Are You Listening?

Sometimes I wonder why I ever ended up in the pastorate. From the early days of childhood into high school I desired to be a surgeon, then along came chemistry and I was satisfied in music. Along the way, I've become an expert in many subjects and hobbies from illusions/sleight of hand to martial arts. I've spent countless hours studying the human mind, quantum physics, defensive logistics, combat theory, chess, and tonal dissonance. Years have taught my body to dance, climb mountains, swim, trackstand on a switchback, and devour ten thousand calories in 24 hours. My mind has learned to foster thought, engage the critics, leave the fight, stay the course, feel the pressure and rest in grace. Skills have prepared me to fix dryers, motherboards, vehicles, bones, restore homes, landscape, hang drywall, frame houses, dig footers, and put in the pipes. I can even sew, hem pants, taper a shirt, prepare a marketing analysis, produce video, graphic design, program websites, and set the clock on the microwave. The point, I've done a lot of stuff in my short life and none of it has ever been half-hearted. I don't understand the purpose of being so-so at anything. Those things that my body did so well have fallen away to a thing called arthritis. What my brain used to manage abruptly wrecked through another harsh and painful experience known as depression. In all of it, I have never found an identity. None.

A common thread has always been stitched into every part of my life. The Word of God, from the earliest of days, has been a source of joy and power for me. It's a grand example of the grace and mercy of the Lord to work in His children a love for Him through Scripture. For most of my life, I could engage in any forum, any hobby, any point in culture and do well. I've learned to shoot, sing, fight, play seven instruments and have done well at a few business ventures but in all of them, I have always found myself in the word, ministering to others, listening and teaching them the truth of Christ. As a matter of honesty, I never really wanted to be a pastor and was content with the idea of being used by the Lord in everything. But God in all His purpose will do with us as He chooses, not how we choose. In the Lord's "putting" me into the ministry as a vocation I brought a lot of my personality and 'skills' to the table. I was taught early on that my 'tool belt' was vital to the success of the ministry of the church. Looking to be the best and giving myself the OK to be "all in", I quickly began to surround myself with successful people who were accomplishing what I felt to be the right fruit.

Historically I have served in many areas of church life having worked with youth, children, music, teaching, seminaries, evangelism, missions, and everything in between. I have witnessed 300 enter the baptismal waters in a year's time, seen thousands "come to faith" at "services", and been on staff with church plants and mega-churches, some of the prior becoming the latter. In the end, even "ministry" never became my identity. There is a lot of heartache and pain under my belt for which I am eternally grateful because without it, I would have never truly seen the substance of Christ's suffering and how we identify with Him. Having written several unpublished works on my journey, I've learned it doesn't really matter at the end of all the suffering if we don't finish well. I've also learned that pain is part of progress and thinking that utopic days are our goal is childish and foolish surrealism. There are a few pain points of ministry though that I've learned sting much harder than normal. In all the calamities of sorts, nothing has been more hurtful than when friends and loved ones reject the Lord Jesus and love the world more than ever.

* When Family Members Claim Christ but Hate Truth

* When the Fan Base Becomes the Mob

Evangelism is one of those terms/practices that has become culturally determined. Just like everything else in Scripture, if not held to the authority of the text, it will become subject to human error and self-glory. I've been thinking about this and hope you're listening too....

 

11,641

Bible Questions Answered

9,741

Followers

14

Years

Evangelism is one of those terms/practices that has become culturally determined. Just like everything else in Scripture, if not held to the authority of the text, it will become subject to human error and self-glory. I've been thinking about this and hope you're listening too....

 

11,641

Bible Questions Answered

9,741

Followers

14

Years

Just last week I was having a conversation with several people about the continued imbalance in the teaching of Billy Graham throughout his career as a circuit "evangelist". Having personally ready every book written by Graham (until 2014) and listened to many, many of his messages I can only say that there is a conflicted message that he has purveyed since 1957 through present day. The message of Graham has been that there is a decision every man must make, that he must choose Christ because God desires all men to be with Him and be saved. He has further relegated the gospel message as one of universal assurance to the point that both pluralists and Universalist groups have embraced Graham's teaching as their own. The message is akin to the message of Charles Finney, who I dogmatically regard as a "Devil-worshipping heretic", who preached that man could persuade others to believe through many forms and means. This "father" of modern-day evangelicalism is actually the root of deceit of many generations. I pray that the gospel will be given teeth in our generation by the mercy of God, but without it being taught and preached rightly, we will never see it happen. For God only saves through the straight and clear teaching of His pure word, the pure gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation.  In our culture, every kind of so-called "gospel" is celebrated except the truth of Scripture because men love the darkness, just like Nicodemus in John 3, and they hate the light of the truth of Christ Jesus.  This sermon snippet is a selection from John chapter one preached May 14, 2017. In it contains a clear biblical teaching of what God has done and in itself is the pure gospel of grace. Lord have mercy.

Just last week I was having a conversation with several people about the continued imbalance in the teaching of Billy Graham throughout his career as a circuit "evangelist". Having personally ready every book written by Graham (until 2014) and listened to many, many of his messages I can only say that there is a conflicted message that he has purveyed since 1957 through present day. The message of Graham has been that there is a decision every man must make, that he must choose Christ because God desires all men to be with Him and be saved. He has further relegated the gospel message as one of universal assurance to the point that both pluralists and Universalist groups have embraced Graham's teaching as their own. The message is akin to the message of Charles Finney, who I dogmatically regard as a "Devil-worshipping heretic", who preached that man could persuade others to believe through many forms and means. This "father" of modern-day evangelicalism is actually the root of deceit of many generations. I pray that the gospel will be given teeth in our generation by the mercy of God, but without it being taught and preached rightly, we will never see it happen. For God only saves through the straight and clear teaching of His pure word, the pure gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation.  In our culture, every kind of so-called "gospel" is celebrated except the truth of Scripture because men love the darkness, just like Nicodemus in John 3, and they hate the light of the truth of Christ Jesus.  This sermon snippet is a selection from John chapter one preached May 14, 2017. In it contains a clear biblical teaching of what God has done and in itself is the pure gospel of grace. Lord have mercy.

