Heart Matters : Renovation

by Jonathan Manafo | Nov 14, 2017 | Sunday Conversations

John Mayer has a line in the chorus one of his songs that says, “will it wash out in the water or is it always in the blood”. If you listen to this song you’ll see Mayer asking about change. Acknowledging his families influence on him, he’s leading towards this question: Do I have to stay the way I am or can I carve out a new life for myself some how, some way.

This is really a heart question, isn’t it. In our recent Sunday conversations we’re diving into this. We should all know this: what goes on inside our hearts is bound to come out. That’s why digging deep and seeing what needs to change is so vital. Your heart can change. You can change.

King David would agree here. One of his most profound and sincere prayers was he asked God to ‘create in him a clean heart’. He asked God for a new heart, a fresh heart, a new start really.

A few weeks/posts ago we were reminded that our hearts are worth guarding – they are worth protecting. But what if, the current state of your heart needs work? What if it needs a renovation before you install the alarm system?

I recently gave our laundry room a refresh. Painted all the walls, the cabinets, the counter. I removed the ugly yellows and peaches (from the previous owner) and added greys and whites. MUCH BETTER 🙂 If you’re like me, you wanna just get started on a reno job. If you couldyou’d start painting and fixing instantly. There’s one problem, you have to clear out your junk first. Our lundry room is also a bud room, a storage room, a ‘people are arriving in 10 minutes’ room, so needless to say, it was messy in there. I had no choice but to remove everything, clear it out, clean it, empty it. Only then was I able to start renovating.

Any kind of renovation job requires a cleaning job first. Same goes for our hearts. If we want to reorient our hearts in a different direction, we must first make the time to take inventory of what’s already there, what’s taking up space, what has been there too long, what is making a mess, what’s become garbage, get rid of it, and begin the transformation.

Here’s the thing, if your heart is worth guarding, it’s worth clearing.

(CLEAN my heart)

David penned these words that are known as Psalm 139. They are renovation words, restoration words, reclamation words – repenting and redemptive words.

¹ You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
⁵ You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

That was David’s intro, but the end of this piece is where we hear, not just David’s acknowledgment of relationship and intimacy, but his prayer for change…in him.

²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

He’s asking God to discern his motives and his actions. David asks God to check his heart, his thoughts.

We all need a heart check from time to time, don’t we? A life altering one and a regular check-in & check-up as well. The BIG life altering one is transformative…some of us can attest to this and have a story to share. However, the regular check-ins can be just as transformative.

Eugene Peterson paraphrases this well: Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about (where my heart is at).

In David’s other heart/soul searching psalm (51) we see him asking God to clear out the sin that’s developed in there. Create in me. Re-create in me. God, make a fresh start in me…a genesis…a new beginning.

Here’s what David admits: If you’re going to renovate my heart, then you might as well start from scratch. Take away all the unnecessary things that have been stored up, my ill-motives, my man-made idols, my false loves, my perverse thoughts…take it all away. Start again God.

Remember, this is David’s post adultery prayer. We’re talking about some serious mistakes, sexual sin,  murder, build up and then of course, consequences. David’s admission is clear: I’ve allowed some grey matter to enter in. God, only you can remove it and make my heart new again.

So…as much as guarding your heart is essential, let’s take some inventory of what we’re guarding. Invite God to do his work, and then begin your protective measures to ensure that nothing you don’t want in there, gets in.

(FILL my heart)

If your heart is worth guarding, it’s worth clearing. If it’s worth clearing out, it’s also worth filling.

Are you just going to leave your heart empty, or will you allow God to fill it with his values, his ways, his love, his grace.

What’s this reno job going to look like once God is done with it?

Augustine said (famously) ‘our hearts are restless, until they find rest in you’. He believed fully that our hearts were made to follow God and be filled by God.

Let’s go back to Proverbs 4. Last time we focused on verse 23 (guarding). Look at what Solomon precedes those words with…

²⁰ My son, pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.
²¹ Do not let them out of your sight,
    keep them within your heart;
²² for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.

