Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Mark 4:35-41 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
God with us. What an amazing, powerful statement. A statement of love, devotion, and power. That God almighty, the creator of all things would desire to be with us. And God was with them in the boat, on the sea, in the storm. Not only was God with them but God was sleeping. He wasn't sleeping because he was indifferent and didn't care about them as they first thought when they came to him saying, "Don't you care that we are perishing in this storm?" I suspect that Jesus slept because he was tired. Being 100% God and 100% man he had physical limitations just as we all do. I know he slept because he understood that there was nothing to fear, he was in complete peace because he was in complete control.
Had those men understood that the prophesy of Isaiah (7:14) had come true and God was with them right there in their boat then they wouldn't have been afraid. God had indeed come down to be with men and he was with them in the midst of their storm, in the midst of their fear God was there. The waves crashed into the boat and the wind roared across the sea but God was in the boat. He wasn't a far off distant God who observed from his high and lofty throne with disinterest the plight of men. He wasn't a mean, cruel God who thrust them into a raging storm and laughed at their fear. He was a real, loving God, who was with them in the storm. his very presence should have brought peace and victory. The fact that he was sleeping in the boat should have given the men strength, courage and power. God was there and he was not afraid, he was peaceful. But they did not understand that "God with us" meant that God was truly, physcially, with them.
How often do we go through life and fail to understand that God is with us every day. That the Holy Spirit has been sent to live with us and in us and we can live in Him and through Him. Our storms rage and we cower in fear, we cry out "God don't you see my pain, can't hear the raging wind of the storm that threatens to destroy me?" And we forget that God truly is with us, day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment He is here and He loves us. God does not delight in our storms nor ignore us during them but He does understand why we must go through them and how we can grow and gain strength because of them. He also knows what awaits us on the other side. Mark 5 tells us that after they came to the other side of the sea Christ performed some of His greatest miracles by delivering the the demoiac of Gadara. They were to witness the power, and the glory, and the majesty of the eternal God right before their very eyes but they had to go through the storm first.
What manner of man is this that even the winds and the waves obey Him? He is Jesus Christ, the Holy God, who died on a cross for your sins and mine. He came from Heaven to make a way for me to get to Heaven and the way is through His shed blood. If you are going through the storms and trails of life don't give up, trust in God. He truly is with you and He will lead and guide you safely to the other side
If you have never had a born again experience with Jesus I encourage you to go to this link http://arkansascityfwbc.com/are-you-ready.php and seriously consider making Christ your Lord and Savior. There is contact information on the web site to get ahold of me and there are plenty of other churches and Christians who will help live for Jesus.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Answering the Anti-tithers.
There seems to be a rise of what I call the anti-tithing crowd within the church. I have had 2 people contact me recently about things ministers have said about not tithing and not giving to the church and there is plenty floating around in the blogosphere and the church about why we shouldn't give. What amazes me the most is that these kinds of statements and articles come from people within the church who should know better. I asked a friend recently who had been exposed to the anti-tithing teaching why these kinds of teachings were becoming so prevalent in the church. His answer was simple and to the point. The devil is keeping so much confusion stirring in the church now days that people, especially those who do little Bible study of their own, don't know what to believe anymore. It seems to be getting harder and harder to tell the truth from the lie.
I am going to take a look at a few things the anti-tithing crowd seem to embrace.
1) Tithing is Old Testament law and we live under New Testament grace: I actually agree with that statement but that is not a reason to not give to the local church and other ministries. I was once asked by a former pastor of mine if I really believed the New Testament required us to tithe. The answer is that the N.T. requires us to give and to give sacrificially. In Acts chapter 4 verses 32-37 people willingly gave all they had to the disciples to be used as the needs arose. That view of giving blows 10% tithing out of the water by 90%. Try going to church this Sunday and telling people they should give 100% of all they have instead of 10% and see what reaction you get to that. I don't actually think God intends for us to give everything we own to the church but I do believe God expects us to give to the church and other Christian ministries and not according to what we have but according as He leads us.
2) The "anti-tithing" crowd seems to have mostly sprung up from an effort to counter act the con artist who are out there telling people, "give to my ministry and God will give you back even more than you gave." There is no doubt in my mind that these "name it and claim it" prosperity preachers are a bunch of liars and cons. We should never be motivated to give just to get a return but the anti-tithers have over corrected a wrong and therefore created another wrong. Teaching people not to give or tithe is an extreme, unBiblical, knee jerk reaction to the prosperity preachers.
3) Another thing that seems to be popular among the anti-tithing crowd is the idea that you should not give if you are poor or don't have the money. Again there is no Biblical basis for such an argument. Once you teach people or churches that they don't have enough to give then they will never give no matter what they do have. Let's take a look at some scripture that talks about giving.
Mark 12:41-43 (King James Version)
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (King James Version)
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
We need to be very careful with the teachings that we hear and read. We need to take time to examine everything according to what the word of God actually says. I was sent an anti-tithing article by a friend of mine and the writer of the article mis-quoted and twisted scripture to make his point. If we are going to use the word of God then we need let it say what it says and not twist it into our own words. We need to remember these words:
Galatians 6:6-8 (King James Version)
Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
When we misuse scripture to suit our own purposes we mock God and that is something we will have to answer for.Let me conclude with this on the subject of giving.
James 1:17 (King James Version)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Everything I have belongs to God and comes from God. We could argue all day the merits and reasons for tithing but giving should be in the heart of the believer. People who are never willing to give of their finances, time, talents, and life have missed the point of the Gospel. People who are teaching that you should not tithe and not give are perverting the message of the Gospel. In giving we are blessed. Not with finances perhaps but with joy, victory, and a greater desire to serve Christ. Let us give and encourage others to give not because we must but because it is our privilege to be a part of God's Kingdom and our honor to help support the work of the Kingdom with what God has so richly blessed us with.
I am going to take a look at a few things the anti-tithing crowd seem to embrace.
