The Comfortable Church: Who is God's Best?

This is a preaching manuscript for my Expository Preaching Class at International Graduate School of Leadership, February 11, 2015. 

The True Love Waits Dilemma

I have come to somewhat despise the True love Waits movement and what it has done in my life and even to a handful of church leaders and pastors. It's not really their fault. It's not like their teachings are unbiblical. I actually do believe in waiting for the right time with regard to marriage and sex. The problem is actually what my generation of church leaders have noticed about how we grew up as a result of True Love Waits. We were told to wait for God’s best, and in turn, be God’s best ourselves.

But the question then is, who is God’s best? How do you become one? You see for me, the True Love Waits movement caused me to view God unknowingly as the ultimate vending machine. That he would give me a super car Lamborghini of a wife: Expert on the bible, has generations of disciples under her network of disciples, and has the perfect Christian family! But as we all know it, God doesn’t really give super cars or even supermen and women. He can do that, but in whose terms are we defining the super wife? The super husband? The best that God has to offer us?

Kidding aside, in the same way,  this caused me not just to view “God’s best” differently from God’s point of view, but also caused me to become the youth leader most churches define as a textbook growing and maturing Christian. That as I long as I attended church, I was going to be just fine and and would naturally grow up like a good church boy should! 

photo credit: wagmuna.com

However, I found myself time and again, not making the cut and not fitting the bill as "God's Best". I felt that if church people knew about who I really was, they would see me as I was: Not good enough. True enough, I wasn't the kid who stood out for the right reasons. I was not good enough to remember bible verses and was not great at answering bible questions in Sunday school. So as I grew up in church, I did my best performing "church" and tried to look like a choir boy should and presented myself as “God’s Best”. It also shaped and affected how I treated kids my age. Not just with choir girls I tried to impress, but even with other “troubled” kids: the weird ones, quiet ones, the loud and awkward ones, the confused ones, and the ones with the tattoos... Kids like myself just trying to fit-in and be welcomed. 


I was not aware of it, but I was actually furthering myself away from how God truly viewed me. I somehow faked my way through Sunday School, and hid how I truly felt all because the church was filled with textbook church-loving boy-next-door types. I wanted to be like them to fit in but I didn't want to. I couldn't. Yet I struggled to try because I wanted to fit in badly. So to those who didn't fit the bill? Those who were not choir boys and choir girls? They're nothing but trouble. They're outcasts. They all tried their best to fit in, but they couldn't.

In the same way, in light of Luke 18:9-14, Jesus turned the world upside down by radically challenging the notions and stereotypes people had about the kingdom of God. People thought they had an idea of who would make the cut to enter in. They thought they had it all pegged as to who truly is “God’s Best”! 

Yet as Jesus revealed in this parable, people’s ideas then were far from the beating of God’s heart, and far from who truly made the cut in his kingdom.

Revisiting an Old Story: The Pharisee and The Tax Collector

So Jesus taught about the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee because as Luke recorded it, he wanted to paint the picture of how Jesus and his disciples saw and experienced first-hand how people had become cold and judgmental. How they had drawn lines and boundaries among each other, reverting to trusting their own morality and righteousness by treating others poorly and with contempt (v. 9). This then set the story up by which Jesus, in front of the crowds, described two contrasting personalities: a Pharisee praying to God and giving thanks that he was not like a sinner, like the tax collector (v.11), tremendously happy and secured of his stature as a religious man who fasted and gave tithes regularly (v. 12). While the other, a measly, sinful, hated and ridiculed tax collector, beating on his chest hard, praying and asking for God's forgiveness (v. 13). 

The question then, in light of God’s Kingdom and in light of the parable is this: who truly makes the cut? Who can enter God's kingdom? Why is it that the tax collector, a despised and corrupt sinner, considered righteous and justified by Jesus as opposed to the religious leader, the expert of scripture, the devoted spiritually upright Pharisee (v. 14)? Why doesn't the Pharisee make the cut? Wouldn't he be the obvious choice? 

Figuring Out the Kingdom of God

The answer here is that the kingdom of God is not for those who believe they can earn their way in, but rather for those who believe that they can’t (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4-5). Perfection is not exactly what God looked for back then and is surely not looking for the same today. God is not looking for the most well-versed bible scholar, the most eloquent and active leader, one with the most disciples, the one with the most time spent at church bake sales, medical missions and orphanage outreaches. 

Rather, God is looking for those who turn toward him like an ever dependent child, earnestly, constantly in need of the warmth, security and care of the loving arms of a father (v. 14; 18:8, 15-17). 

