Examine Yourselves

February 7, 2016
Pastor Jeff Lampl

"Examine your motives, test your heart, come to this meal in holy awe."
1 Corinthians 11:28 (Msg)

As you read the Apostle Paul’s instructions from Jesus regarding the Lord’s Supper, consider the meaning of what Jesus is saying. 

First, remember what God is like.   Can you imagine?  Why in the world would the Creator of the universe do this?

Second, consider the consequences of trusting God and following Jesus.  Drinking from the cup that Jesus drank from means following Him to the cross.  We can expect to suffer. 

Third, we live in hope.   No amount of suffering, nor even death itself has the last word.   As John Donne wrote in 1609, “Death be not proud, though some have called thee mighty and dreadful, thou art not so.  . .  . .one short sleep past, we wake eternally.   death, thou shalt die”

Let me go over with you again exactly what goes on in the Lord’s Supper and why it is so centrally important. I received my instructions from the Master himself and passed them on to you. The Master, Jesus, on the night of his betrayal, took bread. Having given thanks, he broke it and said,

"This is my body, broken for you.
Do this to remember me."

After supper, he did the same thing with the cup:

"This cup is my blood, my new covenant with you.
Each time you drink this cup, remember me."

"What you must solemnly realize is that every time you eat this bread and every time you drink this cup, you reenact in your words and actions the death of the Master. You will be drawn back to this meal again and again until the Master returns. You must never let familiarity breed contempt."

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Yes to the Freedom of God's Enough

February 6, 2016
Pastor Jeff Lampl

"if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content"
1 Timothy 6:8

How I handle my money is not a money management issue.  It is a character issue.

How I handle my money is not about good credit, it is about credibility.  Credibility with God, credibility with my creditors, credibility with those watching me, and credibility with myself.

We Christians are told by Jesus that He is remaking us.   He is working the angles of our lives to transform us from consumers into givers, because God is a giver and it is in that image that we are created.   As consumers we lose our soul, as givers we find it.

So, why save?   Why get out of debt?  The goal is not to be debt free.   If that were the goal, then any money management system along with some big gifts, a few raises, and a little bit of luck can achieve that.   In fact , if becoming debt free is your only goal you can expect that God will not rush in with a miraculous monetary intervention.    God wants to transform you, not just your financial position.   God wants your heart to turn toward others.   That’s why paying off your debts matters.   That takes long term faithfulness just like God’s is eternally faithful.   That takes caring more about your creditors than about yourself.  That makes you credible even if your credit score suffers.  

What God ultimately wants is to use any means possible to transform you into a person who lives joyfully, gratefully and lovingly with what you have right now, not when you get that one more thing that you have to have to supplement the deficit that you think God leaves you with.

Can you say it, “I have enough”?   Can you say, “Because the Lord is my God I have everything I need”?  Can you say,   “If I never have anything more than I have right now, I will have had more than enough for a full and joyful life on earth”?  

Yet even that does not fully encompass God’s aim, which is so clearly stated when God pushed the reset button with humanity.  We are created to bless others with that with which we have been blessed.

“And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you”   Genesis 12:3

Are you growing in your ability to say, “The Lord has blessed me not only with enough, but also in such a way that I am so grateful to Him that I am able to bless others with the blessings I have been blessed”?

“Lord, your goal for me and for each of us is so lofty, so much grearter than I can imagine, especially when I think about how my money management falls into the category of wanting just a little bit more for myself, instead of wanting to give away as much as I can for You Lord and for Kingdom purposes.  Yet if that’s what this money thing is all about, I’m in.  I look forward to how my bank statement will be a witness to my heart for you.  .  Amen”.

How God "Spoke" to Me This Morning

February 5, 2016
Pastor Jeff Lampl

How God "Spoke" To Me This Morning

"The fruit of the Spirit is....self-control."
Galatians 5:22, 23

I was having a bad morning, so in order to make my morning better I went to Dunkin’ Donuts.   Doing that always makes things worse of course, but only after it makes me happy for a few brief moments.  

At the same time I was thinking about the main point of Sunday’s sermon which addresses the topic of what the Bible teaches about debt and saving. It became crystal clear to me that the whole point is self-control,  a major sign that the Holy Spirit is at work.

So I finished the donut I was eating and as I did a song came onto the radio, 88.3 FM, “Hello, My Name is Regret”, which of course is exactly what I experience every time I succumb to temptation, immediate gratification, self-indulgence, and quick fixes that never fix anything.

So, as I finished off the last two donuts (they’re cheaper by the half dozen after all) and my hot chocolate, I contemplated my encounter with the Lord.  I wondered, “if I am exhibiting almost no self-control (I could have order a dozen donuts but didn’t) can I consider myself Spirit filled given the fact that the Spirit filled life results in self-control”.  I further contemplated my wallet, now almost $10.00 emptier because of my lack of self-control. 

