Mullins Musings

Teaching and Admonishing One Another

2005-12-29T14:16:00.000-05:00

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom..." Col 3.16.

There are many ways to implement that command. It is interesting that ALL - yes, all - Chrisitans are called to be teachers and counselors. The word "admonish" means "to counsel, confront, exhort." It is not the ministry of a select group of professionals, but rather the responsibility of all believers.

I have found that the internet, particular the rise of the blogosphere, has provided a venue for that to happen in yet another way. I hope that ministry in the blogosphere never replaces or diminishes one's ministry and commitment to one's local church; however, posting, commenting and graciously interacting in the blogosphere can supplement and complement the ministry of "teaching and admonishing one another."

What a blessing I have in owning a long term relationship that is mutually edifying with one of my favorite bloggers, John Babri of The Cutting Edge.. I also am privileged to have regular interaction in person with two other bloggers i greatly enjoy, John (The Earnest Contender) and Rose Cole (Rose's Reasonings). I once had the pleasure of briefly meeting Phil Johnson (PyroManiac) and I have also enjoyed ministry and round of golf with Steve Camp (Camp On This).

On Christmas day I was delighted to finally meet one of my all time favorite bloggers, Jeremy Weaver (Doxoblogy). It was a very brief visit, but certainly an encouraging one. Jeremy's blog ministry has been a great encouragement to my heart. I even got my picture taken with Jeremy and John Cole (thanks Rose, for letting me steal your picture!).

I can only hope to one day also meet Steve (Pastor Steve Weaver's Blog), Brian (For Love of Affliction), Shawn (Biblical Studies Online), and others who have blessed my soul and encouraged my heart. Until then, let us continue to allow the Word of Christ create the bond that holds us together!

Grace to you ... my FRIENDS!

Who Am I in Adam? - Part 1

2005-12-21T13:10:00.000-05:00

Who is Adam?

Have you ever traced your family geneology? This is becoming quite a pastime. If you have ever ventured down this path, I suppose you have discovered geneological connections to famous or noteable people. If it were possible to trace our geneology all the way to the beginning, we would find we are all related to Adam. That's right, the Adam of the Garden of Eden. Later we will look at just how we are related to him and what effect that relationship has upon us. But first, let's consider just who this Adam is...

Genesis 2.4-9 records the account of God forming Adam from the dust and breathing "into his nostrils the breath of life." At that moment, when Adam inhaled the very breath of God, Scripture says, "the man became a living creature." A creature among creatures. God had already created every beast of the field, fish of the sea and fowl of the air. Now He formed the summit of His creation - man! Was Adam just another creature? Was he just a homo sapien indistinct from the rest of the creation? By no means! Adam was altogether a different kind of creation.

The eternal God took counsel with Himself and decreed, "let Us make man in our image, after our likeness... So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." (Gen 1.26,27) Adam was a different kind of creation precisely because he was created specifically to bear the image of God.

What does image mean?
The Hebrew word for image is tselm. The Greek word sounds a little more familiar, eikon, from where we derive our English word icon, defined as an object of uncritical devotion. The Greek word is from a root that means to resemble. The Latin translations use the word imago, much closer to our English word image. The meaning communicated to us is that of a fashioned image or a representative shape. An image or icon is not exactly like the original or even of the same substance, but rather an abstract representation.

So how was Adam an abstract representation of God?
Adam's representation of God involved at least three components...

1. The Fact of Living - In Paul's apologetic before the Areopagus in Acts 17, he makes the case that we should not think of God as gold or silver or a piece of art created in the imagination of man (v29) because "in Him we live and breath and have our being." (v28). The very fact that we have life is a picture of a divine being that Himself has life. Our being alive, simply breathing, is one aspect of bearing the image of God. God did not choose to put his image on a piece of art but in something with life, vibrancy, creativity, energy.

2. The Possession of a Physical Body - In making a covenant with Noah after the flood, God declared "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed,"(Gen 9.6) The rationale for capital punishment follows... "for God made man in His own image." Physical harm against a human body is an attack on the representative image of God. The ramifications of this truth in regards to murder, torture, capital punishment, abortion, euthanasia, etc... could be an entire study in and of itself. Sufficient for our purposes here is to understand that the possession of a human body is an intregal part of bearing the image of God.

3. The Rights and Responsibilities of Dominion - In setting man apart from the rest of creation, God commanded Adam and his partner Eve, "Be fruitful and mulitply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the seas and over th ebirds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on earth (Gen 1.28) ." Clearly Scripture teaches that God has ultimate dominion (God is sovereign), but here we see God has chosen to delegate a portion of that dominion expressly to mankind. This is largely what separates us from the rest of creation.

Who, then, is Adam? Adam was a created being given the very breath of life from God Himself who was designed to bear the perfect image of God. Adam's representation of God was initially undistorted by sin and corruption. He bore the image of the holiness of God. Sin has since corrupted that image and we no longer have a perfect representation of the image of God. That is, after all, part of God's purpose in salvation and sanctification - the restoration of His image for His own glory. (Rom 8.29 - "be conformed to the image of His Son;" Eph 4.24 "new self, created in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.")

In the next segment we will ask and attempt to answer, What Did Adam Do?

Until then...Grace to you!

The Nature and Conseqeunces of Sin

2005-12-19T15:54:00.000-05:00

I am working on a new series of posts. The essay is entitled: Who am I in Adam? It is a study that I presented at a Bible Conference for a Christian High School. The thoughts I shared have ever more poignant meaning to me today. I want to share what God taught me initially and how these timely truths have since challenged my own heart and provided a doctrinal framework for my path of repentance. The five parts (each will be an individual post) are:

1. Who is Adam?
2. What Did Adam Do?
3. What Were the Consequences for Adam?
4. How does Adam's Rebellion Effect Me?
5. Some Lasting Truths for all Mankind?

For now, here is a preview...

Adam was created in the image of God (Gen 1.26,27). This includes, among many other things, the very fact of living (Acts 17.28,29), possessing a physical body (Gen 9.6), and the rights and responsibilities of dominion (Gen 1.28). Among all these aspects of being in the image of God, we must also conslude that part of what this meant for Adam was having the right of freewill, choice, freedom. He was commanded not to touch the tree (Gen 2.15-17) and in his freedom of will chose what all subsequent humanity chooses, namely, rebellion (Gen 3.1-7).

In God's complete Sovereignty He gave Adam the right to choose. Adam chose Rebellion - which God used for His own glory.

Did God CAUSE Adam to CHOOSE rebellion? Or did God ALLOW Adam to CHOOSE rebellion?

Grace to you!

The Church I Love

2005-12-08T10:18:00.000-05:00

The following is a basic manuscript of what I shared with the family of Emmanuel Baptist Church on Sunday morning December 4. This was more difficult than I even imagined it would be. It was hard to look into the faces of people that I love and people that have trusted me and loved me. The consequences for sin can be difficult, even seemingly unbearable, but God is sufficient. He has reminded me that I need to love Jesus more than I love anything, including Emmanuel Baptist Church and the pastoral ministry. I losty a lot as a result of my sin, but I gained a purity and depth in my relationship with Christ. Thank you all for your continued prayers and love.

Good Morning. Standing behind this pulpit is a special privilege. It is a humbling and fearful thing. I always counted it such an honor to stand behind any pulpit, but especially here at Emmanuel. It is realities like these that make this moment, and the last few months, a difficult time, but a time of growth and spiritual renewal.

As you know, I have had a recurring struggle with the sin of pornography. These sinful actions and choices were most prevalent many years ago. I was brought to confront them at that time. My wife, Crystal, and I dealt with this sin at that time. However, I did not deal with it thoroughly. In my pride and arrogance, I kept the circle small – convincing myself that I was strong enough to not choose that path anymore. My heart desired God and that was enough – so I thought. I never got the help that God says is necessary. God designed the church as picture of His Body, each part needs the others. I was choosing to act on my own, out of fear, pride, and embarrassment.

Though I had much more victory than defeat, I continued to struggle with the same sins, always telling myself, “It isn’t that bad, just fix your mind, and stop it.” I was living in denial.

The sin was exposed again recently, precisely because I never dealt with it fully in the first place. It is time to do so now. Of course, I don’t have a choice in many ways. But I have asked the Lord to use this time in my life to help me fully eradicate this sin once and for all.

Pornography is a sin against God. We are told in 1 Peter 1 to be Holy as He who called us is Holy. I did not live a Holy thought life. I have sought the forgiveness of God and he has delivered as He promises. When we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. David declares in Psalm 37, “Though a man stumble He will not be utterly cast down. The Lord holds him up in His right hand.” I have stumbled but God has not and will not cast me out. I am experiencing his holding me up.

Pornography is a sin against my wife and family as well. Eph 5 calls for a man to love His wife as Christ loves the church. We are told in Prov 5 to be wholly devoted to and satisfied with our wives. I betrayed the promises I made to her before God. I have sought her forgiveness and my loving gracious wife has extended that forgiveness to me once again. She is a model of the mercy of God. I explained to my children that I had made sinful choices that led to me no longer being a pastor. My family is understanding the corporate consequences of personal sin, like Nehemiah talks about in chapter 1.

In this case, my sin is also a sin against you, the family of Emmanuel Baptist. You untrusted me with spiritual ministry that Scripture says in 1 Tim 3 requires a blameless lifestyle – above reproach. I failed you and sinned against you. I am sorry for that sin and seek your forgiveness today. I love this church – the people of this church. I am truly sorry for the way I have hurt you and set a poor example for you and your families. God has blessed me and my family so much over the past three months through you. This church has modeled the biblical picture of forgiveness, restoration and community. Thank you for the calls, cards, emails, meals, and love and prayer! We truly love you and miss you.

Crystal and I have enjoyed the counsel and friendship of Paul and Maddie Walberg since our early days here at Emmanuel. In the last few months, however, God has used their wisdom and love to help me focus on true repentance.

True repentance involved more than an intellectual owning of guilt and more than emotional sorrow – both of which I have and continue to experience. True repentance also involves a deliberate change of lifestyle. With my wife and the Walbergs, I have worked to radically amputate the sin of pornography and create systems of protection, accountability and counsel. But sins like these run much deeper. I must deal with heart sins of pride, arrogance, trust, and selfishness.

The greatest weapon we have to battle these sins the Word of God. Ps 119.10-12 talks about guarding ones heart with the Word. That is a military term that refers to setting up a perimeter defense. These verses also talk about storing up the word, like having barns full of grain for later use. While I have always loved the Word and God and have loved to study and crack open the truths of God’s Word, my relationship with the Word has been largely academic – learning the science of theology so I can write, teach and preach. I worked over the last few months to be much more devotional in my study of God’s Word. For example, my wife and I choose a passage for each week. For a whole week we read, meditate and seek to apply that passage in our everyday lives. We talk about it each evening. This creates a defense around my heart and mind like the Scriptures talks about. Another way that I have tried to fill my head and heart with the word is by cds and Christian radio. Those of you who know me know that I am a talk radio junkie – truly a news junkie. I have tried to turn off the news and talk shows often in order to listen to CDs or Christian Radio.

My prayer life has also been largely ‘work.” I pray for my family, I pray for my church, I pray for the ministries I am involved in, I even pray for my Pastor. But it was more a scheduled thing of work rather than a lifestyle of praying without ceasing. I am trying, with varied success, to be more spontaneous and devotional – relational – in my prayer life. I am trying to pray for people at my work before I meet with them. I try to prayer for people I see in cars around me.

Repentance involves the intellect, emotion and will. In the past my half attempts at repentance have included the intellectual owning of guilt and the emotional sorrow, but rarely an intentional change of the will. I am working, by the grace of God to radically amputate this sin and fully repent. Again, I am here to seek your forgiveness as a church family. Please continue to pray for me and for my family. We love you and thank you for the love and grace you have demonstrated to us!

Grace to you, my friends!

A Family Update

2005-11-21T19:48:00.000-05:00

Many of you have graciously inquired regarding how my family and I are doing. Thank you so much for your display of Christian love and grace. So many of you have been such a blessing to my family and I. We truly praise God in all remembrance of you, giving thanks for you and your encouragement.

Crystal and Anna are doing great. Anna is a month old now. She doesn’t really have much a schedule yet. We have never been the kind to force our infants into a schedule. She is however, sleeping very well at night, for which Crystal is thankful! Anna is increasingly more alert and interactive.

Elisabeth and Rebekah are doing exceedingly well in school. History is the favorite subject of both students and the teacher! Go figure! Being home today, I got to work through the story of Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius with Elisabeth today. Archeology can be fun – even for a second grader!

Jonathan helped me take care of all the leaves in our back yard and cut back all the perennials. We had a great time!

My work schedule in Akron allows me to only be home on Thursday’s and Sunday’s. I leave for Akron on Monday morning around 6 AM and return home late Wednesday, only to return to Akron again early Friday and return home late Saturday. It is taxing on the van, on the wallet (though I am thankful gas prices have eased down a little!), but most of all, on the family. It is difficult to be gone so much. I am usually home for four supper / bed times a week, but only two breakfast times! God has been gracious to us in these days and we have no doubt that His plan is perfect. That said, we still find it difficult to apart so much. Please pray with us that our home in Toledo sells soon – that would truly be a miracle of God! We need to be united in Akron!

Spiritually, there is continued growth. There are days of extreme pain for me and, of course for my wife. The source of the pain varies from dealing with the sin itself and the grievance of God to dealing the effects of the sin. I cannot begin to tell you how much I miss the ministry of the pastorate. It is daily open wound that is an ever present reminder of the consequences of sin. I am regularly comforted with grace and hesed (loyal love) of God. It is an odd paradox – the restoring grace of God comingling with the earthly consequences of sin.

My wife and I have been selecting a passage to meditate on each week. It gives us something to set our minds on and something to share and talk about each evening after the kids are tucked in. This past week we have focused on Romans 8.5-8. When we set our minds on spiritual things the promise is life and peace. We have experienced the reality of that promise. When we set our minds on the fleshly things the promise is death. I have spent much time meditating on this warning.

I am having a hard time getting to my blog. There are many subjects that I have been meditating on that I would like to share here, time just doesn’t seem to permit. Here are a couple that I hope to get to soon:

Practical Deism – We believe in a personal God, but do we really?
Our Father Adam – The source and consequence of sin

Anyway, continue to pray for us please. We have a mighty God who is rich in mercy!

Grace to you!

