What about the Old Testament?

How do we understand the Old Testament? Some would say it is not necessary for the church at all or at least very secondary to the New Testament. Some would go so far as to say it speaks of a different God or God before He became the graceful/loving God of Jesus and the New Testament. What does the Bible say about itself if we allow it to speak on this topic?

The New Testament writers quote often form the Old. When Jesus, Paul, Peter and others speak of scripture they are usually referring to the entirety of what we call the Old Testament. It is in fact only in a few places that we see New Testament writing called scripture (2 Pet. 3:14-16) for example. We know other New Testament writings were treated as scripture largely by the fact that they were given an authoritative role in the early church. But what do we do with what we call the Old Testament?

Jesus gives great insight into this question several times:

John 5:37 And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. (NKJV) Jesus ensures His audience (self-righteous Jews) that the purpose of the Old Testament scriptures is not to bring salvation by works, but point to the need for and identity of a Savior – Him!

Luke 24:25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. (NKJV) Jesus says the Old Testament writings not only suggest the need for a savior, but ensure and describe the fact/necessity of one based on prophecy and other Old Testament writing about Him!

Luke 24:44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (NKJV) Jesus connects the knowledge of Old Testament truths regarding Himself to the specifics and necessity of His death and resurrection for sin. He further connects the Old Testament and its fulfillment in Him as relevant to both the message of and purpose for future evangelism.

Clearly Jesus saw the Old Testament as describing the need for a savior and pointing to the specific identity and work of that savior. From the fall and expulsion of Adam and Eve, the judgment of the world by flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, to the failures and exile of Israel, Jesus sees the entire narrative of human history as His story!

It would seem dangerous and unwise to try to understand the grace of God as found in Jesus Christ without understanding the justice/judgment of God as described in the Old Testament.

The Old Testament is not secondary, not describing a different God, not something to avoid or be embarrassed by, but rather the foundation for understanding the need of salvation as found only in and through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Does this mean every verse in the Old Testament is specifically about Jesus? Probably not, but it does all speak to the sinfulness of man, the holiness of God and the need for salvation to come form outside the work of men, so in that respect it is all certainly about Jesus. It also holds very specific prophecies of Jesus as well as countless types/shadows pointing to Jesus and His work.

If God’s goal in scripture/history was to save good people He would have to admit complete failure. If God’s goal in scripture/history was to show His holiness/justice as well as His mercy/grace as He redeems a people for Himself solely by His grace through Jesus Christ and all for His eternal glory - then His plan is working perfectly!

Eph. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (NKJV)

Is Your God Like Santa?

Is your God like Santa? (Aside from the obvious issues of being real/alive.)

You probably know the song Santa Clause is Coming to Town and will recognize the description of Santa in the summary below from the song - with a little oral tradition thrown in.

Santa –

He is coming to town

Concerned about moral choices “being naughty or nice”

Crying/pouting not acceptable

Sees all you do, knows if you’ve been bad or good

 He is “Making a list” - keeping count of good/bad

Punishment for being naughty – evidently not

Better be good - “for goodness sake”

Tradition would tell us that good gifts will come to those who are “good” and others get coal or nothing?

Does this represent many people’s concept of Jesus/God? What is wrong with it?

Naughty or nice, good or bad, pouting/crying, etc. are not sins against Santa. Santa is not the offended party he just wants to see us do good and offers rewards to encourage it. We have no command to worship Santa, nor would it be reasonable to worship Santa as he is not God.  Santa has no right or means to punish evil only to withhold good rewards and let’s be honest, because Santa grades on a very generous curve - no one ever really gets coal (sounds like the school system).

What about Jesus/God as described in the Bible? Many similarities: God - knows all, sees all, concerned about moral choices, consequences for choices/sin. But there are important differences also: sin is against God, God does not grade on a curve and God's punishment for sin is real and demanded by His nature!

