus: “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”
I can’t wait for Sunday morning to get started!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The Ultimate Example of Giving in the Church
I was sitting in my office with a friend of mine on a Saturday afternoon, out of no where I asked; “Should pastors tithe to the church they pastor?” or “Do pastors tithe in the church they pastor?”Silence covered the room for about 3 minutes as the both of us searched for a response.
I think the topic of pastors modeling generous giving in the church they pastor is silent. We preach sermons to our members in an effort to increase giving but the question still remains; “How many pastors really tithe in the church they pastor?”
I have a lot of questions related to this issue:
What comes first in tithing, my position as pastor or my Christianity?
Is tithing on our church salary recycling church funds with a mentality that says; “I’ll give because I know I’ll get it back?
What does it say about the vision of the church if we don’t tithe to the church we pastor?
What does it say about our preaching on tithing? Are we convicted about what we preach before we preach it or do we preach tithing without having a personal encounter in private before going public?
Do we hold on to the tithe because the church isn’t paying enough?
Do we consider all other sacrifices that pastors make (financially) as a form of tithing?
Is the church suffering financially because the pastor is not tithing?
Unfortunately, seminaries don’t teach us about modeling generous giving as pastors.
I was speaking with a local pastor recently and he was explaining an incident he encountered in a church business meeting as they discussed details of their upcoming move into a new building. The ultimate disagreement in the meeting was money, could they afford the move or not? He explained that an elderly man in his church created such a uproar in the meeting that members began to second guess the move themselves. I listened to him as intently as I could and before long he made this comment to me: “They know how much I give to the church! I’ve opened my house and re-arranged furniture to make my living room look like a church. It’s my lights, gas, toilet paper, and water being used every week. My bills have increased since we moved back into my house and no one has offered me a dime on the mortgage or anything. They know how much I give.”
When he finished I said to him, “You’re assuming they know how much you give”. I further explained that I think one of my mistakes during our renovation project was cancelling the pastor’s anniversary as a sign of sacrifice. I assumed they would recognize my sacrifice but to my surprise they did not see it as a sacrifice and I’m not sure what they thought of it. However, looking back, I think the sacrifice would have been noticed and had much more impact if we continued with the pastor’s anniversary and then I TITHED (sacrificial gift) to the project.
It would have been recognized by the leaders because I filled out an envelope and to the members because I brought it to the offering plate. They don’t know what I’m giving but they do know I am giving something. I don’t have to say word because my sacrifice was seen publically and not behind the scenes, so to speak.
I believe we handicap our membership when we work hard behind the scenes to make things happen, financially. But what if we flipped the script and if the mortgage/lease/or rent needs to be paid, we tithe to the church and let the church pay for it. People will see our sacrifice through the tithe and not from our pockets (if that makes sense).
I think the model for generous giving works from top down and not from bottom up.
Think about it, pray about it, and then be about it.
Until next time be blessed,
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Danger of Scripture Familiarity
I have a challenge this week studying to preach one of the most precious bible passages (in my opinion, ever), Psalms 23.
Psa 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psa 23:2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
Psa 23:3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You [are] with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psa 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell [fn] in the house of the LORD Forever.
I learned this passage of scripture as a little boy in Sunday School class. One of the first bible passages, Tracy and I, taught to our children was Psalms 23. This passage of scripture is read in funeral and worship services. Many of us who need comfort run to Psalms 23. Most believers have read, studied, and/or heard messages on Psalms 23.
One would think there is nothing more to be said about this passage of scripture because it’s all been said before by some of the greatest preachers and teachers of my life time.
I’ve heard some great sermons on this passage by some of my homiletical heroes. Men who picked this Psalms apart, verse-by-verse, word-for-word, the entire Psalms, and sentence-by-sentence. It will be a challenge to ignore all that I remember about this passage and approach the text with fresh eyes.
Going into my study this week, I’m reminding myself that preaching this text is not about competition and comparisons, it’s about accuracy. Don’t add nothing to the text and don’t take nothing away from the text. Just say what the text has to say.
I pray God is pleased with my effort of study on Psalms 23.
Psa 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psa 23:2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
Psa 23:3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You [are] with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psa 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell [fn] in the house of the LORD Forever.
I learned this passage of scripture as a little boy in Sunday School class. One of the first bible passages, Tracy and I, taught to our children was Psalms 23. This passage of scripture is read in funeral and worship services. Many of us who need comfort run to Psalms 23. Most believers have read, studied, and/or heard messages on Psalms 23.