Reformation Day

2005-11-03T16:10:00.000-05:00

It is amazing to me how few Christians know anything about Reformation Day. Those who do often play down the significance or even denounce the celebration of such, because it is divisive and elitist.

As for me and my house, we had a special worship service at home on Sunday that included a selection of hymns and spiritual songs that focused on the power, priority and preminence of the Word of God. I gathered the children around and told them the vivid story of Martin Luter's confrontation with Pope Leo and the Catholic rulers of his day. Then we did a Bible study from 2 Tim 3.16... looking at five really good reasons to study the Bible.
1. It is God's very word "God'breathed"
2. It tells us what God expects us to do "doctrine"
3. It tells what God forbids "reproof"
4. It tells how to be sanctified "correction"
5. It tells how to do the hard work of living holy "training in righteousness"

I trust as Christians, we will never downplay the significance of a man who was so passionate about the Truth of God's Word, that he staked his entire reputation and even his very life on the line for the defense of it... in so doing, changing Christendom and the World forevermore. Praise the Lord for the legacy of Martin Luther and may we have such courage.

May we all say "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel!"

Please take a moment and share how you celebrated Reformation Day by voting in the poll to the right and them sharing your experiences in comment!

Grace to You!

This is my story!

2005-10-27T14:20:00.000-04:00

It has been nearly two months since I have been active here at Mullins Musings. There are significant reasons for that silence that I will now attempt to share in hopes of your continued love and prayer; also, Lord willing, encouraging you in your walk with the Lord.

But first, allow me to thank those of you who have been so very kind and have allowed God to share His love through you to me and my family over the last lot of weeks. God bless you as He has blessed me through you!

The Story
I am no longer a pastor. I was dismissed from my role at my church. That is a fancy way of saying I was fired. People lose their jobs everyday, in every discipline, for many reasons - some just and some not so just. I was justly removed from the office of Pastor. The Scriptures call upon a man who holds the office of the Pastor to be above reproach - not perfect, but a proper model of the Christian faith. I failed to live that kind of model Christian life. My battle with the sin of pornography was revealed. This was a battle at its highest peak years ago. My wife and I dealt with the sin and the ramifications of the sin at that time. It was very difficult, stressful and challenging. But God was extremely gracious in allowing my wife and I to come through on the other side, not only together, but stronger - individually and together.

After the initial victory, I deceived myself (and my wife) into thinking that the battle was completely over. As anyone who has battled any secret sin like pornography knows, even when you radically amputate the sin itself, the battle of the mind is a very long process of discipline and sanctification. Because I was too prideful to get the help I needed in this battle at that time, I never fully disciplined my mind to win the war. Consequently, the battles raged on. Though I had more victory than defeat, there was still a battle. Though the exposure to pornography was nothing like it once was, I failed to control my mind and heart.

God was gracious to me and stopped me from ever returning to where I had once been in terms of exposure. For that I am grateful. We all hear the most heinous of stories and I am reminded, "But for the grace of God, there go I!"

That notwithstanding, I still battled. When the sin was discovered I was dismissed from my position as a Pastor - rightly so! I still have a good relationshiop with my Senior Pastor and the Church. I am not under discipline, because I have repented and continue to do so. I love Emmanuel Baptist Church and praise God for the strong, godly leadership at Emmanuel.

Consequences
Consequences of sin can be devastating. We all know that, we have all experienced that to some degree. As this chapter of my life unfolds I am experiencing myriad consequences of my sin. I have lost not only my job, but my career. My daughter no longer goes to a private Christian school (we are homeschooling her like her sister). We are moving our family from Toledo to Akron to be near family and close friends and my children are learning that personal sin has corporate consequences. Perhaps the greatest consequence to any sin, of course, is the grief that it brings to the heart of God. I have sought forgiveness from my Pastor, my wife & kids and my God - all of whom have graciously extended forgiveness beyond comprehension. A verse that has been precious to me these weeks has been Psalm 37.23-24 "The steps of a man are numbered by the Lord, though he fall, he will not be utterly cast down. The LORD holds him up with His right Hand." (ESV) We have literally felt the good hand of God holding us up.

The next chapter
I have begun studying with a biblical counselor / friend here in Toledo that has been a God send. I obviously don't have the option of hiding my sin anymore, however, I don't even want to leave one stone uncovered this time. Paul is a great teacher and friend. I am working diligently to guard my heart and mind with God's word (Psalm 119.10-12). I am also working to share those thoughts with my wife and pray together with her. Most recently my meditations have been centered on verses like Gal 2.20, Phil 1.20-21, Rom 6. I have been concentrating my thoughts on what it means to be united with Christ in His death and in His resurrection. What does it mean in practical terms to be crucificied with Christ and no longer living, letting Christ live in me? This have been extremely fruitful, refreshing thoughts.

As far as a job... I have been offered a position as Guest Services Director at museum in Akron, Ohio. I will start Nov 1. We still have a house to sell in Toledo - please pray with us regarding this.

On a much brighter note... we are proud to annouce the birth of Anna Katherine Mullins. Our fourth child (third daughter) arrived on Oct 19, 2005 weighing 8 lbs 10 1/2 oz. and measuring 20 1/2 inches long. We praise God for a healthy, normal delivery. Children truly are a gift from Lord, a miracle to be cherished everyday! I will have much more to share about Anna in the days and weeks ahead.

There is a lot going on for us. But in all things we are more than conquerers through Him who loved us! Thank you for your continued prayer and love. Obviously we are at a busy juncture in life (baby, new job, homeschooling, selling a house and moving) but I will try to ease my way back into the blogosphere.

Grace to You!

Other Priorities

2005-09-04T21:58:00.000-04:00

Posting here at Mullins Musings will stop until further notice. I have personal and family issues that necessitate my undevoted attention. Please pray for us.

In the meantime... Continue to study, "let the Word of Christ richly dwell in you!" Visit the links and resources listed to the right.

Grace to You!

Current Poll

2005-08-17T14:31:00.000-04:00

This is new feature here at Mullins Musings. You will find the poll on the right column of the blog (how do you like the ugly blue??). I will update the poll with much irregularity (in other words... when I feel it has run its course, or just whenever I get bored with it!). Each time I update the poll I will open a thread where we can comment about the poll.

The current poll is regarding useful tools for personal evangelism. This thread is open for comment on this poll.

I am also open to future poll suggestions...

Grace to You!

Why Should We Pray?

2005-08-16T19:32:00.000-04:00

“The spectacle of a nation praying is more awe inspiring than the explosion of an atomic bomb. The force of prayer is greater than any possible combination of man made or man controlled powers, because prayer is man’s greatest means of tapping the infinite resources of God.”

Guess who said that? J. Edgar Hoover! That's right! The 48 year Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations. I never would have guessed that as a source, but the last thought is very profound... "prayer is man's greatest means of tapping the infinite resources of God."

Isn't that an amazing thought. God has "blesseds us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ." (Eph 1.3) The means by which we appropriate those infinite blessings is the intimacy of prayer. See James 4.2 "You have not because you ask not!" God tells us to ask in the name of Christ and we will receive. When we ask God for His will, we can be confident that we are going to find it. We ask GOd for His blessings on His terms in His time and he showers them upon us! As Pastors, we might wonder why our church doesn't grow. As Parents, we wonder why we struggle with our children. As Sunday School teachers, we wonder why our students are not growing and appropriating the Truth. How much do we pray for these things. You ever wonder why people don't come to the Lord in faith and repentance? How much do you pray for God to work a miracle of rebirth in the lives of people? Prayer is the means by which we tap the infinite resources of God.

How much have you tapped into the resources God has stored for you? Prayer is an earnest discipline of pouring your heart out to God and seeking His face and His will in the issues of life. It is not vainly repeating some prayer found buried in the an Old Testament geneology. It is honest and passionate. It is heartfelt and mind driven. What a privilege we have to enter into the presence of Holy God and pour out our requests to Him in confidence and boldness.

Grace to You!

Blame it on the Brain!?

2005-08-15T13:08:00.000-04:00

An recent article at Fox News reporting the recent delcarations by the National Institutes of Mental Health that 46 % of all Americans will development a mental illness, caused me to once again ponder the issues of sin, psychology and Biblical answers.

Where do I even begin? When I was an elementary student in the early 1980s, the school counselor recommended that my parents put me on a regular intake of Ritalin. It seems I was not performing up to par. I was easily distracted and could not stick to a task for very long. Now I am 31 years old ... I am still not the most disciplined person. It takes a lot of work to excerise discipline and self control, especially for an 8 year old boy who had an overactive imagination. Did I need drugs to control by chemically "imbalanced" brain? Did I need someone to help me discipline myself for life?

Please don't misunderstand me! I understand that there are some situation in which legitimate, physiological concerns must be addressed by qualified medical professionals. However, this does not change the clear meaning of God's diagnosis and subsequent prescription for what ails the human condition.

What God has called sin, modern "doctors," have labeled sickness, disease, and (when they have no quantitative evidence) disorders. See for example:

Stealing (Eph 4.28)= Kleptomania
Worry Phil 4.6,7 = Anxiety
Laziness (Ecc 9.10) = Attention Deficit Disorder
Homosexuality (Rom 1.26,27) = Sexual Orientation
Fear (1 John 4.17,18) = Phobia
Selfishness (Rom 12.3-5) (Phil 2.3,4) = Depression
Drunkenness (1 Cor 6.9-11) (Eph 5.18) = Alcoholism

And so on and on the list goes. There are of course many dangers in creating excuses for sin. The greatest danger, as I perceive it, is the failure to offer any real solutions, a lack of hope. For example, when a drunkard is told he has a disease and will always have this disease, there is no hope. Sure, he is relieved from responsibilty, he is released from the consequences of his actions, and is given a formula to attempt to control the disease. But in reality, he is left with no hope.

When we call rebellious action what God calls it - sin - there is a solution, there is hope! Jesus came to "save his people from their sins" (Matt 1.21). "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tim 1.15). There is an answer for sin. It is repentance and faith in Lord Jesus Christ. When we simply seek to mask the evidence and reality of sin, we are blocking God's call of repentance to the individual. When we tell a homosexual struggling with the guilt and shame of his sin that his lifestyle is a result of an innate sexual orientation, we are redirecting his God-given sense of guilt and shame away from the path of real hope, namely repentance and forgiveness.

By the definitions provided by the National Institutes of Health and the American Psychological Association, all humankind has a variety of mental disorders. I prefer simple recognize the problem of sin and declare the only true prescription, repentance and faith in the Lord!

Grace to You!

Further Resources
Articles from the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors
Blame it on the Brain, by Ed Welch

(I anticipate the response to this post will be varied and emotional. Let's try to interact on a rational, biblical level)

Isaiah 8.11-22 - Fear God; Heed His Word

2005-08-09T08:57:00.000-04:00

I am using the London Baptist Confession of Faith, 1689 for my personal Bible Study time. Chapter 1, "Of the Holy Scriptures," has provided much for my musing these last couple of days. Of particular interest to me was the opening phrase "The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience." A footnote here references, among other passages, Isaiah 8.11-22. Here Isaiah has just prophecied the coming Assyrian invasion. Even in the midst of the pending threat and sure overwhelming force and influence of the Assyrians, God tols the people not to walk in the ways of these people or take counsel from them. Isaiah declared from God, "And when they [the Assyrians] say to you, "Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter," should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?" (v19)

In other words, God knew the temptation to seek counsel, wisdom, truth from sources and resources other that through His declaration through the prophets would be powerfully tempting. He reminded them in verse 20, "If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn." They have "no dawn;" there is no light in them; they have no understanding! Truth, all truth, comes from God alone. Truth is not discovered, experienced, developed... it has once for all been delivered.

We are probably not prone to turn to "mediums and necromancers" (unless your an avid Harry Potter fan - had to take that shot, sorry) to discover truth. God clearly condemns that! We, however, are prone to seek truth in other places: our experience, our feelings, science. The temptation to interpret Scripture in light of our experiences (i.e. "I know this works") or through the lense of our emotions ("it feels like the right thing to do") is great. But we must remember the truth with which our Baptist forefathers opened their confession: "The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience."

Praise the Lord that He has declared to us all we need to be all that He wants us to be (John 17.17; 2 Tim 3.15-17; 2 Peter 1.3)

Grace to You!

Back to the Grind

2005-08-06T22:47:00.000-04:00

Praise the Lord for a great vacation. We had a tremendous time as a family. I survived even though ...
... I haven't turned my laptop in 9 days (I am on my home PC tonight)
... I haven't had Starbucks in nearly two weeks
... I haven't stepped foot into my office in over a week

Seriously! The Lord did provide for us a much needed and very pleasant family vacation. Some highlights...
... swimming in Lake James with my daughters
... "hiking" with Jonathan
... sitting by the fire with Crystal after the kids were tucked into their tents
... the "Nature Center" at Pokagan State Park, specifically the film celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Lewis & Clark Expedition
...reading The Little Pilgrims Progress by flashlight with the family sitting around the fire

Also, it appears that I picked a good week to be gone from the blogosphere. Phil Johnson had a quiet week, Steve Camp simplyrepublished articles I already read at Audience One (though I did enjoy the comments), and my dear friends Curtis Richardson and John Babri still haven't updated their blogs (they must have real jobs). I am looking foward to getting back into the swing of this, catching up with the regulars at World Mag Blog, PyroManiac, Camp on This and a new favorite (the cleverly named) Jeremy Weaver's Blog.

I am especially looking forward to being at my home church tomorrow! I really don't like to miss a service at Emmanuel (last week was the first service I missed since I started my ministry their a year ago). I appreciate the exposition of my Pastor, Philip DeCourcy. You too can enjoy his ministry thanks to the wonders of the web - visit our homepage for Pastor's current series or for his archives.

Anyway, more on Monday! Have a great worship this Lord's Day!

Grace to You!

Much needed get-away

2005-07-31T22:25:00.000-04:00

Blog activity here at Mullins Musings as been slow the past few days. Vacation time has finally come for the Mullins family. We spent the weekend with some dear friends in Cuyohoga Falls (Akron), Ohio. We had a great time. We enjoyed church this morning at First Baptist Church of Green (Akron), where my Father-in-law Pastors. Great message on "Resurrection Realities" from John 11. What confort we have in the return of Christ and our promised resurrection! Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow (Monday) we leave for a few days in the wilderness. We will be tent camping at Pokagon State Park in Angola, Indiana., This will be a special time.

