hope

Yeah, I’m lazy…

/ pastorlynnmalone / Leave a comment

Due to the laziness of the author, there will be no blog from nottheperfectpastor.com this week. Please tune in next week, when there may (or may not) be another blog post to follow.

I pray you have a good week. I leave you with this simple quote from A. W. Tozer:

“I wouldn’t write one line in defense of God. A God I have to defend isn’t able to take me across the dark river; He can’t save my soul from the magnetic tug of hell. If the God I have to defend cannot deliver me from the Devil’s machinations, there is no hope for me, and I am lost forever. Ah, but my God doesn’t need my defense. He’s the Lord of glory, mighty and great, and yet He meeked himself down to find me.” Authentic Worship: The Path to Greater Unity with God, page 77

Until next time, keep looking up…

Advice to Young Preachers (and maybe some old ones, too)…

/ pastorlynnmalone / 1 Comment

I’ve been preaching for 34 years. It was 34 years ago this month that I preached my first sermon in my home church of Chatham, LA. I’ve been reflective this week as I look back on that event. I remember being scarred stiff, nervous as a long-tailed cat in room full of rocking chairs and utterly exhilarated, all at the same time.

What I remember most, though, is that the sermon was short and I read through it at supersonic speed. It probably lasted all of ten minutes, but for the kid who was delivering the sermon, it felt like an eternity.

I think I’ve come a long way in 34 years. As I reflect on 34 years of preaching, I thought I’d share a few things I’ve learned along the way with any young preachers (and old ones, too) who might read this blog. So, here goes…

1) Stay Teachable

I don’t care that we live in the Information Age and that you grew up with a phone in your hand that holds more information than all the books in the Smithsonian Library. You don’t know it all. How do I think you think you know it all? Because as a 27 year-old young man, I thought I knew it all, too. I didn’t!

No matter how many years you’ve been preaching, there’s always more to learn. Stay humble, be open to correction, and continually seek growth. Whether it’s from books (yes, books!), mentors, or life experience, always be a student of the Word and the world around you.

2) Guard Your Heart

Listen to me, you young whipper-snapper: The Devil is coming after you. No matter what you think, he is working to defeat you and God’s Word, and he will use every tool at his disposal. You are not invincible. How do I know you’re not invincible? Because I wasn’t.

I have fallen. Many times. The Devils attacks never cease. That’s why it is necessary to ALWAYS guard our hearts. The demands of ministry will lead to burnout (been there, done that), frustration, and even moral failure (ask this preacher, and this one and this one, too).

This veteran preacher would warn you to protect your heart—stay faithful to your spouse, keep your integrity intact, and be wary of the temptations that come with being in a position of power or influence.

3) It’s Preparation over Performance

It’s easy for preachers (both young and old) to get caught up in the performance aspect of preaching—delivering a good sermon, impressing the congregation, or even gaining popularity.

Preaching isn’t about performing. Yes, there are aspects of “performance” that every preacher brings to the pulpit. But, preaching isn’t about the performer. It is about communicating the Truth of God’s Word. That can only happen after the preacher has spent time in the Word, given his heart to preparation and been obedient to the Holy Spirit.

This old preacher would remind you to keep Christ at the center of everything you do. The goal is to be a humble vessel for the Lord’s message, not the messenger that gets all the attention. Our job is to point people to Jesus, not to make them admire us.

4) Don’t Fear Failure

I always wanted my next sermon to be better than my last sermon. It is a lofty goal, and one worthy of pursuing. After all, we are supposed to offer our best to the Lord. Give him the best fruit, not the last fruit.

Let this old preacher remind you that you will not hit a home run every time you step up to the plate. Home run? Heck, you’re not even going to get a single every time. A fellow by the name of Josh Gibson holds the all-time record for batting average in professional baseball at .3716. That’s getting a hit less than 40% of the time.

Do your best to prepare (see #3 above). Seriously, I used to contemplate theatrics and drama, bells and whistles, etc., to make the sermon better. I’ve shared about the philosophy that drove that mentality before (see it here), so I won’t unpack that again. I no longer seek out those “dramatic” elements, but the desire for the next sermon to be better than the last one hasn’t gone away.

If you fail (and you will), fail in the delivery. Please, please, please, do not fail in the preparation. Failure is part of the journey. Learn from it (see #1 above), and keep moving forward.

5) Stay in Love with the Lord

This should probably be number 1. Oh, well! I’m not reorganizing the list now. Our ministry can only be as deep as our personal relationship with the Lord. We cannot lead our people where we have not been.

Ministry is a calling that requires spiritual depth. This old preacher would stress the importance of prayer, Bible study, and personal devotion. Without these, your ministry risks becoming shallow and empty, and you’ll struggle to minister effectively to others.

Put another way, your next sermon may be better than the last, but it will only be from the performance aspect.

Staying in love with the Lord will also help you guard your heart (see #2 above).

6) Preach the Gospel, Not the Culture

It’s tempting to give people what they want to hear, but this seasoned preacher would encourage you to always stick to the truth of God’s Word, even when it’s difficult. Our role is not to appease the crowd but to communicate the life-changing truth of the Gospel, which may not always be easy to hear.

You will hear from your congregation occassionally these words: “I come to church to feel good, to get a re-charge.” How do I know you’ll hear that? Because I’ve heard it, too…in every congregation I’ve served. Don’t fall for it. Sometimes the Gospel is meant to challenge us. Live into that reality.

Don’t preach only what’s easy to preach. Preach what is True!

7) Love Your Congregation

It’s easy to get caught up in programs, projects, or numbers, but might this old preacher remind you to genuinely care for your people? Ministering to them requires listening, understanding, and showing them love in practical ways, not just delivering a sermon on Sundays. People need to know you genuinely care about their lives, their struggles, and their joys. Besides, you can’t preach Truth to people you don’t really know.

8) Don’t Do it Alone

Never stop seeking the wisdom of those who’ve been in the trenches before you. The value of mentors is immeasurable. I encourage you young preachers to find and lean on those who have walked the path before, seeking counsel, encouragement, and accountability. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

9) Take Care of Your Family

Your ministry at home is as important as your ministry in the pulpit. Let this old preacher stress the importance of balancing family life with church responsibilities. A healthy marriage and family will not only keep you grounded but will also provide a good model for your congregation. Don’t neglect the people closest to you in the name of serving others.

10) Embrace the Responsibility

Do not take your calling lightly. It is the greatest calling in the world. It is also the most humbling calling in the world when one considers the spiritual destiny of others is in our hands. This old preacher would tell you to be mindful of the heavy burden that comes with leading people in their spiritual journey. Be cautious with your words, actions, and decisions because they can have a profound impact on others’ faith.

Conclusion

So, there are ten things I would say to a young preacher after 34 years in the pulpit. I probably didn’t say them very well. There is probably more I could add, but I figure ten is a solid list to begin with. Maybe we could share a cup of coffee and come up with more.

