Tag: jesus

This Pastor Needs the Jesus of Easter Maybe You Do Too

On By Rob Prince2 Comments

In my sixth decade of life and closing in on my fourth decade as a pastor, I hope I’m not turning into the stereotypical codger saying, “Get off my lawn, you blank-ity-blank kids.” Life could easily devolve if I lose my Center. Fixing my eyes on the Jesus of Easter is my only hope.

The church isn’t fair. Nepotism, cronyism, fundamentalism, materialism and a host of other bad “isms” infect the church. I need to constantly remind myself Jesus is the way.

Church leaders (both lay and clergy) have flat out lied to me. Not little white lies. Big black lies. I get it. The church is made up of people and people are people and sometimes people bare false witness. That’s why it’s so important to focus on Jesus. He is the Truth.

People are angrier. Less respectful. Have greater expectations and less patience. It can suck the life right out of you. That’s why it is so important to remember that Jesus is the Life.

I’ve been figuratively punched in the stomach plenty of times. I’d heal quicker from a literal punch. Jesus takes care of His battered sheep. He is the Good Shepherd.

It’s easy to get distracted. I’m at my best when connected to Jesus. He is the Vine.

When depleted and defeated, hungering for truth and justice, it’s Jesus who fills me. He is the Bread of Life. 

In dark times, and there have been dark times, He rescues and redeems. Jesus is the Light. 

When I feel boxed in, trapped by life’s circumstances, through him there is peace. Jesus is the Gate. 

This Easter season, I need to be reminded, maybe more now than ever, He makes the impossible possible. Jesus is the Resurrection!

I’m still trusting in the GREAT I AM.

Jesus Demands We Give Up a Whole Lot More for Lent than Coffee or Chocolate

On By Rob Prince1 Comment

Christians around the world begin observing the season of Lent today. It’s Ash Wednesday. Many people in observance of this season will fast from something dear to them. You’ve heard folks say, “I’m giving up ______ for Lent.” The fill in the blank answer can be anything from coffee to alcohol to chocolate to TV to social media to you-name-it. 

Of course, Jesus didn’t speak about the season of Lent. “Lent” isn’t mentioned in the Bible. Jesus never said, “Hey in the 40 days leading up to my death and resurrection, do this?” He never told us to give up chocolate or coffee. What he told us to give up was much, much more.

In discussing the cost of being a disciple in Luke 14, Jesus said these words:  those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples” (Luke 14:33. Underlining mine). “Everything” is a little bit bigger ask than giving up donuts or coffee. “Everything” is, well, everything. Clearly, Jesus hasn’t asked us to leave everything like he instructed the rich young ruler… or has he? Our attempts to distance ourselves from the rich young ruler seems to justify our exemption from Jesus’ leave-everything-and-follow-me instruction. We say we are nothing like the Rich Young Ruler (Truth Alert: By world’s standards nearly all Americans are rich). Our excuse making leads us to thinking we don’t need to leave everything, in fact, we don’t need to leave anything to follow Jesus.

Contrary to popular belief, Jesus doesn’t promote an easy way. His demands are hard. He said,“small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13)?  We like to think that the road to life is wide and most everyone is on it… ummm… maybe not. Jesus also said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23). We like to think if we are doing the big and mighty (read: prophesying, chasing demons and miracles or in our context– preaching, putting the Enemy to shame in big ways or leading miraculous ministries), then clearly we are doing God’s will…. ummm… maybe not. We like to think if we say the magic words (Read: Lord, Lord) then we are “in”… ummm…maybe not. The black-and-white demands of Jesus should make all would-be followers take notice.

What if we were to take Jesus literally. What if Jesus meant what he said? What if (not just for Lent but for all times) we give up everything. We take up a cross and follow him (Jesus said to do that too). We give up our rights. We give up having things our way. We give up our importance. We give up our demands. We give up our position. 

The way of the cross is the road of humility. It’s the road of peace-making. It’s the road of gentleness, kindness, patience, faithfulness and self-control. It’s the road that refuses to gossip, grumble and backbite (social media included). It’s the high road. The Jesus road. The narrow road.  

