The following is based on a sermon I recently preached. I began by reading the scripture passage found in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 NIV.
It would be an understatement to say that 2020 is a year to remember. Covid-19 has made certain of that. Aside from the obvious health pandemic and its ongoing and tragic impact on our world, we have since begun to witness the greatest level of tension in our nation in politics, in racial injustices, in the future of education for our children, and in life issues including human trafficking. All these issues we are dealing with, whether right, wrong, or indifferent; people are taking a position. From what I have been witnessing and observing, people are taking the wrong position.
I’m not talking about their views or opinions. This isn’t a political message. This isn’t a social issue message. This is about position. This is about the position we are taking when we express ourselves concerning these issues. This message is about taking the right position.
As the church, as Christians, we need to take the right position. Our response shouldn’t look like how the rest of society responds. Our response shouldn’t even resemble what we are seeing on tv or on social media. We are set apart. We are set apart for a consecration and a purpose. We should look different. Our position needs to be different. We must take the right position and not hide it. Pastor David Crank recently said, “Stop listening to them, and listen to Him!”
Because of COVID-19 the church has been removed from assembling together corporately. Maybe we’ve removed ourselves. Don’t get me wrong, I believe we have done what is right, what is proper, what is appropriate with our protocols and social distancing. I believe we have followed the leading of the Holy Spirit in good stewardship of our people and property. But the church at large has been removed from assembling together as we are instructed by the Word to do so.
24“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
Statistics are showing that only one third of the pre-pandemic church has returned to in-person corporate worship. And that of the other two thirds only a small, very small percentage are engaged in the online services being live-streamed.
As responsible members of society, we are called to be a good witness and comply with the laws of the land so long as they don’t contradict God’s Word. But the steps we’ve taken were intended to be temporary. Not permanent. And yet much of the church, again I’m referring to the church at large, has removed itself from the assembling in corporate worship. It’s not like they are going somewhere else. They just aren’t going anywhere. Some have dabbled here or there. And there are many reasons for this that I’m not going to dive into. The point is that they have not made it a priority. The Church is not going to church.
When we stop going to church, we stop feeding on the Word that God is giving to the Church. Sure, you can read your Bible on your own. Sure, you can hear from God personally. But you can’t maintain those parts of walking out your faith without including corporate worship. It’s an essential ingredient of the faith. So much so that the author of Hebrews saw fit to give this exhortation.
Then what happens is we are no longer being poured into by the Word of the Lord, the moving of the Holy Spirit. We become influenced by what we are surrounded by. We open ourselves to the whims and ways of media and culture. And then we find ourselves taking a position that our flesh is enticed toward. A position that resembles or mimics what is trending in culture or reinforces a political or social position as determined by society, not the Word of God. Even with the best of intentions I see believers I know personally getting irate or irrational or showing ignorance by taking positions in the flesh.
This is not what the church is called to. This is not how we are supposed to represent Jesus Christ. Yes, we stand for justice. Yes, we stand for morality. Yes, we stand for truth. But we do so by taking the right position. And the right position looks nothing like what we are being offered by the world. The right position looks nothing like the ones many fellow believers are finding themselves in.
Three positions we are to take as believers:
Position of Prayer
What is the significance of a position of prayer? It helps us understand the heart of God. I think of the Old Testament prophet Daniel who was found praying 3 times a day, even when it was unpopular, even when it’s unlawful. He got on his knees and prayed; a sign of reverence and humility. He could have gotten arrogant because of his position; but he recognized he was merely a servant in the hands of an omnipotent God.
I also think of Nehemiah’s prayer where he prayed for months. He confessed the sins of Israel; he reminded God of His covenant with His people; and, he asked for favor with the king. When was the last time we confessed the sins of our nation rather than just complaining about them and sitting in judgement? How long has it been since we reminded God (not that He needs reminding) of His promises to His people? Rather, do we even acknowledge and really believe the promise He’s given in His word? Have we even considered the impact we might have on culture if we simply asked for favor to have opportunity and a voice with those in authority?
Position of Praise
What is the significance of taking a position of praise? We experience the presence of God. I think of King David dancing nearly naked before the Lord even when it looks ridiculous. We have so much to praise God for. So much to be thankful for despite the craziness and corruptness of our world today. We can praise Him in the midst of struggle. We can praise Him in the midst of tragedy. We can praise Him in the midst of heartbreak. We can praise Him in the midst of injustice. Our praise lifts up the One who is not only above all of that but the redeemer of all of that. His name is Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” I think He is worthy of our praise. And our praise becomes a witness, a testimony to the world.
Position of Promise
What is the significance of taking a position of promise? We become partakers of the divine nature. It states in 2 Peter 1:4 NIV, “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
I think of Moses leading God’s people to the Promised land. I think about the promise of the Messiah as understood by the disciples and religious leaders in the New Testament Gospel accounts. The Messiah didn’t look like anything they were expecting. Some of us are still looking for a Messiah to come and fix things. We have the promise of a new Jerusalem and eternity with Jesus. In 2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV it says, “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” We love declaring from this verse that God’s promises are Yes and Amen. But I think we forget the next part that says these promises are fulfilled through us. Why is that? This is so we give Him the glory.
We can’t be an influence of faith on culture, or other people for that matter, without God working through us. We stop trying to accomplish it on our own and stand on His promises as He manifests them through our lives. That’s our testimony. As the Church, we make a declaration of the promise of eternity. The position we take represents the foundation we stand on. Represents who we really are and what we believe. What position are you taking? What is your foundation? Who is your foundation?
1“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” – Colossians 3: 1-4 NIV
8“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” – Colossians 3: 8-10 NIV
I have reasons to be mad at this world. Just a few weeks ago was the one-year anniversary of my mother’s passing caused by pancreatic cancer. Earlier this summer, my mother-in-law succumbed to the ravages of lung cancer. And last month was the sudden and unexpected loss of my wife’s only sister. Those are just recent events that have impacted my family. I could give you lists of reasons I could be mad at this world. You have reasons too. But we belong to God; we are set apart; we are to be different.
12“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3: 12-14 NIV
In Romans 13, verses 11 & 12 it says, 11“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So, let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” In the verse from Hebrews I shared we saw the “day approaching”. Here we the “day” is almost here.
When we take a position of prayer, we position ourselves for favor. When we take a position of praise, we position ourselves to be a witness. When we take a position of promise, we position ourselves to declare the return of our Savior and His kingdom forever.
We may not understand all of these things that are happening in the world right now. But God does. None of this caught Him by surprise. We may be experiencing pain, loss, and hardship because of all these things going on. But I know the One who is our Healer and Sustainer. We may have trouble envisioning what the future holds. But we know the One who holds the future. I’m reminded of the chorus of the classic hymn Because He Lives:
Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because he lives
All fear is gone
Because I know he holds the future
My life is worth the living just because he lives
Because He lives, I can take a position of prayer, a position of praise, and a position of promise.
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