One would think there is nothing more to be said about this passage of scripture because it’s all been said before by some of the greatest preachers and teachers of my life time.
I’ve heard some great sermons on this passage by some of my homiletical heroes. Men who picked this Psalms apart, verse-by-verse, word-for-word, the entire Psalms, and sentence-by-sentence. It will be a challenge to ignore all that I remember about this passage and approach the text with fresh eyes.
Going into my study this week, I’m reminding myself that preaching this text is not about competition and comparisons, it’s about accuracy. Don’t add nothing to the text and don’t take nothing away from the text. Just say what the text has to say.
I pray God is pleased with my effort of study on Psalms 23.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Sunday Thoughts - 7/19/09
Good day of worship yesterday!
I'm posting my sermon manuscript today. I pray it blesses you as it did me and the church!
Topic: Trusting God Who Will Fight For You
Text: 1 Samual 1:1-28
I was walking home elementary school when I encountered one of my many fights as a younger man. The weekend before, my family and I, went to the drive-in to see one of my favorite actors, Bruce Lee in “The Last Dragon”. It was a normal occurrence for me to act out the movie with my friends as if I was Bruce Lee after one of his movies. So I’m jumping in the air, chopping, pausing for a moment in my martial arts stands, lips moving but words coming out seconds later, all the things a boy would after seeing a movie of fighting.
As we walked, I jumped to kick and someone behind me pushed me. I accidentally kicked a young lady in her behind.
Needless to say she wasn’t having it. I apologized and went on about my business acting out Bruce Lee’s martial arts expertise. Again, I jumped and was pushed from behind and again I kicked the same girl in the same place, again! I apologized but this time she was determined make it a big deal so I made it a big until her huge brother came over and was ready to fight.
I wasn’t a fighter. My motto was he who runs fast lives a long time. So I did what I always did, I ran home. When I got to the door my grandfather met me at the door; “Who you running from boy!” He wanted an answer and at this point no answer I gave would have been good enough. I told him the story and his response was; “Boy, go back and fight because nobody is going to fight for you! Or, You will have to fight me for running.”
Well, I went back to fight.
Over the years even until this day I still here the voice of my grandfather say; “Nobody is going to fight for you!”
Although not revealed until 1Samuel 1, there is a "preview" of Jehovah Sabaoth in Joshua 5:14,15.
Joshua in obedience to Jehovah had just commanded circumcision & Israel had kept the Passover. Now on the verge of a major military campaign (a picture of the spiritual warfare of all believers) not only against Jericho but against all of the Canaanites throughout the land was surely in need of Divine encouragement. And so we come to this fascinating encounter...
Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, & Joshua went to him & said to him, "Are you for us or for our adversaries ?" He said, "No; rather I indeed come now as CAPTAIN (Prince) of the HOST (Sabaoth) of Jehovah (NIV = commander of the Lord's army] and Joshua fell on his face to the earth and bowed down and said to Him, "What has my lord to say to His servant?" The captain of the Jehovah's host said to Joshua, "Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so." (Joshua 5:13, 14, 15)
It is interesting that the NKJV capitalizes "Commander", clearly indicating that the translators feel this individual is divine. The context supports this encounter is almost certainly another "Christophany" (pre incarnate appearance of the Messiah). (cf "Angel of the LORD"). Note that although there is a chapter break at, the narrative seems to continue without break & in (Josh 6:2, 3, 4, 5) Jehovah addresses Joshua with encouragement & instruction...
"Jehovah said to Joshua, "See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king & the valiant warriors. "You shall march around the city, all the men of war circling the city once. You shall do so for 6 days. Also 7 priests shall carry 7 trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. Then on the 7th day you shall march around the city 7 times & the priests shall blow the trumpets (Josh 6:2, 3, 4, 5)
And so we see the "Captain of Sabaoth" meeting Joshua, a man preparing for war & in need of assurance of God's presence, provision & power, which provides a great preview of truth revealed in the revelation of the LORD of hosts.
Jehovah-Sabaoth is a military name of God, for hosts comes from the a Hebrew word that means to wage war. The Lord is the Commander of the hosts and heaven: the stars, the angels, the armies of Israel (Ex. 12:41), and to all who trust in Him (Psalms 46:7,11).
We see this military name of God in 1 Samuel 17, in the story of David fighting and defeating Goliath.
We see this military term in the Septuagint text of James 5:14, where James instructs the rich to be careful of hoarding and getting over on those who are poor to become richer. So in James 5:4, he says, “For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you held back cry out against you. The cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Jehovah-Sabaoth – The Lord Almighty.