What if this season of Lent (and always) we acknowledge that Jesus calls us to give up everything—that’s a whole lot more than chocolate or coffee for 40 days.

Have American Christians Chosen Easy over Faithful?

On By Rob PrinceLeave a comment

It’s easier to put forth a mission statement to “Make Christ-like Disciples in the nations” than it is to make a Christ-like disciple in one’s hometown.

It’s easier to blame the plethora of factors that have contributed to the decline in the church than it is to except responsibility for one’s own lack of effort or involvement in disciple making. 

It’s easier to say, “All of Scripture is God-breathed” than it is to follow one verse such as, “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself” (Leviticus 19:34).

It’s easier to think “Love your enemies” only applies to a superficial, ambiguous “enemy” in the great big world and not to one’s rival at work or school or church.

It’s easier to show a poster on social media stating that a denomination, like Jesus, stands with the outcast, than it is to engage the messy, complicated, long-hours-of-conversation with a trouble person struggling with identity, belonging, faith and life.

It’s easier to read “Love your neighbor” than it is to know the names of those people who live in one’s neighborhood. 

It’s easier to eat at Ruth’s Chris Steak House than it is to feed the hungry.

It’s easier to drink Fiji Natural Artesian Water ($3+ per bottle) than it is to build a well in Africa for those without access to clean drinking water.

It’s easier to live behind double locked doors, than to invite the stranger in.

It’s easier to buy another item for an overstuffed closet than it is to clothe the naked.

It’s easier to talk about being tough on crime, than it is to visit a prisoner.

It’s easier to place the elderly and infirmed into a facility and quickly ignore them, then it is to visit and care for them. 

It’s easier to rationalize Jesus warning in Matthew 25 than to heed His words: For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’(Matthew 25:42-43). 

It’s easy to choose the wide, crowded road than the narrow, lonely path.

It’s easier. Not better. Not faithful. Just easier.  

(FYI…it doesn’t end well for “easy.” See Matthew 7:13-14)

Dear Grand Blanc $842 Million Powerball Winner

On By Rob Prince1 Comment

This week’s winning $842 million Powerball jackpot ticket was sold at the Food Castle in Grand Blanc, Michigan– about a mile or so from my house. I didn’t buy the ticket. If I had, I would have had to turn in my credentials (Nazarene’s frown on gambling as we view it as an addictive tax on the poor) and I wouldn’t be writing this little blog (I’d be in Italy or someplace exotic). I didn’t win it. But if you did, here are a few tips.

Dear Grand Blanc $842 Million Powerball Winner,

Be careful. The Apostle Paul wrote: The love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10). You are about to see the truth of this Bible verse. Since in Michigan you can’t remain anonymous following winning a multi-state lottery, soon every acquaintance you have ever had will instantly want to be your best friend. Be very careful. Folks will turn to all sorts of evil intentions once they know you are sitting on a windfall. 

Be mindful. Jesus had some harsh words for rich folks. He said, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24). Gulp! But two verses later in explaining those words Jesus said, “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 21:26). Whew! So it’s not impossible for things to end well for you, but it is difficult. There will be plenty of distractions that your new wealth can buy. Money has a tendency to make one suspicious (see about comments about being careful), gluttonous and prideful. It can make one lose sight of what’s truly important in life (Hint: It’s not money). 

Be generous. In another place, the Apostle Paul wrote, God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6). Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38). You have the rare opportunity to be super generous and still have plenty left over for you and your family’s future. 

Be refreshing. Proverbs 11:25 states: A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. The common thinking is that money changes people. It does. You won’t be the same now that your bank account has an extra $842 million dollars in in ($475 million if you take the one time buy out). But that doesn’t mean you’ll be worse. Be better. Use your money wisely. Don’t be in the statistic of the lottery winners who blew it all and ended depressed, friendless and penniless. Be the secret Santa that blesses people and worthy institutions. Be the kindhearted uncle that pays that gifted niece or nephew’s way through college. Be a better person than the who you are right now, and who you were when you bought the winning ticket. 

Finally, Paul wrote these words to his young apprentice Timothy on dealing with those who have wealth. It would be my final reminder for you as well: 

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

You’ve been given a rare opportunity to be a blessing. Pray and use your new found wealth to do just that!

