Great quote!

I actually saw this quote in a book I am reading now, Everyday Church, by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis. I highly recommend their book as it not only addresses many of the reasons we aren't reaching the lost, but also a clear path forward based on an exegesis of 1 Peter.

I do think this quote by Os Guinness hits the mark -

"By our uncritical pursuit of relevance we have actually courted irrelevance; by our breathless chase after relevance without a matching commitment to faithfulness, we have become not only unfaithful, but irrelevant; by our determined efforts to redefine ourselves in ways that are more compelling to the modern world than are faithful to Christ, we have lost not only our identity but our authority and our relevance. Our crying need is to be faithful as well as relevant" (Prophetic Untimeliness, p. 15).

A truly weird phenomenon

It has been a real push among myself and other church leaders lately to shift more of the responsibility for discipling children and youth to the parents, something clearly taught in scripture.

Deut. 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

We can see that Israel did not take this command serious and their future generations would suffer much for their faithlessness to teach their children to love and obey God.

Judges 2:7 So the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord which He had done for Israel. 8 Now Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died when he was one hundred and ten years old. 9 And they buried him within the border of his inheritance at Timnath Heres, in the mountains of Ephraim, on the north side of Mount Gaash. 10 When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel. 11 Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served the Baals; 12 and they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the Lord to anger.

This need to live out and pass on the faith to our children/youth is stated specifically in the New Testament.

Eph. 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

The general call to live out an authentic faith, which certainly includes before our family, is clear throughout the New Testament as well.

Matt. 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Consider the frequency with which our young people and all believers need to be given spiritual guidance and instruction.

Heb. 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,

I hope we don't expect a youth leader to come by every day to disciple our children!

OK, so what is the weird phenomenon I mentioned?

It is that when I suggest to Christian parents that equipping them to do what God has called them to do, is more important than the children and youth having ample time with other young people and a youth leader, I get very stranger objections, like:

1. What about parents who aren't mature enough to disciple their children?

Seriously, if they are Christians that is the whole reason we need to adjust to equipping parents! Having a youth leader disciple their children/youth has not pushed them to become equipped evidently, or that objection would not even exist.

2. What about the children of lost parents?

Did God tell us to prioritize teaching other people's lost children or our own children? Israel did not disciple their children and the future generations ended up worshipping the pagan gods around them. Are we sure this isn't just an excuse to not take our own call to disciple our children serious? Also, why not make reaching some lost children a family effort, show your children you are concerned enough to get involved in other's lives, not just have others do it for you.

3. What will keep youth and children engaged if they don't have fun things like youth group to attend?

First, I suspect both Israel and the NT church throughout most of history, had less “fun” than the pagan cultures around them, but those having all the "fun" generally died and went to Hell, so not such a great deal. Further, they and we are not taught to drag our children to a boring place or a fun place to be discipled, but to love the Lord with all our being and teach them why we do and why they should! It is only when and if they embrace the love for Christ, His word and His church that they will be truly attached to the church for themselves.

4. I was dragged to church when I was young and I left as soon as I could, won't our children/youth do the same if church isn't fun for them?

Yes, of course they will leave if they never come to love the Lord, His word and His church, they will leave and we should have no shock about it. We will not compete with the fun the world offers, even if we try real hard, and of course we are never told to do such things in the church in the first place.

The question is how do we best bring our children and youth to love the Lord, His word and His church?

If that is what you want, if that is what you are asking, then the question you must answer is - what does the Bible teach about how to accomplish it?

It is a bit weird for believers to not want to go to God's word for instructions on how to do ministry - isn't it?

I can't guarantee that your child/youth will get to where you want them spiritually, but I can promise you that God expects you to do it His way and trust Him with the results!

Let me repeat the wisdom found in Deut 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

It would appear that our own love for God and how that overflows into our daily lives and the way we raise our children/youth is what God says is most important, if we are to obey Him!

Do your children see you as someone who loves the Lord, His word and His church? Does this love overflow in real ways throughout your daily life before your children and others? Are you always intentional about speaking God's truth into the lives of your children/youth?

If not, then let's agree we need to and get equipped to do so!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Jesus' wife - really?

If you have heard of the ancient text fragment that some say shows Jesus had a wife, you would do well to read this story by Al Mohler: albertmohler.com

The unifying mission of God's people!

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.  11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. (NKJV)

Chosen to do what?

Recognise our relationship to God and each other through Christ, and praise Him!

Supposed to live how?

