Colossians 3:12-17

Do I Have To Put Up With You?

Colossians 3:12-17

June 128, 2009

Part 3 of summer 2009 series on God’s answers to our questions

We are looking at some of the things this summer that we find to be problems or that we have questions about in our everyday lives –– and how we can find God’s answers to these problems and questions.

Life is filled with things that bother us and that are problems for us – things we might wish we had answers for.  These things can range from how to deal with the economy and the way if affects our daily living to how to be a Christian parent to how to deal with “difficult people” to how to deal with emotions such as anger.

I believe that the Bible is our guide to living life in God’s ways – and contains God’s answers to our questions in life.

Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that:

^“16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

This summer we’re going to look at some of the issues and questions we may face in our lives – and how God would have us deal with them.

Today we are going to look at an issue we all have to face from time to time – how to deal with folks that are “difficult” – folks that just seem to rub us the wrong way – folks we wish we could avoid – but can’t.

How do we deal with difficult people?

How do we deal with those people who rub us the wrong way?

We might wish we didn’t have to put up them – but we do – and we need to look at God’s word to see how to do it.

Listen to what Paul wrote in Colossians 3:12-17:

Read Scripture

You know — much of living the Christian life comes down to how well we get along with other people. Scripture makes it plain that God places tremendous value on unity. Paul stressed unity repeatedly through out his letters. In Psalms it says:                                                                                                                         How good it is when brothers live together in unity. (Psalm 133:1) The next verse doesn’t say: “How rare it is when people live together in unity”—but it could. The ability to get along with others requires a great deal of effort. Our natural tendency is not to get along – and to try to avoid those we can’t get along with.

The old adage that:

“I was taught that if I can’t say something nice to someone don’t say anything – so since I can’t say anything nice to that person I’ll just avoid them”

is ok – but truly not the Christian way to deal with folks we find difficult to deal with.

You might remember when Jimmy Johnson took over as coach of the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys had been on a downward spiral, but within a few years he rebuilt the organization and guided them to the Super Bowl — and they won. The next year they did it again. After winning his second Super Bowl, what did owner Jerry Jones do? Give Jimmy Johnson a raise? No, he fired him! Together they had rebuilt the Cowboy dynasty and had accomplished the seemingly impossible, but they couldn’t get along. Winning wasn’t compensation enough, and Texas just wasn’t big enough for both men’s massive egos, so they parted company. This serves to remind us that even when things are going well, it’s hard to maintain unity – and deal with folks you find it hard to get along with.

As you go through life you’re going to find some people simply rub you the wrong way. Some people are just going to be difficult for you to deal with. Maybe they have done something to hurt you – or maybe they continually do things that hurt you – or maybe they don’t do anything specific — but there’s something about them that gets under your skin.

Do me a favor — raise your hand if you have never had a person who rubbed you the wrong way.

I don’t see any hands raised.

Mine is not either.

Yea – we all have had times when people rub us that wrong way – and have all had to deal with “difficult people”.

We’ve all had people we wanted to look at and say:

“Do I have to put up with you?”

And – believe it or not – -  there will be times when you find that you – even likeable and friendly and jolly you — rub someone else the wrong way – or that you – yes even you – might be a difficult person for someone else!

Since we all know that we have – and will continue to have – difficult people in our lives – and yes we are even going to be difficult people for others – we need to look at how God ways us to get along with difficult people – how to put up with folks we would rather not have to put up with.  And – if you’re on the receiving end of someone’s cold shoulder, these principles will help you defuse difficult situations. God wants us to live together in unity – and in Colossians 3:12-17 shows us how to put up with difficult folks.

First of all, Paul writes that we must be willing to…

1. Take the high road.

Paul writes:

(v. 12) Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved…

Paul is reminding us of who we are.  We are God’s people, dearly loved by Him, and expected to live holy lives.

This is our identity – it is who we are!

This should determine how we act.

When we relate to other people, we should say to ourselves, “I don’t know where this person is spiritually, but I know where I’m supposed to be in my spiritual life, and my attitudes and actions are going to reflect that.”

If others want to stir up trouble at work, or cause friction in your family life, or create chaos within the church, that’s their choice. You don’t have to try to get even; you can take the high road to solving the conflict.

Some time ago rock music legends Keith Richards – guitarist for the Rolling Stones — and Elton John made the news with public insults of one another. Keith said that Elton John is a “Vegas act” and that his career now consists of “writing songs for dead blondes.” (You might remember that Elton John wrote memorial a songs for Marilyn Monroe and that he rewrote it at the death of Princess Diana.) Elton responded to Keith’s remarks by saying, “He’s so pathetic. It’s like a monkey with arthritis trying to go on stage and look young.” What surprises me most about this interchange is that both men participated. Both are extremely famous, extremely successful (by rock music standards), extremely rich, and extremely busy. Yet they each found time to prepare and publicly deliver cheap-shots directed at the other. The result was that they both wound up looking petty and vindictive.

On the other hand, do you remember several years ago when Tiger Woods first won the Master’s Golf Tournament? Afterward Fuzzy Zoeller made a racist comment that – without much effort -– could have been blown into a major controversy.  It would have been bad enough if he had said it in the clubhouse around his friends, but he said it on national TV. A lot of people were upset and Fuzzy himself became the target of some rather vicious talk. Do you remember how Tiger reacted? He simply said, “I know he is a jokester; I have concluded that no personal animosity toward me was intended — we all make mistakes and it is time to move on.” Tiger could have said so much more. He could have gotten even. Instead, he took the high road.

Taking the high road is a lot easier to do when you remember that you’re not perfect either. You’ve made some mistakes. You’ve gotten your hands dirty a few times. You know what it’s like to need forgiveness. That’s why Paul said,

(v. 14) Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

A friend who is a marriage counselor told me about a couple he was who were having problems in their marriage. The husband was fed up with his wife  and ready to leave — and he had many well-documented  reasons for wanting to go. As a last-ditch effort, she persuaded him to try one counseling session. During the session the husband gave the counselor a list of reasons why he couldn’t go on in the marriage. After a few minutes of this, the counselor said to him, “So, what is your contribution to the problems in this marriage?” The husband looked at the counselor and said, “My contribution?” “Right” the counselor said. “What have you done to make things more difficult for her?” After some thought the husband said, “Well, I’m not very patient.”  The counselor said, “Ok. What else?” The husband stared at the counselor, then finally said, “I have a hair-trigger temper and I yell sometimes.” The counselor pressed him for more. The wife spoke up and said: “Well, he doesn’t always do what he says he’s going to do.” The counselor stopped her and told her that this was the husband’s chance to think about what he had sone in the marriage. “Well, she’s right. I’m always promising to take her out on the weekend and I never do.” the husband added. . They went through this lost for several minutes until they had accumulated quite a list of things the husband had done.  The counselor finally reviewed the list and said to the husband “And you’re talking about leaving her? I can’t believe she hasn’t left you!” Suddenly, a new element had been added to the mix: humility. The husband realized he had been making his wife as miserable as she had been making him. He went from seeing himself as the victim to seeing himself, to a certain extent, as the perpetrator. From that day on their marriage was different. They began seeing the marriage counselor every week and were able to work out their differences. Their marriage was saved when they each began to take the high road, and forgive one another as Christ had forgiven each of them.

