Keeping Your Head In The Game

In many places of the British Commonwealth, today is a holiday, Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, December 26^th.  It was for years when I saw this printed on my Day Runner calendar, I thought it was some kind of big sporting event, you know, a boxing match!  Well, historically, it goes back to a time when wealthy people in the UK would give a box containing gifts to their servants.  Today, it is a bank or public holiday that is observed in Great Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, when Christmas gifts are traditionally given to service workers.  In Canada, for instance, it gives people the chance to take part in the post-Christmas sales or watch ice hockey games.  On a more practical level, it is time to start “boxing up Christmas” for another year!  I thought this would also be a good day for me to “wrap up” any Christmas-related thoughts and truths, for you to take home with you (or wait until next year).

I am not alone in this dilemma either!  Just try working in the “Returns Department” on the day or two after Christmas, as gifts are returned that either are not liked, or that don’t fit, or, they’re not the right color etc.  I love the story of the three sons who had grown up, left home, went out on their own and prospered.  Getting back together, they discussed the gifts they were going to give their near blind, elderly mother for Christmas.  The first said, “I bought her a big house for Christmas.”  The second said, “I got her a Mercedes Benz and a chauffeur.”  The third smiled and said, “I’ve got both of you beat.  You remember how mom enjoyed reading the Bible?  And you know she can’t see very well.  So I sent her a remarkable parrot that recites the entire Bible.  It took a preacher 12 years to teach him.  He’s one of a kind.  Mama just has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot recites it.  Soon thereafter, the woman sent out her letters of thanks to her sons for the Christmas gifts.  She wrote the first son and said, “The house you bought is so huge.  I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house.”  She wrote the second son, “I am too old to travel.  I stay home most of the time, so I rarely use the Mercedes.  And the chauffeur is really rude!”  She wrote her third son, “Son, you are the only one who has the good sense to know what you mother likes.  The chicken was delicious!”  You see, it’s not always easy to get the perfect gift!

TO THE RESCUE, come the wise men or Magi in the Christmas story in Matthew 2.  The way they help us is by answering the most important question which is, “What do I give to Jesus?”  In this area their lives teach us, and are role models for us today what true wisdom is all about.  The Magi (Greek, “majoi”) were from the Medeo-Persian Empire.  They were the scientists and the scholars of their day, the intelligentsia in a good sense.  In them, we find the best educated and finest minds of their time; the kind of “go to” people in times of crisis.  Their mission in life was to hunger for and search out truth, wherever they could find it.  Their actions model for us 3 gifts that we should present to God 365 days of the year.

Matthew begins by saying, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  In their minds, the fruit of their study and calculations, coupled with the appearance of a very unusual star in the heavens, heralded the birth of a King, the “king of the Jews.”  The king that the Hebrew scriptures and prophecies pointed to for hundreds of years.  These propelled them to make the almost 1000 mile journey to Jerusalem, which probably took them around 3 months to complete.  Just the journey itself was no small feat, but one they felt was completely warranted.  You’ve heard about pursuing Christmas?  Well, the Christian life is exactly that: it is a continual, day-by-day pursuit to know and to serve God.  This is true whether you’ve recently come to Christ, or you’ve been a believer for years or decades.  When Jesus said, “follow Me,” He was talking about a pursuit, and one that is entirely warranted and worth it!  Listen to the promise in (Jer.29:11-13 ) “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart.”  According to these verses, God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.  But, that plan is aimed at triggering a corresponding response in you and me: a lifelong and sincere search.  When we read the story and consider their actions, it confirms the saying: WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM!

Man was created by God to be a worshiper.  This is why every person inherently will “worship” someone or something.  It’s in us, you can’t escape this fact.  It was also very clear in the Christmas story that this was the priority of the wise men.  They told Herod, “we are come to worship Him.”  Then, in verse 11, it says: And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.”  Any participation in or celebration of Christmas that does not lead to, or include worship, in the end is either not valid or it is missing something.  Jesus told the woman at the well, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.  God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:23.24) The essence of true worship is seen here: it involves giving God His rightful place in our hearts and lives.  In the Christmas story, we see elements of a clear focus on the person of Jesus Christ, along with the awesome reverence and submission and obedience that true worship contains.  It is such a moving picture: grown men bowing down before a baby in worship.  In 1872, the poet Christiana Rossetti wrote a poem that was later set to music and became a Christmas carol.  She was a devoted follower of Christ, who for many years volunteered at a refuge for women coming out of a life of prostitution.  Her poem asks and says,

What can I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd,

I would bring a lamb,

If I were a wise man

I would do my part, Yet what can I give Him,

Give my heart.

