What’s Love Got To Do With It – Part II

We’re talking about this overused, misused and misunderstood word called: “Love.” It is an extremely powerful word and it is also the central theme of the Bible so I believe it behooves us to investigate it deeper and try to wrap our minds around the fact that our majestic, all-powerful, all-knowing, perfectly holy, God is passionately in love with imperfect, openly rebellious, frequently stubborn people like us – John 3:1 says: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” This is the “agape” love that is undeserved and sacrificial. A love that is seen in our God who loved us even though we didn’t deserve it and it cost Him greatly to do so. I believe the fullest extent of God’s love is not seen so much in His decision to create us, rather it was seen when we became sinful and unlovely and He chose to love us still by sending His Son to die for us. And I also believe that it is our assignment and responsibility as Christ Followers to demonstrate and walk in that same “agape” love everyday of our lives. We are called to love people the way God loves us and we should desire the best for them and when at all possible, we should do whatever we can to ensure they flourish, grow and become successful. It is so empowering to people when they know you’re in their corner and on their side. We should be communicating to others is that we believe in them, they can be effective and successful and we really desire for them to win. And why should we be desiring that? Because that’s what God desires for us! It’s AGAPE LOVE! It’s the thought behind what Paul wrote in Romans 8, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” What a beautiful thought: that God is cheering us on, equipping us, enabling us and believing in us. How can we ever give up knowing that? Who can you cheer on today?

But before we get too ahead of ourselves we must remember that in our efforts to show this “agape” love, it’s not always easy or done ’softly.’ The fact is, if you love someone in the “agape” way, then you must be willing to discipline them if need be. You may even have to do things that cause pain to this person (not physical pain of course) if it is the only way to keep them on the path to reaching their full potential. Genuine, pure, “agape” love is a love that is willing to offend or disturb those who are being loved if it is for their good. Being FOR someone is more important than just wanting to spare them pain or make them feel good. If I am really FOR a person, then I am willing to risk confronting them with painful truth if it is the only way to bring growth in their life. “Agape” love then is not only a willingness to exhort, forgive, encourage and celebrate; it’s also a willingness to warn, reprove, or confront when necessary. It’s a great thing to have someone in your life who loves you enough to be honest with you when you are doing something counterproductive to your walk with the Lord! But we must remember Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:15 when he said that when we are: “speaking the truth in love, [our desire is that others] may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.”  If you can’t speak TRUTH smothered in LOVE, packaged in HUMILITY and wrapped in BROKENNESS: just be quiet and pray for the person you’re concerned about. You’ll thank me later.

Pastor Jeff Burke
pastorjeff@lwwconline.com

What’s Love Got To Do With It – Part 1

I think that you would agree that people fall head-over heels in love with the most bizarre things. I’ve heard people say they ‘love’ their boat, their car, a song, a particular holiday, a favorite pair of shoes and so on. Just the other day I caught myself saying to my grandson how much I “loved” a luscious, lovable gift from God that comes in the form of a chocolate covered raisin packaged in a luxurious golden box! Love is probably one of the most overused and misused words in our english language. “Love” is an extremely powerful word and it is also the central theme of the Bible. Think about the fact that our majestic, all-powerful, all-knowing, perfectly holy, God is passionately in love with imperfect, openly rebellious, frequently stubborn people like us. At first glance (and second and third glance..), we’re pretty unlovable. Consider Romans 3:10-17, “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways and the way of peace they do not know.” That doesn’t sound real lovable to me!  Here we are flawed because of sin and fallen creatures but we’re loved by our Creator. In fact, Isaiah said that even our best attempts at goodness are as filthy rags in comparison to the holiness of God. But God loves us anyway and He loves us to the extent of wanting to adopt us as His very own! In John 3:1 we read: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”  So, while you and I are for the most part unlovely, we are NOT unloved! And you know deep down inside, all of us desperately WANT to be loved. Ernest Hemingway wrote a story once about a father and his teenage son. In the story, the relationship had become somewhat strained, and the teenage son ran away from home. His father then began a journey in search of that rebellious son. Finally, in Madrid, Spain, in a last desperate attempt to find the boy, the father put an ad in the local newspaper. The ad read: “Dear Paco, Meet me in front of the newspaper office at noon. All is forgiven. I love you. Your Father.” The next day, in front of the newspaper office, 800 “Pacos” showed up. They were all seeking forgiveness. They all wanted to know that their father loved them. Love is a very powerful thing.

