Saturday, February 28, 2009

Sermon Preview 3-1-09

Morning: We will look at the Seven Sayings of the Cross leading up to Easter. This mornings sermon will come from Luke 23:24, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. We will look at the implications of this verse on Christ's followers.

Evening: We will continue to look at gospel presentations.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Believer or Disciple?

Is there a difference in being "saved" and being a "disciple"? Some within the Evangelical community would say yes. They differentiate between having Christ as Savior and having Christ as Lord. However, can we, in light of the biblical witness, make such a distinction? What does Christ and the apostles say? Let's look at a few verses:

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?" (Luke 6:46)

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matt. 7:21)

"And he said to them all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows that will he reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." (Gal. 6:7-8)

These verses are only a small sampling, and they are quoted in keeping with their context. The issue being addressed in these verses is being a follower of Jesus. There is no distinction in the New Testament of being a believer and being a disciple. In actuality, the kind of "belief" that fails to produce obedience and perseverance is seen as false. For example, Jesus' parable of the soils (Matt. 13:3-9, 18-23; Mark 4:3-9, 13-20; Luke 8:5-8, 11-15), Jesus addresses various responses to the gospel (the word). Both the stony ground and the thorns receive the word, and appear to bear fruit. However, both "soils" fail because fruit is not sustained. Jesus states the stony ground represents those who "have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away" (Luke 8:13). He goes on to describe seed among the thorns as those, "who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature" (Luke 8:14).

Contrasted with these is the seed that falls on the good soil. Jesus says, "As for that in the good soil, they are those, who hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience" (Luke 8:15). The inference is clear: the bearing of fruit that last demonstrates a heart that is alive. Hearts that fail to yield lasting fruit are dead. Some might ask, "Does that mean we can lose our salvation?" The answer is no. However, it does mean that not all faith is saving faith.

Some one could have faith in the wrong message or the wrong Jesus. Paul expresses it best, "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or and angle from heaven should preach you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:6-8). In this passage Paul addresses both the wrong message and a distorted Christ. John also warns against such distortion:

Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confess the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If it abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he has made to us--eternal life (1 John 2:22-25).

The false belief may also be a mere intellectual assent. It may simply be the understanding that Jesus has come into the world, lived a perfect life, died an atoning death, and been raised from the dead. We may "believe" these facts without ever trusting in Christ. Know Christ died for the sin of the world is not the same as asking Jesus to forgive you of your sin. The question becomes does your belief in Jesus make you seek to be obedient to him? James does an excellent job of fleshing this out:

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking daily food, and one of you says to them, "God in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Bit someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder! Do you want to be shown you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active alon with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripute was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"--and he was called a friend of God (James 2:14-23).
Immediately, some will accuse James of preaching works salvation. They may, with Martin Luther, consider James' letter an "epistle of straw." However, James is only pointing out what Christ and the apostles were claiming--that only those who walk in obedient trust are truly saved. James is not claiming here that our actions make us righteous. He is claiming that our faith will produce works in keeping with that righteousness. Abraham could say he believed in the Lord, but his belief was demonstrated for all the world to see when he was ready to sacrifice Isaac at the command of the Lord. As the author of Hebrews reminds us, "By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, 'Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.' He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back" (Heb. 11:17-19).

All of this brings us back to our initial question. Is there a difference between being a "believer" and being a "disciple"? The biblical witness is clear, no there is no difference. A believer is a disciple, a disciple is a believer. This reality can help us in laying the ground work for defining a disciple. A disciple is a person who has, upon hearing the gospel, turned from their sin and placed their trust in Christ's atoning work upon the cross and in his resurrection from the dead. This trust in Christ produces in them a desire to walk in obedience to the commands and teachings of Christ. And through the work of the Spirit, they are brought into the conformity of the image of Christ, reflecting and displaying his character to the world as they walk in humble obedience.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Still Thinking About Discipleship

My mind keeps returning to the question, "What is a disciple?". I know that a disciple is a student or a follower of Jesus, but I want to move beyond that basic definition. As a pastor, I want to understand the biblical picture of discipleship so that I can fulfill my calling as a disciple maker. As a Christian, I want to know that I am living and growing as a disciple.

