In a world that often leaves us feeling lost, empty, and searching for purpose, there's a profound truth that can transform our lives: we are ransomed, redeemed, and reconciled through Jesus Christ. This powerful reality shapes our identity and gives us a foundation of hope and freedom that nothing else can match.

Let's start by confronting an uncomfortable truth - we're all born with a sin nature. From our earliest moments, we have an inclination towards selfishness and rebellion against God. Even innocent babies cry for attention when they don't truly need anything. This inherent bent towards sin creates a separation between us and our holy Creator.

The cost of this separation is steep. Left unaddressed, it leads to eternal separation from God in hell. But here's where the story takes a beautiful turn - God loves us too much to leave us in this state. He provided a way out, a ransom payment that we could never afford ourselves.

Enter Jesus Christ. His sacrifice on the cross wasn't just a historical event; it was a cosmic transaction. The apostle Peter puts it this way: "For you know that you were redeemed from your empty ways of life inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb." (1 Peter 1:18-19)

This ransom price shows our immense value in God's eyes. We weren't bought with earthly wealth, but with the very life of God's Son. It's a staggering thought - you are so precious to God that He was willing to pay the ultimate price to bring you back to Himself.

But Christ's work doesn't stop at ransoming us. We are also redeemed. The apostle Paul, writing to the Ephesians, celebrates that in Christ "we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Ephesians 1:7). This redemption frees us from the power of sin and gives us a new identity.

Think about what this means. No longer are we defined by our past mistakes, our current struggles, or the labels the world puts on us. In Christ, we are forgiven and free. We don't have to carry the weight of guilt or shame. We don't have to be trapped in cycles of destructive behavior. We have been given a clean slate and the power to live differently.

This redemption should fill us with a sense of joyful confidence. We can face each day knowing that our standing with God is secure. We don't have to earn His love or work our way into His good graces. The price has been paid in full.

But there's even more good news. Not only are we ransomed and redeemed, but we are also reconciled to God. Paul explains in Colossians, "He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves." (Colossians 1:13)

This reconciliation restores our relationship with God. We're no longer enemies or strangers, but beloved children welcomed into His family. We have the incredible privilege of direct access to the Creator of the universe. We can speak to Him in prayer, hear from Him through His Word, and experience His presence in our daily lives.

This reconciliation also empowers us to rebuild broken relationships with others. Just as God extended grace to us, we can extend grace to those who have hurt us. The gospel gives us the power to forgive, to seek restoration, and to love even when it's difficult.

Reflecting on these truths should stir something deep within us. We've been given an incredible gift, a new identity that should shape every aspect of our lives. Yet how often do we live as if none of this were true? How often do we allow ourselves to be defined by our circumstances, our failures, or the opinions of others?

It's time for us to embrace our true identity in Christ. To wake up each morning remembering that we are ransomed, redeemed, and reconciled children of God. This isn't just feel-good theology; it's a life-altering reality that should impact how we think, speak, and act.

Consider how differently we might approach our day if we truly believed:

We are valuable beyond measure, worth the blood of Christ.
We are forgiven and free, no longer slaves to sin.
We have direct access to God, able to approach Him boldly.
We are part of God's family, with a loving Father who will never leave us.
Living in light of these truths doesn't mean we'll never struggle or face difficulties. But it does mean we face those challenges from a place of security, knowing who we are and Whose we are.

This identity should also compel us to share the good news with others. If we've truly grasped the magnitude of what Christ has done for us, how can we keep it to ourselves? We should be eager to tell others about the God who loves them enough to ransom them at such a high cost, who offers complete redemption, and who longs to reconcile them to Himself.

In a world full of competing voices and identities, let's cling to the one that matters most. You are ransomed, redeemed, and reconciled through Jesus Christ. Let that truth sink deep into your soul, transform your thinking, and overflow into every area of your life.

As you go about your day, remember: You are seen by God. You are known by God. And you are deeply, unconditionally loved by God. What could be more precious than that?