Maybe you could add more to the list. Please do so in the comments. I’d love to hear them because old preachers need advice, too.

Until next time, keep looking up…

Twenty Minutes a Day: Ten Reasons to Read the Bible in a Year

/ pastorlynnmalone / Leave a comment

I am on a journey (again) to read the Bible in a year. It is a spiritual exercise I’ve practiced before, but I decided it was time to take up the practice once more.

I started the journey on January 1st, but I did something a little different this year, I invited the congregation I pastor to take the journey with me.

We are a congregation in transition (click here to go to our website) (click here to go to our Facebook page), so I thought it might be nice as we seek a vision of God’s calling for our congregation if we could “be on the same page” for this year of discernment.

This year I found an incredibly helpful tool that makes the discipline easier (it is a daunting task, I don’t care what anyone says). It’s the Bible in a Year Bible (find it here). No more flipping from the Old Testament to the New, back to the Psalms and to Proverbs. The readings are all in one place on a couple of pages to make the discipline simpler. I’m down for that!

Now that I’m five days into the process, I’ve rediscovered it takes about twenty minutes a day to read the passages. Twenty minutes a day! I thought it might be helpful if I share ten reasons to spend twenty minutes a day with the Bible, so here goes…

1. Spiritual Growth

One of the most significant reasons to read the Bible in a year is the opportunity for spiritual growth and maturity. The Bible is not just a collection of ancient writings; it is the living Word of God.

Hebrews 4:12 describes Scripture as “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword,” meaning it has the power to change us. Reading the Bible regularly shapes our hearts, minds, and actions, transforming us into the image of Christ.

The more we immerse ourselves in Scripture, the more we grow in wisdom, understanding, and Christlikeness. Over the course of a year, this daily discipline allows for a deep, sustained relationship with God that produces spiritual fruit.

2. Understanding of God’s Word

The Bible is a complex book (book of books, actually) that spans different genres, time periods, and cultures. By committing to read the entire Bible in a year, we gain a better understanding of its structure and message.

Rather than cherry-picking verses that are familiar or comfortable, reading through the Bible helps us understand the broader narrative—God’s creation, His covenant with Israel, the life and teachings of Jesus, and the early church’s development.

An holistic understanding is essential for knowing God more fully and living in light of His truth.

3. A Closer Relationship with God

One of the most intimate ways to develop a relationship with anyone is to spend time with them. In the same way, reading the Bible is an act of seeking God.

The Bible is God’s communication to us—His words of love, instruction, and correction. By setting aside time each day to read Scripture, we invite the Lord to speak directly into our lives.

Whether we’re reading a psalm that comforts, a prophecy that challenges, or a teaching of Jesus that guides us in how to live, each passage is an opportunity for connection. The more we read, the deeper our relationship with the Lord will become. His presence becomes tangible as we learn more about His character, His plans, and His promises.

4. Overcome Challenges

Life is full of challenges, whether they come in the form of personal struggles, health issues, relationship problems, or spiritual doubts. Reading the Bible in a year provides a foundation for facing these difficulties.

The Scriptures are filled with stories of people who encountered hardships—yet through faith, perseverance, and God’s intervention, they overcame. From the Psalms that express raw emotion in times of distress to the letters of Paul that teach endurance through suffering, the Bible offers encouragement, wisdom, and promises for every situation in life.

Regularly reading God’s Word gives us the spiritual armor we need to face life’s trials with hope and confidence.

5. More Knowledge and Wisdom

Knowledge of Scripture is essential for wisdom. The Bible is not only a spiritual guide but also a practical manual for living. Proverbs 2:6 tells us that “the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

Reading the Bible regularly equips us with knowledge that can guide us in every area of life—from decision-making and relationships to work and finances.

The book of Proverbs, in particular, is full of practical advice for living wisely, but the entire Bible is rich with principles that can be applied to modern life.

Whether through moral guidance or examples of wise leaders, reading the Bible in a year enhances both our intellectual understanding and our ability to apply God’s wisdom in daily life.

6. Transformation and Renewal

Romans 12:2 urges believers to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” One of the most powerful ways to renew our mind is through regular exposure to Scripture.

As we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit works to change our thinking and refine our heart. The Bible provides a lens through which we can view the world more clearly, helping us discern truth from error, good from evil, and what is of eternal value from what is fleeting.

As we spend time in God’s Word, our priorities shift, our values realign with His, and our desires are transformed. Over the course of a year, this process of transformation leads to a life that reflects God’s will more clearly.

7. A Deep Appreciation for Jesus Christ

The Bible is ultimately about Jesus Christ—both the Old and New Testaments point to Him as the central figure in God’s redemptive plan.

Reading the Bible in a year gives us a greater appreciation for who Jesus is and what He has done. In the Old Testament, we see foreshadowings of Christ through prophecies, sacrifices, and types. In the New Testament, we witness His life, death, and resurrection.

A year-long journey through the Bible helps us see Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises and the hope for all people. This deeper understanding leads to a greater love and devotion for Christ, as we see more clearly the scope of His work and His sacrifice on our behalf.

8. Stronger Faith

Faith gets stronger by hearing the Word of God. Romans 10:17 tells us, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Regularly reading Scripture deepens our understanding of God’s promises and His faithfulness.

When we read about God’s faithfulness to Abraham, Moses, David, and the early church, we are reminded that God has always kept His Word. This encourages us to trust Him more fully in our own life.

As we see how God has acted in history, we are emboldened to believe that He will continue to act on our behalf. A year of daily Bible reading cultivates a growing faith, rooted in the truth of God’s Word.

9. Inspiration to Share the Gospel

The Bible is not just for personal growth; it is also the foundation of the Christian message. As we read the Bible in a year, we will be better equipped to share the gospel with others (ain’t this what we’re supposed to do?).

The teachings of Jesus, the apostles, and the prophets give us the words to speak when we encounter someone seeking answers to life’s most important questions.

The Bible is filled with verses that highlight God’s love for us, His desire for salvation, and His offer of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. A more thorough understanding of Scripture helps us to communicate the gospel message clearly and confidently, empowering us to be a witness to others.

10. Accomplishment and Discipline

Finally, reading the Bible in a year gives us a sense of accomplishment and develops the discipline of consistent Bible study (Bible study IS a spiritual discipline, after all).

Committing to read the Bible daily is a challenge, but completing it is a rewarding achievement. The Bible is a large book, and reading it in its entirety requires commitment and perseverance. This experience cultivates self-discipline, which is a virtue that extends beyond Bible reading.

By committing to this goal and following through, we not only enrich our spiritual life but also build character. We can look back at the end of the year and marvel at the depth of insight we’ve gained and the personal growth we’ve experienced.

