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Preaching and Justice

5/9/2019

Biblical Preaching and Cultural Relevance
Otis Dion Culliver
What is truth? In our current culture, which is dominated by the philosophy of relativism, those who are searching for the freedom the truth offers cannot as easily discern truth. Relativism is the philosophical thought that argues that knowledge, truth, and morality exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute truth. In such a society, one is free to determine one’s own standards of right and wrong because the context of the current culture will dictate the moral values of the society. Hence, it is easy for those who are captives of the crumbling culture to reject the truth of scripture on the basis of relativism. Yet, those who are believers hold to the doctrine of inerrancy. We believe the Bible is still true, relevant, and speak to our hearts today. Therefore the preacher must overcome the trends of society and the tug of culture when presenting the truth of God word to a world plagued by relativism.
How does the preacher preach in a contemporary setting that is saturated with philosophical relativism? I argue this must be done through cultural contextualization of the sermon with a clarion call for parishioners to engage society with the truth and justice to the glory of God. Since relativism finds it’s standard for truth in culture the preacher must show the truth of God’s word relates to the cultural condition of the hearer. In order to preach the word of God effectively the preacher must consider culture of his ministerial context when preparing and present the sermon.
What is cultural contextualization? Cultural contextualization is the art of making the biblical text relevant to the hearer by finding parallels within the biblical context of the text and the cultural context of the hearers. One common pearl of wisdom my father would give preachers was always have your Bible and newspaper on your desk. The preacher is charged to exegete the biblical text but they must be able to exegete the cultural context in order to give application of the biblical text that is relevant to the hearer’s current context.
The effectiveness of the sermon is often measured by hearers’ interest in the subject matter. Cultural contextualization is often discerned in the introduction of the sermon. Cultural contextualization of the introduction grasps the listener’s attention so that they are ready to hear biblical solution within the text to their fallen cultural condition. Cultural contextualization helps the hearer make application of the message for their current personal, social and cultural situation.
Worshippers who gather in our sanctuaries on Sunday morning have been interacting with culture all week. They are bombarded on a daily basis with the information through a variety of communication mediums. The personalities on these media outlets are shaping their perspective of world and define their standards of morality, truth, and justice. Moreover, many of these conversations are not objective and interested in conveying facts, effectively creating a cyclone of information that misleads the hearer. These varieties of opinions include censored cable news outlets, syndicated radio broadcast, and social media. Subsequently, there is a need in the age of relativism for the preacher to communicate God’s perspective on the ills of culture in order to admonish hearers to lead counter cultural lives based on the ageless truths of the scripture. Furthermore, by engaging with the culture in the preaching moment, the preacher is able to give a redemptive perspective on the sin that plagues society which offers hope as well as comfort to the occupants of the pews. On Sunday morning sermon should be preached from the Bible with application to our culture so that you will be biblically informed and socially conscious so that we can lead a life of truth while fighting for justice.

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The Prince of Peace

12/25/2016

1 Comment

Wow, 2016, what a year!!
It’s been full of twists, turns, and turmoil, Inducing a whirlwind of emotions.
Fear and frustration coupled with anger and agitation,
Causing timely uprising, unrest, and demonstrations.

And yet there’s no calm after the storms,
Grey clouds hang low and chilly winds still whistle chilling words that shake the foundations of our social progress,
Reminding us that our society is still going through the process.
The process of healing the past and redeeming the present,
Leaving a tomorrow that’s brighter than our yesterdays and more promising than our today.

The gravity of this responsibility forces us to our knees;
No human effort alone is capable of meeting our needs.
So as 2016 swiftly comes to an end,
It is appropriate for us to reassess our plight and acknowledge the King.

The King who reigns in sovereignty over all world powers,
Who is able to subdue all things unto Himself by the counsel of His will.
The King who is righteous; His truth always prevails,
Who rules with justice and equality.
The King whose knowledge is infinite, whose character is holy,
Who will by no means clear the guilty who fail to repent.
The King whose wrath can consume mere finite creatures;
Yet, He is full of compassion, slow to anger, and His mercy everlasting.
So, if we want the calm after the storm, if we want the raging winds to cease,
We need the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Prince of Peace.