Before he gets to the guarding, he stresses that there is something that needs to get into our hearts that is worth guarding. Wisdom. What is the main thrust, the message of wisdom that we gain from reading the scriptures? JESUS.

With that in mind, lets land on Jesus words in Luke 12 & Paul’s words Colossians 3.

And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰ For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.³¹ But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. (Jesus)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Paul)

Brian Walsh (from UofT) says that ‘setting our hearts above is to allow your imagination to be liberated to comprehend Christ’s legitimate rule’. ‘This allows your vision of life, your world view, your most basic life orientation, to be directed by Christ’s heavenly rule.’ William Barclay, an old commentator said, “Because you are raised with Christ, your old self has died, like baptism, you emerge a new person. Your heart is oriented in a different direction, being filled with new life and new values. Giving above getting, Serving above ruling, Forgiving above avenging.”

We fill our hearts with God’s ways for a reason – a purpose – to live a new life, a Jesus oriented life, a love & mercy driven life.

BUT WHY?

Because you have to bet your life on something. We all wager, we all bet our life on something. David, Solomon, Paul, all say, bet on God…and more importantly, Jesus says, bet on me – wager on me – put all your chips on me – throw your heart on the table too. I want it all. Risk it all.

God is saying…Clear your heart, Fill your heart, Guard your heart, and find out where we can go together.

We’re all going somewhere, it’s just a matter of what direction we’ve chosen.

Proverbs 4 says, your heart is the well spring of your life – everything you do flows from it. It’s your compass. If the compass is off, even a little bit, there’s a really good chance that a crash is in your future.

So…you think you’re heart is in good shape? Maybe it is. I Hope so. However, a prayer you will never say in vain is the same one King David prayed.

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.    

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

small(er) group discussion questions:

What was your last reno job (DIY)? How did it go? What is your most favourite and least favourite part of working on project? How do those experiences compare to the work that’s going on inside our hearts?

Read Psalm 139:16, 23-24. What is encouraging about the first 6 verses? What is difficult, yet important about verses 23-24?

What’s the difference between a life altering heart check/transformation and a regular or routine heart check up? (Big change and incremental change)

David prays, ‘Create in me a clean heart’. Would you describe those words as scary, loving, authentic or helpful? What would lead you to pray those same words?

Why is it important to differentiate the work of clearing your heart verses the next step of filling or reorienting your heart? How do Jesus’ words in Luke 12 and Paul’s words in Colossians 3 help us understand this?

Wanna take two minutes in silence before your group closes in prayer to invite to cross examen your heart?

Discussion Questions from Christa Hesselink’s Talk

by Jonathan Manafo | Nov 7, 2017 | Sunday Conversations

Keep on going. It’s worth the adventure, the struggle, the pain, and the arrival to the other side.

Below are some questions Christa left us with in regards to our conversation on Sunday. Dig in.

1. What feels like a place you are stuck or burdened, weighed down?
2. (Philippians 4:4-8) Seek the Sweet: Do you have a practice of solitude and/or gratitude in your life? If so, what is it and how has it impacted you? If not, what might be your first step towards it?
3. (Romans15) Embrace your Pace: What are the weaknesses/vulnerabilities that you feel insecure about and self-judge yourself about? What does God have to say about you amidst these “frailties”? How can you bring some peace to these parts of yourself?
4. (Romans 12) Lean on others: Who are the fellow pilgrims you have in your life right now? (can include books, songs, others resources/things). Who needs you to take special notice and encourage them today?
5. (Hebrews 11,12) Keep the long view:
What images, messages can you lean on to get a new perspective on your circumstance so you can “keep going”?

Heart Matters: Guard your Heart

by Jonathan Manafo | Nov 1, 2017 | Sunday Conversations

(just a few summarized thoughts from Brad Clarke’s talk this past weekend)

We go to great lengths to protect the things we value. We protect our phones, we protect our cars and homes (via alarms and insurance), we protect our computers and tablets, we protect our eyes (sun glasses), our skin (sun screen), etc. In sports we use some handy pieces of equipment to protect certain parts of our body: shoulder pads, knee pads, helmets, chest protectors, and the all important jock strap.

