Author: Aaron Hufty

Aaron Hufty is the Associate Pastor for Worship and Music at FBCSA.

Consider the Orchestra

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 12:4-31 (day two) 

Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. vs. 27

As a conductor I have always loved reading this scripture and relating it to a musical ensemble; especially an orchestra. When you consider an offertory the our Orchestra at First may present think about how unique each instrument is. They are oddly shaped ones, brass ones, wooden ones, percussive ones. They each make different sounds, have different ranges, and play different roles. If you are to take one of those instruments out of the ensemble, the work of art is less than it could be. Less than it was created to be. Even those instruments that predominantly play the melody will be diminished by not being accompanied by the whole group. A composer knows this when writing for an orchestra. Every part is critical to the whole.

God knows this too. There are no small parts (pardon the mixed metaphor), all contribute. Revel in the beauty of his diverse church. Help those around to play their part to the fullest so that we may all offer our sweet smelling sacrifice of praise.

Give it Up

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 8 and 1 Corinthians 10:22-33 (day two) All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 10:23

If I can have it, and I want it…I should get it, right? Notice nothing in that question stated motive or circumstance. If you can have something, meaning it is not immoral, illegal, or harmful, then why should there be a problem getting what you want?

Here is Paul stated another way: Just because you can do something, it does not mean that you should do that thing.

If we have a Christian world-view our hearts should constantly burn for an unbelieving world. If abstinence from some activity will help strengthen your witness, are you willing to give up a behavior? Paul is reminding us that the action in question may not be “bad”, but we are called to consider others. There are larger issues at stake than our own creature comforts and desires. Is being a stumbling block to your unsaved friends worth it?

Clean the Cage

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 5 (day two) 

Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? vs. 6

One of my collegiate choir directors was always fond of saying “You’ve got to clean out the cage before anyone can enjoy the bird!” In terms of music he was saying that you must sing in tune before what your are saying or singing can truly be appreciated. You can have the most incredible text, or lovely melody line, but if you are out of tune – no one cares.

Our sin is like that too. It often gets in the way of any good that we are called to do. If we continue, unrepentant, our sin will derail even the best motive. Are you hoping that doing a good thing will make up for the sin that you are reluctant to release? It will never work that way. Clean the cage, and let the beauty of God shine.

Personality Problems

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 3:1-17 (day two) 

What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. Vs. 5

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Mega-church pastor retires – church never recovers. It seems a frequent headline for those in evangelical circles. Churches are built by a hard working, well-intentioned pastor. Good things happen, but in the end the institution cannot support its own weight when the cornerstone is removed. To be fair, I think this is never the desired effect.

We are drawn to the gregarious. We love preachers who can craft a sermon in a memorable way. But Paul reminds us as well as the church in Corinth that any good that happens is due to God alone. Likely our most beloved pastors will continue to remind us of that. When we are focused on the work of the Holy Spirit in our churches, then we are less likely to fall victim to the cult of personality.

His Ways

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (day two) God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. vs 21b

He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. Luke 1:52

If there is one narrative thread running throughout scripture it might be best summed up by the prophet Isaiah: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. 55:8

Power, authority, popularity = meaningless to the kingdom work to which you have been called. The cross was a pointless end to a life mis-spent if you measure by culture’s norms. But if we have an inkling of trust that God is greater than our limited scope and vision. If we can trust that his way is always better, then the cross comes into focus a bit more clearly. We begin to see our sin, his perfection, and the majesty of his sacrifice. God is not in it for the headlines. He simply wants our misplaced hearts to come home.

Useless No More

Re:Verse reading–Philemon 1-25 (day two) I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. vs. 10-11

Do you remember when you were applying to college, for a scholarship, or even for a job and it required a letter of recommendation? When choosing who will write letters it is most critical to get people who will sing your praises. I’m not sure Onesimus would have wanted Paul to call him “fomerly useless” in his recommendation letter. Not really a ringing endorsement.

Paul, however, understood the nature of conversion. Prior to his own encounter with Jesus, he was ‘useless’ to the church. His hostility and anger were in opposition to the work of the Holy Spirit. Then God showed up.

This is your testimony too. God has given you value that is of heavenly worth. This is the only kind you need.

Prison Praise

Re:Verse reading–Acts 12:1-19 (day two) And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands. vs.7

This story immediately calls to mind a similar episode with Paul and Silas later in the book of Acts. As they are imprisoned their response is to pray and praise…to sing and glorify. This was their custom, not unlike Daniel whose story we studied a few weeks ago.

…and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. Acts 16:26

This very real experience for Peter, Paul, and Silas is also the metaphor for our bondage to sin. We are held, kept captive by the enemy, and closely guarded. What the enemy cannot do, however, is control our response. Whatever the circumstance, Jesus is near. Call out, let the miracle of a prison break happen in your heart. Go ahead and praise him in your captivity, and see if he doesn’t show up in a miraculous way.

Light and Sin

Re:Verse reading–John 3:1-21 (day two) 

This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. Vs. 19

The truth in a nutshell: if you have seen the light and hope of Jesus, and refuse to surrender your life to him, then you love sin more than salvation. We can wrap it in a different package, and make it more palatable, but the reality is what it is. This method of delivery might not be the best form of evangelism coming from any other mouth than Jesus. He was not trying to shame Nicodemus into heaven. He was simply offering an insight only Jesus can provide. To truly know him, is to surrender. Anything else…is sin.

Unbelieving Belief

Re:Verse reading–Mark 9:14-29 (day two)  Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” vs. 24

Sounds a bit confusing, doesn’t it? You either believe or you don’t. Right? Perhaps, but faith isn’t always that cut and dried. What this father recognizes early, the disciples took longer, and maybe didn’t get at all. To say that we believe does not mean that we understand or fully comprehend. This father is desperate to help his son, but doesn’t just say yes to Jesus for a quick fix. He acknowledges Jesus’ power, but then quickly acknowledges how little he truly understands. Rarely, if ever, will we be able to say that we completely understand the plans and methods of God. He doesn’t ask us to. Submit that he does have the power to save, and leave your trust and need for details there.

His Way

Re:Verse reading–Hosea 1, 3, 14 (day two) For the ways of the Lord are right,
And the righteous will walk in them, But transgressors will stumble in them. 14:9b

You, through your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. Psalm 119:98

One of the ways that we use the Word of God and his statutes is as a diviner between good and sin. It will always point out where we have fallen short, but it is constant. Trying to perfectly keep the law is daunting, to say the least, but it is in its constancy that we find hope. We have a perfect example, a Father who has made provision for us to be redeemed, and the Spirit to continually encourage and guide. The way of the Lord should be your delight, for through it is the hope of salvation. Those who do not receive this will only find disappointment.