September 1, 202

     “I wish there was a way to know you were in the good old days before you’ve actually left them” Andy Bernard. If you are old enough to remember the good old days, you might be a little older than me. If on the other hand you wonder what was good about no Tik-Toc and no door dash you might be a little younger than me. We are living in a world where many things have changed. You used to argue with your neighbours, now you can argue with people in different countries. People used to call to catch up. Now they just stalk each other online. Changes in the world have brought many challenges, they have also brought many opportunities. We all sometimes struggle to navigate change. We all know one thing for sure: the people who are older than us are idiots who messed up the world. Also, the people who are younger than us are idiots who are messing up the world. 

     You might think that this is a unique phenomenon facilitated by internet culture and social media. There was once a wise king in Israel, he achieved a great deal in service to God and his people. While he was far from perfect, Solomon could hardly be said to be a fool. However, as we look at the events of 2 Chronicles 10, following the death of Solomon, we find his son Rehoboam stepping into his father’s rather large boots. Rehoboam gathers all of Israel including the popular Jeroboam. Israel brought a message for the new king. We need some relief. Solomon’s requirements of the people were difficult. If you reduce taxes and service expectations, we will serve you. The people saw an opportunity to make their lives better under the new leadership especially during the period of transition. 

Rehoboam asked his father’s advisors (the old guard) for advice. They recommended that Rehoboam give the people what they had asked for. Perhaps this was not the answer Rehoboam was looking for, perhaps he was offended by the implication that he lacked the strength of his father? For these reasons and maybe others he didn’t accept the advice, instead asked his friends who he had grown up with. They were of a very different opinion. They said “Okay Boomer, me and my homies think that’s cap, I’m way more goated than the old guy.” (If you’re struggling to understand that sentence just ask a nine year old.) 

     Generational differences have been around as long as there have been generations. Rehoboam listened to his contemporaries and we all know the rest of the story. Israel under Jeroboam rebelled and the nation was split into Israel in the North and Judah in the south. Previously in 1 Chron. 12:32 we are told that when David was king he has “Men of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” Rehoboam had those men too, and frankly he should have read the situation much better than he did, but pride and self-enrichment blinded him. When it comes to generational conflict the fact is, there is much blame to spread around. The fact is life is difficult. God said that it would be, because we are living in a fallen world. Most people are doing their best to make their way in whatever circumstance they are in. Younger people will do well to heed the wisdom that comes with the experience of years. Older people will do well to remember that they need to teach and develop not just command and expect adherence. Remember that a harsh approach is likely to alienate. Listening to people’s needs and taking them seriously is important for both young and old especially young and old trying to serve together in congregations. 

~ Kevin Cleary

 

August 25, 202

The first recipients of Revelation had been fighting an uphill battle from the start. The second recorded sermon in Acts results in arrest and trial and from that point on it never stops. Steven, James, Paul, and countless others die for their faith. Tertullian was more than accurate when he said, “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” To these faithful fighters Jesus offers hope. 

Hope for the oppressed: 

• Rev 2:25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my word until the end to him I will give authority over many nations 
• Rev 3:9 Behold I will make those of the Synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not but lie behold I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you. 
• Jesus offers these suffering Christians assurance that they have made the right choice and that despite how things may look they will be better off in the end. How often have we seen this lesson and how often do we need to be reminded that while doing the right things will not get you much praise from the world it is well worth it in the long run.

Hope for the lonely:

• Rev 2:24-25 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come. 
• Rev 3:4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 
• Even in these troubled churches there are faithful Christians who are doing their best and must feel sick to see their brethren and the congregation they love going down the garden path. These people Jesus encourages and says just hold on. 

Hope for the sinful, Jesus makes it abundantly plain that he will not tolerate sin in His Church but he also makes it clear that there is an alternative:

• Rev 2:5 Remember therefor from where you have fallen: repent and do the works you did at first. If not I will come and remove your lamp stand from its place unless you repent. 
• Rev 3:1-2 (the dead church) Wake up and strengthen what remains and is about to die for I have not found your works complete in the sight of God. Remember then what you received and heard. Keep it and repent. 
• Rev 3:18-20 (the lukewarm church) I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 
• In all of these cases the church is in trouble yes, but Jesus remains the Saviour and He pleads with them to repent and offers them hope just as He did to the previous groups but with a greater need.

~ Kevin Cleary

 

August 18, 202

The Book of Revelation starts with a very clear introduction. Jesus has a message for the Church. You can’t abandon balance; faithfulness and love must be embodied by the Church. 

We tend to be drawn toward what is important to us, but doing so can easily lead to emphasizing one thing while neglecting another. There must be balance. Faithfulness is not possible without Love and Love without Faithfulness is empty. Repeatedly we see Jesus admonish Churches for being only half what they need to be.

Faithfulness and Love, Revelation 2:2-4  “I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. The Ephesians seems to really want to be right, so much so that they made it all that matters. Being right technically is not the same as being righteous because that is a state of heart.”