It doesn’t matter then what one has and can accomplish, where a person comes from, her family background, or the content of his bank accounts, or even his past failures, her current struggles, her numerous broken relationships and one night stands. What matters most is that the heart is in its rightful place. A heart that is humble and meek, a heart seeking for forgiveness, mercy and grace, exactly just like the Tax Collector. 

Dents, scratches and rough patches unseen in the naked eye can envelope even the mightiest of super cars, the flashiest of Lamborghinis. It is in the same way true with us as a people. People will always have scars, unresolved family issues, past hurts, heartaches and pains. Yet, in spite of having the same kind of unresolved issues and having known the truth of God’s love through Christ, why are we still struggling with how we view and treat other people? Why do we try to tailor fit ourselves and our churches, hoping that we all would be the boy and girl-next-door types, trying hard to look and sound like choir boys and girls? The truth is, God's love abounds for everyone, for all people who seek and desire him earnestly, humbly and repentantly (Matthew 7:7-8)? Yes, even for the tattooed ones, the broken ones, the "back sliding" ones, God's kingdom is for everyone (Romans 8:38-39). 

Even inside our churches, why are we still treating gossip as holy sharing of confidential prayer items? Why are we still arduously comparing successes and failures, analyzing them as if we truly know people's motives and minds? Why do we still pass through the hallways of our churches, our campuses, our dorm rooms and kitchen tables wearing a fake, warm smile?

If we are all truly about community, about truth, about God and about Jesus and about the kingdom of God, then why are we still not coming clean with probably our most difficult issue: PRIDE. 

The Truth about "God’s Best": We All Are 

Even when I was in my ugliest, struggling young self, a kid trying his best not to succumb to peer pressure, temptation and to raging hormones, I was actually in God’s standard, “God’s best” not because of who I am, but because of who Christ is (Galatians 2:17-21). Yet I could not embrace the truth about my faith, about being saved by grace, all because of pride. You see, pride blinds us from viewing ourselves as recipients of grace, and it puts us in a pedestal of religiosity that contrasts and veers ourselves away from those who are not like us, those who won't fit the bill, those who won't make the cut. So then pride destroys how we ought to view people: with grace, mercy, empathy and patience. 

I learned and experienced this truth the hard way, that at the most difficult and painful event in my life, I expected wrath, judgment and ridicule from my youth group. So as I confessed my sin and struggles to my youth leaders and pastors, to my surprise, I found the weirdest of responses. I was embraced. I was assured.

I wasn’t given a painful ear-popping sermon, nor was given the rod and the spanking. I was rebuked hard. I was corrected with the truth of scripture. Yet I was also assured of my place as a disciple, a valuable leader, and a friend. I had fallen into sin, but what my leaders showed me was a compassion I had never felt before. They taught and reminded me that I had not fallen out of my relationship with them, and more importantly, I had not fallen out from the loving assurance and forgiveness of God. 

Photo Credit: trystanowainhughes.files.wordpress.com

As a young leader then, I could not understand and comprehend how I was not asked to strip off of my leadership roles and not asked to stay away from fellowship. Instead, I felt a tighter bond and friendship from my ates and kuyas. As I recovered, I walked side by side with God and with my my leaders not just with bibles, not just with discipleship books and mentoring materials. My ates and kuyas walked alongside me through basketball, mountain biking, food trips, and movie dates. 

And in moments I needed a shoulder to cry on as a result of loneliness, despair and grief, they were there at my worst... still choosing to accept me, patient with me, a sinning, miserable and struggling young man.

Kingdom of God Applied: Real Grace

So this is what it means to be truly humble, to be truly rid of the very same pride that clouded the Pharisee’s hearts. Are our hearts truly in its rightful place, or are we still faking it, still playing "church", pretending as “God’s Best”? How have we viewed, treated and talked about other people? If the Tax Collector would show up in our midweek service, in our lobbies, our cafes and our lunch tables, what would be our heart's response? 

Photo Credit: http://epicinvitation.com

In view then of God’s forgiveness and mercy through Jesus Christ, we too ought to dispense the very same grace just as it was granted to us, and begin to see ourselves and other people the way God sees us. At the end of the day, like the Tax Collector weeping for God’s mercy, we all will find acceptance in God’s kingdom as “God’s best” not because we can earn our way in, but because we understand that we can’t. 


Our acceptance is in God, in his loving arms as our father, welcoming us through Jesus Christ. 

Though we struggle day by day with sin, God willing through the lens of grace, like the Tax Collector, may we too beat and pound our chests in grief. May we, hand in hand as a community, find ourselves all in the same boat, all in need of God’s loving arms, all in need of His mercy and his grace. 