The first full revelation of this name is found in our text of 1 Samuel 1 in the story of Hannah. God reveals Himself to her as the Lord of Hosts during some extreme circumstances. She cries out to God and God rushes to her aide.
In summary, the name Jehovah-Sabaoth-The Lord of Hosts means God is our Commander and Chief who comes to the aide of those who trust Him.
Here’s the good news of the day and what the text is tailored to teach us; God hears our cry and He will fight for you!
Let’s look into this text to glean some helpful wholesome principles out of this text. Four (4) principles of observation here:
I. Hannah’s Dilemma – v. 1-7
The story recorded here in 1 Samuel reminds me of a love triangle mini-series filled with turmoil. Here’s Hannah’s dilemma:
A Disfunctional Relationship – Hannah is one of two wives to Elkhanah, Hannah and Penninah were married to the same man. Wow! It has always been the plan of God for a marriage relationship to be with one man and one woman. In this household, Elkanah had two (2) women vying for his attention. Another downside to this marriage relationship is two (2) groups of in-laws, not a good situation.
A Disability with her Womb – Hannah could not have children. The other wife, Penninah, had sons and daughters. In those days it was a sign of God’s displeasure for a woman who could not bear children.
A Difficult Enemy – The text tells us that Penninah provoked and irritated Hannah because of her inability to have children. Year after Year, Hannah had to endure the mouth, antics, and nasty comments of Penninah.
The end result is that Hannah cried all night long and did not eat.
Isn’t that just like the enemy to try and create disfunction and difficulty as well as taunting you about some physical, emotional, or spiritual disability to try and get you down.
It reminds of the story of Paul in 2 Cornithians 12, Pauls thorn in the flesh. God gives Paul a vision but to insure that Paul doesn’t get beside himself the text says that God gave Paul a thorn in the flesh and this is how Paul explains the thorn; “A message of Satan to torment me and keep me from getting puffed up – 2 Corinthians 12:7”.
There are some difficulties that we go through to keep us humble. But there are some difficulties that come to try and destroy us.
Hannah is depressed and discouraged. She’s not eating nor is she sleeping, just crying. And, what’s more disturbing is that Hannah’s name means favor. One would think that with a name with such meaning she would be able to live above her dilemma. Not so! There are some dilemmas in life that causes us to forget who we are in God. We don’t feel like we have God’s favor during difficulties.
But, can I encourage you today, you made it through the dilemmas because God’s favor is on your life. What the enemy meant for evil, God meant it for good. God encourages Paul in 2 Corinthians when Paul received a no to his prayer for deliverance. God told him my grace is sufficient and works best in your weakness.
God fights for us in our dilemmas by:
- Strengthening us to endure our difficulties
- Sustaining us in our disabilities
- Silencing the comments of our enemies
The dilemma may not change but God will keep you during times of extreme pressure.
The U.S. flag is flown night and day at only five places in the nation, and the practice dates only from 1898, flag experts say.
The places are: the grave of Francis Scott Key at Frederick, MD; Fort McHenry and Flag House in Baltimore; the Capitol Building in Washington; and the War Memorial in Worcester, Mass.
The practice resulted from public pressure, not from government action, when it began at Frederick in 1898. Since Key was the author of the “Star Spangled Banner,” it seemed appropriate that over his tomb there should be:
“Proof thru the night that our flag was still there.”
God is keeping us during extreme pressures of life as a testimony to the world that nothing can break us down.
II. Hannah’s Discourse - v. 8-16
As Hannah cries, here comes Elkannah. Elkannah loves Hannah but his comment in verse 8 seems to be one of insensitivity. He says: “Hannah, what’s wrong with you? Aren’t I taking care of you? Am I not doing enough to make you happy? I’m the best thing happening than ten sons?”
In here depressed state of mind, Elkannah doesn’t make things better, he seems to make them worse. Some say that Elkannah’s comments made Hannah feel better because she did eat after having the conversation with Elkannah. Maybe or maybe not, she may have eaten to keep his mouth shut until she could get to the church to talk to the Lord.
After dinner, she got up from the table and went to the temple to pray. She pours her heart out to God asking for help and deliverance. What we learn about the prayer of Hannah is:
It was personal v. 9 – Eli the priest was sitting at the doorpost of the temple but Hannah seemed to pass him up to talk to the Lord for herself. She didn’t ask the preacher to pray for her, she talked to God on her own. James 5 verse 14 says; “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray!”
