The pastor said something in his sermon a week or two ago that struck me. Although I already believed in the concept of "once saved, always saved", his logic on the topic was very simple and made great sense to me. Salvation is only gained by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. If there is nothing that we can do to earn salvation (and there isn't; we're all sinners, and the wage of sin is death), why then would there be any way to lose salvation? We are called as believers to be Christ's witness in this world, and that includes doing good works. But that's something we should be doing, and the Holy Spirit should be working in the lives of believers in this and many other ways. We still sin even though we believe, although we are being sanctified (actively, I would posit, as opposed to passively) by the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of us believers. We still live by grace and thus are able to confidently believe that the work of Jesus Christ by his death and resurrection cannot be lost - otherwise it would be scarcely better than living under the Law alone.
Of course, I do have a question about OSAS. What about apostates? How can we clearly define apostasy? Is the heart of apostasy essentially a renunciation of one's faith (saying to God, "I reject what Christ allegedly has done for me and what He allegedly calls me to do")? If so, it would make sense that apostasy would not fit under the once saved, always saved category because it would be the only real way to undo what you once claimed. Are prodigals once and always saved? The simple answer is that only God truly knows their hearts, if they are questioning or rejecting or if perhaps they never truly believed.
Some might argue that any who commits sin is rebelling against God. By so doing they would claim that the sinner willfully rejects God by rejecting His will. Thus sin (notice how I'm avoiding defining it?) would be sufficient grounds for loss of salvation. That's why it's so important to work at it after we have it. But if sin causes us to fall from a right relationship with God, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ brings atonement of our sins and brings us back into a right relationship. Would we lose and gain our salvation so easily as to sin, repent and believe time and time again? I guess that's how the living by grace comes into play. Nonetheless, I'll stick to the belief that there's only one Way to be saved. If we can't earn it, why would we possibly to able to un-earn it?
Monday, June 15, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Epic Fail
The last two days I spent traveling to Michigan to visit a seminary and meet friends at SEND on the way home. The trip was great, learning about the school, finding that there are some ties to this new place for me, getting to know people much better, and safe travels. The rain storm I met on my way into Michigan on Thursday was also my travel buddy back through Ohio on Friday night. The roads got nasty; water laying on the road + trucks kicking up lots of thick mist + night + my car (for which people had been praying that it would get me to Michigan and back safely) = tough driving. I called a friend and asked for prayer for safe driving. An hour later, the fun began.
I was driving on I-80 near Youngstown, Ohio. For whatever reason, I hadn't remembered to get directions back to Indiana. When I saw a road sign for PA 422, I took it without thinking that I should wait to get on it a little later in my trip. It's around 11pm. As I'm following 422 through some towns, my car dies. Thankfully it drifts to a safe spot on the side of the road. The rain is coming down really hard at this point. I call my family and ask their advice. They look up a phone number for a towing company that should be nearby. The tow truck is on its way but can't seem to find me. As I wait near an intersection, a man comes down from the bar a half block up the street. He asks what the problem is and says he'll fix it for twenty bucks - cheaper than a tow truck would be. I'm stuck, I'm waiting for the tow truck, and now there's a guy hounding me for money. I was hoping for a good Samaritan to give it a jump start.
After a while the tow truck driver calls and says he can't find it and he's been up and down the street I said. The guy from the bar gets my car to start. I give him a few bucks (all that's in my wallet) for helping me. But it's not the twenty he wanted, so he stays in my car and says lets go to an ATM. Feeling like I don't have much choice, we go up the road to a gas station. I have to let the car idle while I go in, afraid that it might not start again. As I'm about to go into the gas station grudgingly, the car dies again. I really don't want to pay this guy any more, but I don't think I can get rid of him any other way. The tow truck driver calls back and says that the place I named where it broke down was way out of his area. Apparently I'm not in the town I thought. The guy gets someone to come over and give the car a jump. Thankfully I had jumper cables. After a few minutes it starts. So I get him the twenty dollars he's been after. I hope that he doesn't drive off before I return. I give him the money and we part ways. Somehow my car makes it the rest of the way back home.
