What Do You Value?

What is most important to you?  Is it your job?  Your bank account?  Maybe most important in your life is your wife/husband, or your children.

The Bible is pretty clear about what should be of most value in our lives - and none of the above qualify!  No - I am not trying to say that family and making a living do not have importance.  But what did Jesus say to put these things in perspective?

Luke 14:26 gives us one clear picture of priorities:

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple."

WOW!  But I thought Jesus was all about "love"...?

God's Word cannot contradict itself, nor is God the author of confusion.  So what are we to do with this passage?  Hint - compare it to another record of the words of Christ when He was asked what the greatest commandment is (Luke 22:37-39)-

"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 first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

What we see is that God must be what we value most of all - indeed a love that consumes our entire being (heart, soul, mind - literally all of our being).  Then - enabled by that love, we are to love our neighbors "as" ourselves - more literally, above our own benefit.

This is the core message of our Christian Freedom - that we are not to use our freedoms in Christ (or our fleshly freedom as a citizen of the United States) as an excuse to hurt, get ill-gotten gains, or to build ourselves up.  Instead, we are to use it to the lifting up and betterment of others - even to the point of placing others before ourselves (humility - 1 Corinthians 10:23-33).

Serving the Lord, working for the Kingdom - should be our first priority.  Yes, you can serve and work in the context of your family.  Yes, you can bring honor and glory to God through the activities you engage in.  But let us also see what scripture says about our commitment to one-another as brothers and sisters in Christ...

Romans 12:10 "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (The KJV translates it "preferring one another").

John 13:35 "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Hebrews 10:25 "...not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Each of these is situated squarely in context of the local body of believers.  As we value our Lord - for Who He is, and for what He has done on our behalf - literally what He has provided salvation from - how can we not love Him above all things, and through that overflowing love, then love our neighbors - and as Jesus said, be identified - not so much by our words, but by our actions and relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ (John 13:35).

What does your life portray as your highest value? What have we endured or surrendered for the cause of Christ or for the edifying and strengthening of our brothers and sisters in Christ?  What have we given for the promotion of Jesus Christ to the lost?

What do you value?

Immorality Destroying the Church

Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church:

      It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife.  And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?  Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy 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 an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to 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.”

We like to read this passage and think - man - what a nasty, horrible thing was going on - so horrible that Paul had heard, at a distance, of this ugly act of immorality.  But what we have to understand from this passage is that - while Paul highlights this particularly ugly and vile sin being overlooked in the church - he is using it as an illustration of a greater reality - that it was just the "tip of the iceberg".  

The Corinthian church was ignoring this sin - taking no action to bring correction - because many were engaged in other immoral acts.  To bring attention and corrective action on those involved in this heinous case would have brought the spotlight on their own sins.

We hear the statistics of marriage - and the failure rate which mirrors the outside world even within the local church... and we wonder why...  

We see churches failing to have an impact on their communities - and we wonder why...

The answer isn't too hard to find - as Paul addresses it in this very chapter of Scripture!  It is because we fail to address the immorality WITHIN the church.  1 Peter 4:17 should remind us where judgment must begin - and that is in the house of the Lord (the church).  

How many local churches have couples living together outside of marriage (justified by a plethora of excuses and vain justifications)?  How many have young people who play the "good Christian kid" when meeting together with the church, but outside they are engaged in every worldly form of sexual immorality they can find?  Further - how many professed Christian church members struggle with pornography, adultery (both physical and mental), and so much more?

And have we not seen local churches, then entire denominations compromise on the issues (with a particular emphasis of late on sexual immorality of all varieties)?  Why?  Because if they are to correctly and scripturally address one area of sexual immorality, they will find themselves having to address far more or otherwise be labeled as hypocrites.  Unfortunately, the complete failure to address any of it is just as hypocritical as selective correction.

A particularly revealing verse from this passage is verse 6 - "...do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?"

When we overlook this, that, or another "little sin" (which we already know is not little in the eyes of God), it impacts - it "contaminates" the entire church.  I know of a local church that saw a leader in that church commit adultery with another member of the church.  Both were married, yet both chose to step outside their respective marriages to commit the adulterous act.  But when the truth came to light - and some attempted to take action - they were quickly silenced as the rest of the "leadership" chose to just cover it all up.  Exactly how can any pastor or church body speak to moral issues as God's Word so clearly does, and be taken seriously when they so callously shun their responsibility to declare and act on the truth?

Of course - this all begs a return to the bigger question - what are we trying to do as a local church?  What is our purpose?  Is it to fill seats and offering plates?  Or is our purpose to shine the light of Jesus Christ and His redeeming Gospel to the lost and dying communities around us, making disciples, and seeing lives truly CHANGED?

Then maybe we need to again pray about what Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:17

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Ezekiel 16 - Forgetting What We Were...