So as 2016 swiftly comes to an end,
Let’s pause and remember what we need has already been given.
The prophet Isaiah said it best through his inspired prophetic pen.
I rest with my thoughts here and end with these:
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’’

Open your heart and receive Him for yourself.
Open your mouth and share Him with someone else.
Open your eyes and see He’s all we need.
He’s the one who causes wars to cease,
He is Jesus, the Prince of Peace!

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The Marriage of Word and Worship

10/20/2016

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The Marriage of Word and Worship
By: Pastor ODC
“What God has joined together, let not man put asunder!” In the nineteenth chapter of Matthew’s gospel Jesus was confronted by Pharisees, who were trying to put Him to the test, concerning his stands on divorce. In response to this inquiry Jesus recites the words spoken in Genesis 2:24 – 25 states, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and cleave upon his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.” Then Jesus goes on to add this commentary on marriage, “So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.”
God has inextricably linked the word and worship together and the two should never be separated. There is, if you would, a marriage between the proclamation of the word and the community of worship. However, many of our modern churches have unconsciously created a schism between preaching and worship. Many individuals who gather in sanctuaries throughout the country believe worship is lead by the worship leader, the praise team, and the choir but not the preacher. Some congregations have matured to recognize giving as an act of worship but do not acknowledge preaching as such. We have treated preaching as if it is something that occurs after we worship, as if it is a footnote to the worship experience, or a spiritual addendum. We correct this misguided mindset by asserting that preaching is worship! There is worship in the pulpit. Preaching is not an afterthought; it is the crescendo of worship, the pinnacle of our service! In fact no Christian worship experience is complete without the preaching of the word. It is at this moment that we hear from God and our hearts sing, “Bread of heaven, bread of heaven feed me till I want no more.” When we mount the pulpit to stand behind that sacred desk, we bow in worship proclaiming that Jesus is Lord; glory, honor, dominion, and power to the One who was, who is, and who is to come!!
The preaching of the word enlightens the worshipper’s heart and mind, which enables them to worship with the proper perspective of the triune God. Worship without the word leads to ignorance. Moreover, worship that is not based on the word is void and empty. Knowledge of God is a prerequisite to worship God. Jesus reveals this to the Samaritan woman at the well. After perceiving that Jesus was a prophet she attempts to instruct the one who deserves true worship on liturgical beliefs of the Samaritan people. Jesus turns to her and exposes the emptiness of their worship saying, “You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know” (John 4:22). While this is a strong, and possibly offensive, indictment by the Savior, it is an accurate one for several reasons: (1) Samaritans did not have the whole Old Testament witness. They did not accept the historical books, wisdom literature, or the books of prophecy. (2) The Samaritans’ version of the Torah differed from the Jewish Torah.
Jesus tells the woman at the well that she does not know the God of the word, whom she professes to worship, because she does not know the word of God. Then, He gives her a lecture on ecclesiology and worship, “The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23 – 24). Furthermore, Jesus defines what the “truth” is in the high priestly prayer He prays for us in the seventeenth chapter of John. Jesus prays, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). Therefore, God must be worshipped in Spirit and with the truth of His word. God has married worship with His word, and what God has joined together let not man put asunder.
Today our pews are filled with biblically illiterate congregants. Subsequently, often the “worship” within the walls of our sanctuaries is based on emotions rather than the truth of who God is, as revealed in His word. This leads to people basing their worship on a “feeling” not adoration of the triune God. Worshippers often leave service with the sobering complaint, “I didn’t feel anything.” This has caused many who lead worship, as well as those who preach the gospel, to appeal to people’s emotions, subsequently pleasing the crowd rather than the God of the crowd. It swings the pendulum from worship to entertainment. While we attempt to work the crowd, arouse the crowd, and please the crowd; the crowd’s worship grows more vain and empty because “they worship what they do not know” (John 4:22). Furthermore, the crowd leaves with their “feeling” but no understanding of the feeling, no conviction of their sins, and no discernment of God’s will for their lives. I am not denying the emotional aspect of worship because worship should engage our hearts and touch our emotions. However, I question what is stimulating our emotions? Worship must engage our minds and hearts, which will touch our emotions and move our will toward His will.
We attempt to enhance our “worship” with more musicians, a more contemporary song selection, technological advancement of media and sound but all these efforts, while well intentioned, does not prove to have a lasting effect upon the hearts of the people or lead to any spiritual growth. The only way to effectively enhance true worship is through sound biblical preaching which will improve the congregation’s biblical knowledge. Preaching is an act of worship, which leads to more worship because as we preach people hear the word, believe the word, are convicted by the word, and commit their lives to the WORD (Jesus – John 1:1 – 14). Paul asks, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe on him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” It is in light of what we know about God, first through biblical preaching, then personal experience that we are able to worship more intelligently. As the hymn writer penned, “Oh the world is hungry for the living bread.” The word must be preached in order for the church to properly worship God in Spirit and in Truth. Worship will get better when preaching get better! Therefore, we must work diligently to strengthen this marriage, which will strengthen the church. Word and worship: what God has joined together let not man put asunder.