There is one very important part of our body the scriptures urge us to protect – our heart. As important as our physical heart is, it’s our metaphorical heart (inner most being) that Solomon is talking about. The part of us that reflects who we are and what drives the things we do.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Eugene Peterson paraphrases it like this, “Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.”

I guess we might say that life begins and ends with and in your heart. Anything good we do, anything bad we do, comes from our heart. It starts there and moves outward. It was Jesus who said, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45)

So when Solomon says ‘Guard your Heart’ it’s because he knows how essential our heart is to determining who we are. The Bible is full of failed examples when it comes to this. Adam, Eve, Moses, David, Solomon himself, and others. When they let their guard down, things went down hill. Jesus, our best example, set up boundaries around his heart, which, along with other factors, led to his impact and influence. In the wilderness, Satan tried to get to him, to distract him, to knock him off course – Jesus didn’t budge. He stayed the course, protected his own heart, his own mission, his own purpose, and went on to accomplish what he came to do.

You have only one heart. That’s it. And it’s that heart which defines the course for your life. Ensure its safety, its purity, its wholeness, its strength. Don’t just give it away to anyone or anything. Well, you can give it to God. He’s been known to take hearts of stone and turn them into hearts of flesh. But he does ask us to guard it so that he can work in it and through it.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Living a Questionable Life

by Jonathan Manafo | Oct 24, 2017 | Sunday Conversations

Do you ever wonder about how repeatable our days are? How uninterrupted our lives are? How monotonous things get? It’s not all bad of course? Doing good things regularly, is, well, good.

Do you ever wonder if your life is too predicable?

When was the last time you did something to break from the mold, the monotony, the routine?

Someone wise once said, “When predictability is high, impact is low”.

That begs the question…When was the last time you did something questionable?
I don’t mean something morally questionable or stupid or foolish.
I mean, does our life cause others to question who we are?
(or)
Do we just fit in without even thinking?

Jim Carey’s old movie, The Truman show, about someone who is stuck in a routine, is a metaphor or analogy for those who want to dream of something more. For those who might say, “I don’t want to fit in anymore”

How about if I told you that Jesus invites us to live a questionable life?

WHAT? Some might not be able to fathom this, because in their minds, faith is this prim and proper box that religious people fall into. But Jesus definitely didn’t call us to live in a box. He invites us to live in the world, making a difference in every corner we might find ourselves in. How can we do that if we aren’t living questionably?

2 scriptures come to mind here: Colossians 4:2-6 & 1 Peter 3:13-16

In Colossians 4, after Paul talks about being prayerful, watchful, and thankful, he challenges the reader to be wise in how they speak to those outside of their community – seasoning their conversations with salt, filling them with grace. Then Paul says, “So You May Answer Everyone”

He’s saying, live in such a way, that inspires, spurs on, begs for questions. Because answers are only answers if someone is asking a question.

It’s in 1 Peter 3 where we are really challenged to make a splash with our life, and define who we are to those watching…

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”  But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

What is Peter getting at here? What makes a questionable life?

Give Jesus a prominent spot in your heart

In other words, “In your hearts, give Christ a unique place”

Paul says something similar in Col 3…Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated…”

Jesus also says something similar…(Luke 12) do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it…(Matt 6) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

Peter is saying – Who you are is dictated by what your heart values– what occupies the space of your heart. Peter is simply saying, give Jesus the prominent place in your heart.

Let Jesus leak out into your life

Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. (the message)

For Peter, every day is an opportunity to live a questionable life, where you live and act in such a way that people question why.

Peter’s example is? Doing Good! That’s it. Good?

But for Peter, this is an alternative way of life. The good life for Peter is a life of values, of virtue, of hope, of love, of kindness. We have simplistic view of GOOD, but it’s the opposite. It’s profound.

Doing good, even when it’s hard, especially when it’s hard…is the questionable thing Jesus is inviting us to.