Here are a few of my Vacation Goals (I am not allowed to take my laptop):

1. Kids Time. I want to be sure to spend the majority of the daylight hours with my three kids. They need some daddy-time. We will hike, fish, ride bikes, swim, build sand castles, read and just relax, tickle and laugh together.

2. Wife Time. My wife (who is six months pregnant - hey, she IS excited about camping! Don't worry, we have an air matress.) and I need some alone time as well. The closest we will get will be after the kids are tucked away for the night. I intend to spend some time discussing our goals and plans for the coming school year. We will be homeschooling one daughter and partnering with the Chrisitan School our church operatesfor the other. We need to think about educational and spiritual goals for the kids (particularly the girls).

3. Reading. I am hoping to finish (or at least make significant progress) The Soul Winner , by C.H. Spurgeon. I am also taking along Family Man, Family Leader, by Philip Lancaster, published by the Vision Forum.

Pray for us as the Lord puts us on your hearts. Looking forward to catchng up with you all when I return.

Grace to You!

Preachers that Influence You

2005-07-27T10:19:00.000-04:00

I am still working on my list of "must read" books for every Christian. The list is way too long and I am trying to find a good way to categorize and edit it.

In the meantime, in my way too time-consuming hobby of surfing the blogosphere, I have recently discovered Adrian Warnock, a blogger from the UK. He has some helpful insights. In a recent post he asks for your most favorite, well known preachers. The responses are very interesting, and fun. In this spirit, I suggest as similar discussion here.

Let me ask you to do the impossible. List your five (only five - that's the hard part) favorite, modern-day (whatever that means to you) preachers. Give their name and place of ministy if your can.

Here is mine (for now anyway):

1. John MacArthur from Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, also of Grace to You Ministries.

2. Dr. Al Mohler, President of Southern Seminary.

3. Alistair Begg from Parkside Church in suburban Cleveland, also of Truth for Life Ministries.

4. John Piper, Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, also of Desiring God Ministries.

5. Iain Murray of Banner of Truth Trust, a reformed publishing ministry. Dr. Murray focuses more on historical theology than exposition. Find his sermons/lectures at SermonAudio.com.

Now it is your turn. Give honor to whom you believe honor is due!

Grace to You, my blogging friends!

Good Reading for Christian Boys

2005-07-25T09:26:00.000-04:00

A brief scan of this blog's archives will clearly indicate the high value I place on reading. I have commented on great value of reading Christian biographies, the effect reading has on Pastor's and subsequently, churched, and most recently I expressed some concern over fiction. Regarding the reading of Harry Potter, I have a very unformed opinion. (Which is quite amazing, since I usually land soundly on an opinion and argue vehemently, often to my own detriment.) My gut pulls me away from embracing the series, simply because (although fictional - believe me, I have read the arguments) of the glorification of what God has condemned. I do not feel strongly enough to make a case for or against the acceptance of this series or anything like it.

Although, my Pastor made a great point Sunday morning. Six million people stood in line to anxiously buy and read the latest installment from Rowling. How many people were lined up at the front door of the church to get in and hear the next installment of their pastor's exposition? He made absolutely no value judgement on Harry Potter; rather, he pointed out the difference in how the world passionately embraces their stories, which are mere fiction, and how the church embraces our stories, which are historical, life-changing facts. Interesting!

Regarding Harry Potter, again I would direct your attention to Phil Johnson's thoughtful comments. Though I largely agree with Phil's assertions, I still contend that there must be better stuff available for young Christians to read. Things that will allow them to "let the Word of Christ richly dwell in [them]."

My boy, Jonathan, is going to be 3 in a couple of weeks. My two girls LOVE to read. Statistics indicate that boys are far less inclined to reading. Though I cannot substantiate this claim, there must be some relationship to a boy's lack of interest in reading and the lack of good, imaginative, well written fiction for them to read. Most of what the publishing industry aims at young boys (and girls for that matter) is drivel with no substantive plot, no interesting character development, and usually a contrived, spiritualized ending. Put that stuff up against Harry Potter and the young wizard will win everytime.

I found (actually my wife found) a very interesting selection of exciting, well written books for young men. The Vision Forum is an organization dedicated to restoring the vision of a the biblical family. They have a decidedly reformed bent and desire to bring the Word of God to bear in the life of the Americal Family.

Happy Reading... and Grace to You!

Can I be a Calvinist and an Evangelist?

2005-07-18T09:43:00.000-04:00

The question is sometimes asked, "How can you be a 'five pointer,' you are an Outreach Pastor?" As if to say a Calvinist has no concern for lost souls. We certainly do! I certainly do. I have no greater joy than one a new worshipper is born for the glory of God.

Let me paste a comment I made during a discussion over at The Cutting Edge. The discussion began by asking the question, "Was Jesus seeker sensitive?" to which I replied, there is no such thing as a seeker (Rom 3.10,11). So the next logical (some what Arminian) question comes, "Why do we share the gospel if God does all the deciding?" Here is was my reply...

"Can I be both a Calvinist and an Evangelist? An age old question... For this we turn to the examples of Mueller, Spurgeon, early Southern Baptists such as Boyce and many others throughout history that were strong Calvinists AND strong Evangelists. More recently we can look at the good doctor, Martin Llyod-Jones, who was an expositor but considered himself first and foremoest an evangelist. Remember, the only way a corpse can come back to life is the Word. The way the Word gets out is the faithful proclamation of the Gospel by faithful preachers. (Rom 10.9-17) In other words - we faithfully proclaim the Word, from pulpits, lecturns, classrooms, and in the intimacy of relationships. While we proclaim, we recognize we do so solely for the purpose of God's glory. We are obedient! God will care for the saving of souls. When I teach and lead our Grace Evangelism team out on visitation ministry every Tuesday night, I remind them, our goal isto make much of the glory of God as demonstrated on the cross of Chrsit. If God causes someone to respond, even better! But our task is to faithfully proclaim the good news for the Glory of God! God's Word will not return unto us void, it will always accomplish everything he intended it to."

I would submit that to you as a good motivation for evangelism - yea, even the most important motive for evangelism - namely, the Glory of God alone. Why do we go/send people to the mission field? Why do pass out Gospel literature? Why do preach the good news of Christ? Why do we tell our neighbors of the hope of the gospel of Christ? Obedience, of course, is part of it. Because we care about lost souls? Is caring about lost souls of preeminent importance?

Let me take moment to trace the evangelist fervor of Paul through his letter to the Romans...

Romans 1.1-5. Jesus Christ is declared, descended from David according to the flesh, the Son God, through whom we have received grace to bring about obedience of faith...why? "for the sake of His name among the nations." The Glory of God among the nations was the motivation for sending His Son.

Romans 15.8-11 Christ demonstrated God's truthfulness "in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy." Again, the motivation of the salvific work of Christ was the Glory of God!

Paul concludes his thoughts to the Romans with a Doxology that emphasizes the strengthening work of the Gospel. His final doxological thought is "to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Christ!" From where does the "glory forevermore" emminate? Jesus Christ!

You see, my motivation to share the Gospel is directly tied to my commitment to the sovereign work of God in eternity past desiring to bring His people to glorify Himself.

Yes, one can be, (and I am) an Evangelist and a Calvinist!

Grace to You!

Harry Potter is more secure than our Borders

2005-07-15T08:37:00.000-04:00

The new Harry Potter book comes out on Saturday, so I hear. The Book Standard reports that the new books are under tight security. One delivery driver "revealed recently that he had been ordered to make the ten-hour trip without stopping. To ensure compliance, his truck was outfitted with a global positioning system, which allows a satellite to monitor his progress—reporting any deviation from the strictly regulated route, or even stops for bathroom break."

I thought is was interesting that more time and effort are spent on tracking Harry Potter books than is spent on tracking suitcases packed with nuclear bomb making parts. I know not really a far comparison; but, isn't unbelievable the hype that goes into things?

That is not really my real concern. I was thinking again about Harry Potter recently. I have never really given and clear thought to the subject or appropriateness of filling ones mind and imagination with the content of Rowlings best sellers. I know have a 3 year old son that might someday be interested in fantasy literature - thankfully, not yet! That is not my genre of choice. But I want my decisions to be based on clear biblical conviction.

Deut. 18.9-14 is absolutely clear that God forbids having anything to do with one who practices sorcery, divination, necromancy, wizardry, etc... That is clearly Harry Potter. Why do so many Christians readily bring this stuff into their homes and the minds of their children? Once in my last church, we had a missionary teaching children's church. I thought that was safe enough. I later found that she was pushing Harry Potter to our children -"there are good moral lessons about good vs. evil, etc..." When do good moral lessons trump Biblical authority? Isn't there other places to get good moral lessons without spitting in the face of clear biblical teaching?

While I am at it, let me ask an honest question. I know, a bit taboo for a Christian to even think about questioning The Lord of the Rings. Shame on me for even thinking anything might be remotely wrong with that series. But doesn't that series also involve sorcery, wizardry, etc... I know, I know ... it's all good vs. evil, allegorical, etc... But again, let's deal with the text of Scripture. When can we bring that kind of stuff into the minds our children? As long as we use some Christian themes and Christian words, the other stuff is okay? Then let's all got buy the latest U2 album! See? When does it become acceptable?

These are honest questions? I admit to having never read either Potter or Lord of the Rings. So I speak with level of ignorance. But I think I grasp the spirit of Deut 18, and other Scriptures.

By the way, two night ago we started, for family devotions, Little Pilgrims Progress by Helen Taylor. This is great fictional literature!

Grace to You!

Now I am a heretic!

2005-07-14T16:37:00.000-04:00

I was just referred to as a heretic over at the World Magazine Blog, where I frequently comment. The topic in the open thread for the day was hymn / song lines that are theologically suspect, or just plain wrong. I commented on the one the plagues me most: "Above All." This is a mostly good song, but the idea of what is "above all" changes throughout the song, there is no consistency. By the last line we proclaim "you took the fall and thought of me above all." Suddenly the one singing is "above all" - at least above all in the mind of Christ as He died on the cross. Of course, we know that the thought of Christ on the cross was obedience to the will of the Father to please and glorify Him. (Heb. 5.8; Phil 2.8; Eph 5.2 "to please His Father).

However, the heretic arrow came when I further commented that another concern with this song, or any like it, gives the impression that Christ was thinking of every person singing this song, as if Christ died for every person in the world.

NOW... there you see where the heretic shot came. I hold to a particular redemption perspective of the atonement. According to someone code named "Duck" that makes me, along with Spurgeon, Calvin, most all Baptists until around 1800, and many others (including modern teachers like James White, John MacArthur, John Piper) all heretics.

It is not my intent to necesarily spark a debate on the extent of the atonement, though I am open to that. My larger question for the time is simply this: What are the qualifications for a teaching to be considered a heresy? And when do we label one a heretic?

Incidently, my friend Curtis Richardson, sent me a link to a scary Jack-Hyles type site that calls MacArthur a heretic. Read if you dare!

Anyway, Grace to You my friends! Grace to you ALL!

Are Seminaries Hijacking a Local Church Mandate?

2005-07-11T08:47:00.000-04:00

My friend Steve Camp is on one of his tirades again. As usual, Steve his aggressive, pointed, sometimes bombastic, and always thoughtful. Apparent throughout his articles and essays is a desire to bring Biblical principles to bear in the real world of life and ministry. I have never doubted Steve's passion for the sufficiency and authority of Scripture. This was apparent to me within minutes of picking him up at the airport the first time we met. I greatly appreciate his desire for a pure form of Christianity. Steve provides much fodder for debate among my friends and I.

In a recent post at Camp on This, regarding seminaries, Steve decries the fact the seminaries have assumed the responsiblities for training men for ministry and the local church has stood by to let this happen. I have not fully formed my thoughts on this, but have long held many of the same concerns. Please read the his post and share your comments to enlighten me. After I muse on it a bit more, I will share some of my thoughts.

By the way, this is exactly why I do a Blog. It has nothing to do with the fact that I think I have something of exceeding value to apss on to you. It has everything to do with interaction and mutual enlightenment. So please comment and let's encourage one another as iron sharpening iron.

Grace to You!

Pray for Londoners

2005-07-07T10:09:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to take a brief moment to express my concern for and prayers for the people of London. This is a "barbaric" attack, as Prime Minister Blair has said.

Remember, Phil Johnson is ministering at the School of Theology in London this week. He has posted that he and Darlene are safe. Pray for evangelical ministries in London to minister the grace of the True God at this time, in the face of those who conduct such evil in the name of their God.

Grace to you & Peace!

A Couple Great Finds

2005-07-05T20:27:00.000-04:00

I discovered some very wonderful websites that have quickly become a couple of my favorites. The web is a very dangerous thing. There is so much information available, that I spend too much time reading. It that actually possible. Well, I am on the verge...

Anyway, let me direct your attention to some great reading

The Reformed Reader is a collection of works by mostly Baptistic reformed writers and theologians. Great thoughts, especially some of the historical essays.

The Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics deals more with apologetics. It is a great portal to many of the historical documents that shaped the church over the centuries.

Keep on Reading... and as always,

Grace to You!

Is God still speaking?

2005-07-05T11:46:00.000-04:00

The United Church of Christ has used the motto "God is still speaking", calling it their "Nationwide Identity Campaign," for some time now. They put forth the concept that the worldwide community of believers is to be accepting and embracing of all mankind. They believe that the Scriptures are part of God's revelation, but that God continues to speak as culture and society change. The universal concepts of grace and acceptance must be understood in light of a changing culture and evolving societal norms.

With these concepts providing the framework for discussion, debate and decision, the UCC meeting in General Synod voted overwhelmingly for the recognition of "marriage equality." This is completely consistent with the denominations long standing support for the homosexual lifestyle choice. They ask each UCC church to consider adopting a Wedding Policy that does not discriminate against couples based on gender.

This should not surprise us at all. During a survey of the churches website, I found very few Scripture references; those I did find took quite a bit of creative exegesis to be used the way they were. This conclusion, and many like it, are the natural results of dismissing the authority of the Word of God. When anything replaces the final authority of God's will, as revealed in the Word, pragmatism reigns supreme. This decision to endorse, even encourage, gay marriage is not a major jump. It is the next logical step for a group that has systematically denied the authority of Scripture.

We must be careful to examine our ministry and worldview decisions. What is our authoritative source? Might it be history, backed by proof texting? Perhaps a genuine desire to see people saved, but without regard to the methodology that would line up with Scripture? Motives are not always bad! But sincerity must be directed by the authority of God's Word. You've heard the saying, "It's alright to be sincere, but you can be sincerely wrong!"