One very significant difference between Santa and Jesus/God is the motivation for doing good. While Santa says to be good "for goodness sake" and better gifts, God says obey in response to the reality that He is God and worthy of our worship, love and obedience – for His sake. In the Old Testament when telling the Israelites the Ten Commandments God begins the list by reminding them Who He is:  

Deut. 5:6 ‘I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 7 ‘You shall have no other gods before Me. (NKJV)

God’s command for obedience starts with who He is. Recognizing God’s greatness/power and worshiping/serving Him above everything else is not only required, but completely reasonable based on who He is! You can be indifferent to Santa and simply miss the gifts, but you are guilty of sin if you don’t worship and serve God!

Santa assumes we are naturally able to do good and are worthy of rewards. Jesus/Bible says no one is good and that we need forgiveness for our sins and to be born again through the Holy Spirit before we can do any God pleasing acts (John 3:3-8, Rom. 3:9-20, 8:7-10). Interesting side note – if you were to watch the movie Santa Clause is coming to town (1970 version) you would find the following song  (excerpt below) where Kris Kringle advises the evil warlock on how he can be changed:

Lyrics by Bass, Jules

If you want to change your direction
If your time of life is at hand
Well don’t be the rule be the exception
A good way to start is to stand

Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you’ll be walking cross the floor
Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you’ll be walking out the door

If I want to change the reflection
I see in the mirror each morn
You mean that it's just my election
To vote for a chance to be reborn

I know what your thinking, surely I have better things to do than pick on Santa, a children’s movie and song lyrics. You might even think I a blaming a movie, a song or Santa for some of the worlds spiritual ills. I am actually saying the very opposite, rather than Santa being a bad spiritual influence, I would suggest that he is simply the product of our natural self-exalting religious tendencies. We all want to believe we are good (or at least better than many), that we will receive rewards from God (Heaven) for our good works and if we do need some kind of rebirth we can muster up the needed resources from within. I would assume that everyone’s god looks like Santa unless instructed differently by the word of God, through the Spirit of God, for the glory of God!

So you better watch out – that you don’t start thinking you are naturally good and deserving gifts. We are only accounted as good and enabled to practice true God honoring obedience, because of what Jesus accomplished for us through His death, burial and resurrection - He gets all the glory and He is the gift!

Eph. 4: ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. (NKJV)

Is Acknowledging Jesus by Name Necessary?

Every think or say – “well they mentioned God they are probably saved”? Is the fact that someone mentions God of any use in assessing their true position with God? What if we add the fact that they are “good people” or “they grew up in church” or “they worship God in their own way”? Do these things suggest anything regarding someone being in right relationship with God?

What does scripture say about this subject? We certainly see many gods (small g false) in the scriptures, not just Israel’s God (capital G true), but also Pagan gods such as Baal (1 Kings 18), Diana (Acts 19) and even Herod (Acts 12). We also see people, after the death burial and resurrection of Jesus, who are described as “God fearers” (Cornelius - Acts 10) or “worshipers of God” (Lydia - Acts 16). What do we make of these various gods or professions regarding God or gods? It makes sense to see how God responded to them and then try to see them in the same light He does.

In the days Elijah served as a prophet to God, most in Israel would have called themselves religious. If asked if they believed in God, worshiped God, served God, the answer for many would be a hearty yes! Of course for most they would be referring to their worship of the Pagan god Baal. Not the true God, but at least they were worshipping a god sincerely, that should count for something – right?

God’s response is quite striking as He has Elijah set up a test to prove the identity of the true God and expose Baal as a fraud. The end result is all Baal’s four hundred and fifty prophets are killed for their rebellion against God (1 King 18:20-40). Later in Israel’s history (2 Kings 10:18-25) all those who claim allegiance to Baal are killed. This may seem harsh or even evil and we have no mandate/right from God to go out and kill people for their religious beliefs, but it is completely consistent with God’s call to Israel to drive out/kill the Pagan god worshipping people in the Promised Land. We also know the future Promised Land (New Heavens/Earth) will only be inhabited by worshipers of the true God saved in Christ (Rev. 21:22-27) and those who worship other gods “idolatry”, as the worshipers of Baal did, are left to punishment (Rev. 21:8).