That’s what it means to take the high road.

Show others the same mercy you have been shown by Christ.

Does this mean we sweep conflict under the rug and never deal with it? No, of course not. But it means that we don’t resort to name – calling and hostility with those who don’t agree with us.

You are one of God’s people; let your actions show it.

When dealing with difficult people – people you would rather not have to deal with – when having to put up with folks you would rather not have to put up with –  take the high road and don’t contribute to the problem.

Secondly, remember…

2. Your actions are more important than your feelings.

Have you ever been ready to go to work in the morning,  opened the front door, and been hit by a blast of winter air and realized you won’t make it to work without freezing? What do you do? You probably go back inside the house and grab a sweater or a coat. Your skin is too sensitive for the cold, so you clothe yourself accordingly.

Paul wrote that we’re to do the same thing in our personal relationships. He wrote:

(v. 12) Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

He used the phrase “clothe yourselves” because sometimes you have to cover your feelings by “putting on” the right behavior. Your feelings may be sending you in one direction emotionally, but you can clothe yourself with attitudes and behavior that move you in the right direction.

Over the years we’ve been lied to about our feelings. We’ve been told if we feel something it must be real. We’ve been told that if we have feelings we should express them to others; we need to get our feelings out in the open so we can deal with them. Let me tell you something. Spitting out a bunch of hostile, angry, mean, resentful words at someone is not going to help. It is not going to make you a better person, it is not going to make them a better person, and it won’t improve your relationship. Just because you feel something doesn’t mean you have to say it. And you don’t have to let your feelings control your actions.

Paul wrote:

“Put on compassion…put on kindness…put on gentleness.”

You may not feel these things, but you can “put them on”—at least temporarily. Some people say, “That seems hypocritical,” but it’s not. If you feel dislike for another person, and you show them kindness, you’re not being hypocritical, you’re being holy!

The Bible never tells us that we will be judged according to our feelings. It says again and again we are judged according to our actions. You can’t always control the way you feel, but you can control the way you act. So – act in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Does this mean you sweep conflict with others under the rug? No, of course not. It means that when you deal with conflict you put your feelings aside and you put a layer of holiness between you and the other person.

I read not long ago that you may not be able to change things that happen or occur in your life or some of the people who may be difficult for you to deal with and put up with – but you can change how you react to them or respond to them. React and respond with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

When dealing with difficult people – people you would rather not have to deal with – when having to put up with folks you would rather not have to put up with –  take the high road and don’t contribute to the problem – and react in ways that show compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Thirdly, remember to. ..

3. Include Christ in every conversation.

You probably remember the bracelets with the letters “WWJD”. Hundreds of thousands of young people and some not so young across the country wore them, them a few years ago.  They served as a powerful reminders to do what Jesus would do.

WWJD stood  for “What would Jesus do?”

It’s a good question to ask yourself in any situation.

Another good question to ask yourself is “What would Jesus say?”

If you’re having a conversation with someone and angry words are about to be exchanged, ask yourself, “What would Jesus say right now?” If you’re talking to friends and an outsider becomes the topic of conversation, ask yourself, “What would Jesus say about this person?” You may not always know what Jesus would say, but you’ll almost always know for certain what he wouldn’t say!

We need to make sure our conversation is filled with words that lift people up, instead of tearing them down. Paul wrote:

(v. 16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.

He is saying, “Include Christ in every conversation.”

Ask yourself, “What would Jesus say?”

Does this mean all of our conversations become nothing but fluff and we sweep all conflict under the rug? No, of course not. It means that when we have conflict, we discuss it with no one but the person involved. Otherwise, we keep quiet.

When dealing with difficult people – people you would rather not have to deal with – when having to put up with folks you would rather not have to put up with –  take the high road and don’t contribute to the problem – react in ways that show compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience – and keep Christ in every conversation.

There’s a fourth principle that will help you in dealing with difficult people – people you would rather not deal with.

4.                  Pursue personal peace.

The key to developing peace in our relationships with others is to develop peace within ourselves first. I’ve never met a happy critic. I’ve never met a gossip who is full of the joy of the Lord.

It comes down to this: people who constantly stir up tension in relationships do it because they have no peace within themselves; and people who have peace have no desire to stir things up.

Paul said:

(v.15) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.

If you have not personally experienced the peace of God which passes all understanding, then it’s no wonder that your relationships are rocky. You can’t give to someone else what you don’t have.

The Bible promises that we can experience the overwhelming presence of God’s peace:

You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you. (Isaiah 26:3 NCV)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you…(John 14:1)

…and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

Paul also reminds us that peace is the fruit of—the result of being filled with—the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22)

If people are constantly rubbing you the wrong way – or if there are a lot of folks you would rather not have to deal with — there is a chance that they are not the problem! If other people frequently disappoint you — if your employees do more things wrong than they do right — if your children get on your nerves all the time — if you find that you notice when other people don’t do their job — if your spouse just doesn’t live up to your expectations – well maybe, just maybe, the source of the problem can be traced to the fact that you aren’t experiencing the peace of God in your life.

I guarantee that once you experience God’s peace, you will lose all interest in conflict, you will lose any desire to be judgmental, you will lose the tendency to be “on edge.”

Getting along with others – dealing with difficult people – dealing with folks you may not really want to deal with — may not always be easy, but it’s possible. It happens when you make an effort for it to happen. Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart, and people will less likely rub you the wrong way – or be the kind of person you don’t want to deal with.

Of course, there will always be people who rub you the wrong way — people you would rather not deal with – people you would rather not put up with. When you have to deal with them – or put up with them — take the high road — remember that your actions are more important than your feelings and you can choose how to react to them — include Christ in every conversation…and let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.

Remembering these 4 tips can help you deal with difficult people – and put up with folks you don’t want to put up with. Amen.

Psalm 128

Psalm 128

June 21, 2009

Father’s Day

Being A Christian Man Is Not For Sissies

We are looking at some of the things that we find to be problems or that we have questions about in our everyday lives this summer –– and we’re looking at how we can find God’s answers to these problems and questions.

Life is filled with things that bother us and that are problems for us – things we might wish we had answers for.  These things can range from how to deal with the economy and the way if affects our daily living to how to be a Christian parent to how to deal with “difficult people” to how to deal with emotions such as anger.

