Three strikes doesn't mean you are out

This week we looked at Matthew 18:15-20. I reflected that one way to hear this passage (an incorrect way, for certain) is as a “three strikes” policy. 

“This passage can sound like that, like ‘Three strikes and you’re out.’ If a brother or sister sins against you, have a one-on-one conversation. If that’s strike one, go back with one or two other people. If that’s strike two, take it to the church. If that’s strike three, they’re out. Treat them like a tax collector or pagan.”

I came across the website for Saint Louis Challenger Baseball. This is baseball without strikes, and I’d encourage you to check out their philosophy. The homepage reads,

 “Challenger Baseball

A baseball league for kids with disabilities.

A chance for kids to come together as a team and be cheered.
We don't count outs and we don't count runs.
Everybody plays. Everybody scores. Everybody wins.”

That is a good picture of the church as Jesus presents it in Matthew 18:15-20. Here’s what I mean: repentance and restoration is the goal of the passage. Jesus makes it clear that persistence is crucial, and not just persistence in saying the same thing over and over. When I was a teacher, I picked up a phrase in one of my continuing education classes that stuck with me: “Fair is not everybody getting the same; fair is everybody getting what they need.” We pursue repentance and restoration in that persistent way that gives our brother or sister what they need. This is not a “three strikes and you’re out” passage.

"The fundamental goal of Challenger Baseball is to give everyone a chance to play. To realize that goal, Challenger has two basic rules: every player bats each inning, and every player plays the field. We don't count strikes, and we don't count outs. Everybody scores, and everybody wins.

Challenger Baseball participants learn not only the fundamentals of baseball, but also experience pulling together as a team, be cheered on by a crowd, and being encouraged by their peers. All players are named all-stars, and all receive trophies at the end-of-the-season picnic."

Competition may have its place in life, but does it have a place in the body of Christ? Strikes and outs are necessary for competition, but teamwork is the framework for the church. 

There is a bite in this passage, though. In 18:17 Jesus says, “if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Jesus does not teach that anything goes. Using baseball language, not everybody will want to play. As far as the church is concerned, there is always room for one more on the team. In fact, as far as the church is concerned, there will always be excitement for one more player on the team. The reality, though, is that some will not respond to the call.

Point to ponder: What does it mean to treat someone like a tax collector or pagan? To answer that, first consider the two parables that sandwich this passage (the wandering sheep and the unmerciful servant), then spend some time on Luke 5:27-32 and Luke 19:1-10.

To Jesus, treating someone as a tax collector or pagan meant always aiming for restoration, always encouraging repentance. Pursue restoration as if you believe it is going to happen. We never give up on others because God never gives up on us.

Bible in 90 Days - Day 88 (Revelation 18-22)

Living God,

help us to hear your holy Word with open hearts

so that we may truly understand;

and, understanding, that we may believe;

and, believing, that we may follow in all faithfulness and obedience,

seeking your honor and glory in all that we do.

Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

This is it – the final day of reading! Congratulations for being here! The joy is not merely in the accomplishment of reading this incredible book from cover to cover, although that is a great accomplishment. The joy is in receiving God’s revelation of who he is, what he is doing, and how he loves us.

When God created everything and saw that it was good, especially male and female created in his very image – we were there. When Adam and Eve sinned, and humankind was banished from God’s special presence – we were there. When God made a covenant with Abraham and his descendants to be their God forever – we were there. Every cycle of slavery and freedom, bondage to sin and restoration, wandering from God like silly sheep and God bringing back like a good shepherd – we were there. When Jesus died on the cross, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us back into God’s special presence – we were there! Romans 6:3-5 says, “Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” This is our story!

Now we finish the book of Revelation. These last chapters are the culmination of the love story. God, as always, is drawing us to him, and this is the picture of how our story transitions from now into eternity.

From passages like Ephesians 5:22-33 we know that the church is the bride of Christ, represented here as Jerusalem.  After reading the Bible so quickly and seeing big themes, I hope you see how glorious the statement in Revelation 21:3 is – “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” There is no need for a temple or light because God is both of those. The tree of life is there. Everything comes full-circle! God wins!

What better words to finish off the most important book in the entire world than these:

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

Bible in 90 Days - Day 87 (Jude-Revelation 17)

God, our helper,

by your Holy Spirit open our minds

and lead us into your truth

for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Jude is a short letter written (most likely) by another of Jesus’ brothers. Some false teachers have crept into the church, and Jude uses several Old Testament examples to remind the church of the danger involved. Jude quotes from several stories that are unfamiliar to us, like the story of Enoch from the book of 1 Enoch, an ancient writing that is part of tradition but not part of the Jewish or Christian Scriptures. The letter ends with instructions after the examples. To those inside the church, the command is to remain in God’s love, which we do by building up our faith, praying in the Spirit, and waiting expectantly for the mercy of Christ to bring us to eternal life (the NIV doesn’t quite reflect the centrality of the command to remain in God’s love). The instructions for treating those outside of the church center around showing mercy. The examples in the letter can make it sound judgmental, but the commands reflect James 2:13 – “Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

And now for Revelation – the last book we are reading, and the one that often brings the most questions. The main message of Revelation can be summed up in 2 words – “God wins!”