It was Purposeful v. 11 – Hannah knew what she needed God to do for her and asked Him for it. Prayer is powerful when it is specific. Ask and it shall be given unto you.
It was Private v. 12-13 – Hannah is praying and has Eli watches, he sees her mouth moving but no words are coming out of her mouth. Hannah’s prayer was a private matter between her and God. The posture of prayer is not about the action of prayer as much as it is the heart of your prayers. In other words, prayer will mean nothing to God if it does not mean anything to you.
It was powerful v. 13a – 18 – Eli thought Hannah was drunk because her mouth was moving but nothing was coming out. Hannah explains that she was praying to God because she needed Him. Eli understood and told her to go in peace. Not only that, but Eli intercedes on the behalf of Hannah in verse 17; “Go in peace and may God grant you your petition”. Hannah prays for herself and the preacher joins in on the prayer. When Hannah got up off her knees from praying, verse 18 says; “She was no longer sad and she got something to eat”. Her situation had not changed yet but her disposition changed after she prayed. And that’s what prayer will do for you, it will change your disposition before it will change your situation.
III. Hannah’s Deliverance – v. 19-28
I got one question, where is Penninah? After verse 4, we hear nothing else from Penninah in this story. The good news of the day is that when God fights for us our enemy(ies) are a non-factor. What do we learn?
- God fights for us behind the scenes
- God fights for us by answering our prayers
I'm posting my sermon manuscript today. I pray it blesses you as it did me and the church!
Topic: Trusting God Who Will Fight For You
Text: 1 Samual 1:1-28
I was walking home elementary school when I encountered one of my many fights as a younger man. The weekend before, my family and I, went to the drive-in to see one of my favorite actors, Bruce Lee in “The Last Dragon”. It was a normal occurrence for me to act out the movie with my friends as if I was Bruce Lee after one of his movies. So I’m jumping in the air, chopping, pausing for a moment in my martial arts stands, lips moving but words coming out seconds later, all the things a boy would after seeing a movie of fighting.
As we walked, I jumped to kick and someone behind me pushed me. I accidentally kicked a young lady in her behind.
Needless to say she wasn’t having it. I apologized and went on about my business acting out Bruce Lee’s martial arts expertise. Again, I jumped and was pushed from behind and again I kicked the same girl in the same place, again! I apologized but this time she was determined make it a big deal so I made it a big until her huge brother came over and was ready to fight.
I wasn’t a fighter. My motto was he who runs fast lives a long time. So I did what I always did, I ran home. When I got to the door my grandfather met me at the door; “Who you running from boy!” He wanted an answer and at this point no answer I gave would have been good enough. I told him the story and his response was; “Boy, go back and fight because nobody is going to fight for you! Or, You will have to fight me for running.”
Well, I went back to fight.
Over the years even until this day I still here the voice of my grandfather say; “Nobody is going to fight for you!”
Although not revealed until 1Samuel 1, there is a "preview" of Jehovah Sabaoth in Joshua 5:14,15.
Joshua in obedience to Jehovah had just commanded circumcision & Israel had kept the Passover. Now on the verge of a major military campaign (a picture of the spiritual warfare of all believers) not only against Jericho but against all of the Canaanites throughout the land was surely in need of Divine encouragement. And so we come to this fascinating encounter...
Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, & Joshua went to him & said to him, "Are you for us or for our adversaries ?" He said, "No; rather I indeed come now as CAPTAIN (Prince) of the HOST (Sabaoth) of Jehovah (NIV = commander of the Lord's army] and Joshua fell on his face to the earth and bowed down and said to Him, "What has my lord to say to His servant?" The captain of the Jehovah's host said to Joshua, "Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so." (Joshua 5:13, 14, 15)
It is interesting that the NKJV capitalizes "Commander", clearly indicating that the translators feel this individual is divine. The context supports this encounter is almost certainly another "Christophany" (pre incarnate appearance of the Messiah). (cf "Angel of the LORD"). Note that although there is a chapter break at, the narrative seems to continue without break & in (Josh 6:2, 3, 4, 5) Jehovah addresses Joshua with encouragement & instruction...
"Jehovah said to Joshua, "See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king & the valiant warriors. "You shall march around the city, all the men of war circling the city once. You shall do so for 6 days. Also 7 priests shall carry 7 trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. Then on the 7th day you shall march around the city 7 times & the priests shall blow the trumpets (Josh 6:2, 3, 4, 5)
And so we see the "Captain of Sabaoth" meeting Joshua, a man preparing for war & in need of assurance of God's presence, provision & power, which provides a great preview of truth revealed in the revelation of the LORD of hosts.
