It's the last day of 2011 and I can't help but reflect on this year. There has been some good, some bad, and even some ugly things happen this year in my life and in our families life. Essentially, I guess, it's been a year of change and transition. As I write this, I am sitting on a back balcony of our apartment complex looking at a small chapel down the road. I wonder, "How did I get here?" Providence, I guess.
24 years ago I gave my heart and life to Jesus Christ at the alter of Foyil Baptist Church outside of Claremore, Oklahoma. As a young boy, I didn't understand how that decision would set into effect the rest of my life! Looking back, maybe it was good that I didn't know! I thank God for mercy and grace! I thank God for Jesus Christ! Sitting on a basketball court in Guatemala at the age of 12, I received what many would label a "calling" from God. I would just say it was an assignment, an opportunity, a great big adventure! My life is not my own. No decision is!
I almost blew it a few times! I look back to my high school days in Luverne, AL at Crenshaw Christian Academy and I know that I missed great opportunities to do things God's Way, instead choosing to do it my way. I wondered through confusion and chaos trying to find my identity in sports, grades, popularity, and even relationships. I think God for mercy and grace!
He brought me to a university that believed in teaching Christian character and changing the world. Little did I know that God would change mine so drastically even in the first semester. Broken engagement. Broken dream. God's glory! The University of Mobile will always be special to me because of friends, mentors, and professors who held me accountable and challenged me.
Then there was Kim. God's best is always beyond imagination. One of a kind. There is no comparison. Our love story could only have been written by God! Friends for 3 years, one random phone call, one great visit to seminary, 6 weeks of dating, 6 months of preparation, and 1 eternal promise! She is the love of my life! She is my greatest quality! The love of a Godly woman, nothing can compare!
Life changes with a child! Little did I know that little girls have a way of melting there daddies! With the arrival of my little princess two years ago, God got a little closer to me. I understand the role of Father God a little clearer now. I love my precious daughter! I am proud to be her father! I will dance with my Cinderella forever!
For the past 10 years I have enjoyed serving God as an associate pastor and youth minister. I've been comfortable. I took great pride in my experience, my pedigree, my title. Yes, God used me to make a difference. I know that now. But it was often in spite of me that God moved! That's grace right there! Sometimes being comfortable starts a slow fade away from what God really wants to do in our lives and through our lives! Five years ago I was adamant that I did not want to be a senior pastor. Finally, six months ago I accepted it and even embraced it. Today, I am eager to lead God's Bride wherever His good, pleasing, and perfect will takes it!
I thank God for reflections and confessions. New beginnings are great! I press toward the mark. I want to KNOW HIM. I want to be used for HIS GLORY! Thank God for mercy and grace! Happy New Year all! God truly loves you!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Free Will or Predestined... Part 1
Every now and then I like a good theological challenge and so I attempt an honorable mention in trying to understand the heart and Will of God. I expect this shall be one of those moments! Please note that this is not a theological treatise and this is not a systematic discussion on Calvanism, Arminianism, free will, predestination, election, or even sovereignty. This is an honest conviction based on study of Scripture and much prayer.
The other day I was sitting at my in-laws house and I noticed a short pamphlet on the coffee table put out by the Alabama Baptist a few years ago outlining the debate over this whole Calvinism - Armenians debacle that has taken center stage on many college and seminary campuses over the past couple decades. The pamphlet was not intended to steer the reader toward one particular side but give an objective breakdown of the discussion. Immediately it brought me back to my days at the University of Mobile sitting in countless theology and religion classes with many close friends and brothers in the ministry to this day! Unfortunately this issue was a stumbling block for many on that campus who didn't know Christ and therefore only heard the argument/debate that often led to hot tempers and unfortunate assumptions. This is a hot-bed topic, yet it still needs to be addressed. I want to caution any reader here to be sensitive to your spiritual depth. If you are a new Christian or still searching, this blog might leave you confused and even dejected. Proceed with caution. For you out there who want some good thoughts, here we go!