Think about Spiritual Dryness

In the chaos of modern life, it's easy for our spiritual lives to become parched and withered, much like the valley of dry bones described in Ezekiel 37. We find ourselves going through the motions, attending church out of habit rather than hunger for God's presence. But what if there's more? What if God is calling us to a deeper, more vibrant faith?

The image of dry bones scattered across a desolate valley serves as a powerful metaphor for the state of many believers today. We may appear alive on the outside, but inside, our spirits are crying out for rejuvenation. The question echoes through time: "Can these bones live?" (Ezekiel 37:3). The answer, as it was then, remains, "Sovereign Lord, you alone know."

But here's the good news – God is in the business of breathing new life into dead situations. He specializes in resurrections, both literal and spiritual. However, this renewal doesn't happen passively. It requires our active participation and a willingness to confront the areas of our lives that have become stagnant.

So, what's holding us back? What's causing this spiritual dryness? Three main culprits emerge:

1. An Abundance of Sin
James 4:17 reminds us, "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them." How often do we knowingly choose the wrong path, justifying our actions with weak excuses? We've become hoarders of sin, stockpiling our transgressions like precious commodities, unwilling to let them go even when we know they're harmful.

It's time for a spiritual decluttering. Just as we wouldn't wear the same undergarments day after day, we can't expect to grow spiritually while clinging to the same old sins. Repentance isn't just a one-time event; it's a daily choice to turn away from what displeases God and embrace His will for our lives.

2. Failure to Love God and Others Rightly
Jesus summed up the entire law in two commandments: Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40). Yet, how often do we put other things before God? Our jobs, our hobbies, even our families can become idols if we're not careful.

Loving God means prioritizing Him above all else. It means being in His house regularly, not just when it's convenient. It means developing a private worship life that's just as vibrant as our public one. And loving others? It's more than a casual "God bless you" or a quick prayer. It's about building relationships, meeting needs, and being the hands and feet of Christ in a broken world.

3. Misplaced Priorities
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33). This verse challenges us to reorder our lives with God at the center. It's not about fitting God into our busy schedules; it's about building our schedules around Him.

This might mean making tough choices. It might mean saying no to good things to say yes to the best thing. But when we align our priorities with God's, everything else falls into place. We find a peace and purpose that transcends our circumstances.

So, how do we move from dry bones to living, breathing faith? Here are some practical steps:

1. Confront Your Sin: Take an honest inventory of your life. What sins have you been holding onto? Confess them to God and trusted believers. Develop a plan to resist temptation and replace sinful habits with godly ones.

2. Cultivate Love for God: Make church attendance a non-negotiable priority. Develop a consistent private worship time. Engage with God's Word daily, not just reading it, but meditating on it and applying it to your life.

3. Love Others Intentionally: Look for ways to serve those around you. Build meaningful relationships within your church community. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone to meet the needs of others.

4. Realign Your Priorities: Take a hard look at your schedule and your spending. Do they reflect a life centered on God's kingdom? Make necessary adjustments, even if they're difficult.

5. Engage in Discipleship: Join a small group or Bible study. Find a mentor who can guide you in your spiritual growth. Be willing to be held accountable by fellow believers.

Remember, spiritual growth is a process. It won't happen overnight, but with consistent effort and reliance on God's grace, you can move from dry bones to vibrant faith. The prophet's vision didn't end with scattered bones – it culminated in a vast army, alive and ready for action. That's God's vision for His church today.

As you reflect on these truths, ask yourself: Where am I spiritually dry? What steps do I need to take to allow God's breath to revive me? Don't be content with a mediocre faith. God is calling you to something greater, something more alive and impactful than you've ever experienced before.

The valley of dry bones isn't the end of the story – it's just the beginning. Will you allow God to breathe new life into your faith today? The choice is yours. The potential for renewal is limitless. Let's not settle for anything less than the fullness of life God has for us.

I know,  I know it’s Clickbait for the title, but it’s a serious question… do we follow our feelings or do we follow the Bible? I’ve been noticing a lot of people claiming to be hyper-spiritual who are hyper-spiritual despite being shown in the Bible that what they’re doing is not biblical… I’m not talking about a denominational setting I’m talking about what they are doing is completely biblical.