I have been asked many times over the last few weeks about what is required to "know" in order to be saved vs. what is considered "growth".

I have been asked many times over the last few weeks about what is required to "know" in order to be saved vs. what is considered "growth".

Scripture speaks of the power of Christ. The power of the cross, the authority of Jesus, the power of the gospel etc. all speaks to the power of Christ. While you may consider the power of Christ the manifestation of miracles, supernatural knowledge or signs, the reality is that the apostles make the claim that the power of Christ most glorious is the transformed heart of the believer toward truth and love for the brethren. Teaching through John's writings gives us a constant reminder of this fact. That there are many who "live" in a manner they feel is worthy of Jesus Christ in their own eyes, but when they refuse fellowship with others, they, in turn, are displaying "unregenerate" powerlessness. 

Paul speaks to the Corinthian church about the power of Christ. He says that he will know if Christ is in them if they heed the authority of his writing and instruction. Mainly, that they forsake themselves and "COMPLETE" all the restoration between them. This means that they will be intimate, together, free, and in fellowship. 

2 Corinthians 13:11–14 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Several hours, if not days can be expended on this holistic reality. But for now, let's say this. One of the primary expressions of regeneration is that we are sealed by the same Spirit. God the Holy Spirit in us brings our unity and because of this, there is NOTHING that can separate us from the Lord and from each other. When factions come between the church and cause people to scatter, it is always wicked. Sometimes it is due to ignorance but most of the time these things happen because of an active and living flesh. IF we have the same Spirit within us there is nothing that would cause divorce amongst the brethren.

In the end, this teaching is extrapolated continually throughout the New Testament through the instruction and commandments for every Christian to be subject to the Word, the Elders of the church, the Assembly (that is the church, only when it gathers) and exercising the gifts God has given them for the benefit of the assembly. We can feel justified in doing "home" studies and "online" sermons, but in reality, that type of existence as a believer is a continual rebellion against the teaching of God. So, in the sense of the text, true regeneration produces a complete unity that nothing will stop and to say otherwise is to refuse to love the brethren, thus, according to John, the Love of God is not in us.  This means that what we say, "We love God" based on the fact that "He loved us first", is not understood and/or is contradicted in our lives.

We may see that all the works of the law, all the dressing of worldly "righteousness" and all the prayers, pleadings, purity and the like are not the measure of the Power of Christ in us. But it is the evidence of TRUTH by the LOVE we have for each other. Love well beloved by the grace that is YOURS in Jesus Christ!  Amen.  While this is not exhaustive, it is truth. Are you listening?

Scripture speaks of the power of Christ. The power of the cross, the authority of Jesus, the power of the gospel etc. all speaks to the power of Christ. While you may consider the power of Christ the manifestation of miracles, supernatural knowledge or signs, the reality is that the apostles make the claim that the power of Christ most glorious is the transformed heart of the believer toward truth and love for the brethren. Teaching through John's writings gives us a constant reminder of this fact. That there are many who "live" in a manner they feel is worthy of Jesus Christ in their own eyes, but when they refuse fellowship with others, they, in turn, are displaying "unregenerate" powerlessness. 

Paul speaks to the Corinthian church about the power of Christ. He says that he will know if Christ is in them if they heed the authority of his writing and instruction. Mainly, that they forsake themselves and "COMPLETE" all the restoration between them. This means that they will be intimate, together, free, and in fellowship. 

2 Corinthians 13:11–14 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Several hours, if not days can be expended on this holistic reality. But for now, let's say this. One of the primary expressions of regeneration is that we are sealed by the same Spirit. God the Holy Spirit in us brings our unity and because of this, there is NOTHING that can separate us from the Lord and from each other. When factions come between the church and cause people to scatter, it is always wicked. Sometimes it is due to ignorance but most of the time these things happen because of an active and living flesh. IF we have the same Spirit within us there is nothing that would cause divorce amongst the brethren.

In the end, this teaching is extrapolated continually throughout the New Testament through the instruction and commandments for every Christian to be subject to the Word, the Elders of the church, the Assembly (that is the church, only when it gathers) and exercising the gifts God has given them for the benefit of the assembly. We can feel justified in doing "home" studies and "online" sermons, but in reality, that type of existence as a believer is a continual rebellion against the teaching of God. So, in the sense of the text, true regeneration produces a complete unity that nothing will stop and to say otherwise is to refuse to love the brethren, thus, according to John, the Love of God is not in us. 

We may see that all the works of the law, all the dressing of worldly "righteousness" and all the prayers, pleadings, purity and the like are not the measure of the Power of Christ in us. But it is the evidence of TRUTH by the LOVE we have for each other. Love well beloved by the grace that is YOURS in Jesus Christ!  Amen.  While this is not exhaustive, it is truth. Are you listening?

The second commandment is something that many people have questions about often. I wrote an article last year in relation to the question, "Can a Christian Violate the Second Commandment with Pictures of Jesus?" Here is a podcast on that answer.