But so often we don’t have an appreciation of what genuine love should be like. We tend to embrace the kind of love that looks for someone or something worth loving. The love we are most familiar with is a love that is drawn to a person or an object because it is attractive or lends status to the one associated with it. The Greeks called this type of love “eros”. Our first response when we hear this word is to think of the term “erotic” but “eros” is more than just sexual love; at its core “eros” is the kind of love you and I give to anything that satisfies our desires or fulfills our appetites – and “eros” love isn’t all bad. It’s just that it is not a love that is strong enough to build your life on. This is why we need the love of God in our life – the “agape” love of God. . This is a love that is undeserved and sacrificial. A love that is seen in our God who loved us even though we didn’t deserve it and it cost Him greatly to do so. And He not only wants us to know that He loves us in this unexplainable way, He commands us to embrace this kind of love for each other as well. I pray you experience this love of God today – and then pass it on.

Pastor Jeff Burke
pastorjeff@lwwconline.com

Come join us tonight at the Deep End worship service. 7pm.

When Need Meets Faith

Last time we began talking about how our minds can get out of control when we start thinking about our real, tangible needs. Sure we pray about it, then we start counting our blessings and activating Philippians 4:8 as we think on the things that are praise worthy.  But when we’re done praying, we’re usually struck with the reality that the needs are still there. It was during one of these times that I found myself reading 1Kings 17 and I realized some life-changing facts about needs, provision and God’s promise to meet every need we have and I began to notice the difference ways that “needs” comes into our lives. In this text we see three: First we see Elijah’s need came because he obeyed God – 1Kings 17:2-7. Elijah did what he was told – he obeyed God, but he still found himself in need. Secondly, we see in V10-12 that there is a lady that had a need because of a situation out of her control. Here was a widow who was experiencing need because of the bad behavior of others – specifically Ahab, Jezebel and the entire nation of Israel. Thirdly and finally, we see a need in someone’s life because of an unplanned tragedy. Notice V17, “Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing.” In this verse, we see a woman who has thrown into a time of grief over the untimely death of her only son. Her world and future were quickly derailed and she was now enveloped in sorrow as she found herself in need. Ever been there? You know, that place where you just come off of a time of great provision from the Lord and He has blessed you and you’re basking in the moment and enjoying the ‘manna’ from God only to find that mid-way through your last shout of victory the bottom falls out again?  Yes….I see that hand!

Maybe your need caught you off guard and you find yourself with your mouth gaping open thinking, “What just happened here?!” But rest assured beloved, God was not caught off guard by what you just experienced. In fact, there’s a real good chance (like 100%) that He orchestrated it and allowed it to happen!  Your need is just God’s awesome opportunity to bless you and we know that because He started preparing for your provision LONG before you ever had a need to begin with! Remember back in V4 when God told Elijah that he would find water to drink in the brook? Many years before Elijah needed a drink of water from the brook, God put His finger to the ground and traced out the path of this little creek and then caused it to rain so Elijah would have something to drink. So if God is the same yesterday, today and forever (and He is), then it just stands to reason that He has already taken all the steps necessary to meet our needs as well! Our job is to be patient and faithful while we wait because He will take care of us: Psalm 84:11 says, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” And while we’re waiting, it’s also important that we don’t limit God and how He wants to meet our need. In 1Kings 17:6 we see that God provided for Elijah by having the scavengers of the forest (ravens) bring him food everyday. What if Elijah would have rejected God’s provision because it didn’t come in a more ‘acceptable’ manner? The answer: he would’ve starved! God will meet your need. But you have to let Him do it His way.