A Closing Thought

So, it’s January 5th. Want to join the journey? Don’t worry! It’s okay to pick up the process now. Just adjust your days by five. So, you won’t be on the same page as me. You’ll still reap the benefits of the process.

Just a word of encouragement before I close…

Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day or two. The spiritual disciplines are not meant to be wicked taskmasters trying to whip us into shape. They are gifts of grace from the Lord meant to draw us closer to Him. Simply start where you left off. Reading the Bible in a year doesn’t have to extend from January 1 to December 31, you know?

Hope this was helpful, and I hope you’ll join me on the journey.

Until next time, keep looking up…

Coming Full Circle (and other random thoughts)…

/ pastorlynnmalone / Leave a comment

It’s almost 2025! Can you believe it? I can’t. As always, a new year’s dawning has caused me to be reflective. I thought I’d share a few of those reflections with you.

Coming Full Circle

I suppose this is not so much a reflection as it is a revelation. Christmas Eve was last Tuesday evening. I was preparing for the Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion Service by laying candles out on the seats in the sanctuary pre-service when it dawned on me that I have come full-circle in ministry. I was doing this Christmas Eve what I was doing the first many Christmas Eve’s of my ministry.

You know how it is in a small church, right? Pastor Fetch does it all to get ready for every service. This is not a complaint in any way, just a revelation that I’ll end ministry the way I began ministry over thirty years ago. And, I’m okay with that. Countless pastors serve their congregations faithfully doing all the little things that make “church” happen from week to week. Being back in the middle of weekly ministry has renewed my appreciation for all those pastors who ARE the church staff.

Yes, I was blessed to climb the ecclesiastical ladder through my years of ministry. I was blessed to grow to and go to congregations that had staff that assisted in the preparations for those “Super Bowl” services like Christmas Eve and Easter. It was real easy to get lazy (lazier?) when you had staff to do a lot of the work for you.

I was likewise blessed to serve as a denominational administrative officer for a period of ministry. Yeah, I got to spend a couple of years not even worrying about those “special” services. The toughest past of Christmas and Easter for me in those days was trying to figure out where I would attend those services. So challenging!

Then, of course, there was the time I spent away from vocational ministry altogether. Yes, it was a brief time, but it was a time that I didn’t know if I would ever lead one of those special services again. I did as “interim” pastor, but for some reason, it just wasn’t the same as those early years of ministry (no offense to those congregations I served as “interim” pastor).

This year was different for some reason. Thirty-three years after entering ministry and I’m the one preparing the sanctuary. That’s coming full circle for me. Kudos to all those pastors in the small churches who have been the ones every year for every service preparing the sanctuary. You are the true warriors of the Kingdom, and with this end of the year reflection, I salute you!

2025 Awaits

Enough of the reflection. The new year also affords us an opportunity to look ahead. I’m especially mindful of the Apostle Paul’s words to the Philippian church as we head into 2025:

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3: 12 – 14 NLT)

There are three words that capture my attention as I read Paul this morning.

Forget

Taking a cue from Paul, I could make a list of all the things about 2024 that I’d like to forget. My problem is I’d likely want to forget the wrong things. Some things are best forgotten, and I’m grateful that God has the capacity and the desire to forget my sins, and to forgive them through the blood of Jesus Christ. I’d want to list all the bad circumstances, the losses, the failures and sadness, but I don’t think that’s what Paul had in mind. 

No, Paul had in mind the things he once considered so important:

We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! 5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.  (Philippians 3: 3b-7 NLT)

Paul forgot the worldly successes in his life. He forgot the achievements that once mattered so much to him. Those are the same things I need to forget going forward.

My achievements don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. What matters most are the times when I’ve grown closer to Christ. I can say without a doubt that my greatest growth has occurred in my failures. Those are the times when God truly revealed His faithfulness and my own faith was strengthened. Those times–I want desperately to remember.

Being a “large” church pastor? Yes, it was nice. Yes, I was blessed. Yes, I am grateful for the opportunity, but I could also count it to my own human effort. Let me forget so that I might consider what the Lord has done, and so that I might gain Him and become one with Him.

Being a District Superintendent? Same thing as above. Nice. Blessed. Grateful. But, if I’m honest, I have to admit I spent a lot of years working the levers of the ecclesiastical machine…serving on the right boards, going to the right meetings, pressing the right flesh…that I could say I achieved those things. Let me count it all loss so that I might gain Him and become one with Him.

Lord, let me forget the right things.

Stretch

One of the images Paul uses in his words to the Philippians is that of a runner stretching toward the tape at the end of a race. Life is certainly a race, but it is a marathon and not a sprint. We’re in it for the long-haul, and we have to keep growing and keep going as we run the race. What ways can I stretch myself in 2025?

One of the ways I’m going to stretch myself in 2025 is to invite more accountability into my life. It’s so easy for each of us (but especially for pastors) to isolate ourselves, and pretend that we can make it on our own. The reality is we can’t. We need each other, and part of what we need each other for is accountability–at least that’s what I need. That’ll be my stretch. What’ll be yours?

Focus

Paul had a goal. He would call it “this one thing.” A good word of advice for this new year is to define the “one thing.”

If we know what the goal is, then we can develop strategies to help make THE goal become the reality. I think, too often, I’ve failed because I’ve tried to do too many things and to be too much to too many.

Certainly, for those of us who call ourselves disciples of Jesus Christ, the goal is to always be a better disciple, but simply stating that fact leaves the achieving a bit nebulous. Focus is specific. State the goal in the beginning. Write it down. Review it daily.

I can’t define your focus for you. Only you can do that. I can tell you my focus for the year. It’s to be a better spouse.

Sure, I need to be a better pastor. My children probably think I need to be a better parent. I know I need to be better engaged in the community, and I’m certain I could be a better follower of Jesus. I want to be all those things, but this year, I’m going to start by being a better spouse.

Does it mean all those other things I want to be are not important? Of course not! But I have to believe that being a better spouse will help me to be better in those places, too. That’s the focus I hear God calling me to in this new year. What about you?

Going for the Gold

Forget. Stretch. Focus. Sounds like my new year is planned. These are not resolutions. They’re just words to guide my new year. I’ll use them in the hope that I’ll come to the end of next year and will have run the race of life with intention and faithfulness. Maybe they’ll help you do the same.

Until next time, keep looking up…

Merry Christmas, Y’all…

/ pastorlynnmalone / Leave a comment

It is really hard for me to believe that another Christmas Day is only three days away. Where does the time go? I know what the “old folks” meant when I used to hear them say, “Time sure does go by fast!” I know what they meant because I’m the “old folks” now.

Of course, I went to the heart doctor (yes, I said “heart doctor”) this week and during the examination he called me young and healthy. It made me feel good, but I thought to myself, “If I’m so young and healthy, why am I in YOUR office?”