What about the New Testament? Diana, as mentioned above, is just one of many gods in first century Roman culture. An example of the true God’s response to that god obsessed culture is found in Paul’s address to the people at Athens (Acts 17:22-34). Paul, led by the Spirit, makes it abundantly clear that their vast array of gods does not contain a single one of use for salvation. He declares that their gods are useless and that they must repent to be saved (Acts 17:29-30). He goes on to base his claim of Christ’s uniqueness/necessity for salvation in His role in the judgment of man for sin and His resurrection as proof for His authority as God (V. 31).

It seems almost self-evident that worshipping a man whether Herod, or other Roman Emperors, who demanded to be worshiped as gods, is not wise or useful for saving anyone. God’s response to Herod’s accepting people’s worship is quick judgment and death (Acts 12:20-24). It would be easy to see these as extreme cases of ancient Pagan idolatry which have little bearing on the folks we know and interact with today, but there is more to consider.

What about these folks described earlier as “God fearers” or “worshipers of God”, surely we would assume they are in right relationship with God. In the case of Cornelius the “God fearer” we see a man who does it all right, he not only fears God, but leads his household spiritually, prays always, gives to the poor and even receives a visit form an angel (Acts 10:1-4). If anyone is in right relationship to God surely he fits the bill. How does God respond to this worship of the God of Israel? He sends Peter to him to present the gospel including the following conclusion of the teaching:

Acts 10:42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” (NKJV)

During this presentation of the gospel the Holy Spirit comes upon the listeners, they believe and are baptized in the name of the Lord (Acts 10:44-48). What was the “God fearer” Cornelius missing? Forgiveness of sins/salvation in the name of Jesus Christ! The other things he did were good, but also useless if the name/work of Jesus is not heard and believed upon for salvation. This conversion is unique in one sense in that it demonstrated the gospel’s intention to save people who beleive from every tribe, tongue, people and nation, something hard to believe for a Jewish convert like Peter. What about the other “worshiper of God” Lydia?

Lydia, like Cornelius, recognized the God of Israel. She prayed regularly and we have every reason to believe she was a “good” person by most standards (Acts 16:13-14). What is God’s response to this “God worshipping” woman? He sends her Paul to share the Gospel. We even see that her own level of worshipping was so far from sufficient that the Lord had to open her heart to heed Paul’s message (Acts 16:14). Later in the same chapter we have the account of a Philippian jailor’s conversion and we find the words which we should now expect (Underlining added) -

Acts 16:29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. (NKJV)

Notice the connection between believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, being saved and believing in God! There is no reconciliation to God, knowing God or saving belief in God outside faith in Jesus Christ. Those who worship Baal, Dianna, Herod, or even affirm the God of the Bible, must be born again (of Holy Spirit) through the preaching of the word, resulting in faith in Jesus Christ to be saved. The entire Bible testifies to the uniqueness of Christ to do that which is necessary for us to be reconciled to God - provide atonement for our sins! No amount of worldly goodness, mention of god(s), sincere devotion to god(s) or religious activity can do what Jesus alone can do! This is exactly why those who understand their sin and God’s righteousness, who believe Jesus really solved this problem for them at the cross, cannot help but give Him glory by name.

We could make allowance for nervousness/fear of witnessing that all experience to some degree and might cause us to resort to the generic use of “god” at times. However, to not recognize the uniqueness of Jesus among other gods or the absolute necessity of Him for salvation is to neither know nor believe in the true God!

Why is it that we are told:

Col. 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (NKJV)

The names Lord, Jesus, Christ, Messiah are not magic words that do something special for the person who simply utters them. The significance is in what and who they describe. Jesus (The Christ/Messiah) is the only one able to save because He accomplished what was necessary to reconcile sinners to God.

We can’t know God or be saved accept by faith in the person and work of Jesus. We owe our lives now and eternally to Jesus’ work, dare we allow for confusion in giving glory simply to god when even today that could mean: nature, Mormon god, mysticism, Kim Jong-Il, self, Buddha, or the ever popular, but equally false god who saves “good people” who may talk about god without knowing or acknowledging Jesus Christ.

If only Jesus can save, we should be careful to mention Him by name often and even be concerned when anyone speaks often of God, but does not freely and enthusiastically affirm the necessity of Jesus Christ for salvation.

What if Peter or Paul had bypassed Cornelius and Lydia, because they seemed like “good people” who knew God?