I just finished studying Ezekiel 16, and I just wanted to share a few thoughts that somewhat overwhelmed me as I was studying and praying through the chapter.  You might want to take a moment to read before continuing on this post:

Ezekiel 16

When we think about the context of Ezekiel's writing - of all that he had witnessed with his eyes, and more dramatically - the amazing visions and experiences God had placed before him... is it any wonder many thought of Ezekiel as somewhat "odd"?  But the message God had for His people was incredibly clear.  God was fed up with the unfaithfulness of His people.  He had brought (and was continuing to bring) judgment on the Jewish people because of their unfaithfulness.

I find it interesting how many of us like to point fingers at outside forces - from government to a corrupt and godless society, schools, and so much more - yet we utterly fail to look in the mirror.  The people Ezekiel was called to minister to - a job that would have been utterly overwhelming for anyone - were hard hearted - they wanted to point fingers and blame others.  They cried yet didn't cry for the right reasons.  They refused to recognize the "why" of their suffering.  But God, through chapter 16, points to the very core of the "why".  This chapter also reveals the "why" of our cultural ministry troubles today, the decline of Christianity in the United States (the US is statistically the only nation in the world where Christianity is in decline).  God opens the curtain of confusion to reveal the real cause of it all - and it wasn't the idolatry the people and the priests played (though those were key symptoms - and itself was worthy of utter death and destruction).  The core of the matter is found in the last verse 22:

"And in all your abominations and your shorings you did not remember the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, wallowing in your blood."

The people of Ezekiel's time had forgotten all that God had done for them from the very beginning.  They had become, in their minds, self-sufficient.  They had no further need for God.  So they became just like the rest of the ungodly world around them.

We believer often fall into the same trap, a trap of our own making.  When things get hard, when trials come, where do we turn?  Do we turn to God and His people, or do we turn from God and the church and pursue the world's "answers"? When things are going well, and blessings are in abundance, do we rejoice in the Lord, but actually dive head-first into the world?

I'm sure many readers of this blog have encountered people who only seem interested in "church" when they have a specific need - they are sick, they have money problems, they have other issues - but let them have a few dollars in their pocket and a reasonable amount of health, and they disappear - until they need something.

On the flip-side, we also know people who, when things are well, they are a relatively happy and regular part of the local church, but let things get a little tough - let their financial house start to falter, or their family situation get disrupted, and suddenly God and His church falls way down the priority list.

What is the cause?  One could easily and accurately apply Ezekiel 16.  Let us not lose track of WHY God brought (or better - allowed) the horrible judgments to come to His people - with so many slaughtered, still countless more dead due to disease and famine, and a remnant carried into captivity - it wasn't because God is unrighteous - it is because He expects better from His people. He expected the Hebrew people to remember Him, to be faithful to Him - who is the only truly 100% faithful one. He wanted them to remember all He had done for them - and remember that any and all good that the people had ever experienced was from Him.

God just wants people to be FAITHFUL...

So while we may point fingers of blame everywhere (except in the mirror), lets stop and pray - Dear Lord, there is a reason that so much seems to come against me.  Lord - I hate to see the ugliness that seems to be so big a part of this world and culture we live in.  But God - I also understand that some of it may very well be because I have failed to be faithful - faithful in all things.  Lord, I know that I often forget to be thankful for all that you have done for me - and all that you continue to do on my behalf that I may not (in this life) even recognize.  And Lord - I need to remember what I was before you drew me near, opened my eyes, and granted me, through your Grace, the faith to believe - to trust in the shed blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse me of all unrighteousness.  I need to remember the great price you paid for me - a price I could not pay.  Lord, I need to remember the consequences you redeemed me from.  And Lord, I need to recognize that often - my problems are the result of my own unfaithfulness, my own pride, my own unwillingness to do things YOUR way.  Lord - in Jesus Name, I pray that you will help me to overcome my unfaithfulness and to be true to You in all parts of my life.  Amen.

Where You There?

Jesus was preached...
                               ...were you there?

The Word of God Proclaimed...
                              ...were you there?

God was glorified...
                              ...were you there?

The Holy Spirit was present...
                              ...were you there?

Someone needed to hear your encouragement...
                              ...were you there?

Someone needed a hug...
                              ...were you there?

A young preacher poured his heart out...
                              ...were you there?

A broken heart was mended...
                              ...were you there?

The Lord spoke...
                              ...were you there?

In local churches, brothers and sisters in Christ assembled, sung songs and hymns of praise (Ephesians 5:19),  the Gospel was proclaimed (Acts 15:35), and many who profess the name of Christ were absent.

In a church somewhere - those assembled rejoiced as another soul came to saving faith...

In a local church, a life was changed...

Maybe in YOUR church...
                              ...were you there?

Missing In Action

This post is going to reflect my heart - and unfortunately, in large part - my fleshly heart. My heart aches tonight. After what I believe was a great Sunday School lesson that dealt with idols in our lives, a spirit-led message this morning that was an incredible encouragement to me (the preacher!) about the Authority and Power we have to fulfill Christ's commands and to walk in His ways... And after speaking from Titus 1:4-9 in this evening's service with a joyful heart...