About a minute down the road I realize what just happened. Why did I take that detour? Why did my car die? Why did he come down? I read less than a day earlier about the paralytic in Acts. The apostles didn't have money to offer but they shared the gospel - the greatest gift of all time. I met that man to share Jesus Christ with him, but I didn't do it. In my time of stress and trial, it crossed my mind once, briefly, and I didn't act on it. I confess, I repent, but what if that man never again has a chance to hear the Gospel?
Lord, merciful and gracious beyond our understanding, help us to be Your lights in this world. May You find a way to reach every man, woman and child with Your message, that none who would turn to You for salvation remain without a witness.
I was driving on I-80 near Youngstown, Ohio. For whatever reason, I hadn't remembered to get directions back to Indiana. When I saw a road sign for PA 422, I took it without thinking that I should wait to get on it a little later in my trip. It's around 11pm. As I'm following 422 through some towns, my car dies. Thankfully it drifts to a safe spot on the side of the road. The rain is coming down really hard at this point. I call my family and ask their advice. They look up a phone number for a towing company that should be nearby. The tow truck is on its way but can't seem to find me. As I wait near an intersection, a man comes down from the bar a half block up the street. He asks what the problem is and says he'll fix it for twenty bucks - cheaper than a tow truck would be. I'm stuck, I'm waiting for the tow truck, and now there's a guy hounding me for money. I was hoping for a good Samaritan to give it a jump start.
After a while the tow truck driver calls and says he can't find it and he's been up and down the street I said. The guy from the bar gets my car to start. I give him a few bucks (all that's in my wallet) for helping me. But it's not the twenty he wanted, so he stays in my car and says lets go to an ATM. Feeling like I don't have much choice, we go up the road to a gas station. I have to let the car idle while I go in, afraid that it might not start again. As I'm about to go into the gas station grudgingly, the car dies again. I really don't want to pay this guy any more, but I don't think I can get rid of him any other way. The tow truck driver calls back and says that the place I named where it broke down was way out of his area. Apparently I'm not in the town I thought. The guy gets someone to come over and give the car a jump. Thankfully I had jumper cables. After a few minutes it starts. So I get him the twenty dollars he's been after. I hope that he doesn't drive off before I return. I give him the money and we part ways. Somehow my car makes it the rest of the way back home.
About a minute down the road I realize what just happened. Why did I take that detour? Why did my car die? Why did he come down? I read less than a day earlier about the paralytic in Acts. The apostles didn't have money to offer but they shared the gospel - the greatest gift of all time. I met that man to share Jesus Christ with him, but I didn't do it. In my time of stress and trial, it crossed my mind once, briefly, and I didn't act on it. I confess, I repent, but what if that man never again has a chance to hear the Gospel?
Lord, merciful and gracious beyond our understanding, help us to be Your lights in this world. May You find a way to reach every man, woman and child with Your message, that none who would turn to You for salvation remain without a witness.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
A View of the Puzzle
I think I understand how parts of my calling might fit together. It's sketchy at best, but I'd like to at least write it down somewhere. In no particular order, here are some topics about which I'm passionate with regards to the church: evangelism, holiness, discipleship, contending for the faith, meaningful outreach (as opposed to social justice as an end in itself), missions in various forms, and cultural Christianity. What might I do with any or all of it? A whole lot of things, to be overly general. I've considered working in foreign missions, young adult ministries, pastoral ministries (though not any time soon from what I can tell), camping/outdoor ministries and various evangelical Christian organizations.
