Trait # 4 A Vital Christian Learns and Grows in Community

 

Trait # 4. Learns And Grows in Community Hebrews 10:19-25

 

            My understanding of a Christian Community was primarily shaped and developed during my six-month Discipleship Training School in YWAM India in 1985. It was an international and multicultural community of men and women. All those in that Community voluntarily left their homes, families, and countries and came together to learn and grow in a Missional Community.

            Our only goal was to "Know God and Make Him known." In that Christian Community, I learned about the core discipleship teachings, such as Quiet time, reading and studying the Bible, Intercession, Praise & Worship, Spiritual Warfare, Generosity, Hospitality, Submission to Authority, Servanthood, Forgiveness, Living by Faith, and Evangelism. I felt valued, recognized, and loved. It was a loving Christian community committed to making a difference.

            However, YWAM was not a Church, so I sought a Church community. I visited one Church that was too legalistic, and the other was too traditional. Finally, I found a Spirit-filled, Christ-centered, and Missional Assemblies of God. I felt at home in that Church. In the beginning, what started as a six-month stay ended up being twenty years of doing Life together with YWAM and the Assemblies of God Church. All our three daughters were dedicated to the Lord in that Church. We only left that Church when we came to the US.

            We want Hope Church to be a loving and welcoming Church. We want members to know God and be committed to making Him known to others. We want Hope Church to be a safe and trusted community where we will learn and grow together to become all God wants us to be.

            In our series on Vital Christian Living, we learned that a vital christian experiences God's Empowering Presence, engages in God-Exalted Worship, and practices the Spiritual Disciplines of studying God's Word, Praying, and Works of Service. Today, we will examine Trait # 4,  A Vital Christian Learns and Grows in Community. Hebrews 10:19-25

I. Why do we need a Community?

            While driving with Keith to the homeless ministry a few Saturdays ago, we saw several Jewish people, families, and children walking to their Sabbath services. I told Keith that our Jewish brothers and sisters understand the need to belong to a community. That need for a community is not only for the Jewish people but a universal and fundamental human instinct.

            The famous saying, "No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. "Taken from a devotional by John Donne, a 17th-century English poet."[1] Humans cannot live independently, and they need others. During the pandemic, we learned about the need for Community and felt sad and depressed when we felt its absence.

            In her book The Amen Effect, Sharon Brous, a Jewish Rabbi, notes, "In the past twenty years, there's been groundbreaking work on the impact of loneliness and social disconnection on our spirits but also on our bodies and society." The former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy describes loneliness as "the subjective feeling that we're lacking the social connections we need." Loneliness is more an inner state than an external reality; it is about feeling alone, not being alone.[2] Biologists, neurologists, psychologists, and clergy attest that human beings need connection. Bren'e Brown puts it this way: "We are psychologically, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually hardwired for connection, love, and belonging.

            These are irreducible needs for all. It's what gives purpose and meaning to our lives. The absence of love, belonging, and connection always leads to suffering."[3] The Lord knew our need for a community. After creating the man, he said, "It is not good for the man to be alone, so he made the woman and placed them in the Garden of Eden (Community) to serve and to survive.

II. We are blessed when we can live in a Church Community

            Since its creation, God's best intention for humanity has been that they do not live in isolation but in communities. We saw that pattern of living in the nomadic communities of ancient Israel. God made a nation of people out of one man named Abraham and called them His own. God blessed Israel and, in return, wanted them to be a blessing to the nations of the Earth.

            Mark Dever, the Executive Director of 9Marks, is known to begin his remarks while addressing college students this way: "If you call yourself a Christian but you are not a member of the church you regularly attend, I worry that you might be going to hell." It is pretty shocking. Why would he start with such a kind of warning? Was he going for shock value? Or was he trying to scare them into church membership? Not really! "He wanted them to see the urgency of the need for a healthy local church in the Christian's life and to begin sharing the passion for the Church that characterizes Christ and his followers."[4]

            When we give our lives to the Lord, we are adopted into God's Worldwide family, the Church. But we still need to belong to a local church. There are many examples in the New Testament of believers living in Christian communities and worshiping in local churches. Paul wrote letters to local churches, such as the Believers in Rome, the Churches in Corinth, Ephesus, Colossae, Thessalonica, and Galatia. In the book of Revelation, we see seven local churches.