Your friend,

Rob

P.S. For the rest of us, who didn’t play (me) or didn’t win (probably you), the above tips regarding money are true for us as well. God has blessed all of us to be a blessing. Let’s do that thought out 2024.

Dear Potential Christmas Eve Worshipper!

On By Rob Prince

Merry Christmas! 

I’m not sure what led you to contemplate coming to the Christmas Eve Candlelight service…

  • Maybe your grandma invited you to the Christmas Eve Candlelight service at Central Church. Who can say, “no” to grandma?
  • Maybe Central Church is your church, you just aren’t here much these days. Life has become busy and Sunday mornings are a challenge for you.
  • Maybe you saw on social media a picture of last year’s candlelight service and you’ve thought, “That looks pretty neat, I’m going.”
  • Maybe you’ve been thinking about trying out a church service and Christmas Eve seems like a good time to try it (FYI… You’re not wrong).
  • Maybe it’s none of those reasons, still you are planning to join the Christmas Eve Service at Central Church this Sunday at 5PM.

Yahoo! I’m so glad you will be at Central Church. 

I’m biased, super biased, so take this with a grain of salt, but I love our traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Except for Easter (duh!) it’s my favorite service of the year. 

What to Expect: 

  • A super warm welcome at the door. We’ve got great greeters.
  • A photo booth in the lobby. If you and your family want to take a Christmas picture, say “Cheese.”
  • Another warm welcome by an usher who will hand you an order of the service and ask you to take a candle. Don’t be surprised if you think, “There are nice people at this church.” I think that too.
  • A cozy pew or a balcony comfy seat. They aren’t Lazy boys but still comfortable
  • Friendly worshippers in your aisle Please note: the worshippers in your aisle might be new too, so pretend you are not new and greet them with a smile and “Merry Christmas!”
  • An orchestra rendition of a Trans-Siberian Orchestra song. You’ll love it. Trust me.
  • A lot of carols (join in singing or simply listen. Warning: You’ll probably start singing too. It’s hard not to join in. To quote Buddy the Elf,  “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”)
  • Some brief scripture passages read from Luke 2. The Christmas story, of course. We won’t be reading from the Book of Lamentations on Christmas Eve. 
  • A choir and orchestra with a powerful Christmas song. Be prepared for a jaw dropping “Wow!” to come out of your mouth. 
  • A cute kids’ Christmas video. Hey, who doesn’t love a cute kids’ Christmas videos?
  • A brief message by yours truly. The common misnomer –ahem– is that “brief” and “sermon” can’t be used in the same sentence, I’ll do my best to change that narrative.
  • Lighting a candle and sing Silent night (see the above Buddy the Elf quote) with a 1200+ of your newest friends. The warm glow in the sanctuary will be one of the most beautiful moments you will experience. No joke, it’s awesome!

Best of all what to expect:

God Almighty (that’s right the Creator of the universe, who came to earth as a baby in Bethlehem, grew to be a man, was arrested, beaten, crucified and buried, then rose on third day, and later ascended to heaven—that God Almighty) will very probably speak to you. Somewhere in the service—maybe in the singing, scripture reading, brief message from your truly (yes, brief) or when you’re singing Silent night—God Almighty will speak to you. Probably not in an audible voice, more likely in a deep-in-your-bones reality. You’ll get a sense that God loves you and wants the very best for you. You’ll get the impression that if God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. It’s a Divine Appointment, God has you on His calendar!

What to do next: 

Be receptive. Be open. Be honest. Be real. Be ready to receive the best Christmas gift ever—Jesus himself! 

Can’t wait to see you on December 24th at 5PM!

I’ll be the guy wearing a jacket, holding a Bible and doing my best to remember the K.I.S.S. Sermon method (Keep It Short, Silly). 

See you soon!

Pastor Rob

P.S. We have an “unplugged” service on Christmas Eve morning at 11AM. No Drums, no candles (except for in the advent wreathe) just a “chill-lax” service led by Pastor Joel Close (and a couple of other Close family members), singing carols and Pastor Jon Gildner keeping us focused on the Prince of Peace. I think you’ll love that service too.