The Bible is our guide to living life in God’s ways – and contains God’s answers to our questions in life.

Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that:

^“16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

This summer we’re looking at some of the issues and questions we may face in our lives – and how God would have us deal with them. We’re not looking for answers to our questions so we’ll be “nice people” – but so we can learn how to be god’s people in the world – and relate to others in God’s ways.

Today is Father’s Day – and I thought we’d look at a question that many of us – or at least us Christian men – might struggle with – that being how to be a Christian man – how to be a man – a man of strength and courage – but still filled with God’s Spirit and living the life God wants us to live.

I believe there are ways we can be Christians and be men – ways we can be Christian men — but I’m going to have to give you a warning from the start – it’s not for sissies.

Being a Christian man is hard – it takes commitment and courage.

Being a Christian man means you stand up for what you believe.

Being a Christian man is definitely not for sissies.

When I was growing up in the mid to late 1950’s and early 1960’s some  of the most visible fathers in our country were Ozzie Nelson — the easy-going dad on the  TV show The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet – Ward Cleaver on Leave It To Beaver – Danny Williams on Make Room For Daddy – Steve Douglas on My 3 Sons – Andy Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show — and Rob Petry on The Dick Van Dyke Show.  These men – these fathers — were able to take care of their families and solve all the problems in 30 minutes – and Ozzy would even have time for “a little song from Ricky” before the show as over. They were the perfect fathers with the perfect families.  Of course, there was also Ben Cartwright on Bonanza who might have to raise a fist or a gun at times – but it was usually Ben and the boys against the bad guys.

The image portrayed of what it took to be a father – to be a man — made fatherhood – and even manhood – seem so easy!  Just get up in the morning – put on your coat and tie – go to work – come home at 5 – maybe play ball with the kids – eat supper – listen to what the kids had been up to that day – solve a problem or 2 – read the paper – and go to bed.

Nothing to it!

Well – things have certainly changed, haven’t they?

“Ozzy” is no longer a Nelson – but Ozzy Osbourne! To say that Ozzy Osbourne is different from Ozzy Nelson is like saying the Sahara Desert is different from the Atlantic Ocean – the 2 Ozzy’s are so different they barely  fit in the same category! There’s an enormous difference between the two Ozzy’s. True – both have something to do with the music industry – but the similarities end there!

Ozzy Nelson was always in control and never had to raise his voice. Most of the time Ozzy Osbourne seems oblivious to what is going on around him — usually just stumbling through the house with a dazed and confused look on his face.

Tasks for Ozzy Nelson were never hard – but even simplest tasks — such as taking out the trash – seem to leave Ozzy Osbourne bewildered.

Ozzy Nelson always knew the right thing to say – but Ozzy Osbourne often loses his train of though mid-sentence – and when he is able to complete a sentence usually about half of it is bleeped out!

Ozzy Nelson never drank too much – but even though I understand that Ozzy Osboourne — the former “Prince of Darkness” and rock legend from the band “Black Sabbath” — is clean and sober these days and hasn’t used drugs or alcohol in years,  they have clearly taken their toll on his short-term memory.

I guess the best thing that can be said about Ozzy Osbourne is that he stays through all the craziness. Through all the craziness of his out-of-control, rock-and-roll lifestyle, he remained committed to his family.

Now — let me make this clear:

Don’t—and I mean don’t — take this as an endorsement of Ozzy Osbourne – he is light years away from being an ideal father — but I’ll say this for him: He spends more time with his children than many people spend with theirs!

So – we have 2 images of fatherhood and manhood – 2 ends of the spectrum of what it means to be a man – what it means t be a father.

But — the good news is that we don’t have to follow either Ozzy—Nelson or Osbourne—as our role models in what it means to be a Christian father – or a Christian man.

The Bible tells us what we need to do in order to be a good father a Christian father – and a good man – a Christian man.

Today we’re going to look at some things the Bible teaches us about how to be a more effective Christian man – a more effective Christian father.

But – let me warn you – it’s not easy.

It’s hard.

It means being willing to stand up for what you believe when others may not believe what you do.

It means doing what you know is right even if others are doing wrong.

Being a Christian father – being a Christian man – is not for sissies!

There are three roles that every father – that every man – can play in the lives of young people.

First of all they need to…

1. 1. Strive to be a good example.

Actually, everyone is an example, whether they realize it or not.

Whether you use the role to the best of our ability or not, you are an example  to others – particularly young people. Others see what you do and they are prone to do likewise. So, you need to be aware that they are always watching you, and are, a lot of times, going to imitate you.

When I was growing up, people used to tell me:  “You are just like your father.” The older I get and the less hair and more chin I have the more truth there is to that statement! Here’s a truth — a fact of life — just by osmosis your children – and others — will pick up some of your characteristics and habits. You need to be aware of this and make an effort to strive to be a good example for them.

In the book of Acts there’s a story about Paul and Silas being thrown into jail.  During the night, an earthquake came the jail door opened — but they didn’t try to escape. The jailer was so impressed by this that he asked them, “What must I do to be saved?” and Paul said:

Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with your entire household. (Acts 16: 31)

Paul and Silas “shared the Word of the Lord” with the jailer and his household. The jailer put his faith in Jesus, and then he did some things that first-century jailers typically didn’t do for prisoners — he washed their wounds and brought them into his house and fed them. That same night he and his family were baptized. This jailer was saying to his family, “Starting today I will be a follower of Jesus, and it will make a difference in the way I treat others.” And he proved his commitment by living out his example in front of his family. And the result was that he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

He was striving to be a good example.

Joshua was also striving to be a good example when he declared before the people of Israel:

Choose today whom you will serve…As for me and my family, we will serve `the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)

You see — your children are going to follow your example.  So are other children.  Strive to be a good example. If you keep in mind that you are being watched you’ll be far less likely to berate a waiter for messing up your order, you’ll be far less likely to speak harshly others, you’ll be far less likely to tell a “white” lie for convenience’s sake, you’ll be far less likely to bend the rules to save a few dollars.

You are an example — strive to be a good one. By this I mean:

Let God bring out the best in you so you can bring out the best in others.

That’s being an example. That’s being a Christian father.  That’s being a Christian man. Doing these things at times is not easy – controlling your temper is not an easy thing to do – staying calm when others are getting upset is not easy – doing the right thing when others are doing the wrong thing is not easy – telling the truth when it would be so easy to tell a lie is not easy – but all these things are part of what it means to be a Christian – and all these things are part of what it means to be a man.  All these things take courage – but are what it takes to be Christian men.  Being a Christian father – a Christian man — is not easy – it’s not for sissies – but it’s the kind of fathers – and the kind of men – that God is calling us t be.