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Developing a Lifestyle of Fasting: Is 21 Days Enough?

1/26/2016

22 Comments

Developing a Lifestyle of Fasting: Is 21 Days Enough?
By: Pastor ODC

Aaaah!!! Can’t you hear it? There is a collective sigh of relief, a great exhale echoing from sanctuaries across this country, as several churches are concluding their 21- day collective fast. Can’t you hear the sentiments of these prayer warriors? Sentiments that range from, “I didn’t think I was going to make it!” to “I can’t wait to get home because there’s a piece of chocolate cake with my name on it!” Questions? Why are we so excited to get to the end of our fast? Why are we so quick to abort the discipline we practiced during our fast and return to indulging in our fleshly desires? Why do we fast so intensely for the first 21 days and never consider fasting individually or collectively for the remaining 344 days of the year? Seriously, why do we find it so difficult to practice this enriching spiritual discipline that opens us to receive from the riches of God through Christ?
Jesus makes it clear that He expects for us to fast. Jesus desires that His followers fast routinely, not periodically and definitely not once a year. One day Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees because His disciples did not fast as John the Baptist disciples had. Jesus replied, “As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day” (Mark 2:19b – 20, ESV). Friends, today is that day! While the bridegroom (Christ) is away, we should fast and pray. Yes, Jesus commands us to fast and fast often! Furthermore, Jesus told us that some things could only be accomplished through prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29, KJV). Moreover, Jesus gave us the example of prayer and fasting at the opening of his ministry, He practiced this discipline in the wilderness for forty days and forty nights (Matthew 4/Luke 4). Fasting is a spiritual discipline that all mature believers should exercise regularly for our good and for God’s glory. Consider the following spiritual rewards of fasting:

Recognizing and discerning God’s voice within the chaos of our crazy world.
Refreshing our minds, bodies, and spirits in the presence of God as we are detoxed of ungodly thoughts and actions.
Reprioritizing our priorities, preventing physical and spiritual burnout.
Retrieving power to do great works for the glory of God that require supernatural strength.
Receiving answers to personal questions that weigh heavy on our hearts and minds.

These benefits can be ours abundantly when we commit to fasting regularly. We must go beyond the first 21 days of the year so that our efforts to engage in this discipline are more than a religious ritual, a sacred routine, or spiritual box that we check off. We must develop a lifestyle of fasting!! Friends, I must admit that I have often did my “21 days” and would only engage in this powerful practice again when things got bad enough in my life, and I felt the need to “seek the Lord, seek His face.” But, this year I’m going to do better, fasting will not be a goal to cross off my New Year’s list but a part of my efforts to reach my number one goal in life: a more intimate relationship with Christ. No longer will fasting be a spare tire I reach for when the tires of my life seem to be punctured and running low on air but a sustaining force for my regular routine. This year I’m going to recharge routinely by connecting with God’s power through prayer and fasting. This year I’m going to fast more so that God can do more through me. Seriously, 21 days is not enough; I’m developing a lifestyle of fasting. Will you please join me? Join me in submitting to the Master’s will, and when the 21 days are up, we will be fasting still.