So, there you have it.  A case study in how God communicates as well as in how it works.   God will not place a remote control mechanism in me that He can activate to prevent me from selfish, reckless indulgence.  HOWEVER, God has given me (and to every believer) the Holy Spirit, who will speak (see above) and empower, BUT only when I “prime the pump”, only when I believe, trust, act, and do so on pure faith that God is enough.  

Feeling crummy this morning I could have decided God is enough and that donuts won’t help.  I could have said no.  After having said no, having returned to work, trusting that God will help me in my need more than fresh, delicious, sumptuous (Satan is tempter!) French Crullers with the perfect blend of Hot Chocolate ever would or could,  it is at that point that the Holy Spirit kicks in with encouragement (way to go, Jeff, you’re becoming more Christlike) and with strength (I can be grateful for the yogurt and seeds that Kathy that God through Kathy provides for me)   

So, now I know what to say about debt and spending on Sunday!

“Lord, forgive me for relying on myself, my desires, my shortcuts, my immediate gratifications.  You have given me all that I need.  With the help of your Spiirt I will say no to short cuts and yes to whatever you allow to come my way as part of your training me to become a trusting Christlike follower of you.  Amen”

Reaching

Reaching
by Megann Graf

I am constantly reminded of how I so easily fall into the habit of confusing myself with God.  Now, before you think, “what an arrogant thing to say,” let me clarify.  Look at the picture above.  When I initially look at this picture, my mind goes to someone, some human being, reaching for God.  It looks to me like they have reached a place where they know they need God, and so they are turning to Him to hold on to.  That’s not a bad thing, right?   We do all need to acknowledge that we need Jesus, right?  But, what if I have that wrong?  What if that hand is God’s?  What if He is the one that is waiting, but not just when things are bad or hard.   He’s always waiting.   See, while I know this is true, I struggle living that all the time.  I forget that God is there, all the time, waiting for me.  I often feel like that hand reaching out is mine.  I forget that in those moments when I’m not reaching, that He is.  He always has been.  He always will be. 

This week we will sing a song during Communion, and it is another reminder of how, while a relationship with God is a two way street, my part of the “doing” is really not “doing” anything.  It’s an acceptance of love.  It’s an acceptance of the realization, that even if I do nothing, He’s still there for me.  I won’t have nearly the benefits in life that I would if I were in better communion with Him, but He is not turning His back on me regardless of what I do.  This is humbling to me, because it “puts me in my place.”  It reminds me that no matter how much or how little I do, it does not get me more of God’s love.  I have an everlasting Father who loves me and is reaching to me, regardless of whether I am reaching for Him.  He runs to me whether I am on the path going towards Him, or on the path going away from Him. 

I don’t know about you, but I think that’s comforting and crazy all at the same time.  I must constantly remind myself that the hand that is ALWAYS reaching out is not my hand, it is His.  My life is in His hands and He wants me to know and understand and feel His unending love for me. 

If you want to listen to the song- hopefully this link will work but if not, check out “Everlasting Father” by Elevation Worship on YouTube. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFeWsKUiVTE

Why I Tithe: Part 2 of 4

Jeff Lampl

Why I Tithe: Part 2 of 4

Why I didn't get cynical
about the Church always asking for money
and why I think every Christian should build a line item into their annual budget for tithing.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding.  

Seek his will in all you do,

and he will show you which path to take.

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.

Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.  

Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.  

Honor the LORD with your wealth

and with the best part of everything you produce.  

Then he will fill your barns with grain,

and your vats will overflow with good wine.

Proverbs 3:5-10 (NLT)

I’m not really a cynical person anyway, but the most important thing that I understood when I first decided to follow Christ in my early 30’s was that God was in my corner and that He wanted my best.  That much was clear from beginning to understand the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.   Therefore I just figured that the bible’s teaching that I should tithe meant that God must think that My giving 10% of my income is a good thing for me to do.   

But how could it be good for me to give away more money than I think I can afford?

The Proverbs passage above helped me.   For one thing it tells me to depend on God no myself.   My own reasoning will find every single rationale that exists for giving less than 10%.   I’m really, really good at find loopholes.  So how does show me the “path to take”?   I’ve got the bible and I figured that if I don’t obey, or believe, or trust the only thing I have left to go on is me and the opinion of others.    I concluded therefore, that the bible was there to ensure we had to trust something (God) over and above my own rationalizations.   I couldn’t get around that conclusion.