I am Southern Baptist by membership, but Christian by identity! By in large, Southern Baptist are all some form of Calvinists. Ok. Don't get mad at me here. You got the wrong idea if you've been around this debate much. For far too long, we've labeled all Calvinists as Hyper-Calvinists. John Calvin original writings and thoughts on this discussion didn't even go that far! Dortian Calvinism (Hyper-Calvinism) is noted for 5 main points:
(1) Total Depravity of Man Namely that man is corrupt, inerrantly sinful, and degenerate on their own. Romans 3:23 sums this up, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Mankind is nothing more than worthless stainful rags in our own fleshly devices.
(2) Unconditional Election Namely that mankind has no control over his eternal state in so much as God's particular calling is specific for some and impossible for others. It's the belief that God has predestined some for redemption and others for damnation.
(3) Limited Atonement. The belief that the blood of Jesus Christ shed at Calvary only has the power to cover the sin of those whom God has predestined for redemption.
(4) Irresistible Grace. Namely that when God calls someone who He has elected to salvation, they have no choice in the response to that calling.
(5) Perseverance of the Saints. The belief in the eternal security of the Christian. It's the "once saved, always saved" conviction.
For most people who have heard this debate, they either choose Calvinism or Armenianism as their launching points. Armenians basically takes the above 5 points and is the opposite view. No total depravity, complete free choice, full atonement, resistible grace, and losable salvation. If you've read anything I've written above then you see that BOTH sides are Biblically faulty! Both sides fall woefully short of truth in full context of Scripture.
I am a 2 or 2 1/2 point Calvinists! Or to say it better.... I am a fully Biblical Christian! I am fully convinced of both the Total Depravity of Mankind and truth of Eternal Security. Like every other aspiring theologian, I struggle with the middle of Dortian Calvinists theory. For me, it is hard to separate where the free will of man ends and the foreknowledge of God begins. So, I believe in free will and free choice on the part of all mankind to either choose Jesus or reject Jesus. However, I do know that God has a knowledge of who will place their faith in Him and who will not. For those God foreknew, He predestined to be the elect. It's not a matter of God being partial or unjust here. It's about God being sovereign and existing outside of time, space, and history to the point that His knowledge supersedes our choice! We must have free will as creative beings with a soul, but God still controls the overall outcome of everything under creation! That's His choice! We get so attached to our argument because we want to defend our rights of salvation. However, salvation is not a right, it is a free gift of grace. It's not about something we do, it's about what He has done! We must keep this in mind!
As far as "Irresistible Grace", I've preached too many sermons and stood at the alter to see people claw their knuckles into the pew in front of them, refusing to be changed by grace and resisting the free gift of salvation. As far as "Limited Atonement," the blood of Christ is strong enough to cover the sins of all mankind for it is the blood of the Holy One, the Redeemer, the Divine Sacrifice. We can discuss this more in later blogs.
This is the first part of many on this subject. I'd like to hear your thoughts.
Remember this however... this debate should be something that brings all Christians to full reality of the full truth of God's incredible Word! We still must be evangelistic representation of Christ, living out the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our life! Until next time....
The other day I was sitting at my in-laws house and I noticed a short pamphlet on the coffee table put out by the Alabama Baptist a few years ago outlining the debate over this whole Calvinism - Armenians debacle that has taken center stage on many college and seminary campuses over the past couple decades. The pamphlet was not intended to steer the reader toward one particular side but give an objective breakdown of the discussion. Immediately it brought me back to my days at the University of Mobile sitting in countless theology and religion classes with many close friends and brothers in the ministry to this day! Unfortunately this issue was a stumbling block for many on that campus who didn't know Christ and therefore only heard the argument/debate that often led to hot tempers and unfortunate assumptions. This is a hot-bed topic, yet it still needs to be addressed. I want to caution any reader here to be sensitive to your spiritual depth. If you are a new Christian or still searching, this blog might leave you confused and even dejected. Proceed with caution. For you out there who want some good thoughts, here we go!
I am Southern Baptist by membership, but Christian by identity! By in large, Southern Baptist are all some form of Calvinists. Ok. Don't get mad at me here. You got the wrong idea if you've been around this debate much. For far too long, we've labeled all Calvinists as Hyper-Calvinists. John Calvin original writings and thoughts on this discussion didn't even go that far! Dortian Calvinism (Hyper-Calvinism) is noted for 5 main points:
(1) Total Depravity of Man Namely that man is corrupt, inerrantly sinful, and degenerate on their own. Romans 3:23 sums this up, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Mankind is nothing more than worthless stainful rags in our own fleshly devices.