Acts 4:10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’  12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (NKJV)

Thank You Jesus!

How Great We Art?

What is the subject of God’s word - the Bible?

It may seem like a simple question, but is it? The Bible is about God, sure, but is it the story of God trying to save people, people trying to find God and get saved, God revealing something about Himself and saving people in the process or something else altogether?  It is common for people, especially when it comes to evangelism, to tell of God’s great love for mankind and define the story/purpose of the Bible accordingly – God’s wonderful plan to redeem sinners through Jesus, because of His love for them. This “God’s love for man” description of the Bible’s story is certainly found in the Bible and extremely important, but is it the main story in scripture or is it a part of some greater/more important purpose?

Already you may be asking what could be more important than God’s love for people as expressed in Jesus? An easy answer would be - anything God says is more important! If we were one part of a greater God centered purpose of the Bible how would that affect how we understand scripture?  

                The simple question becomes is the Bible about man or God, man focused or God focused? Here are two possible summary statements of the Bible depending on its purpose:

The Bible tells the story of God redeeming sinners through the work of Jesus Christ on account of His great love for mankind.

The Bible tells the story of God redeeming sinners (Who He loves) through the work of Jesus Christ for the purpose of glorifying Himself.

You don’t need to know a lot of the Bible to get the overall message if it is simply the story of God’s love for mankind as demonstrated by Jesus. If you understand how much Jesus loves you (as Jesus showed on the cross) then you pretty much get the whole story of the Bible. Modern evangelism and church teaching certainly reflects this kind of an understanding of scripture as the message is often reduced simply to “God loves you”. If you don’t believe He loves you a little more of the story can be told until you get it. However, if the Bible is about God glorifying Himself, then all the details become very important as each is a potential source of His glory. The Old Testament may seem almost counter productive to telling people of God’s love for man if that is the main story/purpose of the Bible, but it may be infinitely valuable in revealing other things about God for His glory. Love, grace, mercy, justice, holiness and even wrath are just some of the many attributes of God found in the scriptures which can bring Him glory. If it is all about us, our redemption for our sake, then many things simply become unnecessary details or means to the end of saving us.  

Some examples of seeing scripture through two different understandings of its story/purpose:

David fights Goliath - (1 Sam. 17)

Man centered: An insignificant shepherd boy (who God loves) shows great courage and sets an example for all of us to follow as he slays Goliath with his great slinging skills!

God centered: When God’s chosen (loved) people and their tall/impressive king (Saul) are terrified and on the verge of defeat by the God’s people mocking Philistines/Goliath, God used the least of the least (David) to defeat them that all glory would be His!

David and Bathsheba - (2 Sam. 11-12)

Man centered: David (who God loves), has a weak moment that leads to his adultery with Bathsheba, the killing of her husband, and widespread bloodshed among David’s children, teaching us how important it is to not give ourselves opportunity for sin.

God centered: God shows that He is able to fulfill His covenant with Abraham/descendants (who He loves), particularly through the line of David and that it will surely be by God’s grace and power for God’s glory alone, since David (like all people) is guilty of very heinous sins!

 Doesn’t God love David and want us to learn from David’s successes and failures? Surely, but who is the subject or hero of both stories – David or God? Are we to walk away talking about David’s strength, courage and failures or God’s glory and power in accomplishing His plans through His chosen, yet weak and undeserving people!

The Bible certainly tells of God’s love for His people – Rom. 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NKJV)

But is this demonstration of His love ultimately about us or Him and His glory?

Luke 24:25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. (NKJV) Jesus claimed that even the Old Testament was about Him and His glory!

The Psalmist/David understood the God centeredness (“His name’s sake”) of redemption individually and for the nation –

Psalm 25:11 For Your name’s sake, O LORD, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. (NKJV)

 Psalm 106:7 Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders;
         They did not remember the multitude of Your mercies,
         But rebelled by the sea—the Red Sea.
         8 Nevertheless He saved them for His name’s sake,
         That He might make His mighty power known. (NKJV)

Salvation for what purpose -

Eph. 1:11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. (NKJV) Our redemption is clearly something He purposed, even before creating this world, for His glory!

