Shepherds

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:20 ESV)

Shepherds

Enthusiasms are often hesitant. Cheers are often muted.  Excitement is often restrained.  Happiness is often not quite really fully wholly happy. 

But they can be.

Enthusiasms, cheers, excitement, and happiness can be faulty, incomplete, and cautious because the events that lead to such things are unsure.  It seems natural, protective, and careful to hold ourselves back.

But Christians have something the rest of the world might envy.  We have something to be enthusiastic about.  We have something to cheer about.  We have something to be excited about.  We have something to be happy about.

The shepherds show us.

Perhaps their enthusiasm might have been dampened when they remembered they still had sheep to watch in their fields by night.  Perhaps their cheers might have been less cheery when they realized no one was cheering with them.  Perhaps their excitement was muted when they realized that the angels had left.  Perhaps they were a little less happy when they got hungry that night.

But that is not the picture scripture describes.

They had something unique and amazing.

They were enthused, cheering, excited, and happy because the Messiah had come!

We are peculiar.  We can be enthused, we can cheer, we can be excited, we can be happy for the same reason.  Jesus.

John (Before He Was The Baptist)

And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. (Luke 1:41 ESV)

John Before He Was the Baptist

Christians have two ways to know something.  We know something through reason, but we also know some things through faith.  While reason is the rule of the rest of the world, we Christians sometimes learn things through God’s enabling us to know. 

This faith-knowledge does not usually connect us to knowledge about quality automobiles, good investments, or weather.  But instead faith-knowledge allows us to know God’s hands, to understand His work, to experience relationship with Him.

And most importantly, faith-knowledge introduces us to Jesus.

We know Jesus through faith, not through our eyes, ears, or cleverness.

Baby John shows us this.  He knew Jesus was the Messiah before John know how to talk.

We are peculiar. We have a way of knowing that is beyond our senses and brains.

Honesty

While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly. (Ezra 10:1,2 ESV)

Honesty

We moderns have a spirit of competition.  We seem to feel the need to be the best at everything, or at least something.  We think our country is horrible if we are not number one.  We lose heart for our college team if they do not have a winning record.  We compare income, height, weight, age, career path, and good taste… always yearning to be the best in everyone else’s eyes.

Even in the church.

The strongest evidence for this is the rarity of public confession.  We do not want to drop down in the church ratings lists (as if such things exist) and so we keep our sins to ourselves.  After all, it is no one else’s business, right?

But Ezra, guided by God, felt differently.  He openly admitted, confessed, and hated his sins. 

Where we are more likely to bring light onto someone else’s errors, Ezra kept the light pointing at his own heart.  Where we are more likely to compare and find ourselves at LEAST not as bad as that other person, Ezra cast himself down.  Where we make excuses publicly, Ezra wept.

And what Ezra started, a crowd followed.

What if we copied Ezra today?  What if we humbly admitted that we, too, just like those horrible sinners down the road desperately need Jesus?  What if we stopped feeling that odd pride that at least we do not do THAT SIN… but only do this little sin… forgetting that every sin is hated by God in exactly the same way?

What if the churches became known, no longer for judgementalism, but instead for open honesty that we need help?  And we find that help in the only place help is found.

We are not different than ‘those people’ because their sins are worse.  We are different because we have declared we need Jesus. 

We are peculiar… let us be honest why.

Ambassadors

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ. (II Corinthians 5:20 ESV)

Ambassadors

My fourth day of coaching middle school boys’ football did not go well.  The weather was hot and sticky.  The boys were tired of the skill drills.  It was Friday, and the weekend was calling.  And by now, the team knew how little I knew about football.

And… the head middle school football coach was absent.  I do not recall if he was sick, on a trip, or busy with his real job.  But He was not there, and he had left me in charge.

I felt insignificant as the boys ignored my suggestions, pleas, and threats. 

But then one of the lads spoke up.

