It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. Hebrews 11:27
What do you think of when you hear, “He kept right on going”? Pictures come to my mind of a football game and a common practice when a running back or wide receiver makes a big gain. Everyone on the team points downfield with their arms like they are karate-chopping the air signaling a first down. “Go forward!”
Our first revival meeting consisted of spending an uplifting evening with Pooh Bear and Tinker Bell. Those are Disney character names our guests, Barry and Mari McGuire, have taken for themselves, and they appropriately capture the childlike nature of their faith and of the revival of the simple, straightforward truth of the gospel they both embody.
The first revival was held outdoors without a tent by a river called the Jordan. It was conducted by a fiery, unconventional prophet by the name of John, who was calling people to repent and be baptized because the kingdom of heaven was near. And people came from Jerusalem, all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley to see and hear John. “And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.” (Matthew 3:6) And they kept on coming, not only because of John, but because God was drawing them. People came in droves from all over. This was an unprecedented move of God and people everywhere were convicted. This is what a revival is: a move of God upon the hearts of people.
As we anticipate starting a revival this week here at the Catch, I urge all of you who care about this to listen to last night’s BlogTalkRadio interview with my brother, Pastor, Author and Bible School founder, Dr. David Fischer. And if you don’t care, I encourage you to hear the half-hour interview anyway, because after hearing it, you just might.
You’ve heard of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” Well, this is about fear and trembling (in your town).
I’m going to start today where we left off yesterday: “Either you are dead to the grace of God (it’s all still about you) or you are alive (vulnerable, stumbling, weak, but full of faith). There is nothing in the middle.”
It’s not about you. Never was, never is, never will be. And isn’t that good news?
Even though you were a Christian and you went to church, you were ineffective. Because for the longest time you still thought it was about you. Once you were saved, it was about what you were going to do and be for God. You read books, went to seminars, and heard countless sermons about what you could do for God. God was counting on you. All the things you used to do for yourself, you were now going to do for God. It was a noble cause. But it was still all about you.
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone … Hebrews 12:14
This is a very broad blanket statement. There are no qualifications and no exceptions. “Live in peace with everyone” is all inclusive. It includes enemies, strangers, atheists, people of all races and religions, immigrants, and that neighbor of yours who loves to pick a fight on just about anything! At a time when there is so much enmity, we need to focus on peace.
For here we do not have an enduring city … Hebrews 13:14
Here’s where the Christian subculture went off the rails some time ago. Of course by the Christian subculture I’m speaking of that part of the global church that has gained cultural significance as a moral and political force in society — with an issue-oriented message that has overshadowed the gospel message that once rallied Jesus Freaks around Christ. It’s a subculture that is preoccupied with creating its own safe place in the world, and leads with fear and not faith.
“Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens…” so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. Hebrews 12:26-28
Is anybody feeling a little shaky these days? Like things are a little unstable? We’re talking about what creates instability, nervousness, and dread. In America, the democracy we always thought was so stable is suddenly looking very shaky. Our economy? Shaky. Getting over the pandemic? Shaky. Conservatives and liberals getting along together? Shaky. Politics? Shaky. Elections? Shaky. Job security? Shaky. News sources we can trust? Shaky. Churches, pastors, denominations? Shaky. The future of a healthy planet earth? Shaky. Social stability? Shaky. Racial harmony? Very shaky. Nuclear disarmament? Shaky.
So don’t sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it! Hebrews 12:12-13 MSG
Lest you think this is our own manipulation of the word of God in order to wake everyone up, it’s not. It’s from Eugene Peterson’s translation of the Bible known as The Message, and what he is trying to capture here, in modern vernacular, is not his own interpretation, but the essence of what is in the original manuscripts. These verses harken back to the opening statement of this chapter which urges us to jettison any excess baggage and run with perseverance the race that is before us. (That would be the race of our lives.)
John Fischer The Catch 