Paul gives us a helpful picture in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." In this context (Gal. 5:16-26) Paul is contrasting a life lived to please the flesh, and a life surrendered to the Spirit of God. The life lived in the Spirit has unmistakable "fruit." The characteristics listed in Galatians 5:22-23 are the work of the Spirit in our life.

Speaking of love, Paul is moving beyond the mere human expression of affection. The love that Paul is speaking about here would include a love for God that is expressed through obedient faith. It would also include a love for our neighbor that places their needs above our own. It is also includes a love for our enemies that seeks their welfare and salvation, even if they persecute us to death.

For me it is easier to describe joy, than to define it. The picture that comes to mind is Paul and Silas singing hymns of thanksgiving after being beaten and thrown in prison. They were rejoicing in the midst of their hardship. Their spirits couldn't be broken, because their hope in Christ.

Each of these characteristics provide for us a picture of what we should look like. Granted, growth may be slow. We may struggle as we fight sin, flesh, and the devil, but the Holy Spirit will bring the change about in us.

I haven't plumbed the depths of the being a disciple, but I will keep searching until my mind can find a good working definition. I'll keep searching the Scriptures and asking the Lord to reveal to me the nature of a disciple. However, I know that here and now we only see dimly, as through a looking-glass, as Paul would say. Until Christ returns none of us will reflect the full nature of a disciple, but pray we continue to strive in the grace of the Lord.

Sermon Review 2-22-09

Morning: We looked at "An Everyday Faith" from Hebrews 13:1-25. The author encouraged his reader to imitate Jesus. He lays out several practical instructions for how our faith should be lived out in the everyday matters of life. Faith is Christ is a powerful transforming reality. If one truly trusts in Jesus, then there should be a change in their life.

Evening: We began a two part look at gospel presentations.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Idea Or Desire?

What is the difference between an idea and a desire? An idea can be defined as "something imagined or pictured in the mind." A desire can be defined as "a longing for or hoping for." The distinction between an idea and a desire is crucial for ministry. Within the framework of the church, every believer is to be a minister. The role of the pastor is to equip the saints for ministry so that the church will be built up into maturity in Christ (see Eph. 4:11-13). This truth teaches us that the primary ministry of the pastor, through preaching and prayer, is equipping the saints.

Many of us get ideas for ministry. We see some need, like tending to the widows or adopting orphans, and we think that's a good idea. However, for many of us that is a far as we get. Sometimes people will say to me, "Bro. Randy, I think the church ought to do so-and-so," and having presented me with their idea they feel their work is done. Situations like these bring us back to our initial question in this post. What is the difference between an idea and a desire? If someone shares their idea with me, I may agree that it is a good one, but that does mean I am going to act on it. For one, I may lack the resources to act on it, whether it be time, knowledge, or strength. Or I may lack the desire.

What most of us don't realize is that sometimes what we mistake as an idea (a thought) is really the Holy Spirit creating a desire (a longing). He doesn't want us to hand it off to someone else, he wants us, through him, to serve God with this desire. Before I received the "call" to preach, I had an idea of what preaching was, but I had no desire to preach (or to even listen). Yet, the when I received the call, the idea became a desire. The desire grew so great that my fear of public speaking was dwarfed by my longing to preach the word. When we serve him out of the desires he has placed in our heart, God is glorified. Our obedience to these desires is often used by God to draw others who will labor along side of us. Ministries often fail in churches, not because of lack of resources (money, time, people), but because they are headed by people who have an idea, but no desire.

How do we know the difference between an idea and a desire? Do you recognize a define need? Does the thought come to you and leave, like a butterfly fluttering between flowers or does it gnaw at you like a starving pit bull with a ham bone? Do your thoughts return frequently to the ways in which God would be exalted if the "idea" succeeded? Are you willing to make any sacrifice to see it happen? Are you ashamed you haven't done something yet? Are you beginning to recognize in others the giftedness and talent that can see this "idea" through to reality? Are you continually returning to God in prayer, yearning to see it happen? If your answer to these questions are yes (and gnawing not fluttering), then friend you have a desire. If you have a desire, I can help equip you for this work of ministry. I can encourage you. I can fan the flames of passion so that it spreads throughout the church, butI cannot take your place. If the Lord has given you the desire, you better be prepared to work.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

What Is a Disciple?

And Jesus came and said to them, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:18-20).

