Signs and Wonders

In his article titled “The Power of God’s Kingdom and Ministry,” J.P. Moreland wrote about the growth of Christianity in the latter part of the 20th century and the early part of this century. He quoted Philip Jenkins saying, “the church is exploding at unprecedented rates in the so-called Third World” (Ministry; International Journal for Pastors. The Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh Day Adventist. May 2009 pg 6).
Mr. Moreland states: “At the core of this explosion has been an outbreak of ‘signs and wonders’ as expressions of the power of the kingdom of God” (ibid). Isn’t that what happened with the apostles? The Apostle Paul spoke of Christ working through him “by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:18, 19 Revised Standard Version). In Acts 2 we learn that the disciples spoke in different languages after the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit. Peter and John healed a crippled man at the Temple gate. Peter claimed that Jesus of Nazareth was “attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him” (Acts 2:22 New King James Version). Jesus himself promised “these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues … and they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well” (Mark 16:17, 18 New International Version).
Mr. Moreland states that “with rare exceptions, the Western church has lagged behind in seeing such power compared to the church in the Third World. Part of the reason … is the naturalist worldview in the West, a worldview that has affected us all and is more distant from a biblical worldview than the more supernaturalist perspective of those in the Third World” (Moreland, pg 6). I wondered, “what is a naturalist worldview?” According to Donald K. McKim’s Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms it is a “philosophical view that the universe exists as a self-contained whole and that it is self-directing. There is thus no supernatural element” (© 1996, pg 183). According to George Barna’s book Think Like Jesus a naturalist worldview was championed by Bertrand Russell, Karl Marx, and “comes in two popular flavors, secular humanism and Marxism” (© 2003, p 32). He goes on to say that “Naturalists contend that God does not exist … and there are no interventions such as miracles or diving direction” (pg 33). So, one might say that our beliefs affect (or effect) our reality – or at least what happens divinely in our world. I am not saying that if we believe something enough then it will always happen.
But consider this: Jesus “was deeply involved in action: healing, delivering, performing other sorts of miracles, and confronting various forms of evil and injustice” (Moreland, pg 6). But there were limits to his accomplishments (or successfulness). One Sabbath Jesus “came to his own country” and “began to teach in the synagogue” (Mark 6:1, 2 Revised Standard Version). The people in the congregation took offense at him and “he could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6And He marveled because of their unbelief” (Mark 6:5, 6 New King James Version). Once he declared, "No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God"(John 5:44 New Living Translation). On the other hand, he frequently told people “your faith has made you well.”
Jesus did those “signs and wonders” to direct people’s attention to the grace of God and the kingdom of God. He said, "my teachings and my miracles; the Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me" (John 5:36 New Living Translation). Jesus told the people: "I tell you for certain that the Son cannot do anything on his own. He can do only what he sees the Father doing, and he does exactly what he sees the Father do" (John 5:19 Contemporary English Version).
So Jesus wanted people to experience the “kingdom of God.” In his book The Secret Message of Jesus, Brian D. McLaren describes the kingdom of God as having “an interactive relationship with the only true God and with Jesus Christ …” (©2006, pg 37). The kingdom of God might also be described as “an extraordinary life to the full centered in a relationship with God” (ibid).
Donald McKim defines kingdom of God as “God’s sovereign reign and rule” (McKim, pg 154). J.P. Moreland states that the kingdom of God “represents the realm of reality in which God’s rule is effective …” (Moreland, pg 8).
Whatever definition we use, they all indicate that “signs and wonders” and miracles happen in the kingdom of God. And, we believers are to be a part of it – not just merely spectators. Therefore we should “Turn back to God! The kingdom of heaven will soon be here" (Matthew 4:17).
Do you believe in miracles?
Are you expecting a miracle?
What will it look like when it comes?

Church hypocritical

In the March/April 2009 issue of Interpreter magazine, the Reverend Larry Hollon states:
"A recent study by the Barna group reports that young adults 16 to 29 years old are more critical of Christianity than previous generations. ... Eighty-seven percent say it is too judgmental, and 85 percent say it is hypocritical" (Interpreter; Vol 53, No 2. p 24).
I suppose it could be the result of too many Christian people going to church on Sunday but acting no different from non-Christians on Monday.
Maybe the young adults heard the scripture read from James 3:9-10 "With [the tongue] we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so" (New King James Version). Then, when they went home, they heard their very Christian parents talking bad about the preacher or the choir director or the pianist (or all of them together). Those young adults heard the hypocrisy in their parents conversation.
And, maybe the young adults read Jesus' words, "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" (Matthew 7:5, Revised Standard Version). Then they remembered the words of the older adults in the church's meet and greet area, which described the dirty deeds of some other member or member's child over the weekend.
With the Reverend Larry Hollon I say, "Clearly, these perceptions challenge our credibility, authenticity and relevance as a Christian community ... Unchurched or not, when we look to the church we seek authenticity ... and a call to action" (ibid). Therefore, no is the time to ReThink Church! We all seek a meaningful life. We want to know that our presence - our existence - means something to someone.
Jesus said, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10, RSV). We all want the life that Jesus came to give. How will live it and share it?

Rethink Invitation

In the May/June 2009 issue of Interpreter (Vol. 53, No. 3 by United Methodist Communications; www.interpretermagazine.org) the Reverend Larry Hollon said that young people (18-34) want to find “a way to connect with friends they can trust. They want to be a part of a group of people that are making a difference in the world” (pg 13). Isn’t that what we all want? Isn’t that they way most of us enter the Church?
In their book Faith-Sharing, Eddie Fox and George Morris state: “Research clearly indicates that more than seventy-five percent of the persons active in church today got their start as Christians and church members through the influence of friends, relatives, neighbors, or colleagues at work” (pg 91 Faith-Sharing; 1996). It all starts with one person getting to know (making friends with) another person. Then one person invites one other person to join in a meaningful activity like worship, a Bible study, a musical performance, etc. where they may encounter the risen Christ. Isn’t that what Philip was doing with Nathanael when he said, “Come and see” (John 1:46)?
The idea of wanting “a way to connect” is not limited to, nor peculiar with, 18-34 year old North Americans. While I live in Arkansas I notice people grouping together according to shared interests and/or shared cultural experiences.
What about you? Who is in your group?
It all starts with an invitation. Who do you invite into your group?

Last December I wrote that “Many people and congregations are more generous and gracious at Christmas than at any other time of year.” I suggested that we not limit or doing of good deeds to Christmas time. Remember how we help some “needy” persons at Christmas? And I suggested that we give at Easter (the other High Holy Day of the Christian Church) to help someone in need.
Well, I try to be a person of action as well as words; so I encouraged the folks at Primrose United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas to help some youth experience a bit of Easter grace at the United Methodist Children’s Home nearby. We contacted the director who gave us clothing sizes and other needs for ten youth who were staying at the emergency shelter. We shared the list with our friends at Mabelvale United Methodist Church who also wanted to share God’s grace in a tangible, practical way.
We delivered the goods on Good Friday. The youth were grateful to get new clothes on Easter. Maybe it is the beginning of a fresh start – for them and us.
What an idea! New life at Easter – fresh start on life at Easter. I like it.