New Years Resolution Worth Keeping

According to one source, the tradition of the New Year’s Resolution goes all the way back to 153 BC when Janus, (a mythical, two-faced king of early Rome), was placed at the head of the calendar. One of his faces looked backwards into the past year, prompting the people to give gifts to others as restitution for their mistakes. The other face looked forward to the next year and it represented new beginnings.

It’s amazing how sometimes we mirror this ancient culture. In December we give presents, sometimes with the hope of rebuilding relationships, and in January we set out to make a new beginning by developing a New Year’s Resolution. We promise to ourselves that this year will be different, that this year we are going to kick that unhealthy habit. This year we will stop smoking, stop drinking soda, stop eating junk food, stop mistreating our family, stop spending so much money; this year we will stop….

Many times Christians do a similar thing; they use the New Year to dedicate themselves to a new, heightened life of holiness. We get caught up in thinking that the Jesus looking back into last year may be disappointed in me, but the Jesus looking forward into this year is going to be very proud of me, because this year I am going to stop this or that sin. Unfortunately, this is mistaking Jesus for Janus.

Simply put, the Janus type of “repentance” (A New Years Resolution) is turning away from a “bad habit”, which God calls “sin”. While this seems noble and appealing, it is counterfeit repentance because it is incomplete. Many of us are tricked into believing that the Christian life follows this model of merely trying not to sin. We focus our eyes on “the line” of morality, we toe up to it, trying not to cross over it, and we stand paralyzed, hoping we don’t disappoint God again. Unfortunately this is how many, if not most, Christians live their lives, including me sometimes. Let me ask you, is this how you live your Christian life? Just trying not to mess up? Consumed with trying to be righteous? If so, real repentance is absolutely liberating!

The Biblical form of repentance is much different because it is complete. Christian repentance is two-fold. The first part is similar to the Janus tradition, which is turning away from sin. However, the second part is exclusively Christian, it is turning toward God. In Galatians 5:16, Paul is confronting the sin of the Galatians when he gives us a hint of how liberating true repentance can be. Reading closely we see a command: “live by the Spirit,” followed by a promise: “and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” In other words, don’t put a target on your sins and don’t focus on “the line” of morality, rather turn your body around and pursue God. Don’t be consumed with righteousness but rather be consumed by God and the unyielding control of His Holy Spirit. He is the only hope we have to conquer the “desires of the sinful nature” (Gal 5:19-21) and bear “fruit” (Gal 5:22-23)

So if you make a New Year’s Resolution, please don’t vow to stop doing something, but rather resolve to be a God-chaser by yielding to the Holy Spirit as made possible to you by the blood of Jesus. Furthermore, renew this resolution every morning, because it is in this full repentance we find real freedom from the power of sin, enabling us to turn and run freely toward the real King, Jesus Christ.

Expectatations

On October 25^th at 8:40am Tricia and I had our second son Caleb John Jackson. What a wonderful gift from God he is. We are so thankful for the way God has healed him from his pneumonia and made him into a healthy little boy.

With the birth of both my sons, I immediately had some expectations for each of them. My hope is that both would be passionate pursuers of Jesus Christ, instrumental in the building up of His Kingdom and great football players. I even have their life planned out for them (hey, I didn’t say this is healthy). After being stand out quarterbacks at Preble High School, one will go to the University of Missouri and the other to the University of Wisconsin. All four years they will lead their teams to the playoffs and then will meet in the national championship game, each winning it twice. After that they will both play for the Packers and win a few Super Bowls while sharing the MVP trophy.

What do you think? These are realistic expectations right? O.K. before you encourage me to seek therapy, let me share with you about another father who had high expectations of his boy.