22 Comments

Honesty from the Pastor's Heart

1/5/2016

15 Comments

Honesty from the Pastor’s Heart
By: Pastor ODC
Happy New Year!!! 2016 is here, and excitement fills the air, for some but not all. I have been in conversation with several people who have voiced their ongoing frustrations with battling to overcome the many stresses they encountered during 2015. Ironically, several of these conversations have included pastors and spiritual leaders, who have been doing a “good work” for the Lord and His people. In the interest of full disclosure, I was one of the participants on this “I’m Blessed but Stressed Hotline.”
Yes, here at the very start of the year 2016, instead of being excited and energetic I feel exhausted and empty. I am mentally drained and running on “E”, hoping I could cross off one more item on “my” to-do-list before I completely run out of gas. It appears that my efforts to be “successful” (fruitful – more spiritual word) are producing more stress than success. Moreover, my efforts have taken a negative effect on my body and my spirit. My body is battered, and my soul is sick from the clutter invading my life. I have been emptying myself for others but have not cared enough for myself to refill my own tank.
So I asked myself, what is the problem? I mean I’m doing a good work; in fact, I would argue I have been fulfilling my calling. I have been selflessly offering myself to bless others, and those efforts have brought me much joy and fulfillment. Yet, how could something so fulfilling leave me feeling so empty and burnout? Subsequently, upon pondering this thought, I grew confused. Was the problem within me or not spending enough time taking care of me? While these are the common diagnoses for those who experience my symptoms, they are not the answers to my condition. The fact of the matter is I have gotten so focused on others that I lost focus of HIM. Shame on you Pastor! I have been so focused on what He told me to do that I lost focus of who He called me to be!! In my efforts to fulfill my “calling,” I forgot the first call on my life, the call to be a disciple. That’s right, before I was called to pastor and preach, I was called to be a follower of Jesus, a Jesus lover, a Jesus fanatic, a Jesus freak! I was called to daily devotionals, believing prayer, and joyful intimate fellowship with Christ.
This is what Jesus meant when He said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). When we focus on Him, He will enable us to effectively handle our to-do-list. He will restore our joy, renew our strength, and reorder our steps. He will grant us grace, give us wisdom, and govern our hearts and minds with His peace. God never intended for us to do it alone; He wants to do it through us. The Apostle Paul testifies, “For this I toil, struggling with all HIS energy that HE powerfully works within me” (Colossians 1:29). So if you’re a pastor, spiritual leader, or lay leader who is experiencing frustration and fatigue, allow me to share with you what God shared with me, “Refocus on Him and never become so focused on doing the disciple’s work that you lose focus of being a disciple.”

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Count Your Blessings (A Thanksgiving Devotional)

11/26/2015

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“Count Your Blessings”
By: Pastor ODC
                     In the church I grew up in we would sing a hymn by Johnson Oatman, Jr. called “Count Your Blessings.” My favorite verses of lyrics from this hymn is as follows:
                     “When you look at others with their lands and gold,
                     Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold,
                     Count your many blessings- money cannot buy
                     Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
                     Count your blessing, name them one by one;
                     Count your blessings see what God hath done.”
This is the time of year we are encouraged to do just that – count our blessings. Today, we seem to be transforming into a culture of complainers and whiners who focus more on the problems of this world than the promises in the Word. Subsequently, we discuss our burdens more than our blessings. We fail to realize how blessed we are because we fail to count our blessings. Furthermore, we often overlook the most precious blessings we have received because we only consider tangible goods on our blessing list. So this thanksgiving I encourage you to expand your blessings inventory beyond material commodities, worldly comforts, and secular conveniences. This thanksgiving season I challenge you to count the blessings that really count; the blessings that are eternal, not temporal; that have had profound, life changing, and path altering impact on our lives. Therefore, when you count your blessings this season be sure to count Calvary. Ponder the magnanimous magnitude, the great gravity, and spiritual significance of the bloody cross that held the nail pierced hands and broken body of our Savior. Remember Calvary, where your debt, that you could not afford, was paid.
Count your spiritual blessings before you shout about the car, the house, or the business. Before you react to the shouting cues we give in church today, your secular success, wonderful health, and lucrative wealth, check your priorities and shout about your salvation that was purchased at the cross of Calvary, freeing you from the burdens and guilt of your sins. Surely we should thank God for the material blessings we have received but how much more should we express our gratitude for the great sacrifice of Calvary. As Paul stated in II Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!” So count your blessings, name them one by one; count your blessings you’ll be amazed by what God hath done.” HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! …..And remember gluttony is a sin!!

