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Snake Oil and the Serpent

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By Jason Comerford

I learned something fascinating the other day about snake oil.

Most of us have heard that phrase, right? Snake oil is kind of a catchall term in our culture for flimflam and false cures. It’s come to symbolize someone selling you something that doesn’t live up to what it promises.

Long before it received its reputation, snake oil was actually an old Chinese treatment for minor aches and pain. It was first brought to the West when Chinese laborers came over to work on the transcontinental railroad. It was a topical treatment rubbed on joints to help bring some relief. It was (allegedly) reasonably effective.

The reputation it’s since garnered comes from what happened after some crafty Western businessmen got a hold of the idea. I’ll spare you the details, but a slew of dubious products were made and sold as “snake oil.” They promised everything from curing headaches to solving kidney problems, something they clearly couldn’t deliver on. And they usually weren’t made with snake of any kind. So now, the idea of snake oil persists as a symbol for impossible promises fed to us by con artists.

Impossible promises from a con artist sounds like an apt description for a certain serpent we know.

Remember Satan’s early trick from Genesis? He offered humanity something that he claimed was even better than the real thing (fulfilling desires apart from God). He downplayed the goodness of God and suggested finding an alternative. He still convinces us that God’s gifts and commands aren’t good for us, and that maybe He’s withholding what we really need. He offers an alternative that, on the surface, sounds like it’s even better than the original thing that God offers—but it’s just snake oil. It’s a simple idea once you know to look for it.

The hard part of this is identifying snake oil in our own lives. We don’t always realize it, but we’re almost always being sold something, promised something. Maybe a new job can give you that sense of purpose you’re longing for, or maybe a new relationship will finally make you feel fulfilled. Or it could be something less obvious—just one more cookie to cover over your anxiety and need for comfort. Maybe it’s one more hour of Netflix despite work in the morning, as though just a little more entertainment will finally be the thing that satisfies you.

Satan doesn’t really care what it is, as long as you’re investing those hopes and needs in something other than God—God, who is literally the source of all pleasure, the God of all hope, and the God who supplies everything we need.

What about you? What has Satan tried to sell you on? What are you looking to for joy and hope that’s not trust and obedience to your Heavenly Father?

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The Heart of Sin

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By Kendrick & Janna Gilli

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.” Proverbs 14:34 (NIV)

 Pastor Steve was right when he said that Americans hate the word sin. We are fiercely independent and do not like being told what to do or what we are, and so when it comes to being called sinful, Americans bristle at it. Americans also like to believe that people are basically good—maybe a few bad mistakes in life, maybe a few bad apples in the bunch. This, of course, starts as a baby and a toddler, because they are so cute and angelic.

And we wonder why so many people feel hurt by Christians! We tell people that they are sinful from birth. Often the familiar response is, “What! My cute little angelic baby is sinful?” We tell people that only the Holy Spirit can help us realize our sin and work on it and we get, “I don’t need no stinkin’ help; you can’t tell me what to do!” We tell people that only Jesus can wash away our sin so that we can be with Him in heaven. The response is often, “What do you mean? What are talking about? I am a good person and those anger issues are because it is overcast here so much. It is not really my fault.”Job said it best: “I have concealed my sin as people do, by hiding my guilt in my heart” (Job 31:33).

People equate the idea of sin as gigantic and associated with the likes of Hitler, Stalin, and Mao. No, that baby is not Hitler. No, just because you get mad doesn’t mean that you are Stalin. Why can’t people realize that we don’t have to be Stalin to be sinful? People tell others all the time that they do not have to be perfect. If this is true, then they must recognize on some level that everybody has faults (i.e., sins).

 A favorite story in my family goes back to when I was a few months old and my sister was one year older. She liked to pick up a doll and hit me with it. What was in her heart that made her want to hit her baby brother? What about when my daughter would throw temper tantrums when she was two to four years old? Sin is in our hearts even as children, and we need help from our parents to recognize it and deal with it. Even the world agrees that parents need to teach their children right from wrong. However, the world also believes that once we have grown up, we magically stop doing things wrong. In fact, the “wrong things” as an adult are just considered “choices,” that we are just being whom we choose to be. Sin has become a bad word or politically incorrect.

It is also interesting how, as Americans, we persist in thinking we do not need any help. We love to help others but are too proud to ask for any help ourselves. What would you do if your car broke down in the middle of the intersection and four guys came to help you push it out of the way? Would you refuse? Of course not! Then why do we refuse help with correcting mistakes we make? Why are we not willing to accept help from God? He just wants to help us be better and when we do things wrong, He wants to forgive us. Yet, we believe that we can solve our problems ourselves or we are too proud to ask God to help us change.

