“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:1-3 ESV).

Some years ago, on a missions trip to Indonesia, I was nearly overwhelmed by the street vendors selling their wares. While walking along the streets of Bali, we could barely take two steps before another peddler would be pulling at our sleeve, saying, “You American? You buy good watch, OK? You want Rolex, right? Only ten dollar!”

“No thanks.” I would say, while shaking my head and wagging my finger. You had to be firm in your denial because they were really persistant.

“Here, you take a look!” They would insist, holding out a handful of watches or pulling back their jacket to expose a neatly arranged inventory.

Lifting the watches in front of my face, it was difficult not to look (I tried to avoid eye contact so as not to encourage them). But with this one guy, I couldn’t help it. Looking closely I noticed that the watch he was really wanting to sell me had “ROLLEX” written on its face. Clearly, too many letter “L”s in the name, so I said, “They’re not real! They’re fake!”

I guess I shouldn’t have said that. Because he acted offended and started yelling at me in Indonesian. Then, quickly over his apparent anger, he leaned close and whispered, “OK. You have American dollar, right? OK. You give five dollar and you have special watch for half price.

“Tidak.” I responded using the Indonesian word for a firm denial and walked away. I didn’t need a watch. And I certainly didn’t need a fake one.

The vendor didn’t miss a beat before continuing his loud mantra on the next passerby, “Watches, watches! Rolex, Seiko! Ten dollar!”

I guess there’s always someone who will settle for a counterfeit. That’s what keeps vendors like this in business.

The same may be true when it comes to matters of faith. Many settle for a fake. They just go through the religious motions and hope that God isn’t looking too close.

It’s this hypocrisy that has driven many of our young people from the church. They graduate from high school and their church’s youth group pizza parties, heading off to college, never to return. The so-called faith that their parents and churches have sold them just isn’t standing up in the real world. They are looking for something authentic. They’re looking for real.

In the apostle John’s first letter, he addresses this problem of fake faith, of counterfeit Christianity. He told the first century believers that they could trust the message of the gospel that Jesus Christ had died for our sins and risen from the grave because he was an eye witness to these facts. John told them that he had heard, seen, examined closely with his eyes and handled carefully with his hands the risen Lord Jesus and he was positively sure that He was the Son of God. John believed in the reality of the resurrection because he was there!

John said that those who would walk in the light of this message would have authentic fellowship with God. Real fellowship. Real faith.

This Easter, why not look for real?

“‘Return home and tell how much God has done for you.’ So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him” (Luke 8:39 NIV84). 

“People pay attention when they see that God actually changes persons and sets them free. When a new Christian stands up and tells how God has revolutionized his or her life, no one dozes off. When someone is healed or released from a life-controlling bondage, everyone takes notice” (Jim Cymbala).

Perhaps the greatest failure of the modern Christian is the failure to witness. Fear is often the reason given for this shortcoming, but perhaps it could be something more. Perhaps it is because many Christians today have such shallow commitment that it has resulted in stunted growth and very little life-change. They don’t witness because they don’t have anything to talk about. They don’t see that God has done that much for them. And so, no one else can see that God has done much for them either.

When Jesus set the demoniac of Luke 8 free from his torment, he went from a tortured and lonely existence to one of peace and fulfillment. He that had been mad with a “legion” of devilish voices in his head became calm and of sound mind. He got cleaned up, dressed up and started talking different. When he went back to his home town, he told everyone how much God had done for him. And there’s no doubt that people believed him, because they could see the difference.

Ask God to make real changes in your life. When life change happens, we can’t help but tell everyone. In fact, the change kinda speaks for itself.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 ESV).

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV).

We use lamps on end tables to light up our living room. They work well. We have them plugged into outlets that are switch activated. That way, we can turn them on at the wall switch when we enter the room.

However, sometimes they don’t work. We flip the switch and nothing. No light. Usually, it’s a burned-out bulb. Easy enough to replace. But occasionally it’s something that requires a bit more thought. 