I think my field might be working with cultural Christians. Some people would argue that there are more urgent mission fields to tackle - those with little or no Christian witness whatsoever. Who should bother preaching to the burnt-over areas when so many have never heard the Gospel for the first time? There is a problem in that assumption, though. Many people claim to be Christians because it is the culture in which they live. Saying you're a Christian doesn't mean that you've ever experienced the risen Christ in your life. Christ explains in Matthew 7:21-23, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" Calling yourself a Christian isn't sufficient. There are so many people who call themselves Christians but do not know Christ. Going to church isn't going to save you. Doing good works isn't going to save you. Believing in Jesus Christ, in what He's done, placing your faith in Him for salvation and professing Him as Lord and Savior - in Christ alone is salvation. Sadly, even going to church for years does not necessarily mean that you will hear the gospel message or know how to respond if it is presented. The Lord desires our hearts and our lives as a living sacrifice, not ritual or religiosity or legalism. How many cultural Christians have never heard of a difference between religiosity and a personal relationship with our Creator and Redeemer? Certainly there are effective, thriving churches regardless of their denomination. Orthodox, liturgical, charismatic and emergent churches all have hidden unbelievers. Are you just a Sunday morning Christian, then your duty for the week is done? There is so much more than that, if you are willing to take a step of faith and seek the Lord with all your heart, mind and strength. Maybe I'll get to be a revival preacher; maybe I'll get to be a light where the light has all but gone out. I don't know how it will work out, but it seems like I have a little more direction for now. I trust in the Lord my God, and it's sure to be an adventure. If you have never put your faith in Christ, I pray that you take that step and find some solid believers to help you learn and grow. To Him be the glory forever!
I think my field might be working with cultural Christians. Some people would argue that there are more urgent mission fields to tackle - those with little or no Christian witness whatsoever. Who should bother preaching to the burnt-over areas when so many have never heard the Gospel for the first time? There is a problem in that assumption, though. Many people claim to be Christians because it is the culture in which they live. Saying you're a Christian doesn't mean that you've ever experienced the risen Christ in your life. Christ explains in Matthew 7:21-23, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" Calling yourself a Christian isn't sufficient. There are so many people who call themselves Christians but do not know Christ. Going to church isn't going to save you. Doing good works isn't going to save you. Believing in Jesus Christ, in what He's done, placing your faith in Him for salvation and professing Him as Lord and Savior - in Christ alone is salvation. Sadly, even going to church for years does not necessarily mean that you will hear the gospel message or know how to respond if it is presented. The Lord desires our hearts and our lives as a living sacrifice, not ritual or religiosity or legalism. How many cultural Christians have never heard of a difference between religiosity and a personal relationship with our Creator and Redeemer? Certainly there are effective, thriving churches regardless of their denomination. Orthodox, liturgical, charismatic and emergent churches all have hidden unbelievers. Are you just a Sunday morning Christian, then your duty for the week is done? There is so much more than that, if you are willing to take a step of faith and seek the Lord with all your heart, mind and strength. Maybe I'll get to be a revival preacher; maybe I'll get to be a light where the light has all but gone out. I don't know how it will work out, but it seems like I have a little more direction for now. I trust in the Lord my God, and it's sure to be an adventure. If you have never put your faith in Christ, I pray that you take that step and find some solid believers to help you learn and grow. To Him be the glory forever!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Missional
There's something about the term "missional" that seems to make me shudder each time I hear it. Ideologically, a missional lifestyle sounds great to me. I believe that the Great Commission is a call that applies to all believers regardless of class, vocation, gender, age or position. The pastor, the teacher, the missionary, the lawyer, the mechanic, the student, the waitress - whoever you are, whatever you are doing, wherever you are - as a member of the body of Christ, you are called to help fulfill the Great Commission. Step out in faith and make connections with others. If someone hadn't said and done things in your life, how would you have heard? You can go and do likewise. Share Christ's love with others. Live in light of the truth of the Gospel - you were bought for a price and are no longer your own; Christ died and rose again for you and for all humanity. Make the most of every opportunity that you are given to glorify the Lord. Every part of your life has the potential to be God-honoring.
Faith cannot and should not be your own and nothing more. What does the life of a "Sunday morning Christian" show to the world? It shows that the believer, if indeed the person has truly been saved, is a lazy and greedy servant. He or she refuses to give to the Lord what Christ already bought with His blood. It is by living out our entire lives as a testimony to our Lord and Redeemer that He is glorified. Yes, sin will be apparent at points in our lives, but Christ is the focus. Sin can even be a powerful part of our testimonies because of how Christ takes our brokenness, our ugly "real person" traits, and changes us. It's not about integrating the lingo into your vernacular - everyone and everything is so "blessed" or needs or involves "mercies" or "grace." Just live for your Lord with every part of your being, every moment. If that sounds unpleasant to you, it's time to evaluate who you are and what you claim to believe. If work time is being compartmentalized and separated from your identity in Christ, it's time to make a decision about who you are in light of Christ. There are no time-outs for sin sprees. He calls us to be willing to give up all that we have to be with Him - are we up for the challenge?