            A Christian without a local church family is like a person who says, "I want to play in the NBA, but I don't want to be a part of any local team. Would that work? No! Similarly, it is not enough to say that you belong to the Universal Church; you must be committed to a local church. For quite some time, you have been attending Hope Church. By far, we are not a perfect Church. Because within the context of a local Church, we can exercise and grow in our Faith.   

III. A Vital Christian Learns and Grows in a Christian Community

            Being part of a Church community is not a privilege but a blessing of God. You will only know its value and its need if you live in countries where Christians are being persecuted for their Faith. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, wrote "Life Together, during the II World War, has this to say about a Christian community, "In the period between the death of Christ and the Day of judgment, when Christians are allowed to live here in the visible Community with other Christians, we have merely a gracious anticipation of the end time.

            By God's grace, a congregation is permitted to gather visibly around God's word and sacrament in this world. Not all Christians partake of this grace. The imprisoned, the sick, the lonely who live in the diaspora, the proclaimers of the gospel in heathen lands stand alone."[5] We thank God for Sharon Hope Church, a Christian community and a family where we belong. We gather every Sunday to learn and grow through Worship, studying God's word, and Fellowship.

            The Apostle Paul gives seven truths that all Christians must believe and live by when they come together for worship in a local Church, in Hebrews 10:19-25. First, we are sinners saved by grace by believing in Christ's redemptive work. (Vs.19). Second, we are called to a new way of living in Christ. (Vs. 20). Third, when we sin, Jesus, our great high priest, understands us and forgives our sins each time we confess them. (Heb 10:21, I Jn 1:9).

            Fourth, we are called to draw near to Jesus with sincere hearts and clear consciences. (Vs.22). Fifth, we are to hold without wavering the hope we profess because God who has promised is faithful. (Vs.23). Sixth, when we come together, let us excel in encouraging one another toward love and good works. ( Vs.24). Seven, since the Day of our Lord's return is fast approaching, let us not neglect the assembling together. Let's make it a regular habit. 

 

 

---

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Donne

[2] Sharon Brous, “The Amen Effect,” Page 33

[3] Ibid,. Page 37

[4] Mark Dever, What is A  Healthy Church? Page, 21

[5] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “Life Together Prayer Book Of the Bible,” Page28

Trait # 3 Practices The Spiritual Disciplines

                                             TEN TRAITS OF A VITAL CHRISTIAN

Trait #3 Practices The Spiritual Disciplines John 15:1-8

 

            I was on a Zoom call with a retired pastor friend Stan with whom I have been meeting in person monthly from his time in Quincy for the past fifteen years. Now, he lives in Indianapolis, hence the Zoom. These moments of connection have been mutually encouraging. I asked Stan how his wife Mary was doing, and he said, "She had gone to attend a Bible study group from Bible Study Fellowship, with 600 women and 200 children attending. There are four such classes in Indianapolis, plus a men's class, which meets on Saturdays.

            When I heard about the staggering numbers of men, women, and children studying the Bible, I  said out loud, "Wow!" I was amazed at the believers' Christian Vitality and Spiritual Discipline in the Midwest. We don't see such vitality in the New England areas. Have we become cold like our region in loving God and practicing the Spiritual Disciplines?

            Some might think the spiritual disciplines are only for spiritual giants and not for me. This is not true, and God wants these disciplines to be practiced by all of his children: those who have jobs, care for children, clean homes, school teachers, cab drivers, etc. Some others might think they are for beginners and new believers, but not for me; I am a seasoned Christian.

            In Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster says, "I am a beginner, especially after several years of practicing every discipline discussed in this book. As Thomas Merton says, "We do not want to be beginners. But let us be convinced of the fact that we will never be anything else but beginners all our lives."[1] In our series on Vital Christian Living, we learned that a vital christian experiences God's Empowering Presence daily and engages in God-Exalted Worship personally and publically with other believers in the Church. Today, we will examine Trait # 3,  A Vital Christian Practices the Spiritual Disciplines. John 15:1-8.

I. The Significance of Spiritual Disciplines.

            Before examining some core spiritual disciplines, we want to understand what spiritual disciplines are, their purpose, and why Christians need to practice them. The spiritual disciplines are teachings taught and practiced by Jesus, his disciples, and the early Church. They are recorded in the scriptures for all believers to follow for all generations. What is their purpose?