Let's be very careful not to replace the authority and sufficiency of the Word of God with pragmatism, historical precedent, or even good, gracious motives, lest we begin to slide down the slippery slope of humanism like the UCC.

As always... Grace to You!

FYI - Campi is "official" in the Blogosphere

2005-07-01T09:32:00.000-04:00

I always thought Audience One WAS the blog minsitry of Steve Camp. But apparently I was wrong. Campi has officially entered the Blogosphere with his newest release Camp On This. It really is quite similar to his Web based ministry at Audience One, but allows the reader to interact by way of comments. Provacative as usual.

Also, keep an eye on PyroManiac this week. Phil Johnson is ministering at the School of Theology this next week at the Met in London. He plans to journal his week. I will plan to live vicariously through one more privileged than I. I would love to visit London, especially WITH Phil Johnson (hint hint Phil). I would love t0 see the grave markers of the faithful men and women who have gone on before - CH Spurgeon, chiefly, but also Watts, Gill, Richard Baxter at Christ Church, and many others. Maybe someday!

Ministy in Toledo, Ohio is as vital as ministry in London!

Grace to You!

You are what you read...

2005-06-30T15:46:00.000-04:00

You should always be reading at least one book.

Any of you that know me will not be surprised by that statement. I make a point in virtually every sermon I preach to recommend at least one book. Reading stimulates your mind. Even, especially perhaps, if you don't agree with the author. As a general rule, I am reading one book on theology and one biography. I am still working my way through The Biography of Robert Murray McCheyne, by Andrew Bonar. I am about to start a book I have wanted to read for a few years actually, but was recently given it as a gift from my good friend John Babri - Richard Baxter's The Reformed Pastor.

As important as reading is, one's reading diet must be carefully chosen. I do not advocate only reading books of your predisposed positions and ideas. Stretch your mind with the thoughts of those you might not agree with. For example, I have book in my TO READ stack (which is intimidatingly tall) called Why I Am Not a Calvinist, Jerry Walls and Joseph Dongell. Obviously, I will not agree with the conclusions of the authors, but I trust that my mind and presuppositions will be stretched.

My musing on this subject this afternoon was provoked by two recent Barna Group reports on the subject of reading. A report released on May 30, 2005, entitled Survey Reveals The Books and Authors That Have Most Influenced Pastors, was very enlightening regarding the state of our evangelical churches in America. "When pastors were asked to identify the three books that had been most helpful to them as a ministry leader during the past three years, more than two hundred different books were listed. However, only nine books were listed by at least 2% of all pastors," states the report. The top two books listed as most helpful to Pastors were The Purpose Driven Life (listed by 21% of Pastors) and the Purpose Driven Church (listed by 15% of Pastors. Now, don't misunderstand me. These aren't the worst books that a pastor can read... but THE MOST HELPFUL AS A MINISTRY LEADER??

The report indicated that "only seven additional books gained recognition from at least 2% of pastors – and each of those seven publications was chosen by 2%. Those books were What’s So Amazing About Grace? by Phillip Yancey; Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala; Wild At Heart by John Eldredge; Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels; Spiritual Leadership by Henry Blackaby; Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley; and the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell."

Even more of a concern was the type of books pastors spend their precious time reading. The chart below shows what category of books were chosen. The percentage indicates what portion of pastors polled listed at least one book in that category in their list of the three most helpful.

54% Personal Spiritual Growth
23 % Church Growth
22 % Leadership
9% Evangelism
6% Pastoring
5% Prayer
5% Charismatic Perspectives
4% Cultural Trends
3% Preaching

Only 3% of Pastors said they found a book on Preaching extremely helpful. Maybe they all have mastered the art of expositing God's Word before God's people week in and week out. Only 9 % have read a helpful book on Evangelism? I realize I am an Outreach Pastor, but I have read four books already this year on evangelism that have challenged and stretched me immensely. Perhaps I still have more to learn.

My concern is simply this, how can we expect evangelical Christians to be growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ when their pastors are spending more time reading books about methodolgy than theology. I understand that we need to package the goods in an attractive, understandable way. But when you don't even know what you are packaging, does the pretty wrapping paper even matter?

Why are Christian "Bookstores" so full of self help books? Book on methodology, psychology, church growth, etc... But if I want to find a book on soteriology, ecclesiology or the doctrine of God's sovereignty, I have to order it online? Because people, and their pastors, aren't reading books that stretch our minds and force us to interact with the theology of God.

What are you reading? I am try to make a list entitled 5 Must Read Books for Every Christian. I find in difficult to limit it to five. It may grow to 10. But I will popst it here soon. In the mean time, what are you reading? Even if it is the Purpose Driven Life, read something! And think about it as you read it!

Grace to You!

Joel Osteen: Man of Humilty

2005-06-27T13:08:00.000-04:00

I have deliberately avoided mentioning Pastor Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church in Houston. He is quickly becoming a household name in American evangelicalism. I honestly have not done my research on his theology and ministry philosophy, and have therefore chosen to remain silent on his rapid rise to popularity.
Then, Pastor Osteen appeared on Larry King Live last week. I do not have cable television, so I did not see the interview live. I was directed to the transcript, which I am assuming was much less painful than watching it live. It was truly a train wreck. Even reading the transcript, I began to squirm in my chair, feeling quite sorry for Pastor Osteen. He delivered no system of belief and no discernable concept of salvation at all. I honestly, was very saddened that tens of thousands of people are influenced by this man every week.

Then came one of the greatest acts of humility I have seen demonstrated in a long time. Pastor Osteen issued an apology and sought forgivness. He was clear that he believes John 14.6, stating "having a personal relationship with Jesus is the only way to heaven." Further doctrinal and methodological differences notwithstanding, I admire the humilty of Pastor Osteen.

Lord, make me as humble as this man. Break me of myself. Teach me to fear you and no man.

Grace to You!

Honor to Whom Honor is Due

2005-06-27T11:32:00.000-04:00

Desiring to speak with respect and honor towards one who has gone before me in both depth and scope of ministry, I submit my concern over Rev. Billy Graham's embrace of the Clintons at his crusade in New York this past weekend. Clearly Rev. Graham's comments regarding Mr. Clinton becoming an evangelist and Mrs. Clinton running the country were tongue in cheek; however, what wisdom and discernment are demostrated in publically embracing a couple who stands for the antithesis of evangelical Christianity? By their words and legislative legacy, the Clinton's embrace gay marriage, abortion on demand, many other cultural sins that should give us concern.

This is not a partisan attack, or even a political statement. I would be as equally concerned if a local New York city liberal pastor that denied the authority of the Word of God were the one embracing Mr. Graham. However, the highly public positions of the Clinton's do raise the level of concern. Whatever happened to so-called Evangelical leaders providing genuine Biblical leadership? What about offering good, wise examples to our churches as heroes of the faith? I addressed these same concerns over Dr. Mohler's choice to not distance himself from evangelicals lauding the legacy of Pope John Paul II. (See posts The Burden of Leadership and Standing in the Tradition of Luther.)

Do evangelists and theologians not care about the gospel? Surely they do, so how does one embrace someone who has "a form of godliness but denies the power thereof?" Just because someone can talk a good talk, should place them on a platform and embrace them as "good people?"

I haven't yet done a fraction of the ministry that Rev. Graham has. I desire to be respectful of his age and experience, but his lack of discernment in this highly public venue is rather disconcerting. Any thoughts...

Grace to You!

Which Theologian Are You?

2005-06-22T14:50:00.000-04:00

Follow this link to a quick quiz to see which theologian your beliefs line up with. Not surprisingly, I ranked with Luther and Edwards. I was pretty close with Calvin - it was the padeobaptism that threw me off!

Click Here to take the quiz.

Have fun... and let me know what you find out!

Grace to You!

Martin Luther

80%

Anselm

80%

Jonathan Edwards

80%

John Calvin

73%

Karl Barth

67%

Friedrich Schleiermacher

60%

Charles Finney

33%

Paul Tillich

20%

Augustine

13%

Jürgen Moltmann

13%

Which theologian are you?
created with QuizFarm.com

Why I Love the Church, part 2

2005-06-21T07:59:00.000-04:00

NOTE: This the second part of a two part post. Scroll down to read the first two points contained in the previous post.

THURSDAY

Here we are again! This week we have been looking at the deep love that Christ has for the church. Author and Pastor John Stott commented, “If the church is central to God’s purpose as seen in both history and scripture, it must surely also be central to our lives. How can we take lightly what God takes so seriously? How dare we push to the circumference what God has placed at the center?” Challenging words, indeed. But we have already seen how much Christ loves the Church. Remember, Joh 6 teaches that the Church is that precious love gift given from God the Father to Christ His Son.

Let’s look again at our text, Ephesians 5.25-29. 25”Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church”

The application we are seeking to draw from this text is our response to the Church. Do we love the Church like Christ loves the Church? To answer that question, we have to first understand how Christ loves the Church. There are at least four aspects of Christ’s love for the Church we find in this text. Tuesday we saw how Christ’s love was sacrificial, He laid down His life for the Church. As well, our love for our Church should be sacrificial.

Let’s look at a second aspect of Christ’s love for the Church that is found in 26 and 27. Christ’s love for the Church is INTENTIONAL. Christ’s love for the Church had a specific intention. According to verse 26, the focus of Christ’s love was to sanctify and purify the Church. Verse 26 says that Christ’s goal in His love was to sanctify the Church. To sanctify is to set apart, to purify. In other words, Christ wants a pure Church, a pure Bride. Verse 27 indicates that Christ will ultimately present the Church to Himself as His pure Bride. That is a reasonable expectation. We all desire a pure Bride. The text also indicates the means by which Christ would purify and sanctify His Church. Verse 26 makes reference to the washing of water with the Word. Christ is referencing the Old Testament imagery of the laver of water outside the place of sacrifice in the Old Testament Tabernacle. The picture is one of ceremonial cleansing. The water Christ uses to cleanse and sanctify His Church is the Word of God.

Now the tough application. If we love the Church like Christ loves the Church, we will have full expectation that the Word of God will be central to the ministry of the Church. The Word will be boldly proclaimed! It will faithfully taught! It will dominate the conversation among the corridors of our churches. If we love the Church like Christ loves the Church, the Word of God will be the final rule of faith and practice, not men’s traditions, preferences or history.

Let me speak as a pastor for a moment. What is your expectation of your Pastor? You should jealously guard the time your pastor has to study the Word of God in order to present it to the Church with the aim of the churches sanctification and purity. If you love the Church like Christ loves the Church, you will let that be your Pastor’s primary and undiluted responsibility.

Incidentally, the ministry of the Word of God is the responsibility of each and every Christian, not just pastors. See Col 3.16 and following where we are called to let the Word of Christ richly us as we admonish one another. If you love the Church as Christ loves the Church, you will be deliberate about ministering the Word of God the people of your church. Perhaps, in a card, a word of encouragement, a word of challenge or guidance, or in some other way, formally or informally.

Christ loves the Church SACRIFICIALLY and INENTIONALLY – do you?

FRIDAY

We have spent the week examining how Christ loves the Church and asking ourselves some penetrating questions. Do we really love the church like Christ loves the Church? I find that many of us often approach Church with a consumer mentality, instead of a passionate, relational mentality. What I mean is this… We are looking at we can get out of church much like we see what can get from a restaurant or a department store. Where will I get the best deal? Where will my needs be met best? Where will I find the best service? It doesn’t appear at all that Christ took this approach to the Church.

Let’s look a final time at our text for the week. Ephesians 5.25-29. 25”Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church”

Christ loves the Church SACRIFICIALLY, that is he willingly laid down His life for the Church. Christ loves the Church INTENTIONALLY. That is to say He had a specific intent in His love for the Church, namely her sanctification and purity. Today we want to look at a third aspect of Christ’s love for the Church. Christ’s love the Church was UNCONDITIONAL. Though this thought is implied in our Eph 5 text, it is best expressed is Romans 5. Listen to the profound thoughts in these familiar verses… 6For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. . 10For while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son,”

Do you catch the thrust of those verses. Christ initiated the relationship with the Church apart from any overture or effort on the part of the Church. Christ was not seeking to get anything from the Church, because frankly, we have nothing to give. We are called dead in Christ, helpless, sinners, enemies. And yet Christ loved us, initiating a passionate love without reciprocation. In fact, Christ still passionately loves the Church and we often turn our back on Him and disappoint Him, yet he continues to love us.

Do we love the Church like Christ loves the Church? Do you love the Church because Christ loves the Church, or do you love the Church because you are (like a consumer) seeking what you can get from your church? I trust all of our churches give generously to spiritual aid and development of our people, but is that why you love the Church? Or do you, as Christ, love the Church unconditionally! These are tough thoughts, but we want to have the heart of Christ in regards to the Church. Christ loves the Church SACRIFICIALLY, INTENTIONALLY and UNCONDITIONALLY.

Let me wrap up with a little story. Dec 7, 1941, “a day that will live in infamy.” Japanese planes began dropping bombs on Pearl Harbor. By Monday morning, Dec 8, there were long lines at every armed services recruiting center in the country, people signing up without regards to future plans or any other obligations. They wanted to be part of what was happening in our country. Now, jump ahead 25 years… America finds herself in the middle of another conflict; however, this time we couldn’t get any volunteers. We had to draft people to serve by compulsion, and even then, many ran away. What made the difference? In 1941 people believed in the cause. In the 60’s and 70’s, people didn’t know or understand the cause enough to passionate jump on board.

Here is our challenge… we know the cause of the Church! Do you believe in it? Are you ready to commit to it and love the Church like Christ loves the Church? I hope you are!

Why I Love the Church, part 1

2005-06-21T07:50:00.000-04:00

NOTE: I preached a sermon by this same title at my home church on May 15, 2005. I then attempted to deliver the same thoughts spread over five five-minute thoughts on a local Christian radio station. The quick devotional thougths could not fully capture the thrust of the message, but they do, I hope, give the essence of the thoughts. Here is the transcript of the radio broadcasts (given in two parts). But first the outline.