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The Process

11/26/2015

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The Process
By: Pastor ODC
I have something on my mind, may I speak?
Something on my mind, I don’t understand why I’m so weak.
I mean, I try to be strong,
Try to do right, detour from wrong,
But when I make up my mind to do what’s right,
It seems that something’s pulling me, influencing me,
Tripping me up, this battle within
Enticing me, inviting me to sin.
I said I wasn’t going to do it anymore.
Ashamed of my actions,
My soul seems divided like fractions,
Yet my heart is committed;
My mind is made up,
But I don’t understand why I relapse on my past.
I’m about to throw up
It’s frustrating me, I want to be free.
Free from these chains,
Free from captivity,
Free from the strongholds of the enemy.
Anybody feeling me?
I’ve prayed about it, prayed night and day,
Prayed for God to forgive me and erase sin’s stain.
Prayed for strength for my weakness, the courage to walk away,
Yet it seems the more I pray, the busier the enemy gets
Taking temptation to a new level.
I’m trying to resist the devil.
Leave me alone, stop torturing me!
I don’t want you, I renounce you!
Stop harassing me with your accusations, condemnation, and twisted lies.
My heart is with Christ, my eyes fixed on the prize.
I’ve finally concluded, I’m in a battle I can’t win;
I need somebody to save me from my sin.
Save me from me, I finally see
The battle is warring in my mind; my mind is a slave to sin.
As painful as it may be, the enemy is me.
Then I read the Word, Romans chapter 7, verses 14 through 25.
Paul spoke the truth; it opened my eyes to the cause of my frustration,
It is called sanctification.
It’s a process of unrest
One you will detest,
Yet it’s for the best.
I’m learning to trust myself less,
Depend on God to handle the rest,
And by His grace I will pass this test.
By His grace, I’m strong when I’m weak.
By His grace, I’m more than a conqueror, never succumbing to defeat.
By His grace, I’m dying to myself.
By His grace, I’m living victoriously,
Even though I’m wounded…I’m a courageous warrior.
What didn’t kill me made me more mature, wiser, stronger.
So, I’m going through the process, humble with my head up high
Because when the process is over, I’ll greet my SAVIOR in the sky.

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The Power to Change Time!

3/20/2015

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We have all heard it said, “Time heals all wounds” or “Give it some time.” These adages have been passed down from generation to generation suggesting that circumstances will eventually get better as time goes on. We have even adopted the cliché, “I’m waiting for my season to come.” However, I suggest that we often waste valuable time waiting on time. It’s not time that changes our circumstances, it’s what we do with the time the Lord has given us. Time is neutral! Time doesn’t heal or change anything. God heals our hurt and allow us to change things through of His presence and power, in the time He has extended to us.

One example of God empowering individuals to change the trajectory of their life is the Civil Rights Movement. While many would say the timing was not ideal, leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. realized that things would not get better with time; they would only get better when individuals used their time to advocate for the change they desired. In 1963, a group of clergyman wrote to the African American community describing Dr. King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) actions in Birmingham, Alabama (also known as Bombingham, Alabama in 1963), to be “unwise and untimely” and suggested that things would get better with time. Dr. King responded to this correspondence with an eloquent defense on his non-violence philosophy and explained why African Americans could not wait for “time” to bring about change. King wrote in his Letter from a Birmingham Jail, “Such an attitude stems from a tragic misconception of time, from the strangely rational notion that there is something in the very flow of time that will inevitably cure all ills. Actually time itself is neutral; it can be used either destructively or constructively. More and more I feel that the people of ill will have used time much more effectively than have the people of good will.” King understood that African Americans could not wait for a better “time” or for someone else to come in “time” and change their plight. No, they had to use the power and time God had given them to march for justice, stage sit–ins, and even rest overnight in jail. If they had waited for time to bring about a change they would’ve been another generation to fall victim to their circumstances due to the “misconception of time” as well as a lack of belief in the God who makes the impossible possible when we put forth an effort.

Another example of God empowering an individual to change the trajectory of their life is recorded in John 5:1–9. There was a lame man who had been a resident at the pool of Bethesda for thirty -eight years waiting for an angel to trouble the water at a certain season (time). For thirty-eight years he had been stuck in one place. He had been hanging around the same place and people for thirty-eight years. He was in a prison with no bars!! One day Jesus was passing through this miserable place and asked the man, “Do you want to be healed?” (John 5:6, ESV) The man proceeded to give Jesus excuses for why he had not been healed. The final excuse the man gives the Master is it wasn’t his time yet because someone always steps in the water before him. Jesus then gives an unexpected reply to this lame, miserable man. He doesn’t offer him any sympathy, instead He gives him three commands, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk” (John 5:8, ESV). What I love about Jesus is He will not give you an imperative that is impossible for you to perform. He tells this man that he has been given the power to change his situation NOW. People would have told him, “Your season is coming.” Jesus told him, “Your time is NOW!!” The man followed the commands of Christ and experienced wholeness. Yes, his life was changed when he embraced the power Christ had granted him.