Revelation begins with an introduction that contains several names and images for Christ, and these appear again in the 7 sermons (or sermonettes) to the 7 churches. (Someday soon I would love to teach a Sunday School class on these 7 sermons.)

The scenes in chapter 5 leave me awestruck. There is so much singing and praising going on, and the focus is all on Christ. Sometimes there is an attempt to defend heaven from being boring, and teachers and preachers emphasize that there will be a lot to do there. As I read this, I really don’t think boredom is a threat when we are in the presence of the living God.

As for the other chapters we read today – Wow! Amazing imagery, amazing glory, amazing power. Sometimes frightful, sometimes glorious, but as always – God wins!

Bible in 90 Days - Day 86 (James 3:13-3 John)

Gracious God,

we do not live by bread alone,

but by every word that comes from your mouth.

Make us hungry for this your Word,

that it may nourish us today

in the ways of eternal life.

Through Jesus Christ, the bread of heaven. Amen.

I find James 5:13-18 intriguing and challenging (like most of the Bible, I guess). Elijah was a man just like us. Really? Wow! And why is it that I don’t pray more? Do I waste too much time working on solving things when I should be praying?

Peter is writing to Christians in areas that pretty much cover modern day Turkey. The church has been scattered due to persecution, but the effect is like blowing on a dandelion – seeds everywhere. Now Peter is encouraging them to remain strong and true in the threat of persecution. The hope that they have in Christ is deeper than anything this life could possibly offer. Hear the tones of assurance, certainty, resilience and joy. The instructions for godly living take on a different tone when we understand the dangers involved with godly living in that day.

2 Peter 3 gives the reason for writing these two letters. They are to stimulate the Christians to wholesome thinking and to remind them of the unchanging nature of the holy Scriptures. When we read these purposes in the context of the letters, they are then meant to lead to godly living.

1-3 John are interesting books. They have some similarities to letters, but many differences. The apostle John is the most likely author, and that is where I start. These are likely among the last books (chronologically) written in the Bible. Different teachings are coming up concerning Christ that draw away from his humanity and his centrality in the faith. Hear John coming back to what he knows – the savior he loved and lived with for those years of Jesus’ ministry. John writes against any way to know Jesus other than love, devotion, and confession. These will bear appropriate fruit in our lives. John’s statements about Christians not sinning can seem unrealistic, but it is true that Christians cannot resign themselves to patterns of sinful living as if it does not matter. We are called to holiness, and it is God’s power working in us that truly transforms us. We strive for this all our lives.

I read a description of the structure of these letters that I love. Rather than being linear in structure, they are “symphonic.” Themes come up, then fade away, then they are woven back in. That is a beautiful way to see these letters that for some seem to leap from one great topic to the next.

I used to read the beginning of 2 John and wonder who the lady was. Then someone introduced me to the common belief that the lady is the church, or at least one congregation. That helped me see the letter in a new light.

Bible in 90 Days - Day 85 (Hebrews - James 3:12)

Guide us, O God,

by your Word and Spirit,

that in your light we may see light,

in your truth find freedom,

and in your will discover your peace,

through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

I love the book of Hebrews. This is a book about Jesus. All of the books in the Bible are about Jesus, but I think Hebrews probably contains a lot of the things Jesus talked about when he would have conversations like the one in Luke 24:27 (“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself”). Jesus and the angels, Jesus and true Sabbath rest, and my favorite – Jesus the great High Priest. Even though we don’t have a sacrificial system anymore, I love to read the whole Old Testament system in light of these passages in Hebrews. I’ll back up and say that Hebrews is a lens that helps us really see what God is doing in the Old Testament. I think that’s why I love it so much. Hebrews 11 starts the Heroes Hall of Fame, but that hall of fame only makes sense with the foundation of Jesus in 1-9 and the transition to holy living as a response in chapter 10. Then chapter 12 is another call to us for action, but only when we “fix our eyes on Jesus” (12:2ff).

Our best understanding of this James is that he is the brother of Jesus. James was one of the books that really ignited a fire in me when I was young in my faith. We studied it in a Bible study, and I thought, “What have I been missing?” It is also one of the most controversial NT books. Martin Luther didn’t think it even belonged. One big question is, “how does this book which focuses on works make sense in light of the fact that God saves us by grace alone?” A bigger question is, “Where is Jesus?” I think 2:14 is key. Actions don’t make faith, but actions are the fruit of true faith. We are saved by grace through faith and not by works, but works are the fruit that shows the existence of true faith.