1) Tithing is Old Testament law and we live under New Testament grace: I actually agree with that statement but that is not a reason to not give to the local church and other ministries. I was once asked by a former pastor of mine if I really believed the New Testament required us to tithe. The answer is that the N.T. requires us to give and to give sacrificially. In Acts chapter 4 verses 32-37 people willingly gave all they had to the disciples to be used as the needs arose. That view of giving blows 10% tithing out of the water by 90%. Try going to church this Sunday and telling people they should give 100% of all they have instead of 10% and see what reaction you get to that. I don't actually think God intends for us to give everything we own to the church but I do believe God expects us to give to the church and other Christian ministries and not according to what we have but according as He leads us.
2) The "anti-tithing" crowd seems to have mostly sprung up from an effort to counter act the con artist who are out there telling people, "give to my ministry and God will give you back even more than you gave." There is no doubt in my mind that these "name it and claim it" prosperity preachers are a bunch of liars and cons. We should never be motivated to give just to get a return but the anti-tithers have over corrected a wrong and therefore created another wrong. Teaching people not to give or tithe is an extreme, unBiblical, knee jerk reaction to the prosperity preachers.
3) Another thing that seems to be popular among the anti-tithing crowd is the idea that you should not give if you are poor or don't have the money. Again there is no Biblical basis for such an argument. Once you teach people or churches that they don't have enough to give then they will never give no matter what they do have. Let's take a look at some scripture that talks about giving.
Mark 12:41-43 (King James Version)
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (King James Version)
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
We need to be very careful with the teachings that we hear and read. We need to take time to examine everything according to what the word of God actually says. I was sent an anti-tithing article by a friend of mine and the writer of the article mis-quoted and twisted scripture to make his point. If we are going to use the word of God then we need let it say what it says and not twist it into our own words. We need to remember these words:
Galatians 6:6-8 (King James Version)
Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
When we misuse scripture to suit our own purposes we mock God and that is something we will have to answer for.Let me conclude with this on the subject of giving.
James 1:17 (King James Version)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Everything I have belongs to God and comes from God. We could argue all day the merits and reasons for tithing but giving should be in the heart of the believer. People who are never willing to give of their finances, time, talents, and life have missed the point of the Gospel. People who are teaching that you should not tithe and not give are perverting the message of the Gospel. In giving we are blessed. Not with finances perhaps but with joy, victory, and a greater desire to serve Christ. Let us give and encourage others to give not because we must but because it is our privilege to be a part of God's Kingdom and our honor to help support the work of the Kingdom with what God has so richly blessed us with.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Hello
I haven't blogged anything in a long time. It isn't that i haven't had the time or didn't have anything to say it's that I just haven't made it a priority. The main reason I started this blog was to have a direct link on my churches web site so I could list updates, activities, etc. as well as share some written sermons and thoughts on the Bible. With all that there is in life I just haven't made the blog a priority. I am intending to blog at least once a week but you know what they say about good intentions. Maybe you don't. Maybe they say things about good intentions that I've never heard.
One of the things I thought about as I considered how I had allowed this blog to get pushed out of my mind and time is the focus we have on Christ. Many people see Christ and the church as a religious obligation to be fulfilled on Sunday's or maybe just holidays and special occasions. We say we are Christians and we own Bibles, claim a Church affiliation, and lead basically moral lives but church is pushed out of our day to day routines and we give God whatever time we can muster if we happen to think of Him.
Christianity isn't supposed to be a religion or an after thought. Christianity is supposed to be about our personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother and He is real. He wants a real, active relationship with you and He wants to be not a part but the whole of your life. If you really give your life to Jesus Christ you will certainly have your ups and your downs and some times it will seem more down than up. But a life truly lived for Jesus is more amazing, more exciting, and more meaningful than anything we could ever have on our own. God is amazing, He loves you, and he sent Christ to die for our sins. It is my hope and prayer for everyone that re-prioritize and make Jesus the center of all we do.
One of the things I thought about as I considered how I had allowed this blog to get pushed out of my mind and time is the focus we have on Christ. Many people see Christ and the church as a religious obligation to be fulfilled on Sunday's or maybe just holidays and special occasions. We say we are Christians and we own Bibles, claim a Church affiliation, and lead basically moral lives but church is pushed out of our day to day routines and we give God whatever time we can muster if we happen to think of Him.
Christianity isn't supposed to be a religion or an after thought. Christianity is supposed to be about our personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother and He is real. He wants a real, active relationship with you and He wants to be not a part but the whole of your life. If you really give your life to Jesus Christ you will certainly have your ups and your downs and some times it will seem more down than up. But a life truly lived for Jesus is more amazing, more exciting, and more meaningful than anything we could ever have on our own. God is amazing, He loves you, and he sent Christ to die for our sins. It is my hope and prayer for everyone that re-prioritize and make Jesus the center of all we do.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Biblical Success
Matt. 6: 19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.22The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.23But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
1 Kings 21Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,2I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;3And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:4That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.
It is simply impossible to cover any topic adequately in one sermon. At times I get overwhelmed at the amount of information to be given on anyone topic. So we will take a look at what success is according to the Bible. The key to understanding Biblical success is contained in this one phrase from 1 Cor. 10:31, “whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” If we will make that thought our focus in business, church, family life, hobbies, friendships, etc. then our life is on the path of success. If we will determine that whatever we do, we do it solely and wholly for the Glory of God it will change our motivation and purpose. Why do we work? Is it just to pay the bills, save for retirement, and have nice houses, clothes, cars, and things? Are we motivated to make money so we can get ahead or maybe just so we can survive or are we motivated to work and prosper so we can use what we have to further the Kingdom of God? Christians often take the view that 10% is God’s and 90% is ours when the Bible actually teaches us that 100% is God’s and it should be used for His purposes and His good pleasure. Do we give extra to missions and other Christian ministries above our tithe? Do we ever use our vehicle to take people to church, the hospital, grocery shopping????? Do we have a home open to hospitality? (Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:9-10) That is Biblical success that all we have and all we are, are given over to God. It’s not my house it’s his, not my car, truck, money, or time. IT ALL BELONGS TO GOD. After all, "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein." Psalm 24:1
That is really Biblical success in a nutshell and you can read countless scriptures about prospering when you give yourself over to God. Matthew chapter 6 tells us not store up earthly treasures that can be stolen and corrupted but to seek God over all else. When we seek God over all else HE will provide what we need and success will be when we realize the difference between what we need and what we want.