Does this describe you? Are you sitting idle waiting on time to bring about a change in your circumstances? Maybe you are waiting on someone else to save you from your situation. Remember, God will not do for you what He is calling you to do for yourself. You must recognize the power God has given us through His grace to be agents of change. You have the power to change time, at least aspects of your future. The conclusion of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians is quite encouraging, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20, ESV). Embrace the power at work within you and courageously be that agent of change in your life, your community, and your world to the Glory of God.

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Trusting God's Timing

2/12/2015

10 Comments

“For everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). This is true in all aspects of life and is clearly shown in the production of the movie Selma. The script for the movie, written by David Webb, was completed in 2007; however, there was no one who would fund the production of the film. Surely, 2008 would have seemed to be the perfect time to release a film centered on the Voting Rights Movement, as then Senator Barack Obama was running for the presidency. However, 2008 was not God’s time.

Seven years later, when the possibility of production seemed slim, the film was finally funded in large part by Oprah Winfrey and Harpo Films Company. It took eight years from the completion of the script to the production of the movie. Eight years is a long time to wait when you know you are pregnant with something special that could bless many if it was birthed. Yet, when we look closely, we see how God’s timing was perfect. Providentially, Selma recently has been released during the commemoration and ongoing events of several pivotal moments in Civil Rights History. First, the release of the movie has taken place during the fiftieth year anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a time (March 2015) when the nation will again turn its attention to Selma to commemorate the march for justice and to celebrate the foot soldiers for freedom and equality. Secondly, the movie release has also come at a time when the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is the center of the political debate. On June 25, 2013, the Supreme Court made an unprecedented decision to remove the requirement for some states to gain federal approval before they change voting laws in their state. Such a decision makes it seem as if the Supreme Court has forgotten about the depth of voter discrimination tactics that were employed (in mostly southern states with a dark history of enforcing voter discrimination laws) to deny the fundamental right of any democracy: the right to vote. Thus, this movie could remind activists and educate a new generation about the polluted political ploys of our history that was designed to deny the minority’s voice. Yes, this movie could remind us that what may seem to be no big deal is really a BIG DEAL.

The timing of this movie release shows us that God’s timing is perfect. While we often grow impatient and frustrated waiting on God to usher us into our season, we must trust the timing of the sovereign eternal Creator. The Lord of the universe has sovereign control over all things that transpires in the earth, and I truly believe that nothing “just” happens and that all things happen in His perfect time. And yes, I know this presents a problem for us who have been baptized into a capitalistic society, where the consumer dictates everything. Yes, it’s a problem because we have been taught to believe that we can make things happen on our own. Yes, it’s a problem because our deadline seldom matches God’s appointed time, and we’re faced with the reality that the world doesn’t revolve around me, myself, and mine. And we have to sit in God’s waiting room until He says it’s time. Yet, after we have fussed, complained, and shouted our protest, we realize that God knows best. We learn in hindsight that God’s timing is better than ours. We can rejoice now as we see how God’s hands have brought things together, and He’s so good that He uses our frustration to shape our faithfulness to trust His timing in the future.

What are you trusting God for in this season in your life? Perhaps you feel spiritually pregnant, and you are travailing to give birth to your purpose. Have you been waiting for a window of opportunity to open for you financially, relationally, or emotionally? Or maybe you just have grown disturbed and disappointed with setbacks and false starts. If this describes you, remember God’s wisdom is transcendent; His plan is certain, and His timing is perfect. Even when we are perturbed, we must heed the wisdom of the proverb which tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). God will bring all things to pass at His time, for His glory and for our good. So beloved continue to be faithful; trust God, and wait patiently for His time. His time is always the right time, the best time, our time!!

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Advice for Spiritual Leaders: Hear God and Serve His People!!! (in honor of MLK)

1/21/2015

16 Comments

What a weekend in Selma, Alabama!! I was blessed to interact backstage with the star-studded cast of “Selma the Movie” who came back to this hallowed, historic ground to lead a commemorative march to the Edmund Pettus Bridge in remembrance and honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. I was able to converse with them on a range of issues from Ferguson to economic development through educational investment. There was so much to digest that I am still trying to process all that transpired on that historic day. Therefore, over the next few weeks I will be blogging about my experience, as I internalize and process this glorious privilege I was granted.

