Dale Cresap's blog

Do you observe old churches and those more recent? Do you see more life and growth in newer churches? I told a parable about old and new wineskins and you are correct in seeing the symbolism applied to churches. Yet everything that is old was once new, and in the passage of time things that are new now will become old. This is not a reason to reject established movements and continually jump to the latest thing, for this too has drawbacks. My lesson for you in this is one of continual renewal. On the cross I said that I make all things new. This is an ongoing principle. Ask me how it should be applied in your life and in your church. 

Have you noticed that for some people, the deeper they are involved in the faith the more difficult they are to be around? Certainty of doctrine is an admirable goal, but zeal can be without understanding. Wouldn’t you expect those who walk closest to me to be more loving, accepting, and forgiving rather than less? The world hated me and I taught my followers that no student was better than his master, so they could expect the same treatment. Yet I was not hated for being self-righteous, critical, narrow-minded, and mean. If you are to follow in my footsteps and be hated by the world, let it be for the right reasons. 

Do you follow my teaching to support your church financially? Does it bother you to do this if the pastor has a higher standard of living than you do? I also teach you to help the poor. Do you think these should be the same thing? Both are worthy activities, but do not confuse the support of my servants with aid to the poor. In Old Testament times these were separate offerings. To link these concepts implies that the pastor should be the poorest person in church. I want you to be a cheerful giver, and to understand that you are really giving to me. You should definitely link these concepts together, and give generously.

I have posted these messages for years without much reference to myself. Reading a blog posting from a friend made me realize that I should issue a disclaimer. I hope that you don’t get the impression that my life is a living expression of these words I hear from Jesus. I wish it were but in reality I too am in tension between the righteousness I affirm and the reality of my life which includes weakness, selfishness, thoughtlessness, lust, and greed. I can identify with Paul when he says the good that I would I do not and the evil I would not I do. Through this I trust in Jesus who is in the process of delivering me and completing the good work he has begun in me.

Have you heard of cheap grace? Grace was very expensive to obtain in your behalf, but when you proclaim the gospel message to people do they get the impression that they can take this free gift and go on to do anything they please? Thinking this way indicates that they don’t really understand the gospel message. I paid a price you were unable to pay, therefore you are bought with a price and you are not your own. Do you understand that I have a prior claim on your allegiance and affections just because I created you? How much stronger is this claim now that you have received me as savior and redeemer? Therefore glorify me with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. 

Have you ever visited a church and felt that you were being evaluated as a potential recruit? How your abilities would benefit their programs and how a tenth of your income would benefit their church treasury? Even if they made you feel welcome, did it seem that it was more for their sake than for yours? Have you ever had the same thoughts concerning those who visited your church? In the economy of the Kingdom of God, it is not just about the ways an individual can support a church, for I made each believer with a unique destiny. You should obey those who rule over you but never surrender the pursuit of my will for you alone. Trust me to make these work together in building my church. 

My word speaks of my return. It tells of conditions and events some of which are dramatic and cataclysmic. Yet the exact time of my return is a well-kept secret. You want to know and try to figure it out, but I’m not telling. Do you see my withholding of this information as a departure from my loving nature? If you knew exactly when I was coming do you think it would make your life better or worse? In my love I withhold this burden from you, yet I have taught you how to live now and how to approach this matter. Occupy till I come, be ready at all times, and keep watching for my return. 

Have you noticed that in my word I spoke not only in declarations, but also in questions? ‘What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world if he loses his own soul?’ I was not looking for information, but questions engage thought in a way that declarations do not. I invite you to ponder these questions for out of them proceed the issues of life. In school were you judged by the answers you gave? When you are out of school you are free to frame the questions yourself. Have you discovered that you are judged more by what you inquire of than by what you answer? Ponder the questions of eternity and I will reveal the mystery of faith to you. 

Students go to school to learn from teachers. The intention is to provide a structured curriculum in a suitable facility with qualified instructors. Everything is structured with deliberate intention for the desired outcome. Those who are wise find instruction in schools, but they find it everywhere else too. Not all students are grateful for the opportunity to be in school. Do you love instruction enough to seek it even when you are not in school? I promised that those who would seek would find, and this promise applies generally, but particularly to wisdom. You have only to ask of me, and then open your eyes and you will see it wherever you look. 

The commonly accepted notion of leadership is that there are a few natural leaders or officeholders who can get people to do what they want and the rest are followers who are subject to the leaders. I told my followers that this was the thinking of the gentiles, but it was not to be so among them, but that he who would be the greatest should be servant of all. All are able to serve. Does this mean that all are leaders? Even I did not seek to force people to follow me but I taught them that this was the way of life and invited them into it. In this way everyone should be both a leader and a follower.

My word teaches you to love others as you love yourself. Before you can do this you must understand the correct way to love yourself. Do you think that this means giving in to every childish whim? Children require supervision because they lack maturity and left to themselves will be in danger. A parent has the child’s true best interest at heart, and protects them, even from themselves. Therefore your love for yourself should be more as a parent for a child than of childish indulgence. If you are mature enough to understand and act on your own best interests then love others the same way.