As David was giving his throne over to Solomon he gave this advice, “be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest”. David’s advice can be divided like this:
1) Be a man-catch that? God actually wants men to act like men not sniveling little purpose driven cowards but MEN. We need a true, Godly masculine spirit to return to the church.
2) Follow God. Pretty simple advice. David said “hey son God’s word is written down for you so follow it and you will be a success.” The simplicity of the Gospel is the power of the Gospel. It’s so simple even a caveman can do it. (that’s my hip culturally relevant reference)
Solomon went on to pray for wisdom, not wealth, power, or prestige and upon finding Godly wisdom he found everything else he needed to be a successful King.
Biblical success is following God and being devoted to Him. If we’ll give HIM what we’ve got he’ll give us more than we ever dreamed of.
1 Kings 21Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,2I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;3And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:4That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.
It is simply impossible to cover any topic adequately in one sermon. At times I get overwhelmed at the amount of information to be given on anyone topic. So we will take a look at what success is according to the Bible. The key to understanding Biblical success is contained in this one phrase from 1 Cor. 10:31, “whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” If we will make that thought our focus in business, church, family life, hobbies, friendships, etc. then our life is on the path of success. If we will determine that whatever we do, we do it solely and wholly for the Glory of God it will change our motivation and purpose. Why do we work? Is it just to pay the bills, save for retirement, and have nice houses, clothes, cars, and things? Are we motivated to make money so we can get ahead or maybe just so we can survive or are we motivated to work and prosper so we can use what we have to further the Kingdom of God? Christians often take the view that 10% is God’s and 90% is ours when the Bible actually teaches us that 100% is God’s and it should be used for His purposes and His good pleasure. Do we give extra to missions and other Christian ministries above our tithe? Do we ever use our vehicle to take people to church, the hospital, grocery shopping????? Do we have a home open to hospitality? (Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:9-10) That is Biblical success that all we have and all we are, are given over to God. It’s not my house it’s his, not my car, truck, money, or time. IT ALL BELONGS TO GOD. After all, "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein." Psalm 24:1
That is really Biblical success in a nutshell and you can read countless scriptures about prospering when you give yourself over to God. Matthew chapter 6 tells us not store up earthly treasures that can be stolen and corrupted but to seek God over all else. When we seek God over all else HE will provide what we need and success will be when we realize the difference between what we need and what we want.
As David was giving his throne over to Solomon he gave this advice, “be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest”. David’s advice can be divided like this:
1) Be a man-catch that? God actually wants men to act like men not sniveling little purpose driven cowards but MEN. We need a true, Godly masculine spirit to return to the church.
2) Follow God. Pretty simple advice. David said “hey son God’s word is written down for you so follow it and you will be a success.” The simplicity of the Gospel is the power of the Gospel. It’s so simple even a caveman can do it. (that’s my hip culturally relevant reference)
Solomon went on to pray for wisdom, not wealth, power, or prestige and upon finding Godly wisdom he found everything else he needed to be a successful King.
Biblical success is following God and being devoted to Him. If we’ll give HIM what we’ve got he’ll give us more than we ever dreamed of.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
The Battle is the Lord's: What David and Goliath Taught us.
1st Samuel 17
40And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.41And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.42And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.43And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.44And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.45Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.46This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.47And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands.48And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.49And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.50So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.51Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.
My carefully crafted sermon title is a little misleading although not intentionally. When I came up with it I thought it sounded cool and after all isn’t cool sermon titles what we’re after. Then after I ponder, prayed, and thought about it some I realized that there was no way to cover all the lessons of David and Goliath in one sermon. Well maybe in one really, really long sermon but probably not even then.
So we know the story. The army of Israel is set in array (I like that word) against the army of the Philistines and Goliath comes out every day and calls the Israelites a bunch of sniveling cowards and he isn’t far from wrong. Goliath is a big boy after all (over 9 feet tall) and he makes the Israelite army feel like a bunch of little grasshoppers. Goliath taunts the Israelites telling them that if one of them fights him and wins then the Philistines will serve Israel and if he loses Israel will serve the Philistines. 40 days of this and no one does anything and then David shows up at his fathers command to bring his brothers food and check on them. David is appalled to see the army of God cowering before the giant and tells them so. We know that David irritates his brother who calls him a trouble maker and then gets to see Saul, tries on Saul’s armor and rejects it as untested. David goes forth in the power of the Lord and defeats the giant. Here are some things David and Goliath can teach us.
1) We need men to step up in faith in the Kingdom of God. Yes I said men and I meant just exactly that. I have yet to hear of a church with a shortage of women but the vast majority of churches are short on men. Men have the desire to conquer, build, etc. etc. and we need tough men for tough jobs in the Kingdom. Just as Israel had plenty of men cowering in fear so does the Kingdom have enough men cowering in the complacency of this world afraid to leave what’s safe and take a stand. We have men engaged in career building, making money, accumulating things, and have hobbies but we need men who will engage in spiritual warfare for their families, churches, communities, and nations. Just as David having the faith to face Goliath spurred an entire army to victory so can one man dedicated to God above all else change a church, impact the Kingdom, and spur other men on to victory. Sadly however much like the Israeli army our men seemed to be bunched together on the fringes of the Kingdom waiting for someone else to take action. There are always people on the sidelines. We need men to take the lead and stop observing.
