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Whenever I hear the word HOT, more often than not I think of something
that either has a high temperature, or it refers to someone that is
physically very attractive. Perhaps many of you think along similar lines
– or, at least you once did think in that direction. Now, however, I am
going to ask you to think in a different direction. "How HOT is your
love for God?"
We
remember the words of Jesus to the church at Laodicea found in Revelation
3 – "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I
wish you were either one or the other!" Here the context gives
the indication that God wanted the people to either have dead faith or to
be vibrant in their faith. If they were one or the other, it would be easy
to identify the needs of the community – to either evangelize or to
disciple. Of course, the problem wasn’t God’s the problem was for the
people. They were described as lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. In other
words, they thought they had it together but the reality was far from
perception in Laodicea.
Rather than repeating the problems of Laodicea here in Billerica, we will
examine whether or not, our love for God is HOT. The word HOT is used as
an acronym for:
HOPE
OBEDIENT
THANKFUL
It
is intended to be a guide to describe the relationship that we have with
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the God that gave His life as a ransom
for our salvation. To do this, we will briefly look at the life of Simeon
and Anna.
First, Simeon was described as a man who was righteous and devout. In
other words, he was a man of moral and ethical integrity (similar words
used to describe Zechariah and Elizabeth in 1:6 and Joseph of Arimathea in
23:51), and he practiced the tenets of his heartfelt faith. Further,
Simeon waited for the promised "consolation of Israel." The
"consolation of Israel" was found in words of Isaiah referring
to the eschatological (end time) deliverance/restoration of Israel. When
Simeon beheld Jesus, he gave thanks that the promise of God was fulfilled
in his lifetime, just as God promised. In his thanksgiving, Simeon also
explained more fully God’s plan of salvation for the world.
Second, Anna was a prophetess. She was very old and a widow of many years.
She was at the temple constantly and "worshipped night and day,
fasting and praying." She, too, gave thanks to God and spoke to
all that "were looking forward
to the redemption of Israel."
Both Simeon and Anna are described as being people filled with HOPE in the
promise of God. Though I believe that they take all the promises of God to
heart, I believe the one that was preeminent in their minds and hearts was
the coming of the Messiah. Remember the words of Hebrews 11:1-2 – "Faith
is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This
is what the ancients were commended for." Simeon and Anna both
believed in the power of God for the salvation of the world. As Simeon
spoke – "a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to
your people Israel." Faith, that is, the certain hope of God’s
promise was always before these two people.
They are described as OBEDIENT to God – righteous and devout (Simeon)
and always worshipping, and committed to praying and fasting (Anna). Their
lives were exemplary in adherence to the precepts of God’s law. Because
of their obedience, they were open to the leading of the Holy Spirit so
Simeon and Anna were in the right place, at the right time, to see the
fulfillment of God’s plan in the person of this infant child.
Finally, they were THANKFUL for God’s work in their lives and the lives
of His people. They praised God. They thanked God. They were not ashamed
that the power of God was to be displayed through this little baby. This,
of course, brings us back to their faith. They believed that this baby for
whom they gave thanks was the fulfillment of the greatest of God’s
promises – the coming of the Messiah.
We
have come through Advent and celebrated Christmas. We await Epiphany –
the celebration of God’s appearance to the Gentile nations, not just the
Jewish people. We finish the year 2001. We have heard from different
sources that the end is coming (it was supposed to have occurred several
times already), yet we await the final appearance of our Lord and Savior.
We see signs all around us – wars and rumors of wars, pestilence and
plague, family dissolution, rebellion against God’s laws and man’s
laws – yet the end does not come, Jesus does not appear. Look around.
Where is the HOPE?
We
know what is right and healthy, but we fail to follow through. We know God’s
law and try to reshape it to our making. When we have remade it, we seek
with each generation to tailor it more because we believe that mores
change. Changing mores mean adapting the laws to fit the current trend of
thought. How can there be OBEDIENCE when there is no standard?
Evil proliferates when good people do nothing. We don’t need to see an
Adolph Hitler conquering the world; or to see violence in or streets; or
to see the effects of aberrant behavior in any of its forms to note the
reality of evil. We question the reality of God’s existence because of
the existence of evil – seen through a form of pain and suffering in the
world. We look and see social decay, moral ambiguity, disease, trauma and
so much more. With all this, why be THANKFUL?
We
forget the Simeon and Anna, Joseph and Mary, Zechariah and Elizabeth, and
all the Jewish people of that day had life every bit as bad (and worse)
than we do. They were not wealthy. They were oppressed. They lived without
freedom. There was nothing they could do to be free of the power of Rome.
Disease, famine, and pestilence were always a problem. Violence was a way
of life. Yet, all these people mentioned had a love for God that was HOT.
There are two steps to take as we talk about this HOT love for God.
First, we need to have a relationship with God. HOPE in the promise of God
revealed in Jesus for you. He is our joy, peace, love, and salvation.