The key phrase and insight is found in verse 11, “Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”  Gift theology plays a central role in the revelation of the Bible, and finds an outstanding expression in the actions of these wise men.  Our giving is a reflection of God’s giving and it proves the sincerity of our love and devotion.  “They opened their treasures.”  Jesus told us that “where your treasure is, there will your hearts be also.”  This is one reason I also emphasize at offering time that we are “giving in worship” because the clear connection is unmistakable in the first Christmas story.  They gave God the best they had, because God desires and deserves the best of our time, our talents, and our treasures.  The gifts the wise men gave were not only great in value, but they were even greater in meaning, for what they said about Jesus, the recognition each contained.

1. Gifts of gold.  This is what you give a King or royalty.  Jesus is our King!


2. Gifts of frankincense.  This was an important element in Temple worship, and the altar of incense, telling us that Jesus is our Priest!


3. Gifts of myrrh.  This was a spice that was used in embalming corpses.  It probably was the strangest of all the gifts given that day, but even at or around His birth, the shadow of the Cross could be seen.  It tells us that Jesus is our Sacrifice!  This King was born to die for you and me.

As we prepare to “wrap up” Christmas in 2011, we can learn that these gifts are ones that every follower of Jesus Christ is able to give to God on a regular basis.  They are gifts that will not only meet the needs of others, but they will first and foremost give honor and praise to God, and they will bless our lives in the process.  I encourage you to keep on giving to God these gifts throughout this upcoming New Year.  Let me take this opportunity to remind you one more time:  WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM, AND WORSHIP HIM, AND IT CARRIES WITH IT THE FRAGRANCE OF SACRIFICIAL GIVING.

1. Focus on the lyrics.  Pay attention to what you are singing.  We’re told to “sing praises with understanding.”
   


2. Call to participation.  A whole lot of today’s “worship music” is a performance, not participation.  It might make us feel good, but it is not true worship.  If I could also add one other aspect: if it cannot be sung congregationally, especially by men, then it is of limited and not lasting value.  It might be a “worship experience” but it falls short of Biblical worship.
   


3. Necessity of whole-heartedness.  Sing with “gusto.”  You don’t need to have a beautiful singing voice, or to possess perfect pitch to sing the Lord’s songs; just do it with your whole heart.

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Sunday, three of our sisters just returned home from a tour to the land of Israel.  We asked them all to give a report, especially the impact that this had on them personally.  They came back with a sense of the real urgency to pray for and stand by and support the nation of Israel.  (Ps.122:6) clearly say, “Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper.”  The prosperity he speaks about is not financial, but instead, the security that comes from being in harmony with God and in tune with his plans and workings.  This is why I couldn't ignore the abundance of articles in the last few weeks all centered around Iran’s nuclear program and the possibility of Israel’s pre-emptive attack on them in the interest of national security, most of them emphasizing sooner rather than later.  Something like this would undoubtedly have profound ramifications for our world today. 

Biblical preaching carries with it many dimensions.  There is doctrinal preaching: teaching us what we believe as Christians and why.  There is preaching about Christian living: the implications of what we believe in our day-to-day living, decisions and priorities.  There is preaching that emphasizes the relational: when we make Jesus Christ Lord and Savior of our lives, it brings us into vital relationship with the church, Christ’s Body.  Some preaching is purposeful, in that it focuses on the callings and giftings of God: what we’re on ths earth to accomplish.  There is also inspirational preaching whose aim is the building up of people’s faith.  Then, there is also prophetic preaching.  Bible prophecy is a vital part of the Christian life, since it deals with the future aspect of our Faith.  The prophetic realm though is not limited to the predictive or being able to tell the future; it is  preaching that lays out how things fit into the scope of God’s greater plans.  I’ve always been inspired by the testimony of the Sons of Issachar who had “understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do.”  They were people who had understanding both of our unique TIMES and also our DUTIES in light of our times. The need for people of this caliber is always with us.  Whenever you tackle the subject of Bible prophecy you should do so knowing the challenges.  First, is the fact that prophecy sermons are “informational intensive.”  Another challenge is that even the best of us “sees through a mirror dimly,” even the so-called “experts.”  The other challenge is to take that truth and teaching and make the connection how it relates to our day-to-day living.  It’s not about speculation or sensationalism, it’s about the future promises of God motivating us as Christ-followers and witnesses today.  The Apostle Peter was a master in this department as he wrote about the last days and said, “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” (2Pet.3:11,12)

“The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east.  And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. ("Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!") And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.”