So – you need to – first of all – strive to be a good example.

Secondly…

2. Strive to be a good teacher.

Have you ever known someone who was good at something, but wasn’t able to pass that skill on to others?  My Dad was an attorney – and in his firm was an attorney who was an excellent tax attorney.  He was quite skilled at keeping financial records straight and organized. However, his son’s finances were always a mess. He was frequently broke, frequently late with payments, and frequently overdrawn at the bank. His son once told me:

“As long as I can remember my dad told me I was terrible at managing money — that it burns a hole in my pocket — but he never showed me how to balance a check book, and he never showed me how to make out a budget.”

Isn’t that amazing? I guess the father thought these skills should come naturally to his son, but they didn’t, and his son has struggled with financial problems all of his life because of it.

A few minutes ago I mentioned that there are some things that your children and others might learn from you by “osmosis”– by simply observing you. But there are other things in life that they will learn only if you take the time to teach them. If they don’t learn things from you, they might not learn them at all.

If you want to be a Christian man – a Christian father – be a good example – and be a good teacher.

H. Jackson Brown has a son who was about to go to college – and decided to write out the things he thought his son needed to know before entering the “real world.” These notes he wrote for his son were eventually published in under the title Life’s Little Instruction Book and it sold millions of copies.

You know — King Solomon did the very same thing. His writings were published under the title “Proverbs.” It begins…

The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline…Listen, my son, to what your father teaches you. What you will learn from them will crown you with grace and clothe you with honor. (Proverbs 1:2,8-9)

We need to do for our children and for others what Solomon and H. Jackson Brown did for their children. We need to make the effort to teach them what they need to know in order to survive in the “real world.” Part of what it means to be a Christian father – a Christian man – is be a good teacher.

However, this is an area where all fathers – all men – in fact all people — need to take special care. It’s not enough to tell others what to do. You need to teach them. In other words, you need to communicate in a way that they will be able to understand and receive what you’re saying.

Instead of communicating effectively with others, particularly young people,  too often we have a tendency to give them long drawn out speeches full of phrases such as “buckle down” and “shape up or ship out” and the ever-popular “when I was your age.” When it comes to teaching, there’s a principle that we need to keep in mind: the more words you use, the less impact you have. It’s not enough to just be right in what you’re saying; our challenge is to teach them in such a way that it brings out the best in them – teach them in a way that inspires them to do right.                      Listen to what Solomon said…

The wise person makes learning a joy. (Proverbs 15:2)

To be the Christian father – the Christian man – God wants you to be – you need to teach others the ways of God – but teach them in ways they can learn them from you.

I heard someone say not long ago: “My father taught me to work, not to enjoy it.”

What in the world does that mean?

“My father taught me to work…” That part is good; it’s what every father should do. But I still don’t get the second part: “not to enjoy it.” What does that mean? Whatever it means, I don’t think it’s a good thing. It’s true that some dads can be so demanding that they take the joy of everything, whether it’s home work, or yard work, or playing baseball, but it’s nothing to brag about. In fact, if I had kids I would want to be able to say:

“My dad taught me to work, and he also taught me to love it”

I want young people to be able to say:

“I learned the value of hard work – and taking pride in your work – from him”.

Solomon said:

Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it. (Proverbs 22:6)

It is our job as Christian fathers – our jobs as Christian men – to teach our children and others to do what is right, and if we do our job well, they will enjoy learning to do what is right, and they will continue to do what is right.

We must take the time to teach them how to balance a checkbook or plan a budget, because they might not learn it anywhere else. We must take the time to teach them how to treat other people — because they might not learn it anywhere else. We must take the time to teach them how to go on a job interview, how to handle an emergency, how to have a morning devotional, how to pray, how to study the Bible, how to help a friend in need, how to overlook an offense, and on and on and on…because they might not learn it anywhere else.

That’s being a good teacher. That’s being a Christian father.  That’s being a Christian man. Doing these things at times is not easy – teaching others how to do things can be hard – it can be much easier to say:

“O well – they’ll learn it if they want to!”

But finding ways to teach the right things to others is part of what it means to be a Christian – and what it means be a man.  All these things take time – but they are what it takes to be Christian men.  Being a Christian father – a Christian man — is not easy – it’s not for sissies – but it’s the kind of fathers – and the kind of men – that God is calling us t be.

If you know how to do something others need to learn, make an effort to pass it on. Teach them what you know, so that you can bring out the best in them.

So – we have 2 things that it means to be a Christian father – a Christian man. Strive to be a good example – and strive to be a good teacher.

Thirdly… you need to

3. Strive to be a good coach.

In all the words that describe the roles of a Christian father – or a Christian man — I like the word “coach” the best.

What does a good coach do?

He brings out the best in his players.

When Michael Jordan played basketball at the University of North Carolina, his coach was Dean Smith—one of the greatest coaches in the history of the sport. Dean Smith was a great basketball coach, but was he a great basketball player? He may have been probably okay, but he was no Michael Jordan. And yet, Michael Jordan attributes a great deal of his success to his college coach, Dean Smith. Dean Smith didn’t have to be a great basketball player to make great basketball players. He just had to know the game, and know how to bring out the best in his players. The sign of a great coach is that he produces players who are better at the sport than he’ll ever be. The sign of a great coach is that he empowers his players to do their best.

Ken Griffey, Sr. was a pretty good baseball player. But his legacy is that he raised a superstar, Ken Griffey, Jr.

Cal Ripken, Sr. was a good baseball coach, but his legacy is that he raised a legend, Cal Ripken, Jr.

A great coach empowers his players to do their best – even if they outshine the coach themselves.  A great Christian father – a great Christian man — does the same. He has the attitude that John the Baptist had about Jesus…

He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

We’ve probably all had coaches that did not empower to do us to well, that did not bring out the best in us. We’ve all had coaches who played favorites, who wanted to win at all costs, and who cared nothing at all about his players beyond what they could do for him. Clearly, that’s not the kind of coach we want to be to our children or to others.

In the book of Ephesians, Paul said,

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)

This verse describes our role as Christian fathers – as Christian men. We’re not to bully our children or others, or berate them. We’re not to take away their drive or the desire to do good. But we’re to teach them to discipline themselves and we’re to teach them how to play the game whether it be a sport or “the game of life” — to – as Paul says –

“bring them up in the instruction of the Lord.”

Our goal is to empower them to do better than we have — to be more successful than we are —  to be better husbands or wives than we are — to be more holy than we are — to reach more people for Christ than we do — to become greater than we’ll ever become. That’s a Christian father’s goal – a Christian man’s goal — to bring out the best in others .