An interesting website that provides an overview of missional churches and missional living is Friend of Missional. As I understand it, missional ideology has a lot to do with non-institutionalized Christian living with a focus on reaching out to everyone everywhere and fulfilling the missio dei. Splendid. But be sure to keep it Christian. There is so much "borrowed" from other religions that should have no part in the Christian life or practice. For example, why would Christians practice yoga? We must not draw people in with pseudo-Christianity. Living missionally can be done and can be effective. As believers, wherever you are and whatever you do - be salt and light in this lost and dying world.
Faith cannot and should not be your own and nothing more. What does the life of a "Sunday morning Christian" show to the world? It shows that the believer, if indeed the person has truly been saved, is a lazy and greedy servant. He or she refuses to give to the Lord what Christ already bought with His blood. It is by living out our entire lives as a testimony to our Lord and Redeemer that He is glorified. Yes, sin will be apparent at points in our lives, but Christ is the focus. Sin can even be a powerful part of our testimonies because of how Christ takes our brokenness, our ugly "real person" traits, and changes us. It's not about integrating the lingo into your vernacular - everyone and everything is so "blessed" or needs or involves "mercies" or "grace." Just live for your Lord with every part of your being, every moment. If that sounds unpleasant to you, it's time to evaluate who you are and what you claim to believe. If work time is being compartmentalized and separated from your identity in Christ, it's time to make a decision about who you are in light of Christ. There are no time-outs for sin sprees. He calls us to be willing to give up all that we have to be with Him - are we up for the challenge?
An interesting website that provides an overview of missional churches and missional living is Friend of Missional. As I understand it, missional ideology has a lot to do with non-institutionalized Christian living with a focus on reaching out to everyone everywhere and fulfilling the missio dei. Splendid. But be sure to keep it Christian. There is so much "borrowed" from other religions that should have no part in the Christian life or practice. For example, why would Christians practice yoga? We must not draw people in with pseudo-Christianity. Living missionally can be done and can be effective. As believers, wherever you are and whatever you do - be salt and light in this lost and dying world.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Miraculous
Let me start by saying that I usually weigh my words carefully, at least when given the opportunity (maybe you should just read that as follows: I take a long time to think and write things). So when it comes to the M word - miracle, that is - I question whether it's an appropriate use of the word. I have a sort of dichotomy in my mind for miracles. First, there are biblical-type miracles that God uses for the affirmation of His messengers and His message. I also believe that the term can be legitimately used in regard to matters where God's intervention to achieve a particular outcome is highly evident. An example of this latter use of the word miracle would be the salvation of a person. The event would not have occurred without Divine intervention. In this sense it is possible to experience miraculous events in our own lives.
For several years I have struggled with varying degrees of depression. About a year ago I reached a low point when I could barely make a decision regarding anything. I even agonized over choosing between two similar products while shopping. It was bad. This past fall I confided in someone about it, saying that I was ready to deal with it. Well, it turns out that I wasn't as ready as I thought. And I put it off. When I applied for a 1 year missionary position, I mentioned the depression and not having done anything to treat it. The mission organization decided wisely that it was in my interest to have it worked on before agreeing to send me overseas. It was a disappointment in the form of a "not yet" answer combined with a swift kick in the pants to get me to do something instead of just being stuck at this point in life indefinitely. I've started seeing a psychologist. And talking to people more. And trying to have a social life after it crumbling to unrecognizable pieces last year. And running. And I'm on day two of being a new creation. I'm not saying that it's any one of those factors or even the combination but rather the result of God acting in His mercy and timing.