This passage is often called the "Great Commission." It sets the parameters of the Church's mission. The Church exists to glorify God. How does she do that? The Church glorifies God by making disciples through the proclamation of the gospel. What does a "disciple" look like? Matthew 28:18-20 does not explain what a disciple is, only how we make one. However, Jesus said,"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23). Thus, a disciple is defined as one who dies to self and imitates Jesus. Paul expresses it well in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Jesus again states, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Who ever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26-27). Here Jesus is using hyperbole, an overstatement to catch people's attention. He isn't actually calling us to "hate" anyone. He wants us to understand that our love for him should make all of our other love to seem like hate. The greatness of our love for Jesus should dwarf our love for anyone or anything else.

So a disciple is someone who has turned away from sin (repentance) and who has placed their faith in Jesus' person and work for salvation (faith). Thus, having turned from sin to Jesus Christ, they must learn how to be like Jesus. This fact brings us back to the Great Commission. Now that they have been converted, the believer should be baptized and taught to obey everything Jesus commanded.

How did the early recipients of this commission put it into action? In other words, what did a "disciple" look like in the early church? Luke gives us an excellent picture in Acts 2:42, "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." This description of the early church gives us some important features we should have in our own situations. First, there was a commitment to the teaching of the apostles. That teaching would include everything that is now included in the New Testament, although most of the churches would not have possessed all of the New Testament at the time Luke is here describing. Second, there was a commitment to fellowship. The term fellowship means that they existed in community; that they held things in common. Third, they devoted themselves to the breaking of bread. The early church often had daily meals together (usually in the evening) and would celebrate the Lord's Supper after these meals. Finally, they were devoted to prayer.

Bringing all this together, let me venture a definition: A disciple is one who has abandoned the way of sin, having trusted in Christ's work and person, and who is devoted to following Christ. By faith they have denied themselves, took up their cross, and followed Christ. Their life is characterized by a commitment to sound (Christian) doctrine, a commitment to a mutually edifying life in the community of faith (the church), a commitment to right worship, and to prayer. I realize this definition is incomplete, but its a good start. What do you think a disciple should look like?

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Sermon Preview 2-22-09

Morning: We will be looking at "An Everyday Faith," from Hebrews 13:1-25. This passage concludes the book of Hebrews with a series of practical guidelines for living our faith out in this world why we seek the one to come. The theme of this passage if found in the exhortation to consider Jesus' example. The author states, "And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore" (Heb. 13:12-13). In other words, if we are to follow Jesus' example we must humbly submit to the will of God.

Evening: We begin looking a different approaches to sharing the gospel. This will be a two part presentation that deals with gospel presentations. The focus is on the message, not the method. However, we must acknowledge that some consideration must be given to the method.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

All We Can Do Is Pray

Have you ever said something to the affect of, "All we can do is pray"? When you said it how did you feel? Did you feel overwhelmed by the situation? Or did you feel powerless? Do you often feel like the "only" thing you can do is not the best thing? Like you should do something more?

Often it seems that the prevailing attitude concerning prayer is that it is the second best option. It appears that action is viewed as the first best option. This attitude implies that prayer is passive, and the way most of us prayer that may be true. However, prayer is seeking the intervention of the Sovereign Creator in the lives of his creatures. Prayer is the gathering of resources not previously possessed by us and the mustering of strength not our own.

When I say prayer, I do not mean the laundry list of requests that we present before God nor the occasional thanks we proclaim before we eat. I mean prayer of the biblical sort, prayer that acknowledges our utter dependency upon God. It is a prayer that acknowledges our weakness, and turns in hopeful expectation to a sovereign God, who has all power.

The next time you feel prayer is all you can do, rejoice. Prayer really changes things. It moves us beyond human action. It allows us to participate in the providence of God and to take part in his work.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

I Am Beginning to Love Mondays

Mondays are fast becoming my busiest days. They are also becoming one of my most favorite days. I get to spend Mondays with Sophia. The time of father and daughter bonding is punctuated with periods of intense exercise (since Sophia has discovered running), problem solving (what exactly does this "uh, uh" mean), and laughter. Then there is nap time. Which gives Sophia the opportunity to recharge, while daddy tries to get as much done as quickly and quietly as possible. Its amazing how much can be squeezed into two hours. Then the nap ends and all the tidying up that has been done disappears under a shower of toys and laughter. There are diapers to change, boo-boos to kiss, and meals to prepare. There is always something going on. And somewhere in the mix, I couldn't help but realize how truly blessed I am.

