The following represents the unexpected spiritual lessons, principles or truths I (pastor Scott) have learned over the course of 18 years (or 150,000 plus hours) of deep study and reflection on God’s Word and the shepherding of His people. They – according to my repeated and effective use of them in counseling over the years),also represent those truths most essential to maintaining the proper perspective and behavior in the covenant community, avoiding the pitfall of apostasy, and obtaining our eternal heavenly prize. As such, it is my humble opinion that every Christian should immediately adopt them and diligently endeavor to see that they are constantly brought to mind.

* You are what you do versus what you fantasize or feel.

1.1. You are what you do = Your true identity/heart is revealed/reflected in how you think, speak and behave.

1.2. What you fantasize or feel = What you want to believe about your heart or self; what your emotions are telling you.

1.3. (Pro 4:23, 27:19; Mat 12:33-37 w/15:11, 18-19; Pro 20:11; Mat 7:21-23, 21:28-32; Rev 20:11-15; 2Co 5:9-10; Joh 5:28-30; Joh 8:51).

1.4. The thinking/speech of people who DO NOT understand/reject this biblical truth: “I know I did/said those things, but that’s not me (iow: that behavior was an anomaly); “I know I am an immature/new Christian but I can handle it” (e.g. Gal 6:1 = The “spiritual” or mature [i.e. those who – thru their actions over time, have demonstrated faithfulness] are the ones to be involved in the process of restoring those excommunicated – versus the immature/weak, since the possibility of being “tempted” or falling into the same sin is very real. The point then NOT TO MISS: We may have all the best intentions -or feel that we are strong enough to handle something, but it is our actions [most esp. our prior actions] that most determine our true identity/ability).

* Real change (or repentance) requires extreme ownership versus excuses or denial.

2.1. Extreme ownership = Assessing oneself according to the hard facts (i.e. the truth according to the evidence or your actions) and assuming full responsibility for every failure, short-coming or sin.

2.2. Excuses or denial = Attempting to justify your failure, short-coming or sin by passing the buck (i.e. blaming it on others or circumstances), playing the victim (i.e. blaming it on your lack of brains) or playing down the seriousness of the situation (i.e. treating a 10 like a 2).

2.3. (Jam 1:22-25) = The person who fails to possess real change/repentance (who never truly becomes a “doer” of the word) is “like a man who looks intently at his natural face in the mirror” yet “goes away and at once forgets what he was like.” IOW: they are a person who rejects/denies what the evidence – or their actions reveal about who they truly are – and as a result, refuse to take full responsibility in resolving their short-comings or failure or sin thru real change or repentance; Mar 9:42-50; Luk 13:22-28; Rom 1:18; Joh 9:39-41; e.g. Pro 6:16-19 = God sees sowing discord as a “10” yet many treat it as a “2”).

2.4. Taking extreme ownership seems scary (as though it will destroy us to do so). In reality however, when we do, such action becomes the catalyst and energy that leads to change (we are hard-wired to turn from those things we find truly ugly) (e.g. pastor Rowe’s seminary letter). When people are not extremely honest w/themselves or taking extreme ownership of their situation, they forfeit this necessary catalyst and energy and their attempts at change/repentance end up looking more like the so-called “definition of insanity” = doing the same thing and expecting different results (which inevitably ends in further failure, short-coming or sin). Hence the reason so many fail to truly repent – but also change other failures/short-comings (e.g. their health, their weight, their economic state in life,

* Experiencing God’s love and blessings in this life, and getting to heaven someday, requires loving and obeying Him.

* Being courageous, speaking and standing up for God, is not optional.

* Jesus will be ashamed of those who are ashamed of Him.

* The Covenant Community are those I am to be sharing my life with.

* The hardest battle we will fight is the one for our hearts and minds.

* Don’t stop thinking about the end game.

* It is not trust, if we only trust when things are good.

* Jesus never said following Him was going to be easy.

* Though hard, Jesus promises that faithfulness is possible for everyone.

* Always be practicing thankfulness.

Loving our Christian brothers and sisters is not only one of the oldest and most important commands, but also one of the most effective ways of proving to the world we are Jesus’ disciples or His true church. We therefore do not have the option of failing/refusing to love someone in the Body of Christ. If they are a part of the covenant community, we must genuinely and affectionately love them regardless of their age, sex, race, background, position, personality – or even our past experiences w/them. One of the clearest signs that someone is not/no longer a Christian, is their failure/refusal to love their Christian brothers and sisters. As the Law is increasingly rejected by the church, Jesus prophesies this wb the number one way Christians go apostate – i.e. thru their failure/refusal to love one another. If then we want to remain disciples of Christ – as well as make (new) disciples for Christ, our commitment/practice of loving one another is imperative. And that commitment (to love) must be more than our love or commitments to the things of this world. It must also be more than just affection. Though such affection is vital to our love for one another, it is our just/righteous/lawful treatment of each other that most defines what it means to love. To do this however, requires that our attitude, thinking and speech first be just/righteous/lawful.