2) We walk by faith not by sight. The armor of Saul was good for Saul but unproven and therefore useless to David. The armor represents worldliness. We are trying all kinds of path to victory, new programs, music, books, all types of apostate stupidity but we need to get back to living by faith and preaching the truth of Jesus. There are some churches that are building big congregations through rock in roll music and sermons based off of worldly ideas but they make money and noise but they aren’t impacting the Kingdom. My personal favorite examples of apostasy are North Point Church in Springfield and Joel Osteen. 2 ministries that make big bucks off “Christianity” but who use little to no Bible in their church, create concert like atmospheres in the church, reject basic biblical truths (Joel wouldn’t admit on live TV that Jesus was the only way to heaven and North Point doesn’t believe in a literal hell and they play secular vulgar bands like ACDC). We need to reject everything not tried and proven by God and return to the great commission of teaching people about Jesus and making disciples of all men.
3) The Battle is the Lord’s. It would change the way we do church, conduct business, act with our families, in fact it would impact every area of our lives if we really lived like the battles belonged to God. If we truly understood that regardless of how today looks we win because HE has already won we would be bolder, fight harder, and see more personal victories. My prayer for myself, my wife and daughters, my church, and everyone else in the Kingdom is that we will start living like victors instead of slaves. The deal with Goliath was that if he defeated the Israelite warrior then Israel would be enslaved to the Philistines. The Israelite army was acting like slaves already but David recognized that God was the victor. The apostle wrote to the church at Galatia and said, “So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.” (Galatians 5:31) We need to start living like victors and not slaves then will we defeat our enemies (our weaknesses and temptations) and see more personal victories and people won to Christ. LORD TEACH US ALL TO LIVE LIKE THE BATTLE IS YOURS BECAUSE IT IS!!!
There is much more to learn from this passage of scripture but I’ll stop there for now. My prayer is that men and women, boys and girls will answer God’s call to a David like faith of living for Him, in Him, and because of Him. That we will reject all sin and compromise in our own lives and in the church and step up in victory to see enemies defeated, our own lives set free like never before, and souls added to God’s Kingdom.
40And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.41And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.42And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.43And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.44And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.45Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.46This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.47And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands.48And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.49And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.50So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.51Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.
My carefully crafted sermon title is a little misleading although not intentionally. When I came up with it I thought it sounded cool and after all isn’t cool sermon titles what we’re after. Then after I ponder, prayed, and thought about it some I realized that there was no way to cover all the lessons of David and Goliath in one sermon. Well maybe in one really, really long sermon but probably not even then.
So we know the story. The army of Israel is set in array (I like that word) against the army of the Philistines and Goliath comes out every day and calls the Israelites a bunch of sniveling cowards and he isn’t far from wrong. Goliath is a big boy after all (over 9 feet tall) and he makes the Israelite army feel like a bunch of little grasshoppers. Goliath taunts the Israelites telling them that if one of them fights him and wins then the Philistines will serve Israel and if he loses Israel will serve the Philistines. 40 days of this and no one does anything and then David shows up at his fathers command to bring his brothers food and check on them. David is appalled to see the army of God cowering before the giant and tells them so. We know that David irritates his brother who calls him a trouble maker and then gets to see Saul, tries on Saul’s armor and rejects it as untested. David goes forth in the power of the Lord and defeats the giant. Here are some things David and Goliath can teach us.
1) We need men to step up in faith in the Kingdom of God. Yes I said men and I meant just exactly that. I have yet to hear of a church with a shortage of women but the vast majority of churches are short on men. Men have the desire to conquer, build, etc. etc. and we need tough men for tough jobs in the Kingdom. Just as Israel had plenty of men cowering in fear so does the Kingdom have enough men cowering in the complacency of this world afraid to leave what’s safe and take a stand. We have men engaged in career building, making money, accumulating things, and have hobbies but we need men who will engage in spiritual warfare for their families, churches, communities, and nations. Just as David having the faith to face Goliath spurred an entire army to victory so can one man dedicated to God above all else change a church, impact the Kingdom, and spur other men on to victory. Sadly however much like the Israeli army our men seemed to be bunched together on the fringes of the Kingdom waiting for someone else to take action. There are always people on the sidelines. We need men to take the lead and stop observing.
2) We walk by faith not by sight. The armor of Saul was good for Saul but unproven and therefore useless to David. The armor represents worldliness. We are trying all kinds of path to victory, new programs, music, books, all types of apostate stupidity but we need to get back to living by faith and preaching the truth of Jesus. There are some churches that are building big congregations through rock in roll music and sermons based off of worldly ideas but they make money and noise but they aren’t impacting the Kingdom. My personal favorite examples of apostasy are North Point Church in Springfield and Joel Osteen. 2 ministries that make big bucks off “Christianity” but who use little to no Bible in their church, create concert like atmospheres in the church, reject basic biblical truths (Joel wouldn’t admit on live TV that Jesus was the only way to heaven and North Point doesn’t believe in a literal hell and they play secular vulgar bands like ACDC). We need to reject everything not tried and proven by God and return to the great commission of teaching people about Jesus and making disciples of all men.
3) The Battle is the Lord’s. It would change the way we do church, conduct business, act with our families, in fact it would impact every area of our lives if we really lived like the battles belonged to God. If we truly understood that regardless of how today looks we win because HE has already won we would be bolder, fight harder, and see more personal victories. My prayer for myself, my wife and daughters, my church, and everyone else in the Kingdom is that we will start living like victors instead of slaves. The deal with Goliath was that if he defeated the Israelite warrior then Israel would be enslaved to the Philistines. The Israelite army was acting like slaves already but David recognized that God was the victor. The apostle wrote to the church at Galatia and said, “So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.” (Galatians 5:31) We need to start living like victors and not slaves then will we defeat our enemies (our weaknesses and temptations) and see more personal victories and people won to Christ. LORD TEACH US ALL TO LIVE LIKE THE BATTLE IS YOURS BECAUSE IT IS!!!
