The Love Driven Life: A Love Drive Believer

Slumdog Millionaires

Have you ever wondered why some literature is called classic literature? What makes a story a classic isn't necessarily that it appeals to the masses, but that it speaks to the masses. Every now and then a story comes along that communicates not only to a particular generation in history, but to generations throughout history. A classic sums up our thoughts and emotions and describes us and our world more powerfully than we can. It is not simply a story or my story, but it is our story.

The recent film Slumdog Millionaire might very well become a contemporary classic. Set against a graphic depiction of poverty, crime, human trafficking, and violence, a story of love and hope is presented. Without disclosing the ending of the movie, a young man from the slums of Mumbai appears on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? His drive to play the game comes from his deep desire to find his one true love, but his ability to successfully play the game comes from the knowledge he has obtained as a result of his horrific life experiences.

Two Sundays ago, I began a series of messages on a story about a "slumdog millionaire" in the Bible. In John chapter 4, Jesus intentionally goes through Samaria in order to bid a particular Samaritan woman to give him a drink of water at the public well in Sychar. The woman is surprised by Jesus' request because in the eyes of Jews, Samaritans are "slumdogs." Yet, Jesus' reply to the woman is: "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."[1] The gift he offers her is not millions of dollars, but the far more valuable gift of salvation. She eventually leaves her water pot and runs through the town, as if she has just won the lottery, telling everyone about her encounter with Jesus.

This story is a classic because it is not simply about a woman with five ex-husbands, that is now 'living in sin,' it is our story. It is the story about the priceless gift of salvation that God has given us, despite many of us having been "slumdogs" in the eyes of the social and religious elite. The Apostle Paul wrote:

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.... God chose [those] despised by the world, [those] counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.[2]

If we could only believe that God is lovingly pursuing us in spite of the things we've done--not to mention the things we're presently doing or the things we've yet to do. He longs for an intimate relationship with us and for us to believe, to truly believe, that in spite of our unlovable, incompetent, inconsistent, "slumdog" sinful selves, he loves us unconditionally.

Because God is much more devoted to pursuing us than we are to chasing him, I urge you this week to look for Jesus beyond your usual spots; like the church sanctuary. Listen for his pursuing voice early in the morning as well as late in the evening. Turn off your television, IPOD, computer, and 'Crackberry' for one hour each day to let him know that you truly value his priceless gift of salvation, as well as your relationship with him, and are available for him during primetime this week.


[1] John 4:10 (NLT)
[2] 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NLT)

Retention Bonuses Announced

This past week we have seen massive outrage over the $165 million retention bonuses paid to AIG executives in the unit which lost so much money that it brought the firm to collapse; ultimatealy requiring a taxpayer bailout. With millions of American taxpayers out of work and thousands of families having either lost their homes or sitting on the verge of foreclosure, the lavish bonuses appear to be not only excessive but offensive. Since news of the bonuses broke, there have been death threats, angry letters flooding e-mail inboxes, and irate callers lighting up AIG phone lines.

Although all of us might be outraged, there is no need for Christians to join the vigilantes, because we know that God is not oblivious to these apparent inequities in our society. The following passage is only one portion of scripture that addresses our nation's concerns by reminding us that God will take action even if AIG, Congress, the administration, or the courts fail to do so.

Don't you realize that from the beginning of time, ever since people were first placed on the earth, the triumph of the wicked has been short lived....They will vomit the wealth they swallowed. God won't let them keep it down.... They will give back everything they worked for. Their wealth will bring them no joy. For they oppressed the poor and left them destitute. They foreclosed on their homes. They were always greedy and never satisfied. Nothing remains of all the things they dreamed about.
Nothing is left after they finish gorging themselves. Therefore, their prosperity will not endure.[1]

On a lighter side, believers can also take comfort in knowing that God has announced that he has lavish retention bonuses for his people too. The believer's life is often faced with suffering and pain; however the Bible repeatedly reminds us that God promises rewards or bonuses to those who endure suffering. "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."[2] Job was restored with double for all of his suffering.[3]

Immediately following his Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, "God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven."[4]

Have you checked out your eternal compensation plan lately? Take some time this week to review in the Bible some of the promises God has placed in his covenant with you. See if you won't find it much easier to handle the corruption and craziness of daily living this week.