(2) Unconditional Election Namely that mankind has no control over his eternal state in so much as God's particular calling is specific for some and impossible for others. It's the belief that God has predestined some for redemption and others for damnation.
(3) Limited Atonement. The belief that the blood of Jesus Christ shed at Calvary only has the power to cover the sin of those whom God has predestined for redemption.
(4) Irresistible Grace. Namely that when God calls someone who He has elected to salvation, they have no choice in the response to that calling.
(5) Perseverance of the Saints. The belief in the eternal security of the Christian. It's the "once saved, always saved" conviction.
For most people who have heard this debate, they either choose Calvinism or Armenianism as their launching points. Armenians basically takes the above 5 points and is the opposite view. No total depravity, complete free choice, full atonement, resistible grace, and losable salvation. If you've read anything I've written above then you see that BOTH sides are Biblically faulty! Both sides fall woefully short of truth in full context of Scripture.
I am a 2 or 2 1/2 point Calvinists! Or to say it better.... I am a fully Biblical Christian! I am fully convinced of both the Total Depravity of Mankind and truth of Eternal Security. Like every other aspiring theologian, I struggle with the middle of Dortian Calvinists theory. For me, it is hard to separate where the free will of man ends and the foreknowledge of God begins. So, I believe in free will and free choice on the part of all mankind to either choose Jesus or reject Jesus. However, I do know that God has a knowledge of who will place their faith in Him and who will not. For those God foreknew, He predestined to be the elect. It's not a matter of God being partial or unjust here. It's about God being sovereign and existing outside of time, space, and history to the point that His knowledge supersedes our choice! We must have free will as creative beings with a soul, but God still controls the overall outcome of everything under creation! That's His choice! We get so attached to our argument because we want to defend our rights of salvation. However, salvation is not a right, it is a free gift of grace. It's not about something we do, it's about what He has done! We must keep this in mind!
As far as "Irresistible Grace", I've preached too many sermons and stood at the alter to see people claw their knuckles into the pew in front of them, refusing to be changed by grace and resisting the free gift of salvation. As far as "Limited Atonement," the blood of Christ is strong enough to cover the sins of all mankind for it is the blood of the Holy One, the Redeemer, the Divine Sacrifice. We can discuss this more in later blogs.
This is the first part of many on this subject. I'd like to hear your thoughts.
Remember this however... this debate should be something that brings all Christians to full reality of the full truth of God's incredible Word! We still must be evangelistic representation of Christ, living out the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our life! Until next time....
Monday, December 26, 2011
Not So Silent Night....
Several years ago now my wife and I flew out to Salt Lake City right after Christmas to go snow skiing and enjoy the Rocky Mountains. This was before our precious daughter came along and we were free newly marrieds always searching for an adventure. We had new jobs, more money, and luggage that would pack quickly. On one of our flights to Salt Lake, we happened to sit behind a young baby and his new parents. In my experience with children, I've observed that some travel well and others, well, you know..... This was not a pleasant experience! That child screamed it's head off the entire trip! I felt bad for those poor parents but also wanted to intervene! They had forgotten the pacifier, void of juice, and with nothing to entertain this child! I would have screamed too if I were that child! Needless to say, it wasn't pleasant.
This expereince came back to me on Saturday Night as we sat in Christmas Eve Services at Eastern Hills Baptist Church in Montgomery, AL. Picture a packed out large sanctuary with, pancaked in with friends and strangers alike. No nursery meant children from newborns and up were all in the service. You couldn't help but prepare for the worse in your mind! Screaming babies. Obnoxious children with not much parental eye. This was going to be dreadful!!!! Then, it hit me.
We always sing "Silent Night" as if the birth of Jesus was sort of sweet, clean, peaceful, and easy thing! Nothing could be further from the truth! After having a child now, I am certain that in that barn that night, it was chaotic, loud, and uncomfortable! But, yet in the chaos, peace was born! Jesus came to bring peace and awareness that God is still there in the most difficult and chaotic of experiences! Emmanuel, God with us!
As it turned out, our experience with my wife's family at that amazing service was a reminder of God's soveriegnty, peace, and power! What a great truth that God will never leave us or forsake us! He is there in our chaos, uncertainities, and uncomfortable situations! To God be the glory! What a great gift of Jesus Christ!