But they say Pastor Matt feels good Pastor Matt I feel in tune with God when I do this or Pastor Matt I really want to do this because I feel like God is calling me to do it… let me start by saying if you are called to a local church, which you are then you should probably talk to your pastor. There’s a reason God called you to submit to that pastoral authority.  But then let me go a step further and say this what you’re doing draws attention to you not to God it isn’t biblical it’s you following your feelings.  

Some might say what’s wrong with feeling good well, the Bible says that your heart is deceitfully wicked so when you follow your heart you are following your wickedness so when you follow your feelings, you’re following your own academic sin nature.  Now keep in mind I’m a person who believes in a continuation of the gifts of the spirit, but they cannot contradict scripture and when they do, it’s not a gift of the spirit it’s a deceit from the devil.

I’ve said it many times The devil cannot create, but he can duplicate and what I am seeing in so many Christians is that they are allowing the devil to mimic spiritual giftedness and take the eyes off of God and put them onto them. Again, I’m going to say this if you are a Christian, you are called to be part of a local church. If you are called to be part of a local church or if you feel like God has called you to a specific place for a particular time talk to the Pastor because God has also called you to pastoral authority.  

I hear people use denominational names to justify their unbiblical behavior and I think a lot of people don’t really know what denominations believe they just cherry-pick certain things that fit their mood or their desired behavior.  Stop using the Holy Spirit to make you feel good because of what you’re doing because the truth is what you are doing is quenching or even falsely imitating the Holy Spirit...   The Holy Spirit comes upon us to glorify God to bring attention to you and sadly most people today want attention or want to be seen instead of wanting to see god put at the front of their worship.

Think about what we are doing, think about what god would want us to do. Remember to stay inline with what the bible says and remember glorify God not yourself

Have you seen the Snickers commercial with the tattoo? A man gets a tattoo meant to say “No Regrets” but it is misspelled and says “No Regerts” - something that will generate instant regret.
 
In the course of my day job, we have a department meeting every Tuesday which is, in large part, someone in IT leading a devotional. This is one of the huge benefits of working for a ministry - imagine a corporate setting where they recognize that Christ comes before business. One of our project managers led a devotional talking about regret - and this subject has stuck with me for a few weeks ever since because it has become clear to me that not only do we misunderstand our own feelings when it comes to regret, but we tend to take actions that simply make things worse. So is regret really a bad thing?
 
Paul writes in Philippians 3 the following: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” Paul takes special care to mention that he does not focus on the past, but rather the future - the mission - the goal. To dwell on past mistakes and past decisions will simply cause us to stress about one more thing in a long line of things over which we have zero control - we cannot change the past, yet we worry about it as though there can be a more positive result if we just worry hard enough.
 
I know I am not alone in this scenario: lying in bed after a long day, dog tired, but your brain will not stop replaying in your head every stupid, cringy thing you have ever done in your life, thereby keeping you from rest and building up anxiety and worry over something that in all reality, everyone else involved has likely forgotten long ago. We dwell on shortcomings, errors, and places where we have missed the mark - the more embarrassing, the better. Sometimes this can cause us to step back from taking a risk, or believe we are not capable of doing what we are meant to do - and this is a problem.
 
Yet, I submit that regret is, in itself, not a bad thing. How we use regret - how it affects us - this is where it can be positive or negative. In C.S. Lewis’ book The Screwtape Letters where one seasoned demon is writing to his inexperienced nephew with advice on how to best corrupt humans, he writes the following about human emotions, citing regret as an example: “To decide what the best use of it is, you must ask what use the Enemy wants to make of it, and then do the opposite.” If regret is a tool used by the enemy, we have to consider that it is a tool which can also be used by God for good - and here is where each of us needs to step back and consider our own responses to life.
 