Jehovah-Sabaoth is a military name of God, for hosts comes from the a Hebrew word that means to wage war. The Lord is the Commander of the hosts and heaven: the stars, the angels, the armies of Israel (Ex. 12:41), and to all who trust in Him (Psalms 46:7,11).
We see this military name of God in 1 Samuel 17, in the story of David fighting and defeating Goliath.
We see this military term in the Septuagint text of James 5:14, where James instructs the rich to be careful of hoarding and getting over on those who are poor to become richer. So in James 5:4, he says, “For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you held back cry out against you. The cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Jehovah-Sabaoth – The Lord Almighty.
The first full revelation of this name is found in our text of 1 Samuel 1 in the story of Hannah. God reveals Himself to her as the Lord of Hosts during some extreme circumstances. She cries out to God and God rushes to her aide.
In summary, the name Jehovah-Sabaoth-The Lord of Hosts means God is our Commander and Chief who comes to the aide of those who trust Him.
Here’s the good news of the day and what the text is tailored to teach us; God hears our cry and He will fight for you!
Let’s look into this text to glean some helpful wholesome principles out of this text. Four (4) principles of observation here:
I. Hannah’s Dilemma – v. 1-7
The story recorded here in 1 Samuel reminds me of a love triangle mini-series filled with turmoil. Here’s Hannah’s dilemma:
A Disfunctional Relationship – Hannah is one of two wives to Elkhanah, Hannah and Penninah were married to the same man. Wow! It has always been the plan of God for a marriage relationship to be with one man and one woman. In this household, Elkanah had two (2) women vying for his attention. Another downside to this marriage relationship is two (2) groups of in-laws, not a good situation.
A Disability with her Womb – Hannah could not have children. The other wife, Penninah, had sons and daughters. In those days it was a sign of God’s displeasure for a woman who could not bear children.
A Difficult Enemy – The text tells us that Penninah provoked and irritated Hannah because of her inability to have children. Year after Year, Hannah had to endure the mouth, antics, and nasty comments of Penninah.
The end result is that Hannah cried all night long and did not eat.
Isn’t that just like the enemy to try and create disfunction and difficulty as well as taunting you about some physical, emotional, or spiritual disability to try and get you down.
It reminds of the story of Paul in 2 Cornithians 12, Pauls thorn in the flesh. God gives Paul a vision but to insure that Paul doesn’t get beside himself the text says that God gave Paul a thorn in the flesh and this is how Paul explains the thorn; “A message of Satan to torment me and keep me from getting puffed up – 2 Corinthians 12:7”.
There are some difficulties that we go through to keep us humble. But there are some difficulties that come to try and destroy us.
Hannah is depressed and discouraged. She’s not eating nor is she sleeping, just crying. And, what’s more disturbing is that Hannah’s name means favor. One would think that with a name with such meaning she would be able to live above her dilemma. Not so! There are some dilemmas in life that causes us to forget who we are in God. We don’t feel like we have God’s favor during difficulties.
But, can I encourage you today, you made it through the dilemmas because God’s favor is on your life. What the enemy meant for evil, God meant it for good. God encourages Paul in 2 Corinthians when Paul received a no to his prayer for deliverance. God told him my grace is sufficient and works best in your weakness.
God fights for us in our dilemmas by:
- Strengthening us to endure our difficulties
- Sustaining us in our disabilities
- Silencing the comments of our enemies
The dilemma may not change but God will keep you during times of extreme pressure.
The U.S. flag is flown night and day at only five places in the nation, and the practice dates only from 1898, flag experts say.
The places are: the grave of Francis Scott Key at Frederick, MD; Fort McHenry and Flag House in Baltimore; the Capitol Building in Washington; and the War Memorial in Worcester, Mass.
The practice resulted from public pressure, not from government action, when it began at Frederick in 1898. Since Key was the author of the “Star Spangled Banner,” it seemed appropriate that over his tomb there should be:
“Proof thru the night that our flag was still there.”
God is keeping us during extreme pressures of life as a testimony to the world that nothing can break us down.
II. Hannah’s Discourse - v. 8-16
As Hannah cries, here comes Elkannah. Elkannah loves Hannah but his comment in verse 8 seems to be one of insensitivity. He says: “Hannah, what’s wrong with you? Aren’t I taking care of you? Am I not doing enough to make you happy? I’m the best thing happening than ten sons?”