[1] Job 20:4-5, 15, 18-21 (NLT)
[2] James 1:12 (NLT)
[3] Job 42:10
[4] Matthew 5:11-12 (NLT)

Signs That a Woman Might Be in an Abusive Relationship

Do you know someone who is in an abusive relationship? Do you know what to look for? The following list contains some of the factors that might indicate a woman is in an abusive relationship.

• She is withdrawn and isolated from her friends and family.
• She was once an active participant in social activities, but she is no longer active.
• She displays poor self-esteem, poor self-concept. She speaks poorly of herself.
• She seems aloof and detached and she will not make eye contact when talking.
• She appears nervous, especially when her partner is around, and she never accepts an invitation or a responsibility without getting his approval or okay first.
• She calls her partner frequently during the workday or whenever she is away from him.
• She is excluded from decision making at home and seldom has money of her own.
• Her husband or partner will not let her drive or learn to drive, go to school, or get a job.
• She has many “accidents,” some of which seem illogical and suspicious.
• She has unexpected bruises, marks, scratches, or welts. She is often vague about how she got these injuries.
• She wears a lot of makeup or sunglasses, indoors as well as outdoors. She also wears a lot of turtlenecks, scarves, long sleeves, and slacks.
• She may complain of nonspecific aches and pains that are constant and recurring. These are stress-related problems.

If you know someone who is abused, have you tried to help? What have you done? Although we are increasingly aware of the devastation of intimate violence, too few of us know how to help battered women and children.

A variety of organizations and sources, regularly publicize domestic violence information and prevention strategies on the Internet with easy-to-read steps for simple, safe, and effective ways in which women can begin taking steps to leave their abusive relationships as well as how we, the public—family, friends, neighbors, church members—can help battered women and children.

Warning Signs of an Abusive Male

A man who systematically inflicts violence on his wife or lover is likely to have some or all of the following traits:

• He has low self-esteem and may use violence as a means of demonstrating power or adequacy.
• He has a traditional view of women and may resort to violence when he believes his masculinity is being challenged.
• He has a need for power and control. The fear of loss of control or power may trigger abusive behavior.
• He may make strong demands on his mate and respond with anger when these demands are not met.
• He may have verbal skills that are inferior to those of his mate.
• He may be sadistic, pathologically jealous, or passive-aggressive and demand absolute loyalty from his mate.
• He may have a “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” personality, being capable at times of great charm.
• He may use sex as an act of aggression.
• He may have had a father figure who was violent toward his spouse or children.
• He may have difficulty in maintaining social relationships.
• He may be unemployed or underemployed. Job dissatisfaction adds stress to the relationship and may lead to violence.
• He may demonstrate frustration by punching walls, kicking chairs, or hitting animals.He may have a drug or alcohol dependency.

The Love Driven Life: A Love Driven Lover

People magazine recently revealed the rather shocking news that Rihanna and Chris Brown were back together. "They're together again. They care for each other.... While Chris is reflective and saddened about what happened, he is really happy to be with the woman he loves," People's source revealed.

With 30 years of marriage under my belt, and 20 years of working with couples as a pastor, and 20 years as a professor of Sociology specializing in teaching Marriage and the Family, I realize Rihanna and Chris's decision to reunite is not uncommon; although probably foolish. Both Chris and Rihanna have obviously deceived themselves about the kind of lover that Chris apparently is. Most people, including the rich and the famous, fail at love because they lack a clear understanding of what "real" love is and subsequently end up falling for the wrong kind of lover.

This week's sermon titled, The Love Driven Lover, explored sociologist John Alan Lee's six styles of lovers: (1) the erotic lover who searches for a person with the right physical appearance; (2) the ludic lover who is fickle and needs to play the field; (3) the storgic lover who is looking for friendship that might eventually develop into real love; (4) the manic lover who is demanding, possessive, and "out of control;" (5) the pragmatic lover who searches for a person with the right vital statistics: job, money, car, age, etc.; and (6) the agapic lover who is not only passionate, but committed, giving, altruistic, and selfless.

The Bible gives us one of the most extensive definitions of real love or agape love; which is the type of love that drives the agapic lover.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. [1]

Have you ever thought about the type of lover you are? What type of lover would you say your mate is? Based upon Lee's styles of lovers, Chris Brown, like most abusers, is the manic lover.

Regardless of the type of lover you have been in the past or presently appear to be, as a born-again believer, you possess the ability to be nothing less than an agapic lover. As a believer, you also have the right to loved by nothing less than an agapic lover. Therefore, if you are single, wait until God sends you an agapic lover. If you're married, take some time this week, using the Bible's description of "real" love (agape), to evaluate and improve your lovemaking skills; the love of your life deserves nothing less than an agape driven lover.