Like being a good example and being a good teacher, being a good coach is not easy.  It means doing these things at times are not easy – watching what we do and say so that others will learn from us what a Christian is to do and say – standing up for Christian principles so that others can learn what it means to stand up for Christian principles – being honest when it would be just as easy to not be so that others can learn how to be honest – forgiving others so that others can learn from us what it means to be forgiving.  All these things take courage – but are what it takes to be Christian men.  Being a Christian father – a Christian man — is not easy – it takes courage — it’s not for sissies – but it’s the kind of fathers – and the kind of men – that God is calling us t be.

Being a father isn’t easy. Bering a Christian man is not easy. There’s no question about it – it’s not for sissies.  In addition to the things we have talked about today, you’ve got a job to worry about, finances pressures to deal with, a marriage to keep strong, and many other obligations to take care of. But men, I want you to keep this in mind: Regardless of how successful or unsuccessful you are at work, the place where you will make the greatest difference in this world, where you’ll have the greatest impact with the longest lasting results are in the lives of your children – and the children of others.

They need you more than you could ever know, more than they could ever say. They need you to be an example to them. Bring out the best in yourself so you can help bring out the best in them. They need to be a teacher. Make it a joy for them to learn what you know about life, so that you can bring out the best in them. They need you to be a coach. They need you to empower them to play the game of life as a Christian.

These are the things a Christian father – a Christian man — father does. He leads by example, he teaches, he coaches…in order to bring out the best in his others.

Rudyard Kipling wrote a poem entitled “If” that my Dad read to me over and over again as I was growing up and struggling with what it meant to be a man. Kipling wrote:

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream — and not make dreams your master,
If you can think — and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings — nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And–which is more — you’ll be a Man, my son!

Let’s all strive to be men – indeed to be Christian men.

Matthew 7:24-27

Matthew 7:24-27

Recession Or Depression?

June 7, 2009

Part 1 of “You’ve Got Questions – God’s Got Answers” series

This summer we are going to look at some of the things that we find to be problems or that we have questions about in our everyday lives –– and how we can find God’s answers to these problems and questions.

Life is filled with things that bother us and that are problems for us – things we might wish we had answers for.  These things can range from how to deal with the economy and the way if affects our daily living to how to be a Christian parent to how to deal with “difficult people” to how to deal with emotions such as anger.

I believe that the Bible is our guide to living life in God’s ways – and contains God’s answers to our questions in life.

Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that:

^“16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

This summer we’re going to look at some of the issues and questions we may face in our lives – and how God would have us deal with them.

Let’s start today with an issue that we are all having to face – how to deal with the economy.

The economic recession our country is currently in is affecting every one of us.

The question for us is – how does God want us to deal with the economy?

What answer does God have for us as we struggle with bills to pay – some of us on a fixed income and others trying stretch our income as far as we can?

The recession can be depressing.

Here’s the question I want us to look at today:

Is the recession going to be a time of depression for us – or does God have a way for us to deal with tough economic times?

Jesus’ words from Matthew 7:24-27 might help us as we try to deal with the economy. Listen to what Jesus said:

Read Scripture

In hard economic times like these, many people show where they put their trust, what really brings them happiness, and what really brings them joy. Tough times expose the foundations that many people have built their lives on, and shows what really is their source of comfort, happiness, and security.

For many, the recession has exposed the “sub par materials”,  so to speak, that they used in constructing their lives. They may have not been prepared for the fierce economic storms that are now raging in our country – and in their lives. Many  people seem depressed — stressed out — and just plain worried.

And – of course — they may have every right to feel the way they feel.

The recession can be depressing.

Jesus’ parable I just read would have been one that people would have understood in His day — and it is one that in our day, here in Florence, here in Claussen, that people can relate to as well. We all know how tough the economy is – we all know what it means to try to stretch our budgets as far as we can.  And when it comes to building houses, all you have to do is drive around Clauseen – you don’t have to go far – and you will see houses being built – houses being bought, and houses being sold.

The question is – how are we going to pay for everything – everything we have to pay for – homes, cars, gas, food,  and everything else we have to pay for – with the economy like it is?

When  Jesus was telling this parable, He talked about 2 folks building houses, but He was not only talking about brick, wood, and mortar; — He was referring to the foundation of our personal lives.

Tough economic times have a way of exposing what the foundation is for your personal life.

This parable ends the “Sermon on the Mount”– one of the greatest teachings ever. For 3 chapters of Matthew Jesus had told everything we need to know about living life in God’s ways.  Now He finishes His sermon by asking:

“What foundation are you laying, or have you laid for yourselves, that you are going to build on?”

“What materials are you using?”

“As you’re building your life, do you have anyone who is a little smarter than you, anyone who can see things you don’t see, who can help that you can make sure that your life will make it through the hard times?”

In the “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus talked about relationships, marriage and family, finances, about integrity and character. He covered everything you would ever want someone to cover about how to live your life and He used this little parable to “tie together” what He had said.

A way of paraphrasing this parable would be:

“Therefore, if anyone who hears what I have just said obeys what I just said, he will be a wise builder. And the person who doesn’t is a foolish builder.”

It’s like He’s saying:

“Listen, all of us are builders. We are building our personal lives, and many of us are responsible for some little lives, too. When you build your personal life, be a wise builder, not a foolish builder.”

I believe that we can use Jesus’ principles – and learn how to keep “up” in a “down” economy.

How can we “keep up the faith” even though the economy is going down?           How can we keep up our faith, our attitude, our joy when the economy is heading down?

We have to understand that our joy is not based on the things that we have, the things that we can purchase, or the places we can go – but that’s easier said than done – isn’t it?

How can you keep the recession from leading you  to depression — and continue having the quality of inner life that all of us seek after?

How can you continue to have faith and trust in God — no matter what the torrent of financial insecurities in your life may be — no matter what storms may hit your life?

How can you keep the recession from leading you into depression?

Well — first of all – you need to wise up and start with a solid foundation.

Jesus was very clear in this passage we’re looking at today that the first thing you have to do to keep recession from leading you to depression is wise up and start with a solid foundation.

Now, every builder will tell you the most important aspect of building a house is its foundation. You must pick a great location and have a solid foundation.

The same is true in your life.

Some of you already know that to be true because things are beginning to shake just a little bit, and you’re wondering if it’s too late to wise up.

It’s not too late.

You can still begin again – and get a fresh start.

But – you may need to start building your life over again.

The key is this: wise up and start with a solid foundation.

Jesus says in this parable before us that the best foundation for your life is the Rock.

Throughout the New Testament, the solid  Rock shown to be the testimony and truth of Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact, in Matthew 16, Jesus has his core disciples around Him – and the people in the community had begun to wonder and ask, “Who is Jesus?”

Jesus asked his disciples,

“Who are people saying I am?” because people had all kinds of different ideas.