A close friend told me that I needed to look to God and stop staring at my circumstances. My response was that I was trying but was unable, and I was so weary of what I'd been doing. I praise my Creator and Redeemer, for He alone has the power to save me - not only from literal Hell but from my figurative hell also. Why have I been at this job for so long with no sight of moving on? Perhaps it is that I have not been the kind of witness that my coworkers need. And this change may be something noticeable to them, a new part to my testimony. I have true joy now and I can show it. My burden has been removed! Even if this were to be temporary, it is a greater joy than I have known in quite some time. This change in my life is something that I could not accomplish, but through God it is possible. To me, this is something miraculous. To Jesus Christ be the glory forever and ever!
For several years I have struggled with varying degrees of depression. About a year ago I reached a low point when I could barely make a decision regarding anything. I even agonized over choosing between two similar products while shopping. It was bad. This past fall I confided in someone about it, saying that I was ready to deal with it. Well, it turns out that I wasn't as ready as I thought. And I put it off. When I applied for a 1 year missionary position, I mentioned the depression and not having done anything to treat it. The mission organization decided wisely that it was in my interest to have it worked on before agreeing to send me overseas. It was a disappointment in the form of a "not yet" answer combined with a swift kick in the pants to get me to do something instead of just being stuck at this point in life indefinitely. I've started seeing a psychologist. And talking to people more. And trying to have a social life after it crumbling to unrecognizable pieces last year. And running. And I'm on day two of being a new creation. I'm not saying that it's any one of those factors or even the combination but rather the result of God acting in His mercy and timing.
A close friend told me that I needed to look to God and stop staring at my circumstances. My response was that I was trying but was unable, and I was so weary of what I'd been doing. I praise my Creator and Redeemer, for He alone has the power to save me - not only from literal Hell but from my figurative hell also. Why have I been at this job for so long with no sight of moving on? Perhaps it is that I have not been the kind of witness that my coworkers need. And this change may be something noticeable to them, a new part to my testimony. I have true joy now and I can show it. My burden has been removed! Even if this were to be temporary, it is a greater joy than I have known in quite some time. This change in my life is something that I could not accomplish, but through God it is possible. To me, this is something miraculous. To Jesus Christ be the glory forever and ever!
Monday, February 2, 2009
No, Really ... part 2
What are we doing with the spirit of the message? Are we proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ for all the world to hear or are we proclaiming a different gospel? What are we doing with our witness to the world? A friend pointed out the posters in the church basement that explained where offerings were going to "missions" outside the local church. Probably half of the groups that were given funds were not even Christian groups. The picture is a bulletin board showing 
what PW is doing. While service has its place in the church and in the life of the believer (James 2:14-26), we should make the most of every opportunity to share the Gospel. Also, the works most often talked about in Scripture refer to helping brothers - fellow believers in Christ. Why should we squander our resources for social justice or service or anti-poverty by choosing to withhold the most precious gift of all - salvation in Christ Jesus? We are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others. What are we telling people if we preach the gospel of social justice or of prosperity rather than preach the good news of Christ's life, death and resurrection for all humanity? My qualm isn't with social justice or social services or doing good works. The problem is when we seek justice or service above our call to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them all that the Lord commands. Are we providing service without speaking the Gospel? If so, we may be making their time here less miserable, but their souls remain condemned to Hell.
By supporting service groups that are not Christian-based, especially as a church, we are saying that meeting physical/mental/emotional needs is more important than Christ meeting spiritual needs. If we are not proclaiming the truth and salvation that are found in Christ alone, we are like salt that has lost its saltiness (Matt. 5:13). Look again to the Great Commission; if the Church is using its resources to do something apart from making disciples, baptizing them and teaching them, why? We must proclaim Christ's gospel, not our own. It seems that the purpose of mission committees should be to support the work of advancing the Gospel. Why then are they supporting completely secular humanitarian programs? Why do they support social concerns more than they support evangelistic efforts?