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
This expereince came back to me on Saturday Night as we sat in Christmas Eve Services at Eastern Hills Baptist Church in Montgomery, AL. Picture a packed out large sanctuary with, pancaked in with friends and strangers alike. No nursery meant children from newborns and up were all in the service. You couldn't help but prepare for the worse in your mind! Screaming babies. Obnoxious children with not much parental eye. This was going to be dreadful!!!! Then, it hit me.
We always sing "Silent Night" as if the birth of Jesus was sort of sweet, clean, peaceful, and easy thing! Nothing could be further from the truth! After having a child now, I am certain that in that barn that night, it was chaotic, loud, and uncomfortable! But, yet in the chaos, peace was born! Jesus came to bring peace and awareness that God is still there in the most difficult and chaotic of experiences! Emmanuel, God with us!
As it turned out, our experience with my wife's family at that amazing service was a reminder of God's soveriegnty, peace, and power! What a great truth that God will never leave us or forsake us! He is there in our chaos, uncertainities, and uncomfortable situations! To God be the glory! What a great gift of Jesus Christ!
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
When God overflows from us....
I've been reading the minor prophets as of late and I came upon the incredible encouraging book of Amos! Please sense my spiritual gift of sarcasm here! I don't mean to be ugly but most of the prophets sound pretty "glass half empty" in their deliverance. In their defense, God called them preach in some INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT days. Their messages aren't sugar coated and don't resemble any form of what we call today "social gospel" in content. They are hard, calloused, and straight to the point of the truth! Oh that the preacher of today would be that passionate about delivering the FULL TRUTH of God as compared to worrying about pleasing mankind. For mankind is sinful, chaotic, and depraved. He seeks to fulfill his selfish desires and will chase any wind of teaching that makes himself feel better in his sinful condition. However, God is holy, righteous, and just! He never changes and His standards are always the same! Oh, that we would follow and preach His ways! Again, I can't help but go back to the Psalmist in Psalm 119:37.
Now, hear the word from Amos 5:24....
"But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."
The natural inclination of our lives as Christians is to resemble the character, heart, and attitude of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In transitive property language here... If our lives resemble that of Jesus than our lives resemble that of our Father God for the two are the same! If God's character is holiness, righteousness, and justice, then our character should be molded to that as well! For far too long we have lived in a "gray" society thinking and acting as if God doesn't really care about some issues or some things. We see circumstances and situations in light of our gray fog of confusion and chaos! However, God is not the author of chaos and confusion. He is the light and the truth! In our lives, every situation and circumstance, decision and choice is governed by two possibilities. First, the outcome will be that that pleases God's heart and will for our life. Second, that the decision will be in rebellion of God's heart and will for our life. There is not a third alternative. There is no gray area, only black and white, good and evil, right and wrong. Christian be careful to not negotiate with God and try to change His heart, character, and attitude toward your desires and your will! God never operates this way!
If we take Amos 5:24 seriously, then as Christians we stand for peace, love, and forgiveness all the while exposing injustice, sin, and wickedness! It's that Matthew 5:13-16 mentality. We are salt and light. Salt preserves the truth. Light exposes the lies and evil. Water runs naturally as it wills. It's stream is an overflowing of its character. Justice and righteousness are the natural overflows of our character as followers of Christ!
From Revelation to Application....
Are you standing up for justice and righteousness in your life and in your culture? Is your character becoming like God's character each day?
Now, hear the word from Amos 5:24....
"But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."
The natural inclination of our lives as Christians is to resemble the character, heart, and attitude of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In transitive property language here... If our lives resemble that of Jesus than our lives resemble that of our Father God for the two are the same! If God's character is holiness, righteousness, and justice, then our character should be molded to that as well! For far too long we have lived in a "gray" society thinking and acting as if God doesn't really care about some issues or some things. We see circumstances and situations in light of our gray fog of confusion and chaos! However, God is not the author of chaos and confusion. He is the light and the truth! In our lives, every situation and circumstance, decision and choice is governed by two possibilities. First, the outcome will be that that pleases God's heart and will for our life. Second, that the decision will be in rebellion of God's heart and will for our life. There is not a third alternative. There is no gray area, only black and white, good and evil, right and wrong. Christian be careful to not negotiate with God and try to change His heart, character, and attitude toward your desires and your will! God never operates this way!
