Nick Poindexter

My style's like a chemical spill

Month: October 2010

Religious Fashion Shows

October 27, 2010 / / 0 Comments

Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
-Deuteronomy 6:8 (NIV)

In the Jewish culture, statements like these in scripture were often taken literally. Very literally. Jewish men would sometimes wear what’s called a phylactery, a small box containing scrolls of scripture that were attached to their hands and foreheads. The purpose behind this verse in Deuteronomy was to symbolically keep their faith in God close to their hands and minds, but many Pharisees and scribes acted it out for notoriety. That’s why Jesus calls them out on this practice in Matthew 23:5. The Message describes them as “religious fashion shows.” Ouch.

Whether we admit it or not, just like the hypocritical Pharisees and scribes, we ultimately want it to appear that we’ve got it all together in the religion department as well. If I’m honest with myself, I wonder how many “symbols” of my faith are really just there for show…

Do I really use that enormous, 8-inch thick Bible on the coffee table, or do I just want others who enter my home to think I’m a consistent Bible reader? Do I really wear that cross necklace as a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice, or do I just want others to think I’m a “good guy”? Do I really listen to Christian music as a way to worship my God, or do I just not want others to think I listen to the “bad” stuff? Do I really bring my Bible to church every Sunday morning because I desperately want to dig into the Word, or do I just want others to be impressed? Do I really want to show thankfulness to my Father for taking care of my every need, or do I just not want the booth next to me at the restaurant to think I’m an unbeliever?

When things that are supposed to remind us of God instead become things to draw attention to ourselves, then the original purpose is completely disgraced. Whether its a phylactery or a coffee table Bible, the intent has to be about remembrance, not reputation.

Otherwise, it’s just a religious fashion show.

I Yam What I Yam

October 25, 2010 / / 0 Comments

Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before.

“I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.
-1 Samuel 17:38-40 (NLT)

One of my favorite cartoon characters has always been the spinach-lovin’ sailor Popeye. In particular, I love his personal mantra, “I yam what I yam.” No matter what his others said about him, Popeye stood firm in understanding his identity.

In 1 Samuel Chapter 17, right as the young shepherd David finally convinces King Saul that he should be the one to fight the Philistine warrior Goliath, an easily-overlooked conversation occurs between the two. Saul gave the boy a helmet, armor and a sword — everything one would need for battle. But when David tries them on, it just doesn’t work. I can imagine the helmet sliding on his head, the mail weighing him down, and the sword almost tipping him over.

A solider just isn’t who David was.

Instead, true to his character as a shepherd, David picks five stones and heads toward the giant with only his staff and sling. And of course, as the story goes, David defeats and kills Goliath with one quick hurl of his sling.

I believe we often think about ourselves in the fashion that Saul thought about David. We essentially try to make ourselves into people we’re not, many times at the suggestion of others. Instead of focusing on maximizing who God has made us to be at this very moment in time, we are enamored with being everything that we think we should be. So we cover ourselves with “armor” — things that are cumbersome and a hindrance. Things that aren’t in accord with who God has made us to be right now.

Despite Saul’s best intentions, the story probably would have ended differently had David waddled out into the valley dressed up as a solider. I wonder what part of God’s story for my life I might have hindered by playing pretend as well?

I can try to make my self into someone I’m not, but who am I fooling? Certainly not God.

I yam what I yam.

In Jesus’ Name

October 18, 2010 / / 0 Comments

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
-John 14:13-14 (NIV)

Your head is bowed, your eyes are closed, and you are listening as someone leads in prayer. And then you hear the usual closing words: “We ask all these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.” The prayer is officially complete.

But why do we close our audible prayers to God in this way?

The idea is taught in these verses from the Gospel of John. At first glance it might seem that you can simply tag this line to the end of any prayer and get what you want, but that’s not the case at all. Does Jesus want to do whatever we ask of him? Yes, but with a caveat… He will do anything we ask that brings glory to God.

In Jesus’ day, a person’s name embodied what they were like. So to pray in the name of Jesus simply meant you were asking for something consistent with his character. Jesus will gladly answer those requests because through them his Father will be glorified.