“Is it unplugged from the wall from when someone vacuumed the floor?” I ponder. That could be it. “No…”

“Perhaps there’s a short in the circuit. Better go check the breaker box.” I mutter to myself as I head to the utility room.

Sometimes, it’s because the power is out to the whole house. Then, none of the electrical stuff works.

We all know the drill for how to trouble-shoot why the lights are coming on don’t we? But why is it that most Christians don’t understand how to “turn-on-the-light” in their witnessing?

Having power for witnessing is really quite similar to turning on the lights at your house:

1. Make sure you aren’t burned out spiritually. Continue to “fan the flames” (2 Tim. 1:6). Spend regular time with God to encourage yourself and to be fully at rest in His power.
2. Make sure you’re “plugged-in” to the Spirit’s power. Confess your sins (1 John 1:9) and be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18). Be under the Spirit’s influence and power.
3. Make sure you have “turned-on” the Spirit’s power by actually talking about Jesus to others. You can be resting in God’s presence and filled with His power, yet still not “turning-on” your witness by talking to others. The power is present in you through Christ, but you are not appropriating it by actually engaging others with your Christian witness. Flip the switch!

If you want to experience life-changing power as you witness of your faith in Christ to others, then make sure you check to see if your spiritual “light” is shining!

“Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground” [God speaking to Moses] (Exodus 3:5 KJV).

“If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here” [Moses speaking to God] (Exodus 33:15 ESV).

“We get so used to God’s absence that we don’t ache for God’s presence” (Dr. Doug Banister).

“Earth is crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees, takes off his shoes” (Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Aurora Leigh).

In the book of Exodus we read that while Moses was busy tending his father-in-law’s sheep, he noticed a bush burning in the desert without being consumed. Even though he was busy working, he said to himself, “I will turn aside to see this great sight.”

When God noticed that Moses had turned to see the burning bush, He began to speak to Moses.

Have you ever wondered what would have happened if Moses hadn’t turned aside to get a closer look at the bush? I mean, he was a busy guy. He had sheep to watch. What if Moses had just kept on working? Would he have heard God speak? Or would God have looked for someone else to go “barefoot” for Him?

No, I think God was determined to use Moses. My guess is that if Moses hadn’t noticed the burning bush, God might have caught something more noticable on fire, like his staff or his tent or maybe even his shoes!

Nothing like getting the hot foot to make you kick off your shoes!

You see, when God wants to get our attention, He will do whatever it takes for us to notice His presence. The funny thing is, that God is always present. The Bible teaches us that God is omnipresent, present everywhere, all the time. Yet, most of us never notice. Most of us never turn aside to see.

Do you look for God’s presence? Do you seek Him out every morning as you open your eyes? Do you slip off to sleep at night talking to Him?

When was the last time you slipped off your sandals to walk along the beach with God?

“Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again.’” (John 3:5-7 ESV).

Have you noticed how we take birth and life for granted?

We live as if we know what the future holds and we make plans for tomorrow and we act as if we have control over our lives. But recently, the Combs family at least, has been reminded of just how false that sense of control really is.

Last Friday, March 2nd, my son Stephen and his wife Caroline had an ultrasound that revealed that they were having a healthy baby boy! What joy we all felt! Stephen posted the above three-photo montage on facebook to announce their happiness to the world.

Then, only a few days later, the unthinkable happened. Caroline’s water broke. She is only in her 18th week, so the baby is not viable outside the womb. Thankfully, she didn’t go into labor, but still, what could this mean?

They rushed to the doctor and after another ultrasound, they found that the baby boy is still living. His heart is beating (160 bpm). Kidneys functioning. He’s still moving (Caroline felt him kick just yesterday morning). But there’s no amnotic fluid in the womb now. The doctor said that this fluid is a necessity for the development of his lungs. She said there is a great danger of infection and risk to the mother’s life. She didn’t offer much hope. The doctor sent them home on bed rest to wait and see.

Because this baby is a wanted baby, Stephen got on the phone and made arrangements to get a second opinion with specialists at Duke Hospital. They went there yesterday.