It's our fault that the world doesn't know the truth and can't hear it. By our actions we're saying that however you choose to live your life is fine by us. We're happy with what we have, and we want you to be happy with what you have. Let's try not to offend anyone by proselytizing. We just need peace and understanding. Poverty is a terrible injustice from which we must save our fellow human. That is not the truth for which God incarnate suffered, died and rose again! Sin separates us from God, and salvation from the eternal consequence of that sin is found in Christ Jesus alone. It's time to stop promoting our own agendas. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!
what PW is doing. While service has its place in the church and in the life of the believer (James 2:14-26), we should make the most of every opportunity to share the Gospel. Also, the works most often talked about in Scripture refer to helping brothers - fellow believers in Christ. Why should we squander our resources for social justice or service or anti-poverty by choosing to withhold the most precious gift of all - salvation in Christ Jesus? We are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others. What are we telling people if we preach the gospel of social justice or of prosperity rather than preach the good news of Christ's life, death and resurrection for all humanity? My qualm isn't with social justice or social services or doing good works. The problem is when we seek justice or service above our call to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them all that the Lord commands. Are we providing service without speaking the Gospel? If so, we may be making their time here less miserable, but their souls remain condemned to Hell.By supporting service groups that are not Christian-based, especially as a church, we are saying that meeting physical/mental/emotional needs is more important than Christ meeting spiritual needs. If we are not proclaiming the truth and salvation that are found in Christ alone, we are like salt that has lost its saltiness (Matt. 5:13). Look again to the Great Commission; if the Church is using its resources to do something apart from making disciples, baptizing them and teaching them, why? We must proclaim Christ's gospel, not our own. It seems that the purpose of mission committees should be to support the work of advancing the Gospel. Why then are they supporting completely secular humanitarian programs? Why do they support social concerns more than they support evangelistic efforts?
It's our fault that the world doesn't know the truth and can't hear it. By our actions we're saying that however you choose to live your life is fine by us. We're happy with what we have, and we want you to be happy with what you have. Let's try not to offend anyone by proselytizing. We just need peace and understanding. Poverty is a terrible injustice from which we must save our fellow human. That is not the truth for which God incarnate suffered, died and rose again! Sin separates us from God, and salvation from the eternal consequence of that sin is found in Christ Jesus alone. It's time to stop promoting our own agendas. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!
Really, What Are We Preaching?
Do you ever have those days when you're trying to listen to what is being preached, but it seems like you must not be hearing it? The Scripture doesn't seem to have anything to do with what the person is saying and the story they're telling to illustrate a point seems completely irrelevant. Sometimes after the service, someone will ask you what the sermon was about and you can barely even remember the topic. There are times I experience this and then shamefully realize that I really wasn't listening at all. But what about the other times? Is there always substance to the sermon?
Coming up with effective messages to speak or write isn't always easy. Ideas can be difficult to bring to fruition (especially if we're not seeking God with a pure heart). We can pray that our words align with the Truth, that the Lord would use what we write and say and do. But ideas often aren't expressed exactly as we envision them. I've written things (blog entries, for instance) and prepared devotions that, looking back, appear to have missed the point that was intended. It gets messy when we try to see how God uses us, even when it looks like we fail. God can and does use what we do for His glory. I have had instances when I tried to speak the Gospel and immediately afterward felt like a failure; and more than once God reassured me that He used it to touch someone's heart. It's not about how hard we try. It's about obedience to the Lord. Back to the topic of substance - what's being preached?
The message conveyed by preaching can be two-fold: what is literally being preached and everything else, which I'll collectively call the spirit of the message. The spirit of the message is much broader not only for what affects it but also for whom it reaches. The former message largely affects the church while the latter message has a greater effect on non-believers. Let's look at the problem that I discussed in the first paragraph, the literal message.
Some weeks it seems like the pastor is preaching from his own strength and own knowledge rather than relying on God. Since the pastor is a sinful person like the rest of us (though hopefully also being actively sanctified), this shouldn't surprise us from time to time. Hopefully the preacher is made aware of this sin and repents so that the body would be edified and led by God through His chosen leaders.
The Great Commission as recorded in Matthew 28 has three parts to the command: i) Go and make disciples of all nations, ii) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, iii) and teaching them to obey all that Christ has commanded. As the Church, are we accomplishing these things? To generalize these commands, we are to care for every part of a person's life - unbelief (evangelism), salvation experience (signified by baptism), and belief (sanctification).