Many of you are familiar with how the Christmas Story began and what effect it must have had on Joseph. After finding out that his fiancé was impregnated by someone else, broken hearted and angry, Joseph decided to call off his wedding to Mary. Before he had a chance to announce this decision, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Mat. 1:20-21) This message was further confirmed when the shepherds and Magi visited praising God for baby Jesus. Also when Jesus was presented at the temple and Simeon and Anna proclaim Jesus as the means of salvation for the gentiles and redemption for Jerusalem. My guess is that very early on in Jesus life, all these experiences led Joseph to have very high expectations of his boy.

Baby Jesus was not merely expected to lead the Packers to a Super Bowl win, but to do something far greater! While my expectations of my sons may be too high, I want to challenge all of us that our expectations of Jesus are probably too low! We often think of Jesus merely as a moral example (WWJD) and a ticket to heaven. However, this Birthday Boy is much more than that, He is Savior, Redeemer and King. Therefore He deserves our worship, gratitude and service every month of the year.

A Game of Inches

A Game of Inches

Football is called a game of inches because only a few inches can make the difference between winning and losing. In my short life I cant tell you how many times I have seen a football thrown a few inches too high or a running back stopped a few inches too short or a field goal that ended up a few inches too wide. If you remember just this past week, the Green Bay Packers found themselves four points down against the San Diego Chargers. With only a few minutes left to play the Pac drove down the field for the win and on two different occasions they came up a few inches short of the end zone.

When I hear the phrase, “A Game of Inches Super Bowl XXXIV.” the football game which first comes to my mind is You may remember it. Down by 7 points, with 1:54 left, the Titans started on their own 10 yard line and drove 80 yards down the field (That’s a lot of inches!). With 6 seconds left they snapped the ball at the Rams 10 yard line. As time expired, McNair dropped back and passed the ball to Kevin Dyson who took a couple steps and then was wrapped up by defensive back Mike Jones. As he went down, Dyson stretched the ball out towards the end zone but was a few inches short of the goal line, giving the St. Louis Rams their first ever Super Bowl Title.

Like football, Christian theology is often a game of inches. If we simply memorize a book of the Bible, or take Seminary classes, or read Christian books with really big words in it, or engage in deep theological discussions, but we fail to let that information travel a few inches from our head to our heart, we have lost.

Jesus parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14) is a perfect example of this. The Pharisee knew great amounts of theology and it led him to pride and arrogance. When he went to pray to God, he stood up to be seen by men and thanked God he wasn’t like others and then proceeded to tell God, and all who were present, about how he had performed for God. Then there is the wretched tax collector who knew little theology, but what he did know about the holiness and love of God deeply penetrated his heart. Rather than standing in front for recognition, he stood in back with humility and rather than exalting himself before men, in his brokenness he begs for mercy before God. Jesus then tells us that the tax collector was the one that “went down to his house justified.”

Which are you? Are you the performing Pharisee or the pleading sinner? Which would your family describe you as? The difference between a pleading sinner and a performing Pharisee is a few inches. Let the truths of God’s love not only penetrate your mind, but also your heart.

Why do we baptize babies?

One of the strongest proofs for why we baptize the children of believers is because of the continuity of the Old and New Testament. Baptism of the New Testament is the continuation of Old Testament circumcision (which was administered to children of the Covenant Community). Below is a helpful chart which gives some of the parallels.

Act 16:32-34 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. (33) And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. (34) Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

(Act 16:15)
And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.

(1Co 1:16)
(I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)

Circumcision

Baptism

Col 2:11In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature,[a] not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, Represents: Cutting away of Sin & inclusion into the people of God (Israel) & a life dedicated to God Circumcision done by Christ: is Circumcision of the heart by the Holy Spirit; which transforms our heart Romans 2:29No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.

