A Dash of Salt

How Jesus Heals a Sick Church

Worried about a potential flu pandemic, the Florida Department of Health developed some clever television PSAs to remind the public that simple precautions in daily hygiene can go along way to preventing the spread of disease.  "Germs are getting stronger.  Let's get smarter."  I think these commercials are hilarious, a little gross, but hilarious.  Take a minute to watch them: here and here. (HT: Joe Carter)

In Luke 17:1-6 Jesus gave his disciples three simple precautions that are together a powerful cure for the infection of sin in the fellowship of believers. 

• God judges sin, so make sure that you're not promoting it.  Jesus says that temptations and things that prompt us to sin are inevitable, but how horrible it will be for the person who tempts others to sin.  Sudden death by drowning would be better for that individual.
• People naturally sin, so help each other stop doing it.  Jesus commands his followers to pay careful attention to each other so we can encourage one another to turn away from sin.  This means we need to rebuke each other when necessary, and forgive each other when there is repentance.
• Faith resists sin, so use what you have to obey God.  Restoring one another with humility, love, and gentleness is one of the hardest parts of living the Christian life.  That's why we need faith!  Jesus says that if our faith in God is at least as big as a tiny mustard seed, then God can and will work powerfully on our behalf as we obey Him.

For a "How Jesus Heals a Sick Church" audio download, click here: Download sermon05.13.2007.mp3.  Sermon notes here: Download RebukeForgiveLk17.1-6.doc.

Reintroducing the Daily Compass

Would you like some help digging deeper into the Scriptures?  How about ideas for family or personal devotions?  Do you wish you could explore a Bible passage more thoroughly after hearing a message?  Then you may benefit from a devotional tool we have used at Littlestown Chapel called The Daily Compass.  This Bible study guide is designed to prompt you to think more deeply about the message of the Bible, particularly when it comes to application of what it says.  After a several month hiatus, the Compass is back.  Just click on this link and see for yourself: Download Compass051307.doc.

What Kind of Lover Are You?

Back during my high school days I heard a West Virginia pastor named Charlie Hanshew preach a message called, "What Kind of Lover Are You?"  Pastor Hanshew used three Greek words from New Testament times to describe three types of lovers: Romance-Seekers (eros), Friends (phileo), and Unselfish Givers (agapao).  His point was to challenge us teenagers to move from loving others for what we could get from them, or loving those who love us, to loving unselfishly people who are unlovely, like God loves us. 

The distinction between agapao, eros, and phileo are not quite so cut and dry since each kind of love has its proper place and proper times of expression.  A growing, healthy marriage needs to have plenty of eros (romantic, sexual) love for the wellbeing of both spouses.  Jesus called his followers his friends (philos).  And there are passages where phileo and agapao are used interchangeably in an honorable way (John 21).   

It's not that romantic love or friendship love are wrong or in some way second-class, yet for the Christian there is a higher calling to love the unlovely.  In the power of the Holy Spirit we are commanded to love when we don't feel like it, to love when there's zero attraction to the other, to love when there's nothing in it for us.  This agapao love is giving to meet the needs of another, without any strings attached.  That's how God has loved us and how Christ commanded us to love one another (John 13:34-35).  In fact, God is agapao love!  He is it's Source and ultimate example (1 John 4:8).  The translators of the KJV translated agape in the Love Chapter, 1Corinthians 13, as "charity" to emphasize its aspect of sacrificial giving in order to help others.

As we celebrate Valentines Day today, it would be worth asking ourselves this: "What kind of lover am I?" 

"In this is the love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son (to be) an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Beloved ones, if God loved us in this way, we also are obligated to be loving one another."  (1 John 4:10-11.  Photo by Caroline Woodward.)

I've Been Tagged by Jim Martin

I just found out that I've been tagged by that pastor-blogger in Texas, Jim Martin.  Since I have never been blog-tagged before, I'm not exactly sure what to do.  The best I understand it, I need to share with you 5 odd or unusual things about me that most people don't know.  Well, here goes...

1. My first name is "Sheridan."  Now you see why I use my middle name, "Scott."  While growing up (and even now in seminary), I hated the first moments of the first class when the teacher took the roll and called out "Sheridan Morgan."  I'd always ask to be called "Scott," and most of the time they would comply, though my homeroom teacher in eight grade insisted on calling me "Sheridan" the entire year.  I was scarred for life.  "Sheridan" is a family name.  I'm named after my dad, who was named after his great-grandfather, who was born during the Civil War and was named after the famous Union cavalry general, Phillip Sheridan.  My great-great-grandfather was Phillip Sheridan Reel, a harness maker in Keedysville, MD.  Once when I was studying the meaning of names, I discovered that "Sheridan" is of Celtic origin and means "Wild Man" which would be pretty cool if it didn't sound a little sissy-fide. 