            Richard Foster explains the purpose of the Spiritual Disciplines: "The Bible called people to such disciplines as fasting, Prayer, worship, and celebration but gave almost no instructions on how to do them. They are an inward and spiritual reality, and the heart's inner attitude is more crucial than the mechanics for coming into the reality of the spiritual life.

            The Spiritual Disciplines are grace-giving. They allow us to place ourselves before God so that he can transform us. God has ordained the Disciplines as the means by which we place ourselves where He can bless us. We should not think of them as some dull drudgery aimed at exterminating laughter from the face of the earth. Joy is the keynote of all the Disciplines."[2] Therefore, we Christians should celebrate those disciplines rather than resent them.

            In his book Becoming A Healthy Disciple, Steve Macchia writes, "I have discovered over the years that practicing the spiritual disciplines is not to know more data about God, more facts about his Word, or more information about the Christian life. Instead, the disciplines are for the purpose of knowing and experiencing the richness and vitality of a relationship with God.        This relationship begins with the Lord expressing his intimate love for us."[3] In essence, the spiritual disciplines are essential to living a vital Christian life in this troubled World where we are called to be the light and the salt and share God's love and his plan for humanity. Among several spiritual disciplines, we will examine three disciplines a Vital Christian must practice.

II. Practicing the three Core Spiritual Disciplines:

             These three core disciplines are fundamental yet essential for our Christian Vitality. In the New Testament, Jesus, his disciples, and the Early Church practiced them, leaving an example for us to follow. They are Studying the Scriptures, Praying, and the Works of Service.

            In I Timothy 4:1-8, the Apostle Paul warns how Christians will turn away to conspiracies and be deceived in the later days. Then he implores Timothy, as a good minister, to entrust the scriptural truths of faith and the good teaching he had followed to the believers. Then he says, "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

            Athletes discipline themselves in daily training their bodies to win a prize or succeed in what they want to accomplish in life. Similarly, Christians are called to strengthen their spiritual muscles to be vital and bear much fruit in God's Kingdom. These spiritual disciplines, or intellectually knowing them, will not benefit us spiritually, But practicing them will make us spiritually vital and fruitful in God's Kingdom. Keeping the training concept in mind, let's explore these spiritual disciplines.

A. Practicing the Spiritual Discipline of Studying God's Word.

            When we are born again, we are like spiritual infants who crave spiritual milk, God's Word, for our spiritual growth (I Pet 2:2). I can not emphasize how important it is to eat the daily spiritual bread for our spiritual nourishment. Without this, we will be weak in our Christian faith and be easily deceived and led astray by the devil and his false teachers. If we sincerely believe and follow this teaching of Jesus, "But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will also be given you." Matt 6:33. I guarantee that we will be blessed beyond belief.            Jesus told the believing Jews, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32. In John 15:1-8, Jesus points out that we will become fruit-bearing Christians by remaining in Him and his words in us. Hope Church encourages everyone who attends to read, study, and obey God's Word regularly.

B. Practicing the Spiritual Discipline of Praying

            How can we first seek God's Kingdom and righteousness? By practicing the following two disciplines: Prayer and Service. Jesus taught his disciples principles for vital Christian living through what we know as the Lord's Prayer. If we pray sincerely, we will know God as our Heavenly Father. Many people in the World do not understand this loving and redeeming Truth.

            We honor God and pray for His Kingdom to come. We pray for our needs. We forgive others because we want God's forgiveness. And we also ask for God's protection 6:9-14 6:9-14. At Hope Church, we regularly practice this spiritual discipline of Prayer. For some of you, the spiritual muscle of Prayer may be weak. Your prayer life will only grow by praying regularly. I encourage you to join the Wednesday prayer group to practice this spiritual discipline of Prayer.

C. Practicing the Spiritual Discipline of the Works of Service.

            The spiritual discipline of studying God's Word and Praying will motivate us to serve God and the people in God's beautiful World. We follow a servant King who came not to be served but to serve. Jesus commands us to love one another as he has loved us. Everyone will know that we are His disciples by our love for one another. John 13:34-35. The unbelievers in the World do good works, hoping their good works will save them. But we, the believers, do good to others because we are saved. Let us excel in doing good to as many people as possible, and as long as we can, people will glorify our Father in Heaven by seeing our good works. Let us practice these three spiritual disciplines: Studying God's Word, Praying, and Serving. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

[1] Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline, Page 2.

[2]Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline, Pages 2,3,7

[3] Stephen A. Macchia, Becoming a Healthy Disciple, page 66.