Col. 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (NKJV) In absolutely everything relating to creation Jesus will have preeminence - glory!

John 17:1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. (NKJV) The Father had infinite glory already, but there is some glory related purpose in the work Jesus did for the Father on earth in redeeming all who He was given! Jesus is not shy in discussing the glory He and the Father deserve/have!

The God/Jesus glorifying purpose is the thing on display at the culmination/renewal of creation.

Rev. 21:22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. (NKJV)

The redemption of God’s people through the work Jesus did on the cross is clearly part of God’s greater plan/purpose to glorify Himself in all things. God obviously had all His attributes including grace, mercy, justice, holiness, wrath, etc. before this world existed, but He purposed to display these attributes in creation as recorded in the Bible for the purpose of glorifying Himself.  

Does God love His people and express that love in the work of Jesus Christ – YES. We are blessed beyond belief as His chosen/loved people to be able to experience firsthand the glory of God. However, the main story of the Bible is God glorifying Himself in all things and His love for His people as shown in our redemption in Jesus Christ is a beautiful, blessed, wonderful means to that most worthy and glorious end!  

How Great Thou Art!

“We should sure be thankful for how well we have it here”

Ever said this or heard it said after seeing pictures of, reading about, or returning from a mission trip? Thankfulness is good, but at what point are we neglecting the needs of people? Does the Bible call for us to be thankful for how much better we have it or to actually help if we can? Consider James’ admonition:

James 2: 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (NKJV)

It is clear we are to respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ (and others) with real tangible help when possible. I spent several years working at a homeless shelter where we provided food, shelter, clothing, Biblical counsel and educational opportunities for homeless men, women and children. It was right to provide opportunities for people to get off the street and tell them about the hope available in Christ. Many people had legitimate needs, but the reality is, based on my experience, that anyone who truly wanted help had multiple options available. There are exceptions of course as some avenues of help became less available to people if they showed little motivation to change.  There also seems to be some people who are too unstable to function in the group settings of the shelters and may go from the streets to mental facilities or to jails on a regular rotation. The bottom line is it would not be too hard to excuse helping homeless folks here, because there are almost always resources available to help.

Isn’t it nice to know that the richest Christians in the world don’t have to worry about giving to help the naked, destitute and hungry! We could thank our increasingly socialistic society for relieving us of this job (if we actually think it is a good thing) or we could look a little further. Now that we have almost instant information on suffering people worldwide (Christians included) and many of them are truly destitute, we can’t take a pass on sharing our “blessings”.

Scripture is full of warnings that connect our willingness to help those in need with the validity of our faith. Jesus uses it as evidence of saving faith in the judgment described in Matt. 25:31-46. In Luke 18:18-23, a rich young ruler walks away without eternal life because he would not give away his wealth to the poor and follow Jesus. In 2 Cor. 8, Paul spends the entire chapter describing examples of and principles for giving including:

Cor. 8:13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”  (NKJV)

Salvation is forever and always by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, but faith in Jesus changes things. All our excuses not to give when there is a real need and we really can help are eliminated by the reality that He saved us, owns everything and wants us to do these very kinds of things to His glory. God can always send us more stuff if we need it. He might even send it through the hand of an obedient follower who was given many resources not just to be thankful for them, but to bless others with them. If this is valid, we need to seriously consider how we can be used for the glory of Christ in a world which is now visible to us and full of real needs!

A More Biblical Church Model?

I have been blessed over the past couple years to spend much time in the scriptures exploring the call/purpose of the church. This quest has been fueled by my responsibilities in the church I pastor and the desire to help ensure what I and the Elders who lead with me do is biblically sound. The thing I will consider here is how a church’s structure in terms of facilities, programs, teaching and plans for growth impacts the church’s fulfilling of its call/purpose. Many good things can happen in churches with different models and strategies for carrying out the work God calls us to. However, it is surely wise to evaluate different models of church by scripture to see if there is a better or best way to do church. For the sake of comparison I am going to present two different models for doing church which I believe would to some degree represent most of churches in modern evangelicalism. I realize no church may fit perfectly into either model and may be blends of both or have very unique church models I have not considered. I have labeled the first church model: Reach, Plug in and Grow and the other model: Reach, Equip and Send Out. I will assume that either model has the goal of impacting the world for Christ and have simply chosen different means for accomplishing that goal.