“Guys, “ he said, “Coach Penning is really here on behalf of Coach Dirk.”

It took a few moments to sink in, but gradually their attitudes, and mine, changed.

Coach Dirk was knowledgeable, skilled, experienced, and popular in every way that I was not.  But I was his representative.  And that did not change who I was, but it changed my place in that community.

Jesus is King… but not physically present.

Jesus is King… but not visible.

Jesus is King… even when often ignored.

And WE are His ambassadors!  That does not mean we get to be bossy.  It does not mean we get to make demands.  It does not mean we suddenly are better than we were before…

It means we are His ambassadors, His representatives, His spokespeople, His visible friends.

And no one else is!

We are peculiar, we are His ambassadors.

Victory

At evening time, behold, terror! Before morning, they are no more! This is the portion of those who loot us, and the lot of those who plunder us. (Isaiah 17:14 ESV)

Victory

I coached a soccer team that did not have a winning record.  Our players were more academic than athletic.  Our strategies were more accidental than planned.  Our team had more of a herd mentality than a purposeful focus.  In fact, we never won.

Until Willy joined the team.  Willy was a young German lad who could have been professional, it seemed to me.  When Willy played, we scored.  When Willy played, we won.  When Willy played the other teams went home sad, instead of us.

Mostly, it did not make a difference to us.  We were not terribly competitive. 

But that one player changed our attitude.

Isaiah knows that the world is a hard place.  God’s enemies daily press against us.  God’s enemies bring tears, worry, antagonism, and apparently loss.

But not when we are on God’s side!

Isaiah prophecies, not in some crystal ball way, but purely logically.  He is saying here, much like Paul, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

No other soccer team had Willy.  And no other people have the One True Living God.

We are peculiar, get ready for victory.

Emmanuel

Let them construct a Sanctuary for me so that I can live among them. (Exodus 25:8 The Message)

Emmanuel

It is Christmas time, so we might sing that Christmas Hymn, “Emmanuel.”  We know it means, “God is with us.”  But that is more than a holiday platitude. 

I once drove a fairly famous theologian to and from the airport in my car.  And having that learned professor sit next to me made me feel smarter, wiser, and more theologically astute.  He was with me, and something rubbed off for a while.

I once had a meal with a fairly famous actor.  And having that talented, clever, kind, and gracious man sit near me made me feel a little bit more skilled, understanding, and experienced.  He was with me, and something rubbed off for a while.

I once had a friend who was an expert hunter.  I went with him hunting a couple of times.  And having that skilled, woodsy, successful man crouching next to me made me feel a little bit more capable, knowledgeable, and old-timey.  He was with me, and something rubbed off for a while.

Those examples are miniscule compared to the difference it makes to have God with us… to have Jesus with us… to have Emmanuel.  And we do have Emmanuel.  We ourselves, clinging to Christ, are God’s Sanctuary.

Emmanuel brings peace, patience, joy, faith, hope, and love.  And a few other fruits and gifts!

We are unique, we have Emmanuel.

Answers

And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.  “You shall have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:1-3 ESV)

Answers

In recent years we have heard debates about the meaning of the word, “is;” we have been informed that our history is no longer our history; we have been told that truth is always relative.

Who, in this day and age, can really claim to know anything?

Christians can!

Because the One who IS, has spoken to us.  The One who IS has written to us.  The One who IS has defined truth, reality, and the past, present, and future.

We have every reason to mistrust our own brains, minds, and thoughts… but God is.

We have every reason to mistrust other’s brains, minds, and thoughts… but God is.

We have every reason to mistrust the past, present, and future… but God is.

We are unique because we know the One who know the truth, Jesus.  And He’s told us what we need to know in the Bible. 

We are peculiar, we have answers.

Forgiven

…then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” (Hebrews 10:17 ESV)

Forgiven

I did quite a few things over the years that hurt and offended another person.  I have given them plenty of reasons to hold a grudge against me.  And they hold that grudge.