But the passage goes even further.   It says that when we take the best part of the harvest (the income from the work we have invested) and give it to God, then God rewards us.   So yes, part of my deciding to take God at his word in the Bible and give Him through the church 10% of my income, was believing that God would reward me.   I guess that was a little bit self-serving, but however self-serving my motives might have been, it turns out that for over three decades, God has provided abundantly more for Kathy and me and my family than we could have every hoped or imagined, primarily in intangible things, BUT ALSO with tangible provisions and gifts beyond measure.

(Click here to read part one of my story of why I tithe.  Part 3 will come in the near future)

Lord, after all these years, if there’s anything in the world that I have discovered it is the simple but profound message of Psalm 23:1, “Because you are my shepherd, I have everything I need”.   Forgive me when my wantings exceed the passions of the heart of a giver, your heart, which you have placed within me.  Just as I accept your forgiveness,s I also accept the freedom you have given me, a freedom which allows

generosity to drive my giving  -  without fear – free from  the clutches of greed.  Amen”

Ditching Debt

Jeff Lampl

Childcare provided
Bring a dessert to share

Ditching Debt

"the borrower is the slave of the lender"
Proverbs 22:7 ESV

Decades ago I had become a huge fan of Larry Burkett.   I read his books, listened to his teachings, and even got to hear him speak in person in Kennett Square!   It is he who pioneered the wonderful nationwide emphasis on biblical stewardship.   He was brilliant and his legacy continues in Crown Financial Ministries whose money management seminars CLC is now offering to the church family and to the whole community. 

Burkett writes this about being stuck in debt, “Financial bondage is a state of being captivated or overwhelmed by money matters . . . it’s a natural consequence of misusing the resources God has entrusted to us.”

Notice that last line “it’s a natural consequence of misusing the resources God has entrusted to us.”

Wow.  So it really all comes down to that does it?

Yes, in my experience it does.   For me, the simplest things are almost always the biggest things.  Don’t rationalize putting my wants over putting God first.  Don’t pretend that big spending on my family is actually for God when it’s really my desires driving the spending.  Don’t ever carry a balance on any credit card.  Have no debt except for a mortgage.   Never buy a new car.   Used cars these days are great.    Quit wasting my money on my food addictions.  Save.  Save.  Save.   No matter how little, save.   And finally the simples, most profound money advice that exists?  Spend less than you earn  -  and do that for the rest of your life!   -   and do it God’s way which the course series which begins this week (tomorrow evening, Saturday am and Sunday mornings) will teach you.

Lord, I want to be a “slave” to you, not to debt.   Help me, Lord,

to have the discipline required to be your steward of all

you have provided me.  I want to be a giver,

not a taker.

Amen”

You're either in, or you're out.

Jeff Lampl

This Friday, 7:00 pm
CLC Aud
Childcare provided
Bring a dessert to share
For Newlyweds, those married 50+ years
and ALL in between!!

Wed 7:00 pm - Room 220
Sat 10:00 am - Room 220

If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the lord.
So, whether we live or die,
we belong to the Lord.
Romans 14:8 (NIV)

Randy Frazee writes in THINK, ACT, BELIEVE LIKE JESUS, that in the Middle Ages soldiers would choose to be baptized with their right arm out of the water.   The meaning was clear.  With their right arm they could wield the sword, while the rest of their body could be fully committed to the Lord.  Frazee then comments that many Christians do something similar to day.   We keep our right hands - holding our wallets, checkbooks and credit cards -  out of the water, saying to God, ‘you have all of me, except my money’.

But baptism means what Romans 14:8 tells us.   Accepting my baptism means taking the “red pill”.   Accepting my baptism means the I no longer belong to myself, rather all of me, my time time, talents and treasure, belongs to God, no holding back. 

Of the 38 parables Jesus told, 16 of them have to do with handling our possessions.   288 verses in the New Testament, one out of every 10, have to do with money.   Over 2,000 verses in the entire bible talk about personal resources compared with about 500 on prayer and fewer than hat on faith.   As Frazee points out, we cannot conclude that Jesus’ heart was focused on money, rather that he knew ours would be.  “Jesus teaching continually directs us toward using all of our possessions-  including our money and possessions – to love God and to love others”

As you approach tax season an excellent spiritual discipline would be for you to look carefully, contemplatively and prayerfully at your charitable giving.  

What percentage of your income (start with gross, not net) is given specifically to love God and love others?   What percentage goes to God’s ministry through your local church and then do you see your giving increasing to God’s purposes beyond your giving to the local Body of Christ?  Talk to God about that.  Ask him to help you.   If your spending and debt are in wrong places attend the Ditching Debt class this Wednesday evening or this Saturday morning

Lord, please help me to be honest with myself.  Help me to see through my defenses, my self-rationalizations, my always wanting, wanting, wanting.   Lord, I confess that all of what I have is yours.   Make me a worthy steward of it all.   In the Name of Jesus Christ who gave His all.  Amen”