Peter answered

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”(Matthew 16:16)

And in verse 18, Jesus looks at Peter and says:

“on this rock I will build my church.” ((Matthew 16:18)

“The Rock” is the testimony and truth of Jesus Christ. It was good for Jesus, it was good for Him to build His church on, and it’s good for you to build your life on.

Now some of you may be saying,

“Bill – what does my building my life upon the Rock – upon my faith in Christ — have to do with my lack of spending capital — or with my loss of job –  or the fact that I may not have medical insurance in a few months?”

“What does this have to do with anything about that? I thought this was going to be a sermon on how to keep from being depressed in the recession.”

Well, it goes back to the storms of life – like the recession — exposing what’s really important to us. Many people – maybe some here today — have had their lives exposed by hard times – and have been exposed for not having a true faith and real meaning in their lives, not understanding what is most important, not understanding what their highest values should be.

Maybe you’re one of those.

Worried about how your life looks on the outside – without concern for what’s on the inside – or the foundation – of your life.

To keep the recession from leading you to depression – in fact, to live the life God wants you to live and find the victory God wants you to have in life, you have to start with the right foundation – and that foundation is faith in Christ.

Too many folks have all kinds of time to do the things they want to do – but very little time for the things God wants them to do. That’s not the foundation God wants you to have for your life – and when troubles come – your life will crumble. Make sure you have the right foundation for your life. Make sure you have time for prayer, for reading God’s word, for Church activities and worship. Make sure the foundation of your life is where it should be. Having Jesus as the foundation for your life will help you keep from experiencing “recession depression”.

You see – if your life is built on a foundation that is not Christ – then what happens when you lose your job — or your retirement income dwindles?

What happens when the economy goes down and the storms of life and the things that made you feel good about yourself are washed away?

What happens then?

These things are storms, and they are real. They will hurt, they’ll cause some pain. But will they crush you? Should they crush your faith? Should you suffer from “recession depression”? Not if you have a firm foundation, not if you understand who Christ is and have invested your life in Him instead of other things.

You can have the peace of Christ — even when the recession and storms of life are raging.  You can be confident that you have built your life on the right foundation – if you have built your life on Christ.

Listen, friends — I know some of   you have lost jobs and others might still lose their jobs. I know that many of you are struggling with finances. I know that some of you are not getting the retirement income you thought you would, or your income is not stretching as far as you thought it would. I understand. We are all there, but these are some principles, some things that you can build your life on, so no matter what storm hits, you have Christ – and the recession – or whatever else – does not have to depress you. You can know that our foundation is secure.

So — how can we “keep up the faith” even though the economy is going down?

How can we keep up our faith, our attitude, our joy when the economy is heading down?

We have to understand that our joy is not based on the things that we have, the things that we can purchase, or the places we can go.

How can you continue to have faith and trust in God — no matter what the torrent of financial insecurities in your life may be — no matter what storms may hit your life?

How can you keep the recession from leading you into depression?

First of all – you need to wise up and start with a solid foundation – that foundation being Christ.

Here are some practical ways to do this:

1. 1. Get involved in Church.

If you want the solid foundation of Christ in your life – get involved in a church. Take time for God’s things – reading the Bible – studying with God’s people  — worship – fellowship. Getting involved in a church is your first step in building your foundation on Christ – and your first step to keep yourself from recession  depression.

2. Help each other.

We’re all in this financial crisis together.  Find ways to reach out to each other.  If someone has a need, find a way to meet that need.

3. Help others.

Help those in need. You can do this by donation money (if you have it to donate) or food — or by giving clothes you don’t wear any more to thrift stores like GoodWill – Salvation Army – or Mission Mart.

So – the first step to keeping “up” in a “down” economy – or keeping the recession from leading you to depression – is wise up and start with a solid foundation – that being Christ.

The second step is — you have to build with the best materials.

Build with the best materials.

What are the best materials, the best things you can build your life with on the solid rock foundation?

Your relationship with your family is one of these things.  The building materials of integrity and character and trust are other things. Materials of faith, family values, and care, the things that Jesus talked about — these are the things you should build your life with – and the things that will withstand any downturn in your personal finances. These are things that money cannot buy –so money – and the economy going down — doesn’t change them.

These are some of the materials you need so the recession won’t lead you to depression.

It’s a good thing to have a solid foundation, but too many people receive Christ, begin to build their life on Christ, and then use cheap materials. They don’t have integrity, care, and authenticity. Then when the storms come, it devastates them, leaves them with just a slab.

To live the life Christ wants you to live, to keep the recession from leading you to depression, you need to make sure that you  build your life on the firm foundation of Christ — and then — on that firm foundation – you need to build your life with good materials. When you do that, then you have a life that can withstand any type of storm.

Here another practical step:

Always remember that it’s what’s in your heart – your foundation – that is important – not what you wear.  Name brand clothes are good – but not if you’re wasting money on buying them or going into debt.  Of course, you can get name brands if you shop those stores I mentioned earlier in the list of stores of donate to – Salvation Army, Good Will, Mission Mart, and others.

Start with a solid foundation. Build with the best materials.  Two steps to keeping the recession from leading you to depression. Two steps to being victorious in all the trials of life.

Once the building starts going up, and you’re doing the things that you know you ought to be doing, the third thing is to make sure that you team up with trusted people who can help you build the life that is victorious during a recession – or any other time.

So – the 3^rd step is — team up with God in building your life. .

You need and outside expert to help you gauge what we should be doing and how we should be building your life.

The best one any of us can invite to team up with us is God.

God will show you exactly what “building codes” – so to speak — you have to follow to have a life that keeps you from being depressed in the recession – or any other storm life may have in store for you.

God will show us exactly what we need to do.

David prayed:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

David was saying “I’ve got the right materials, but I want God to inspect them.”

Let God lead and guide you as you strive to build a life that will help you not get depressed in the recession – but be victorious in your life.

So – here are 3 steps to keep the recession from leading you to depression —

Wise up and build your life on the foundation of Christ

Use the best materials,

Allow God into your life to inspect what you’re doing.

One more tip I want to throw in — lighten up!

I throw this one in here because it helps me and I think it will help you: Lighten up! Just lighten up!

Jesus talked in Matthew chapter 6 about the storms that would come in life. You know what He says? He says

“Don’t worry about it. I am in control.”

As a matter of fact, He takes it a little further. He says:

“Trust in me, no matter what happens. You have built your life on the Rock, the firm foundation. It’s not shifting sand, it’s not uncertainties. You have chosen to put your life in me, on me, your firm foundation, and I will take care of your needs.” and you built your life on me, the strong foundation, and I will take care of you.”

Really — it’s a faith issue.