Christianity & Homosexuality: Christians Do (Should) Care

Jason Collins: First active pro sports athlete to come out as gay.

In the wake of Jason Collins' coming out as gay and the prevailing issues on same-sex marriage, I admire the courage of ESPN NBA analyst, writer and Christian Chris Broussard. He did the unthinkable by expressing his Christian beliefs publicly regarding homosexuality. However, in a time when we all talk and preach acceptance and  tolerance, I wonder if there is such left for Christians and for Chris, who politely and explained clearly his position. Chris cared enough to be real about his faith, and be real even to a friend who is a homosexual. 

So for Chris to be real about his faith, I'm going to be real with mine as well. Christian principles and beliefs may be old fashioned, but that does not mean we all have a pitchfork, noose and fire ready for every sinner we see doomed for the eternal fires of hell. Please, it's not like that at all. 

So let’s get down to it. What do we really believe and feel about this issue? Where are we coming from?

The Bible & Sin

Old school as it may seem, what does the bible say about the issue? For Christians, the bible is clear about sin, and there are plenty of references to go to: 

"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." -Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)

“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.  Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.” - Colossians 3:5-6 (NIV)

To be more precise, the bible also mentions homosexual sin along with other sins:

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality" -1 Corinthians 6:9 (NIV)

"For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done." -Romans 1:26-28 (NIV)

So that's getting it straight. We are not sugar coating this. The bible stands firm: All people who practice these sins, are sinners. No, its not just the LBGTs. Practically everyone and anyone who commits these acts are all sinners. Period. Just as adulterers, liars, sexually active unmarried men and women... all of them are sinners. So, in the same way, homosexuals are also sinners, just like everybody else. This is where Chris Broussard is coming from, and this is where I am coming from as a Christian. We're not singling people out, we're saying we're all in the same boat of messed up people in need of Christ!

  

But that does not give a complete picture does it? Because the reality is that so-called spiritually mature and enlightened men and women of faith (whether Christian or not) do have pitchforks ready against the LGBTs! Just scroll down the comments sections on any Jason Collins article, and you will see what I mean. People do hate. Christians hate. But again, that's not the entire story. 

Faith ≠ Hate

Back in college, one of my closest friends was a bisexual. She knew about my faith, and I knew hers, but our beliefs never became an issue with regard to our friendship. We went to classes together, had lunch and dinner during breaks, rode to and from school together, visited each other's houses, and hung-out even outside of school! We knew we were genuine friends regardless of our personal beliefs. Even for  Chris Broussard, Faith was never an issue in terms of how he related to his friends: "I'm a Christian. I don't agree with homosexuality. I think it's a sin, as I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is. [ESPN's] L.Z. [Granderson] knows that. He and I have played on basketball teams together for several years. We've gone out, had lunch together, we've had good conversations, good laughs together. He knows where I stand and I know where he stands. I don't criticize him, he doesn't criticize me, and call me a bigot, call me ignorant, call me intolerant."

I'd like to believe a lot of Christians feel the same way. We're just getting bad rep. 

Our principles and convictions may be different than what is now widely accepted, but it's never an issue with regard to how we genuinely see and treat people. Does that change who I am as a Christian? Of course not. Does that change how I view sin and homosexuality? No. But that doesn't change how I am genuinely fond of my bisexual friend. It never was and will never be an issue with regard to our friendship.

The “Perfect Christian”

I myself admit to struggling with sexual temptation day by day. Any Pastor, Priest or Rabbi who says he has not had any sexual struggle, whether they're married or not, surely is not being honest about their faith. I've talked to many Pastor-colleagues who have expressed that even marriage does not solve their problems with lust and sexual temptation. So the struggles they experienced in puberty? It still haunts them even in their married life today. But does that make us lesser humans? No. I’d like to believe it only proves that even Pastors too do struggle like everyone else. 

So then should two men who struggle with pornography but have differing sexual preferences be viewed and treated differently? The bible is clear that God sees both as sinners, so why should we, specially Christians, treat them differently? Shouldn't we care for them both like how Jesus would care for the both?

The real problem lies when “Perfect Christians” believe that homosexuality is more disgusting, inhumane, revolting, and more sinful than their lesser sinful lives, only committing "lesser" sins. They're perfectly better off than gays. For them, they're the normal ones. To those guys who feel this way? To those who feel disgusted about homosexuals? To those who doesn't want to do anything with homosexuals because they're surely 100% bound for hell? Check and re-read your bibles please: Psalm 86:15; Job 34:19; John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:7-8. Realize that we are all just as much sinful because of our sins against God. 

