"Not Dead. Not Now"

“In times of tyranny & injustice, when law oppresses people, the outlaw takes his place in history.  England, at the turn of the 12^th Century was such a time.”

So begins Ridley Scott’s 2010 theatrical epic “Robin Hood”.  In it, Russell Crowe plays a yeoman archer, Robin Longstride, in King Richard’s army who, as he flees a failed battlefield, happens upon a dying knight, who exacts a vow from Longstride to return his sword to his aging father.

As Robin and his companions journey to Nottingham to fulfill that vow, Robin discovers an inscription on the sword’s hilt that rings vaguely familiar – though he knows not why.  Unknown, is his own past, recalling only the devastating desertion of his father.  But the aging Sir Walter Loxley recognizes & remembers the Longstride name and, after testing Robin’s character & finding it true, the old man decides the time is right to return a noble heritage to this drifting warrior.

Too often forgotten is the noble heritage has been granted to all who believe in the risen Lord Jesus.  But we are again reminded of this heritage in three key phrases contained in this clip from Scott's mythical tale.  Let's briefly focus our sights on these three phrases and the three realities we have been given by the resurrected Christ.

     Phrase #1 - "Rise and Rise, Again."

       In reference to Christ's conquest of death & the grave, Romans 8:1 begins, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation..." 

     Reality #1 - WE HAVE VICTORY 

       This reality is the most commonly recognized inheritance granted by Jesus' resurrection:  That anyone who puts their faith in Jesus Christ will "rise again" to life and not be subject to condemnation to hell for their sins.  But this is only partially true.  Because Jesus died & rose again to give us more - - So much more!!

     Phrase #2 - "Until Lambs Become Lions"

       Romans 8:2-3a says, "...Through Christ Jesus the low of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin & death.  For what the law was powerless to do...God did..."

     Reality #2 - WE HAVE VIGOR

       Vigor is strength.  Vigor is power.  While lambs are known for their gentleness, lions are renowned for their power.  Jesus was both lamb & lion, depending on what the situation called for.  However, we often do a great disservice to our Lord and our God by over-emphasizing the gentleness & meekness of Christ (His lamb-ness) - - to the neglect &, seemingly, the denial of Jesus' courage & strength (His lion-ness).  In doing so, we discount & deny the power & courage that God desires in us & for us.  Take a look at Chapters 2 - 4 of Luke's gospel - just a small sampling.  Jesus was a man of Courage & Power, hence, by definition, He was a man of Vigor.  His resurrection not only proves His power, but it both delivers & demands this same Vigor from those who would follow Him.

And finally,...

     Phrase #3 - "Not Dead.  Not Now."

       Romans 8:13 says, ..."If by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live..."  Jesus expands upon this idea of living with His own description of His purpose in John 10:10, "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full."

     Reality #3 - WE HAVE VITALITY

       We who trust Jesus can expect life to be full & adventurous.  For an adventure is, by definition, "hazardous action of uncertain outcome."  If this is not part of our lives, I've found that it is usually because we are unwilling to embark on any path, if we do not know exactly what the outcome will be.  Living in such a way, we become overly cautious & we miss the adventures that God has for us.  But for those whowill be led by God's Spirit there will be hazard.  There will be uncertainty.  There will be adventure!  There will be Vitality!

You see, being a follower of Jesus isn't just a list of do's & don'ts to be kept in order to avoid hell.  Jesus Christ died to give you life beyond the curtain of physical death - to be sure!  But eternal life starts now.  And the life God has for you is to be characterized not only by Victory Over Death, but by a Vigorous Strength & Courage, and a Vitality - a Vibrancy - of an Adventurous Life.  That's why Jesus died & rose again.  That's the life He lived & still lives today.  And He is inviting you to join Him!

That's the Challenge!

This is Challenge Pointe.

Semper Fidelis,

Doug

Take Me!

In Michael Mann's 1992 movie adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper's "The Last of the Mohicans", Daniel Day-Lewis gives a memorable portrayal of Hawkeye, a white man taken and raised by Mohican Indians, who now finds himself irretreivably in love with the eldest daughter of British Colonel Edmund Munro.  The film chronicles the events as a twisted Huron, named Magua, seeks to exact revenge on the colonel and his two daughters.