Bible in 90 Days - Day 84 (1 Thessalonians - Philemon)

Prepare our hearts, O God,

to hear your Word

and obey your will.

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

1 Thessalonians is filled with references to Jesus’ return, and 2 Thessalonians is concerned with the fact that some think this has already happened. One of the verses I’ve held close is 1 Thessalonians 4:13. The section is talking about the believers who have died and their resurrection. We are among those who grieve when people we love die, but our grief is different in that it also has real hope. Both grief and hope are important for us.

1-2 Timothy and Titus are sometimes known as the “Pastoral Epistles” because they were written to church leaders.

Paul wrote 1 and 2 Timothy to a specific person, not to a church. The content, however, is clearly beneficial for all of us. 1 Timothy is a letter about godly living, and much of it has to do with life within the church. 2 Timothy is an appeal to remain strong in the face of suffering and persecution. The hallmark passage for our understanding of the value and origin of Scripture is 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Titus deals with the direct link between right belief and right action. This comes out already in verse 1. The whole book is filled with instructions for godly living.

Philemon is written to Philemon concerning Onesimus, a runaway slave. Verse 11 is a play on words. Onesimus literally means “useful,” and although Paul uses different words for “useless” and “useful” here, he is saying that Onesimus has really become onesimus to all of them now that he is a brother in Christ. This is a request that would be very difficult to refuse – Paul pulls out all the stops to be persuasive. The power of the Gospel transcends any mere social structure.

Bible in 90 Days - Day 83 (Galatians 3:26-Colossians)

God of Jesus Christ,

give us a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Christ,

so that the eyes of our hearts might be enlightened.

Help us to know the hope to which you have called us,

the riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints,

and the immeasurable greatness of your power at work in us.

Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

—based on Ephesians 1:17-19, NRSV

In Paul’s letter to the Romans he didn’t address specific problems that were creeping up there, at least not in such a direct manner as he did with the two letters to the Corinthians and the one to the Galatians. Here as he writes to the Ephesians there is again no mention of specific issues that have come up. Paul’s main themes are how Christ has reconciled all of creation to himself and to God, and that he has brought together people from everywhere into his one body, the church.

The church in Philippi was the first church that Paul planted. You can hear the love in his letter. The theme is encouragement to live their lives as members of the kingdom of God, and the greatest example is Christ himself. 2:6-11 is one of the most beautiful and meaningful passages on that subject.

Paul’s letter to the Colossians emphasizes Christ over all. Part of that is Christ over all the things in the world that compete for our allegiance and attention. Since Christ defeated them by his death and resurrection, we are now free to live for him. Much of this letter is spelling out what that Christ-centered life looks like.

Bible in 90 Days - Day 82 (1 Corinthians 15-Galatians 3:25)

Lord, open our hearts and minds

by the power of your Holy Spirit,

that we may hear your Word with joy. Amen.

Chapter 15 is a great summary of the Gospel with firm assurance that there is indeed life after this one. In the 58 verses of chapter 15, there is one that really is a head-scratcher. Baptized for the dead? The Mormons have a very developed practice of baptizing the dead vicariously by baptizing living people for them. We don’t. Why not? First of all, it is not clear exactly what Paul is referring to, and there have been many opinions on this. Second, this is just one verse out of the whole Bible. One verse is still important, but we always use all of Scripture to interpret Scripture, and we have no other references to a practice like this. Third, we don’t see the early church doing this, so it doesn’t seem to be a widespread practice. Fourth, Paul is not saying to do it or not to do it; he is just making reference to something that he sees happening. These are the kinds of questions we ask of tough verses. One of my seminary professors frequently said, “Where the Bible shouts, we shout. Where the Bible whispers, we whisper.” Chapter 15 shouts the resurrection of the dead, and so do we.

Interesting note on a common Christian word – 1 Corinthians 16:22 ends with the desire, “Come, O Lord!” Paul wrote this Aramaic phrase in his Greek letter. The Aramaic is “Marana tha!” which is where our word “Maranatha” comes from. It is the only time this Aramaic phrase occurs in the Bible. The rest of the times it is in Greek.

2 Corinthians is Paul’s response to a church that is doubting him personally. This theme comes out already in the opening of the letter (1:1-11) Paul argues that to reject him is to reject the Gospel, because he has been faithful to the Gospel. One of the complaints is that Paul suffers too much to be a great apostle. Paul argues that his suffering is a source of comfort for the church. But as always, Paul isn’t pointing to himself primarily; he is pointing to Christ.

The opening of chapter 2 refers to the “painful visit” Paul has made to Corinth since the last letter. There has been some real conflict between Paul and this church.

Galatians is written to a church that has been infiltrated by another message after it was planted on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul spends the letter getting back to basics, and he spends time going back to our common theme of the covenant and God’s grace.