Why I Love the Church - Eph 5.25-33
Christ’s love for the Church was sacrificial (v25)
Christ’s love for the Church was intentional (v26-27)
Christ’s love for the Church was nurturing (v28-30)
Christ’s love for the Church was unconditional (Rom 5.6,8,10)

Monday

In my house we have a … well, it’s an ugly flower pot. It is a little boy holding a fishing pole and there is this… what is supposed to look like a large weaved basket behind him. That is where the flowers go. It really is pretty ugly; certainly nothing I would ever buy. However, it is also not something that I would ever want to get rid of. You see… my father gave that flower pot to my mother the day I was born, almost 31 years ago. I remember that flower pot being all over the many houses I lived in growing up. Then almost 24 years to the day after my father gave it to my mother, my mother gave it to my wife, the day my first daughter was born. What makes that pot special is the giver. Surely you have items around your house that have been handed down through generations and are very precious to you.

This week, we are going to think a little bit about similarly, a very special gift. Let me read a few verses from the Bible. Ephesians 5. 25”Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,

Obviously, the primary application of this text is how a husband’s love for his wife should resemble the love that Christ has for his church. There is much to be said about that, however, this week, I want us to look at a secondary application. If a husband’s love for his wife should be based on Christ’s love for the church, it is necessary that we understand just how Christ did in fact love the church. The question of application I want us to consider then, this week, is simply this… “Do I love the church like Christ loves the Church?”

Remember our illustration of the ugly flower pot that is so special because of the giver? In a small way, that illustrates one of the primary reasons the church is so special and why Christ has such overwhelming love for the church. The church, that is, all born again believers who have trusted Christ alone for their salvation, that church, is a special love gift from God the Father to Christ His Son. Let me read a few verses to you from The Gospel of John 6.
37“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” 44“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.

You see what is going on there? Here is the picture I want to put into your mind this morning… God calls a people to give to Christ. Christ redeems this precious love-gift and nourishes it. The church is the precious love-gift that is passed from God the Father to Christ the Son as an expression of deep love. You see now why THE CHURCH IS OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE TO CHRIST?

Christ loves the church and we should love the church likewise. In the next four mornings we are going to look at the verse we read from Eph 5 and discover four ways that Christ loves the church and ask ourselves: “Do we love the church like Christ loves the church?”

Remember today that your church is precious to Christ and it should be precious to you also. Do you love the Church like Christ loves the church?

TUESDAY

Yesterday morning we made an effort to express the fact that Christ loves the Church and we emphasized the reason He loves the Church. According to John 6, God calls a people to give to Christ. Christ redeems this precious love-gift and nourishes it. The church is the precious love-gift that is passed from God the Father to Christ the Son as an expression of deep love. You see now why THE CHURCH IS OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE TO CHRIST?

In a wonderful little book entitled Stop Dating the Church Joshua Harris, Pastor of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, MD states, “As Christians we are called to be imitators of God (Eph 5.1). We are to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8.29). Can there be any question that part of being like Christ is to love what He loves? Christians often speak of wanting God’s heart for the poor or the lost. These are good desires. But shouldn’t we also want God’s heart for the Church! If Jesus loves the Church, you and I should too. It’s that simple.”

So we must ask ourselves, “Do we love the Church like Christ loves the Church?” To answer that, of course we need to understand just how Christ loves his Church. Let’s look again at Eph 5.25 and following where will find at least four ways in which Christ loves the Church.

First we find in verse 25 that Christ loves the Church SACRIFICIALLY. Listen “25”Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” The word gave means to surrender or yield up. Christ surrendered His very life out of love for his Church. 1 Timothy 1.15 reminds us that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. That is the point of His coming. God put skin on in the person of Christ expressly to die. To Die and raise again victoriously over the power of sin and death to offer salvation to sinners like you and I. That is why he came.

It is worth noting also, in John 10.17-18 Jesus declares “I lay down my life … no one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” Jesus was not a martyr. His life was not snuffed out too early. It was the perfect timing of His own choosing. No one had the power to take His life, He chose to lay it down to redeem the Church, the precious gift given to Him by his Father.

Clearly, Christs love for the Church was SACRIFICIAL. Now, do you and I love the Church like Christ loves the Church? Do we love the Church sacrificially? Some of us may be called to lay down our life for the furtherance of the Church, but most will not. We called to sacrifice in much smaller ways. We call it a sacrifice when we give a small percentage of our hard earned money to the church. We call it sacrifice when we get up early to go to a Saturday morning outreach event. We call it a sacrifice when we have to stand up to our friends who mock and scorn godliness and laugh at sin. These things we call sacrifices pale in comparison to what Christ sacrificed for the church – His very life.

Do you love the Church sacrificially? How is that demonstrated in your commitment to your church? Are you present to encourage and build up the flock when they gather for corporate worship? Are you there when a need arises in a ministry? Does your Pastors and ministry leaders have to stand in the pulpit and beg for people to help in various ministries while you sit in the pew and decide if you can give up an hour of your precious time to serve the Church?

These are tough questions I know. But friends, Christ loves the Church sacrificially and so should you and I. Maybe you should call you church today and see haw you can love that ministry today! Let’s Pray

The Greater Good??

2005-06-20T09:33:00.000-04:00

I made a decision a couple of months ago to avoid musing about politics specifically on this Blog, however, this morning I need to make a few comments about local Toledo politics. This is essential at this time, because there are striking similarities between the local Democratic agenda and the issue of Evangelical Co-Belligerence that we have been discussing. Let me explain…

Toledo lawyer, and former City Councilman, Keith Wilkowski, a Democrat, has announced his bid to be Toledo’s next mayor. This shouldn’t be such interesting news. Toledo is, after all, dominated by the Democratic politicians, even in the midst of their own schism. In making his much expected announcement, Mr. Wilkowski said, “cannot stand by and watch this city continue to decline. It really is that straightforward. It's not about friendships or political alliances or which politicians support other politicians” “Why did Wilkowski have to mention friendships?” those of you lucky enough to not live in the Toledo area may ask. Well, let me give you a small insight into the local politics of Toledo. You see if there is an illustration of the current evangelical movement.

The local Democratic Party is experiencing a major schism (locally referred to as the “A Team” and “B Team”). Our mayor finds himself at the helm of the “A Team,” which is currently out of control of the Democratic Central Committee. Mr. Wilkowski was a member of the PAC that was created specifically to reelect Jack Ford as mayor of Toledo, in fact, he was the Treasurer. After multiple local polls indicated the Mr. Ford had virtually no chance to be reelected, Mr. Wilkowski announced his own bid. Wilkowski has been asked many times how he could be treasurer of a campaign for Jack Ford and now run against Mr. Ford. He is asked to comment on Mr. Ford’s record. What shortcomings of the Ford Administration led Mr. Wilkowski to run against him? Wilkowski is very nuanced in his answers. He refuses to be critical of Mayor Ford. Why? Because Mr. Wilkowski wants an A Team Democrat to be elected mayor, even if it is Jack Ford. Ford would be better than B Team Democrat, former Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, who appears poised to run again. And Ford would certainly be better, according to Mr. Wilkowski’s scheming, than stealth Republican candidate Rob Ludeman. If Mr. Ford somehow pulls out a victory over Mr. Wilkowski in the primaries (highly unlikely) than Mr. Wilkowski will have to throw his support BACK to Jack. He can’t offer any sound bites now that will be used against Jack in the general election later this fall.

If this is a bit confusing… welcome to Toledo politics! Let me sum up. Keith Wilkowski is not concerned about the best person to take Toledo forward. He is concerned solely about getting an A Team Democrat to occupy the Mayor’s chair. Therefore, he cannot say anything condemning his own primary opponent.

Do you see the connection yet to the confusion that is evangelicalism in America? Very well intentioned evangelical leaders, such as James Dobson, Pat Robertson, even Albert Mohler, seek to create a political atmosphere that is conducive to conservative morality. While I greatly appreciate these efforts, I have a deep concern that in this effort, there is a lack of clarity on the gospel. Evangelicals are linking arms with Catholics, Mormons, and many others who deny the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Is the greater concern the declaration of the Gospel to a lost and dying world or creating a cultural context that is fits our biblical convictions? In other words, are we more concerned for the greater good of mankind (i.e. the proclamation of the gospel) or that our team wins (conservative judges and politicians)?

I have been doing much thinking, studying, praying about passages such as 2 Cor 6.14-18, which contextually is linked to 2 Cor 5.16-21, where Paul charges us that our greatest is distinguishing those who are “in Christ” and those who are “without Christ.” I am afraid that many evangelical leaders today are more concerned over dividing those who think like we do from those who are more liberal than we are. In doing so, we blur the lines that the Gospel so clearly draws between those “in Christ” and those “without Christ.”

Just some humble thoughts for you to muse on this week. What are your thoughts on 2 Cor 5-6? What does it mean to be “unequally yoked?” What do phrases like “be separate from them” and “touch no unclean thing” mean? Your thoughts…

Let the Word of Christ richly dwell in you today….
Grace to You!

"User Friendly" gone off the deep end!

2005-06-13T15:25:00.000-04:00

As if the whole idea of a "user friendly" church or a "seeker driven" church isn't inane enough, some churches are taking the philosophy to its next logical step. Churches offer "drive-thru" Sunday services is a telling news piece about the extreme ends to which a so called church will go to "reach people with the gospel." Is this what Paul meant when he mentioned becoming "all things to all people?"

I actually mentioned drive thru marriages in a recent post in a tongue in cheek manner. It appears I was not too far from making a true to culture comment.

Maybe the scariest comment is the very last sentence of the article, "God created us each and every one good, and we celebrate that." Is that not the underlying false theology that drives the whole "seeker" philosophy. Each human is good and has within themselves the ability to turn to God, we simple need to provide the impetus through gimmicks and the like?

What about Romans 3.20 "There is no one righteouss, no not one. There is none that seek God." People will not naturally turn to God until He draws them. The primary means he uses to draw men to himself is the bold preaching of His Word (John 17.17; Rom 10.17; 2 Tim 3.15).

Something for you to muse on this afternoon!

Grace to You!

Phil Johnson jumps into the Blogosphere... in typical Phil-Johnson-style

2005-06-13T14:39:00.000-04:00

I try to take a little time each day to survey the blogosphere. I find this both entertaining an enlightening. We all need a laugh to keep us sane and otherwise healthy. As far as enlightenment, I occasionally find a few bright spots in the realm of the blogger that help me think through the issues of the day. My most recent "bright spot" is Pyromaniac, the blogging thoughts of Phil Johnson, of the Spurgeon Archive and Grace to You Ministries. Phil combines his extensive contacts with his keen insights. He makes reference to MANY other blogs and quips about the content you might find if you follow his links. It is sort of a portal into the evangelical blogosphere.

In typical Phil-Johnson-style, he tackles some of the more cutting edge issues of the day right off the bat. In a recent post he opens the dialogue on a subject the has dominated much of the evangelical blogdom, including a variety of posts right here at my site. He questions the extent to which evangelicals should partner with unbelievers for political gain. It resembles, to some degree, his excellent chapter "Let Your Light So Shine" in Fool's Gold. This particular post has drawn, at this point, 31 comments, some even from the likes of fellow blogger, Steve Camp.

The thoughts brought out in this post and the subsequent comments form the basis for the article I promised last week, and am still working on, on the subject of Evangelical Unity.

Happy reading and... Grace to You!

Coming Soon...

2005-06-06T14:23:00.000-04:00

Here are a few articles that I am working on, just in case you care. Besides, if I tell you there are coming, they have to come! Accountability!

The Heart the Gospel - This one will be a four part series dealing with the four key elements that comprise the heart of the gospel message - God, Man, Christ, and You Must!

Evangelical Unity - Some thoughts on the basis on which we decide to unite or divide ourselves from others who claim Christianity?

Why I Love the Church - This will be a transcript of a recent sermon I delivered here at my home church on May 15. I will also deliver this series in a five part address on a local contemporary Christian radio station next week. It is basically an exposition of Eph 5.22-33 asking the question, "Do I love the Church like Christ loves the Church?"

A Bible-Driven Church - Not a steal of MacArthur's work, rather a look at how the Christian publishing industry is effecting the church, primarily through her pastors.

Feel free to share your thoughts on any of these topics, perhaps you will help shape my thinking as I study and write. Also, what other Blogs are you reading that you find helpful. Note the updates link section to the right. There are some other helpful Blogs (probably much more helpful than these musings) for you to peruse at your leisure.

Grace to You!

Dad, That's Easy

2005-06-06T11:16:00.000-04:00

Just a brief thought for your musing pleasure this morning…

I was recently eating a hasty supper with my family. It was a Tuesday night and I needed rush back out the door to return to the church for our Grace Evangelism class and visitation ministry. Understanding that I was leaving to teach a class, my 6 year old daughter, Elisabeth, asked what I was going to be teaching about on that night. Underestimating her comprehension, as I usually do, I simplified my answer to, “I am going to be talking about how to tell people about Jesus.” “Dad, that’s easy. Why do you need a class?” was the profoundly elementary reply.

As my wife looked at me with the all too familiar “what are you going to say now” look, I wondered, “what am I going to say now?” “Well, yes, Elisabeth, it can be easy, but…” And I fumbled around a bit and shoved my food in my mouth and ran out the door with my tail between my legs, soundly rebuked by my own conscience, aided by my traitorous six year old! This was the same girl that set me straight days later. We had the neighbor kids over playing around the house, which has become the norm with the warming of the weather. The children to our east are from a broken home, living most of the time with their father next door to us. On this particular afternoon, I could not find Elisabeth. Seeking help from Rebekah, my 5 year old, I was informed she and Wesley, the little boy from next door, had gone upstairs. Now, Elisabeth knows not to bring the neighborhood kids into the house without their parents permission, especially upstairs to the bedrooms. So I went in to retrieve them, already prepared to deliver a little lecture. As I reached the top of the stairs, I saw them in my bedroom. Now there was real trouble. I sent Wesley downstairs and sent Elisabeth to her bedroom. Once Wesley was out of earshot, I demanded, none too quietly, “Why did you have Wesley in the house? Why were you upstairs, and why were you in my room? You know…” and on the lecture began. When I finally came up for air and let Elisabeth speak, she gave me her story. She and Wesley had been sitting on the front porch and she was trying to tell Wesley about his need of trusting Jesus. She decided she needed her Bible and Rebekah kept interrupting them. So she invited Wesley to come inside with her so she could get her Bible and look up John 3.16. She could not find her Bible and was in my room to get an extra one off our bookcase.

Right, egg all over my face! Sometimes the important lessons we learn come from unexpected places.