 As a nation, we seem to have gone to the extreme with our pride and denial. In fact, Satan is doing a darn good job pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes. So as Christians, how do we deal with this? The first part of this answer is recognizing the truth and asking God to convict us and to show us our sin; then, we must be willing to ask Him to change us from the inside out. The second part of this answer is LOVE. Being Christ to the world and living with love will open up doorways to conversations about sin and God’s solution for it. And finally, the last part of the answer is prayer; we need to be prayer warriors and to ask God for grace and opportunities to share the gospel with unbelievers. We need to fight against the lies that Satan is spreading, lies that make us complacent and okay with our sin. An unseen war is raging all around us, and we need to put on our armor daily and pray that God opens our eyes to it.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:10–12)

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I DO care

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by Dan Amos

If I had written this a couple of weeks ago, I would have titled it “I don’t care.” But that can be discouraging and easily misinterpreted when what I really intend is to confess my actions reveal I can care more. As Pastor Steve encouraged us to find someone who has followed Jesus for a long time and listen to their counsel, several weeks ago I had such a person challenge me with “You don’t care. If you did, you’d do something.” I recognize circumstances and age have conspired against me to give me less time and energy than 10 years ago. But the real question is, What do I do with what remains?

The Transition Team has been an exciting time for me. I’m not saying I enjoy meetings at all. Nobody would believe that. But a large part of the process has been getting these two dozen or so people to dream together of what we believe is the purpose God has for His church on this corner on South Hill. There’s a hunger to be more, to reach out more, to make a difference in the kingdom. It is exciting to see it manifested in so many. The land lies before us.

On Sunday, Pastor Steve encouraged us with Joshua’s last words to the people of Israel. We, like Israel in Joshua 23, are in the process of a leadership change. We are looking at a new era for Elim. The land is plentiful and ready for harvest. We must remain strong and courageous. I see the giants around us, too, but God is bigger, and He goes before us.

Pastor Steve pulled four actions from chapter 23 for a winning strategy to remain faithful or, in other words, to always care about what God cares about:

  1. Imitate people who have walked with God for many years.
  2. Remember God’s faithfulness to you in the past.
  3. Be sensitive to diluting influences.
  4. Resolve to be faithful. 

That statement, “you don’t care,” was not intended to be harsh or even critical. It was a challenge to reflect and evaluate. It’s been running through my head since I heard it, making it really effective. I am vulnerable to diluting influences. I can make different choices with the time and energy I do have. I do resolve to be faithful. I do care, and it matters.

The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised. So be very careful to love the Lord your God. (Joshua 23:9-11)

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Chasing after God with Ambition

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By Bill Naron  

This last Sunday, Pastor Steve preached on the topic of ambition from the book of Joshua. This was a great sermon, and if you have not had a chance to check it out, then click here. In Joshua 14:10, Caleb makes the statement that the Lord had kept him alive for the last 45 years. Then in verse 11, he makes the following statement: “As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.”

Upon reflection, I see the boldness of this statement from Caleb. At this point Caleb is 85, and when Moses sent him out, he was 40. In my limited understanding of things, I assume that Caleb is talking about physical strength. As we read through the battles that Caleb fought following this statement, physical strength is part of it. However, I do not think that is the whole picture. He was a God-fearing man and desired to see the will of God accomplished.

In addition to the physical aspect, there is a spiritual aspect to this statement as well. Caleb and this story were not just included in the pages of God’s Word for nothing. The benefit for us as believers today is to see a man of God ambitiously chase the will of God. Caleb saw what God had promised him, and he knew what God wanted to do for the children of Israel. Therefore, he was ready and determined to chase after that promise.

There is a poem by C. T. Studd that I absolutely love, called “Only One Life.” Every stanza of this poem ends with this phrase: “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past / Only what’s done for Christ will last.” When I was listening to Pastor Steve talk about having godly ambition the same as Caleb, I thought of this poem. It made me think about the ambition that I have in my own life. I ask myself whether the things that I ambitiously chase are for myself or God.

The strength required to accomplish the purposes of God is spiritual. Caleb lived his life ambitiously chasing after the promises and purposes of God. Ultimately, the things that are done for Christ are the only lasting things that matter. All of us must find ways to cultivate spiritual growth in our lives through consistent time with Jesus. This will help ensure that we have the spiritual strength to be people of godly ambition.

Caleb’s story is included in Joshua for us to learn what it means to have godly ambition. So my challenge to Elim, and what I myself am processing through, is to ask, “Do I have godly ambition? What is my household doing to fulfill the purpose of God? What is Elim doing to fulfill the purpose of God?”

Elim is in a time of transition, and as a church it is important that every individual, every family, and the congregation as a whole wrestle with these thoughts. We are wrestling through what vision of ministry the Lord would have for Elim in the Transition Team. However, this is not something that can only happen at the Transition Team meetings, but this is a conversation that includes everyone. It is my prayer that Elim would find a leader with godly ambition and that we would be a body of ambitious believers who strive to see the purposes of God accomplished.

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Clobbering the Clique: Getting Connected

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By Larry Short

Last week Pastor Steve addressed the issue of cliquishness at Elim. He noted that the 125 interviews he did with Elim friends and members put this problem at the very top of our list of challenges.