I have had other people do quite a few over the years that hurt and offended me.  I have had plenty of reasons to hold a grudge against them.  And I have held those grudges.

And those grudges are harmful to peace, community, hope, and even love. 

And those grudges are not necessary.  Because Jesus has shown us how to forgive.  He forgives His people completely, unconditionally, embarrassingly, expensively, personally, and absolutely.

He, being God, has perfect memory.  Yet He even chooses to forget.  He even chooses to forget my offenses.  He even chooses to forget every sin I have done, am doing, and will do.

What part of “remember their sins no more” do I not understand?

We are peculiar, we are forgiven.

God's Hand

…this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him. (Ezra 7:6 ESV)

God’s Hand

Almost everyone I knew could ride their bicycle without holding onto the handlebars.  But I could not.  When I l released the handlebars, the bike began to shudder.  When I tried to sit up straight, the bicycle had a mind of its own, and aimed, every single time, at the nearest curb, car, or pedestrian.

To my mind, my hands were necessary on the handlebar.  That is why it is called a HANDlebar!

God’s hand was on Ezra.  And Ezra found political success, administrative success, relational success, and ecclesiastical success.  If God’s hand had not been on Ezra, Ezra would have headed towards disappointment, failure, and disaster.

God’s hand on our life is not only what we need, it is all that we need.

God’s hand is more important than training.  God’s hand is more important than community.  God’s hand is more important than our will.  God’s hand is more important than our righteousness.  God’s hand is more important than anything.

And if you are a Christian, God’s hand is on you.

The world seeks success, and you have God’s hand!  The world seeks understanding, and you have God’s hand! The world seeks peace, and you have God’s hand!  The world seeks what Ezra had… and you have it!

We are peculiar, God’s hand is on us.

Late

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  (II Peter 3:8 ESV)

Late

A few years ago, driving through Dallas, an old-fashioned tow truck immediately ahead of me lost its vehicle, a van, from the tow hook.   The loosened van bounced and flipped right in front of me.  At one brief point, the windshield of the van lined up, upside down, right in front of my windshield.  It landed in the lane to my right, where a semi-truck crashed into it, and then jackknifed. 

I watched the rest of the accident and pileup develop in my rearview mirror.

And I recalled the annoying tiny delays and hindrances I had encountered throughout the drive.

I realized that God’s timing, for me, had been impeccable.

His perfect timing occurs because He is powerful.

Gandalf understands this.  He says, “A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.”

God’s perfect timing, as Master of every event and every moment, extends to His people.

Because He is never late, neither are we. 

We do not need to throw away our calendars and planners.  But worrying about timing is silly.  Stressing about our schedule is insulting to God.  Staring at the minute hand instead of God’s hand is being blind.

God says, in Ecclesiastes, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV) And He has arranged the perfect time.

We are peculiar, we are never late.

Uncrippled

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”  And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. (Acts 3:6,7 ESV)

Uncrippled

It seems lately that lots of folk I know has the sniffles.  Some a little worse, some a little better.  But handkerchiefs and tissues are in, and bright eyes are out. 

But at the moment, I am not sneezing, my throat is not scratchy, my eyes are not draining, and I can breath through my nose!  I am nearly unique because I am not ‘colded.’

I am also no longer crippled.  And if you are leaning on Christ alone, neither are you!

We live in a world, state, county, city, and neighborhood of the spiritually crippled.   Romans 3:23 reminds us of what we already know, that everyone has sinned, is sinning, and will sin.  That is how we are crippled.

But Christ uncripples us.  He fixes us.  He redirects us.  He heals us.  He lifts us.  He enables us.  He makes us whole.

This is a grand peculiarity.  Everyone is crippled, but we, through Christ, are uniquely also uncrippled.  We sometimes still feel crippled, but only because we trust our feelings more than Christ’s promises.  We sometimes notice our brokenness, but only because we trust our awareness more than Christ’s promises.  We sometimes believe our crippledness more than we believe Christ’s work.