There is much more to learn from this passage of scripture but I’ll stop there for now. My prayer is that men and women, boys and girls will answer God’s call to a David like faith of living for Him, in Him, and because of Him. That we will reject all sin and compromise in our own lives and in the church and step up in victory to see enemies defeated, our own lives set free like never before, and souls added to God’s Kingdom.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Just Shall Live by Faith
Romans 1:14I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.15So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Habakkuk 2:4Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Galatians 3:11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Hebrews 10:38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Faith: Hebrews 11:1” Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
So faith is that firm belief in what we know is but that we have not yet seen. We know that Jesus is and that He is coming back but we have not seen Him with our eyes. We have experienced him, felt him, and we can testify to His power. We believe and that is faith.
Justification: Romans 3:20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Romans 4:24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Justification is to be made right, just, or reasonable. We can only be made right by the blood of Jesus Christ. Isaiah says that our “righteousnesses “ are as “filthy rags” meaning that whatever I do that is good, just, right, or favorable is still not good enough when viewed in the light of God’s glory. To be just is to be made right by the blood of Christ.
We need to understand just and faith to be able to understand that verse. I know these are simplistic definitions but they are accurate. If we have been born again through the blood of Jesus and we have faith in him as our savior then we are the just and we must live by our faith in Jesus Christ. We do not live by our faith in finances, credit cards, paychecks, jobs, talent, ability (men tend to live by faith in what they can do.) We do not live by faith in other people, or houses, or governments, or religion and churches. We live, we must live; we are commanded to live by faith in Jesus.
That is obviously easier said than done. We live in a society that teaches reliance on self, reliance on the government. We put faith in the tangible; our money and houses, and relationships. Where does that leave us when all that is gone? What happens then? The suicide rate in our nation has sky rocketed as the bottom has fallen out of everything we have believed in. Many people find themselves with nothing that has ever given them security. What about us? What about me? What about you?
You might be able to build for yourself a wall of security made up of finances, family, friends, and numerous other things and even if you hold it all together your entire life where does that leave you when you stand in judgment before God?
The just shall live by faith! That means that in these insane times we live in we are impacted by what goes on around us just like everyone else but we are not controlled by it. We trust God to provide just like He promised He would. That doesn’t mean we won’t face tough times, be hungry, be persecuted, etc. but it means we walk with a faith in our Lord Jesus Christ in all aspects of our lives and even if people think we’re nuts we still walk by faith and in so doing let our light shine before men. Walking by faith is not easy. It is a challenge but if we will strengthen our personal walk with God and build our selves up through prayer, serving, reading the Bible etc. we will have a faith that will stand in the good times and the bad. Jesus loves you, He died for you, and He is with you every single day.
Habakkuk 2:4Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Galatians 3:11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Hebrews 10:38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Faith: Hebrews 11:1” Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
So faith is that firm belief in what we know is but that we have not yet seen. We know that Jesus is and that He is coming back but we have not seen Him with our eyes. We have experienced him, felt him, and we can testify to His power. We believe and that is faith.
Justification: Romans 3:20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Romans 4:24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Justification is to be made right, just, or reasonable. We can only be made right by the blood of Jesus Christ. Isaiah says that our “righteousnesses “ are as “filthy rags” meaning that whatever I do that is good, just, right, or favorable is still not good enough when viewed in the light of God’s glory. To be just is to be made right by the blood of Christ.
We need to understand just and faith to be able to understand that verse. I know these are simplistic definitions but they are accurate. If we have been born again through the blood of Jesus and we have faith in him as our savior then we are the just and we must live by our faith in Jesus Christ. We do not live by our faith in finances, credit cards, paychecks, jobs, talent, ability (men tend to live by faith in what they can do.) We do not live by faith in other people, or houses, or governments, or religion and churches. We live, we must live; we are commanded to live by faith in Jesus.
That is obviously easier said than done. We live in a society that teaches reliance on self, reliance on the government. We put faith in the tangible; our money and houses, and relationships. Where does that leave us when all that is gone? What happens then? The suicide rate in our nation has sky rocketed as the bottom has fallen out of everything we have believed in. Many people find themselves with nothing that has ever given them security. What about us? What about me? What about you?
You might be able to build for yourself a wall of security made up of finances, family, friends, and numerous other things and even if you hold it all together your entire life where does that leave you when you stand in judgment before God?
The just shall live by faith! That means that in these insane times we live in we are impacted by what goes on around us just like everyone else but we are not controlled by it. We trust God to provide just like He promised He would. That doesn’t mean we won’t face tough times, be hungry, be persecuted, etc. but it means we walk with a faith in our Lord Jesus Christ in all aspects of our lives and even if people think we’re nuts we still walk by faith and in so doing let our light shine before men. Walking by faith is not easy. It is a challenge but if we will strengthen our personal walk with God and build our selves up through prayer, serving, reading the Bible etc. we will have a faith that will stand in the good times and the bad. Jesus loves you, He died for you, and He is with you every single day.
Where there is no vision
New American Standard Bible Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law.”
King James Bible Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
Where there is no vision the people are unrestrained! That truth goes a long way to explain the total chaos and anarchy in the world and in the church. The world has no true vision beyond tomorrow. People are so focused on living for today and in the moment that our vision doesn’t seem to extend much beyond that. The result is broken homes, shattered lives, and lost dreams.
The thing is I don’t cringe as much about the world acting like the world. I mean I wish people weren’t living ungodly lives but they are. It is after all what the world does. What really troubles me the most is that the church is doing the same thing. We have no vision beyond now and what it takes to fill the church and pay the bills and keep things going now and for ourselves. Limited vision has produced weak Christians and weak churches. The vision should be big and by big I mean eternal. The vision that we have for the church should be a vision that far surpasses our lifetime. We should set up a vision for the church that helps us build, grow, and establish a church now and that helps people sustain growth in the future and have a continual impact on the kingdom. My vision for the church should be looked at like this. “How will what we are doing today help people in this church win souls for the kingdom 100 years from now?”