The doctors at Duke gave a bleak picture too, “Yes, the baby is normal for 18 weeks. Yes, there is a possibility that Caroline could stay infection free and carry the baby until 24 weeks (when viability is possible). His body will continue growing, but his lungs will not develop without amniotic fluid. Even if she can carry the baby to term, he will not be able to breathe outside the womb.

“We can induce labor now or wait and see.” They said. “What do you want to do?” The doctors asked.

“We want to give the baby a chance!” Stephen immediately responded. “Listen,” he continued. “We’re going to pray. And we’re going to ask a lot of people to pray with us. So, you’re the doctor. What specifically should we pray for?”

“Well, I guess the only hope would be for Caroline’s membranes to reseal, so that the amniotic fluid could build back up.” The doctor responded flatly.

“Have you ever seen that happen?” Stephen asked.

“No, not in a case like this. I’ve never seen it happen.” The doctor answered.

“Is it possible that it could reseal? Could it happen?” Stephen questioned.

“Hmm… I suppose. Yes, it’s possible, but highly unlikely.” The doctor replied, not wanting to offer false hope.

Talking and praying with our family over the last few days, we have been reminded that all of life is a miracle. We think we can just “plan” to have a baby and “Viola!” But every birth is a miracle. Every detail of the birth process is a work of God.

This is true for birth and it’s also true for rebirth. Without a touch of the miraculous neither can take place.

Jesus told Nicodemus that the only way to enter the Kingdom of Heaven was to be born again. His words to Nicodemus remind all of us that God is the only source of life and that this life is only found through faith in God’s Son, Jesus the Christ.

This is why prayer is not a footnote to life. It is not the thing to do when all else fails. It is the thing to do because “all else” will always fail without God’s miraculous power.

So, we’re praying that our unborn grandson will be born by “water” (We realize just how important this is now!) and by the Spirit. We’re praying that Caroline’s womb would heal, the amniotic “waters” would build back up, and that this baby boy would be born not only healthy, but anointed by the Spirit to bring glory to God for all of his life.

And we’re asking you to pray with us. Pray for our unborn grandson. Also pray for every person who hasn’t experienced the new birth that Christ gives.

Prayer is not a footnote to our lives. It’s our top note!

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 ESV).

“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ” (Philemon 1:6).

When Jesus was giving final instructions to his disciples, he didn’t say that they should be his witnesses. He said to them, “You will be my witnesses.” Jesus expected his disciples to bear witness. You might say that he saw it as a mark of authenticity for true discipleship.

Witnessing is more than just a mark of a true disciple. It is a discipline that produces spiritual growth in the one who is obedient to this calling.

Perhaps this is why there are so many immature and weak Christians in our churches today. They don’t practice their faith. They think of it as something to be kept to themselves. Faith for them belongs at church. It doesn’t permeate their lives. It doesn’t fill their minds and hearts. It doesn’t overflow into their conversations.

The apostle Paul told his friend Philemon that he should be “active in sharing” his faith, so that he could get a “full understanding” of what it means to be a Christian. In other words, Paul says if we want to grow up, we need to get active in witnessing. That’s where our faith is truly sharpened.

So let’s break out of our holy huddles and start talking to the people outside of our churches about how our story and God’s story has intersected.

Perhaps the clearest mark of a mature Christian is not the soundness of their doctrine, nor the fervency of their worship, but the sacrificial love they express by telling others about their Savior.

“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Jesus, Luke 12:13-21 ESV).

“Compared with their grandparents, today’s young adults have grown up with much more affluence, less happiness and much greater risk of depression and assorted social pathology… Our becoming much better off over the last four decades has not been accompanied by one iota of increase in subjective well-being… The accumulation of material goods is at an all-time high, but so is the number of people who feel an emptiness in their lives” (David G. Myers, The American Paradox: Spiritual Hunger in an Age of Plenty).