My heart aches because there were huge holes in our congregation. Some because of personal situations, some because they were "busy", some - well, who knows how it goes. My heart aches, not for me personally - though I will freely admit that I do often (usually illogically take it personally), but because of the missed opportunities - opportunities for those missing to assemble together to worship the Lord - to whom we owe so much and can never repay. Opportunities to fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ - both to receive encouragement, and also to lift up others who look forward to that fellowship. They missed an opportunity for personal spiritual growth. They missed the blessing of lifting up their voice in corporate worship.

Our lives are filled with choices - choices that will either reflect your relationship with Christ, or will betray your broken relationship with everything else. While the choice to "attend church" is, ultimately, personal - there is a reason the writer of Hebrews recorded the words:

"not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another,

and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

I suppose I am an anomaly when it comes to church. Some might chalk it up to being "the pastor" - after all "I have to go to church"...  though it doesn't work that way.  I don't just look forward to "going to church", I get great joy BEING the church - walking with my brothers and sisters in the faith.  I crave the fellowship.  I desire the sharpening.  I want to help others, as I myself am lifted up by others.  I feel empty if I miss the assembly with my local church.  But it hasn't always been that way.  When I first trusted Christ, I wanted to be "at church" every time the doors were opened.  But as time went on, and the "new" wore off, my zeal for church attendance began to wane.  

But - it all sunk in - I had the wrong attitude about church.  It wasn't about "going to church", it is about BEING the church - our relationship to each other as we look to God.  Over time, the joy grew in simply being with fellow Christians.  The words of Christ when He said "love the brethren" began to really come alive.  Romans 12:9-13 suddenly gained new life and traction in my heart:

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

I honestly can say - I love every one of my brothers and sisters in Christ - with a particular love for those who among the flock God has entrusted into my care. Indeed - I don't just enjoy being in the company of my church family. I don't just look forward to singing with them... I need them.  I need the experience of being with my other family.  I believe that we all benefit from the time together. 

And to be honest - while the person who is absent misses opportunities - those "left behind" also suffer.  For some, it is simply missing someone they care about. For others, it is a genuine discouragement.  And possibly most troubling of all, voluntary absence can become a stumbling block to those already struggling with their relationship with the Lord.

Looking back to those early days of my faith - when the "new" began to wear off - it was the faithfulness of those who, despite challenges and personal troubles, still placed the assembling together as a priority in their lives - that helped to mold my heart and helped me value the opportunities to come together.

Far too often, we don't look at "church membership" through the right lens.  Church doesn't exist for the purpose of satisfying our fleshly desires.  Church exists to glorify God - to fulfill Christ's command to make disciples.  The local church exists to edify, exhort, teach, lead, hold each other accountable, and to live life - together.  In fact, this is the core principal behind the motto/byline of Clinton Missionary Baptist Church:

Grace - Faith - LIFE!

More Than You Can Bear?

There are several verses of Scripture that are so abused as to make them take on a whole, incorrect life of their own.  One such verse is 1 Corinthians 10:13.  If I had a dollar for every time I have heard well-intentioned folks (including some preachers!) who have said that this verse means that "God won't put more on you than you can handle", I could make at least a sizable house payment!  So lets just take a look at the verse:

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 

 First off - this verse is Paul addressing the sin, and the great temptation to sin in the Corinthian culture.  Sin was all around the believers - pretty much any kind of fleshly fulfillment one could imagine was available and even promoted in the city of Corinth - a major city with a reputation for "the flesh".  But the kind of sins really isn't as important as the fact that members of the Corinthian church were giving in to them.

So Paul is addressing temptation to sin, not simply all the burdens and hardships we might face.

Second, Paul wrote that WITH temptation (God does allow us to be tempted), He also gives a way of escape - in other words - temptation WILL come - even strong temptation.  But, no temptation He allows in our life are more powerful than the way of escape He will always provide.  Or more simply - regardless of the temptation we may face, there is always a way to avoid giving in.

It's a shame that so many Christians make this passage into a proof that God won't gives us more trouble than we can handle, yet they regularly give in to temptation to the sins that "so easily beset them".  Or - they place blame on God for somehow not stepping in to prevent them from sinning.

Every bad/sinful decision we make - God has an alternative, even if we refuse to see it and follow it.  One of the classic examples I have heard and like to use:  A recovering alcoholic struggles with temptation to drink again.  Depending on where he or she works and lives, they might pass by bars and liquor stores regularly.  The way of escape is to not stop in the first place - don't put yourself in a position to even experience the added temptation!

The point is, don't put yourself in a position to have your temptation level ratcheted up!  That being said - there are some episodes of temptation that can surprise you.  One can mistype a web site URL by one letter and sometimes find themselves on a nefarious web page with pornography or other immoral content.  All at once, some might experience temptation - yet there is a simple "way of escape" - close the window!  If that doesn't work - turn off the computer!  Pull the power cord!  You do not have to continue gazing at the content.

If you particular sin might be called gluttony - maybe you should avoid buffet restaurants!

Maybe your particular weakness is related to spending money.  If so - then maybe bookmarking your favorite places to shop is a bad idea!

I must say from my own personal experience - God can and indeed will allow you more than you can bear - alone.  Many times I have been in situations that I could not have endured on my own.  But God gave me the path to endure.