In this case, I am not talking about the Holy Spirit, but a different kind of spirit.  This passage deals specifically with the period of the Great Tribulation, a time still future, when God turns His focus to Israel nationally.  It is very similar to (1Jn.2:18), “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.”  John is saying that the event (i.e. the coming of the anti-Christ) has not arrived, but there are spiritual precursors to this that mirror and echo the physical reality.  In this case it would be the spirit of anti-Christ at work in the world.  The spirit that is highlighted here is the spirit of anti-Semitism.  The text mentions “3 unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits.”  He talks about spiritual forces that have political, international and even military objectives; a kind of “news behind the news.”  Recently, at the end of the G20 Summit, there was a very embarrassing and revealing open microphone gaffe.  French President Nicolas Sarkozy told U.S. President Barack Obama that he could not stand Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and he thinks the premier is a liar.  President Obama was heard to respond, “You’re fed up with him?  I have to deal with him every day.”  When I heard that, my first thought was “anti-Semitism is alive and well” in our world today!  I trust that you will agree with the truth of the statement, “No people on the planet has endured more systematic, heavily resourced attempts to wipe it out than the Jewish race.”  A quick trip through history should confirm this fact.  In Egypt we see the enslavement of an entire nation with Pharaoh’s command to the Hebrew midwives to kill all of the male children.  In Persia, we see Hamaan’s hate-filled attempt at genocide, “Letters were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces with instruction to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children.”  In the first century, in 70 A.D., Rome killed a million Jews and took another 300,000 as slaves exiling them to different parts of the empire.  More recently were the Russian pogroms of the 19^th century.  Then, there was Hitler’s “final solution” during WWII with the goal of the eradication of the Jewish people.  Six million Jews lost their lives throughout Europe during this period known as the Holocaust. 

“And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, 6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God” – “And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.” — “Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”

What this presents us with is a majestic woman (the nation of Israel and the Jewish people); a Child destined to rule the nations (Christ); and a great red Dragon (identified as the devil and Satan).  All of this is set in the context of the ancient cosmic struggle to damn the souls of men and defeat the purposes of God. 

A.W. Sac wrote, “Next to the survival of the Jews, the most baffling historical phenomenon is the hatred which he has repeatedly encountered among the nations of the earth.  This hostility is to the Jews, which goes under the name of anti-Semitism, is as old as Jewish existence.  It is endemic like many contagious diseases; it is always with us to some degree.  But under certain circumstances it assumes epidemic proportions and characteristics.  It is prevalent wherever Jews reside in sufficiently large numbers to make their neighbors aware of their presence.  ‘The growth of anti-Semitism,’ Chaim Weizman declared, ‘is proportionate to the number of Jews per square kilometer.  We carry the germs of anti-Semitism in our knapsack on our backs.’”

This is without a doubt God’s domain.  The prophet Haggai spoke (Haggai 2:6,7) "For thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations...”  Any thinking person would agree that there is a “shaking” being felt today whether it is economic, or political, or international or military.  In the Book of Revelation, John highlights this aspect, vs.14, “who go abroad to kings of the whole world to assemble them for battle on the great day of God Almighty.”  In order for Satan to try to wipe out Israel, THE NATIONS MUST ALIGN TOGETHER.  This is not new, but there is an ancient strategy behind it, (Ps.83:4,5 “They have said, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.

“Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him,  and say, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.  I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.  Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops — many people are with you.”  

Ezekiel identifies (using the ancient names) a confederacy led by Russia consisting of “Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, Libya will join you too, with all their weapons.”  Also “Togarmah” which is modern day Turkey.  We’re looking at something that’s reported on in the news on a weekly, if not daily basis today!  Let me just highlight a few things for you.  What has been dubbed “the Arab Spring” has brought a major realignment of governments with some serious unrest and uncertainty that goes along with it.  Just think this year: Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen with very possibly, Syria next.  All of this has been reported in the news as a populist uprising in response to oppressive regimes with a yearning for democracy.  Really?  What has happened is a toppling of dictators and governments with an uncertain future at best, but indications of a vacuum that is being filled by Islamic extremists.  On the day that Libyan President, Muammar Qaddafi, was captured and killed, President Obama immediately took to the airways to talk about how the dark cloud of oppression has been lifted there.  Uhhm, he conveniently forgot to mention the absence of the rule of law in all of this, or where this was actually taking that nation.  Not to mention the huge stash of weapons they had!  Remember Ezekiel, “Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya...with all their weapons.”  One commentator remarked, “The worst aftermath is over 20,000 shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles belong to the Qaddafi regime have been ‘dispersed’ throughout the world and are currently ‘lying in wait.”