If we take Amos 5:24 seriously, then as Christians we stand for peace, love, and forgiveness all the while exposing injustice, sin, and wickedness! It's that Matthew 5:13-16 mentality. We are salt and light. Salt preserves the truth. Light exposes the lies and evil. Water runs naturally as it wills. It's stream is an overflowing of its character. Justice and righteousness are the natural overflows of our character as followers of Christ!
From Revelation to Application....
Are you standing up for justice and righteousness in your life and in your culture? Is your character becoming like God's character each day?
Friday, December 16, 2011
Spiritual Adultery and the Church....
Why do we whore ourself to God for temporary thrills and chills like HE is some kinda of Friday Night fling in the back seat of a car all the while HE wants a holy marriage covenant with us as His chosen people? We settle for temporary forms of Godliness but deny it's power (2 Timothy 3:5). We choose religious activity over personal relationship. The difference between the two is monumental. A religion will only change your schedule (i.e.... your Sundays and Wednesdays). A genuine relationship with God will change your lifestyle!
This morning I was reading in the book of Hosea! Wow! These words pierce my heart as part of the church. The Old Testament has so much richness to it! Far too often we neglect the treasure of these pages. However, a proper view of the Old Testament gives us roots to accept, believe, and live out the New Testament. They are all together inseperable! I hope that you find yourself loving both! It's about context here! Remember that from Genesis to Revelation, the story is all about God redeeming mankind to Himself through Jesus Christ! I bounced off track.... Oops! Hosea was instructed by God to marry a prostitute as a symbol of God's desire to show both mercy and grace to the spiritually adulterous nation of Israel. Hosea was a doomsday prophet! He preached in the final days leading up to Assyria's conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 721 BC. This knowledge helps us in retrospect. You know the outcome here. The whoring nation of Israel didn't repent. They didn't return to God. They continued to chase their own desires and devalue God's! Everyone did what was right in his own eyes (as in the days of the Judges). Yet, God pleaded. Hosea, as a symbol again, even went and purchased Gomer (the prostitute) wife back after she had been unfaithful the first time. I got a feeling this wasn't a one time offense either! Imagine having to go buy back your wife that the whole town knew was immoral, vile, offensive, and sinful!
We are all a culture of Gomers. We like to whore ourselves to our titles, our jobs, our money, our reputation, our hobbies, etc. It's called spiritual adultery! When something takes the place of God as foremost passion and authority in our life, it becomes a god! The church is full of them. In fact, sometimes "the church" becomes a god because the leadership places more importance on the reputation of the church and the "seeker sensitivity" of the environment than we place on preaching and teaching Christ crucified, the vileness of sin, the beauty of grace, and the expectations of God! We make church about us and not about God! Oh, but it has to be about God! If God is not exalted supreme in your church than you don't have a church. You have a social club, society of redeemed people that have forgotten their role as Salt and Light in the world! Go radically rescued people and radically rescue the lost and dying people in the world that need Jesus Christ! Rescue the perishing, care for the dying. Jesus is merciful and Jesus will save!
A friend of mine named Turner Ward once said, "Whatever is your passion will become your god!" Is Yahweh God of the Universe, the Alpha and Omega, the Creator your passion? If so, don't whore yourself to anything else this world has to offer! I remind you of Paul's words in Romans 12...
Do not be conformed by the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
We are not conformist but God's chosen plan of transformational Christianity! Go live that truth!
This morning I was reading in the book of Hosea! Wow! These words pierce my heart as part of the church. The Old Testament has so much richness to it! Far too often we neglect the treasure of these pages. However, a proper view of the Old Testament gives us roots to accept, believe, and live out the New Testament. They are all together inseperable! I hope that you find yourself loving both! It's about context here! Remember that from Genesis to Revelation, the story is all about God redeeming mankind to Himself through Jesus Christ! I bounced off track.... Oops! Hosea was instructed by God to marry a prostitute as a symbol of God's desire to show both mercy and grace to the spiritually adulterous nation of Israel. Hosea was a doomsday prophet! He preached in the final days leading up to Assyria's conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 721 BC. This knowledge helps us in retrospect. You know the outcome here. The whoring nation of Israel didn't repent. They didn't return to God. They continued to chase their own desires and devalue God's! Everyone did what was right in his own eyes (as in the days of the Judges). Yet, God pleaded. Hosea, as a symbol again, even went and purchased Gomer (the prostitute) wife back after she had been unfaithful the first time. I got a feeling this wasn't a one time offense either! Imagine having to go buy back your wife that the whole town knew was immoral, vile, offensive, and sinful!