Live like this world is not our home,  like we are aliens/visitors, rejecting the desires of the flesh, in order that we might display the glory of God to those who don't know Him!

Does this sound like our own walk with God?

Does it describe the corporate life of our church?

Could many years of, "God is just so happy if you accept His Son" type messages, have led us to a point where many just can't conceive of God asking any more of us as His people?

The truth is, if we realise we were in darkness and we have been brought into His marvelous light, totally by His mercy, we want to praise Him and live for His glory. Could it be that many may have responded to those "God is just happy to have you messages", without ever recognising the darkness they were in and truly coming into His light?

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

A little musical encouragement!

Why is having believers of all ages and interests meeting together, so controversial in the modern church?

Did the idea that a good church must separate everyone by age and interest come from the Bible or elsewhere?

The Bible says:

Eph. 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one  God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

If we are one family of God, united by His Spirit and we told to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit, why is the first question people ask about a church usually something about what programs they have to separate believers?

Do you have a good children's ministry?

Do you have a good seniors ministry?

Do you offer a sports ministry?

Do you have a ministry for....

Ok, how about: Do you have a time when those who believe, of all ages, "The Church", can be together to worship, pray and learn God's word?

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

God saves His people, for His name's sake!

This prophecy of Israel's future is quite amazing. God promises that in the future, He will give them a new heart/Spirit, resulting in their walking in His statutes and obeying Him. He does not promise to do this because they suddenly got faithful to Him, but because He is faithful to His own reputation, honor and glory and will save His wayward people "for His name's sake"!

I realize that I am not Israel, but I get much comfort from the fact that, like them, my deliverance from sin, doesn't ultimately rest with my comitment to God, but God's comitment to His own glory, purposes and people!

Ezek. 36:16:Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 17 “Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds; to Me their way was like the uncleanness of a woman in her customary impurity. 18 Therefore I poured out My fury on them for the blood they had shed on the land, and for their idols with which they had defiled it. 19 So I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries; I judged them according to their ways and their deeds. 20 When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they profaned My holy name—when they said of them, ‘These are the people of the Lord, and yet they have gone out of His land.’ 

21 But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations wherever they went. 22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. 23 And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. 24 For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. 28 Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. 29 I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. 30 And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. 32 Not for your sake do I do this,” says the Lord God, “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!”

33‘Thus says the Lord God: “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. 34 The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. 35 So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ 36 Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.”

37 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will increase their men like a flock. 38 Like a flock offered as holy sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem on its feast days, so shall the ruined cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”’”

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Christian parent "get real"!

Luke 18:9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

It would be interesting to take this parable and replace the Pharisee with oursleves, especially if we are a parent. Too often we act like our children/youth are the sinners and we have got it all together. They know we don't, but they need to see is us boldly seeking God's grace through Jesus and His work in response to our sin. That is how we are justified and find strength from God and what they need us to model for them, not us pretending we have sin conqured.

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Will the Muslims who say their religion is tolerant and non-violent, please take a stand for freedom and against murder?

I always here on the news after terrorist attacks or murders of innocent people like the American diplomats killed yesterday, something like this: "those who kill people for saying bad things against Islam aren't expressing the true religion, they are just some misled extremists."

Ok, if that is true, would all the "real" Muslims, who are tolerant and non-violent, please make a clear and public statement that they condemn all attacks against people for expressing negative views about Islam.

The silence will speak loudly, until it is replaced with your words.

911

I am not wanting to draw too much of a parallel between the Twin Towers falling and end times prophecy. However, the tendency to put our hope in the things of the word, rather than in eternal things is real. Therefore it is worth considering how all earthly centers of hope will fare in the end.

Rev. 18:9 “The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’

11 “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’

19 “They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’ (NKJV)

However, by contrast:

John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

What is our hope in?

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Questions on Mormonism?

 

Christian apologist, James White, gives a very thorough overview of Mormon beliefs, well worth your time!

 

 

 

 

The Starkest Political/Moral Contrast Possible!

Please take time to read this article by Albert Mohler on the 2012 political party platforms:

albertmohler.com

I have probably posted this before, but worth another listen!

 

 

This is pretty old, but John Piper's message remains consistent - don't waste your life!

 

 

Interesting Quote!

"God has often forgiven sinners, but He never forgives sin; and the sinner is only forgiven on the ground of Another having borne his punishment; for 'without shedding of blood is no remission' (Hebrews 9:22)."

-A.W. Pink