I bear the title Papa with chest-pounding pride, but also with humility. I realize that my fatherhood will impact my child's understanding of the Fatherhood of God. If I am too indulgent, then she will assume the God is indulgent. If I am too harsh, she will assume God is harsh. I pray for wisdom often and guidance. I am fully aware that she will see through any attempt to teach a truth not lived. I prayer is that I will faithfully point her to the perfect Father in heaven, in both my actions and in my teaching. The truth that drives me is that He must increase and I must decrease. Lord, help me to be the Father I should be.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Sermon Review 2-15-09

Morning: We looked at "A Holy Faith," from Hebrews 12:14-29. The theme of this passage is captured in verses 28-29, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" He reminds us of God's holiness and how we must live in holy faith. The author expresses several practical ways that we can live out our holy faith.

Evening: We watched Jim Donahue's Proclaim video, "Becoming a Friend to Sinners." It is a help resource for thinking of practical ways we can develop evangelistic friendships.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Sermon Preview 2-15-09

Morning: We will look at a "Holy Faith" from Hebrews 12:14-29. In this passage the author reminds his reader that without holiness we will not see the Lord. He also reminds us that holiness is a characteristic of God himself. Thus, our call to be holy is really a call to reflect God's character.

Evening: We will look at "Becoming a Friend of Sinners." As we continue to discuss evangelism we will talk about how we can develop relationships with lost people in order to present the gospel to them.

Abiding Friendships

I recently spoke to an old high school buddy. He was bringing me up to date on some of the people we went to school with. I had to get out my old yearbooks to put faces with names. Talking to him reminded me that most of my relationships in high school were acquaintanceships. I didn't really know many people outside of class. I didn't hang out with many people outside of school nor did I take part in many after school activities. I had a small band of friends that I trusted and hung out with, but for the most part I stayed to myself.

I left high school the day of graduation. I don't mean that I simply stopped going to school. I mean that I left those times (and troubles) behind as I moved forward. My high school experience was not one of glory and joy. I felt out of place, like that odd sock in the back of your drawer that you can't remember buying, wearing, or where the other one went. I realize now that those feelings were part and parcel of being a teenager, but for me I found it very difficult to entrust myself to anyone. Again, I don't mean to imply that I didn't have any meaningful relationships, but while I accepted many, I only trusted a few.

I realize now that this was a defense mechanism meant to protect me from getting hurt. However, it also prevented me from really getting to know people. I was so afraid of getting caught in the crossfire of life, that I sat out a big part of mine. We approach church life much the same way I approached high school. We build a network of acquaintances when we should be building friendships. Life is messy. There is no escaping that fact. If we are to love like Jesus, we must move beyond surface level relationships. We need to bond in such a way that we can empathize with each other. To paraphrase Paul, "Cry together in hardship; rejoice together in blessing."

Church is not some temporary stepping stone to the next level of life. The Church is the training ground for life in the kingdom. We are preparing for eternity together with the Lord. But, we will also be together with our fellow believers. There exists between believers an inseparable union. They are united in Christ and that bond cannot be broken. An old hymn asks, "Will the circle be unbroken?" The reality is that many family circles will be broken. I do not say that they will be broken to discourage anyone. Continue to pray for and witness to your lost family members; the Lord may save them. The simple fact is that not all will be saved. This reality is one of the reasons we must seek to preserve the unity of the church. It is the circle of the Church that shall go unbroken.

We must seek deep and abiding relationships with fellow believers, because those relationships are eternal. How do you treat the family and friends you are close to? Do you call them daily? Write/email them? Eat with them? Hang out? Now let me ask: Is there any one in your church (that you aren't related to) that you do these same things with. There should be. A believer cannot live long in isolation without feeling the effects on his faith. We need each other for strength. The church needs to be a place where every believer feels like they belong, and not like some odd sock tossed in the drawer, alone and ignored. I encourage you to get in there and get messy. Start making friendships that will last forever.