[1]1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)

The Love Drive Life: A Love Driven Sinner

Everyone loves a good love story. Even 'real men' appreciate a well written romance. One of my favorite authors is Nicolas Sparks. And yes, I do read books other than the bible, biblical commentaries, and scholarly textbooks.

The Notebook by Sparks is so far my favorite of his novels. A love story about everlasting, unconditional love, written in both first and third person narrative, in two different time periods, tells the story of Noah and Allie; how they fell in love in the 1940s, and how they fall in love again in the 1990s, when Allie is suffering from Alzheimer's and no longer remembers Noah. The story was originally inspired by Nicholas's wife's grandparents.

This past Sunday, I preached about a love story told in the gospel of St. Luke. While Jesus was eating at the home of Simon the Pharisee, a woman who had been labeled an immoral sinner came in the house with a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume.

Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. [1]

We all have different stories but one common thread binds all of our stories together. Each of our lives, at some point, took a turn we never saw coming, and we were tagged with a label we never intended to wear. All of us have worn the label: SINNER!

The truth each of us must embrace is that God can and will use our mistakes, our failures, our flaws and our sins as tools for drawing us towards the feet of Jesus. The woman in Luke's story came to Jesus not out of guilt or remorse but out of great love and gratitude. It was her understanding of what God had already done with her past that drove her to the feet of Jesus.

Take a moment with me to think about your driving motive for worship this week. What drove you to get up this past Sunday for worship; in spite of losing an hour of sleep? Was it simply your Sunday to sing on the choir, play in the band, teach Sunday school, serve as an usher, count the offering, work in the parking lot or the nursery, or deliver the morning the sermon? Were you driven by your love for Christ or your fear of what others might think about you? Had the woman in Luke's story been driven by her fear of others, rather than her love for Christ, she never would have entered Simon's house.

No matter what we do in church, we will not be able to adequately serve the Lord or truly worship and adore Him, until we realize the depth and breadth of God's grace and the magnitude of our forgiveness. When we come to this revelation, we will never again need to be pushed, primed or pumped up for worship or service.

[1]Luke 7:38 (NLT)

The Love Driven Life: A Love Driven Savior

Bishop's Blog

3/2/09

On this past Sunday, I began a new series titled The Love Driven Life. The first sermon in the series was A Love Driven Savior.

Over the past few years The Purpose Driven Life phenomenon has taken the Christian world by storm. There is hardly one evangelical who is not aware of Rick Warrens' book, The Purpose Driven Life. Rick Warren's fame accorded him a significant role in our recent presidential election. He not only hosted a debate between then Senator Barak Obama and Senator John McCain, but was bestowed the honor of giving the Inaugural Invocation.

The commercial success of The Purpose Driven Life has obviously far exceeded anyone's imagination. Yet, I'm not sure that the book, the small group course, and all of the other ancillary materials have significantly changed in a sustainable way the lives of most believers. The average Christian still finds him or herself overwhelmed by the pursuit of personal goals. As well, most believers have yet to discover God's purpose for their lives.

The motivation for fulfilling God's purpose for our lives is not simply the knowledge that God has a purpose for us. It is the knowledge of God's extravagant love for us and our subsequent love for him that is to both drive and empower us to fulfill God's purpose for our lives. Being driven by anything other than God's love for us and our love for God will result in anything but us fulfilling God's will for our lives. Without the right motives we'll never completely do the right thing.

It is God's love, because he is love, that drives him more than any other force. Here's how John describes God's love for us.

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love-not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.[1]

The Apostle Paul adds to John's thoughts by writing: "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."[2]

What's clear from both John and Paul is that God's pursuit of you has absolutely nothing to do with your level of obedience or righteousness. God loved you and chose you while you were still a full-time, major league, self-serving sinner. He chose you long before you ever thought about choosing him. He called you long before you attempted to called on His name.

If you could believe that pursuing you is God's all-consuming love--in spite of your sins, your faults, your failures, your inconsistencies, and your unfaithfulness--imagine how it would change your faith, your prayers, your free time, your church attendance, your purpose, your drive, and your love for God. "The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved."--Victor Hugo

[1] 1 John 4:9-10 (NLT)
[2] Romans 5:8 (NLT)


Rayner C. Wharton, Sr.
Mt. Olive Holy Evangelistic Church