For Peter, this is how Jesus leaks out of us. By living out the good values of God’s kingdom. (peace, joy, kindness, justice, compassion)

Jesus’ place in our hearts effects those around us, only when he leaks out of us. That is questionable living.

Peter, in this brilliant letter says, our lives can spur on questions – our lives, our actions, our way of doing life in the world – hope, peace, love, mercy, kindness, etc, is what get’s people asking questions…leading them to much more than predictability.

TAKE HOME:

Surprise the world
Don’t be predictable
Live a life that gets the attention of others

Have them asking…

Why are you hopeful? (when things look dismal)
How do you have energy to do good? (when I can hardly get up to go to work)
How can you be so calm or patient or joyful? (when circumstances are crummy)
Why does it seem like you walk to the beat of a different drum?

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

small(er) group questions:

What do you think about this quote?
“When predictability is high, impact is low.”

Take some time to read 1 Peter 3:13-16. What are some initial take a ways?

Colossians 4 challenges our conversations with those who don’t follow Jesus to be seasoned with salt, and filled with grace. 1 Peter 3 challenges us to respond to questions with gentleness & respect.
What does that mean for you?
What does that look like?
Why is this so important?

What does it mean to live a questionable life? What kind of lives make people ask questions? Is this hard work? Should it come naturally?

Why and How can Christianity surprise the world?

What are you praying about or praying for today?Exodus Week 3 – Parent Take Home

NAKED: when the church strips down to its essentials – (the new) bullhorn

by Jonathan Manafo | Oct 17, 2017 | Sunday Conversations

You’ve all seen this guy…the guy on the corner of a busy city street…yelling at people he doesn’t know…
– the one with the pamphlets
– the one with the loud voice
– the one who sounds angry
– the one who’s talking, but nobody is really listening (are they?)

This of course, is Bullhorn guy, who I have a few problems with…
– he’s loud, he’s angry, he’s talking to people he doesn’t know, he’s condemning, harsh, irrelevant, etc.
– he’s unfortunately painted with the same brush as you and me
– it’s unfair that our faith is still associated with this kind of image

But…here’s the dilemma…no matter what the bullhorn guy does, we, as followers of Jesus, are still called to share the gospel story and the message of Jesus. Our mission is still to let others know.

So what if we could rebrand the Bullhorn? What if the Bullhorn could get a better rap? A new identity? Create and leave a better impression and taste in people’s mouth?

There is only one way this can happen – if our loud speaker is not an electronic tool, but a message of Love, Hope, Peace, & of course, Jesus.

Over the last few weeks we’ve tried to strip down the layers of what it means to be a church. We’ve narrowed things down to a few essentials. We’ve talked about Tables, Microphones, Notes – Communion, Worship, Teaching. All of these, if understood and experienced well, can be and should be things that attract people to Jesus.
Table = brings people together  /  Worship = brings people to God  /  Scripture = brings people to Jesus
Loud Lives/BullHorn = brings Jesus to the world

One of our essential layers is this: Sharing the story of Jesus. Living loud the gospel message. Matching action with words that combats the noise of hate, unrest, injustice, and brokenness.

A place in scripture that helps us see this well? 1 Thessalonians 1.

The Thessalonians were a young church. Maybe just over a year old. Some might say that younger Christians tend to be louder about their faith. I agree and disagree. Anyone captivated by the message of Jesus can’t help but share it. The maturing ones know how to show and tell!!!

Here’s what Paul says…

Three words / Three trail markers (1:2-3)

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul starts with 3 words…with trail markers of their faith in Jesus. 3 things that seem to really be getting people’s attention: FAITH / LOVE / HOPE. These words are connected to very practical and down to earth terms: Vocation / Labour / Patience.

Faith is connected to your vocation (that’s what this word means in the greek = ergon).
– Faith is something that is seen and produced by what you do, and who you are every day.