Revelation 2:19-20 “I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. While Ephesus cared about being right, Thyatira cared about being loving and serving and they did but then they tolerated false teaching. Part of Loving Jesus is obeying him and obeying him is not possible without the motivation that comes from love.”

Revelation 2:13 “I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. It’s good to resist compromise with the world and to stand up for what’s right even under outside pressure. Sometimes when Satan can’t get to you one way he will try another. This Church has stood up against the world but then allowed false teaching to take hold from within. Again we see that a Church can’t emphasis one area and neglect another.”

If we are to be faithful and effective we must be sure that we don’t sacrifice one aspect of our faith and justify ourselves by pointing to something we are doing right. 

~ Kevin Cleary

 

August 11, 202

The Book of Revelation starts with a very clear introduction: Jesus has a message for the Church. That message will be revealed (revealed is the actual meaning of the word apocalypse) to John. Jesus is portrayed symbolically in his glorified form  – he has a sharp sword coming from his mouth and he stands among the seven churches. For Christians in a time of distress could there ever be a more encouraging image? The Lord Almighty is among you, watching over you. From this perspective Jesus begins his message by addressing the Churches. Jesus knows, he knows his churches intimately and nothing is hidden from him. 

“I know” is how Jesus begins his address each time, whether the message is one of encouragement or one of reprimand, “I know” carries a lot of weight. To the child who has been up to no good, “I know” brings him or her up short. To the one suffering loss, loneliness and fear, “I know” brings comfort and assurance and the connection that can only exist with someone who has walked the same road that we are walking.

Jesus knows what we are dealing with:

• Rev 2:2 I know your works, your toil, and your patient endurance…I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake and you have not grown weary
• Rev 2:9 I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not.
• Rev 2:13 I know you dwell where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast to my name.
• Rev 2:15 I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance.
• Rev 3:8 I know you have but a little power and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
• Jesus knows when we are struggling he knows when we feel beaten and alone he knows how long we have been holding on and he wants us to know that he is with us.

Jesus knows who and what we really are, there is no fooling anyone:

• Rev 3:1 I know your works, you have the reputation of being alive but you are dead.
• Rev 3:15 I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot, you say I am rich… not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
• It’s easy to put on a good show and tell the world that you have all the answers to claim your good and righteous. You may fool some people, maybe even yourself, but you can’t fool Jesus, so time to give up the charade.
• In all we do as Churches we must remember that we belong to Christ and can only live if we live in Him. If we do then nothing can extinguish our light. If not, we are just dead branches to be gathered up and burned (Jn 15:6). 

In all times and circumstances Jesus knows, he is with us he is watching us and encouraging us. In every moment, victory of defeat, temptation or determination, Jesus is there. May we be blessed and encouraged by always keeping this truth in our minds

~ Kevin Cleary

 

August 4, 202

     Anyone who has owned a dog can appreciate the sentiment of the statement above. One of the great and sad things about dogs is their devotion. Many pet owners have experienced their dogs looking up to them, trusting them, and following them anywhere without hesitation. This positive regard goes a long way in cementing the relationship between a dog and it’s master. 

     I recently experienced the tenacity of my dog’s devotion. I was carrying a large armful of groceries and trying to get in the back door. I didn’t notice that Apollo was trying to get in with me. When I worked my way through the door I let it slam right onto the dog. He yelped and ran from the door with his tail between his legs. I set down the groceries and wanted to make sure he was okay. I kneeled down and called him. Even though I had just slammed the door on him he came without hesitation. I gave him a pat and looked at his back leg which was fine. 

     Many pet owners could tell similar stories about how they were forgiven immediately by their pets even after doing worse things than slamming a door. These experiences help us to appreciate the sentiment of the saying from the title “Lord help me be the person my dog thinks I am.” However there is another statement we take from our interactions with dogs, “once bitten twice shy.” This expresses there very human tendency to avoid painful situations. 

     In our lives we will often encounter people that for various reasons will do the equivalent of slamming the door on us. The slight may be on purpose or by mistake, but the hurt is real either way. It’s tempting in situations like that to write people off and avoid them. To give up on them and avoid the possible hurt coming at our next interaction. 

     Imagine what a state we would be in if Jesus took that approach. During his ministry he was repeatedly rejected, challenged, and even attacked. He could have simply given up on humanity and left us to our deserved fate. Instead Jesus endured greater pain and further rejection on the cross and then through history as the bulk of humanity has continued to reject him. 

     In the famous Love chapter, the Holy Spirit reveals that love is paramount, and then describes it as bearing all things, believing all things, hoping all things, and enduring all things. Let’s adopt the attitude that our dogs have about us but apply it as Jesus did to all those around us. Let’s commit to doing that even when we are hurt and there is potential to be hurt again. Let’s allow the scriptures’ description of love be a description of us.

Perhaps we could learn something about love by considering our pets, but especially by considering the scriptures.

~ Kevin Cleary