Once you’ve built your life properly and honored God, why are you worrying?  Jesus says:

“I’m in control. I’m in control of the economy, I’m in control of your job, I’m in control of everything. Who of you can change anything by worrying? What does worrying do?”

So why are we worrying?

Here are 3 more “practical tips” to keep the recession from leading you to depression.

1. Have a pair of scissors with you as you read the newspaper – and cut our those coupons!  You’ll be surprised how much you can save!

2. “Eat Cheap” – Don’t eat out as often – let your family meal times at home be “family time” – and when you do eat out – try to find coupons and try to share meals – or bring leftovers home for the next day.

3. Sell or give away what you don’t need.  Dave Ramsey advocates huge yard sales – selling everything you don’t need or have not used in a while.

So — I believe that you can use Jesus’ principles – and learn how to keep “up” in a “down” economy.

You can continue to have faith in God and trust in God — no matter what the torrent of financial insecurities in your life may be — no matter what storms may hit your life.

You can you keep the recession from leading you into depression.

It all depends on your foundation for your life.

You can follow Jesus’ principles –

Build your life on the foundation of Christ

Use the best materials

Allow God to inspect what your are doing

And – you can lighten up.

These are some of the ways to be victorious in life – and to keep the recession from leading you to depression.

Amen.

Ezkiel 37:1-14, Acts 2:1-21, John 15:26-27

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Acts 2:1-21

John 15:26-27

Come, Holy Spirit

May 31, 2009

Pentecost

What an eerie – and yet tremendously exciting – description of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

What an eerie — and yet tremendously exciting — description of the Spirit of God bringing life to lifeless, dry bones.

Eerie – yes – even scary – and yet intriguing – and indeed exciting.

But still scary.

Today is Pentecost.

One of the three most important days in the church year – along with Christmas and Easter.  This is the day we celebrate the coming and power of the Holy Spirit – and yet we seem to be uncomfortable with it.  We don’t quite know what to do with it.  It’s hard to generate enthusiasm for Pentecost.

Why do we not celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit in the same way we celebrate the coming of Christ – or the resurrection of Christ?

I’m not sure – - but I’m afraid it has something to do with the fact that we are scared.

We are comfortable with looking back at the Bible and saying -

“Yes – how wonderful the coming to the Holy Spirit was ” – -

or “Yes – how wonderful it was that the Spirit of God brought life the dry bones” —

but yet – - what we would do if it happened here and now?

The very thought of the Spirit coming into our lives and this Church right now scares us to — – doesn’t it?

We want to be able to look back and admire the coming of the Spirit – while keeping it at a safe distance from us.  Like a lion or tiger in the zoo or a shark at an aquarium.  It’s great to look at – but don’t let it get up close and personal.

The coming of the Holy Spirit is scary.

It’s risky business!

We don’t know what might happen if the Holy Spirit were to suddenly come upon us – do we?

We don’t know what might happen if we were to experience the renewing — life giving work of God’s Spirit — here and now – do we?

We don’t know what might happen if we were to experience a Pentecost of sorts here and now – do we?

And that can be scary!

We just might get excited.

We just might start worshipping like we really mean it.

We just might start really loving each other.

We just might become excited about doing God’s will.

We just might start really wanting to do something – to really make a difference for God’s glory.

We just might start wanting our faith to really mean something to us – and make a difference in how we live.

Yea – scary – risky business.

We wouldn’t want any of this to really happen – would we?

We don’t really want to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit – - the new life offered by the Spirit of God — because we are scared of what might happen if we do.

Let Pentecost just be something that happened “back then” – let’s just observe it as a historical event – but let’s not get carried away with it.  Let’s not act like it could happen here – and now.

Let the vision of the dry bones receiving life be just that — a vision — don’t let it be reality — especially not reality for us!

But — guess what — while  we try to avoid getting the Holy Spirit as if we were trying to avoid getting the Swine Flu

we also bemoan the fact that we just can’t get anything going –

we bemoan the fact that we can’t seem to grow as a Church!

Maybe – just maybe — we should re–think Pentecost.

Maybe we should re-think our attitudes about the life changing – Church changing power of the Holy Spirit.

Do you think that maybe we should take another look at Pentecost – and what the Holy Spirit can do for us – here – and now?

Do you think we should take another look at the life-giving power of God’s Spirit?

Should we take another look at the excitement and enthusiasm of the disciples – the new life of the dead bones – and maybe take the coming of the Holy Spirit more seriously – and see if there is a chance it could happen again – now?

What do you think can really make a difference in our lives and our Church?

Friends – it’s the work of the Holy Spirit that can make a difference in our lives – and the Church – so we need to see what the Spirit can do for us – pray to be filled with the Spirit – and learn to walk in the Spirit all our lives.

Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, said that if there was one message he could preach to the church, it would be a message about how to be filled with the Holy Spirit. That’s how much of a difference the filling of the Holy Spirit can make in a person’s life.

Many people give up on trying to live the Christian life because it’s too hard. The fact is, it’s not just hard—it’s impossible.

It’s impossible to live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit’s power.

If we are going to be the Christians God wants us to be – and the Church God wants us to be – we had better start praying for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

You see — the Holy Spirit is the oil that makes the machinery of your life run smoothly. Have you ever tried driving a car without oil? You know what happens, don’t you. The engine locks up and breaks down. It’s the same way for a Christian who lives without the oil of the Holy Spirit in their life.

Some of you have been walking in the Spirit for many years – but fr some of you the idea of being filled with the Holy Spirit is a new concept. But the fact is that all of us need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The fact is that – if we are going to be the Christians God wants us to be – and the Church God wants us to be – we are going to have to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

On this Pentecost – let’s look at a passage of Scripture that teaches in plain detail what the Holy Spirit can do for you, how you can be filled with the Holy Spirit, and how you can live a Spirit-filled life. The passage we’ll look at is in Ezekiel 37, the story of the Valley of the Dry Bones. This passage teaches us a great deal about the Holy Spirit.

If you can turn to your Bibles or a pew Bible that might be helpful – because we are going to be referring to Ezekiel 37 a lot.

Look at the passage.

What can the Holy Spirit do for you?

Well – let’s look at some things the Holy Spirit can do for you:

One thing is: He can revitalize your life.

Take a look at verse 5 in Ezekiel 37 –

(v. 5) This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you and you will come to life.

Then — skip down to verse 14…

(v. 14) I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live.

That’s what the Holy Spirit does for you.

He revitalizes you.

He takes you from the point of merely surviving to the point of truly living.

He changes your life from “black and white” to the “wonderful world of living color” – so to speak.

It’s as if your life “mono” to “stereo”.

It’s as if your life were changed from a moped to a mercedes.

The Holy Spirit revitalizes your life.

He infuses you with freshness, and with newness.

