This We Believe

Core beliefs govern core behaviors. How we think determines how we live. Or at least that’s the way it should be. Sadly, not all beliefs are consciously perceived, but instead somewhat passively assumed. For example, it is possible to assert with confidence the sovereignty of God over all things as a theological truth, but live as though God were not involved in the day-to-day details of one’s life. Professing to affirm a theistic worldview but living as a practical agnostic is rather an incoherent way to live.

A 2022 survey conducted by Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Research indicated that the theological convictions of professed evangelicals are slipping away from the historical, orthodox teachings of the Scripture. 38 percent of respondents said they were more likely to consider religious belief to be “a matter of personal opinion” rather than “about objective truth,” up from 23 percent in 2020. According to the researchers, “This view makes it easy for individuals to accept biblical teaching that they resonate with while simultaneously rejecting any biblical teaching that is out of step with their own personal views or broader cultural values.”

Consequently, we thought it would be helpful to take the weeks of summer to lay down some fundamental and foundational building blocks on the theological convictions we affirm. THIS WE BELIEVE is our summer series to refresh our core commitments to the truths we assert – and by which we live. Rooted in the Scriptures, revealed by God, we hope to answer the questions that will ground us to live in our confused day. Who is God? Who is Jesus and why did He come? Is the Holy Spirit real? What does it mean to be human? What is God’s purpose for the church?

In Psalm 11, David asked the question: “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Well, in fact, the world is crumbling with confusion, deception, despair and loneliness. Without reliable answers to these questions, we simply can’t experience lasting joy and meaning. Since thinking leads to living, we’re going to build the infrastructure of our minds with the truths of God, praying together that….

Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. -Ephesians 3:17-19

With you on the journey,

Tom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greatest Worth

Greatest Worth

We were made for awe and beauty. There is something in us that awakens when we gaze into the dark night sky and see a million brilliant stars. When we stand on the edge of the Grand Canyon or the coast of a vast ocean. What is big and beautiful stirs us. Several years ago, Lucy and I walked through the Redwood Forest. I remember feeling overwhelming amazement as I looked up through gigantic trees, hundreds of feet in the air. I felt small, and at the same time secure, surrounded by towering strength and longevity. Feeling puny next to the grandeur of the creation was comforting; there is something bigger out there.  
 
The wonders of our world – both the enormous and intricate – are meant to lead us to God. They are the windows of discovery for the ultimate glory of God Himself. These elements of His general revelation are designed that all mankind may see His power and supernatural nature, and then respond with worship, honor and thanks to the Creator-God. He made us worshippers, which is why we love awe and beauty. But O how quickly we are drawn to love lesser things. How quickly the curvature of our worship can turn inward!
 
I know God is of greatest worth so why am I often content to treasure my own autonomy, comfort, pleasure, security, health, wealth, ________, (fill in the blank) more than Him?  I don’t mind feeling insignificant around colossal trees, but why am I so wounded if another person’s words make me feel small?  Sin distorts our sense of greatness and beauty.  We know we’re not the biggest presence in the universe, but sometimes we want the world to revolve around us!   News flash:  It doesn’t!
 
The Apostle Paul reminds us it is not about us! “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36) From our study in Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew the same truth. In fidelity and devotion to God they stood against immense cultural pressure to say, “We will not serve your gods or worship the golden image you have set up.” Idols still beckon today, but God alone is worthy. Let’s stay small, and worship Him who is great.
 
Magnify the Lord with me. Let us exalt His name together.
 
With you on the journey,
 
Tom

Greatest Worth

Certainty

Lucy and I had the privilege of being in Jerusalem last week, part of an 8-day tour of Israel. It was exhilarating to be in the places where our Lord walked, performed miracles, taught the multitudes, and eventually was crucified for us. Our time there coincided with an unusual occurrence: the overlapping observances of Ramadan, Passover, and Easter. Consequently, the city was crowded and chaotic – overflowing with tourists, pilgrims, and protesters. Commerce, religion, and politics all colliding in the small space that is Jerusalem.

