Anyone out there going to the Tulsa Workshop? Randy Harris and I will be doing a class together on Friday, then I’m speaking Saturday morning on Ephesians 4:17 - 5:21.
My nice, settled life took a dramatic turn in 1989 at the Tulsa Workshop when I spoke on the topic of unity — a topic I was assigned. I had been the preacher for the College Church since 1984, and nothing I said was really new. But it was a more open venue. With cassette tapes (remember those?) that got quickly distributed.
If you’re going Friday evening, get there early! Max Lucado and Bob Russell will be speaking, and Zoe will be leading worship.
I don’t want to publish my Saturday morning message here now for two reasons: first, because then no one would need to come hear it; and second, because . . . well, it’s still a work in progress!
But, here are five of the things that have struck me as I’ve been working in 4:17 - 5:21:
1) Greed is a very big deal, mentioned in 4:29, 5:3, and 5:5. Would we think to list it alongside “every kind of impurity”? Or is it one of our excusable sins? How do these words strike us: “No . . . greedy person — such a person is an idolater — has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God”?
2) The powerful words of v. 20 get obscured some in translations, but it says, after mentioning the life of darkness that comes from ignorance that comes from hard hearts, that this is not how we have learned Christ. Great phrase. We have learned Christ. He’s the teacher; he’s also the curriculum.
3) The goal isn’t just to eradicate sin but to “be like God” (4:24) and to “follow God’s example” by walking in the way of love (5:1-2). I would say this is a rather loftly goal!
4) As we put aside sin, there are positive reasons: we must quit lying becasue we’re all members of one body; we must deal with anger because we don’t want the devil to get a foothold; we should quit stealing and work so that we have something to share with those in need; we must give up unwholesome talk and speak helpful words so we can build others up according to their own needs.
5) The command to “be filled with the Spirit” is explained through four participial phrases: speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit; singing and making music from our hearts to the Lord; giving thanks to God the Father for everything; and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
(Note to Highland members: I won’t be back until Saturday evening, but there is a praise night at our building at 6:30. Should be an incredible evening.)
Wow, Mike, wish I was going to be there. I was just reading about all these things and they’re still resounding in my heart. But I especially love “We have learned Christ. He’s the teacher; he’s also the curriculum.” Man, that goes deep. Great teaser - now I can’t wait to hear it when you complete it.
My mother worked at a Christian bookstore that displayed each year in Tulsa. I didn’t know where she and my dad were going… I was just glad they were out of the house for a few days! Now, I wish I had gone with her!
I can’t wait to hear it either..
I heard Max Lucado speak at the Pepperdine Lectureship years ago. I have a copy of the lesson on one of those cassette tape type things you mentioned. I don’t remember much detail from his speech, except that he told that joke about all the people from other denominations in heaven telling each other to be quiet because the Church of Christ people thought they were the only ones there. I remember being so pleased to hear him be inclusive and so disappointed by the reaction of some of the people from my church who heard him. I may dust off that tape and see if I can find a cassette player and give it another listen since I won’t get to hear him at the Tulsa Workshop. I’m sure it’s gonna be great.
I pray that the weekend will go well for all who do attend, and look forward to hearing about it.
Cannot attend the workshop but will be praying for you, Randy, and Max. Blessings!
Mike,
I sure would be nice if we didn’t have a 10 hour drive. We’re kind of up here, in Ft. Collins, out of range of all those wonderful meetings. It already sounds to me like God will be pouring through you the gift of preaching and a wonderful knack for interpretation, making these wonderful passages very relevant today. Wish we could be there. Let us know if there will be a podcast or cd’s of the weekend.
Mike,
I’ll see you there. I miss hearing you on a weekly basis. So I have to be satisfied with one or twice a year. Really looking forward to it!
I’m there! Can’t wait…..and my prayers are with all of you speakers.