Love is connected to your effort
– Love is more than a feeling
– Love is work  (i.e. a labour of love)
– Agape is an all encompassing love

Patience is inspired by Hope
– Hope isn’t based on escaping circumstances through ignorance, but dealing with things
– Paul’s hope is always JESUS
– In this particular text, patience means taking on problems and suffering that actually create opportunity

For Paul, nothing speaks louder than these 3 words in action!!!

Let’s see how Paul reaffirms this theme…

More than words…tell & show (1:4-7)

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 

There’s no way that the church grew in the first century without an exhibition of power from the Holy Spirit. Demonstrable faith…love…and hope.

You think it’s just words? NO. It’s Power!
You think it’s just words? NO. It’s you, living this out for people to see what this gospel is all about.

What’s the example Paul gives? Suffering. It’s his go to illustration or example.

Their faith, love & hope come out loud and clear because they were able to have JOY in the midst of SUFFERING.
– a huge theme in scripture
– Joy in Suffering (for Paul, the best way to model faith)

Paul introduces the idea of being an imitator…a model if you will…
– a pattern for people to follow
– models for people to see how these the new clothes fit
– like one big fashion show.

This quote about fashion helps us understand Paul a little here.
“People stare…make it worth their while” (H.W.)

Paul’s telling this young church that as they’ve been living out their faith, people have been watching. The world was staring…and they made it worth their while!!!

And here is the final and most important part of today’s text…The BULLHORN comes out.

Is the message RINGING out from our lives too? (1:8)

The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,

Because of their faith, their love, their hope – Because they have been showing, in action, the power of the Spirit – Because of the their modelling skills and the way they can have JOY in Suffering…Their message RANG out from them.

The word is out
People are talking
The news is spreading
The message is being heard
The BULLHORN is in full force

But this BullHorn isn’t about standing on a corner and yelling at people, it’s about working faith, laborious love, and enduring hope.

This kind of RINGING has to be an essential for us who follow Jesus and gather as community.

Let’s TAKE this HOME:

I have teenage kids. Sometimes they come home after school and are quiet. But sometimes they enter the door talking up a storm, telling us how amazing their day was. I don’t have to pry it out of them. They simply offer up their feedback and stories. Why? Because in their point of view, they have good news to share. You can’t shut them up (and I love listening to it…most of the time:).

We have good news to share.
We have a story that brings joy out of suffering.
A story that requires faith, but spurs on love, and inspires hope.
We have news about Jesus, who is the king of redemption, healing and justice.

It shouldn’t take much to get the story out of us.

Now know this…

Living loud isn’t about volume, it’s about impact. 
Loud is only good when it does good.

You can be a quiet person and lead a loud life.
You can be an introvert and make a huge splash where ever you go.
You don’t need a mic or a speaker or an old school bullhorn to get people’s attention.
Just live out your faith in a way that gets people’s attention. Nothing fancy, but definitely impacting.

Think about these final quotes…

“We are a blessed people & a sent people”

“In the daily rhythms for everyone everywhere, we live our lives in the market place of this world. In homes and neighbourhoods, in schools and on farms, in hospitals in businesses…In those places, by simple grace, we are hints of hope…splashes of love…sprinkles of faith.”

May the things we do…and the things we say…cut through the noise of greed, of materialism, of politics, of selfishness, and may the message of Jesus RING out and slowly get the attention of those he loves and we love.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

small(er) group questions:

What’s you’re impression of ‘the bullhorn guy’? Anything wrong with his or her approach?

We’ve walked through 4 essentials in this series. Any one in particular stand out as more important or impactful? (Eucharist, Worship, Teaching, Sharing Faith)

1 Thessalonians 1 is packed with challenges. Think and talk about these things…

• why do words like faith, love & hope speak so loudly?
• what speaks louder, words or actions?
  • can you have one without the other, or is balance important?
• seems like Paul puts the responsibility on us to be imitators and models? hmmmm?
  • “people are staring…are we making it worth their while?”
• joy in suffering is talked about so much. why?
• how can Jesus’ message RING out from you?

“We are blessed & sent (gathered & scattered) to be hints of hope & splashes of love” (discuss)

What should you be praying for tonight?