Under the Weather

Please pray for me. I have had a terrible time with my allergies and sinuses since Tuesday. My throat has been sore since Tuesday, although it is feeling better now. My sinuses have been stopped up since Thursday. My eyes are burning. I haven't wanted to move in two days. My mind is hazy and am a beginning to think that all I do is complain. Hopefully, I will be on the mend soon and back to posting daily. I am sorry about not posting more, but I have had a hard time getting my rhythm back after the power outage. Thanks for you prayer and patience.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

A Clear Distinction

"I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greed and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is and idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler--not to even eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. 'Purge the evil person from among you'" (1 Cor. 5:6-13).

These words from the apostle Paul sound strange and harsh in modern ears. In a society where the most quoted (and misunderstood) Scriptures is Matthew 7:1, which states, "Judge not that, you be not judged," it becomes difficult to understand and apply Paul's words. In fact, today we often get Paul's teaching backwards. Many of us withdraw from the sexually immoral, the idolater, and the greedy in the world, that is, the lost, but we refrain from exposing and disciplining such sin in the fellowship.

Paul clearly states that we are not to refrain from being around the lost. It defeats the purpose of the church. The church is appointed to bring glory to God by the proclamation of the gospel. If we are proclaiming the gospel to those who need to hear it, then how will they hear? And if they don't hear how can they believe? They won't and they can't. We are called to be in the world, but not of it. The difference between the "believer" and the "unbeliever" ought to be greater than the one has his name on a church roll and the other doesn't.

The difference Paul is calling for is no mere external morality. He is stressing the qualitative difference between the believer and non-believer. What is "normal" in the world is to be rejected by the church. Paul states, "But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexually immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler--not even to eat with such a one" (1 Cor. 5:11). Paul is saying that while it is acceptable to be around the lost (how else will they get saved) it is not acceptable to be around professing Christians who live like the lost. The old saying states, "If it walks like a duck, and looks like a duck, and sounds like a duck, its probably a duck," holds true for people. If they live in sin and love sin and refuse to leave sin, they are probably still dead in sin.

When we continue to fellowship with professing Christians who live habitually in unrepentant sin, we declare our agreement with their actions. As Amos mused, "Do to walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?" (Amos3:3). The act of disfellowship is really meant to bring about repentance and then restoration. It provides the unrepentant an opportunity to assess their heart and to see if they have truly believe the gospel. Therefore, the action, which seems so cold and heartless in our society, is actually an act of incredible love. Christ our Lord has made the distinction between those who are his people and those who are not, it is not for us to challenge his definitions, but to walk in obedience to his commands.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Sermon Review 2-8-09

Morning: We looked at a "Disciplined Faith." The author instructs the reader to look to Jesus and the opposition he faced, so that they will not grow weary and lose heart. Using two metaphors he instructs them of the reality that our faith is to be disciplined. It is disciplined from the inside, in that, we must throw off the things that hinder us and sin that easily entangles us. It is disciplined from the outside, in that, the Lord disciplines those he loves and we as Christ's followers are to endure all hardship as discipline. This kind of faith produces in us the ability to persevere.

Evening: We looked at some of the various styles of evangelism. Some people are more direct; others are more relational. Some people are more logical in their approach; other people prefer to share their testimony. God has called us all to share the gospel and enabled us, through the Holy Spirit, to accomplish the task. We just need to find the way of sharing that is most natural to us, and begin sharing.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Doctrinal Precision

Have you ever needed a dohicky? How about a thingamajig? Often when we are doing work that falls outside of our normal daily routine, terminology gets loose. You may not know or care that that tool that will aid you in loosening that bolt is called a 3/4 inch crescent wrench. You just want to get it done. But, would you want a brain surgeon working on you to turn to his assistant and say, "Could you hand me that thingamajig? No, not that dohicky, that one!" Repairing a toilet, while important, is not the same as brain surgery. Brain surgery requires precision.

Brain surgery, while important, is not as important as leading other to Christ. Just as Ezekiel was set apart as a watchman for Israel (Ezek. 33:1-9), so to have we been set apart to warn our generation of the coming judgment and to call them to turn to our Lord Jesus Christ. Ezekiel was instructed to sound the trumpet (warn of impending judgment) so the sinner could know to repent, but if he failed to warn the people God would hold him accountable. If we fail to call sinners to repentance, we too, will be held accountable.