The most noticeable nation in this confederacy next to Russia has to be Iran, whose burgeoning nuclear program not only has a de-stabilizing effect on the entire region, but it represents the greatest threat to Israel’s security.  This was ratcheted up by the 25-page report by the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) which confirmed Iran is much closer to having an atom bomb than most thought.  The report concluded that Iran is systematically enriching nuclear fuel towards military applications; and that Iran’s nuclear program is no longer run by civilians but by the Ministry of Defense.  It stated that Iran did not cease developing military applications for its nuclear program in 2003, as the CIA reported in its controversial National Intelligence Estimate in 2007, but rather accelerated its efforts to develop the Bomb.  It seems that the U.S. policy of “containment and sanctions has been unsuccessful, largely blocked by Russia and China.  What makes Iran so unsettling and such a threat is the “theological” element embraced by its leaders.  They embrace a Muslim prophecy of the 12^th Iman and that in order to hasten his coming, he is waiting for the Muslim world to attack Israel.  The real quarrel is not with the Iranian people, but the regime in Tehran that has been hijacked by Islamic extremists, and represent probably the significant threat in the world to global peace and security (quote by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper). 

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s remarks before the Israeli Knesset last week about the Iranian threat were very sobering and enlightening.  He said, “If I had to summarize what will happen in our region, I would use two terms: instability and uncertainty.  The collapse of Gaddafi’s regime in Libya, the bloody incidents in Syria, the American forces leaving Iraq, the new government in Tunisia, the upcoming elections in Egypt and many other events - these are all expressions of the immense changes occurring around us.  These changes can increase the instability within these countries, and the instability between countries....A nuclear Iran would pose a terrible threat to the Middle East and on the entire world.  And of course, it poses a great, direct threat on us too....A security philosophy cannot rely on defense alone.  It must also include offensive capabilities, which is the very foundation of deterrence.  We operate and will continue to operate intensely and determinately against those who threaten the security of the State of Israel and its citizens.  Our policy is guided by two main principles: the first is ‘if someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first,’ and the second is ‘if anyone harms us, his blood is on his own hands.’” Clear, concise, accurate and sobering words, indeed.

The other nation mentioned is Turkey (Togarmah).  Turkey has been a secular Islamist state for many years, but in recent times is becoming more and more radicalized.  The new Prime Minister has targeted Israel by halting all trade and defense ties to the Jewish State, ordering Turkey’s ambassador to leave Israel, and warning of more sanctions to come.  Perplexingly, we’re talking about a NATO ally here?  All of this represents a kind of ticking time clock, and mirrors the confederacy that Zechariah spoke about in (Zech.12:2,3), "Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples. The siege of Jerusalem will also be against Judah.  On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it.” Religious, political and economic alignment will cause the nations of the earth to conclude, “Israel is the problem; if they would be more reasonable, or did not exist, then things would be safer and more prosperous for everyone involved.  I have no idea what will trigger all these events.  It is stunning, however, to see that the pieces and players are all definitely in place.

In God’s word, a “sign” refers to an indication or to a marker, usually showing proximity and warning.  Today, we see an abundance of signs, of events and alignments which should tell us what time it is.  In (Matt.24:33) Jesus said, “So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near – even at the doors.”  To conclude, the key question though is why?  I’m not making any of this up, and I’m not a “prophecy expert” (is there such a thing?!), but why is all of this unfolding before us today? Perhaps, more importantly what should we glean from all of this for our daily lives?  Let me quickly suggest 4 things that come into clear focus as we consider the “signs of the times.”

1. A reminder of the sovereignty of God, that God is in control, orchestrating events according to His purpose. This is a major antidote against fear, that God has not lost control.  In our personal lives as well, I can live confidently knowing that my life and my steps are ordered of the Lord.


2. An encouragement of the love of God, specifically, that God does not judge the righteous with the wicked. (1Thess.5:9) states, “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  This is a powerful argument for the importance and truth of the Rapture of the church: God removes the righteous before judgment (i.e. Lot; Noah; Rahab).  This is not saying we’ll escape persecution, but there is a huge difference between persecution and the wrath of God.


3. A warning for believers to be ready.  I do believe God knows human nature, that we tend to lose focus. God, in His mercy, allows these signs and events to remind us so that WE WILL BE READY.  Our text carries the blessing, vs.15, “Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!"  I tell our church, today is definitely NOT the time to be stupid or careless or drift from the things of God!


4. Preparation for an end-time harvest.  Any true understanding of Bible prophecy doesn’t leave us with our heads in the clouds.  Instead, it speaks about our own personal readiness, and also our being positioned as workers in God’s harvest (the world) to see souls won to Christ.  Jesus Himself exemplified this, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” (Jn.9:4)

I must confess: from the time of my conversion on November 15, 1970, I have lived with the thrill and anticipation over the Lord’s promise of his Second Coming.  I know there are those who would scoff and dismiss it all and say, “ You've been saying this for 40 years, and Jesus still hasn’t come.”  I’ll be honest with you, when I first became a Christian; I didn't think we’d be here this long!  But my answer to those nay-Sayers is simple, “Yes, you’re right, Jesus hasn't come yet.  But, He’s 40 years closer than when I was first saved!”  KEEP LOOKING UP!