We are peculiar, we are uncrippled.

It's Who You Know

As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, does great things and unsearchable,

marvelous things without number: (Job 5:8,9 ESV)

It’s Who You Know

The other day, while watching a football game, I called up the well-known coach of the college team on television and asked him some advice.  I also gave him a nudge in the direction his team should be going during this game.  After a bit of a chat, we hung up… and we each clearly had listened to the other.

Ok, that did not happen.

I do not personally know any college football team coaches.  I am pretty sure I do not even know anyone who knows such a coach.  If I had to suddenly get an idea for the perfect play, or find out what the team’s favorite pizza was, I would be in trouble.

On the other hand, if I experience grievous loss, if I am overwhelmed by troubles, if I am afraid, if I do not know the correct decision, if I am confused, if I am hurting, if I am lost… I know the One who can help.

And He is bigger than a famous football coach.  And He is more knowledgeable  than a triple PhD.  And He is more powerful than the Big Bang.  And He is more gentle than a teddy bear.  And He has better ears any listening device.  And He loves me more than I can imagine.

I’m talking about the One True Living God.

And I know Someone who knows Him.

And He listens to me, and therefore I can speak to Him.

And He knows me, and therefore I know Him.

And my connection to Him is through His Son, Christ Jesus.

No one else but His people know Him!  And He uniquely knows each one of us.

We are peculiar, we actually know Him.

Death

 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  (I Corinthians 15:12 ESV)

Death

Superman is not afraid of bullets.  He has tough skin that will not be pierced by any caliber of bullet.  Wouldn’t he be foolish to be afraid if a bad guy pulls out a submachine gun?  He should laugh.  Even if the bullets sting a little, he would have nothing to be afraid of.

We have death-proof souls.  Death can not hurt us, it is merely an entrance into heaven.  Christ’s resurrection has defeated our death before it happens.

Yet we, it seems to me, remain afraid of death.

The fear of death causes us to approach old age with trepidation.  The fear of death has created huge industries to prolong life as if nothing else matters.  The fear of death causes nightmares, neurosis, overcaution, and numerous other fears.

Yet we Christians, alone in the world have nothing to fear.

We are peculiar, laugh at death.

Forgiveness

If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” (Luke 17:3,4 ESV)

Forgiveness

I had one job.  I had been instructed to remove all of the books from a friend’s library and place them in a particular room.  But with good intentions, I thought I knew more than my friend.  Surely, he had not meant every single book, but only the books that were in the way of a particular project.  Surely, he had not meant to move all the books in that particular room, when there was a closer room available. Surely, he had not meant for me to move books that I did not think really belonged in his library.

So, I moved some of the books to a different new room, and made a pile of books for him to approve disposal.

I smiled proudly when he entered the apartment… and then he laughed at me.  His explanation of what he had asked me to do made sense, once I understood it… once I stopped trying to be smarter than him… once I stopped trying to fix his intentions.

This is one of the most powerful, yet ignored, statements of Christ. 

The job of every Christian is to forgive each other.  We add conditions, though, like me and the library, that are not found in Christ’s words. 

Such as: “I only need to forgive her when she proves how sorry she is.”

Such as: “I only need to forgive her when she stops behaving badly.”

Such as: “I only need to forgive her when he has learned his lesson.”

Such as: “I only need to forgive her if he forms new good habits.”

You might expect me to write at this point, that a peculiar thing about being a Christian is that we can be forgiven.  And indeed, that is a peculiar thing in the world.

But these verses instead show us that not only are we forgiven, but we GET to forgive.

No burdens of grudges need to be born.  No anger that cannot be quenched till someone else does something needs to burn.  No hurt because of the actions, words, or thoughts of another need to be felt anymore.

We get to forgive!  Even if the world calls it naïve.  Even if our neighbor calls us foolish.  Even if our fears push against us.  Even if we do not really want to forgive…

We are peculiar, we get to forgive.