What good is regret? For me, there is no better teacher. We are meant to learn from our mistakes - to grow and mature so that we do not repeat them. Some mistakes are simply a correction - a quick lesson to take with us and make us better in small but measurable ways. Some mistakes impact us profoundly - often leading to lasting regret even after we have long paid the consequences. That is a mistake I am not going to make again (one can hope, anyway.) Regret can help us to remember what we have learned - and why we learned it - thus cementing our understanding and allowing us to really grow.
 
When we forget our mistakes - forget the consequences, and live entirely without regret - we can also forget the lesson. Remember during the pandemic when there was this major push to tear down, destroy, and rename any monument in our country that pointed back to pre-Civil War days and slavery? People said the memory was offensive, as if we were glorifying the actions that were memorialized. Yet many of us, Christians in particular, recognized that many of these monuments served to remind us of past mistakes - not to make us feel shame, but to allow us to remember the lessons learned and ensure that those same mistakes are not repeated.
 
Where regret becomes a problem is when we dwell on things that cannot be changed. I recently counseled someone who had made a major mistake quite recently - and he is currently drowning in his regret over this sin. His regret is so fresh and so severe that it is impacting his entire life - his relationships, his work performance, his ministry - and it has caused him to question his worthiness to continue to serve. And I’ll be honest - it was a big mistake - there are major consequences with which he is already dealing. Yet for him, the regret shines through more than the consequences themselves - he is torturing himself far more than anything in this world is capable of dealing.
 
Maybe you are dealing with that. For many, regret is a major factor in keeping them from coming to Christ to begin with. For believers, it can be debilitating, as we all know that when it comes to major sin, we know better - and that is supposed to be reflected in our character, right? After all, believers never get caught up in financial sin or sexual sin or addiction or some other scandal, right? And when we do, we often feel like we are too far gone - too far away from God and His grace.
 
But we know better. We know better, yet we dwell. Paul also writes in Romans that nothing can separate us from God - not death, life, angels, demons, past, present, powers, height, depth, or any other thing created - you know, except for that one mistake, right?
 
Paul’s lesson to the Pilippians is not to forget the past - the past teaches us who we are, who God is in our lives, and shows us when and where we have strayed off course, that we might avoid doing it again, at least in that specific way. Yet to focus on regret is to steal the joy of life - to take away from the blessings of today. Healthy regret drives us to repentance and a right pursuit of Godliness. And since sanctification is an ongoing process throughout our full lives, we will do plenty more things in life to regret later.
 
The point? Learn from your past, but do not let it steal from your present. Your regret is not a tattoo imprinted on your body forever - your sin is wiped away like that tattoo could never be. You are forgiven and made to be in right standing before God when you repent and turn from your sin - and that sufficient grace should inform our decisions in life, not our “regerts.”

We all know that the devil is a liar. We know that much, if not most of what we hear in the world is nothing but lies. Often the things we tell ourselves are lies. As humans we lie - sometimes for gain, sometimes to escape consequence, sometimes to make ourselves feel better - and sometimes, we do it almost indiscriminately because it has become our default. And nowadays lies are not just tolerated, they are no longer labeled as lies, because what is truth anyway, right?

As believers, we are called to truth - absolute, constant, unquestionable truth. We know what the truth is, and we know when real truth is being traded for lies, whether it is in the world or in our very church. The infallible Word of God lays out the truth plainly, in all of its painful and world-defying glory - and the truth does not change just because we shut our ears to it or find it offensive or deny it in favor of what we want. But living by the truth is not enough - we are also called to oppose lies and promote truth in others - no matter how much they shut their ears to it, are offended by it, or deny it in favor of embracing the lie that allows people to live however they so choose.

Just a few weeks ago, a “pastor” had an interview on a CBS morning show. I put that in quotes because this person - a transgender (identifying as female) leader within the Evangelical Lutheran Church - was asked about what the Bible says about how God created only two genders - male and female. This person - a supposed leader of a God-honoring faith - stated that the Bible, God’s Word, “wasn’t written for 2024.”