Old Folks

I know I’m the “old folks” now because I’m more of a curmudgeon than I’ve ever been. Oh, I’ve always had a bit of curmudgeon in me, but my desire to be more Christ-like has often kept a little bit of a damper on it. The “older” I get, the more I realize that Lord still has a lot of work to do on the curmudgeon aspect of my personality. No, I’m not proud of that fact, but one of the ways the Lord can sanctify it is for me to put it out there in confession, so…

I also know I’m the “old folks” now because this body of mine doesn’t act like it used to act. My metabolism is slower, my muscle mass is shifting, my hair is more gray than brown, and I’ve got wrinkles in places I’ve never had wrinkles before. On top of all that, now I’ve got to deal with high blood pressure. I’ve never had blood pressure problems in my life! Then, the Lord gently reminds me–“Lynn, you’ve never been this old before.”

Talk about frustrating! And to add to the frustration this aging thing has put me in direct conflict with “Big Pharma!” I used to hear everyone complain about the high cost of medications. Now, I have personal experience that casts it in a whole new light. I’m learning that at this age I really can’t afford to be sick. I’m also learning that I can’t afford to get healthy, either.

I’m telling you…this whole “health” thing is nothing but a scam between big Pharma, insurance companies and the government. Those three just keep passing bucks (my bucks!) between their hands until its all gone, and then they come back for more. (Yeah. I know–curmudgeon, right?)

Grateful for Getting Older

Anyway, I really don’t mean to go all curmudgeon on you this holiday season. I am eternally grateful as I reflect on the circumstances of the past couple of weeks. I’m grateful that I’m alive. As the old saying goes, “I’m up and taking nourishment. It’s a good day.” I’m having a really good day!

I’m also grateful for doctors and nurses and other health-care workers who are compassionate and patient with curmudgeons like me. I’m grateful for their knowledge and wisdom, and their willingness to use it to heal. It is a gift they possess, and I’ll receive that gift as best I can, well, because I want to get older!

Getting older. That really is my goal. Well, kinda’ sorta’, anyway. Yes, I want to get older. I want to outlive my dad. My dad died when he was 63. I’m 61 now. Unfortunately, men in my family (on either side) don’t have long histories. A grandfather and a couple of uncles lived to age 72 (and I had 8 uncles). The rest all died before age 70. I get a little more health conscious with every day that passes.

Of course, I tell my children that I intend to live to 100, if for no other reason than to be a burden to them. We’ll see if that really comes to pass.

My Goal in Getting Older

My real goal in getting older is to grow in Christ-likeness…to grow in holiness. Honestly, I thought the older I got, the easier it would be. I’m discovering, though, the older I get and the more I desire to surrender, the more the Devil gets in my business and does all he can to slow the growth.

Isn’t it supposed to get easier the older we get? I thought the longer we walked with the Lord, the closer we became. Oh, yeah. I hear His voice in ways I’ve never heard before. Yes, I feel His presence in ways that bring strength and comfort like I’ve never experienced, but meeting that standard of holiness–well, that’s just another thing altogether. As desperately as I want to attain it, I find myself falling so far short.

It’s frustrating! It is as frustrating spiritually as this “old” body giving way physically. I don’t have any choice at this point but to rely on grace–His grace. The older I get, the more I need His grace to get me through. If I haven’t learned anything else, I’ve learned that.

The older I get, the more my life becomes a cycle of confession and repentance. Of course, the wonderful part of that equation is the experience of His forgiveness. He gently reminds me that His judgment and His mercy met on the cross of Calvary, and that mercy won. So, He shows me His mercy, and the older I get the more He shows me how much mercy I need. Thank you, Lord, for your mercy!

Wow! Some Merry Christmas message this turned out to be! Let me try again…

My prayer for each of you is that you will experience the peace, love and mercy of Jesus Christ this Christmas season…that He will abide with each of you as you grow in His grace, and that you will experience the joy of His mercy everyday in the coming new year…that as you grow older, you might also grow in holiness and in His likeness. May He be born in each of us in new and living ways this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas, y’all!

Until next time, keep looking up…

The Lord’s “Mess”-enger…

/ pastorlynnmalone / Leave a comment

My desk was always a mess! Now, it seems to be the dressing area in my bedroom. Vanessa refuses to clean it up because it’s my mess. I’ll empty my pockets at the end of the day, and there’ll be receipts and such I’ve stuck in my pocket for one reason or another, and they’ll just pile up day after day. No, she never touches my mess! I made the mess, I can clean it up—that’s her motto.

 Here’s the thing, though. Sometimes I get tired of the mess. Sometimes, I realize the mess has got to go—that I really need to clean it up. So, I’ll take the time necessary to pick through, organize, throw away or file everything that’s a part of my mess. There’s a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when the project is completed. It just feels good to get all the mess cleared away. There’s this sense of order emerging out of the chaos that seems to be my life.

I like that feeling, even though I must not like it too much. Vanessa thinks I don’t clean the mess up often enough.

Life is a Mess

I’m not so certain my dresser doesn’t really reflect my life, though I have heard it said that a messy desk (dresser?) reflects an organized mind. Perhaps, in some way, it reflects all our lives…maybe even life itself.

Life just gets messy sometimes, doesn’t it? We have a mess that’s far worse than any clutter we might have around on our desk or on our dresser. Maybe for you, the mess is in the closet or under the bed, but you know there’s a mess somewhere.

For others of us, maybe it’s a mess of someone else’s doing…a mess that is worse than a massive sewer backup in our homes. We have the mess of sin that hangs on us. Sometimes, we need the mess to be cleaned up. And, that’s exactly what God does for us. He cleans and purifies. Not only does God clean and purify us, he prepares the way for that purification to ensure our hearts are ready.

An Old Testament Messenger

Malachi is the last of the Old Testament Prophets. He’s writing a prophecy at a messy time in the life of the nation of Israel. This prophet was writing to the nation after their return to the Promised Land after a 70 year exile into Babylon.

Since their return, Jerusalem had been rebuilt and the temple restored, but the people had not learned their lesson from the exile. They had grown skeptical of God’s love, careless in worship, indifferent to the truth, disobedient to the covenant, faithless in their marriages and stingy in their offerings. In other words, their lives were a mess and the nation was a mess.

It was into that mess that God would use Malachi to plea to His people. It was a plea for God’s people to clean their mess up. Yet he uttered the plea as a hopeful refrain. Yes, it was a mess, but God would send someone to clean up the mess. That’s the message of Advent! That the world needs a Savior indicates the world needs saving!

For Malachi, everything God was going to do was going to happen later—much later. It would be more than 400 years before God would bring these prophecies and promises to completion. And in some respect, you and I are still waiting for the full realization of all that God promises as well.

Malachi begins with a promise from God, “See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me” (Malachi 3:1) We see this promise of one who prepares the way especially clear in the work of John the Baptist more than 400 years after Malachi wrote these words. John is Jesus’ cousin, roughly 6 months older than Jesus, whose work would be to get people ready for Jesus’ ministry. A lot of John’s work is not what we would call fun. He was called on to point out the people’s sins and to call them to repentance.