He said this news “definitely caught the elders by surprise.” I was one of those who was more than surprised—I would actually say stunned, because this hadn’t been my personal experience with Elim at all. When Darlene and I first visited 25 years ago, we were drawn to this church by friendly, loving people, Pastor Martin among them, who worked hard to make sure we became a valued part of this body.

But as I did my own research after Steve shared, I came, despite my initial skepticism, to agree with his assessment. Many people I talked to reported struggles with getting connected to this church.

I’ve shared with the elders my conviction that cliquishness is actually fairly subjective and has various manifestations. One key manifestation is when we “hang tight” with our group of friends and don’t go out of our way to be open and welcoming to newcomers. Pastor Steve gave some great ideas in his Last Word for how to combat that natural tendency.

I think another manifestation of cliquishness is illustrated by stories from people who are no longer newcomers, but who still struggle to feel connected to this body. And I think there are actually even several different shades of this manifestation.

Firstly, we know some of us struggle to feel like we are connected or accepted by others at Elim. Now, sometimes I think this may be a part of our background baggage as individuals: even when people are seeking to connect with us, we don’t necessarily recognize this because of how we feel about ourselves.

Perhaps we ourselves haven’t necessarily sought to reach out and connect with others. Have we ever invited anyone out for coffee? No. We simply expected such an invitation.

The truth is, Scripture holds us each responsible for doing unto others as we would have them do unto us (Matthew 7:12). We must seek to connect to others before we can complain about not being connected.

This is one reason I’m a champion of community groups (including men’s and women’s groups). If they’re healthy, they are a place where honest connection can grow. We can encourage one another in the faith, and hold each other accountable for spiritual growth. Frankly, until you’re willing to get involved in a community group, I don’t want to hear you complaining about not feeling connected.

But I know that at times it can be a challenge to find a group that is a good “fit” for you, either from the standpoint of schedule (perhaps none meet at a time you are able to meet) or affinity (finding a group where you fit in well because of life-stage issues).

If that’s the case, I’d challenge you to chat with me about how to start a new group just for people like you! We always need new group leaders, and I can help put you on the path to become one.

Secondly, I know that some people struggle to get connected when it comes to understanding their spiritual gifts and figuring out how to use them in ministry here at Elim. As we in the Transition Team are working on what the “preferred future” for Elim looks like, I know this is one of the things we want to work on. Our heart is to help people figure out their spiritual gifts, and we’d love to see everyone get plugged in to a ministry opportunity either here within the body or elsewhere in our community.

In the past, we’ve worked on that through efforts such as the Body Life Assessment, which Brian Sharpe and Cindy Waple helped develop and implement through community groups. And now we are committed to revitalizing this effort to help members of our body learn about and use their spiritual gifts in ministry. So, please stay tuned!

In the meantime, if you feel drawn to become involved using your gifts in vital ministry, I’d encourage you to do what two friends of mine, Jenn Severns and Pat Davidson, have done. They found their hearts burdened for women caught in sex trafficking, and, taking the initiative, have been exploring ways to help. They’ve learned a ton, and it’s been an exciting journey that we as a church are 100 percent supportive of. I look forward to seeing what God will do as these two have taken a risk and stepped out to seek to bless others through their efforts.

And in truth, that really is how we “get connected”—by seeking to serve and bless others, rather than thinking about ourselves and our own problems. Our community group has been studying 1 Peter, and I’ve been blown away by Peter’s encouragement to suffering Christians to focus on doing good, serving and blessing others, in the midst of their own problems:

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace . . . therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (1 Peter 4:8-10, 19)

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Cliquishness?

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By Steve McCoy

As an intentional interim pastor, I conducted 125 interviews with Elim people. When I asked about your perception of the weaknesses of our church, some one-third of you responded with one word—cliquish.

It definitely caught the elders by surprise when I reported my findings to them.

A clique is a small group of people who share common interests with one another and spend time together, but do not readily allow others to join them. There is an aura of exclusiveness.

Cliquishness is opposed to the very essence of the gospel. Jesus “wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4, NIV.) To exclude people goes against the very grain of what we believe.

The elders are taking this seriously and are endeavoring to remedy this. But it is a church-wide issue. We all need to step up in order to change our church culture.

Here are some ideas.

  • First, seek out someone you don’t know in our worship service. Engage them in conversation. Smile. Listen to them.
  • Second, when you engage with people, do it like you really mean it. Community groups are times to go deep with others. Church service is a time to meet with those who are not necessarily in your group.
  • Third, invite new people to sit with you during the service. Larry and Darlene Short testify to the effectiveness of this. They are trying to practice it.
  • Fourth, if you are a fast forgetter of names, like me, write down their names ASAP.
  • Fifth, sit in a different location in the worship center. We tend to get comfortable sitting in our favorite sections. Jeff Foerster has been challenging his men’s group to sit in different areas.
  • Sixthly, listen to an alternative opinion before quickly dismissing it. Express appreciation for their thoughts. Genuinely consider it.
  • Finally, invite people to join you and your group or ministry team.

By God’s good grace, we can be “de-cliqued” by the time Elim embraces her new pastor!

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