If we are planning for now but not for tomorrow then maybe we will thrive today but where there is no vision the people perish and the future church will die because the present church didn’t plan for the next generation and the generation after that. Without a clear vision that leads to the future growth of the church and salvation of souls then the people will become unrestrained and start chasing around every wind of doctrine. Many wonderful fundamental churches that preach and teach truth have died or are dying because we have focused on preaching and teaching today but we have no articulated a vision for next year. Yes I must preach to those I have now and minister to the needs of my present congregation but I must also preach and teach with the people that will be in this church after I am dead and gone.
Let’s ask ourselves a few things.
1) Do I have a Biblical vision for the future of my specific church and the kingdom of God?
2) Can I articulate that vision?
3) Do other people in my church and my friends/family know my vision?
4) Do I know the future vision of the others in my church?
Let us establish that many false teachings are being readily accepted in the church (emergent church, Joel Osteen, purpose driven etc. etc.) because the people; including the pastors; are not restrained by a clear articulate Biblical vision and therefore are grasping at anything that sounds good. If I look around and see my church dead or dying let me first examine myself and see if I have ever truly had a real Biblical vision for the church and if I have ever tried to articulate that vision to anyone else. The first step in truly revitalizing the church is to take some personal responsibility and not blame the pastor, leaders, and other members. If I have no vision why should anyone else. It truly amazes me in our society how much we blame others for not doing what we have never tried or even considered. If we have no personal vision for the church or kingdom then why are we surprised that the church is dying and the Kingdom appears to have stalled?
Then we must examine whether or not our vision is Biblical. The vision may be to grow the church but the idea may be secular and not of God. If the idea and vision isn’t supported by the Bible then it may bring physical, financial, and worldly success but it will also bring spiritual death. Some of the loudest, jumping, happening churches with the most people and most money are also DEAD. If the vision does not line up with the true word of God abandon it, repent for it, and cry out to God for a Holy Spirit inspired and led vision. That’s where true vision starts, with prayer.
Can you articulate your vision? If you tell me that your vision is to win souls then guess what? I am totally unimpressed. That is generic at best. How are you going to win souls? Are you going knock on doors, run radio, newspaper, television ads that explain salvation? There are numerous ways that you can effectively and Biblically preach salvation. You’ve got to be able to put it into words. It doesn’t have to big and fancy and more than likely it won’t be. I supply my congregation with Gospels of John, tracts that explain God’s love and salvation through Christ, and ink pens with the church name, number, and address on them so if someone has questions they have a way to contact us. That is simple but it is articulate and people can understand what to do and how to do it. I must be able to explain my vision so that others know it and understand it before I can ever implement it.
Also a church with a true vision for reaching the lost and changing the world will be a church where the vision is the collective whole of the individual vision. I believe that the pastor should set the vision for the church but a wise pastor comes up with a collective vision that is not just his but that of his people. The collective vision, if done correctly, may be worded and even executed differently than the individual vision but it will also make room for every single person who is interested to be a part of it and to fulfill their individual ministries while advancing the church and more importantly the Kingdom of God.
The vision has got to work. We have run ourselves ragged in the church doing things that take up a lot of time, space, and money but don’t actually promote or expand the Kingdom of God. Every individual and church should examine their time and resources and see if they are being used in a way that actually wins souls to the Kingdom of God or if they are just going to things that fill our time without netting results for GOD. That is a hard thing to do but the bottom line is if we are not effective at winning souls and enhancing the Kingdom of God then we are making a lousy investment of our time and money.
So let me explain to you where all this comes from. It comes from me praying and seeking God’s will for my church. It is God challenging me about whether or not I am leading my people in a way that pleases Him and makes a difference for Him. It is me examining myself and praying that God will help me get it right. I don’t think I can afford to be wrong. If God tarries I won’t. My life must end and if Christ doesn’t come back soon, like I think He will, then I need to leave behind a church established on an enduring vision for winning souls and making disciples for my Jesus.
King James Bible Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
Where there is no vision the people are unrestrained! That truth goes a long way to explain the total chaos and anarchy in the world and in the church. The world has no true vision beyond tomorrow. People are so focused on living for today and in the moment that our vision doesn’t seem to extend much beyond that. The result is broken homes, shattered lives, and lost dreams.
The thing is I don’t cringe as much about the world acting like the world. I mean I wish people weren’t living ungodly lives but they are. It is after all what the world does. What really troubles me the most is that the church is doing the same thing. We have no vision beyond now and what it takes to fill the church and pay the bills and keep things going now and for ourselves. Limited vision has produced weak Christians and weak churches. The vision should be big and by big I mean eternal. The vision that we have for the church should be a vision that far surpasses our lifetime. We should set up a vision for the church that helps us build, grow, and establish a church now and that helps people sustain growth in the future and have a continual impact on the kingdom. My vision for the church should be looked at like this. “How will what we are doing today help people in this church win souls for the kingdom 100 years from now?”
If we are planning for now but not for tomorrow then maybe we will thrive today but where there is no vision the people perish and the future church will die because the present church didn’t plan for the next generation and the generation after that. Without a clear vision that leads to the future growth of the church and salvation of souls then the people will become unrestrained and start chasing around every wind of doctrine. Many wonderful fundamental churches that preach and teach truth have died or are dying because we have focused on preaching and teaching today but we have no articulated a vision for next year. Yes I must preach to those I have now and minister to the needs of my present congregation but I must also preach and teach with the people that will be in this church after I am dead and gone.
Let’s ask ourselves a few things.
1) Do I have a Biblical vision for the future of my specific church and the kingdom of God?
2) Can I articulate that vision?
3) Do other people in my church and my friends/family know my vision?
4) Do I know the future vision of the others in my church?