OBEDIENCE is our response to the love of God at work in us. We know the
hope that is rooted in us, let us respond with loving gratitude to God by
living in accord with His revealed will. THANKFULNESS is the next step. We
can be thankful in all things, not necessarily for all
things. Our love for God is not dependent upon what God has done for me
lately, that is not love.
Second, we need a little practical application of the principles in our
lives. It’s one thing to talk about what we believe – this is
important. However, we come to a time when we need to know how to make
that a part of our daily living – individually and corporately.
Some examples: We know what it is to HOPE for the coming of our Lord and
Savior in glory. We know that it is going to happen, for we have received
the promise by faith. However, it is important to realize that God has
called us to be a part of the work that prepares the way for His return.
We know what it is to be OBEDIENT to God’s law, but what happens when
God’s law is at odds with personal predisposition (whether genetic or
shaped by life circumstance)? We know what it is to be THANKFUL, but when
we are facing adverse life-changing issues how do we give thanks?
With this in mind, I would like to give each person an assignment. Take a
sheet of paper. Divide the paper into three columns. Label the first
column "H", the second column "O", and the third
column "T".
In
the first column, we are looking to see those things that you HOPE for. If
you are committed to the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, then write
what you hope to see in the ministry of the Community Congregational
Church. Further, I want each person to list those areas that you believe
God has called you and what you hope to do to fulfill His call. If you do
not have a commitment to the Lord Jesus, consider writing about a desire
to know the truth of God’s revelation. Try to determine what it is that
you hope for in this life and the life to come.
In
the second column, we are looking to see those things that you struggle
with and need to bring in compliance with God’s will, i.e. to live an
OBEDIENT life. Here, I encourage you to make decisions based on God’s
word and not on current mores. Consider those areas of your life that you
are struggling with, or that you see that are outside the parameters of
God’s word. Do you struggle with self-control, anger, rage, slander and
gossip, lust, or anything else? Consider those things that are in you life
and weigh them in the balance of God’s word.
In
the third column, we are looking to see those things that we are THANKFUL
for in your life. In this column, I am not necessarily thinking about all
the good things in your life. I am thinking about those things that God
has brought into your life to shape your character and make you the person
that you are today.
This is not an easy task. Some people may even find this assignment a bit
offensive – though that is not my intent. My intent is to make us think
outside our comfort zone. My intent is to encourage each person to grow
beyond where they are today and to create an atmosphere in this church
where we have a vision for what God intends to do through us.
Let me share some of my
thoughts:
HOPE –
My primary hope is found in
Jesus Christ.
I
hope to be more committed to the study of God’s word and to prayer. My
hope is to get to know Jesus better each day so that I may be open to the
leading of His Spirit. My hope is to be more like Simeon – righteous and
devout – so that I will always be in the place that God wants me to be.
I
hope to see the Community Congregational Church increasingly become a
house of faith and faithfulness bringing refuge and healing to those that
are hurt and/or broken.
I
hope to see the Community Congregational Church expand its physical plant
so that we may more effectively minister to the people in the communities
that we serve.
I
hope to see the Community Congregational Church expand its ministries into
the communities that we serve. This would be done through small-group, or
cell group, ministries. Implementation of this would be to develop
leadership that would minister in specific areas/neighborhoods. The goal
is both to evangelize the areas where we have church membership and to
disciple those that come to faith in Jesus Christ.
OBEDIENT – This is
something more personal for each of us.
I
will commit myself increasingly to becoming more like Jesus.
I
will work on issues of self-control. I think of this in terms of the
direction of my thinking. Spiritual uncleanness begins in the heart and
mind, not in the action.
I
will work on issues of self-discipline. I think of this in terms of my
outward activity.
I
will continue to be accountable to my brothers and/or sisters for the life
that I live.
I
will continue to be supportive of the ministry of the church of Jesus
Christ, especially as it is to be worked out at the Community
Congregational Church. God has brought me here, as He has brought each
person here today. It is with this in mind that I recognize that my
responsibility is to serve God where called and to serve with the best
that I can offer.
THANKFUL –
I
am thankful for the reality that God is with me in all that I do.
I
am thankful that God is at work in me preparing me for His return. I am
not always thankful for the circumstances of my life and the means by
which I grow. I am thankful that I can do all things through Christ who
gives me strength. I would never have chosen much of the direction of my
life. I would have chosen an easier path, but in that, I realize that I
wouldn’t be who I am today. Paul’s statement about the secret of
contentment in Philippians 4:12-13 – "I
know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I
have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do
everything through him who gives me strength."
I
am thankful for the opportunity to serve God at the Community
Congregational Church and all of you that God has brought into my life.
How HOT is your
love for God? I set this question before you to consider and to answer. I
encourage each person to self-examination. Use the guidelines given, and
keep your work and reflect on it in the year(s) ahead.
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