Col2:12having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. Represents: Washing away of sin and inclusion into the people of God (the Church) & a life dedicated to God Baptism done by Christ: Baptism of the Holy Spirit by the Holy Spirit, which transforms our hearts. Mark1:8 I baptize you with[ a] water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

American Dream

September 2007 Tidings

Prior to leaving for the Monterrey mission trip, my father warned me to be weary of “Montezuma’s Revenge.” The term alludes to a Mexican Emperor from the 16^th century who was colonized by the stronger Western countries and is presently ‘getting back’ at these conquering nations. “Montezuma’s Revenge” is the unhappy consequences a visitor might endure if they choose to drink the un-sterilized water of Mexico. The “revenge” is a three day trip to the nearest bathroom, where the toilets have no seats and the used toilet paper has to be disposed of in a trash can. On August 4^th a group from New Hope traveled to Mexico for a mission trip. Besides un-sterilized water, we also had to adjust to leaving our homes, families, friends, air conditioning, nice ‘toys,’ favorite foods, showers, clean beds, i-pods, toilet seats and much more.

In leaving these comforts of home, I realized that I am often consumed with pursuing happiness in the “American Dream.” In the pursuit of happiness I have sought out the 2 story house, the white (or cedar) picket fence, the 2 car garage, the 2.5 kids, the lake house and the nice boat. In the pursuit of happiness I have sought to climb the corporate ladder so that I might have power over others. In the pursuit of happiness I have endlessly labored so that I might be loved by everyone. On this Monterrey trip, where we visited people who lived in houses made out of shipping pallets, God revealed to us that the “American Dream” of finding happiness by gaining possessions, power and popularity is actually an “American Lie.”

Jesus tells us to pursue happiness in a way that directly opposes the “American Dream.” As He sends out His 12 disciples, Jesus tells them that “Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”[1] J.I. Packer phrases it this way, “The way to find the happiness that God promises is not to seek it as an end in itself, but to forget oneself in the daily preoccupation of seeking God’s glory and doing His will.”[2]

If the American Dream is true, then it makes no sense that Mexico was one of the happiest times for me and for all who went on the trip. The reason we found happiness is because we were surrendering our life to the will and mission of Jesus Christ in Mexico as we should in America. For a week we stopped seeking our own happiness and we sought out God’s glory and power.

So what about you? Where do you pursue happiness? Has it worked or do you just become discontent again and pursue happiness another way? If you are like me all your pursuits have left you wanting more and so I want to suggest we try pursuing happiness Jesus way instead of the American way. Don’t fill your schedule this week with entertaining yourself and seeking happiness apart from pursuing His mission. Instead, surrendered all of your agendas, possessions and relationships to the King of Glory so that He might receive more glory. As you go to work or engage with others, do so not for your own happiness but in the pursuit of the glory and mission of God.

You want to finally find happiness? You want to finally find your life? Then it’s time to try something radical. Lose your life to Jesus today!

Full Bank Account

August 2007 Tidings

This past May much of my family came to St. Louis to celebrate my graduation from Covenant Seminary. They were very generous with both their presence and their presents. One sibling gave me some TGI Friday’s gift cards because He knows that although Tricia and I love to eat out, we are often too cheap to spend the money. During this weekend of graduation we also celebrated my step mother’s (Karen’s) birthday. Tricia made a beautiful card for her and we wrote a nice letter describing how much we appreciated her. As a present, we included in the envelope one of the $20 gift cards I had received for graduation. (Yes! I re-gifted! Remember, we are cheap).

About a month ago I got a call from my Dad because he was afraid that there had been some mistake. He told me that he and Karen went to TGI Fridays and got a very nice meal, but when they went to pay the bill, the $20 gift card only had $1.50 on it. Needless to say, I was busted and had no choice but to openly confess my re-gifting ways.

I often live like I only have a $1.50 in my spiritual bank account, and I think, “Sure it’s better than being broke, but then again it is only $1.50” To put it another way, I take for granted all the riches I have in Christ and I dilute the wonders of what I have received. At the worst, I am deceived into thinking that there is not much of a difference between now and when I was not a Christian, other than a list of rules and a Sunday morning service.