Since it was the King Holiday weekend, I was definitely interested in what David Oyelowo would say about the honor and the burden of portraying this heroic figure in “Selma the Movie”. Oyelowo shared the tremendous amount of work he put into understanding Dr. King (Martin) the man. While many know him through his soaring, inspiring and anointed speeches, Oyelowo sought to understand Martin, “the man”, as a husband, as a father and as a friend. In order to do this, he studied a plethora of speeches, articles, and biographies; nevertheless, his most informative sources were primary sources, Dr. King’s friends. Consequently, after sitting with Andrew Young, John Lewis, and others, he concluded that Dr. King was a man of action, a man for the people, a comedic prankster, a man who often spoke of fear as well as uncertainty, and more importantly, he was a man committed to listening to God. Overall, throughout the progression of his life, Dr. King seemed to be a man driven by purpose, not popularity and prized awards.

However, today we live in a society that has been poisoned by a culture of self-proclaimed celebrities. While social media was designed for networking and staying connected with friends, it has contributed to the cultural disease. Social media has unexpectedly given a platform for uninformed minds to spread ignorant thoughts. In addition, social media has caused many to see themselves as a superstar in their own little world, allowing their identity and status in the world to be determined by the amounts of “likes” or “followers” they receive on a daily basis. Sadly, this secular culture has infiltrated the spiritual community as well. Spiritual leaders are often more concerned with expanding their brand than with serving others. Instead of developing as a servant leader based upon the example of Christ, we have resorted to serving our own interests. We see people as a means to our predetermined ends rather than an opportunity to serve with Christ-like compassion and love. Dr. King was a good example for spiritual leaders today. For me personally, Dr. King’s role as a spiritual leader, as told to me from the creditable perspective of Mr. Oyelowo, truly inspired me to steadfastly pursue God’s will for my life and the ministry He has entrusted to me.

Here’s why! Consider Dr. King’s life in the year 1965. During this time, Dr. King was at the pinnacle of his extraordinary career. He had given his famous “I Have A Dream” speech, as well as received the coveted Noble Peace Prize. Furthermore, Dr. King had been offered a position in the White House by President Lyndon B. Johnson to promote his “Great Society” agenda, which focused on combating poverty. Yet, with all this fame and notoriety, Dr. King chose to come to Selma because it was the ideal place to continue to serve the people, as well as to fulfill his divine mission. He like Moses, by faith, chose to suffer affliction with his people rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin (note: Hebrews 11:24 – 25). What happened to this type of leader? Where can we find this selfless spiritual leadership today? Well, it’s not on “Preachers of LA”!! If Dr. King had a twitter account, how would he use it? To promote himself or the God who called him? If he had Facebook, would he seek to challenge us or to condone us? If he had Instagram, would it be full of selfies or service to humanity?

So, I asked Mr. Oyelowo, “What advice do you think Dr. King would give to spiritual leaders in 2015?” His reply was simple but profound. He said, “Spiritual leaders should hear God! Whenever spiritual leaders fail to listen to God, they are bound to fail.” Dr. King felt passionately about hearing God’s voice so that he wouldn’t subsume to the distractive voices of the enemy attempting to pull him away from his calling. Those voices calling him to choose paparazzi over purpose. Those voices beckoning him to seek self-promotion rather than uplifting his brother. Those voices trying to detour him from the hard road of service to a smooth highway of fame. If leaders focus on listening to God and fulfilling His purpose, His voice will drown out the demons seeking to destroy us through self-glorification. We must commit to hearing God so that we can do His will on the earth. Charles Wesley’s hymn should still be the anthem of spiritual leaders. He wrote, “A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify, a never dying soul to save and fit it for the sky. To serve this present age my calling to fulfill, oh may it all my powers engage to do my Master’s will!!” So here is the advice for servant leaders….Hear God, Do His will, Serve His people!!! He will do the promoting, if you do the serving!! What do you think?

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Pastor ODC is the Senior Pastor of Tabernacle Church in Selma, AL and a graduate of Beeson Divinity School. He is a biblical scholar/student with social consciousness that challenges society to examine itself in light of the scripture. He also encourages believers to fulfill their divine purpose to the glory of God. His writing is compelling, convicting, and challenging.

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