Pastor Jeff Burke
pastorjeff@lwwconline.com

Place Of Need

Recently I found myself going to a place I don’t like to go. It’s a dark place that pulls the worst out in me. And the sad part is that it’s not even a physical place – it’s a place in my mind. When things get quiet and the phone stops ringing and it’s time to put my head on the pillow it happens: I start thinking about the economy, my personal finances and my real, tangible needs. Oh, sure, I start out by praying and assuring God that I know He’s got everything under control and I’m His child and He owns everything and He will supply all my needs and He won’t let me go hungry and blah blah blah blah…But the fact is, I still have needs. So one night I found myself sitting in our kitchen looking at numbers that would never add up no matter how many times I ‘carried the 2′ or how many times I divided the dividend by the divisor to come up with the correct quotient! So I did what every normal person who is pulling his hair out and at wits end would do – I got a soda. But then I got out my Bible. That’s when I went to 1 Kings 17. It was a good move for me. In this chapter we learn we have a God who can be trusted to take care of us. But the challenge we face (that I face), is that when our needs arise, so do our doubts!

Let’s begin by looking at how these “needs” comes into our lives. In this text we see three ways: First we see Elijah’s need came because he obeyed God – 1Kings 17:2-7, “Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there.” So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land.” Elijah did what he was told – just like you do: You are paying your tithes, going to church, you’re a good parent, etc., but trouble comes-a-knocking.  So rest assured that every dilemma you’re in isn’t because you’ve dropped the ball. Sometimes it’s because you obeyed. Secondly, notice a lady that had a need because of a situation out of her control – V10-12, “So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” “As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it – and die.” Here was a widow who was experiencing need because of the bad behavior of others – Ahab, Jezebel and the entire nation of Israel. Because of their wickedness, God sent a drought that affected the area where she lived. She was caught up in an unfortunate situation she had no control over. Ever been there? Through no fault of your own you find yourself in a place of wanting?

We’ll continue next time, but for now, ask yourself where your need derived from? Why are you where you are? Is it because you’re doing the right thing and this is a test from the Lord? Is it because of the poor decisions of others? Is it because of an unscheduled hardship like the woman whose son passed away (we’ll talk about her next time)?  Regardless, the answer is given by Jesus Himself in Mark 11:22, “Have faith in God, Jesus answered.” Do you? Do I?

Pastor Jeff Burke
pastorjeff@lwwconline.com

Deep End III

We’re talking about Jesus’ command to Peter found in In Luke 5:4 where He tells Peter: “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” We’ve learned that this boat they are in is a picture of the Church – it involved many of same characteristics and elements that we encounter week in and week out in our local churches. We also discovered through these verses that our biggest enemy and challenge is not the sea, the winds or the waves – it’s our own negative thinking – Luke 5:5, “Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.” But we also know that even though he had his doubts, Peter obeyed – Luke 5:5b, “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” He was tired, confused, defeated and frustrated, but he obeyed the words of Jesus and because he did, he experienced miracles that he would have missed out on if he would have continued to argue, rationalize or have to delay so he could ‘pray about it.’

Put yourself in the verses: Peter is in the boat with Jesus, he’s worked all night with no results, Jesus tells him to launch out into the deep and Jesus tells Him to drop His net. All of these things are crucial to receive the miracle Jesus had in store for him – He had to do what he did with Jesus, he had to go deeper, he had to put forth his own effort and he had to obey (even when it sounded redundant). And the result is pretty incredible – Luke 5:6-7, “When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.” Did you catch that? See, when you get out in the deep end and learn to trust Jesus, everyone around you reaps the benefits of YOUR obedience! This was an amazing miracle that involved the fish, but there is even a greater miracle that involved the fishermen – Luke 5:8-10a, “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.”