* Loving our Christian brothers and sisters is not only one of the oldest and most important commands, but also one of the most effective ways of proving to the world we are Jesus’ disciples or His true church.

(1Jo 3:11; Mat 22:36-38 w/Lev 19:18; Joh 13:34-35)

* We therefore do not have the option of failing/refusing to love someone in the Body of Christ. If they are a part of the covenant community, we must genuinely and affectionately love them regardless of their age, sex, race, background, personality, position – or even our past experiences w/them.

(Rom 12:9-10; Heb 13:1; Gal 3:28; 1Co 12:12-26; 1Th 5:12-13; Col 3:12-14 w/Mar 11:25; “you can’t pick your family”; “you don’t turn your back on your family”)

* One of the clearest signs that someone is not/no longer a Christian, is their failure/refusal to love their Christian brothers and sisters.

(1Jo 2:9-11 , 3:14, 4:7-8, 20, 5:1)

* As the Law is increasingly rejected by the church, Jesus prophesies this wb the number one way Christians go apostate – i.e. thru their failure/refusal to love one another.

(Luk 24:10-13) = B/C “lawlessness wb increased”, more and more Christians will “fall away” or be led “astray” by “false prophets” – i.e. go apostate, thru “betray(ing) one another” and “hat(ing) one another” and allowing their love for one another to “grow cold”.   IOW: not loving one another will result in apostasy.

* If then we want to remain disciples of Christ – as well as make (new) disciples for Christ, our commitment to love one another is imperative.

(Joh 13:35 – “by this all people will know”; Why this shows we are Christ’s disciples or church = BC this is one of the key signs/intentions of our salvation, 1Pe 1:22 w/Tit 2:14-3:8, 14)

* And that commitment (to love) must be more than our love or commitments to the things of this world.

(1Jo 2:15-19 = This then is another reason people apostasize or go “out from us” – b/c they love the things of this world more than their bros/sis in Christ) 

* It must also be more than just affection. Though such affection is vital to our love for one another, it is our just/righteous/lawful treatment of each other that most defines what it means to love.

(1Th 4:9-10 = We are tb increasing in our affection for one another as a means to accomplishing our ultimate goal in love – an increase in our just/righteous/lawful treatment of one another – 1Th 3:12-4:8;  Rom 13:8-10; Mat ...

The government of the church is not a democracy (controlled by her members). Rather it is a theocracy (controlled by Jesus). Her mission and laws are therefore established by Jesus. However, the execution of His mission, interpretation and enforcement of His laws, He has entrusted to His elders. The elders serve as Jesus’ commanding officers ranking only under Him as the church’s Commander In Chief. Their appointment is by Jesus, according to His criteria, the selection of His (already) existing elders and the affirmation of His church. The elders’ authority is therefore divine, their judgments binding or backed by Jesus, and their jurisdiction over all people and things related to the church.  They are empowered to make whatever decisions and changes necessary – or use whatever resources available, to accomplish Jesus’ mission and obey His law.  Unless sufficient evidence can be provided to prove the elder’s actions are sinful, Jesus expects His church (or people) to completely trust and defend their integrity, provide them with valuable intel, fully support their decisions and eagerly obey their orders. If there are questions and confusion, it is the obligation of the church’s members to go directly to Jesus’ elders, giving them the benefit of the doubt and being teachable to their biblically-backed response or instruction. Those who do not follow Jesus’ established protocols or procedures, choosing instead to stand against His elders or their decisions through action or speech that condemns, questions – or causes doubt and division in the minds of others, are to be identified as wolves and receive severe treatment by the church.

* The government of the church is not a democracy (controlled by her members). Rather it is a theocracy (controlled by Jesus). Her mission and laws are therefore established by Jesus. (Mat 28:18-20 = Jesus has “all authority” [i.e. He is the king/ruler] over Creation. His est’d mission for the church: 1) evangelism/expansion [“go…make disciples of all nations”], 2) discipleship/discipline [“teach them to obey”]. Our obedience is to His est’d laws [i.e. what He has “commanded”]. Everything therefore we do as a church must be unto these ends and exist w/in these parameters.)

