Category: Bruce’s Newsletter Articles

I don’t know what tradition of Christianity you grew up in, but until I was in the third grade, by family attended the Presbyterian church in town. Growing up in a church that has a liturgical calendar allowed me to develop a sense of tradition that has helped me grow in my faith and knowledge of Jesus throughout my life.

In the weeks leading to Christmas, the Presbyterian church had a family time during Sunday school several weeks before Christmas. In that time, we made ornaments for home and for the church’s Christmas tree, which we also decorated. We also made Advent wreaths for home using pine branches and candles.

The Advent season begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas, November 30 this year. While many churches celebrate the Advent season in anticipation of Christmas, it is actually preparation for the second coming of Jesus while celebrating his first coming. The readings and teachings of Advent were meant to help us to anticipate Jesus’ return with the same sense of urgency and celebration that surrounds Christmas.

Since this newsletter has likely reached you before Thanksgiving, perhaps part of your family’s Thanksgiving celebration might include giving thanks for the coming of Jesus. Not only should we celebrate the coming of the baby Jesus, the Prince of Peace, but also the second coming of Jesus the King of Kings.

He is coming! Our message is Good News! Just as the prophets told of the coming Messiah, giving hope to God’s people Israel, Jesus promised that he would return to take his people home with him. We have hope for the second coming because of the blessings of the first coming of Jesus. Our joyful celebration of this Good News should be just as exuberant as our celebration of Christmas, and it should last all year. Let’s use our preparation for the celebration of Christmas to set the tone for our ongoing preparation for the return of Jesus.

We’ve been focusing on Romans 12:9-20 for the last few weeks, and we’re going to continue over the next few weeks. The core of this series of messages has been the idea from verse 9 that “love must be sincere.” Grammatically speaking, this section is one long run-on sentence. Throughout the rest of this section of Scripture, there is a series of phrases that all link back to this statement. The sentence is a detailed description of how love must be sincere.

I’ve focused on one attribute of sincere love, that it is good thing to which we must cling, which is why I’ve called the series “Clingy Love.” My intent has been to show us that, not only must our love be sincere, it must also cause us to hold on to each other. Jesus said in John 13:35 that the world will know that we are Jesus’ disciples by the way we love each other. That will be through our sincere, clingy love for each other.

When does the world see that kind of love in the church? When we’re clinging together. And that usually happens in two kinds of occasions: the good times and the bad times. Paul wrote, “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Evil is repellent, and good is attractive. The bad times push us together, while the good times draw us together.

And that’s how we know that our love is sincere. If the bad times push us apart, we ought to question our love for each other. Obviously, the bad times are opportunities for love to be secondary in our minds, but those are the times when we must cling together. Sometimes, when individuals are experiencing their own bad times—whether due to grief, illness, loneliness, anger, etc.—they are inclined to push others away, but that’s when the rest of us have to take the initiative to cling to them.

I’ll admit that I am often clueless when it comes to recognizing when others need someone to cling to; so I welcome the nudge, every once in a while, that prompts me to step in when a brother or sister needs someone to cling to. But when you find someone who needs that kind of sincere love, don’t pass it off to someone else when you can love them just as well; don’t miss your own opportunities to show that clingy love to someone else.

Fall is absolutely my favorite season of the year. I love the change from summer to fall, the change in the temperature, the change in the leaves, the change to football – all of it! It’s a time of transition, and I love it.

Many folks don’t like transitions, usually because they liked the way things used to be or they’re looking forward to whatever is new. The transition, however, many people could do without. For example, I like being at home, and I also like being on vacation, but I’m not a huge fan of the drive in between.

But a lot happens in the transition, doesn’t it? How many of us have our favorite vacation destinations but also have our favorite stops along the way? When we vacationed “up north” in Michigan, the trip wasn’t complete without the stop at Northwoods Wholesale Outlet in Pinconning, Michigan. While I might not like the drive, there are a few things I love that happen along the way.

That’s a pretty accurate description of our life with Jesus. Many of us met or found Jesus when we were in one season of our lives, but he changed us or began changing us. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” We’ve been changed, but it’s a lifelong process. Many of us are like Paul in Philippians 3:13, 14: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” We want to forget what we were like and what we were experiencing, and we want to be at the final destination.

But there’s a lot of good things that happen during the transition. That’s where we live with the church and as the church. That’s where we do the work that God has called us to. That’s where we see the change happening, not only in our own life but in the lives of others.