Confronting Life’s Mess

Not many people like to hear about their sin. In fact, we could safely say that no one likes to hear about their sins. We may recognize that it’s necessary, but it’s never a fun thing to be told that what you’re doing, saying, planning, or thinking is wrong. And yet we need to hear that.

I need to hear my dresser is a mess. You and I need to have the mirror of God’s Word held up to our faces to show us exactly as we are: people who are completely and hopelessly a mess. We’ve taken every opportunity we can to offend God, either consciously or unconsciously. Our hearts are filled with selfishness and envy.

Materialism is our idol. Doubt it? How much will you spend on Christmas this year? And, the people who lived in Malachi’s day weren’t different, and those to whom John the Baptist witnessed were no different. It’s called the human condition. 

Fire and Soap

Malachi uses two images to describe how God would clean up the mess. He describes Jesus as a metal refiner and launderer: “For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver” (Malachi 3:3).

So, what about the “soap and fire”? Malachi gives us an image of both God’s judgment and redemption. On the one hand, the prophet says: when God comes in judgment nobody can stand up against His power. Let’s face it, if God starts ticking-off the sinfulness of a man, who is good enough to say, “I’m better than that.”? To do so would make God a liar.

On the other hand, Malachi gives us a glimpse of redemption in the refiner’s fire and fuller’s soap. We may be sinful and undone before God, but God does something for us that we cannot do for ourselves… he cleans and purifies. This has been God’s intention in every contact with humanity—to make us whole, and to make us fit for relationship with him.

Fuller’s soap is not your average bar of Dove or Ivory; it is a harsh, earthy substance that scrubs away the whole top surface of skin.

The refiner’s fire calls for an interactive change. Refining precious metals is a wonderful picture of what God does for us.

All precious metals dug from the earth have a certain amount of impurities. When subjected to heat, gold will melt and run out of the crucible, leaving the impure stuff behind. The less impurities, the more the shine of your gold ring! It doesn’t matter whether we’re talking about grit in the gold or sin in the soul….getting it out increases the value.

Go down to the local jewelry store and buy your honey a gold ring for Christmas and you’ll discover that jewelry is 99.9% pure. That’s fine for something you wear on the outside. But, did you know that there are other uses for gold that call for the gold to be even more pure?

Do you know what they use in your computer to make all the little connections that spread information all over the world? Gold!

Do you know what metal they use to connect the most important technology in the space shuttle? Gold! 

Do you know that gold, silver, platinum and more precious metals are used in the machines a doctor uses to do your MRI and CAT-scan? Do you know the gold that is used in all that technology is 99.9999% pure?

Jesus is the “Mess”-enger

All that gold is on the inside. You see, it’s great to clean up the mess on the outside, but what really changes the world and our relationships is when we clean up the mess on the inside. That’s why we need Jesus. That why we need his cross. 

It is Jesus who is the refiner and launderer. It is he who will purify the people of the covenant. And, despite our feelings or fears about the matter, this is actually good news! Sin separates us from God. Sin clouds and distorts the good creation God made us to be. And we are helpless to clean ourselves. Enter the refiner of gold and the washer of clothes, to do the cleaning for us.

It is not an easy process, of course. There is pain involved in refining and cleansing. There is pain involved in dying and rising. But it is a process that is designed for our good, for our well-being, to prepare us for the coming of the Lord. God comes into our midst as Emmanuel, comes to destroy the evil in us and in the world, comes to draw us out of death into life.

In the working of the Holy Spirit to create faith in our hearts, Jesus has taken each and every one of us and scrubbed us and burned off the mess that was on and inside of us. And his job isn’t like my job cleaning off my dresser which far too quickly descends into chaos again; Jesus’ work is permanent. When Jesus removes sins, they are gone. When he cleans us, we are clean forever. When we are refined by him, we are pure through eternity.

Jesus had work to do, elbow grease to put into that work. To make us pure, he had to become corrupted; to clean us he had to descend into the muck and mire of sin.

The apostle Paul clearly lays out for us what God did: “God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Jesus gave everything to purify us. In his death we are set free from sin; in his resurrection we are assured of our eternal life with him. We will live because he died and rose. We are pure because he purified us of sin.

Malachi notes that this cleansing will mean a change in people. Before Jesus, we were scared to even think about God. The imperfect cannot stand in the presence of perfection; the sinner cannot stand before the holy God. But now we are not imperfect, but perfect; now we are not impure, but pure. And so now we can approach God in confidence and thankful joy. 

Become the “Mess”-enger, Too

We are able to bring thanksgiving to God for what he’s done for us. The way we do that may vary depending on the day and our particular station in life. Maybe it’s helping an elderly parent in failing health; maybe it’s supporting a coworker who is stressed beyond belief at work; maybe it’s helping a friend who is going to through a difficult time in her life; maybe it’s simply commending the concerns and worries of this life in prayer to the God who can really, actually, bring about a change—the one who can purify the sinful and restore the brokenhearted.

Ultimately, we express our thanks in doing exactly what John the Baptist did: preparing the way for God’s purification. When we thankfully share our faith with others, when we share what Jesus has done, when we lead people into God’s Word to see his pure, perfect, and all-sufficient revelation for mankind, we are preparing the way for the Lord to create faith in their heart as well, that maybe, just maybe, their lives won’t continue to be such a mess because they’ve encountered the Lord’s “Mess”-enger themselves.

Happy Advent!

Until next time, keep looking up…

My Advent Prayer for You…

/ pastorlynnmalone / Leave a comment

Welcome to another Advent season. As this season begins, I’m reflecting on the rich passage from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians—Philippians 1:3-11. It is a prayer of thanksgiving and intercession that reveals the deep affection and partnership Paul shares with the Philippian church.

It is a beautiful expression of gratitude for the work God is doing in the lives of believers and a prayer for their continued growth in faith. I make it my prayer for you and me in this Advent season.

A Prayer for Joy

Paul opens his prayer by expressing his heartfelt gratitude to God for the Philippians:  

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” v. 3-5

Notice the first thing that Paul mentions is joy. Even though Paul is writing this letter from prison, surrounded by hardship and uncertainty, he speaks with joy. His joy does not come from his circumstances but from the deep sense of connection he feels with the Philippians in their shared mission—the gospel partnership.

The word “partnership” in verse 5 comes from the Greek word *koinonia*, which means fellowship or sharing. This word suggests a deep and mutual participation in something greater than themselves, something that binds the hearts of the Philippians and Paul together. It is not merely a partnership in temporal matters but in the eternal work of the gospel. Their shared commitment to the gospel—through supporting Paul’s ministry, sharing the message, and living out their faith—has brought them into a deep fellowship with one another and with God.