Trait # 2 Engages In God-Exalting Worship

                                                TEN TRAITS OF A VITAL CHRISTIAN

Trait # 2 Engages in God-Exalting Worship

 

            As a young Christian in the 1980s, I was fascinated with Worship. Nothing gave me more joy and satisfaction than Worshipping Jesus with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Worshipping God made me forget about my singleness, troubles, and challenges, and it brought much Joy and Peace, transcending me to heavenly realms where I would commune with God.

            I delightfully loved Jesus with songs like “To Keep Your Lovely Face, Ever before my eyes. This is my prayer. Make it my strong desire, That in my secret heart, No other love competes, No rival throne survives, And I serve only you.” This was all before marrying Wilma.

            Jesus is still the lover of my soul. But I must admit my love for Him is not as intense as it used to be. Paul was right when he said, “An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. His interests are divided.” I Cor 7:32-33.

            I must intentionally delight and express my love for God through Praise & Worship. “In his book Christian Hedonism, John Piper encourages believers to “Be happy in the God who is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. If you are unsatisfied with God, I don’t know what else you will be satisfied with. When we delight in someone, we love that person, and when we love that person, we can serve that person. That’s how it works with God. He calls us to delight in Him (Ps 37:4). It is not that we delight in Him. He takes great delight in us and, in his love, rejoices over us with singing. (Zeph 3:17). Our natural response to such a loving God is to Love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind and Love our neighbor as ourselves.

            Two weeks ago, we began a new series, Vital Christian Living, by exploring one of the ten traits of a Vital Christian: They experience God’s Empowering Presence. Today, we will look at another trait of a Vital Christian: They Engage in God-Exalting Worship.” John 4:13-26.

            Every Sunday morning, we gather at Hope Church to Worship the Lord. We sing a few songs, read and study scriptures, pray, bring tithes and offerings, listen to a sermon, and fellowship with others. Is that all there is in Worshipping God? We will examine What true Worship is, why we must engage in God-Exalting Worship, and how Worship impacts us.

I. Worship of God is a continual theme in the Scriptures.

            Some form of Worship of God was already taking place in Genesis 4:3-4 when Cain and Able brought their offerings. Cain’s Worship was rejected, but Abels was accepted. In Vs. 6, we read that with Enosh’s birth, a regular, solemn, public worship of God may have been instituted. Men were beginning to address God formally in prayer and thanksgiving.

            What has been the scope and the continuation of Worship? All creation Worships God. Consider these scriptures: Psalm 19:1-2, “The heavens declare the Glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day, they pour forth speech; night after night, they reveal knowledge.” Nehemiah 9:6, “You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to Everything, and the multitudes of Heaven worship you.” In Psalm 150, the Psalmist explains where, for what, and with what one must worship God. He concludes by saying, “Everything that has breath Praise the Lord.”

            Romans 1:20-23, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the Glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.”

            What a tragedy when the whole creation worships God; not all, but many people worship the creation instead. Worship of God, which began in Genesis, didn’t stop there; it has been sustained and continued until eternity in Heaven. Interestingly, we see the magnificent setting of heavenly Worship in Revelation 4:8-11. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night, they never stop saying: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”

            Whenever the living creatures give Glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” What are the implications of these scriptures for us today? We are to engage in God-exalted Worship.

II. A Vital Christian Engages in God-Exalting Worship.

             In John 4:13-26, Jesus exposes false perceptions of the Samaritans concerning Worshipping the true God and how and where to worship Him. The Samaritans embraced a religious mixture of Judaism and idolatry. 2 Kings 17:26-28. While worshipping the LORD, they served their idols. They insisted that Jesus designated “Mount Gerizim” as a place of Worship.

            Jesus debunks those false narratives of Worship and says to the Samaritan woman, “The true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” Vs. 24, “God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in Spirit and in truth. What does worship in the Spirit and in Truth look like? It is spirit-led. It is not merely singing a few songs but proclaiming God’s character based on the truth in God’s Word. It expresses our deep love for Him and gives thanks for all He has done for us. (Ex. Deaf DTS).