Know Who Is In Charge

And in Ecbatana, the citadel that is in the province of Media, a scroll was found on which this was written: “A record. In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king issued a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices were offered, and let its foundations be retained. (Ezra 6:2,3 ESV)

Know Who Is In Charge

When the Jews were coming back gradually from exile, they met with obstacle after obstacle.  Anyone looking at the series of events might be confused.  Until this verse, the Hand behind the events is unclear.  But suddenly, when an old record of King Cyrus was examined, both God’s people and those who opposed God’s people could discern a plan that was being followed.

God was bringing His people home. Sometimes obviously, sometimes behind the scenes, sometimes hidden for now… God brings His people home.

History can be hard to understand.  Civilizations rise and fall, seemingly without purpose.  Plans of great and lesser folk come to fruition or fall by the wayside, seemingly without purpose.  Events are chaotic, without clear cause or profitable result. 

Every time analysts think they understand what the key motivators of history, some new facet casts doubt on the previous theories.

But God’s people are unique.  We might not know exactly what is happening, but we know WHO is happening.  Every event, whether we understand it or not, is under the authority of God.  Every event, whether bringing immediate sorrow or joy, is under the authority of God. Every event, whether in the past, present, or future, is under the authority of God.

And we are that God’s people, through Christ Jesus.

We are peculiar, we know what is going on.

Know What God Says

Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. (John 21:25 ESV)

Know What God Says

I collect Christmas Nutcrackers.  One year a neighbor offered me any of his nutcrackers. They had been collected by his mother for decades, and now they were filling boxes that filled his garage.  So I went to his garage and looked.

I experienced sensory overload.

So… many… nutcrackers!

I certainly did not need them all, but it was very difficult analyzing which nutcrackers to accept.  Too many nutcrackers of too many varieties, sizes, styles, colors, ages, and sets.

Our senses are overloaded with information all the time.  How do we know which piece of information to accept?  How do we know what is true, and what is fake?  I feel sorry, sometimes, for people without a steady place to stand when taking in information.

The last words of the fourth gospel tell us something cool.  Out of all the events of Jesus’ life on earth, the Holy Spirit has already figured out for us which parts we need to know.  In this case, all of the events were true, but we do not need every bit of every event of Jesus’ life ensconced in our brains.

We just need what God gives us in His Bible.

Unlike the rest of the world, who are not sure what to think, believe, conclude, understand, or grasp… we can know what we know.

We’re peculiar, we know what God says.

Treasure

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples. (Exodus 19:5 ESV)

Treasure

One of my favorite childhood games is called sardines.  This game is simply a reverse of hide-and-seek.   One person hides, and the rest of the players try to find that hiding person. Perhaps it is too deep a look into my own insecurities, but it feels really good to have the whole crowd looking for me.

In that game, I am the treasure.

Most of us yearn to be someone’s treasure.  We like to have our jokes laughed at.  We like it when our friends smile at us.  We like being chosen, enjoyed, sought after, and valued.

God tells us here that we can be God’s treasure. 

There is one way, only one way, to be God’s treasure.  God describes it as obeying His voice and keeping His covenant.  And how do we do that?  Not by achieving or even striving for perfect obedience.  We’ve already failed to do that.  But instead, God provided an exchange.  His Son, Jesus, lived a perfect life.  And that perfect life gets exchanged for our imperfect life. 

In other words, the way to be God’s treasure is to accept Jesus’ obedience exchange plan.

I am God’s treasure, whether I am anyone else’s treasure or not.  Because of Jesus.  I am God’s treasure, even when I am feeling untreasured by my community.  Because of Jesus.  I am God’s treasure, and in that thought is found peace and joy!  Because of Jesus.

Everyone wants to be a treasure.  But few folk are.

We’re peculiar, we are God’s treasure.