* However, the execution of His mission, interpretation and enforcement of His laws, He has entrusted to His elders. (Act 2:41-42 w/8:12, 35-38 = Elders execute Jesus’ mission by making disciples and doing discipleship; Act 11:19-26 = No one “added to the Lord” [mission of making disciples not accomplished and church est’d] until elders arrive; Act 13:1-3 = Elders are sent to make disciples; Act 4:34-35 w/6:1-4 w/Deu 15:4-8 = Elders see that the law is kept; Act 15:6-21 = Elders determine right doctrine/interpretation of Scriptures/law; 1Ti 1:3-11, 1Ti 4:13 w/2Ti 1:13, 2:15, 4:2 w/Tit 1:9 w/2:15 = Elders interpret, disciple and enforce Jesus’ laws/Scriptures.)

* The elders serve as Jesus’ commanding officers ranking only under Him as the church’s Commander In Chief. Their appointment is by Jesus, according to His criteria, the selection of His (already) existing elders and the affirmation of His church. (Jos 5:14; 2Ti 2:3-4 = Elders are enlisted men – i.e. officers; Rom 13:1 = Elders are Jesus’ est’d authority; 1Ti 3:1-7 w/Tit 1:6-9 = Elders must meet strict qualifications/criteria; Act 14:23 w/Tit 1:5= Elders appoint new elders; Act 6:1-6 = Elders determine how many elders and the church affirms.)

* The elders’ authority is therefore divine, their judgments binding or backed by Jesus, and their jurisdiction over all people and things related to the church. (Joh 20:21-23 w/Mat 12:22-32 w/Act 15:6, 28 w/Act 5:4, 9; Mat 16:18-19 [Psa 87:1-2] = The elders possess the authority/voice/judgment of the HS/keys to heaven/Zion’s gates. To lie/deceive them is to lie/deceive the HS; Mat 18:17-20 – “the church” = those binding/loosing,

(Luk 16:1-13)

The plot advanced by the parable: a manager who uses his master’s wealth to not only grow his master’s business, but also secure his own future.

The main players and who/what they represent: The master or “rich man” = God, the “manager” = the church, the master’s wealth = the additional money God gives to the church,  and the “debtors” = those the church are to be winning to Christ.

Jesus uses this parable to teach His church the following lessons:

* We are wasting the additional money God gives us if it is not being used to win more people to Christ .

(1) “his possessions” = The master/ rich man’s money. All the money God gives to us is still owned by Him. Like managers of His estate (i.e. Creation), we are entrusted w/His monies for the purpose of advancing His cause and kingdom. And the number one way we do that is by winning more people to Christ. Any church therefore that is not using large portions of those additional monies that God provides (i.e. those monies which are above and beyond what they need to care for the house of God, her pastors and her people) is a church wasting that money since they are (once more) not using it for the reason God gave it (in the first place) (e.g. Paul praises the Philippians for not wasting their money – Phi 4:15-16 w/1:3-5; that it was indeed additional monies can be seen by Paul’s ref. to aid given by the churches in 2Co 8:4-5 w/12-14 = giving for the purpose of supporting all ministerial efforts outside our church is to come from those additional/surplus monies God has provided).

* We run the risk of God taking away our ministry/church if we do not use the additional money He gives to us to win more people to Christ.

(2) = Wasting God’s additional monies by not using it to win more people to Christ will eventually mean that church/ministry no longer exists. Jesus will remove us as His kingdom managers. This (ml) is the threat being made by Jesus to the church in Ephesus (Rev 2:1-5) = This church was doing an excellent job in the areas of justice (“you cannot bear those who do evil”), sound doctrine and the exposure of false teachers (“you…have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.”). They were also incredibly faithful and steadfast in their separation for Christ even in the midst of persecution from others (3 – “enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake” = willing to separate – and as a result be condemned by the wicked, b/c of love/honor for Christ – Heb 13:12-13; also 1Pe 4:4). They however were (now) neglecting the “love” or focus that had made them a church “at first” – i.e. the evangelization of people (since w/o this no church would exist). IOW: you need to win people to Christ (first) to even establish a church (or have somebody to disciple in justice, doctrine, etc.). Hence the order of Jesus’ great commission (Mat 28:19-20). So then, the risk is real. If we want this church to be here in the future (for our kids) then it means investing the additional money we have (now) in winning more people to Christ. As stated in my intro, this is similar to how wise companies plan for their future. They prioritize cash flow over debt reduction (i.e. using their additional monies to increase cash flow since this is a far more effective strategy for sustaining your present situation and creating opportunities for growth in the future than using those same monies to reduce manageable/existing debt) . Successful businesses/people understand and use this principle whereas those not so wise in relation to money management tend to put the priority on the other side (debt reduction). Yet when debt is manageable that makes no sense b/c what gives stability to any company or household – even the church, is not the absence of debt, but positive growth. In the world that means an increase in cash flow, in the church,