We are all a culture of Gomers. We like to whore ourselves to our titles, our jobs, our money, our reputation, our hobbies, etc. It's called spiritual adultery! When something takes the place of God as foremost passion and authority in our life, it becomes a god! The church is full of them. In fact, sometimes "the church" becomes a god because the leadership places more importance on the reputation of the church and the "seeker sensitivity" of the environment than we place on preaching and teaching Christ crucified, the vileness of sin, the beauty of grace, and the expectations of God! We make church about us and not about God! Oh, but it has to be about God! If God is not exalted supreme in your church than you don't have a church. You have a social club, society of redeemed people that have forgotten their role as Salt and Light in the world! Go radically rescued people and radically rescue the lost and dying people in the world that need Jesus Christ! Rescue the perishing, care for the dying. Jesus is merciful and Jesus will save!
A friend of mine named Turner Ward once said, "Whatever is your passion will become your god!" Is Yahweh God of the Universe, the Alpha and Omega, the Creator your passion? If so, don't whore yourself to anything else this world has to offer! I remind you of Paul's words in Romans 12...
Do not be conformed by the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
We are not conformist but God's chosen plan of transformational Christianity! Go live that truth!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
What kind of residue are you leaving?
Thank you to my brother-in-law Tom for posting a link on FaceBook today about some pretty obscene sentiments about Tim Tebow. It seems that everybody wants to either praise him or take a cheap shot at this guy! Now I confess that I am no Florida Gator fan nor am I a Denver Broncos guy, but you can't help but like and respect Tim Tebow. All you football guys out there can not argue that he may be the most fiercest competitor of our day, a champion, and a natural leader on the football field! Give it a rest all you NFL quarterback analyst. He's winning and he's making believers out of people every game! Who cares about orthodox as long as you win and you play hard! Ok, I will stop venting on that!
Tebow's on the field exploits are piling up, but the biggest impact he may be making is on the culture of our day! Who said that doing the right thing has gone the way of the water buffalo? Who said that purity, honor, and Christian values couldn't be in the limelight? Tebow is making a beliver out of many that today's culture may still have a chance! Sorry atheists, agnostics, Jewish critics, and Muslims, Jesus Christ has a way of bringing the truth about Himself and what God has done for mankind through Him to the surface! In this case, the surface of a football field! This young man's lifestyle is blameless, above reproach, and is a model for all young men to follow! It reminds of Paul's words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, "Let no one despise your youth, but set an example to the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity." The Greek work for "example" is TUPOS. It's a loaded word really. Our week English translation doesn't do it justice. It implies something far greater than just an example, but a lasting influence, imprint, and residue of lifestyle, holiness, and faith! If Jesus is your Lord as you hopefully profess, then let Him be at the forefront of everything you do so that when people look at you they can't help but see Jesus! Hey, that brings me back to Tim Tebow. Look at Tebow and you can't help but see Jesus Christ! TUPOS..... leave a residue of Jesus wherever you go!
Revelation without application is rebellion against God and mutiny against faith! All doctrine, the full truths of God and His Word, lead us to pivotal decisions. You are held accountable to the truth!
Tebow's on the field exploits are piling up, but the biggest impact he may be making is on the culture of our day! Who said that doing the right thing has gone the way of the water buffalo? Who said that purity, honor, and Christian values couldn't be in the limelight? Tebow is making a beliver out of many that today's culture may still have a chance! Sorry atheists, agnostics, Jewish critics, and Muslims, Jesus Christ has a way of bringing the truth about Himself and what God has done for mankind through Him to the surface! In this case, the surface of a football field! This young man's lifestyle is blameless, above reproach, and is a model for all young men to follow! It reminds of Paul's words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, "Let no one despise your youth, but set an example to the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity." The Greek work for "example" is TUPOS. It's a loaded word really. Our week English translation doesn't do it justice. It implies something far greater than just an example, but a lasting influence, imprint, and residue of lifestyle, holiness, and faith! If Jesus is your Lord as you hopefully profess, then let Him be at the forefront of everything you do so that when people look at you they can't help but see Jesus! Hey, that brings me back to Tim Tebow. Look at Tebow and you can't help but see Jesus Christ! TUPOS..... leave a residue of Jesus wherever you go!