Model one – Reach, Plug In and Grow.

The goal of this model is to reach folks through programs, events and personal evangelism and then plug them into service in the church as soon as possible. Some keys to doing this model might include the following.

1.       Make sure you have plenty of programs suited to people’s felt needs to attract people who otherwise would not come to church. These activities also provide an alternative “safe” place so the world’s influence on church families is reduced.

2.       Have plenty of service opportunities in the church so everyone has a place to “plug in” and use their gifts (also feel a part of the church).

3.       Provide non-threatening grow at your own pace atmosphere.

4.       Provide age-divided classes so children, youth and various age adults can learn alongside others similar to themselves.

5.       Provide mission opportunities for those who feel called to missions and so others can know “how blessed we are here”. Provide a percentage of the budget for mission work around the world.

6.       Make sure the church has property for future growth as more people come and programs are increased.

7.       Set aside money to fund future building projects as the church requires more space.

8.       Increase staff to manage larger needs for ministry and administration as church size increases.

Model two – Reach, Equip and Send Out.

The goal of this model is to reach people through personal ministry and then equip them for personal ministry in their homes, schools, jobs, neighborhoods and for planting churches locally and globally. Some keys to doing this model might include the following.

1.       Current members actively seek to evangelize in their areas of influence through relational ministry and inviting those they reach to church.

2.       New members/families are discipled personally by members/families with more maturity.

3.       Teaching is aimed at equipping every member of the church for ministry in their homes and elsewhere outside the walls of the church. Age mixing is desired for adults so they can learn alongside those who are different from them. Age segregated classes for young children and youth are careful not to replace, but complement parent’s roles in ministering to them.

4.       Elders focus on teaching and equipping the congregation - especially future leaders.

5.       Service opportunities within the church are kept minimal so they don’t distract from the call to go.

6.       The size of church facilities is intentionally limited so that the planting of new churches and equipping of future leaders has urgency.

7.       Avoid unneeded luxuries in the church so money can be sent to help churches in poor nations and model biblical stewardship.

8.       Save money to help fund future churches which the home church trained leaders and portions of the congregation will leave to plant.

Evaluating these two models – If you were to ask, “Which church would most people choose?”, I think the answer is obvious. People naturally want to be in their comfort zones, would rather safely serve within the church building, would rather allow the professional to most of the ministry, would rather be able to see their church grow big, would rather see their families insulated from the world, would rather see their money go to things they can physically enjoy and assume only some Christians are called to ministry and missions. 

What does God call us to do?

Matt. 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. (NKJV)

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (NKJV)

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (NKJV)

These previous verses support our common call as Christians to “Go”! All are to be witnesses for Christ and be involved in making disciples wherever He has us. Going = our personal, God assigned, ministry and mission.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (NKJV)

Phil. 2:14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. (NKJV)

1 Pet. 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (NKJV)

Matt. 10: 32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. (NKJV) In context - This is not confessing Him to other believers in the safety of the church, but to unbelievers who may be very hostile!

These verses further support the need for us to go and have exposure in the world so they can see Christ through our actions and words. God wants us to glorify Him as we tell others who He is and what He has done. It is particularly striking that our fear or failure to confess Him in certain circumstances might have serious consequences (Matt. 10:32-33)

God did not call the world to “go therefore into all the churches, become disciples and settle in”, He told us to go to them! The way we do church will either make “going” (personal ministry and mission) the normal expected thing and equipping will be desired or it will make “going” one choice among many and  most will settle into church service and there will be little need or motivation to be equipped.

Sola Scriptura - A need for Evangelicals?

