Idols & Connecting

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I’m writing this post while going to Louisville, KY, for denominational meetings with Sovereign Grace (SGC). As many of you know, I am privileged to serve SGC as an Executive Committee (EC) member. The EC is a committee of pastors selected by other pastors to help encourage and come alongside our Leadership Team. During this week of meetings, we hear updates from our Executive Director, Mark Prater, and various places in SGC. It is a joy to work with these men. Would you pray for us while we’re meeting? Our meetings will begin on Tuesday and end on Thursday.

Was Rachel’s Death a Judgment for Her Idolatry?

One of the interesting tidbits from Genesis 35 is Jacob’s call for his family to turn in their idols and leave them in Shechem. It was a wonderful display of repentance and a desire to have no other gods before the Living God. But if you’ve been with us, you’ll remember that when Jacob and his family left Laban (Rachel’s dad) to head for home, Rachel stole her father’s idols (Genesis 31:19). And you might remember that when Laban caught up with them on their journey, he accused Jacob’s family of stealing his idols (Genesis 31:30). And…you might remember that Jacob told him to search the camp and anyone found with the idols should die (Genesis 31:32). But when Laban searched the camp, Rachel took them and sat on them to hide them and Laban left empty-handed (Genesis 31:33-35). Rachel stole from her dad and then lied about it. Jacob promised death to any who were found with the idols.

So, in Genesis 35:16-20, we’re told about Rachel’s death while giving birth to Benjamin. This came directly after Jacob requested their idols and the family to leave those in Shechem. Just a question: Was this an act of judgment on Rachel for stealing her dad’s idols?

Random Explanations

Esau and Jacob’s peace but their descendants’ wars. It is an amazing display of the reconciliation that God brought to Esau and Jacob to read about them burying their dad. However, the listing of Esau’s descendants and the fact that there is a great deal of conflict between Israel and Edom are perplexing. The only way I can relate to this is when I see two leaders who are at peace with one another and have followers downstream who are at odds with one another. This is true politically and in Christian circles.
Identifying idols of the heart. Through the years, Jill and I have sought to help our kids deal with the idols of their hearts. One of the ways that we’ve helped them identify these dastardly enemies of our souls is by helping them see that when idols are close to being exposed, sinful responses usually follow. Anger, dismissal, covering up, hiding, or other things have helped our kids see where their idols lurk. I have often said that when I’m counseling people when they get mad, we’re “about to hit paydirt.” My point is that we will do anything to keep our idols. We will do everything to intimidate, get people to look away, or put up defensive walls to keep people from touching our idols. Where do you see this in your life?
I was freshly affected by the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) while reading Genesis 36. Seeing the origin of a nation that’s not Israel reveals that God was expanding humanity into various nations, tribes, and tongues. And think, in Revelation 7:9-13, this group will likely have some Edomites in it. Crazy.
On the messiness of the church. I have always been sensitive to self-righteousness in myself and others. When I find myself walking in self-righteous criticisms of others, I know my soul is not in a good spot. I have also been bothered by the self-righteousness that goes on in the church. We are a bit too “high and mighty” sometimes, and our expectations of how Christians should act and live are unmet. We want utopia and the ideal. What we get is messy. Christians sin. We do dumb things. We avoid others, gossip, and get angry. When we see our founders, this should not shock us. This is why God’s word, especially in the New Testament, is full of “one another” passages like “serve one another in love,” “forgive one another,” and “exhort one another.” These passages and ones on reconciliation are in the Bible because they are necessary. We wouldn’t need to reconcile with one another if things were perfect. So, the next time you find yourself dealing with the messiness of church, rather than put on self-righteousness, respond with the power of the Holy Spirit and obey the Lord’s commands on how to deal with it.

Big vs. Small

Over the past few years, as our church has grown, people have asked me how I like pastoring a “big” church. I chuckle under my breath because, for Roseburg, we might be a larger-than-normal church, but we are by no means big. I tell them that, like raising our kids, I have enjoyed every season. That is really true. I’ve been amazed at God’s kindness to us in every season and I stand amazed that He would allow me to serve alongside faithful elders and deacons, an amazing staff, and care for a grateful and eager church. It’s awesome.

One of the things I have found interesting, however, is that when we were smaller, some people wanted us to grow. Now that we’re bigger, some people want us to be smaller. Some have said it’s harder to make connections in a larger church, and I remember people having the same complaints in a smaller church.

So, with that said, here are some brief thoughts:

We are having more people join us for our Sunday services. It’s critical that we worship God together. This is one time per week when we are reminded of the gospel together. Worshipping God is one way we grow in Christ.

But that’s not enough if we’re going to connect to a church. We need to fellowship together in smaller settings. This could be in a community group, a study group, or a service team. In these smaller settings, we grow by being known and discussing what matters most to us. Groups and service teams are the best place to start making the church feel smaller.

But that isn’t enough to help us get deeper in our faith. We need to grow in Christ through discipleship. The examples in Scripture of this are Jesus and His disciples, and maybe my favorite ones, Paul and Timothy. Having someone older in the faith than we are who can teach us is invaluable. We all need it. Discipleship can take on very specific needs, as well. We might need discipleship in the form of biblical counseling, where someone helps show us what God’s word says on a particular life-dominating sin and helps us overcome it.

But worshipping God, connecting together, and growing in Christ is really about helping us learn to serve others. We are to be disciple-making disciples. Growth in Christ isn’t complete until we demonstrate and declare the gospel to our neighbors, co-workers, and family.

Whether we’re a big church or a small one doesn’t matter. We are to worship God, fellowship together, grow in Christ, and serve others. When these things are done, the big church will feel smaller and will accomplish the Great Commission, and a small church will do big things.

Looking Ahead

This coming Sunday, we will study Genesis 37. This will be the start of the Joseph narrative in Genesis. It’s the famous story of the coat of many colors and his brothers selling him into slavery. Luis Castellanos will preach this week since I’m out of town until this Friday. But what a Sunday we have planned at One Champion Field: church at 10:00, baptisms to follow directly, food trucks, and games all over the ball field and park. Join us! Bring friends and stay long. It should be a blast.

From the Cheap Seats

The Little League World Series is going on, and that’s the one that gets the biggest media coverage. But are you aware that the American Legion World Series is well underway? On my flight today, I watched a 1-0 semi-final game between Michigan and the defending champs from Texas. Michigan got a walk-off winner in the 8th. Both starting pitchers were outstanding.
I realize the season isn’t over, but the Rangers are 12 games under .500, so it might as well be. With that said, the youngsters in the game today are unreal. You should check out highlights from these guys: Bobby Witt Jr., Elly De La Cruz, and Oneil Cruz are shortstops. Adley Rutchman and Logan O’Hoppe are catchers. Paul Skenes on the mound. There are some fantastic young athletes in the game today.
For the first time since I can remember, football season doesn’t appeal to me much. It could be that my favorite team continues to be good at drama but not good at football. I’m sure I will post football stuff in musings at some point, but right now, I’m not feeling it.

To watch or listen to the sermon described in this post, please click here.