A lie is an untrue or inaccurate statement which misleads or deceives, imputing dishonesty; so says Merriam-Webster. What causes people to lie? In this case, a person (and I am not going to even deal with the issue of pronouns - and I am not sorry) has responded to a legitimate question about God’s Word (which, by the way, come from an unsaved news anchor) and spoke in a way that is not only dismissive of the very words of God, but places their own wisdom, desires, and agenda above God’s Word. This person, who at one point in their life accepted a call into ministry for the purpose of the Gospel, has abandoned the truth and is now acting to mislead, deceive, and impute dishonesty in the name of selfish ambition over the higher calling of reflecting God’s image.

I personally have a lot of opinions about our current political climate and the upcoming election that I would love to get on my soapbox and discuss, but I am not going to do that. Instead, as we approach this election season, I am going to instead point out the lies that should be obvious to a rational thinking person, and call out what we as believers know to be the truth. It is my hope that a small grounding in reality will make things clearer for those who are caught up in the world of lies we see everywhere we look.

Lie: Whoever wins this election will be calling the shots for our nation - and the wrong person will bring us to ruin.
Truth: We are a sinful human race, already headed for ruin. Who we elect for our leadership is important - even crucial - but do not make the mistake of believing that anyone is in control other than God. This is His world, we are His children, and His will is going to be carried out for our country whether it is done by Trump, Harris, or Mickey Mouse.

Lie: The issues on this ballot are fundamental to our identity as people - our rights to our bodies, to identify as we choose, and to live our “best lives” define who we are.
Truth: You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14) in God’s image - that is your identity. That is the identity of the child in the womb at the moment of conception. That is the truth as stated in God’s Word and it has not, nor will it ever change no matter how much the world protests, rallies, or states from positions of God-given power.

Lie: If Trump wins, he will save America.
Truth: If Trump wins, we might see some improvement, we might not. We might see things get worse. We will still live in a world where the Father of Lies has influence - a lot of it. Trump is not a messiah - Christ is the Messiah, and the best we can hope for is that Trump or Harris or whomever will seek His wisdom.

Let’s be honest about this one. Anyone who has read the Bible and attended church has a fairly solid picture of the future of this world. I hate to break it to you - things are not ideal right now, and if we believe the Word, things are going to get worse. They are going to get much worse. There is no promise that says that Trump or anyone else in the world is going to make things better - that is reserved for Christ’s return. In fact, Revelation makes it clear that when things do start to get better on a global scale, we are nearing the very end, and that “better” is actually far worse than we can even imagine or understand. Our hope lies in the Creator, not the creation.

Lie: If Harris wins, Christians are in big trouble.
Truth: Honestly there is some truth to this - bu if you are living for Christ, trouble in this world is a given, regardless of who is in leadership. Christians who are believers in more than just name are called to live with a worldview that fundamentally opposes the party line - whether it is Republican or Democrat or Jedi - pick your poison. Yes, Harris has policies that are distinct in their anti-Christian approach, but this is not new. The fact of the matter is this - the world did not end when Clinton served, nor did it end when Obama served, nor with Biden or any other person supporting anti-conservative platforms. Christ reigns - just as He always has and He will continue to do so.

Lie: If X wins the election, we should oppose them at every turn.
Truth: Romans 13:1 makes this incredibly clear: “Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.” We do not have to like those in authority, but we as believers are called to respect that authority as established by God. This does not mean that we swallow the lies or accept law that goes against God’s authority, but it does mean that we recognize the leadership and support what we know to be the common good according to God’s Word regardless of who carries the mantle of leadership.

Furthermore, in this vein, we have a responsibility to our leadership. Rather than praying that God would circumvent or prevent them from doing what it is in their heart to do, we should be praying for their souls and that their hearts would change. We should be praying for them to find God - authentically, truthfully, and repent so that they too might be saved. And we should be doing this not because of their position or what they might do if they are saved - we should be doing it because God loves them and they too are valuable and within His reach to save as individuals, not just as leaders.