Not Alone

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone;” (Genesis2:18 ESV)

Not Alone

The lights were off, and I thought no one was home.  But when I came into the living room, I was greeted by an exuberant, “SURPRISE!”  It was my birthday, and my friends had gathered to surprise me with a celebration.

Even though it seemed like it moments before, I was not alone.

God had created Adam, and even though He had declared that creation, ‘very good,’ God now introduces another factor.  God knew that Adam was going to be alone.    Adam had not been alone so far in his life, because Adam was hanging around with God.  But that unity was going to end when Adam disobeyed God… and then Adam would be alone.

So, God did two things to help Adam.  First, God gave Adam a companion.  He gave Adam Eve.  And therefore, even after Adam’s fall into sin, Adam was not alone.  Because God knew that being alone was not good.

Even better, though, God began getting things ready to fix Adam’s loneliness absolutely.  We see it a few verses later, when God foretells that a savior would come. (Genesis 3:15) That savior would eventually bring Adam back into fellowship with God.  Ultimately, Adam would never be alone, again… because of that savior.

But not just Adam, of course.  Every child of God from Adam through (at least) today is also not alone.  Christians, by the very way we are saved, are in God’s presence.  We are not alone.

Loneliness runs rampant in our society.  That emptiness causes so many to attempt to fill that emptiness through dangerous, inappropriate, and even unrighteous things.  That emptiness also causes so many to attempt to fill that emptiness through pleasant, appropriate, and normal things.

But only One can fill the void left in mankind’s heart when they are not in fellowship with God.  Christians are unique because we do not have to be lonely.  In fact, like me on my birthday, Christians are NOT alone… even if it seems like it.

The world wants what Christians have… an end to loneliness.

We’re peculiar, we are not alone.

Peculiar People (Introduction)

For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. (II Corinthians 4:15 ESV)

Peculiar People (Final Introduction)

When Americans travel overseas, sometimes we stand out as loudmouths.  When Canadians travel overseas they stand out as very polite.  When Australians travel overseas, they stand out as curious.  When Brits travel overseas… they are… British.

One of the most peculiar things about God’s people should be that we are thankful.  We have a heaven-eye-view that allows us to know that God is not only in charge, but is good.  We have the examples in Scripture of things that seemed dreadful, but God was creating something wonderful.  We have God’s commands to be thankful and to give thanks. 

We have faith, which nudges us towards gratitude, hope, which nudges us towards gratitude, and love, which nudges us towards gratitude.

That is a lot of nudges.

And now we have a nudge towards gratitude on our calendar.

Give thanks without a sense that you deserved the blessings.

Give thanks without fear that the blessing will end.

Give thanks without taking credit yourself.

Give thanks without greed.

Be different, be thankful.

(Our examination of Peculiar People will start in full next week.  Happy Thanksgiving!)

Peculiar People (Introduction)

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (I Corinthians 10:31 ESV)

Peculiar People (Introduction)

Little Roxanne, the redhaired girl who lived down the street, was annoying.  Not only was she a GIRL, but she followed me around and fluttered her eyelids at me.  One day, just to get rid of her, I gave her my allowance.  I hoped she would take the quarter and go down the street to the candy store and leave me alone!

My mother saw me give Rozanne the money, and chose to interpret it as an act of kindness.  She rewarded me, in fact.  But she should not have.

I had done a right thing for a wrong reason.

The peculiarity of God’s people often depends on our motivation.  More than what we do (although what we do matters, too,) we need to look at why we do things.

Why we do what we do, when we do what we do.

Paul instructs us to do things so that those around us will be impressed with God.   We have so many lesser motivations.  We want to impress others with our own selves.  We want to ease the troubles of our lives.  We want to be noticed, appreciated, valued, liked, and loved. 

But a peculiar thing about God’s people is that we have the capability of doing things for God’s glory.

We’ll be looking at how to make that alteration in our life’s trajectories.

Be peculiar, do everything for God.