2. Between Bible college and my first ministry as a youth pastor I ran a fresh and frozen seafood delivery business, and sold advertising time for WKSL, "Your Good Companion Radio" in Greencastle, PA.  The early morning announcer was a good ole country boy who said "technical de-FICK-ul-tees" when there was a problem, which seem to be often.  I don't know if the station is still on the air.

3. While I was in high school, my pastor, Ralph Wenger at Paramount Brethren-in-Christ, let me preach a few times on youth Sundays.  My first sermon was very, very long, but he let me do it again with lots of helpful encouragement.  I also got to preach in my Christian school's chapel a few times and even won the "Preacher Boy Award" my senior year (I think no one else was in the running.) 

4. When I went to Washington Bible College in the fall of 1977, I thought I was just going to learn more about the Bible and God's will for my life.  My intention was to move on from there, get more schooling, and become a newspaper reporter.  Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, Washington Post reporters of Watergate fame, were an inspiration to me.  I dreamed that I would be assigned to cover the Middle East and be reporting from there when Jesus returned.

5. A family legend says that I ate a cigarette as a toddler.  I kicked the habit soon after that.

I now tag James Wilson, Jeff and Jodie McMullen, and Jessica Robinson.  I look forward to hearing what they have to say!

Help for Holiday Relationship Hassles

Sometimes Christmas brings more angst than encouragement because of dysfunctional family or friendship dynamics.  Here are some suggestions for how to get along with the EGR ("extra grace required") people in your life, especially at Christmas gatherings.  There really is hope for strengthening our connections with others...

Think about what you're thinking about.  More often than not the problem isn't them but me and my relationship with God.  It matters how I view myself and my standing before God.  An unbiblical perception of myself damages not only me but also my relationships with others.  This means I must ask myself questions like:

• Am I seeking their approval?  (I don't need to because I am already fully approved by God though Christ.  Colossians 1:21-22)
• Am I trying to perform to meet my own standards?  (God has completely accepted me in Christ and not because of how I've performed. I stand in the grace of God -- not my merit -- fully justified before him by faith.  Romans 5:1-2)
• Have I dealt with my guilt and shame?  (God no longer holds my past failures and sins against me because He has made me a new creation in Christ.  He has fully forgiven me.  2 Corinthians 5:17)
• Have I forgiven them for the Lord's sake?  (I can and need to forgive others who have hurt me because God in Christ has forgiven me.  Ephesians 4:32) 

Many times these are the patterns of thinking that I'm mentally ruminating on when I'm struggling with other people.  Meditating on the truth of Scripture is essential for clear thinking in my relationships with others.

Have a strategy for family gatherings.  Follow these relationship tips from Pastor Jim Martin who offers us wise advice for stressful relationships at family get-togethers.  "Make it count.  Leave them better.  Let it go."  Good counsel for Christmas and everyday conversations with anyone anywhere.

Use these conversation starters to move beyond "news-sports-weather."  Justin Taylor has highlighted Donald Whitney's "Ten Questions to Ask at a Christmas Gathering."  These questions coupled with patience and a sincere interest in others will go a long way in building bridges in our relationships with them.  And the questions can help us also with the "normal" people we already easily get along with, and not just with the EGRs we know.

What are your relational challenges this Christmas?  Will any of this advice help you reach out to the difficult people in your life?

(Photo by Casey Weber)

Jesus' Agenda for His Church: Baptize

Jesus directs that those who follow Him first need to be baptized.  What role does baptism play in making disciples of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20)?

Baptism is both an initiation and inclusion ritual.  It identifies who is following Christ and who isn't and who needs to be included in the church and who doesn't.  I believe that baptism is the way for a new follower of Christ to publicly testify that he is trusting in Christ for salvation (Romans 10:9).  Baptism also signifies three important truths about the new Christian:

Baptism is an act of obedience which is fitting to do for those who claim to be followers of Christ.  When a Christian enters the water of baptism she is obeying her Lord's command, and her obedience demonstrates her love for Christ.  This is not an attempt to earn God's favor and approval, but an expression of her deep gratitude for the work Christ did on the cross to save her.  A follower of Christ obeys Christ.