As we reflect on this, we should ask ourselves: What brings us joy in our Christian lives? Is it our circumstances, our achievements, or our comfort? Or is it the joy of partnering together in the gospel, sharing in the mission of Christ to proclaim salvation to the world? True joy in the Christian life is found in knowing we are participating in something eternal, something that transcends our struggles and challenges.

In the body of Christ, we are not lone wolves; we are partners in the gospel, united by the love of Christ and the call to advance His Kingdom. This partnership transcends time and space. We are not just united with those around us but with Christians throughout history and across the world.

My prayer is we will take joy in this shared mission.

A Prayer for Assurance

Paul goes on to express his confidence in the work God is doing in the lives of the Philippians:  

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” v. 6

Note Paul’s confidence, not in the Philippians’ ability to carry out the work, but in God’s faithfulness. He is convinced that the work God started in them, the work of salvation and sanctification, will continue until it is completed on the day of Christ Jesus. What a powerful statement of assurance that should comfort all of us who follow Jesus.

When we come to faith in Christ, we are not left to fend for ourselves. God is the one who begins the work, and He is the one who brings it to completion. This is the essence of what we Wesleyans call sanctification—that those who are saved will be kept by God’s power and will grow in holiness until we are fully conformed to the image of Christ at His return.

In our lives, this truth is especially comforting when we face doubts, setbacks, or periods of spiritual dryness. We may wonder if we will ever change or if we will ever see victory over sin. But Paul reminds us that God is at work in us, even when we cannot see it. The process of sanctification—the ongoing work of becoming more like Christ—is a long one, but it is God’s work, and He is faithful to complete it.

This should lead us to a place of both humility and hope. We cannot boast in our progress or accomplishments, for it is God who works in us. But neither should we despair, for God is faithful to finish what He started.

A Prayer for Maturity

Paul ends his prayer for the Philippians’ growth in spiritual maturity:  

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” v. 9-11

Paul prays not merely that they would endure, but that they would grow. His desire for them is not just for outward success or for temporary relief, but for a profound transformation of their hearts and lives. So, what is it that needs transforming?

A Transformation of Love

Paul prays for their love to “abound more and more.”

The foundation of Christian maturity is love—love for God and love for one another. This love is not naïve or sentimental. He prays that their love may abound “in knowledge and depth of insight.”

Our love is to be informed by truth, guided by wisdom, and rooted in an understanding of God’s Word and God’s will. It is not shallow, emotion-driven love but a love that seeks the highest good of others, motivated by the gospel.

A Transformation of Discernment

Paul prays that they may be able to “discern what is best.”

Discernment is crucial for living as faithful followers of Jesus Christ. It is not enough to simply know what is good or acceptable; Disciples are called to know what is best—to seek God’s will in all things and make choices that honor Him. This requires wisdom, prayer, and a deep knowledge of God’s Word.

A Transformation of Purity

Paul also prays that they would be “pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”

It is a prayer for holiness in our lives. We are called to live lives that are set apart for God’s glory, reflecting His character to the world. Purity and blamelessness do not mean perfection in this life, but a continual striving toward righteousness and a heart that is surrendered to Christ.

It’s just another way of saying we must continue to grow in grace–that whole idea of sanctification, again. It really was important to Paul. It should be equally important to us!

A Transformation of Fruitfulness

Finally, Paul prays that they would be “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.”

The fruit of righteousness refers to the evidence of a transformed life–love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control (otherwise known as the fruit of the Spirit–see Galatian 5:22-23).

These acts of righteousness are not the result of our own efforts but come through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, who works in us to produce good works that glorify God.

All of these elements—love, discernment, purity, and fruitfulness—are intertwined. A growing love for God and others leads to greater discernment, which in turn leads to a life marked by purity and good works. And the end result of all this is the glory and praise of God.

Happy Advent

As I reflect on Philippians 1:3-11, I am reminded of the deep joy and privilege I have in being partners with each of you in the gospel. This is a divine calling that unites us with one another and with God’s eternal purposes. We are confident that the work God has begun in us will be completed, and we can be assured that He is faithful to bring us to spiritual maturity.

I pray that your love may abound more and more, that you may have discernment to know what is best, that you may live pure and blameless lives, and that you may bear the fruit of righteousness for the glory of God–and that even more as we see the day of His return approaching (which is really what the Advent season is all about).

Will you also pray these same things for me?

Until next time, keep looking up…

Happy Thanksgiving, Y’all…

/ pastorlynnmalone / Leave a comment

Gratitude is a powerful, transformative attitude that can change the way we experience life. It is more than a polite “thank you” or a seasonal expression of thanks around Thanksgiving dinner; it is a deep, heartfelt acknowledgment of the goodness, grace, and provision of God in all things.

In a world that often encourages comparison, entitlement, and dissatisfaction, gratitude seems to be a rare virtue. And yet, the Bible teaches us that gratitude is not optional for the believer—it is essential. In fact, as we read in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Gratitude is not just a nice gesture, but a command from God, a key part of His will for our lives.

So, why is gratitude so important? How does it impact our relationship with God, with others, and with ourselves? And how can we cultivate an attitude of gratitude, even in challenging circumstances?

God’s Will for Us

The apostle Paul, writing to the church in Thessalonica, reminds us that gratitude is not optional but is the will of God. The will of God in our lives, according to this verse, is not simply that we perform religious duties or follow rules, but that we have a heart of thanksgiving, regardless of our circumstances.

Gratitude is a central part of our spiritual life because it aligns us with God’s heart and helps us acknowledge His goodness. To give thanks is to recognize and celebrate the ways God is at work in our lives, whether in times of abundance or scarcity, joy or sorrow. When we are grateful, we are turning our eyes away from what we lack and focusing on the many ways in which God is present with us, sustaining us, and blessing us.

Paul doesn’t say, “Give thanks for all circumstances,” but “in all circumstances.” There’s a difference. We may not always be thankful for difficult circumstances or suffering—none of us would claim to be grateful for pain, loss, or hardship. But we can still give thanks in those circumstances, trusting that God is with us, that He is faithful, and that He can work even in the darkest moments of our lives.

Gratitude is a response to God’s presence, no matter what life brings our way. It’s an act of faith that says, “I may not understand why things are happening the way they are, but I trust that God is good, and I will thank Him for His constant presence and provision.”

It’s About Perspective

Gratitude has the power to shift our perspective. The apostle Paul knew this well. He wrote to the Philippians from prison, a place of confinement and hardship, yet he spoke often of joy and thankfulness. In Philippians 4:6, he says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Even in a time of suffering, Paul models a posture of thankfulness.

When we focus on gratitude, we shift our attention from the negative, from what’s missing, to what is present. This shift doesn’t deny the reality of our struggles or minimize the pain we might feel, but it helps us to see beyond the immediate challenges and to focus on God’s faithfulness, His provision, and His love. Gratitude helps us to remember that, no matter what is happening around us, God is always good, and He is always at work in our lives.