Another thing the Holy Spirit can do for you is that He can renew your hope. Take a look at verse 11 – 12:

(v. 11-12) Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord days: O My people I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord.”

What’s God doing here?

He’s sending the Holy Spirit and renewing their hope.

Have there been times in your life when you felt like the people of Israel felt here?

Have there been times when you have said:

“My bones are dried up and my hope is gone”?

I think we all have.

The presence of the Holy Spirit changes your perspective on life. One of the benefits of life that is filled with the Holy Spirit is that the Spirit renews your hope.

In Ephesians 1 Paul says that the Holy Spirit is given to us as…

…a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those        who are God’s possession…(Ephesians 1:14)

Paul’s saying g that the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life guarantees that you will get through this life—no matter how dark it may seem, no matter dry you may feel, no matter how desperate things might be—the Holy Spirit will keep your hope alive. A benefit of the Spirit filled life is the absence of despair.

Another thing the Holy Spirit does for you is that the Spirit will restore your dreams. Look at what Ezekiel writes in verse 14:

I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. (vs. 14)

The people of Israel had a dream of living in their own land. When Ezekiel recorded these words from God they had been living for years in exile. God was saying /to them:

“Do you know that dream I gave you? Don’t give up on it. I’ll restore it.”

God will do the same for you.

Too many of us go through life like we’re living in exile. We live like we’ve been banished from our homeland, banished from the benefits and promises that all children of God can claim. If you’re not walking in victory, you’re living in exile. If you’re not experiencing power over sin, you’re living in exile. If you’re not filled with joy, and peace, and hope, and love—you’re living in exile.

God didn’t create us to live in exile. He created us to experience the benefits of our heavenly citizenship here on earth. It is through the fullness of the Holy Spirit that we experience the fullness of life. In him we experience life as it should be lived.

That’s what the Holy Spirit can do for you. He’ll revitalize you, He’ll renew your hope, and He’ll restore your dreams. He’ll give you life as it should be lived.

Now, maybe you’re saying,

“I want that. I want to go from the Valley of Dry Bones to the Valley of Life. How do I get there? How do I experience this difference in my life?”

Let’s take a look at that right now—how to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

First of all… you have to ask for it. In fact, “asking” may not be a strong enough term. A better term might be “speak it” or “claim it.” Take a look at Ezekiel 37:4:

(v. 4) “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life…’”

The fullness of the Spirit is God’s promise to all believers. It’s a promise that we can all claim; it’s a promise that God will certainly deliver. But here’s the thing — if we don’t claim it, if we don’t speak it, if we don’t ask for it—we’ll never experience it.

You know — there are times when I have to speak to myself the same way that Ezekiel spoke to the bones in the valley. I have to say:

Bill, hear the Word of the Lord. The Spirit of God is going to breathe life into you. Receive it! Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Stop doubting Hm. Stop flirting with despair. Let God do His work.”

Maybe you need to have a little talk to that effect with yourself!

In Ephesians 5: 18 Paul writes:

Be filled with the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)

He writes it as an imperative command. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is an act of obedience on our part. It’s something we do; it’s something we initiate by asking for it…by claiming it as God’s promise. If you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit, then ask for it. Say:

“God, fill me with your Spirit.”

The first step to being filled with the Holy Spirit is that just that easy.

The second step is easy also. After you’ve asked to be filled with the Holy Spirit, you need to accept It. Another way to say it is “Receive it.” Even though we initiate the work of the Spirit in our lives by asking for it, being filled with the Spirit is not something we can do for ourselves. It is something that God must do for us — it is something we must receive. We receive the Holy Spirit by yielding to  Him ..by allowing Him to have His way in our lives.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is that simple.

You ask for it. You accept it – then you act on it.

Imagine with me if you will that your banker called you and said, “Someone has just deposited $10 million into your bank account. It’s there…and it’s all yours.”

How long would it take for you to act on it?

What would you do?

You would probably start writing checks (10% going to the Church, of course).  paying bills, making investments, giving gifts, and so on.

Or you might say, “But I don’t feel like a millionaire. I don’t look like a millionaire. I don’t deserve to be a millionaire. I don’t see any of the money…where is it?”

But the fact is, in this scenario you are a millionaire. You can live like a millionaire, if you’re willing to act on it.

In the same way, God has placed a deposit into your spiritual account — He has offered you the Holy Spirit. In your account there is joy, peace, love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. In your account there are spiritual gifts, there is power, there is life. They are yours, but you have to act on it. You have to start “writing checks”, so to speak. Don’t wait until you feel it—just do it.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not an elusive experience that we have to spend half of our lives chasing after. It is the promise of God, it is the command of  God, and it is available to all believers. If your heart is right with God, you can be filled with the Holy Spirit right now. Ask for it. Accept it. Act on it. It’s that easy

There’s another thing about the Spirit filled life we need to know.  In addition to knowing how to be filled with the Holy Spirit, we also need to know how to walk in the Spirit.

Bill Bright, whom I mentioned earlier, taught a principle called “Spiritual Breathing.” His concept was that, as we go throughout the day, we can become aware of impurities in our life, and can “exhale” them by confessing them to God. And then we can “inhale” his presence in our lives by surrendering ourselves to his control.

When you’re going throughout your day, and you realize you’ve just had an thought you should not have had, don’t wait to repent — don’t wait to confess it—take care of it right then. Breathe out – and ask God for forgiveness, — and breathe in – receiving the forgiveness God gives.

Do this all day long, every day of your life.

Whenever you think something or say something or do something that breaks the flow of the Spirit in your life, exhale — confess it immediately and surrender control to him. You exhale what is impure in your life, you inhale his presence. The idea is that you recognize and acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life throughout the day. You walk with him all day long.

This is how Paul said it in Galatians 5:

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)

I like that phrase—let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Walking in the Spirit is an all-day, every-day experience. And it’s the key to victory. It’s the key to a dynamic relationship with Jesus.

God’s promise in Ezekiel is:

(v. 14) I will put my Spirit in you and you will live.

Anything less is just existing. God wants to fill your life with living color. He wants to revitalize you; He wants to renew your hope; He wants to restore your dreams. He wants to fill you with the Holy Spirit, so that you can live in his power.

Is this what you want?

Then ask for it. Accept it. Act on it. He will do it: he will fill you with his Spirit. And then, beginning at this very moment, start practicing spiritual breathing—keep in step with the Holy Spirit throughout the day, every day. I can promise this: His presence in your life means that you will never be the same.

So – it’s pretty easy to live that Spirit filled life.

What might happen if we were to ask for God’s Spirit – act on God’s gift – and walk in the Spirit?

Let’s try and see!

Let’s take the coming of the Spirit off the pages of the book – and into our lives as we ask for – act on – and walk in the Spirit of God. Amen.