Revelation without application is rebellion against God and mutiny against faith! All doctrine, the full truths of God and His Word, lead us to pivotal decisions. You are held accountable to the truth!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Does the Truth Come From Your Pulpit?
Have you ever wondered if what the preacher is saying is REALLY the Truth from God's Word or just some twisted version of it? I hope so! It is my experience that to many confessing Christians out there take what they hear on Sundays and Wednesdays for granted. Please understand my heart here.... if the man of God is seeking God and studying to show himself approved unto God then hopefullly this won't even be an issue. However, in our culture today, selfish motives are ruling many pulpits around America! The lost world gets a social gospel message from Joel Olsteen and Benny Hinn. They get the wrong picture entirely about God's character, desires, and love and the world unfortunately hates Jesus and the church because of it! These "false prophets" lay waste to the purity of God's Word and Ways and leave miles of carnage behind! And unfortunately it's not just Joel and Benny too!
"Turn my eyes from worthless things and give me life according to your ways." -Psalm 119:37
I am the son of a preacher and a preacher myself. Over the past 10+ years I have spent many long hours pouring over God's Word to try to find the REAL TRUTH and find in context of Scripture! I don't pretend to have this whole Book figured out but I know that it requires work and not spiritually impoverished people throwing together a lukewarm version of it the night before the supposedly preach it! Read Philippians 2:12-13. Although salvation is a free gift of grace from God, it still requires you to work through what you believe! I employ you Christian, take off the bib and say no to the bottle of immature teaching and preaching! Move on to some meat of the Word of God and leave the elementary truths!
Well, how do I do that? I'm glad you asked! If you want to start taking accountability for your belief system, your faith then you have to put the work in here! Here's some suggestions.
(1) Know the Word. This requires you to spend time in it daily. Marinate on it. Think about it. Memorize it. Then, when you hear a false version, you know the truth! Remember, truth is freedom from chaos and confusion!
(2) Prove It in 3s! Thanks Mom! My mother taught me to verify every truth of God's Word by three Scripture texts. Anybody can take one verse and twist it to support any selfish motive or sin. If you can't find that truth in 3 texts, I can assure you that is not the FULL TRUTH of God's heart!
(3) Discuss It With Spirituall Seeking Christians. Notice I said "spiritually seeking Christians." Not all "Christians" are spiritual! Find some like-minded Believers and let iron sharpen iron! Get involved in a Bible believeing, Bible preaching church!
(4) Trust the Holy Spirit's Discernment. God's great gift isn't just Jesus Christ. Christ left the Holy Spirit to be our guide and conviction in such things. When your spirit says something is wrong, trust it enough to reseach it! This requires an active prayer life that is plugged into the heart of your Creator and a pursuit of holiness that leaves not connection problem with your God!
(5) Research Your Teachers, Preachers, and Spiritual Leaders. Leadership has to be earned! Nobody can just step into your church and claim authority outside of Jesus Christ! No diplomas or resume can instantly give him credability! It has to be earned! Don't go looking for closet secrets, but evaluate his consistency in teaching and preaching context of Scripture. I would suggest those spiritual leaders who spend more time preaching and teaching expositionally (verse by verse through Scripture) than just topically all the time too! You get deeper and you don't miss stuff!
I hope this helps! Put work to you faith! You be accountable to your growth! I promise that the joy is in the journey!
"Turn my eyes from worthless things and give me life according to your ways." -Psalm 119:37
I am the son of a preacher and a preacher myself. Over the past 10+ years I have spent many long hours pouring over God's Word to try to find the REAL TRUTH and find in context of Scripture! I don't pretend to have this whole Book figured out but I know that it requires work and not spiritually impoverished people throwing together a lukewarm version of it the night before the supposedly preach it! Read Philippians 2:12-13. Although salvation is a free gift of grace from God, it still requires you to work through what you believe! I employ you Christian, take off the bib and say no to the bottle of immature teaching and preaching! Move on to some meat of the Word of God and leave the elementary truths!