The one political statement I will make is this - You need to vote. It is your responsibility to oppose evil in the world, and you have a vehicle to do so. You may believe that your vote does not matter - but that too is a lie from the devil. You have the ability and the responsibility to vote God’s Word - and your disgust and offense perpetrated by a world of lies does not exempt you from that responsibility. You have been given a voice and the charge to use it for God’s kingdom, and there is no argument that can be raised against your responsibility as a believer.

Here is the absolute truth - God is in control. Regardless of the election and the world at large circling the drain around us - we need to cling to Him. We need to focus on our relationship with Christ and the task to which He has called every one of us. Are you worried about the state of the world? Do your job. Pray for our leaders and their salvation - regardless of who they are. Tell your neighbor the truth in the midst of the lies. Get busy doing what we are here to do!

I believe that if we're all completely honest, at some point we've all become comfortable, or ok,  in our faith. We've experienced both the good and the bad, and we've reached a point where we believe that everything is going to be okay. I think that each of us has been in that place, but what sets many of us apart is how we handle it. I think many never strive to be uncomfortable again. Some of us may think that the Christian life is meant to be easy, but the truth is the Bible tells us that it's not supposed to be easy.

Isaiah 41:10 tells us not to fear because God is with us. Not being afraid doesn't mean there won't be times when we are afraid. John 16:33 tells us that we're going to have troubles, but it's okay because Jesus has already overcome those troubles. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not to be worried or anxious about things, but to pray to God. So, I think it's safe to say that there will be times when we simply need to accept complacency, knowing that eventually, we will be okay with being complacent.

 Let me urge you to not be okay with being complacent. Let me urge you to take steps out of your comfort zone in order to walk closer to God. During my time at Calvary, what I have found is that sometimes I have to get uncomfortable to take that step closer to God. It's not easy being a Christian, and it's really not easy being a Christian who follows God. The world wants you to believe that there's an easier way, but the false hope that comes with not following God and following oneself ends in despair. That's why we see issues like suicide, drug addiction, and other problems in the world today. But the truth is that we have a way to be okay even when it's not okay.
We have a savior whom we can put our cares upon, and trust in, and know that we will never be abandoned by. Comfortable faith ignores the hard times and only talks about the good times, but the truth is we are called to an uncomfortable faith. Sometimes life has to get hard in order for you to see the path in front of us. Sometimes all other options have to be gone for us to remember that we're only supposed to rely on Christ.

I understand that many places called churches, many people called preachers, and many books pretend to be biblically based. But the truth is, inside the church, what you'll find is broken people trying to find the answers through Christ. What you should find in your preacher is a man who isn't perfect and does not claim to be, but is willing to help you on your walk with Christ. No matter what. And what you’ll find in anything biblically based is not a call to comfortability or conformity, but a call to not be okay and not be comfortable, but to be willing to follow Christ.

As Christians, no matter what denomination you claim, there are things we don’t like to talk about. Some of that is generational, some of it is experiential, and some of it is incredibly convicting. We all have different approaches to things - even within the church - like worship style, charisma, teaching style, even how we do outreach. And actually, that is an opportunity for collaboration which, unfortunately, not a lot of churches and ministries are leveraging. Our different approaches and skill sets play into the very purpose of our spiritual giftings: to operate as one body that together can do what we cannot alone.

If we bring up the subject of sin, everybody has an opinion. We have opinions about what is or is not sin, whether one thing is worse than another, or even reasons why we can justify certain things we know are wrong. We all do it, and we all do it all of the time. But…we don’t like to talk about it. We don’t like it brought up to us, and we don’t like to admit our own guilt, especially with the little things.

Need an example? I am going to guess that the vast majority of the people reading this exceeded the speed limit this morning on their way to work. I did not note it, but I am absolutely sure I did, at least at one point. Or how about this one - have you ever had someone telling you a story, and when they get to the point where they are quoting someone who says a bad word they ~whisper~ it - as if that makes it ok. We all watch things we shouldn’t, say things we shouldn’t, and live lives that allow sin all over the place. This is our condition as Romans 3 describes the nature of humanity. We are also covered by grace - our salvation - but sometimes, we do have to step out and call a spade a spade.