If our call is not clear and certain it will not be heard. Paul instructs the Corinthians, "Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?" (1 Cor. 14:8). Paul's is saying that if we speak in a way that cannot be understood (in this context by a foreign language) it does not do anybody any good. Applied to sharing the message of Christ, if we fail to clearly define our terms biblically and precisely our message will be misunderstood. Numerous cults and false religions use the same terminology as Evangelical Christianity: saved, faith, grace, Jesus Christ, the Spirit, God, prayer, etc. However, they purposely use these terms to confuse those who do not know the difference.

Paul said it well when he instructed Timothy, "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save yourself and your hearers" (1 Tim. 4:16). Doctrine matters. It mattered to Christ and it mattered to the apostles. It should matter to us. We do not define ourselves. God defines us as he reveals his will and ways to us through the Word. The Church did not establish the Word, but by the Word, God established the Church. If we do not truly understand God, as he reveals himself in the Scriptures, then we are not truly worshiping God. If our Jesus is not the Jesus of Scripture, then he is not Jesus. We must be precise in our understanding of the teachings in the Bible.

Misunderstanding the person and work of Jesus has major consequences. It is like the difference between a being locked in a burning building by the arsonist and being rescued from the building by a firefighter. An unbiblical Jesus may be able to offer ethical advice, but he cannot redeem the sinner from hell. An unbiblical Jesus may be able to inspire or motivate, by he cannot rescue the sinner from death. Imprecision in our doctrines of God, Jesus, and salvation and lack of clarity in the gospel message leads to eternal death. If a do-yourself plumber messes up, he can always call in a real plumber and a cleanup crew. If a surgeon messes up people are either maimed or die. When someone messes up the gospel and biblical doctrine people die in their sin and go to hell.

The reality of grave consequences for sloppy or wrong theology should move us to be diligent students of the Word. We should seek to understand it correctly and to present it to others. We should be careful that they understand what we are saying and careful that they understand that it applies to them. Friends heed Paul's admonition and watch your life and doctrine closely.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Practice Makes Perfect?

An old expression states, "practice makes perfect." However, many have remarked that the expression doesn't hold true. Only perfect practice makes perfect some would say. I ran across an article today that made me question the validity of "practice makes perfect." A woman attempting to get her drivers license has taken the driving exam 771 times--and still hasn't passed. Maybe practice doesn't make perfect. Her example should both encourage and inform us. It can encourage us not to give up. But it should also inform us to add diligent (and correct) study to our hard work and determination.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Sermon Preview 2-8-09

Morning: Lord willing, this week we will cover Hebrews 12:1-13. The sermon, "Disciplined Faith" calls us to look to Jesus in order to be able to endure until the end. The author calls us to a faith mindset the practices self-discipline and perceives divine discipline in the events around us. He reminds us that a faith that practices discipline and the receives discipline is a faith approved by God.

Evening: We will continue to focus on evangelism. We will look at the various styles of evangelism that people have.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Sermon Review 2-1-09

Morning: We had a fireside worship service in the church basement. Several people gathered for worship and fellowship. I had planned on preaching from Hebrews 12:1-13, but I felt lead to preach from Acts 4:23-31. The message, entitled "Not Without Power," looked at the type of prayer that empowers us for service to the Lord. It is a prayer that has full confidence in the sovereignty of God. It is a prayer that views our problems through the lens of Scripture. It is a prayer that asks the Lord to change us for the situation, not to change the situation for us. I hope we are all learning to pray more like this.

Evening: We didn't have service.

Home. Again.

Like many of you we lost electric because of the ice last Tuesday morning. We spent a couple of days with our neighbors. We had a great time even though we didn't have lights or a tv or showers. Thursday we went to Bowling Green to stay with my parents. We got to take hot showers and watch tv. The hardest part was not being able to get on the internet until yesterday.

Its great to have people you can count on when things are rough. I am reminded of the Lord's faithfulness through the kindness of others. I know that every good gift I have been given and all the kindness I have received are directly related to the grace of God. If you have assisted someone during this time of difficulty, I thank God for you. I thank everyone for thinking of and praying for us, thanks for opening you hearts and your homes, may God bless you. We are grateful to our neighbors for allowing us to stay with them, for feeding us, and treating us with such kindness. Thank you to Mom and Dad for everything. We love all of you. There are still many who are without electric and need our prayers, so let us pray until they are all home again.