III. The Impact of Engaging in God-Exalted Worship.

            In God-exalting Worship, we are attributing worth to God for who He is and what He has done for us. Entering into Worship (either individually or congregationally) “requires that we come expectantly so that the spontaneous presence of God is invited and experienced from the depth of our being. As we give ourselves to God, we do so with heart, soul, mind, and strength.”[1]

            Imagine you are facing a most overwhelming situation. How could Worship help in your situation? Let’s see how the Worship of God helped David by moving him from Lament to Prayer and Praise. In Psalm 69: 1-12, it looks like David is facing an overwhelming situation. He laments that the waters have come up to his neck. He feels like he is drowning in his sorrow, worn out, faces scorn for God’s sake, and becomes a stranger in his own family. Does any of these sound familiar to you? David didn’t get stuck in lamenting. He began to Pray to God.

            In Vs. 13-29, David prays, “But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me.” We don’t know how quickly he got the help he sought, but his perspective changed, and he began to praise God.

            In Vs. 29-36, David Praises God. “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or bull. The poor will see and be glad you who seek God. May your hearts live! In worshipping and praising, may we find life. God-exalted Worship replaces our sorrow and depression with joy, peace, and healing. It emboldens us to face the challenges of life. It enables us to love God and others. Our Heavenly Father seeks true Worshippers who will worship Him in Spirit and truth. Will you be one of them? 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

---

[1] Stephen A. Macchia, “Becoming A Healthy Disciple.” Page 44.

Living By Faith In This Troubled World

                                    LIVING BY FAITH IN THIS TROUBLED WORLD 

            Kayla Mueller, 26 years old, was captured by ISIS, and on February 10, 2015, U.S. officials confirmed that Muslim extremists had murdered her while in captivity. She wrote to her family as a captor in the spring of 2014. The letter begins with Kayla’s assurance that she has been treated well and is “in a safe location, completely unharmed + healthy.” The 26-year-old aid worker goes on to apologize touchingly to her family for the suffering that she has put them through because of her captivity. Then comes her central proposition:

            “I remember mom always telling me that all in all, in the end, the only one you really have is God. I have come to a place in experience where, in every sense of the word, I have surrendered myself to our creator because literally there was no else.” Kayla, who was involved in the campus ministry at Northern Arizona University, goes on to relate how “by God and by your prayers I have felt tenderly cradled in freefall.” She adds, “I have been shown in darkness and light and have learned that even in prison, one can be free. I am grateful. I have come to see that there is good in every situation; sometimes, we just have to look for it.”

            She concluded, “Please be patient, give your pain to God. I know you would want me to remain strong. That is exactly what I am doing. Do not fear for me, and continue to pray as I will. By God’s will, we will be together soon. All my everything, Kayla.”[1] Kayla, though lived only 26 years, she lived by Faith under extremely troubling situations and has gone to be with her maker in Heaven. She leaves a lesson for us on how to Live By Faith In This Troubled World. The sixth-century B.C prophet Habakkuk has a valuable lesson to teach 21st-century believers how to navigate this troubling world in which we are called to live and make an impact.

            The prophet Habakkuk is rather an obscure figure that we don’t often hear about during Sunday services, yet he has a profound message for all of us. His little book of three chapters is one of the gems in the OT. It was written when the Babylonians were the undisputed power in the region. Habbakkuk’s problem was divine justice. How could a mighty God, seeing all the wickedness and evil in the world, remain unconcerned? That was Habakkuk’s dilemma.

            Habakkuk noticed violence, lawbreaking, and injustice go unpunished, so he questioned God about it. God’s answer troubled him even more, so he asked God again the second time about justice. God reassured Habakkuk that if he could only wait, it would all be clear for him. This satisfied Habakkuk, and with renewed Faith, he seemed to conclude that, Given God’s nature, his own questions were unjustified. What made Habakkuk remain silent? (Hab 2:20).

            Another significant thing about this small book is that The Habakkuk Commentary is the most well-preserved OT Commentary among those found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Apostle Paul used one verse from Chapter 2 in Rom 1:7 to introduce the doctrine of Justification by Faith rather than by works. Martin Luther’s interpretation of this verse totally reoriented his thinking and contributed to the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Before we find out the verse that changed the History of the Church, let’s look at the two complaints of the prophet Habakkuk and God’s answer that changed the prophet’s perspective.

I. Habakkuk Complaint # 1 (Vs. 2-4)

            Habakkuk complained to God that, despite repeated prayers to God regarding the violence and injustice, God didn’t listen to his cries. He complained that the Department of Justice and the Supreme Court of that time were broken by letting the wicked escape punishment, and the righteous were constrained by the wicked. On top of that, strife and conflict among people kept increasing. Habakkuk thought he was justified in his complaint.