Baptism is a mark of ownership.  Jesus said those who get baptized are to do so "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."  God's name upon an object indicates God's possession of that object.  When a believer is baptized, he is placing his life under new ownership, and rather than seeking to run his life his own way, he chooses to submit to the new management brought by the Triune God.

Baptism is an object lesson of the new life the follower of Christ received through faith in Him.  Baptism by immersion in particular demonstrates the believer's death, burial, and resurrection with Christ.  There are wet and dry baptisms in the Bible, and water baptism symbolizes the dry baptism that takes place when we trust in Christ for salvation.  1 Corinthians 12:13 explains how the Holy Spirit baptizes or places us into the body of Christ, and Romans 6:3-4 shows how all Christians have been baptized into Christ's death.  This means that we now share the consequences of Jesus' death and resurrection in our lives and are free to serve Him instead of sin.  Water baptism pictures both of these dry, spiritual baptisms which have occurred in the Christian's life at the moment of salvation.

By commanding that his disciples be baptized, I think Jesus strongly implied the need for each of them to be welcomed and included in the body of Christ.  Baptism is a way for new believers to publicly say to the church and world, "We belong to Jesus Christ."  The church needs to respond by saying, "Each of you are now one of us.  Welcome home, dear brothers and sisters!"

I'm looking forward to our baptism service this Sunday afternoon and the special time it will be for Garrett, Amy, Keri, Matt, and Steph.  May the Lord Jesus bless each of them as they obey Him!

What Jesus Thinks Is Important (2)

More thoughts on Jesus and the Greatest Commandments: "Love God with all that you are; love your neighbor as yourself."  According to Matthew 22:34-40, nothing else matters.  How sad that we often let the things that are urgent in our lives crowd out what Jesus considers most important.  I've tried to follow Scot McKnight's advice in his book, The Jesus Creed, to memorize these commands and repeat them to myself at different moments throughout the day.  I haven't been very consistent, but what stands out to me so far is...

I have a personal responsibility to love God and love my neighbor.  The "you" in both commands is in the singular form, and it reminds me that I have to do the loving.  It's "You...yes, you!," not, "You all..."  While the church certainly needs to love God and others, I realize that I must take the initiative to love them, whether or not anyone else does.

I need to be fully engaged in loving God and loving my neighbor.  Jesus said that I have to love them with my whole (all) heart, soul, and mind.  My neighbor needs to be loved just like I love myself.  Nothing should be held back when I give to the Lord or to others in need. 

I live a life of full devotion to the Lord when I love God and my neighbor this way.  All that I do and say must hinge on my loving God and loving others.  Every other command in the Bible flows out of these two.  To me, it sounds like Jesus is saying, "These two are the commands.  Everything else is simply a way to practically apply them in your daily life."

I can't love God if I don't love my neighbor.  Jesus sure seems to be placing equal stress on both commands.  Of course, we must love God first.  But can I say that I really do love Him if I don't love the people He has placed near me?  No, I can't.  Ouch.  The genuineness of my Theology is seen in the generousness of my Hospitality.

Love God.  Love people.  Nothing else matters.

Bucks: 1, Scott: 0

Well, it's good to be back in civilization after two days in the wild, hunting whitetail deer.  Alas, I arrived home empty-handed because Bucky eluded me once again.  Several men from the Chapel and I traveled to some state game land out in Bedford County for the opening days of rifle season.  We had a lot of fun, swapping stories and dumb jokes, and hiking around the mountain.  I appreciated the fellowship with these friends!  The weather was unseasonably mild for late November: sunny and dry, with afternoon temperatures in the mid-60's F.  A couple of photos of our adventure:

Hungry Hunters: Gary Henson roasts some delicious venison hot dogs while Dave, Matt Wells, and Steve Nester look on and drool.  It was terrific to see Matt once again and meet his neighbor, Dave!
Gary not only does a great job leading worship, he is also our enthusiastic and highly skilled hunt master!  He goes the extra-mile watching out for his hunters.  We all had a great time even though none of us caught a deer.  (That'll learn me to skip out on my Greek III homework.)

Why I Hang Out at Panera Bread

Here's an interesting post by Rick Meigs at the blog, Blind Beggar, on the social phenomenon involving "Third Places" where people go for community.  "Social well-being and psychological health depend upon community."  (Thanks, Steve McCoy) 

Panera for me is a third place...not home and not work, but a third place where I can go to study and connect with folks in the community.  There's just enough noise and movement to help me focus, friendly people, free WiFi, and good coffee, to boot.  And besides all this, if I'm lucky, I get to sample the Holiday Bread, like I did today.  Twice!  Very, very good, indeed.