In here depressed state of mind, Elkannah doesn’t make things better, he seems to make them worse. Some say that Elkannah’s comments made Hannah feel better because she did eat after having the conversation with Elkannah. Maybe or maybe not, she may have eaten to keep his mouth shut until she could get to the church to talk to the Lord.
After dinner, she got up from the table and went to the temple to pray. She pours her heart out to God asking for help and deliverance. What we learn about the prayer of Hannah is:
It was personal v. 9 – Eli the priest was sitting at the doorpost of the temple but Hannah seemed to pass him up to talk to the Lord for herself. She didn’t ask the preacher to pray for her, she talked to God on her own. James 5 verse 14 says; “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray!”
It was Purposeful v. 11 – Hannah knew what she needed God to do for her and asked Him for it. Prayer is powerful when it is specific. Ask and it shall be given unto you.
It was Private v. 12-13 – Hannah is praying and has Eli watches, he sees her mouth moving but no words are coming out of her mouth. Hannah’s prayer was a private matter between her and God. The posture of prayer is not about the action of prayer as much as it is the heart of your prayers. In other words, prayer will mean nothing to God if it does not mean anything to you.
It was powerful v. 13a – 18 – Eli thought Hannah was drunk because her mouth was moving but nothing was coming out. Hannah explains that she was praying to God because she needed Him. Eli understood and told her to go in peace. Not only that, but Eli intercedes on the behalf of Hannah in verse 17; “Go in peace and may God grant you your petition”. Hannah prays for herself and the preacher joins in on the prayer. When Hannah got up off her knees from praying, verse 18 says; “She was no longer sad and she got something to eat”. Her situation had not changed yet but her disposition changed after she prayed. And that’s what prayer will do for you, it will change your disposition before it will change your situation.
III. Hannah’s Deliverance – v. 19-28
I got one question, where is Penninah? After verse 4, we hear nothing else from Penninah in this story. The good news of the day is that when God fights for us our enemy(ies) are a non-factor. What do we learn?
- God fights for us behind the scenes
- God fights for us by answering our prayers
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Your Witness Is Important
I’ve wrestled over the past few weeks with a question; “Should I write an article on Social Networking – Facebook?” My question was in response to another question asked a few months ago by someone on Facebook; “List five (5) things you don’t like about people on Facebook (paraphrased)”. Some responses were show boating, embellishing, too spiritual, I think that’s about all I could remember putting comments in a one word description to be brief in this article.
Well my wrestling has come to end and here’s the article.
I enjoy the avenue of social networking through Facebook. I’ve connected with many friends that I lost contact with. I enjoy status updates, photos, event announcements, videos, links, and notes. This past NBA season, I had a blast going back and forth with the Faker fans about their team. Ok, they won the championship, big deal! It was fun and people got to see me, a Christian who happens to be their pastor, as a person who likes to have fun. I enjoyed the drum off battle between Ethan and Jazz. It made me want to pick my sticks back up and join in on the battle. I haven’t forgotten how to play, either.
Point being, Facebook is a great place to meet new people and re-connect with family/friends.
However, I do want to challenge us to be conscious of who we are: Christians – God’s people. This is in no way my attempt to judge anyone or to be more spiritual than the other or anything like that. I do believe in being real and transparent. We are Christians living in a real world with real challenges and yet our reality is that we serve a real God.
Daniel Hill holds a steady part-time job working one or two shifts a week at Starbucks. It’s hardly a career-track position, and it’s not that he needs the extra cash or battles a secret caffeine addiction. It’s the people. Purple hair, belly-button rings, tattoos, black-painted fingernails—those people.
For Hill, whose day job is ministering on staff with Willow Creek Community Church’s Axis ministry, Starbucks provides a context to build meaningful relationships with postmodern, Gen-Next twenty-somethings who are far from God.
“Nothing has been more transforming for me than working at Starbucks,” says Hill. “These people matter to me.”
But the moonlighting gig isn’t a free pass to easy evangelism. His coffee colleagues are like a good cup of triple espresso—plenty of steam, a little bitter, and enough kick to knock you on your backside if you aren’t careful.
As Christians we serve a cynical generation where everything about Christianity is being questioned. One question that sticks out most to me is “What good is Christianity?” This is a question of relevance. Does your belief change lives? Does your religion work? Does it help me, whether I’m in your group or not? Or are you just another self-serving group of people tagged with Christians behind your name?
Many questions and accusations may and/or may not be warranted, yet the GenX of our day looks to other avenues for a community of belonging and not the church. Facebook, Twittering, and other social networking sites have, in many cases, taking the place of church community. Coming to a church event used to be pretty natural, but now it looks very different from the kind of community they are experiencing.