I repeat however, not all Christians feel they're so much better of. In the same way that not all Muslims are Terrorists, not all Christians preach and breed hatred toward LGBTs. A lot of us do care. There are those who genuinely provide support and a helping hand at a time when the world, including Christians unfortunately, choose not to. Heard of the Gay Christian Network? They minister to LGBTs! They even have healthy dialogue and discussion about homosexuality despite members having differing views on homosexuality. In the end they're still all committed to love, care and understand better LGBTs.

How Jesus Dealt with Sinners

Jesus and the adulterous woman: "Neither do I condemn you."

So how did Christ himself deal with this issue? How did he relate with people deemed "outcasts" of society? For that, we look at an example from scripture: 

"At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus,“Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”" -John 8:2-11 (NIV)

This did not happen just once. This was how he showed he truly loved all people regardless of their background. Time and again, Jesus spent time talking to tax collectors, to adulterers and prostitutes, spent time conversing with them, eating with them and being with them (Luke 15:1-2; Luke 19:7; Matthew 9:10-11). He chose to love the seemingly unlovable, those rejected by society in order to give us all a picture of the type of patience, understanding, mercy and love he expects from his true followers. That's what being a Christian is. Being just like him. But are we really being like him? 

Jesus came for all sinners, that every sinner would have life through him, by people understanding that we all can only live life through a savior who would bridge the gap between the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man. He came that all of us may have a sure hope and a have a real committed loving relationship with God (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4-5; 1 John 4:9-11). That's what Jesus did. If Jesus had only chosen the perfect ones, then we all would never make the final cut, ever. 

Sadly however, a lot of Christians do shove their faith down people's throats to a point that it suffocates, that it bleeds and that it hurts others. A lot of Christians just simply can't get over the fact that they are just as fallen as the guys they are trying to "minister" to. Christians have lost friends and have lost favor from people because of what some brothers and sisters are doing, and I apologize for them. If only we can all be in the same page as Christians. We have portrayed hate and we are sorry. Admittedly, even I myself am guilty of this. We are sorry for our ignorance, for not caring enough, and for not caring at all. We're sorry for hating, for not understanding, and for not loving like how Jesus loved. 

Hear Us Out
I can only hope people can give Chris Broussard and the rest of the Christian community the kind of tolerance, understanding and patience they would give others. We're still a work in progress, but a lot of us are trying and we are doing what we can. Not all Christians are morons, ignorant, insensitive and hateful. So help us out then:

1) Get to Know us! Get to know us first. Have coffee with us, play basketball with us, have dinner with us! Don't judge us right away, please. My church, Greenhills Christian Fellowship - Ortigas, has regular basketball pick-up games every Tuesday night after work, open to everyone and anyone. Even GCF members and PBA players Bitoy Omolon (Air 21) and Jireh Ibanez (Rain or Shine) played with us one time. It's part of our project and ministry called The Shed. So go ahead and attend, we want to hangout with you! For more info about The Shed, please visit: facebook.com/TheShedAtGCFOrtigas.

2) Partner with us! Let's work together to help out those who need help (homosexuals, poor, marginalized, orphans, etc). We understand you don't need pity but simply just want to belong like everyone else. So let's work together then? Check out your local churches and Christian organizations. Have you heard of Liberty Street Clothing? They're helping out survivors from challenging backgrounds through a sustainable business. Ask them how you can help them out! Check out their facebok: facebook.com/LibertyStreetClothing.

3) Pray with us! Christianity is not a faith by and for good people only. It's made up of messed up, sinful people in need of Christ. We're all in the same boat here. So let's all pray for each other: Struggles, concerns, joys, triumphs, everything! In GCF, we have a prayer chapel and a Prayer Hour every Saturday, 4PM led by volunteers and leaders of the Youth and Young Adults Ministry of GCF. Join us!

Final Thoughts
I know this isn't comprehensive enough and still comes of subjective even on a Christian standpoint, but I feel it serves its purpose to establish that we all have common ground. I can only hope for a time when people can just simply play basketball without looking at the color of people's skin, looking at their social status, looking at their physical appearances, looking at people's sexual preference. But as we wait for that day, may we all find the patience and love toward each other as imperfect people, still being chiselled into the masterpieces that we are intended to be.

*Any thoughts on the matter? Suggestions? Likes? Dislikes? Let me know how you feel about the matter by commenting below. Be polite and kind with your comments though please. Thanks!