DU
I appreciate the teaser Mike. I was a bit discouraged about going, even though the program looks great (and better than it has in years). I’m looking forward to hearing you and others, but I always thought the best part was the cheap books on sale everywhere. This year I think the best part will be meeting Charles Ngoje for the first time, with whom Cara and I will be working in Tanzania. At least it will be if I can get a new transmission in my car in time.
During my Fri. morning class in the Cafe I’ll be secretly wishing I could be in the Pavillion to hear you and Randy. I guess I’ll just order your tape … er, CD.
Mike, I can’t wait until tomorrow! My wife and I love the Workshop and I especially can’t wait to hear you and Randy Harris on Friday. May God bless you as you boldly proclaim Good News!
Having been a frequent “Bible lectures” attender and sometimes speaker at various workshops, I have seen a lot of sharing of knowledge. I am convinced that heart preparation and heart change is what is really needed.
This week while researching prayers for “heart preparation” I came across this web site (http://powerthoughprayer.notlong.com ) with numerous quotes from Edward McKendree Bounds’ book Power Through Prayer. That book has been a world shaker for me.
My prayer for you, my brother, and others who speak this week is for your heart to be prepared and for the hearts of your listeners to be open and prepared.
Here are few Bounds’ quotes:
How manifold, illimitable, valuable, and helpful prayer is to the preacher in so many ways, at so many points, in every way! One great value is, it helps his heart.
Praying makes the preacher a heart preacher. Prayer puts the preacher’s heart into the preacher’s sermon; prayer puts the preacher’s sermon into the preacher’s heart.
The heart makes the preacher. Men of great hearts are great preachers. Men of bad hearts may do a measure of good, but this is rare. The hireling and the stranger may help the sheep at some points, but it is the good shepherd with the good shepherd’s heart who will bless the sheep and answer the full measure of the shepherd’s place.
(My personal and painful favorite) It would not do to say that preachers study too much. Some of them do not study at all; others do not study enough. Numbers do not study the right way to show themselves workmen approved of God. But our great lack is not in head culture, but in heart culture; not lack of knowledge but lack of holiness is our sad and telling defect — not that we know too much, but that we do not meditate on God and his word and watch and fast and pray enough. The heart is the great hindrance to our preaching. Words pregnant with divine truth find in our hearts nonconductors; arrested, they fall shorn and powerless.
God gives us all hearts of prayer and holiness.
Peace.
Steve - Beautiful words. Thanks so much.
Let me say to those who are going that if you’ve never heard Milton Jones speak on discipleship, you need to take this opportunity. Milt has been one of the most consistent voices behind our campus ministries for three decades. He has faithfully ministered to a church in Seattle. He is still the preacher there and is also an elder. He has blessed my life again and again.
I think a couple of us from the Oklahoma State University College Veterinary Fellowship group are coming over on Friday night to hear Max Lucado speak. I may try to make it over on Saturday, its’ been a while since I’ve had the opportunity to hear you speak.
Mike: This really doesn’t have anything to do with the topic but I just wanted you to know that I, too, have a Smoky the Bear Junior Forest Ranger badge as well as a “signed” picture of the original Smoky the Bear. When you took yours out of your treasure box a couple of weeks ago I was thrilled to think someone else thought that was a treasure–okay, so it was your mom who kept it, but still… I didn’t get a chance to speak to you that day but wanted you to know that I could appreciate your treasures. I enjoyed the sermon that day and I enjoyed your blog today. Keep up the good work. Wish I could attend the Tulsa workshop. Blessings to you and travel mercies.
I’ll be there! Growing up in Tulsa, Workshop Weekend was always one of my favorite times of the year! A great big Christian Family Reunion!
The teaser for your Ephesians lesson sounds great, I’m definitely looking forward to it!
Oh well, nice and settled is overrated anyway. Hope it goes GREAT in Tulsa. Wouldn’t you know this big one is happening my first year not to go since we just moved from OK to TN. I’ll look forward to your updates. God’s blessings be on all of you.
I won’t make it this year but I have lots of great memories from Workshops of years gone by. I will pray for you and all the other presenters. This will be a powerful weekend!