But what of the brief comment Elisabeth made at our dinner table that Tuesday evening, “Dad, that’s easy!” Is “telling people about Jesus” easy? I am not sure that question has a simple answer. In one sense, we can answer with a resounding “Yes!” Gospel-speak should naturally flow off the lips of every true believer. We should be able to say like Paul (and my daughter) “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!” (Rom 1.16). But in another sense, sharing the gospel with people can be difficult. There are certain elements of the gospel that, when brought together, form the heart of the matter: namely, the holiness of God, the utter inability of man, the sufficiency of Christ and the necessity of faith alone in Christ alone. Any presentation of the gospel minus any of these core elements is not a complete gospel. We must be careful not to dumb down the gospel in our great desire to share the life-transforming hope of Jesus Christ.

So, as Elisabeth reminded me, it is easy! But it is hard work at the same time. Does Gospel-speak flow naturally from your lips? Do you accurately communicate the heart of the Gospel to people in your sphere of influence? Are you ashamed of the Gospel? Remember: it is the power of God for those who believe!

Grace to You!

Remember...

2005-06-01T16:16:00.000-04:00

Not sure why these thoughts are running through my brain today, maybe something to do with the Memorial Day that just passed. My wife and I drove our three children around a local cemetery and mused about all the American flags and what they represented. Our daughters (age 6 and 5) were surprisingly keen to the sacrifice these brave men and women had made on behalf of our enduring freedom. Anyway, a few moments of musing today… remember…

Franklin Delano Roosevelt called December 7, 1941 “a day that will live in infamy.” I continue to be challenged, motivated and reminded of the ideals of the American heritage when I read the historical accounts of that day. Of course, I do not have firsthand experience from which to draw, having not been born until 1974.

I do remember, however, pulling out of the MacDonald’s drive through around 9 o’clock the morning of September 11, 2001. I had turned my radio off to order my medium coffee from the kind lady that I saw virtually every weekday morning on my way to the office. I turned my radio back on to the sound of Bill Wills, from WTAM 1100 AM, a Cleveland talk radio station, in a calm, yet obviously concerned voice saying something about what appeared to be a small plane running into the World Trade Center in New York City. Immediately, I was skeptical. I had been in the city recently. I had scene the skyline numerous times. “The World Trade Center doesn’t just appear out of nowhere”, I thought. There is almost no possibility that this was an accident. I drove into the parking lot of my office at Millersburg Baptist Church and sat in my truck to listen to the continued coverage. Just as I put my truck into park, the voice on the radio screamed with panic insisting that another plane just ran into the second tower of the World Trade Center. At that moment, along with rest of America, I understood our country was under attack on our own soil for the first significant time since 1941. The questions remaining were, “How big and far reaching would the full attack be?” “What was the next target?”

I went through such an unbelievable array of emotions sitting in my truck over the next 20 minutes. I was angry! How could anyone do this to our country? I was appalled that our government didn’t protect us. I was thankful that George W. Bush was president and not Al Gore. (This was ACTUALLY one of my first thoughts – and one of the first comments from my wife when I reported the event to her.) I was motivated. I was frustrated that my 8 years as an Army reservist were over, because I wanted to go get whoever did this. But after going through the 20 minute gamut of emotions, I realized I had a wife and a two daughters at home that I had to get back to and take care of. I turned my truck around and drove quickly back to my house.

My wife was at first pleasantly surprised to see me walk back in the door, assuming I had forgotten something and she would get another hug before I returned to the office. Then she saw my face, which apparently was still in a bit of shock. As I scrambled around looking for a portable radio (we had no T.V. in our house) I filled her in on the details. We finally got a radio station to come in when we held the radio in certain position in our bathroom! It was one of the first times I actually wished we cable television. We spent the rest of the morning listening to the newscasters speculate as to what happened in New York and Washington D.C. Then by late morning, I remembered… I was a pastor and I would have to address the congregation on Wednesday and Sunday regarding these horrible events. I had just started a series on Nehemiah. Do I proceed with the scheduled study or do I address the pressing issue of the day? It didn’t take me long to decide the priority of addressing the issue that would consume everyone’s mind.

As I sat at my desk that afternoon, I prayed intently that God would afford me wisdom from Him to know just how to address our folks regarding these horrible events. Do I address the sovereignty of God? Should I focus on the total depravity of man, the profound fact that each of us naturally have the capacity to carry out such a heinous act as this? Perhaps the focus should be the mercy and grace of God, looking at the tower that fell in Shiloam? I really didn’t know.
Through a period of earnest prayer, God directed my thoughts to Psalm 64. I was amazed as I studied these comforting words. I decided I wasn’t going to do a normal exposition of the text; rather I simply wanted to capture the heart of the psalmist and then spend some time as a church family in prayer. The message David communicates to us in Psalm 27 is Confidence in God through Communion with Him. We take courage, not in America, not in self, but in God alone. In the midst of contemplating the approaching attack of his enemies, David declared in v13, “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord.”

Do you have confidence in the goodness of the Lord in the face of overwhelming despair? Whatever it is we face that seems to place the weight of the world on our shoulders, we must hold fast to the goodness of God, the attribute whereby we gain confidence in the outworking of His divine plan.

The lessons September 11 have for America are deep and far reaching, indeed still being learned today. But the lessons for us as believers in the sovereign hand of Good God are exponentially more profound. God is always in control and God divine plan of love and redemption will never be thwarted.

Some folks put together a nice tribute to the heroes of September 11. Follow the link to watch, but as you do, remember the fallen heroes, but also remember the Good God we serve!

http://www.fdnylodd.com/BloodofHeroes.html

Grace to you!

Christian Biographies

2005-05-18T09:45:00.000-04:00

It was recently brought to my attention the significant impact the reading of Christian biographies had the spiritual and ministerial development of C.H. Spurgeon and George Whitfield. Scripture itself places emphasis on our learning from others around us and from those who have gone before us. We must always recognize the saints on whose shoulders we stand in the work of building God's church!

With that in mind, allow me to ask a question. What good Christian biographies have you recently read... contemporary or from generations gone by? Please post in the comment section so we can all add to our "must read" lists.

I am currently reading The Biography of Robert Murray McCheyne by Andrew Bonar. I recently finished a more contemporay biography, The Hand of Providence: The Faith of Ronald Reagan.

What are you reading that you would recommend?

Grace to You!

There Are No Athiests!

2005-05-18T09:37:00.000-04:00

EDITOR'S NOTE: This post is being republished. It was originally posted on Feb 23, 2005. In light of some recent study, I decided to repost it for your encouragement and interaction. Grace and Peace to you through our Lord Jesus Christ!

I teach a class at my church on Tuesday nights called Grace Evangelism. We meet at 6:00 PM for a time of study then go out on visitation. This week the topic of study was the evangelistic implications of Romans 1.18-20 and Romans 2.14-15.

Romans 1.18 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."

There are certain gospel truths that all humankind already know. God uniquely designed the entire universe to point to Himself. From creation, there are at least two attributes of God that all humanity have embedded on their minds. According to verse 20, all men clearly perceive God's eternal power and His divine nature.

God's eternal power is evidenced in His personal creation of all the world through the person of Jesus Christ and his moment by moment sustaining its very existence. Every man, woman and chiild who every lived or ever will live on this earth knwo that. Why do you think people instinctively call on God when an earthquake or a tsunami rattles their existence? Why do they call out to God when traumatic circumstance beset them? Because they instinctively know of the eternal power of God.

All humankind are also clearly aware of God's divine nature, that is His goodness and grace commonly spread to all humanity. To a limited degree, God's grace is made available to every person without regard to location, religion, gender, race, etc. He rains on the just and the unjust alike (cf Matt 5.45). This is why even the unsaved both plead for God to deliver rain and curse His name when they get too much of it. They know the divine nature of God.

Os, if the Bible is true, and I believe that it always is, there are no atheists! There may well be professing atheists, much as there are professing Christians who are not genuine. All men have the very existence of God already etched on their minds. According to verse 18, they "By their unrighteousness supress the truth." That means it is there, just pushed down under layers of disobedience, rebellion and denial. But it is there. I have a friend named John who claimed for many years to be an atheist. He is very intellectual, very sharp. The very beauty and order of the created world sent him on a religious search for the essence of reality and source of life. He eventually landed at the Gospel and God turned his life around. What was it in John that sent him searching for Truth? That's right, it was the very truth of God already inscribed on his heart.

What is the evangelistic implications of this truth? There are no atheists, so what of those who claim to be atheists? We do not argue for the existence of God or His authority. We rather confront the point of sinful rebellion by building on the foundation of truth God has already put in his heart. Evangelism is the work of God. We get to be His mouthpieces as He completes the work He began in creation!

Grace to You!

Blinded By Might

2005-05-04T10:13:00.000-04:00

According the ever vocal John Gibson over at “Fair and Balanced” Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,155422,00.html) “The very same team that was helping to get John Kerry elected, muttering the whole time that Bush lied to get the country into a war…” are now helping Prime Minister Tony Blair in his bid for a third term by insisting that he did not lie about the war. Interesting how Bush was a conniving liar and Blair was simply mislead. But hey, don’t let the facts get in the way of an agenda, by all means!

This really shouldn’t come as a surprise. Democrats, like most politicians (I almost said “all,” but I am still optimistic that there are a few honest ones out there) get blinded by their grab for power and influence that they readily compromise integrity. They simply assume most American won’t pay attention to what is happening on the other side of the big pond. They can say one thing here and another thing over there and be growing their power bases in both places. This is all par for the political course.

The concern I have this morning is the parallel that I see between modern politicians and many evangelical leaders. Power and influence are dangerous weapons that, when possessed, can be wielded to effect far reaching change. This is just as true for evangelicals as it is for politicians. This proven fact is demonstrated throughout recent evangelical history. For the most obvious example, look at the influence that Rev. Billy Graham has had on numerous American presidents. His son and assumed heir, Franklin Graham is already beginning to wield that political power that comes as a result of his status as an evangelical leader. Jerry Falwell, Pat Buchanan, Gary Bauer, Tony Perkins, James Dobson and more recently Al Mohler, are all examples of how evangelical influence translates to political influence. This can all be well and good, even helpful to the greater cause of evangelicalism, namely the spread the gospel of faith alone in Christ alone – the good news that Christ appeased the wrath of God and opens the narrow door of heaven for all who would believe in Him alone.

The rub comes when evangelical leaders, like their political counterparts, begin to compromise their integrity, or worse, the integrity of the gospel, to gain political clout. Democratic leaders like Bob Shrum and Stan Greenberg blatantly call Bush a liar and then rush to wrap their arms around Blair precisely because it seems apparent the Blair will glide to an easy victory and the Democrats want a bit of influence with Blair and other Europeans. So what if their integrity is a bit compromised? The political clout they will gain far outweighs any potentially negative press they will get here in the States. Evangelical leaders like Dobson are doing the same thing. They are sidling up with Roman Catholics, as well as many liberal evangelicals, that deny the very claims of the gospel in the hopes of gaining political clout to effect change. Those changes would be helpful and well received by most of us evangelicals, but not at the expense of throwing the gospel out the window.

As I have commented before, (as has Steve Camp and James White much more fluently – and boldly – as I) there is nothing helpful or loving about fixing the cultural and political climate while denying the claims of the gospel – the only means to fix the real issue of lost people’s hearts. Once the evangelicals have hijacked the political system and effected the desired changes, how will they be able to come back and preach the gospel of grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone that they have marginalized for the last decade?

No doubt about it, there is much needed political change in America, starting right here in Toledo and going all the way to the Supreme Court and even the White House. I am working to effect that change in small, grass roots ways. I hope to help in some small way to get Rob Ludeman elected Mayor of Toledo. I hope to be a part of getting Kenneth Blackwell elected Governor of Ohio. But in this process, I must never compromise the heart of the Gospel or my own integrity to effect a temporal change.

May evangelicals everywhere be able to say as Paul, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe.” (Rom 1.16)

Grace to You!

The Runaway Bride

2005-05-03T19:42:00.000-04:00

She may not be able to double as Julia Roberts, but Jennifer Wilbanks is going to be the butt of many jokes for a long time to come. Maybe rightfully so. Afterall, she sent local authorities on a very expensive and time consuming hunt for something that was never going to be found. She toyed with the emotions of a whole community (and thanks to the big media with nothing else to do, a whole country). There may be a legitimate price to pay for the taxpayer funded wild goose chase.

But let's slow down for a minute. My friend, Fritz Wenzel, a political and media consultant, made a striking observation on his blog (www.heartlandpolitics.com) regarding Ms. Wilbanks. Surely good can be found and grace can be given to this woman who got cold feet and had her second thoughts BEFORE she said her "I do." Now I am rarely one to suspend due process and release someone of the just consequences of breaking the law, but if ever there was a time to be very slow and cautious before pressing charges, this would be it. Think of how much heartache and trauma could be avoided if more people gave serious consideration to the deeply profound implications of saying "I do."

Marriages are a dime a dozen and finding so-called "clergy" that will "perform" them is easier than finding wasted taxpayer money at the local public school board. Americans have such a consumer driven idea of marriage that it will only be a matter of time until you will be able to get your marriage license signed at a drive through window.

This all throws out the Biblical imagery of marriage being the imperfect picture of how Christ perfectly loves His bride, the Church. God has called out for His own glory a people that He will present to Christ as His Bride. Christ endlessly, sacrificially, intentionally loves that Bride, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health. And we, His church, are very often, worse, poorer, and sick and yet Christ continues to love us. Even when we cheat on Him with our gods of self, pleasure, dreams, ambitions, etc... He loves us always.

Mr. John Mason, the would-be groom, has modeled a bit this kind of unconditional love. He has insisted that his love for her has in no way diminished. He wants to give her time to work through her problems and proceed with the relational commitment he has made. How many men you know would jump ship even AFTER the wedding if his partner did something like this? Mr. Mason understands the commitment he made and is sticking by it.

I pray that more people will give series consideration to the ramification of marriage before they go to the altar. I make it my goal, in the first counseling session I do with a couple leading up to marrying them, to convince them not to get married. If i can talk them out marriage in a one hour session, they shouldn't be getting married in the first place.

I hope we all learn something from this, regardless of what legal ramifications this might have on Ms. Wilbanks, they are far better than the far reaching devastation that would have resulted from her running a few days after then wedding instead of a few days before.

Grace to You!

Giving God Advice

2005-04-26T10:13:00.000-04:00

Surely he was speaking tongue-in-cheek, but his comments were quite interesting. During an audience with German Catholics, Benedict XVI offered a bit of telling humor. "As the trend in the ballots slowly made me realize that — in a manner of speaking, the guillotine would fall on me — I started to feel quite dizzy," the 78-year-old Benedict told his countrymen, smiling and chuckling. "I thought that I had done my life's work and could now hope to live out my days in peace. "I told the Lord with deep conviction, 'Don't do this to me. You have younger and better (candidates) who could take up this great task with a totally different energy and with different strength.' Evidently, this time he didn't listen to me."