Many people unfortunately view prayer as a magic formula where we list our selfish cravings. But if what we ask for clearly isn’t in line with God’s will, then those words are vain and meaningless.

Using “in Jesus’ name” in a prayer isn’t necessarily right nor wrong. But it is absolutely not a secret password that gets you an all-access pass to God. It’s not about the words we use; it’s about our intent.

So ask yourself this question: If all your prayers were answered, who would get the credit? You, someone else, or God the Father?

Ask Jesus for anything that brings God glory and he will do it.

Consider Them Skubala

October 13, 2010 / / 0 Comments

If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.  But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
-Philippians 3:5-9 (NIV)

Near the end of Paul’s letter to the people of Philippi, he calls out those who were teaching that you still must follow the Old Testament laws to be saved, particularly the custom of circumcision. Their beliefs were rooted in pride however, as they couldn’t come to terms with the fact that all of their law-following was now for naught and that everyone who believes in Jesus as Christ was now equal in the eyes of God.

Paul quickly puts them in their place as he shares that if anyone had a reason to brag about what they had done, it was him. He was circumcised as a baby, from a prestigious tribe, a strict law teacher, a passionate persecutor of Christianity, and a devout follower of all the law. To Jews, his credentials were flawless.

But then Paul drops the bomb. He declares that all those “accomplishments” are worthless when compared to knowing Jesus. Specifically, he says they are “rubbish”.

However, many Biblical scholars believe that a word like “rubbish” sugarcoats the real, intended meaning. The original Greek word used is skubala, which would have been considered offensive and vulgar. That is why some translations instead use slightly more disturbing words like “dung” (KJV), “dog dung” (MSG) or even “turds” (WYC)!

Why the shocking language from Paul? His point was that, in the end, all his successes didn’t matter. Compared to Christ, they were nothing more than filth and waste.

Not to be gross, but when babies poop, you immediately change their diaper. When you step in some dog dung, you immediately clean and wash your shoe. When you do a #2, you immediately wipe and flush it away. Clearly, excrement isn’t something you brag about… Rather, it’s something you avoid. It’s completely disgusting. There is absolutely nothing commendable about it! Matter of fact… The bigger the pile, the more it stinks.

It doesn’t matter who your family is, what church you attend, how “good” or “religious” of a person you are, or the massive distinction and status you’ve built. Consider them skubala.

It’s Jesus plus nothing.

Who Do You Say I Am?

October 1, 2010 / / 0 Comments

Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”
-Mark 8:27-29 (NIV)

Jesus is walking with his disciples around Caesarea Philippi, a pagan city known for its worship of many gods. Fittingly, he asks them, “Who do people say I am?” They reply back with the big names — John the Baptist, Elijah, a prophet. All of which are very flattering comparisons.

Then, when the question is directed at Peter, he answers more specifically — You are the Christ.

It’s really not much different than the thoughts of people today. Ask the question of “Who is Jesus?” and you’ll get a plethora of answers… Jesus is the Savior, the Son of God, a wise teacher, revolutionary leader, a unique prophet, a ground-breaking rabbi, a good role model, a myth, a legend.

Unfortunately, simply believing in Jesus isn’t enough. We must also believe Jesus. The former is head knowledge; the latter is heart knowledge. Jesus came to thoroughly change our lives, not just our brains.

At lot of people admire Jesus, but don’t believe him. A lot of people are inquisitive toward Jesus, but don’t follow him. A lot of people like the idea of Jesus, but don’t trust him.

Was Jesus a teacher, leader, prophet, rabbi and role model? Yes. But those titles don’t do him justice. Jesus is also so much more. He is the Christ. The Messiah. The King of all kings. The Lord of all lords. The Savior of you and I.

So the question remains just as crucial and heart-piercing as it was 2,000 years ago… Who do you say that Jesus is?

About Nick

// Disciple of Jesus

// Husband of Twinkle

// Daddy of Blaise, Justice & Trinity

// Teaching Pastor of Collide Church (Yadkinville, NC)

// Lover of 90s music/television, useless trivia, Cheerwine, Krispy Kreme & Chick-fil-A

// Fan of the Tar Heels, Panthers, Hornets & Braves

Calendar

October 2010
S M T W T F S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  

© 2024 Nick Poindexter

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