Some twenty years ago I stepped off the corporate ladder and answered the call to ministry. I quit my middle management job, attended seminary and planted a church. These decisions did not make financial sense, nor were they driven by a desire for worldly success. I had a sense of God’s call accompanied by a kind of holy discontent with my life’s purpose. I decided to focus on eternal rather than temporal goals. And that has made all the difference.

But not at first. When I was making the decision to follow God’s call, I told Him, “Lord, I don’t care if I lose everything, I just want to follow You.” However, I didn’t think He would take me up on it. I was hoping that He would see my willingness without my actually having to give up everything.

When the phone starting ringing with credit card collectors wanting their money, when we emptied our savings, went 14 months with no income, struggled putting groceries on the table and we got the letter that the bank was foreclosing on our house… I started doubting. I questioned God’s call on my life. I had led not only myself, but my wife and our three young children on this journey. And now we were all suffering the consequences of my poor leadership.

At least, that’s the way it felt at the time. But things began to change. The church that started in our living room with seven people had grown to seventy. We started receiving a salary. I phoned all our creditors and the bank and they miraculously worked with us to catch up. We not only didn’t lose our house, but it served as our church meeting place for the first two years on Wednesdays. We converted our upstairs guestroom into the church office. I answered the home phone with “Hello, this is Wilson Community Church, Pastor Gary speaking” for the first four years until we could afford to rent an office. The youth met in our garage for the first eight years of the church.

In the past week I’ve been reflecting on all that God has done in my life, in the life of my family, and in the life of our church, since we decided to pursue God’s call. Instead of being a liability to us, following God has been an amazing asset!

Just in the last week, I’ve seen my son, Stephen leading our church as its worship pastor. Calling people to stand and lift their hands to their Heavenly Father. What a bold and passionate heart of worship God has put in my eldest son!

This past Sunday evening, we laid hands on my son, Jonathan and ordained him into the Gospel ministry. He wore his “dress blues” and stood at attention and said, “I do,” when we charged him to fulfill the call to preach the Gospel “in season and out.” How committed to study and preach this middle boy of mine has become.

Tomorrow, my daughter Erin, having led a team in the past few days to prepare flyers and bags, will lead our church in collecting food for the hungry. Where did she get this servant’s heart and desire for helping the helpless and encouraging the elderly?

And my wife Robin, who has been not only my wife and the mother of our children, but in the past 20 years: the church’s nursery director, children’s teacher, set-up team member, meal ministry leader, women’s ministry speaker, church janitor, secretary, worship team leader, keyboard player, vocalist, etc. She has gracefully and joyfully been my helpmate and a servant of God. Who am I to have such a wife as this?

Then there’s our WCC family… what servants they are, what lovers of God and of His Word. They are so authentic and true. I wouldn’t want to be anyone else’s pastor. Why would God give me such blessing?

I guess it all boils down to one little decision I made twenty some years ago to go counter to the world’s culture of pursuing success and materialism. One little decision to follow God instead.

I’m so glad I did.

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:30 NIV84).

“Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. …A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man” (1 Corinthians 11:3,7-8 NIV84).

I’ve been thinking a lot about beauty this week as I prepare to preach this coming Sunday about biblical femininity. It seems to me that beauty is a kind of proof for God. There’s something about true beauty that cannot be explained with evolutionary theory. There’s something of intrinsic value that beauty portrays to us that speaks of a deeper truth. I think beauty and God’s glory are somehow connected.

Pastor John Piper, who never tires of speaking of God’s glory, seems to agree. He defines God’s glory like this:

“I believe the glory of God is the going public of his infinite worth…The public display of the infinite beauty and worth of God is what I mean by glory.”

Beauty, like glory, is the manifestation of an inner character. True beauty is more than “skin deep.” It is the showing forth of that which is beautiful within.

When we are born again through the receiving of God’s Son, we are transformed and given His beautiful character. As this redeemed character shines out in our behavior, we again become like the image of God, bringing glory to Him in this world.

The unique and beautiful design of a daughter of God is that she is the “glory of man” and together they are made in the image of God.

When we submit to God’s design for our lives, we experience the beauty of God.