What Sola scriptura “scripture alone” sought to help reform in the 1500-1600s was a Roman Catholic Church which bore little resemblance to biblical Christianity. The means of salvation as described in scripture became increasingly muddied with ideas from outside scripture such as doing penance, misuse of sacraments, worship or prayers to Mary and saints, worship of relics, purgatory, indulgences and other non-biblical traditions. The heart of the problem was a system where scripture was given less authority than the Pope. The Pope could decree anything he wanted and his decrees became “god’s word” for the church even if it went against the teaching of scripture. Popes were sometimes well meaning and thought they were doing God’s will, but others sought to increase their own wealth or build great monuments to themselves at the expense of the common church attendee who was likely starving both physically and spiritually. 

The Roman Catholic Church still believes and practices these things in various degrees and we should certainly pray for and take opportunities to lead them toward knowledge of the truth from God’s word. However, there is also a need in our day for the reformation of many protestant and evangelical churches which owe their current existence to God and His work through earlier reformers. Like then, the starting point for recognizing error and beginning correction is the authority of scripture.

Currently many of the large protestant denominations (Episcopal, PCUSA, Lutheran/ELCA, etc.) have in varying degrees minimized the authority of scripture and made it subservient to current cultural trends. These churches, or segments within them, in an effort to meet people’s needs and help them find their spiritual path have adjusted church doctrine to the culture and times. The most liberal see psychological and emotional needs as defined by professional psychologists and social workers as authoritative and scripture useful only to the point it agrees with the prevailing professional secular ideas. These folks need the truth and we should try to help them see from God’s word that it must have absolute authority in our lives and church if we are to understand man’s true needs or anything else.

The evangelical churches which would be quick to point out the error of the Roman Catholic and more liberal mainline protestant churches suffer from another potential need for reform.  Rather than rejecting or minimizing scripture , these churches typically embrace it as inerrant and authoritative. The problem here is more one of biblical ignorance than rejection of God’s word outright. The failure to carefully study and follow scriptures by leaders and members of many evangelical churches has led to a shallow understanding of God’s word as it relates to private and corporate church life. Many books have been written on particular issues such as: church discipline, women’s roles and church government and seek to provide biblical answers to these practical questions. However, to reveal the root problem you need only question the biblical validity of some current church practice or tradition. Where someone turns for authority to answer the questions tells where they really think authority lies - in spite of what they might say otherwise. Catholics appeal to the Pope and tradition; liberals may appeal to secular experts on human needs, but what about Bible believing evangelicals?

It is very common today for those who say they hold scripture as inerrant and authoritative to appeal to the tradition itself (“this is the way we have always done it”) as the authority rather than turning to scriptures. It is easy to understand this response if someone has not studied scripture themselves, but relied on those who came before to understand and apply scripture for them.  It might be wise for those who have neglected the study of scripture themselves to consider the possibility that those who came before and developed their current practices and traditions were no more careful in their study and application of scripture than they are now. If that is true, the church may have slipped far from biblical truth after decades of neglecting the careful study, teaching and application of scripture.

In reality, if anyone loves the Lord and His church, it is imperative that they commit themselves to scripture as the authority for the Christian life not just in theory, but also in practice. Talk is cheap - if we believe the Bible is God’s word and authoritative, but won’t turn to it for answers we fool ourselves and neglect the church.

Prov. 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
      But its end is the way of death. (NKJV)

Why 5 Solas?

What are the five solas? These solas meaning "alone" are summaries of basic tenants of the Christian faith as taught in scripture. While they have always been true they were first expressed in this form during the protestant reformation beginning in the 1500's.  At a time when works for salvation, traditions of men, and corrupt leadership had all but drowned out the voice of scripture, those who fought for the faith set forth these solas as a solid foundation to restore a Biblical Christ honoring Church.

The five Solas:

Sola Scriptura - Scripture Alone,

Solus Christus - Christ Alone,

Sola Gratia - Grace Alone,

Sola Fide - Faith Alone,

Soli Deo Gloria - The Glory of God Alone.

Unfortunately we live in a day when if you asked many people what makes a "good" church it would not be its commitment to biblical truth, but its providing: relevance, excitement, entertainment, programs for all ages, friendly atmosphere, comfortable seats, etc. Most of these things can be good, but if you don't make them all subject to the foundational things, they don't intentionally serve to promote the foundational things, then they will become the foundational things. I hope as I add more to this discussion that it helps us to keep the right foundation in our corporate and personal faith!