But the transition is also where we experience a lot of pain. Growth brings pain. Change sometimes brings frustration and discouragement. And so, many people would rather get to the end or stay at the beginning rather than endure the transition.

But one thing that makes the transition bearable, even enjoyable and exhilarating, is the fact that even though he is always encouraging and helping us to change, Jesus never changes. Hebrews 13:8 says that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” As we grow in our faith and knowledge of Jesus, he is the ever-changing Savior; that is, he is always changing us to bring us closer to God. But he is also the never-changing Savior; he is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Turn away from the past; live in hope for your future; trust God in the transition.

This last sermon series has been encouraging for me. Throughout my life and ministry, I’ve found myself looking for that “one thing” that will help me grow closer to God or that would help others grow in their faith and knowledge of Jesus. However, in that search, I’ve discovered that there are no “silver bullets” in ministry, short of God’s grace; that is, there is no single thing that will ensure any individual’s growth and maturity in their Christian life.

While that might not seem all that encouraging, this sermon series has solidified my thinking about this. In Philippians 4:8, Paul ran through a list of things that he encouraged the church to think about: whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. While I have been preaching through these traits as standards to live by, they’re also avenues of growth.

This thought occurred to me during the Wednesday Bible study following the sermon “Whatever Is Lovely.” (By the way, if you’ve ever wanted to interrupt the sermon to ask questions or call “bunk” while I’m preaching, check out Wednesday Bible study at 7 p.m.) The idea of something being “lovely” is the idea of something being attractive. So, in Bible study, we discussed the question, “What attracted you to God?” As we went around the room, some described the transformation they witnessed in the lives of other people; others described being drawn to Jesus’ sacrifice on their behalf; others talked about how God’s Word spoke to them.

There are all kinds of things that draw us to God, and Paul’s list in Philippians 8 would incorporate many of them. Some people are drawn to God’s truth, others to God’s righteousness and purity. Each of these things has a factor that attracts us to God, but not every one of them draws every person in the same way. While Jesus is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6), people are attracted to him in many different ways. And that’s OK.

Think about what first attracted you to God. Think about what continues to attract you to God. Then, as Paul wrote in Philippians 4:9, “Put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

My family and I just spent the last week in Indianapolis for the North American Christian Convention. We heard great speakers, worshiped with a few thousand brothers and sisters in Christ, and reunited with friends we haven’t seen in a while. It was a good time to be refilled and redirected.

The theme for the week was “ReMission,” a call to return to our mission, the Great Commission. Throughout the week we heard speakers at Bible studies, workshops, and main sessions recast the mission from several different perspectives. We were reminded that before we can share the Good News of Jesus, we had to be able to see the people for whom Jesus died, seeing beyond their skin color, social status, political affiliation, and more. We heard a call to “lead with love” and to connect with people through simple conversations. We were encouraged to engage the culture, to stop “dating and divorcing” the church, to stop complaining about the church, and to “hang in there!” We were reminded that when we serve the world, we’re loving people, not working on projects. We were challenged by the urgency of eternity to share the Good News because it’s the right, moral thing to do; because we were commanded by Jesus to do it; because it was Jesus’ mission, too; because life is short and hell is real; and because the church is shrinking. And finally, we were recommissioned to go into the world and be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.”

Throughout the convention, we heard the testimonies of men, women, and families whose lives were transformed by God through the efforts of preachers, teachers, coworkers, students, and even duck call makers who used any means they had available to stay focused on God’s mission to seek and save the lost. If I had to summarize everything in one statement, I’d remind us that we’re on a mission to change the world with a message that hasn’t changed. I pray that what we saw and heard would spark ideas and plans here in Athens so that our friends, neighbors, families, coworkers, and classmates would also be transformed by Jesus. We’re all in this together; let’s stay focused on the mission.

For whatever specific reason, throughout the world, we Americans have a cowboy image. Whether it is because of our western, cowboy heritage and culture or due to our western movies, many people in the rest of the world regard us as people who are bold and brash, perhaps somewhat uncultured, but principled and strong. While we might stride into a high-society event with mud on our boots, we remember to remove our hat and say, “Thank you, ma’am.” When there’s work to be done, we won’t shirk our responsibility and we’ll do what it takes to get the job done, whether it ruffles some feathers or draws some blood. Maybe it’s because my Mom steeped us in John Wayne westerns and “The Lone Ranger” while we were growing up, but I like the stereotype.
What makes the cowboy imagery so appealing is the outlook on life that draws from living out on the “open range” with a stark sense of right vs. wrong and the nerve and grit to work hard and shoot straight to defend that freedom. Honestly, that seems to be similar to the freedom we have as Christians, though we don’t always live that way.