Let us establish that many false teachings are being readily accepted in the church (emergent church, Joel Osteen, purpose driven etc. etc.) because the people; including the pastors; are not restrained by a clear articulate Biblical vision and therefore are grasping at anything that sounds good. If I look around and see my church dead or dying let me first examine myself and see if I have ever truly had a real Biblical vision for the church and if I have ever tried to articulate that vision to anyone else. The first step in truly revitalizing the church is to take some personal responsibility and not blame the pastor, leaders, and other members. If I have no vision why should anyone else. It truly amazes me in our society how much we blame others for not doing what we have never tried or even considered. If we have no personal vision for the church or kingdom then why are we surprised that the church is dying and the Kingdom appears to have stalled?
Then we must examine whether or not our vision is Biblical. The vision may be to grow the church but the idea may be secular and not of God. If the idea and vision isn’t supported by the Bible then it may bring physical, financial, and worldly success but it will also bring spiritual death. Some of the loudest, jumping, happening churches with the most people and most money are also DEAD. If the vision does not line up with the true word of God abandon it, repent for it, and cry out to God for a Holy Spirit inspired and led vision. That’s where true vision starts, with prayer.
Can you articulate your vision? If you tell me that your vision is to win souls then guess what? I am totally unimpressed. That is generic at best. How are you going to win souls? Are you going knock on doors, run radio, newspaper, television ads that explain salvation? There are numerous ways that you can effectively and Biblically preach salvation. You’ve got to be able to put it into words. It doesn’t have to big and fancy and more than likely it won’t be. I supply my congregation with Gospels of John, tracts that explain God’s love and salvation through Christ, and ink pens with the church name, number, and address on them so if someone has questions they have a way to contact us. That is simple but it is articulate and people can understand what to do and how to do it. I must be able to explain my vision so that others know it and understand it before I can ever implement it.
Also a church with a true vision for reaching the lost and changing the world will be a church where the vision is the collective whole of the individual vision. I believe that the pastor should set the vision for the church but a wise pastor comes up with a collective vision that is not just his but that of his people. The collective vision, if done correctly, may be worded and even executed differently than the individual vision but it will also make room for every single person who is interested to be a part of it and to fulfill their individual ministries while advancing the church and more importantly the Kingdom of God.
The vision has got to work. We have run ourselves ragged in the church doing things that take up a lot of time, space, and money but don’t actually promote or expand the Kingdom of God. Every individual and church should examine their time and resources and see if they are being used in a way that actually wins souls to the Kingdom of God or if they are just going to things that fill our time without netting results for GOD. That is a hard thing to do but the bottom line is if we are not effective at winning souls and enhancing the Kingdom of God then we are making a lousy investment of our time and money.
So let me explain to you where all this comes from. It comes from me praying and seeking God’s will for my church. It is God challenging me about whether or not I am leading my people in a way that pleases Him and makes a difference for Him. It is me examining myself and praying that God will help me get it right. I don’t think I can afford to be wrong. If God tarries I won’t. My life must end and if Christ doesn’t come back soon, like I think He will, then I need to leave behind a church established on an enduring vision for winning souls and making disciples for my Jesus.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Not Trading my Mansion for a Shack
The assault on traditional Christianity continues to move forward at an incredibly alarming rate. The attacks that come from the world don't trouble so much but I am increasingly troubled by the way the church is being infiltrated by non-Biblical teaching that is disguised as being Biblical. I am also troubled by the ever increasing amount of Christians who seem unable or unwilling to discern truth from a lie. We have certainly surrounded ourselves with teachers who tickle our ears.
As dismayed and irritated as I get over the inflow of false teaching thinly veiled as Christianity it should not come as a surprise. The scripture has warned us of this for 2 thousand years.
2 Peter 2
1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Verse 3 certainly captures the essence of today's mass marketed "christianity." Rick Warren and Joel Osteen have certainly done a wonderful job of packaging their personal version of Christianity into a marketable format that has made them millions. We listen to diatribes about finding purpose, getting our best life right here and now, etc. etc. all the while ignoring the advice and truths of the Bible. No one seems to even pause and think that getting your best life now isn't even a Biblical concept.
Matthew 6: 19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
But we'll just ignore that because Biblical truth might cut into the profit margin. The other wonderful new book to hit the church lately is "The Shack" undoubtedly a wonderful piece of fiction that transforms the truth of God into a lie and is widely accepted in the church as a wonderful way to help people understand God. To understand a god or one man version god but not the God as represented in the Bible. God the Father who will punish sin is not represented in the shacks female god who see no need to punish sin because sin is a punishment in and of its self. Sounds nice and new age and might make you feel better about yourself by thinking you can make God whatever you want HIM to be but it still doesn't add up with the truth of the WORD OF GOD. One of the shacks defenders even wrote an article and stated that God has no gender. Well in the America of today that might be true, after all mom, dad, father, mother, are losing their meaning very quickly in a culture that is increasingly gender neutral and determined to blur the lines between male and female but like it or not folks the term "God the Father" is not gender neutral. This subject might need more attention later and I know that I am quickly coming to the place of being labeled as "legalistic, intolerant, outdated" and so on. If that what I must be to be faithful to my God then I will gladly embrace that definition of who I am. Regardless of what the world or the church may think I for one refuse to trade in my mansion in glory for a shack.
As dismayed and irritated as I get over the inflow of false teaching thinly veiled as Christianity it should not come as a surprise. The scripture has warned us of this for 2 thousand years.
2 Peter 2
1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Verse 3 certainly captures the essence of today's mass marketed "christianity." Rick Warren and Joel Osteen have certainly done a wonderful job of packaging their personal version of Christianity into a marketable format that has made them millions. We listen to diatribes about finding purpose, getting our best life right here and now, etc. etc. all the while ignoring the advice and truths of the Bible. No one seems to even pause and think that getting your best life now isn't even a Biblical concept.