See the whole story here –
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=518&u=/ap/20050425/ap_on_re_eu/pope&printer=1

Again, in this immediate context, it is obvious that Benedict XVI was “working the crowd.” He was having some fun. But it is quite telling regarding his theological persuasion. Of course the Pope thinks he can not only give God advice, but actually add to or change the existing, authoritative and final Word of God. If you believe that theology evolves it must be interpreted by someone. The Catholic Church puts that onus on the Pope. He not only interprets the Scripture for the masses, he speaks authoritatively as the “vicar of Christ.” Thus, the development of Catholic Church traditions and writings are on even plain with the once delivered, final Word of God.

This is much like the so called progressive historians that believe the United States Constitution is an evolving document that must be interpreted and explain with each new generation. Thus, we have the oligarchy in black we call the Supreme Court that “interprets” (rather rewrites) the Constitution with each new case before them.
It is easy for us to take shots at the Catholic concept of giving God advice, however; we evangelicals as even worse. We claim to have a final authority in the Word and then live as though we can interpret that final authority based on our feelings or the relative circumstances of a given situation. How many times do we here comments like: “God has told me to…” “I feel God wants me to …” “God is leading me to …”

As Christians who claim to hold the view of the authority and sufficiency of Scripture, we must be careful to let the Word speak in its historical, grammatical, contextual reality first. Only then can we had an idea of what the Scripture calls us to do today. God only speaks through His Spirit revealing His Word to the minds of regenerate men and women.

I believe in the priesthood of every believer, but not the infallibility of every man’s feelings.
Some things to think about this morning!

Grace to You!

The Burden of Leadership

2005-04-25T13:19:00.000-04:00

My friend Steve Camp has once again sounded the alarm for the recognized leaders of the Evangelical community to stand up and be counted on the side of the Gospel. Read his compelling plea at his web ministry Audience One in an article titled The New Religious Common Ground. http://a1m.org/index.php

Allow me to muse here regarding the burden I feel as one who has accepted a certain level of leadership in the evangelical world, much lesser than the likes of Steve Camp or the men he calls out in his article. Even less than my own Senior Pastor, however, a certain level of influence I do have and thus the burden of onus is upon me properly exercise that influence.

Three passages come to my mind, so allow me to briefly comment on each.

James 3.1-2 speaks of leadership in terms of ones role as a communicator. “1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2For we all stumble in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” (ESV) Here we see the challenge of leadership to be one of controlling our tongue. The text goes on to emphasize the untamableness of the Herhuman tongue. The power and greatness of the spoken word ios referred to as a bit in horse’s mouth, a rudder on a ship, a small spark that ignites a devastating forest fire, and a wild beast. The context is clear, for in verse 13 James continues speaking of leadership and maturity in the area of wisdom. Therefore, one of the great challenges of leadership (i.e. “teaching”) is to be careful what you say and when and how you say it. As evangelical leaders, we must be unquestionably clear on, above all else, the heart of the gospel. Our tongues cannot spill forth words of praise for a man who teaches such heresies as papal infallibility and grace received from the Treasury of Merit dolled out in accordance to penance and yet speak of grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. As James 3.11-12 says “11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.” Clear, bold challenge for teachers/leaders to speak clearly the gospel.

2 Timothy 1.8-14 is Paul’s exhortation to Timothy to guard with great diligence the gospel that has been entrusted to him. “(8) Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God… (14) By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” (ESV) There is in Scripture an overwhelming and oft repeated call for leaders to contend earnestly for the faith. This is the repeated theme throughout the pastoral epistles of Paul, as well as the overarching theme of Christian ministry in general. A leader can do a lot of things well, but if you fail to stand firmly for the doctrines of grace, you fail your role as a spiritual leader. As Steve Camp so aptly remarked, “it doesn’t matter if we work hard to get proper medical supplies, food and water to those who are starving to death in impoverished countries, but fail to provide them the nourishment needed for their starving souls—the Bread of Life—the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Matt 18.1-6 is perhaps the most grace and fearful of the challenges of leadership. In response to a question regarding greatness (i.e. leadership) in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus calls a little child to himself. He then uses this child to illustrate the humbleness needed to come to faith in Christ. After the question is answered, Christ uses the opportunity he created to emphasize the need for those who do humble come to faith in Christ like a child to be taught/lead. He gives this warning to those who would assume the role of leading these new humble Christians. “5Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” The onus of faithful leadership is weighty.

Indeed, every individual believer will give an account for his beliefs and actions, but those who stand in leadership will be given a stricter judgment and have a weightier task of carefully choosing where, when and what to speak. May God graciously give to me the wisdom necessary for such a huge task.

Grace to You!

Semi-pelagian Catechism

2005-04-21T14:59:00.000-04:00

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EDITOR'S NOTE (ADDED 4/26): I am a dispensationally minded, reformed leaning (maybe I already fell over) Baptist. The tongue-in-cheek catechism below was clearly written by a covenant minded Presbyterian, hence the jokes about Baptism and Israel. But it is still sadly, humorous. Don't take it too seriously, have some fun!
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WARNING! If you think you might be able to do something worthy of earning heaven, you might be a bit offended... but read on anyway!

The Semi-Pelagian Narrower CatechismThe Semi-Pelagian Narrower Catechism
1. Q: What is the chief end of each individual Christian?
A: Each individual Christian's chief end is to get saved. This is the first and great commandment.

2. Q: And what is the second great commandment?
A: The second, which is like unto it, is to get as many others saved as he can.

3. Q: What one work is required of thee for thy salvation?
A: It is required of me for my salvation that I make a Decision for Christ, which meaneth to accept Him into my heart to be my personal lord'n'saviour

4. Q: At what time must thou perform this work?
A: I must perform this work at such time as I have reached the Age of Accountability.

5. Q: At what time wilt thou have reached this Age?
A: That is a trick question. In order to determine this time, my mind must needs be sharper than any two-edged sword, able to pierce even to the division of bone and marrow; for, alas, the Age of Accountability is different for each individual, and is thus unknowable.

6. Q: By what means is a Decision for Christ made?
A: A Decision for Christ is made, not according to His own purpose and grace which was given to me in Christ Jesus before the world began, but according to the exercise of my own Free Will in saying the Sinner's Prayer in my own words.

7. Q: If it be true then that man is responsible for this Decision, how then can God be sovereign?
A: He cannot be. God sovereignly chose not to be sovereign, and is therefore dependent upon me to come to Him for salvation. He standeth outside the door of my heart, forlornly knocking, until such time as I Decide to let Him in.

8. Q: How then can we make such a Decision, seeing that the Scripture saith, we are dead in our trespasses and sins?
A: By this the Scripture meaneth, not that we are dead, but only that we are sick or injured in them.

9. Q: What is the assurance of thy salvation?
A: The assurance of thy salvation is, that I know the date on which I prayed the Sinner's Prayer, and have duly written this date on an official Decision card.

10. Q: What is thy story? What is thy song?
A: Praising my Savior all the day long.

11. Q: You ask me how I know he lives?
A: He lives within my heart.

12. Q: And what else hast thou got in thine heart?
A: I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.

13. Q: Where??
A: Down in my heart!

14. Q: Where???
A: Down in my heart!!

15. Q: What witness aid hath been given us as a technique by which we may win souls?
A: The tract known commonly as the Four Spiritual Laws, is the chief aid whereby we may win souls.

16. Q: What doth this tract principally teach?
A: The Four Spiritual Laws principally teach, that God's entire plan for history and the universe centereth on me, and that I am powerful enough to thwart His divine purpose if I refuse to let Him pursue His Wonderful Plan for my life.

17. Q: What supplementary technique is given by which we may win souls?
A: The technique of giving our own Personal Testimony, in the which we must always be ready to give an answer concerning the years we spent in vanity and pride, and the wretched vices in which we wallowed all our lives untilthe day we got saved.

18. Q: I'm so happy, what's the reason why?
A: Jesus took my burden all away!

19. Q: What are the means given whereby we may save large crowds of souls in a spectacular manner?
A: Such a spectacle is accomplished by means of well-publicized Crusades and Revivals which (in order that none may be loath to attend) are best conducted anywhere else but in a Church.

20. Q: Am I a soldier of the Cross?
A: I am a soldier of the Cross if I join Campus Crusade, Boys' Brigade, the Salvation Army, or the Wheaton Crusaders; of if I put on the helmet of Dispensationalism, the breastplate of Pietism, the shield of Tribulationism, and the sword of Zionism, having my feet shod with the gospel of Arminianism.

21. Q: Who is your boss?
A: My boss is a Jewish carpenter.

22. Q: Hath God predestined vessels of wrath to Hell?
A: God hath never performed such an omnipotent act, for any such thing would not reflect His primary attribute, which is Niceness.

23. Q: What is sanctification?
A: Sanctification is the work of my free Will, whereby I am renewed by having my Daily Quiet Time.

24. Q: What rule hath God for our direction in prayer?
A: The rule that we must bow our hands, close our heads, and fold our eyes.

25. Q: What doth the Lord's Prayer teach us?
A: The Lord's Prayer teacheth us that we must never memorize a prayer, or use one that hath been written down.

26. Q: What's the book for thee?
A: The B-I-B-L-E.

27. Q: Which are among the first books which a Christian should read to his soul's health?
A: Among the first books which a Christian should read are the books of Daniel and Revelation, and The Late Great Planet Earth.

28. Q: Who is on the Lord's side?
A: He who doth support whatsoever is done by the nation of Israel, and who doth renounce the world, the flesh, and the Catholic Church.

29. Q: What are the seven deadly sins?
A: The seven deadly sins are smoking, drinking, dancing, card-playing, movie-going, baptizing babies, and having any creed but Christ.

30. Q: What is a sacrament?
A: A sacrament is an insidious invention devised by the Catholic Church whereby men are drawn into idolatry.

31. Q: What is the Lord's Supper?
A: The Lord's Supper is a dispensing of saltines and grape juice, in the which we remember Christ's command to pretend that they are His body and blood.

32. Q: What is baptism?
A: Baptism is the act whereby, by the performance of something that seems quite silly in front of everyone, I prove that I really, really mean it.

33. Q: What is the Church?
A: The Church is the tiny minority of individuals living at this time who have Jesus in their hearts, and who come together once a week for a sermon, fellowship and donuts.

34. Q: What is the office of the keys?
A: The office of the keys is that office held by the custodian.

35. Q: What meaneth "The Priesthood Of All Believers"?
A: The Priesthood Of All Believers meaneth that there exists no authority in the Church, as that falsely thought to be held by elders, presbyters, deacons, and bishops, but that each individual Christian acts as his own authority in all matters pertaining to the faith.

36. Q: Who is the Holy Spirit?
A: The Holy Spirit is a gentleman Who would never barge in.

37. Q: How long hath the Holy Spirit been at work?
A: The Holy Spirit hath been at work for more than a century: expressly, since the nineteenth-century Revitalization brought about by traveling Evangelists carrying tents across America.

38. Q: When will be the "Last Days" of which the Bible speaketh?
A: The "Last Days" are these days in which we are now living, in which the Antichrist, the Beast, and the Thief in the Night shall most certainly appear.

39. Q: What is the name of the event by which Christians will escape these dreadful entities?
A: The event commonly known as the Rapture, in the which it is our Blessed Hope that all cars driven by Christians will suddenly have no drivers.

40. Q: When is Jesus coming again?
A: Maybe morning, maybe noon, maybe evening, and maybe soon.

41. Q: When the roll, roll, roll, is called up yonder, where will you be?
A: There.

42. Q: Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah!
A: Praise ye the Lord!

43. Q: Praise ye the Lord!
A: Hallelujah!

44. Q: Where will we meet again?
A: Here, there, or in the air.

45. Q: Can I hear an Ay-men?
A: Ay-men.

WHY DO I FEEL THE NEED TO DEFEND POPE BENEDICT XVI

2005-04-21T11:50:00.000-04:00

The pope is a heretic. Catholic theology is heretical. They deny the sufficiency of the perfect sacrifice of Christ. The Scriptures calls for this kind of heresy to be an anathema. Why do I feel the need to go to the defense of Pope Benedict XVI?

It is amazing, though not surprising, the extremely negative, though guarded, opinions set forth regarding the elevation of Cardinal Ratzinger to the papacy on the editorial pages of the elite American media. A survey of April 20 editorials alone was telling. The New York Times had five articles focused on Benedict XVI. Four had extremely negative headlines and bias. They called him “conservative” eighteen times. 18! The Los Angeles Times said of Ratzinger, “serving as the pope's doctrinal enforcer... he has been a largely polarizing force in the church, coming down hard on Catholic leaders who sought social justice in Latin America or dissented from the Vatican in their teachings.” How dare the man charged with defending Catholic orthodoxy actually defend Catholic orthodoxy! What a… a… CONSERVATIVE. As if they couldn’t come up with a worse term. The Washington Post said, “we hope he'll weigh the possible benefits of new medical technologies, and not dismiss them out of hand,” referring to Ratzinger's long held argument against reproductive technology, human cloning, and stem cell research. The Boston Globe lamented the fact the Benedict XVI would continue the hard line regarding priestly celibacy and ordination of women, hinting that these were the chief reasons for the decline of the faithful American Catholics. Maureen Dowd, the ever honest and fair columnist (Gag me!) made a concerted effort to point out Ratzinger’s involvement in the Hitler Youth organization as a young teenager in Bavaria, Germany. She conveniently failed, however, to mention that in Bavaria participation was compulsory and that Ratzinger deserted the Nazi Army after being drafted at age 16. But hey, don’t let the facts get in the way of your bias, Maureen, that has never stopped you before!

Again, why am I rushing to the defense of a Catholic heretic? The elite, mainstream media will continue to disparage anyone with conviction. Anyone who has the audacity to claim to know a certain absolute truth will be marginalized and categorized as an extremist. Pope Benedict XVI is the not the first and will certainly not be the last to be called an extremist, anti-intellectual, right-wing, conservative, simply because he holds to the existence of absolute truth. Look at Rev. Jerry Falwell. He is frequently demonized for his public stance on conservative, biblical morality. Admittedly, his methods are often unnecessarily acerbic, however, his conviction of the absolute authority of the Word of God is what brings him the bulk of his criticism.