In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul seems to encourage his readers to be bold and confident because the transformation through Jesus is more powerful than what Moses experienced when he received the Law from God. Paul writes in verses 7-11 that if Moses’ face was made more radiant than the people could bear because he had witnessed the glory of God through the Law, then we ought to be made more “radiant” because we have received the Holy Spirit, God himself, into our lives. He writes in verse 12, “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” Paul goes on to remind his readers that this boldness comes from freedom in Jesus: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17).

For some reason, even in the church, this kind of boldness isn’t always met well. Even though we have freedom, even though we have God himself living in us, we seem to want to maintain some kind of restrained refinement. Unfortunately, the life and the work to which we have been called, for which we have been transformed, is messy. When it comes to confronting this world of sin, there’s a lot of hard work that has to be done by people who aren’t afraid to get down into the mud and the blood.

But that’s the “cowboy way,” and I suggest that it’s the Christian way, too. Some might have reservations about how we do what we do and about what we say, but if it has to be said and done, we ought to say it and do it, “speaking the truth in love,” as Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:15. We might not be the most polished people, and we might come across as brash and uncouth, but because we have liberty in Jesus, we need to live with boldness, living in awe of the “open range” of God’s kingdom, working hard and shooting straight as we share God’s glory and truth.

I love our prayer list. That seems strange, considering that the list has nearly 100 requests on it. I love the list because it seems to keep this body of believers in obedience with Paul’s command. First Thessalonians 5:17 says, in some versions, “Pray without ceasing.”

I praise God that this is a praying church. Every Sunday school class and Bible study begins and ends with prayer, but not until the class has gone through a fairly extensive time of updating everyone about the status of existing prayer concerns or gathering new requests. Our worship service includes significant time devoted to updating the list and prayer over that list, not just from the front but from among all who are gathered to worship. There’s a prayer meeting every Tuesday at 6 a.m. (to which everyone is invited), and it usually takes more than an hour to go through all the updates and to pray. Even the elders and board set aside time during their meetings to update the prayer list and to pray.

It is my prayer that the attention we seem to give to updating each other about the status of our family, friends, and ourselves and to praying for those concerns is in response to James 5:16, that the prayers of the righteous are “powerful and effective.” I pray that we would be devoted to prayer and, as Paul wrote in Colossians 4:2, “watchful and thankful,” being aware of the needs of those around us and mindful of God’s provision and care. I pray that we will, as Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:18, that we will pray whenever we have the opportunity, that we will pray by the leading of the Holy Spirit, and that we will continue to pray for each other and for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.

Pray for me, as I pray for you, that we might all find opportunities to share the message God has given us and that we might share it clearly (Colossians 4:3, 4). Let us pray with confidence (Hebrews 4:16 and 10:19). As we pray continually, in the name of Jesus, may God answer our prayers.

There’s a fortune-cookie “curse” that says, “May you live in interesting times.” The recent spate of movies from Hollywood that have purportedly Christian themes has certainly made the last few months interesting. I’m referring to “Son of God,” “Noah,” “God’s Not Dead,” “Heaven Is Real,” and the upcoming “Persecuted” (to be released this summer), “Left Behind” (to be released this fall), and “Exodus” (to be released near Christmas 2014). The times have certainly been interesting, with Christians and non-Christians both hailing and assailing the films. But does it have to be a curse?

I have to admit upfront that I have not seen any of these movies, but I do plan to see most of them, if not all of them. And that’s where some of the interesting times begin. The primary questions that usually come up are: “Should Christians watch movies that do not reflect Christian or biblical worldviews or ideas?” “Should Christians support—with their money or their time—so-called Christian movies that are, perhaps, less than biblical?” These are legitimate questions that ought to be considered by each individual as they approach the ticket counter. However, we shouldn’t be using them as a test of each other’s orthodoxy. While it’s fair to answer those questions and make choices based on our own answers, it’s not our place to judge another Christian by whether they attend such movies or not. In Romans 14:4, Paul asks, “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?”