It was easy to imagine a similar turmoil for the last days of Jesus in this great city. We stood on the Mount of Olives, walked through what may have been Gethsemane, prayed in front of the Western Wall of the destroyed temple, and ended our tour at a garden tomb, hewn out of a rock wall, under the shadow of a hill that may have been Golgotha. While the precise location of some of these events may not be certain, what happened in Jerusalem 2000 years ago is.

Twenty-six Sunday mornings in the Gospel of Luke have taught us indisputably that our Lord Jesus was moving with purpose to His suffering in Jerusalem and to His death on Calvary. In His final days, religious leaders and political powers conspired together to destroy the Son of Man. The city was brimming with hatred, chaos, darkness, and despair. But God was in Christ accomplishing His predetermined plan to redeem us, to forgive us, and to give us eternal life.

The final words of Jesus exude confident certainty:

 “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
“This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
“It is finished.”
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” 

After His resurrection, even more certitude:

“Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
“You are my witnesses of these things.”
“Have you anything here to eat?”

He’s definitely ALIVE! The tomb is empty. The debt of sin is paid. Despair was overcome by hope. Guilt gave way to forgiveness. Fear was swallowed up by purposeful mission to spread this Good News for All People. May the certainty of the death and resurrection of Jesus bolster your confidence to share the good news. Someone in your world needs to hear it. This weekend would be a fabulous time to invite them to church!

Tom 

 

 

 

 

 

Unity

Unity in the church is a big deal to God. Jesus prayed for it just before He went to the cross to make it possible. In what is often referred to as His “high priestly prayer” (John 17), Jesus specifically asked that all those who would come to believe in Him would be one, just as He and the Father are one. Because the oneness of believers reflects the intimate relationship within the trinity, it glorifies God when there is unity in the church. Further, Jesus prayed for our unity so that the world would know that the Father indeed sent the Son because of His love. Unity among Christians is a witness to the reality of the incarnation and passion of Jesus. It matters to God.

After the resurrection, as the gospel spread and churches formed in city after city, the apostles repeatedly called on Christians to live together in unity for God’s glory and as a witness to a watching world. By appealing directly to the humility of Christ – in both His incarnation and death on a cross – the apostle Paul implored the Philippians to abandon all selfish ambition and conceit in the pursuit of loving service to others. “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” (Philippians 2:2.) A unified church is a joyous church!

This unity was never intended to be uniformity. We all have diverse backgrounds, giftings, passions, and preferences. Our differences make church interesting! And demonstrate that God loves everyone. But we must keep the main thing the main thing. We have one Lord, one Spirit, one hope, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father who is over all. And together we comprise one body – the body of Christ. He loves His church and has instructed us to work hard to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).

Over the last couple months there have been 2,000 people attending Calvary each week across our three campuses. That’s a lot of people to be united with! Thankfully Jesus is praying for us: Father, let them be one, just as you are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us. Let’s join Him in praying that Calvary will continue to move forward together on our mission to build Christ-centered communities of people fully devoted to loving God and loving others.

With you on the journey,

Tom

Joy – Peace – Hope

A few weeks before Christmas I made a purchase on my phone, which seemed altogether routine. Within minutes text messages alerted me to the possibility that my purchase was fraudulent and that I should call this number. I did and was immediately talking to a very convincing woman concerned that I was being taken advantage of. “Would you please give me your email address and phone number to verify who you are?” she asked.
 
I could hear the wind blowing as I offered up my phone number. “Are you outside?” I asked. Her questions for more of my personal information continued. “Wait, who are you?” I demanded. She mumbled something about needing to confirm my identity. I hung up on her. I’m not a complete dummy; just an average one.
 
I then called the fraud department for my credit card and spoke to another kind woman who confirmed the bogus charge – twice the amount of my original purchase attempt. She cancelled it, and then my card, and offered to send a new one. “I’m so stupid,” I muttered. “No,” she assured me, “you’re actually very smart to have called right away. These people are really good at what they do.”
 