            Do any of these complaints of Habakkuk ring a bell in our times? What do you think about the justice system in our land? Do you feel angry and even hurt when you see the wicked people having their agendas fulfilled and the righteous suffer from their wickedness? You may feel justified in complaining and challenging God over the state of our country and the world. But wait, let’s find out what God has to say to the prophet regarding his complaint.

II. God’s Answer To Habakkuk’s Complaint”

            Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” The prophet might have thought that God was finally going to do something. But he didn’t know that the new thing was the increased misery for God’s people. God was going to send the cruel Babylonians to invade Israel and Judah and take people as captives to their land of Babylon.

            Think about God’s answer for a moment. You are praying to God to alleviate wickedness and the evil plunging our nation into confusion and chaos. You heard God saying, behold, I will do something about it. By the way, I will send your enemies to further inflict trouble on the existing trouble you are already enduring. How would you receive such an answer from God?

III. Habakkuk’s Complaint # 2 (1:12-17)

            This time, he gained a proper perspective of God’s holiness and his everlasting presence in the affairs of humanity. He complains again about God’s tolerance toward the wicked and his un-involvement even while seeing the outrageous evil against God’s righteous people. Unlike the first time, he positioned himself to see how God was going to destroy the wicked people.

            Instead, God answers him to write down these profound words for all generations. We have read the words written by the sixth-century prophet again on this 8^th day of February 2025. Those profound words that changed many people’s lives are: The righteous shall live by Faith.

            Another assuring proclamation must have calmed the prophet, i.e., “The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” This was as though God was saying, I got this; I am in control. You be silent, and so is everyone on this planet before me. Now, prophet Habakkuk has nothing more to complain to God; instead, he offers praise in prayer.

IV. A Prayer of Praise and Faith Amid Despair and Hopelessness Chapter 3

            May this profound prayer of praise be ours in our despair and hopelessness. “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time, make them known; in wrath, remember mercy.” Here is how we can overcome the most difficult circumstances and go on to live a life that would bring glory to God.

            This is how we overcome our depression, discouragement, and lack of resources. Even if nothing seems to be working our way, everything is challenging and unmanageable; we can live by trusting in God when we know that our God is loving, holy, and mighty in power.

            Whatever you are going through today, don’t lose hope in God. You will come through by His help. Like Habakkuk, we can turn our complaints into a time of praising God for His marvelous deeds.

 

            On this snowy morning, let me close this beautiful prayer and praise of Habakkuk in Chapter 3:17-19“Though the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength;  he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” (The Message).

           

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

---

[1] Stephen L. Carter, "On Kayla Mueller and Faith," Bloomberg View (2-13-15)

 

Trait # 1 Experiences God's Empowering Presence

Ten Traits Of A Vital Christian

Trait # 1  Experiences God's Empowering Presence

 

            I vividly remember how much joy flooded my heart for the first time when I surrendered my life to Jesus at the age of eighteen. I decided to preach the gospel and serve the Lord until the day I die. I was full of hope, energy, and optimism to turn the world upside down like the early disciples. With youthful exuberance and vitality, I joined a six-month Discipleship Training School with YWAM in India. That was where I laid a spiritual foundation for my future ministry.

            The six-month DTS was one way like a Christian boot camp for me. Because of particular rigorous training, some staff defined DTS as Dying To Self. You will soon learn to die to yourself if there is only one toilet for 45 people and only a half bucket of water for a shower. However, the key concepts of discipleship I learned were so precious that they even sustain me today in ministry after all these years. Those principles helped me become a Vital Christian.

            The dictionary defines vitality as being strong and active or energetic. It also means liveliness, life, spiritedness, vivacity, and exuberance. It is the power of giving continuance to life and being present in all living things. A Vital Christian is not necessarily always energetic, exuberant, and euphoric but a joyful, committed disciple of Christ. They have been battle-tested and refined in the crucible of affliction. They love the Lord, and as Eugene Peterson puts it, they maintain a life of "A Long Obedience In The Same Direction," no matter the cost.