With this in mind, we need to be reminded of who we are to minimize, if not eliminate, cynical attitudes towards Christianity which ultimately questions God’s power to change lives.
Here’s the reminder, YOUR WITNESS IS IMPORTANT. We need to be careful of what we portray before others, especially before the unsaved, because your life maybe the only Bible people will read. Out of 100 people, one will read the Bible and the other 99 will read you. This may sound outrageous but the point is before a person accepts Christ they will judge His effectiveness in changing lives by watching how we conduct ourselves on a daily basis.
There were a many updates with cussing from Christians, picture post, and profile pictures that made me wonder, “Don’t they go to church?” or “Didn’t I just see them at church?” I understand that we all have our sinful struggles but those without the understanding, yet, will ask questions in skepticism trying to figure out how it is we can act one way in church but then be something totally different outside of church.
It was around prom time this year and I posted a few pictures of what not to wear to the prom but I failed right a caption on one of them. The picture was of a young lady with a cut basketball jersey that was a hot mess. "She wore that thing to a prom, unbelievably"; was my response. My friend Kyle commented on the post that I should explain the picture and he was right. People on the outside who do not know me personally but know me publically as a pastor would think I was trying to post porn on Facebook. That wasn’t the case at all. I wanted to make light of the fact that our appearance could be a determining factor as to how people judge and treat us. And that outfit was inappropriate for a prom and/or anything else.
One of my favorite verses is 1 Peter 3:15 which says; ““But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within you with meekness and fear”.
The opening statement of this verse sets the standard for effective evangelism; “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts…”
Peter encourages us to share the blessings of God with others. The “good life” is never to be kept for ourselves; it is to be shared with others. Peter suggests three steps we should follow in sharing the good life:
Step 1: “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts”.
Step 2: “Always be ready to give a reason for the hope that lies within you.
Step 3: “Share it with meekness and fear”
To sanctify, hagiázō, is to “set apart.” The Christian faith makes no sense nor does Christian lifestyle ever work until and unless we “set apart” our lives to allow Jesus Christ to be Lord. The word “sanctify” comes from the same root word as holy (hágios)
.
Peter writes a great deal about the life of holiness in his first letter. As we have seen, he instructs us to “be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy” (1:15–16). Holy living is possible only as we “sanctify the Lord God in our hearts.”
Also, Peter refers to Christian believers as “a holy priesthood” (2:5) and as “a holy nation” (2:9). To be holy is to be different. It is to be like the Lord who is the personification of holiness. To sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts enables us to live the life of holiness. In the truest sense, it allows Christ to live His life of holiness in us and through us.
Lordship is the key to godly living. Jesus asked the question, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). Authentic lordship must be lived out in obedience to Christ. If He is to be my Lord, He must control and rule my life. He must be at “master control.” He must “call the plays” of my life moment by moment.
Samuel Wilberforce once said that lordship could be defined in four words: admit, submit, commit, and transmit. Indeed, we must admit our sin and need of a savior; we must forsake sin and submit our lives to Christ as Lord; we must commit our way to the Lord day by day; and we must transmit or share His love and goodness with others. Peter proceeds to discuss the importance of transmitting our faith to a dying world without a Savior.
I believe, the effectiveness of our witness will be based on the life we live. In witnessing, your life matters! So here's the exhortation; protect your witness.
Well my wrestling has come to end and here’s the article.
I enjoy the avenue of social networking through Facebook. I’ve connected with many friends that I lost contact with. I enjoy status updates, photos, event announcements, videos, links, and notes. This past NBA season, I had a blast going back and forth with the Faker fans about their team. Ok, they won the championship, big deal! It was fun and people got to see me, a Christian who happens to be their pastor, as a person who likes to have fun. I enjoyed the drum off battle between Ethan and Jazz. It made me want to pick my sticks back up and join in on the battle. I haven’t forgotten how to play, either.
Point being, Facebook is a great place to meet new people and re-connect with family/friends.
However, I do want to challenge us to be conscious of who we are: Christians – God’s people. This is in no way my attempt to judge anyone or to be more spiritual than the other or anything like that. I do believe in being real and transparent. We are Christians living in a real world with real challenges and yet our reality is that we serve a real God.
Daniel Hill holds a steady part-time job working one or two shifts a week at Starbucks. It’s hardly a career-track position, and it’s not that he needs the extra cash or battles a secret caffeine addiction. It’s the people. Purple hair, belly-button rings, tattoos, black-painted fingernails—those people.