How then do we care for those who believe? The ongoing focus of the local church for maturing believers should be teaching them to obey Christ's commands. We must not focus solely on ourselves, lest we forget the first two parts of Christ's command in the Great Commission. It is also vital to our own growth that we are instructed in the ways of our Lord in order to become mature in faith. Care must be taken for the body of believers to grow and mature in Christ (1 Cor. 3:1-3, Heb. 5:11-14, 1 Pet. 2:1-3).
When I was visiting my family on Christmas, I noticed a sheet of paper to follow along with the sermon from a recent service. The paper was fill-in-the-blank, and the answer to the first blank was "the Bible." No, this wasn't a preschool lesson; this was the head pastor's sermon outline. No wonder such people don't know what they claim to believe! No wonder that they are so easily led astray by false teachings and false doctrines. Nobody's ever really taught them the commands of Christ.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:17, "I have come not to overthrow the Law but to fulfill it." On this claim alone we should ask why there is not more teaching of (and adherence to) the Law in our churches. Matthew 22:37-40 states, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." We need to ask ourselves if we understand these commands and if we are following them. We need to be teaching and preaching as the Lord commands both within the church and outside it. We need to look honestly at what we're saying and doing; perhaps it is time to repent and truly edify the church body and be lights in this dark world.
Up next: Taking on the spirit of the message
Coming up with effective messages to speak or write isn't always easy. Ideas can be difficult to bring to fruition (especially if we're not seeking God with a pure heart). We can pray that our words align with the Truth, that the Lord would use what we write and say and do. But ideas often aren't expressed exactly as we envision them. I've written things (blog entries, for instance) and prepared devotions that, looking back, appear to have missed the point that was intended. It gets messy when we try to see how God uses us, even when it looks like we fail. God can and does use what we do for His glory. I have had instances when I tried to speak the Gospel and immediately afterward felt like a failure; and more than once God reassured me that He used it to touch someone's heart. It's not about how hard we try. It's about obedience to the Lord. Back to the topic of substance - what's being preached?
The message conveyed by preaching can be two-fold: what is literally being preached and everything else, which I'll collectively call the spirit of the message. The spirit of the message is much broader not only for what affects it but also for whom it reaches. The former message largely affects the church while the latter message has a greater effect on non-believers. Let's look at the problem that I discussed in the first paragraph, the literal message.
Some weeks it seems like the pastor is preaching from his own strength and own knowledge rather than relying on God. Since the pastor is a sinful person like the rest of us (though hopefully also being actively sanctified), this shouldn't surprise us from time to time. Hopefully the preacher is made aware of this sin and repents so that the body would be edified and led by God through His chosen leaders.
The Great Commission as recorded in Matthew 28 has three parts to the command: i) Go and make disciples of all nations, ii) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, iii) and teaching them to obey all that Christ has commanded. As the Church, are we accomplishing these things? To generalize these commands, we are to care for every part of a person's life - unbelief (evangelism), salvation experience (signified by baptism), and belief (sanctification).
How then do we care for those who believe? The ongoing focus of the local church for maturing believers should be teaching them to obey Christ's commands. We must not focus solely on ourselves, lest we forget the first two parts of Christ's command in the Great Commission. It is also vital to our own growth that we are instructed in the ways of our Lord in order to become mature in faith. Care must be taken for the body of believers to grow and mature in Christ (1 Cor. 3:1-3, Heb. 5:11-14, 1 Pet. 2:1-3).
When I was visiting my family on Christmas, I noticed a sheet of paper to follow along with the sermon from a recent service. The paper was fill-in-the-blank, and the answer to the first blank was "the Bible." No, this wasn't a preschool lesson; this was the head pastor's sermon outline. No wonder such people don't know what they claim to believe! No wonder that they are so easily led astray by false teachings and false doctrines. Nobody's ever really taught them the commands of Christ.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:17, "I have come not to overthrow the Law but to fulfill it." On this claim alone we should ask why there is not more teaching of (and adherence to) the Law in our churches. Matthew 22:37-40 states, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." We need to ask ourselves if we understand these commands and if we are following them. We need to be teaching and preaching as the Lord commands both within the church and outside it. We need to look honestly at what we're saying and doing; perhaps it is time to repent and truly edify the church body and be lights in this dark world.
Up next: Taking on the spirit of the message
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)