Well, how do I do that? I'm glad you asked! If you want to start taking accountability for your belief system, your faith then you have to put the work in here! Here's some suggestions.
(1) Know the Word. This requires you to spend time in it daily. Marinate on it. Think about it. Memorize it. Then, when you hear a false version, you know the truth! Remember, truth is freedom from chaos and confusion!
(2) Prove It in 3s! Thanks Mom! My mother taught me to verify every truth of God's Word by three Scripture texts. Anybody can take one verse and twist it to support any selfish motive or sin. If you can't find that truth in 3 texts, I can assure you that is not the FULL TRUTH of God's heart!
(3) Discuss It With Spirituall Seeking Christians. Notice I said "spiritually seeking Christians." Not all "Christians" are spiritual! Find some like-minded Believers and let iron sharpen iron! Get involved in a Bible believeing, Bible preaching church!
(4) Trust the Holy Spirit's Discernment. God's great gift isn't just Jesus Christ. Christ left the Holy Spirit to be our guide and conviction in such things. When your spirit says something is wrong, trust it enough to reseach it! This requires an active prayer life that is plugged into the heart of your Creator and a pursuit of holiness that leaves not connection problem with your God!
(5) Research Your Teachers, Preachers, and Spiritual Leaders. Leadership has to be earned! Nobody can just step into your church and claim authority outside of Jesus Christ! No diplomas or resume can instantly give him credability! It has to be earned! Don't go looking for closet secrets, but evaluate his consistency in teaching and preaching context of Scripture. I would suggest those spiritual leaders who spend more time preaching and teaching expositionally (verse by verse through Scripture) than just topically all the time too! You get deeper and you don't miss stuff!
I hope this helps! Put work to you faith! You be accountable to your growth! I promise that the joy is in the journey!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Jesus is the Reason for EVERY Season!
Our world and culture loves ourselves! We like to talk about our hopes and dreams, our accomplishments and accolades, our lifestyles, our toys, our relationships, our..... You name it! We really are in love with ourselves! Some would argue this is the American Dream. Some would make excuses saying they deserve the props and recognition. Some would say they are overcompensating for their lack of self-esteem! Yep, I've heard that one too! We are an egotistical, arrogant society!
I got the privilege of preaching yesterday from Colossians 1:15-23. Instead of focusing on "I am" we got to declare who "He is"! He is Jesus of course! He is the (1) Perpetual Creator (vs. 15-16), the (2) Universal Adhesion (vs. 17), the (3) Indisputable Head of the Church (vs. 18), and the (4) Ultimate Savior (vs. 19-21). Ephesians 2 reminds us that neither mercy or grace are earned but freely given by a God who loved us so much to make both mercy and grace available to us through JESUS CHRIST! It's because of who HE IS and what HE HAS DONE that life even exists! When this attitude begins to consume us we can't help but be both thankful and evangelical with our life!
Christmas is more than just a few weeks that dedicate to telling the story of the Virgin Birth a few times and singing about Santa and Frosty, it is an attitude that all Christians should have! Jesus is wonderful! Grace is amazing! Salvation is free!
I got the privilege of preaching yesterday from Colossians 1:15-23. Instead of focusing on "I am" we got to declare who "He is"! He is Jesus of course! He is the (1) Perpetual Creator (vs. 15-16), the (2) Universal Adhesion (vs. 17), the (3) Indisputable Head of the Church (vs. 18), and the (4) Ultimate Savior (vs. 19-21). Ephesians 2 reminds us that neither mercy or grace are earned but freely given by a God who loved us so much to make both mercy and grace available to us through JESUS CHRIST! It's because of who HE IS and what HE HAS DONE that life even exists! When this attitude begins to consume us we can't help but be both thankful and evangelical with our life!
Christmas is more than just a few weeks that dedicate to telling the story of the Virgin Birth a few times and singing about Santa and Frosty, it is an attitude that all Christians should have! Jesus is wonderful! Grace is amazing! Salvation is free!
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