For Hill, whose day job is ministering on staff with Willow Creek Community Church’s Axis ministry, Starbucks provides a context to build meaningful relationships with postmodern, Gen-Next twenty-somethings who are far from God.
“Nothing has been more transforming for me than working at Starbucks,” says Hill. “These people matter to me.”
But the moonlighting gig isn’t a free pass to easy evangelism. His coffee colleagues are like a good cup of triple espresso—plenty of steam, a little bitter, and enough kick to knock you on your backside if you aren’t careful.
As Christians we serve a cynical generation where everything about Christianity is being questioned. One question that sticks out most to me is “What good is Christianity?” This is a question of relevance. Does your belief change lives? Does your religion work? Does it help me, whether I’m in your group or not? Or are you just another self-serving group of people tagged with Christians behind your name?
Many questions and accusations may and/or may not be warranted, yet the GenX of our day looks to other avenues for a community of belonging and not the church. Facebook, Twittering, and other social networking sites have, in many cases, taking the place of church community. Coming to a church event used to be pretty natural, but now it looks very different from the kind of community they are experiencing.
With this in mind, we need to be reminded of who we are to minimize, if not eliminate, cynical attitudes towards Christianity which ultimately questions God’s power to change lives.
Here’s the reminder, YOUR WITNESS IS IMPORTANT. We need to be careful of what we portray before others, especially before the unsaved, because your life maybe the only Bible people will read. Out of 100 people, one will read the Bible and the other 99 will read you. This may sound outrageous but the point is before a person accepts Christ they will judge His effectiveness in changing lives by watching how we conduct ourselves on a daily basis.
There were a many updates with cussing from Christians, picture post, and profile pictures that made me wonder, “Don’t they go to church?” or “Didn’t I just see them at church?” I understand that we all have our sinful struggles but those without the understanding, yet, will ask questions in skepticism trying to figure out how it is we can act one way in church but then be something totally different outside of church.
It was around prom time this year and I posted a few pictures of what not to wear to the prom but I failed right a caption on one of them. The picture was of a young lady with a cut basketball jersey that was a hot mess. "She wore that thing to a prom, unbelievably"; was my response. My friend Kyle commented on the post that I should explain the picture and he was right. People on the outside who do not know me personally but know me publically as a pastor would think I was trying to post porn on Facebook. That wasn’t the case at all. I wanted to make light of the fact that our appearance could be a determining factor as to how people judge and treat us. And that outfit was inappropriate for a prom and/or anything else.
One of my favorite verses is 1 Peter 3:15 which says; ““But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within you with meekness and fear”.
The opening statement of this verse sets the standard for effective evangelism; “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts…”
Peter encourages us to share the blessings of God with others. The “good life” is never to be kept for ourselves; it is to be shared with others. Peter suggests three steps we should follow in sharing the good life:
Step 1: “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts”.
Step 2: “Always be ready to give a reason for the hope that lies within you.
Step 3: “Share it with meekness and fear”
To sanctify, hagiázō, is to “set apart.” The Christian faith makes no sense nor does Christian lifestyle ever work until and unless we “set apart” our lives to allow Jesus Christ to be Lord. The word “sanctify” comes from the same root word as holy (hágios)
.
Peter writes a great deal about the life of holiness in his first letter. As we have seen, he instructs us to “be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy” (1:15–16). Holy living is possible only as we “sanctify the Lord God in our hearts.”
Also, Peter refers to Christian believers as “a holy priesthood” (2:5) and as “a holy nation” (2:9). To be holy is to be different. It is to be like the Lord who is the personification of holiness. To sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts enables us to live the life of holiness. In the truest sense, it allows Christ to live His life of holiness in us and through us.
Lordship is the key to godly living. Jesus asked the question, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). Authentic lordship must be lived out in obedience to Christ. If He is to be my Lord, He must control and rule my life. He must be at “master control.” He must “call the plays” of my life moment by moment.
Samuel Wilberforce once said that lordship could be defined in four words: admit, submit, commit, and transmit. Indeed, we must admit our sin and need of a savior; we must forsake sin and submit our lives to Christ as Lord; we must commit our way to the Lord day by day; and we must transmit or share His love and goodness with others. Peter proceeds to discuss the importance of transmitting our faith to a dying world without a Savior.
I believe, the effectiveness of our witness will be based on the life we live. In witnessing, your life matters! So here's the exhortation; protect your witness.
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