It seems better to view these movies as opportunities, rather than curses. Obviously, people are talking about them, both Christians and non-Christians. Why not take advantage of the opportunity to share the Good News about God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus? Paul wrote in Colossians 4:5, 6, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

It’s probably true that not everybody ought to see every movie that is coming out, but if you do choose to see these films, prepare yourself to talk to others about what you see and hear. Be prepared to tell others why you liked the movie or how the movie’s plot differed from the Bible or from what you believe. Be prepared to share your faith and how it guided you to watch the movie and how it has helped you grow after watching the movie.

Try to avoid public arguments, especially with other believers—and by “public” I mean on Facebook, as well as at a coffeeshop or at work. When Christians argue about things like movies, it usually just makes us look childish and undermines our attempts to share the truth of God’s Word. However, opposing viewpoints might be the obstacles that are keeping unbelievers from trusting God and following Jesus. Be prepared to stand for what you believe, but more importantly, prepare yourself to answer the hard questions and prepare yourself to say, “I don’t know, but we can find out together.”

The days are certainly interesting, but rather than letting them become a curse, let’s work together and make the most of every opportunity. Then we can help others avoid the curse of sin and death and take hold of the blessings of trusting Jesus. Don’t forget the popcorn!

Technically, March 20 was the first day of Spring. While the weather might not reflect the calendar, most of us are probably willing to take it by faith that Spring is finally here. We’re ready for some sunshine and warmer weather and some color other than white. Believe it or not, we’re ready for a change.

As much as many people dislike the idea of “change,” a winter like the one we’ve had this year easily prompts us to seek a change. That’s the nature of change; we find comfort in the familiarity of “the way things are,” until they become uncomfortable—then we actively seek a change. Dr. Henry Cloud, a well-known Christian psychologist and author, once wrote: “We change our behavior when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of changing. Consequences give us the pain that motivates us to change.”

A winter of extraordinary cold and unusually frequent snow and ice storms certainly creates enough pain to desire a change in seasons. A season of extended transitions and uncertainty can also create enough pain to desire a change. While Spring brings new life through green grass, fragrant flowers, and budding leaves, we can also find new life in the church. In fact, new life is the core of our message.

Jesus said in John 10:10 that he came to bring abundant life. When we become Christians, as Paul writes in Romans 6:4, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” We are all about new life, both in what we receive through Jesus and in what we share with the world.

New life is not possible without change; in fact, the change of new life is the most dramatic change we will ever face. It’s the change from death to life. Paul wrote about our baptism into Jesus’ death so that we might be raised to new life, just as Jesus was raised. Jesus said something similar in John 12:24: “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Even though Jesus was referring to his own death, we know that our change is similar.

We can’t forget that we are called to a similar death, burial, and resurrection when we are baptized. Not only do we experience new life through Jesus, but so do many others. This kind of change is exciting. While we often focus on how Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection brings “me” new life, this new life is meant to be shared. That means that seeds are always going to be planted; that means that there are going to be “old things” that will pass away so that new life can grow. That means there will always be change. Let’s pray that it produces many seeds and that God will make them grow.

I’ve been “in the church” for as long as I can remember; I praise God that I was raised by Christian parents who made sure that not only did we attend but we also served as part of the church family. However, when I began studying ministry at the Bible college, I began to notice a distinct difference between “doing church” and “being the church.” It sounds strange, but the difference is a matter of how we do things in or through the church—specifically our programs, events, and even worship services—versus how we live as individual Christians and as members of the body of Christ.

Unfortunately, it’s a lot easier to focus on programs, schedules, budgets, and materials than it is to focus on people, relationships, and spiritual growth. You know what people are like; relationships are messy. Spiritual growth is difficult to evaluate and measure, and when we try, we often find out how messy relationships can be. However, Jesus didn’t come to establish programs; he came to bring life, abundant life (John 10:10), and it’s our responsibility to share that life with others (Philippians 2:16).

I know how easy it is to focus on “doing church,” and I know how difficult it is being the church. But as we continue in this new adventure, consider Paul’s words in Galatians 6:9, 10 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Our programs are extensions of who we are as God’s family, but they should not define us. Jesus said that the world would know his disciples by the way we love each other (John 13:35). We have to hold each other accountable for keeping track of who’s missing from our programs and make sure that they’re not hurting or getting lost. We must not get too inwardly focused, but we must make sure that we’re taking care of our church family. Then we will develop the heart and habits necessary to take care of others. Then the world will know that we are Jesus’ disciples.