Really good at lying and stealing. Nice resume. My anger got the best of me for a while as I contemplated the special place in hell there might be for liars and thieves. Is there a credit card department?
 
All this is just another manifestation of our broken sinful world operating under the influence of the father of lies whose mission is to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10). We know that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19). The prince and the power of the air is now at work in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2). Our spiritual enemy is a liar and a thief. But worse than stealing a few hundred dollars, his mission is to steal our joy, our peace, and our hope.
 
Don’t let Satan steal your joy. Jesus said, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” The key to lasting joy is obedience and rest in our Father’s love. No fuller joy exists. Satan deceives with many counterfeits, but they are fleeting. Faithful abiding is required for lasting joy.
 
Don’t let Satan steal your peace. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” The pathway to peace is not alcohol or money or popularity. These are empty imitations which the enemy champions. The Prince of Peace offers a peace that passes all human understanding even in the worst of times. Come unto me, Jesus says, and I will give you rest. Don’t be fooled by cheap substitutes.
 
Don’t let Satan steal your hope. You have entrusted your life and salvation to the One who is able to save to the uttermost. We have a sure and steadfast anchor for our souls; a hope grounded in the assurance that Jesus has gone before us to the very presence of God and today prays on our behalf. He saves us completely; He will never leave us or forsake us; He is preparing a place for us; He will come again, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. He is our hope. When the scammer of all scams asks you for your personal identity, tell him you are hidden safely IN CHRIST!
 
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
 
With you on the journey,
 
Tom
 
See more.
Joy – John 15:10, 11. 
Peace – John 14:27
Hope – Hebrews 6:19, 20

Going Back in the Box

Lucy and I did a Liberty jigsaw puzzle together over the Christmas holiday. Successfully assembling five hundred and sixty-two wooden pieces of fascinating shapes and colors is both a mental and tactile triumph. (I’m a simple man). There is something joyous about solving a puzzle – putting every piece in its intended place – and bringing order to complexity. There is a measure of genuine satisfaction in seeing the beauty of a final picture as it was created to be. Then, too quickly, it all goes back in the box.

I’m not sure why this particular two-day achievement felt so invigorating, but it probably has something to do with the fact that we actually finished it. So much of life feels incomplete; there is always more to do. Our work is never done. Or in puzzle analogy, the pieces don’t seem to fit together and there are just too many of the same color. Worse, we don’t have the picture on the box to work by!  Rarely, do we get to see how all of life is coming together into the beautiful picture the Creator intended.

But God has provided a picture for ordering the puzzle that sometimes is our life. As we begin another year it will do us well to remember that His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Being immersed in the Word of God is profitable for every mystifying complexity of life. Just as a legend on a map, the truths of the Bible are the single most helpful guide for navigating life in this fallen world. Living under the Bible’s authority helps us understand our purpose (Romans 8:29), order our priorities (Philippians 3:13, 14), and moderate our passions (2 Timothy 2:22).

Here are a few suggestions for starting 2023 with a new commitment to Biblical Authority:

  1. Join us each Sunday in our study of the Gospel of Luke. Read each chapter several times before you arrive
  2. Read through the four gospels two or three times this year
  3. Try again at a “Read Through the Bible in a Year” plan
  4. Read one chapter of Proverbs and three Psalms every day

I’m praying your 2023 will be a year of transforming study in the Word of God. Being grounded in biblical truth is the foundation for thriving as a Christian in the perplexities of this world. Someday, WE’RE all going to go “back in the box.” Until then, steady Bible intake is the key to remaining rooted and grounded in His love. Charles Spurgeon once said, “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to a person that isn’t.”

As 2022 came to a close, the congregation at Calvary gave very generously, especially to the Heart of Advent fund. More than $153,000 was given to advance church planting here and around the world. Thank you for your support of the work God is doing through Calvary. Your generosity changes the world!

With you on the journey,

Tom