            Today, we begin a Vital Christian Living Series. For the next several weeks, we will learn why it is essential to have vitality in our daily lives as Christians and what the ten traits of a vital Christian are. The ten traits should be seen in the light of Jesus's life and teaching, based on the Gospel of John and the relationship Jesus had with his disciples. To help us unpack these traits, we will use Stephen Macchia's book, "Becoming A Healthy Disciple." The First Trait of a Vital Christian: "A Vital Christian Experiences God's Empowering Presence." John 14:15-21

 

I. Vitality is God's Design for All People

            Since the beginning, God has designed vitality for all mankind. This was how God formed the first man. Genesis 2:7 says, "Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being."             According to this scripture, we have no life without God's breath (Spirit) in our nostrils; we are just a lump of clay. God blessed mankind and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it." Gen 2:8. As we see, physical vitality (Life) and blessings of fruitfulness and multiplication are God's design for all people. Satan has disrupted God's divine intentions for mankind by tempting man to sin. Since then, God has been working to restore both physical and spiritual vitality to people which Satan has stolen.

            Several OT passages explain God's provision of physical and spiritual vitality for His children, those who walk closely with Him. Psalm 1:1-3, "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by water streams, which yield fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers." Are you like that tree planted by water streams?

            In this world, several people outwardly seem to be healthy, wealthy, and successful, yet inwardly, they may be lonely, fearful, unhappy, and unfulfillment. They may be physically alive but spiritually dead. What robs our spiritual vitality, and how can we restore it?

II. How Can We Restore Spiritual Vitality?

            Before we talk about restoring spiritual vitality, we need to address how we lost it in the first place. In Genesis 2:17, God tells Adam that on the day he eats the forbidden fruit, he will "surely die." Adam does fall, but his physical death does not occur immediately.

            God must have had spiritual death in his mind. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body. Spiritual death, which is of greater significance, is the separation of the soul from God. This separation from God is precisely what we see in Genesis 3:8. When Adam and Eve heard the voice of the Lord, they "hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God." The fellowship had been broken. They could not relate to God anymore. They were spiritually dead.

            Every man and woman without Christ is spiritually dead. Paul describes it as "being alienated from the life of God." Ephe 4:18. (To be separated from life is the same as being dead). Isaiah 59:1-2: People were separated from God by their sins, which hid God's face from them. In Ephesians 2:1-3, we read people were dead in their sins, which separated them from God and deserving God's wrath. We thank God for Romans 5:8, which says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

            How can we be spiritually revived and our vitality restored? This might have been in the mind of a learned Hebrew Rabbi Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night. Jesus told him, "Very truly, one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." John 3:2-5 The natural man, like Adam hiding in the garden, is isolated from God. Spiritual death is reversed when we are born again, and we become God's children. Now, we can live a vital Christian Life.

III. A Vital Christian Experiences God's Empowering Presence.

            As a dead man can not follow human instructions, a spiritually dead man can not understand and obey God's commands. As sinners, none of us can save ourselves from the impending wrath of God. God, in his mercy, sent His Holy Spirit to Convict the world of sin, and righteousness and judgment." John 16:8. The Holy Spirit convicted me of my sins in that Evangelistic meeting, so I repented and accepted God's forgiveness. At that moment, something supernatural happened. The Holy Spirit came into my life as promised in John 14:15-21.

            Many Christians are unaware that the Holy Spirit comes to live in them when they get saved. Jesus promised his disciples that He would send another advocate to help them and be with them forever. He said the Spirit of Truth will be with and in them. The Holy Spirit came to live in us when we were born again. A vital Christian Experiences the Powerful Presence of God. To experience the presence of the Holy Spirit, first of all, we must believe He is living in us. With that realization, we invite the Holy Spirit to take charge of our lives. The N.T writers used a  Greek word, Dunamis, to describe the Power of the Holy Spirit, from which we get our English word dynamite. Now, you can imagine the power of the Holy Spirit inside you.

            You have learned from Romans 8:11-13, "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."

            We can live a vital Christian life by regularly experiencing God's empowering presence. When we recognize we are in the presence of the Holy Spirit, we will experience Joy. Despite the challenging circumstances, there is peace, abundant life, and eternal hope when we abide in his presence. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins. He heals and transforms broken hearts.

            He counsels us with His wisdom. He comforts us when we are hurting. He consoles us with his love and grace. He reveals and exalts Jesus. He will show us what is right and how to avoid the wrong. Ultimately, it will be the Spirit who completes the work in us so that when we go home to be with the Lord for all eternity, it will be the Spirit who empowered us to be recipients of the "well done, good and faithful servant" affirmation from our loving heavenly Father. How are you Experiencing God's Empowering Presence in your life?