I am not here to cast guilt for all the things we allow into our lives - that isn’t what this is about. It bears mentioning that we have the responsibility to check ourselves often - we do need to make sure that our walk fits our talk, and that our talk is such that pursues righteousness - because people are watching. However, I am going to address a sin which we all practice, because it has a potential to hurt and divide like few can, especially during a time of transition such as Calvary is experiencing at this moment.

As we will be learning with Pastor Josh on Sunday evenings, Paul speaks in Romans 1 about people he says practice “ungodliness” and “unrighteousness.” Here is part of what he has to say about these in verses 29 through 31: “They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.”

They are gossips. We don’t like to talk about that, because Christians don’t gossip, they share “prayer concerns” right?

Gossip is a sin of the tongue that involves spreading slander, rumors, or secrets about others. Gossip is often uncharitable, inappropriate, and harmful to the reputation of others. The Bible forbids gossip and encourages holy and healthy communication. Gossip most often reveals the gossiper’s insecurities, jealousy, envy, and even hatred. That is the truth of the matter. Even when the subject of gossip is factually accurate, it is, at the very least, not healthy communication; at its worst it is destructive, divisive, and straight evil.

Gossip is inherently flawed because it never tells the whole story - it leaves out all of the intangibles and points of view that make up the reality of any situation. Gossip spreads like disease in the form of rumor - and the more flawed (read: “juicy”) it is, the faster and further it will spread. This is such a threat because the scorched earth left behind by a divisive and false rumor can completely dismantle ministry, unity, and every manner of relationship.

While we have the responsibility to try and not enable the spreading of lies we hear, we are equally responsible for the content of our own speech. Matthew 5:37 makes it clear with the words of Jesus Himself: “But let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one.”

Two churches have merged. Right now, we are early Brady Bunch - we are one family who is trying to figure each other out. We all brought our own experiences and own expectations into the mix, and we all are going to bump into each other in different ways while we settle together. This is natural - this is expected. There is no you and there is no me in this particular endeavor - there is us.

Right now, we have the uncanny ability to take some of the differences - the bumps - and make them into major issues that they don’t need to be. For those of us in leadership, we are watching for these things and looking for opportunities to foster growth and unity in light of them. This is healthy, strong, biblical laying of foundations for relationships and family maturity and growth. Many of us fear change, and that creates a hyper-sensitive response to anything that appears abnormal or different or uncomfortable, so we strive to grow and change together.

What we do not need is the threat of mudslinging - rumors and gossip that can only have one outcome: division. I can dispel some of those rumors now by stating emphatically that 1. None of your leaders are leaving or stepping down; and 2. None of your leaders are “taking over” and changing everything - there is no power play. If you hear anything that goes against those statements, it is false. The truth of the direction of the church - to the extent that any of us know it - comes from the leadership. If you hear something about what we are doing or how we are doing it, unless it comes from a pastor or an elder, it is not confirmed. Not confirmed = not true, even if it is accurate. If we are to speak truth, to let yes be yes and no be no, then it is on us - all of us - to know the truth before we speak it.

Understand, however, that change is coming. Change is already happening, and we have to embrace it by extending grace to each other and working together. Our church has grown, and growth brings change. You are hearing new teachers along with those you are used to hearing. You are hearing new songs sung along with those you know well and love. You will see ministries form and move in our church along with many of the ministries in which you are already involved. And as these things happen, you will see and hear and do things that will challenge your comfort, sometimes even your preference. This is normal - this is healthy. Our response to these things needs to be in line with who we are and claim to be - reflections of God’s image.

Matt and Josh and Greg and I - along with our board of elders - would love to engage in conversation with you. We are happy to tell you what is true and what is not with respect to how we intend to minister to each other and to the community. Sometimes those plans will change, but all of us in the Calvary body have experienced transparency from leadership every step of the way through this transition, as well as other things that have happened in the life of our church. We dare you to seek out the truth and kill the rumor when you hear it. We dare you to be the one to guard the integrity of your church and your pastors and leaders. And we dare you to consider the excitement of where God might lead us next.