The good news is that despite how rich or poor we might feel on a given day, all who trust in Christ possess the full riches of being united to Him. What are these riches that belong to us? Paul explains that these riches include our redemption purchased by the price of God’s favorite Son. They include the ongoing forgiveness for our sin- riddled life. They include the ability to see the hope of glory to which we are bound. They include being strengthened by the Holy Spirit in our daily walk. They include intimacy with the living God by Christ dwelling in our hearts. They include the wisdom necessary to understand the mystery of God for our salvation. And they include the ability to be a blessing to others so that they too might enjoy the full riches of Christ.

If you have never experienced these riches, it is because you do not know Christ. Change that today by surrendering to Him and you will instantaneously inherit all the treasures of Christ. Unlike a gift card, our riches can never be exhausted or used up. All who are united to Christ are infinitely wealthy in Him and will forever be justified, pardoned, reconciled, adopted, strengthened, forgiven, and redeemed. So, whether your financial bank account is in the black or in the red, if you trust in Christ you are among the richest people on the face of the earth. Believe it because it is true, and live it because His generosity is unending.

Take Me To Your Leader

July 2007 Tidings Article

Summer is a time of many things for many people. For some it is a time of relaxation as they strike up the BBQ or head to the lake. For others, summer is a time filled with church activities, sporting events and summer jobs. For most, it is probably a mixture of both. For the Jackson family this summer has been a time of major transition. After six years, Tricia has hung up her librarian glasses and become a stay at home mom. After twenty years, I have finally finished formal education and have begun a new job. And after three years of living near family and dear friends in St. Louis, we as a family have moved nine hours north to Green Bay.

While all of these transitions are signs that God is blessing us, it is also a season in which He exposes more of the sinful motivations of our heart.

I’m embarrassed to confess that as I meet new people in Green Bay, (that probably includes you!) I am often trying to win their approval. I want to prove to them that I am capable to be the Director of Family Ministries and that I deserve to be followed. As I struggle with these motivations of my heart, I am reminded of one particular class at Covenant Seminary in which our professor shared with us what God had been teaching him in the book of John.

Dr. Skylar shared how when John the Baptist encounters Jesus he exclaims with joy, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!” The next day John saw Jesus again and shouted, “Look, the Lamb of God!” Hearing this, both of John’s disciples (the only two that were with him at the time), left and followed Jesus. Many days later, John’s remaining disciples reported to him that “the one you testified about (Jesus) is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” As if to say, ‘your going to lose all your disciples to Jesus…what are you going to do about it?!’ In response John confesses, “I am not the Christ” and then tells his disciples, “He (Jesus) must become greater; I must become less.”

At the end of his devotional Dr. Skylar asked us to make a public confession by repeating John 1:20. For five minutes we awkwardly stood up one by one and repeated the confession that John the Baptist freely gave to all who asked. Unconvinced that this had sunk into our hearts, Dr. Skylar had us repeat the task a second time. Again, we went around the classroom and confessed to God, to each other and even to ourselves, that “I am not the Christ!”

Now you’re probably thinking, “Dan, I know you’re not the Christ.” I agree, that is plain to see, but if I understood that in my deepest heart, I would probably not be tempted to try and gain my own following.

What about you? Do you know that you are not the Christ? Be weird with me for a second. Say out loud to yourself (maybe even a few times) “I am not the Christ.” Go ahead, let your family overhear you say it; we can explain it to them later.

As you meditate on those words, what is your honest reaction? Do you seize up in fear as you recognize that you are not in control of your own destiny? Are you disappointed to find out that you are incapable of the work God has called you to? Do you feel a bit insecure because you are unworthy of being followed or worshiped?

As we see from John the Baptist, a true encounter with Jesus allows us to breathe a sigh of relief because Christ alone controls our destiny, because Christ alone transforms the work He has called us to and because Christ alone is worthy of being followed and worshiped.

Encounter Jesus for yourself today and trust Him with all of your life. And as you meet new people, direct them to Christ because He is the only One that is worthy of being followed.

“I am not the Christ,” but Jesus is. Praise God.