Magua does, indeed, kill Colonel Munro and ultimately captures both of his daughters - - Cora (played by Madeleine Stowe) and Alice.  Along with the two young women, the warrior has also brought Major Duncan Heyward, whose love was spurned by Cora and whose charge it is to protect the colonel's offspring.  As Magua presents his captives to the Huron chief, or sachem, he pleads to be rewarded with both women so that he might torture and kill them.  Hawkeye, having been in pursuit of Magua's party for days, arrives at the Huron village only to find that he is, seemingly, too late.  So, out of his love for Cora, Hawkeye drops his weapons and marches directly into the encampment and into the face of the wrath of the Huron people.

Magua presents his case to the sachem and then awaits the chief's judgment.  What happens next is awesome!  Watch & listen to this scene.  Don't miss the subtitles!



In the same way, Jesus, even though we spurned his love, gave himself as a sacrifice in our place.  Roman's 5:8 says just that:  "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

It is this sacrificial love that we remember, once again, this Friday - - Good Friday.  And we remember the One who loved us so much that, even though it would cost him his life, he shouted above the roar of the evil hoard, "Take me!"

It is inferred in the movie, that Cora and Hawkeye not only realize what Major Heyward does but they appreciate and take advantage of it.

Jesus died in your place.  He took on himself the guilt of your sin and carried it to His grave.  Do you appreciate that?  Will you take advantage of this opportunity He has given you?

That's the challenge.

This is Challenge Pointe.

Semper Fidelis.
Doug

"God Wants You on the Floor"

"Hoosiers", released in 1986 starring Gene Hackman as Coach Norman Dale, is a story of forgiveness.  It is a tale second chances.  It's a reminder to us all not to fall prey to the fallacy that the haves will always get more and the have-nots will perish without.  But it's also a reminder of another vital characteristic of Christian faith.

In the movie, Coach Dale takes the helm of a high school team in little Hickory, Indiana.  Dale, formerly a college coach in New York, had been suspended by that state for striking one of his own players.  After Dale spends ten years in the Navy, an old friend offers him a fresh start in coaching.

The season for the small-town Hickory Huskers is very loosely based on the true account of the 1954 Milan Indians.  In the movie, Coach Dale takes over the team amidst a hail of criticism from the townsfolk.  His military-like discipline wins him no friends and it appears his stay in Hickory may be short - and turbulent.

As the team prepares for their first game, we get a look in the Huskers locker room.  Coach Dale concludes his pre-game reminders, then the town preacher prays.  The team bolts to their feet and heads for the court.  That is, except for one.  Strap - the preacher's kid.  And while most of the team is out the door, Strap still kneels, head bowed, praying.  Coach Dale hollers, "Hold it up. Hold on. Strap?"  No response.  Then, looking at one of Strap's teammates Dale asks, "How long's he gonna go on like this?"  "I dunno. He'll come when he's ready - not before."  So, with Strap still on his knees, teammate and coach head for the door with Coach Dale mumbling, "I hope that'll be sometime before tip-off."

The season rolls on.  As it does, tiny Hickory, though not without their stumbles, gets into a winning rhythm.  Tournament time comes and the winning beat goes on for the Huskers.  Game after game, Strap seems to do most of his work from the bench.  Then, in the District Final, one of his teammates is injured.  Coach Dale's competitive fire burns to win and keep the bleeding youngster in the game.  But things have changed.  Watch this:

God wants you on the floor, too.  Following Jesus Christ takes action.  It's more, so much more, than hymns, prayer, and sitting through a sermon.  Yet, that is what we errantly call a "Church Service".  God forbid that we come to accept such a reduced caricature of a Christian's life!

Church is not a meeting.  It's people.  People who realize they need encouragement and help from others on their common journey following Jesus.  And church is not an organization.  Oh, hopefully there is some organization to it.  But the church is an organism.  A living, breathing, active entity.  And that brings us back to Coach Dale's piercing exhortation to Strap, and to us all:  God wants you on the floor.

God isn't calling you to a boring life on the sidelines.  He wants you in the midst of the game.  Where you can feel His strength.  Where He charges you to participate and contribute to what He is doing in this world.  This isn't a calling for cowards.  It's for those who would answer Jesus' call to follow.  And that answer cannot be sluggishly mouthed with mere words.  It must be eloquently and energetically pronounced in sentences and chapters of active involvement.

God wants you in the game!

There's the challenge.  This is Challenge Pointe.

Semper Fidelis.
Doug