Matthew 6: 19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
But we'll just ignore that because Biblical truth might cut into the profit margin. The other wonderful new book to hit the church lately is "The Shack" undoubtedly a wonderful piece of fiction that transforms the truth of God into a lie and is widely accepted in the church as a wonderful way to help people understand God. To understand a god or one man version god but not the God as represented in the Bible. God the Father who will punish sin is not represented in the shacks female god who see no need to punish sin because sin is a punishment in and of its self. Sounds nice and new age and might make you feel better about yourself by thinking you can make God whatever you want HIM to be but it still doesn't add up with the truth of the WORD OF GOD. One of the shacks defenders even wrote an article and stated that God has no gender. Well in the America of today that might be true, after all mom, dad, father, mother, are losing their meaning very quickly in a culture that is increasingly gender neutral and determined to blur the lines between male and female but like it or not folks the term "God the Father" is not gender neutral. This subject might need more attention later and I know that I am quickly coming to the place of being labeled as "legalistic, intolerant, outdated" and so on. If that what I must be to be faithful to my God then I will gladly embrace that definition of who I am. Regardless of what the world or the church may think I for one refuse to trade in my mansion in glory for a shack.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
For God so Loved
Everyone who has spent time in church and many who have not can quote John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
We can say it, we have heard it but have we ever really taken time to think about it?
For God....The eternal Father, the creator of all things. He who breathed life into man and spoke the world and all things in it into existence. The timeless one who walked with Adam in the cool of the day, supernaturally took Enoch to Heaven and called Moses friend. The power of creation for only He was able to set the boundaries for the sea. The power of the storm who talked to Job from the whirlwind and the power over the storm when He said, "Peace, be still." The gentle one who promises to all born again believers that there is coming a day when He will wipe every tear from our eyes.
so loved the world......That means all of us. Not just the really good ones, Christ said there is none good except the Father in Heaven. God the Father loved and loves everyone. The weak and wounded, the homosexual, the drug addict, the alcoholic, the poor, the rich, the wounded, the sad, the happy, the joyful. God is so dedicated to love that He even loves preachers and being one myself I know that it takes a lot of love to love a preacher.
that He gave His only begotten son.....Jesus Christ, the sinless lamb, the only perfect man, God in the flesh, my savior and yours to if you have one because He is the only one. He is Jesus the only name under Heaven whereby men must be saved, the name at which one day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He and He alone is Lord.
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. There is an old song that says, "whosoever surley meaneth me" and I am thankful that all of us can have eternal life through Jesus Christ. You may say I don't believe in God or Christ. Let me ask you this. What do you believe in? What does eternity hold for you and how do you know? Jesus is life and apart from Him there may be some form of existence but there is no true life. He is the only one that can give you true everlasting peace and assurance that there is hope. Maybe you believe in God and Jesus. The Bible says the demons also believe and tremble. To believe simply isn't enough. The Bible says you must be born again. That in believing Jesus is the Son of God you come to a realization of your sin, you confess your sin, repent (sorrow, wanting to turn from) your sin, confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God and then and only then can you be saved. And if you truly have a born again experience with Jesus Christ then it Will change the way you talk, the way you act, and it will even change the way you think. Jesus Christ will transform you into a new creation and if Christ never transforms you then by what right can you claim salvation?
Eternal life is available to all no matter who you are, where you are, or what you've done. embrace Jesus today and if you already have then tell others of His salvation. Whosoever, PRAISE THE LORD, means me.
We can say it, we have heard it but have we ever really taken time to think about it?
For God....The eternal Father, the creator of all things. He who breathed life into man and spoke the world and all things in it into existence. The timeless one who walked with Adam in the cool of the day, supernaturally took Enoch to Heaven and called Moses friend. The power of creation for only He was able to set the boundaries for the sea. The power of the storm who talked to Job from the whirlwind and the power over the storm when He said, "Peace, be still." The gentle one who promises to all born again believers that there is coming a day when He will wipe every tear from our eyes.
so loved the world......That means all of us. Not just the really good ones, Christ said there is none good except the Father in Heaven. God the Father loved and loves everyone. The weak and wounded, the homosexual, the drug addict, the alcoholic, the poor, the rich, the wounded, the sad, the happy, the joyful. God is so dedicated to love that He even loves preachers and being one myself I know that it takes a lot of love to love a preacher.
that He gave His only begotten son.....Jesus Christ, the sinless lamb, the only perfect man, God in the flesh, my savior and yours to if you have one because He is the only one. He is Jesus the only name under Heaven whereby men must be saved, the name at which one day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He and He alone is Lord.
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. There is an old song that says, "whosoever surley meaneth me" and I am thankful that all of us can have eternal life through Jesus Christ. You may say I don't believe in God or Christ. Let me ask you this. What do you believe in? What does eternity hold for you and how do you know? Jesus is life and apart from Him there may be some form of existence but there is no true life. He is the only one that can give you true everlasting peace and assurance that there is hope. Maybe you believe in God and Jesus. The Bible says the demons also believe and tremble. To believe simply isn't enough. The Bible says you must be born again. That in believing Jesus is the Son of God you come to a realization of your sin, you confess your sin, repent (sorrow, wanting to turn from) your sin, confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God and then and only then can you be saved. And if you truly have a born again experience with Jesus Christ then it Will change the way you talk, the way you act, and it will even change the way you think. Jesus Christ will transform you into a new creation and if Christ never transforms you then by what right can you claim salvation?
Eternal life is available to all no matter who you are, where you are, or what you've done. embrace Jesus today and if you already have then tell others of His salvation. Whosoever, PRAISE THE LORD, means me.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Welcome to 2010 the "acceptable year of the Lord" This is my first blog post and I am very excited about what 2010 holds for the Ark City Free Will Baptist church and for the Kingdom of God. In Luke Chapter 4 Christ reads from the book of Isaiah that he came to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. This year we need to focus on the Kingdom more than ever and preach the truth of Jesus Christ. It is only Jesus Christ that can heal the broken hearted, deliver the captives, give sight to the blind (physically and spiritually) and give freedom to those that have been wounded by the world and by the church. Religion is deadly but Jesus Christ gives life. I hope and pray we declare Jesus in a very real way this year. God bless.
Derl
Derl
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