Remember the Israelites in the wilderness? When they were faced with hunger, they complained and doubted God. But God, in His mercy, provided manna from heaven, daily bread for His people. Instead of responding with gratitude, the Israelites often grumbled and longed for the comforts of Egypt, forgetting the great things God had already done. Their lack of gratitude caused them to forget the goodness of God and to live in a state of discontentment.

How often do we fall into the same pattern? Being a “glass half-empty” guy, I tend to focus on what’s wrong, what’s lacking, and what’s unfair, and I can miss the countless blessings God has already given me.

Gratitude realigns our focus and helps us see the blessings we have, no matter how small or how hidden they may seem in the moment.

It’s About Relationships

One of the most profound impacts of gratitude is on our relationships—both with God and with others. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul writes about the importance of rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks. These are not just individual acts; they are communal expressions of worship and devotion that strengthen the body of Christ.

When we are grateful to God, it deepens our relationship with Him. Gratitude is an expression of trust in God’s character and goodness. It acknowledges that we recognize His work in our lives and that we are dependent on His grace. This kind of gratitude fosters intimacy with God, drawing us closer to Him in love and worship.

Gratitude also strengthens our relationships with others. Think about the power of a simple “thank you.” A word of thanks can build bridges, restore relationships, and create a culture of kindness and appreciation. When we are grateful, we are less likely to take people for granted. We are more inclined to see and affirm the value in others, recognizing the ways in which God has worked through them to bless our lives.

The opposite of gratitude is entitlement. Entitlement says, “I deserve this. I have a right to it.” Gratitude, however, says, “I have received something good that I didn’t earn, and I am thankful.” When we live with a sense of gratitude, we become more humble, more patient, and more generous. We no longer take for granted the things we have, and we are more willing to share with others.

Jesus, of course, is our ultimate example. In the Gospels, we see how Jesus expressed gratitude to His Father, even in moments of distress. When He healed the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19, only one of them returned to thank Him. Jesus was deeply moved by this man’s gratitude and said, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” The act of thanksgiving not only brought physical healing but also spiritual wholeness.

It’s NOT About Circumstances

Gratitude is never contingent on our circumstances. This is especially true when we face difficult or painful seasons in life. Paul’s command to “give thanks in all circumstances” is not just for the good times but for the hard times as well. In fact, gratitude can be most powerful in times of suffering.

Consider the example of Job. After losing everything—his wealth, his health, his children—Job said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21). Job’s words are a profound testament to the power of gratitude in the midst of tragedy. He did not understand why he was suffering, but he chose to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and goodness, even in his pain.

Gratitude in every season of life is a choice, a discipline, and an act of trust. It acknowledges that, while life may not always make sense, God is still good, and He is still worthy of our thanks. When we choose gratitude in hardship, we align ourselves with God’s heart and demonstrate our trust in His faithfulness, even when we cannot see the way forward.

Growing Gratitude

Gratitude, like any virtue, must be cultivated. It does not come naturally, especially when life is difficult or when we feel overwhelmed. But there are practical ways to develop a heart of gratitude:

  1. Practice daily thanksgiving: Start each day by thanking God for the blessings in your life. Even on tough days, there is always something to be thankful for.
  2. Count your blessings: Keep a gratitude journal where you write down the things you’re thankful for. This helps you focus on the positive aspects of life, even during difficult seasons.
  3. Express gratitude to others: Take the time to thank those around you—family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers. Gratitude is contagious and can strengthen your relationships.
  4. Pray with thanksgiving: In your prayers, focus on what God has done for you. Thank Him for His provision, His love, and His faithfulness.

Gratitude is a powerful force that transforms our hearts, our relationships, and our lives. It aligns us with the will of God, shifts our perspective, deepens our relationships with God and others, and helps us to trust God in all circumstances.

As we cultivate an attitude of gratitude, we reflect God’s goodness to the world around us. Let us choose to give thanks in all circumstances, knowing that this is the will of God for us in Christ Jesus.

May our lives be marked by a spirit of thanksgiving, not just when things are going well, but in every season, trusting that God is good, His love endures forever, and His faithfulness never fails.

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all, and until next time (whenever that might be), keep looking up…

Life is About Choices…

/ pastorlynnmalone / 2 Comments

Sometimes a guy just has to choose. No, I’m not talking about this past week’s election, though I certainly could. It is time to move on from that. It’s over and it was somewhat decisive, which are the two things I prayed for. If Donald Trump won, I wanted it to be a clear victory. If Kamala Harris won, likewise I wanted it to be a clear victory. We didn’t need four years of “Russian interference,” or four years of “stolen” elections.

A lot of folks I know gave a big thumbs-up to the election results on Wednesday morning, and an almost equal number of folks I know gave it the thumbs-down. Such is the nature of our divided nation these days, but here is what we followers of Jesus need to remember–we’re not working for a temporal kingdom.

Yes, politics is important and we need to pay attention to it and participate in the process (thankful we live in a country where we can), but it is time for the disciples of Jesus Christ to get down to the real business to which we’re called–building an eternal Kingdom.

Just as a reminder, I recall these words from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain” in Luke’s gospel:

27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30 Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

32 “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! 34 And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.

35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

Luke 6: 27 – 38 (NLT)

Friends, it is time for us to choose to be different from the world because this old world is passing away. It is time for us to choose to live by different standards than power, utility and equal exchange. It is time for us to choose to follow Jesus in building an eternal Kingdom and to live the primary Kingdom principle of love. It is time for us to choose to tell the world about Jesus Christ.

This short video demonstrates why it matters:

@1littlerebel4.0

♬ Love of God – MercyMe

Let’s choose not to be Democrat or Republican. Let’s choose to be Christians. After all, life is about choices.

Speaking of choices, I’m making the choice to step away from blogging for a while. I may return to it someday, but right now, I simply have too many other responsibilities that are demanding my attention, not the least of which is spending my early Sunday mornings preparing to lead worship at Haughton Methodist Church.

So, thanks to all of you who have read my blog over the past many years. It has brought joy to my heart and been a great encouragement when someone would respond to a blog I had written. I hope they have been an encouragement to those who read them.

All I can say now is “I’ll see ya’ on the flip-side!”

Until next time (whenever that might be), keep looking up…

Not Nearly Enough…

/ pastorlynnmalone / Leave a comment

A friend asked me a question this week. It was a simple question asked in sincerity, but it challenged me in a way I haven’t been challenged since I left full-time ministry.

What was the question? “How common in your career did you see pastors and leaders teaching entire sanctification?”

I had to think real hard the last time I heard a sermon on entire sanctification. Honestly, I couldn’t remember one. Honestly, I had to check my sermon file to see if I had ever preached one. Luckily, I found ONE sermon in my file. Entire sanctification is obviously something that was never high on my list of priorities to preach and teach.