Once they experienced the power of obedience, these rough and tough fishermen fell on their face and worshipped Jesus. But then Jesus speaks into their destiny and lets them know what will ultimately result from their trip to the deep end – Luke 5:10b-11, “Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” They left everything behind and went after Jesus. Think about it: the same Peter that bowed at Jesus’ feet on that boat later stood and preached and 3,000 people were saved. Then some of those people launched out into the deep and starting casting their nets and so on and so on. And it all started when they made a decision to say “Yes” to Jesus and launch out into the deep with Him.

Be sure to join us each Wednesday at 7PM as we encounter God, lift up His Son and experience the presence and power of His Spirit as we purposefully and passionately wade out into the “Deep End.”

Pastor Jeff
pastorjeff@lwwconline.com

Deep End II

I couldn’t be more excited about our upcoming Wednesday evening services here at LWWC we’re calling, “Deep End.” As we embark on this adventure, I was reminded of one example of when the Lord Jesus encouraged….no, commanded His followers to go deeper. In Luke 5:4 Jesus tells Peter: “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Here He instructs Peter to go deeper, and when you’ve launched out into the deep end you’ll be much more productive in what you’re trying to accomplish. Last week we established that this boat Peter and Jesus were in was a beautiful picture of the Church. To Peter, this boat had been a place of discouragement, toiling and frustration, but when Jesus climbed on board, that boat became a place of intimacy, teaching and fellowship. But as we look closer at this passage we see Jesus gave Peter a clear, two-fold command: “Launch and let down your nets.” This is important because we need to notice that Jesus never

had a complaint about the vessel itself, the command was intended to urge Peter to do what he had always done, but this time, do it the way Jesus wanted him to. And like this boat, we need to understand that there are a lot of great things about the Church. Oh, it may need mending from time-to-time or cleaned up now and again or maybe there’s a cracked hull or two, but overall the boat is functioning fine….but if we want Her to be productive, we have to do it Jesus’ way! And the first thing He desires us to do is to get out into deeper waters. I also think it’s interesting to notice that Jesus put all of the ‘doing’ in the hands of those that occupied the boat. Oh, sure, Jesus could have transported them instantly to a place in the water where the fish were in abundance and they leaped out of the water into the fishermen’s laps, but He didn’t. He told them to “Launch and let down your nets.” Those guys could have washed and mended those nets until they were like new and drug them all over the lake, but they would have never caught a fish until they did it Jesus’ way. They could have studied all the newest ways for casting and drawing, but until they let the nets down into the deep, they would have caught nothing. They could have talked about fishing with other fisherman, went to fishing seminars and watched their favorite T.V. fisherman, but their nets would have still been empty had they not launched out into the deep with Jesus.

Do you get the application I’m trying to make? There are many today that seem to think that as long as you have the right version of the Bible, the right kind of preaching, the right kind of music, wear the right kind of clothes and say the right things that the fish are guaranteed. But we must understand that it’s not ‘method’ that causes the bountiful harvest and increase, it’s ‘obedience.’ Obedience to launch out into the deep. And our biggest challenge and most fierce enemy is not the sea, the winds or the waves – it’s our own negative thinking. Luke 5:5, “Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.” Peter reminds Jesus that they have already fished all night and caught nothing. The word “worked” means “to labor with intense effort to the point of weariness.” Essentially Peter is saying, “Lord, we’ve done everything we know to do.” And herein lies the reason for powerless churches today: we’ve tried everything we know to do…IN OUR OWN POWER. Jesus is not necessarily trying to get us to change our methods (I’m sure Peter threw the net the same way he always had), rather, He’s trying to get us to go deeper, THEN throw the net.

Be sure to join us Wednesdays at 7PM starting July 15th as we encounter God, lift up His Son and experience the presence and power of His Spirit as we purposefully and passionately wade out into the “Deep End.”

Pastor Jeff Burke
Email: pastorjeff@lwwconline.com