Well, if it was impossible for me to remember if I had preached a sermon on entire sanctification, it was impossible to remember hearing one. I could only answer my friend with, “In The United Methodist Church, rarely!”

Perhaps that is what is wrong with The United Methodist Church (or any other Wesleyan denomination). The doctrine of entire sanctification lies at the heart of Wesleyan theology, and yet we (meaning me) rarely heard it preached (or preached it) from a Wesleyan pulpit.

Sure, we mentioned it (or heard it mentioned) in passing, but we never dug deeply into it or spent too much time on it. Let’s face it. When we pastors and laity went to Annual Conference, we didn’t get deep dives into Wesleyan theology. We got motivational speeches and rah-rah talks about best practices in ministry that we could take back to our congregations.

Same thing when we attended leadership conferences. Seriously, how many preachers (and laity) would ever sign up for a conference entitled “Sanctification Summit?” Nah! Not many. Instead, we’d rather flock to conferences with names like “Refuel,” or “The Global Leadership Summit,” or “Disciple Making Summit,” or the “Orange Conference” (what do oranges have to do with ministry?). After all, we want to grow our churches. I mean, isn’t that the point?

Entire Sanctification

Unless you’re a pastor in the Wesleyan tradition, you’re probably asking yourself, “What does he mean by entire sanctification?” I’m glad you asked.

Rev. John Wesley

Sanctification is a $3 theological word that means “holiness.” Well, if we don’t like the word sanctification, we probably like the word holiness even less. Me? Holy? Never! Yet, holiness is at the heart of John Wesley‘s theology, and we Wesleyans ought to be teaching it! Maybe that’s the key to our church growth? Maybe holiness is what will make the church stand out from the culture?

For most folks, holiness is reserved for monks, missionaries, mystics and martyrs, not everyday Mark and Mary. Nothing could be further from the truth. It was Chuck Colson who said, “Holiness is the everyday business of every Christian. It evidences itself in the decisions we make and things we do, hour by hour, day by day.”

Colson is correct, and his statement echoes the words of the Apostle Paul written to the Church at Thessolinica two thousand years ago. God’s will for our lives is holiness. Paul says so right there in chapter 4, verse 3: God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin. The NIV translates it this way: It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality. The KJV says it this way: For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.

Avoiding Holiness

One reason we shy away from holiness as a way of life is because of the “holier-than-thou” crowd. Actually, “holier-than-thou” is not really holiness at all. In Jesus’ day, the “holier-than-thou” crowd turned out to be the Pharisees—arrogant, prideful and self-righteous. Certainly not the traits Jesus would applaud and want his disciples to emulate. Rather, it was the Pharisees for whom Jesus reserved his most scathing condemnations.     

Another reason we might shy away from the word holiness is the word’s close association with the “holiness” movements of the late-19th century, and the Pentecostal and charismatic movements of the mid-to-late 20th century (which actually had their genesis in the Wesleyan tradition).

The extremes of those movements gave too many people in the church permission to separate themselves from holiness. Use whatever excuse we may to lay claim to our own unholiness, it doesn’t change the fact that God’s will for our lives is for us to be holy.

Perhaps a third reason we shy away from the teaching of holiness (entire sanctification) is because we confuse it with “perfection.” We think we have to be perfect, and after all, no one is perfect (boy! don’t I know that to be true?). How can I teach what I am not? How can I be what is impossible to be? Well, let’s go back to Wesley…

The Heart of John Wesley’s Theology

John Wesley helps us understand better in his A Plain Account of Christian Perfection. Holiness is not sinless perfection. Unconscious sin will always remain. No matter what level of holiness we attain, there will always be more room to grow. This fact helps us live in humility. It’s like Jesus would tell the Pharisees, “Take the log out of your own eye before you complain about the speck in your neighbor’s.” Knowing we have further room to grow keeps us from the holier-than-thou attitude.

Wesley would further say that holiness (or perfection) does not mean freedom from errors or mistakes. We’ll always have inaccurate perceptions, deal with deceptive apperances, have clouded memories and distorted opinions based on faulty information. It does not mean the sin nature has been eradicated. The seed of the sin nature still exists, and abiding outside of God’s grace leads to the sin nature conquering us.

And, Lord help us, holiness is not about freedom from temptations. As a matter of fact, Satan’s attacks will likely increase because he thinks he’s losing control.     

Well, if holiness is not that, what is it? For Wesley, as for the Apostle Paul, it is a heart full of love—love for God and love for neighbor. According to Paul, if we love God and love our neighbor, it changes our conduct. As our love for others increases, God establishes our hearts blameless in holiness. Our holiness is reflected in the way we treat others.

Waiting for Sanctification

Wesley, in his sermon The Scripture Way of Salvation would say it thusly:

“It is thus that we wait for entire sanctification; for a full salvation from all our sins, –from pride, self-will, anger, unbelief; or, as the Apostle expresses it, ‘”‘go unto perfection.'”‘ But what is perfection The word has various senses: here it means perfect love. It is love excluding sin; love filling the heart, taking up the whole capacity of the soul. It is love ‘”‘rejoicing evermore, praying without ceasing, in everything giving thanks’.”

“…we wait for entire sanctification…”

We wait. Sanctification is not an overnight thing. Sanctification is growing in grace. Sanctification is a moment-by-moment, day-by-day decision on our part. Yes, it is done through the power of the Holy Spirit, by the surrender of our will to His, but surrender is done daily by our choice–that’s called “free will.”

Attaining and Maintaining

Don’t think you can attain holiness (entire sanctification)? Oh, I think you underestimate the power of grace. Also, how uncouth would it be for the Lord to ask something of us that He knew we couldn’t achieve?

John Wesley said it this way: “Christ died to deliver sinners from not only the guilt but also the power of sin.” Our salvation (which is God’s will for our lives) would be an incomplete salvation unless it delivered us from sin’s power as well as sin’s penalty. God never intended the cross to address only the “judicial” matters of our sin. God equally intended the cross to reshape those who believe toward the holiness to which He calls us.

Salvation is the simplest thing to attain, but it is the hardest thing to maintain. It is in the maintaining that we reach what Wesley termed “entire sanctification, for a full salvation from our sins…” Salvation is attained through the simple act of believing. Salvation is maintained through the difficult act of obedience. Believing and obeying both demand surrender.

Full salvation is a long time coming, but salvation is attained and maintained as a child. As a child trusts to attain and as a child obeys to maintain, but maintaining is so much harder than attaining.

So, how often have we taught entire sanctification? Not nearly often enough. How often should we teach entire sanctification? Well, if we’re truly Wesleyan, a whole lot more often than we have.

Well, that just what I think, but I’m not the perfect pastor, which is probably why I haven’t preached and taught full salvation more often. Maybe by His grace, I’ll do better.

Until next time, keep looking up…