Scripture reminds us to preach the word in season and out of season, warning that people will not put up with sound doctrine, but rather gather teachers that feed their passions. Today the passions of Americans include promiscuity, the elevated role of women to leadership positions, denominational and even religious ecumenism and many others. Passions are what drive us. People gather unto themselves teachers that will tell them what they want to hear and make them feel good. Anyone who place authority outside of the individual passions of the people will be marginalized and demonized.

Any evangelical preacher worth his salt will understand what I am saying. If people have never been offended by the preaching of the word under your ministry, you are not unashamedly preaching the gospel. The cross and the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ alone offends the unbeliever, and many so-called believers as well.

Pope Benedict XVI will continue to be categorized as a polarizing figure. He will be cast as an un-enlightened old-school conservative. But remember, the “orthodoxy” that makes Benedict XVI such a polarizing figure is heresy. He holds that Mary is the Co-Repemptrix, the Church (meaning the papacy) is absolutely authoritative and the Priest, as a papal representative, can absolve the sin of the faithful who do proper penance.

We must continue to stand against the heresy of Romanism and guard our people from the wolves that present themselves in the sheep’s wool. However, we must be reminded from the elite media attention that Benedict is getting, we will be challenged, even demonized, when we stand for the absolute truth of God’s Word.

Stand firm my friends, the days are evil.

Grace to You!

Habemus Papum!

2005-04-19T15:13:00.000-04:00

We have a Pope!

So went the cry of "the faithful" in The Vatican! With the selection of the German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the new Pope, we can be fairly certain the Romanists will keep pace with the conservative cultural fight of the days. The Vatican will use its bully pulpit to argue against human cloning, abortion, birth control and ordination of women or homosexuals. For that we can be thankful.

We can, however, also be certain that Mary will continue to be worshipped, priests the world over will attempt to re-present the death of Christ at every mass and "the faithful" will continue to do penance for "the absolution of their sin."

I do not go on the record with predictions too often. However, let me offer my expectation that the Roman Catholic Church will see a quick and substantial influx of numbers attending mass. Then in short order the numbers will significantly decrease. The majority of Catholics, at least American Catholics, are far more cuturally liberal than John Paul II or Benedict XVI. They desire the ordination of women, if not homoselxuals. They do not practice the Catholic belief that birth control is wrong. They do not hold to a pro-life position. Just look at John Kerry or Ted Kennedy, or most any Catholic in your neighborhood. Catholics, much like most Americans, do not like the idea of someone having authority over them. As Ratzinger continues the tradition of the previous Pope of consolidating authority and control in Rome, the people in the pews will increasingly see the Church as irrelevant and outdated.

This bodes poorly for the Catholic Church. This same mentality, however, bodes poorly for evangelicals as well. I beleive the Bible teaches that the Church, as the pillar and ground of the Truth, has a certain authority in the lives of believers. People don't like that. When churches and pastors, preach authoritatively the doctrines of grace, people will flock away. Oh, some will come, as God continues to do the work of regeneration. But the statistics (usually) don't lie. More Americans are calling themselves religious, even "born-again." But less and less are actually darkening the doors of churchs (which gives at least one indicator of the genuinesness or lack thereof of their profession).

Anyway... there you go! Sorry to be negative today. But sometimes we must face reality. Preach the word in season and out of season... but do so with longsuffering. People will respond to God's word (He has promised that). They just might not do it as fast as we'd like!

Grace to you!

A Different Perspective on Evangelism

2005-04-15T14:25:00.000-04:00

Among the theologians that I read and learn from, I would not rank conservative commentator and best selling auther Ann Coulter close to the top. However, her comments last week (which I just got around to reading this afternoon) on the Brian Nichols / Ashley Smith / Purpose Driven life events were enlightening. Read the article titled "The Purpose Driven Left". Coulter's sharp, biting humor is hard to take for some. I rather find it an amusing way to deal with the harshness of today's news.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=index&cid=108

Obviously, beginning a gospel presentation with "God has a purpose for you" is very man centered. But even after a wobbly start, one can get to the holiness of God, the depravity of man (especially when talking to a cold blooded killer), the substitutionary atonement of Christ and the need for faith and repentance. The reports indicate that Nichols heart softened as he reckoned his sad state (which he watch personally on the T.V. commenting "I can't believe I am that same man") and compared it to what he could be. The exact account of what was shared we'll certainly never know. The genuineness of Nichols converstion will come to light as time passes (as it does for all of us). But this we can learn: But for the grace of God I too would be running around with a gun and knocking people off who got in my way of chasing what I wanted. But in God's sovereign grace, I am redeemed, transformed, a new creation in Christ.

Please remember that Brian Nichols is no different than you and I. Neither is a man who claims infallibility as Head of the Church. Nor is an arrogant news reporter claiming to know all. A drunk, homeless man sitting in the park or the prostitute parading around the streets are neither any more or less depraved than you and I. They are no worse or better than you and I. We are all born with only the capacity for the worst of all sin. In my natural state of depravity, as an enemy of God, I might just as fast as anyone assume the be infallible. I might (and sometimes probably do) think I know everything. Yet God, who is rich in mercy, saved me.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I am found
Was blind, but now I see!

Grace to You!

Do Romanist really believe the Pope is Holy Trinity?

2005-04-14T15:03:00.000-04:00

As 115 Bishops gather in a secret conclave in the Sistine Chapel under the historic work of Michelangelo, the world waits to see who will be the next man to claim holy inerrancy. I find it interesting that by the vote of 115 bishops a man is declared to be, from that point forward, inerrant and assumes holy names for himself that the Scripture ascribes to God alone. I want to examine three of those here.

“The Holy Father”

How often do we hear on the news or read in the paper someone referring to John Paul II as the “Holy Father?” This name more than the others gives attention to the hierarchical structure of the Roman Catholic Church. They believe this man elected by other men to be the head of the Roman Church to be worthy of a title that Jesus says belongs to God alone. In Matthew 23.9 Jesus tells his followers, “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” Jesus is in the midst of exposing the gig of the Pharisees, who “say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places” (v3-7) He warns of setting yourself up as one who claims to have superiority over others. Certainly we understand that within the structure of the Church, God has established order and structure; however, we must exercise such leadership with great care and in all humility. The name “Father” is reserved for God alone for it assumes not only positional headship but superiority of essence. Then to be so bold as to attach the descriptive “Holy!” I tremble when folks at our church call me “Pastor.” What a weight of responsibility! In assuming the adjective “Holy” the Pope is declaring a status the Scripture indicates we will not attain until we reach Glory.

"The Pontiff"

To pontificate means to “make a bridge” The etymology of the word is Latin, from pont-, “bridge” + facer “to make.” Therefore, assuming the title “Pontif” is to assume the right and responsibility to be one's bridge to God. The Pope claims to be the one who gives the faithful access to God. Thus the Pope, and the rest of the Holy Mafia, can offer forgiveness, absolution, etc in exchange for various indulgences. The Scripture teaches there is only one mediator between God and Man. That mediator is not Mary! It is the man Jesus Christ (1 Tim 2.5,6) In fact the writer of Hebrews also reminds us of the intercessory role of Christ. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (4.14-16). Neither the Pope, nor anyone else, can take the mediatory role of Christ.

“The Vicar of Christ”

A “vicar” is one who serves as a substitute or agent. It comes from the Latin vicarius, also the root of the English word “vicarious,” as in the vicarious (substitutionary) atonement of Christ. By assuming this title, the pope actually claims to be the one who stands in the stead of Christ. This is how the pope, as well as other Roman Catholic clergy believe they have a right to delcare “Your sins are absolved!” to a faithful Catholic who observes the Sacrament of Penance. The Bible declares that it is Christ alone who stands as our Advocate before God. It is His privilege to deliver to us the absolution of our sins as a result of the once for all sacrifice He made on the cross. But the Pope claims to be standing in the stead of Christ. There is only one “vicar of Christ.” In John 16.5-15 Jesus promises, “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.” Christ declares that the Holy Spirit will be His vicar. The Holy Spirit will stand in the stead of Christ. No man, no pope is ever to blasphemously claim to be the vicar of Christ.

Thus in assuming the three blasphemous names of “Holy Father,” “Vicar of Christ,” and “Pontificate,” the Pope is taking the role and assuming the very identity of the Holy Trinity - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Thus the origin of the historical claims of Biblical Protestants that the Papacy is the seat of the Antichrist. Whether Pope John Paul II is in fact THE Antichrist prophesied in Scripture is yet to be determine. It is, however, certain that The Pope, all popes, are antichrists. Drawing attention away from the real Savior Jesus Christ and redirecting it to the Church, Mary or The Pope himself.

As Bible believing Christians, we must continue to warn of the wolves in sheep's clothing and faithful proclaim the once for all, finished, sufficient sacrifice of Christ alone.

Grace to You!

Nightmare at Panera

2005-04-14T14:58:00.000-04:00

I am sitting in a Panera eating an Asiago Roast Beef sandwich (which I love!). I typically find Panera to be a great place to get away from my office for a bit to read, study or write. Panera offers free wireless internet access and as much Hazelnut House Blend coffee as I can drink. Contrary to how this sounds, it is not a commercial for Panera. In fact, I am doing everything in my power not to get up and storm out of here this very moment. It must be the beautiful Spring day that brings them out. Today Panera is filled with mothers and preschool age children. It might have something to do with the fact the this particular café is located adjacent to the largest mall here in Toledo. But they are out in droves!

To my right is three mothers with a total of five children, the oldest can’t be more than four years old. They are very well behaved. Eating politely and (mostly) quietly. In fact the oldest of the kids is actually holding and bottle feeding a newborn. A beautiful picture. On my left, however, is a mother and presumably a grandmother (neither one deserving such esteemed titles) and two of the most disrespectful children I have ever seen. I was just coughed on – I mean directly coughed on! This brother and sister are yelling, pushing and playing tug-o-war with the high chair. Another couple of ladies just got up, gathered their meals and all the papers they were shuffling through and moved to a table as far away as possible, and threw back a few glares like only women can as they walked away. The mother of the monsters didn’t even notice. She is too busy drinking her pop to notice her own children let alone the glares of the customers whose lives and lunches she is ruining. It is like a scene from a movie. The monsters are now licking, yes that is what I said, licking the exit doors and blocking the way of the kindly old ladies trying to get out. Oh, mommy just notices the nightmare. “Sammy, come here!” That’s all we get, “Sammy, come here!” This will be one of those instances that require a mop and a bucket of disinfectant cleaner when the mob finally leaves.

Now, understand I have three children with a fourth on the way. I know children can be crazy at times, even monstrous. Elisabeth, Rebekah and Jonathan are not angels. They present their challenges in many a public place. Ask my wife about trying to get them from their classrooms, retrieve their coats and get them to the van after a Sunday morning service, all the while trying to be the friendly, caring Pastor’s wife that she is. It is often not a pretty scene – it is after all nap time and lunch time.

This whole mob situation to my left causes me to praise the Lord for my wife once again. Together we have worked diligently, though not always consistently, at raising our children to reflect the graces of Christ in their everyday lives. Our children are just that – children. They are not angels, but neither are they monsters. That is a direct result of discipline on the part of my wife and I! Left to themselves they would in fact be monsters. They would be much like the little demons that have finally left here (and by the way, the mop and bucket have arrived!) I am reminded that I must be ever faithful in the work of shepherding the hearts (and indeed the actions) of my children. Correcting them when they lick a door or cough on a nice gentleman typing on his computer is important, but that will not change behavior. Stern, immediate discipline coupled with the long term discipleship efforts will produce a heart of obedience and life that honors the Lord. It doesn’t happen immediately, but it must start in the immediate. A swift stern paddle across the buttocks will not alone change behavior. But coupled with an intentional teaching plan that involves planned moments of instruction and spontaneous life lessons will, over the long haul, produce the desired result of Christlikeness in them.

May we be ever faithful to the most important task we have been given as parents, nurturing Christian maturity in our children.

Grace to You!

Some favorite links

2005-04-14T09:50:00.000-04:00

It might be a bit like a local "Mom & Pop" ice cream shop encouraging you to visit Dairy Queen or a "Jim Bob's Used Car's" telling to go see the big new Ford dealership downthe street, but I am going to encourage you to visit a few of my favorite sites. Of course, they are far better in terms of style and substance than what I am posting. I trust you will find them helpful.

Here is a list of my favorite sites:

http://www.9marks.org/ - The ministry of Mark Dever and 9 Marks of a healthy church

http://www.crosswalk.com/news/weblogs/mohler/ - Dr. Al Mohler's Blog

http://www.alliancenet.org/ - The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals

http://aomin.org/ - The apologetic ministry of Dr. James White

http://a1m.org/index.php - The thoughtful ministry of Steve Camp

http://www.mlj.org.uk/ - Martin Llyod Jones Recording Trust - hear recorded sermons of the great expositor himself

http://www.monergism.com/ - Good website on church ministry and conservative theology

http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/ - My other hobby, when I am not teaching or reading

http://www.johnnybronco.blogspot.com - the thoughts of a friend of mine who is just starting his seminary training at Southern.

These are some of my most frequently visited sites. So be encouraged! Read! Study to show yourself approved!

Waking Up In Perdition

2005-04-09T22:43:00.000-04:00

I wish I could be done writing about the passing of John Paul II, but the news will not let it go. There is coming soon the announcement of yet another man to assume the blasphemous titles of "Holy Father," "Vicar or Christ," and "Pontificate." In a soon coming post we will look at how the Bishop of Rome, in assuming these three names, presumptively takes upon himself the very names of the three persons of the Holy Trinity.

In th meantime, let me comment about a another evangelical leader that I greatly respect. In my role as Director of Operations at a Christian Camp and Retreat Center, I had the privilege of partnering in minstry with Steve Camp. Steve in a legend in Christian Music. I greatly appreciate thetheological depth and biblical commitment presented in his music. In the past few years I have come to appreciate Steve even more so as a bold, clear communicator of Truth. When many evangelical leaders are caving to ecumenism and blurring the truth of the gospel, Steve has been faithful in standing for the heart of the Gospel. He is truly a "no holds barred" proclaimer of Truth. See here his most recent posts of the final "resting place" of John Paul II. Warning! Reading this post will be dangerous to any inkling of ecumensim you might posses! Be challenged!

http://a1m.org/index.php

Grace to you!

Standing in the Tradition of Luther

2005-04-08T11:51:00.000-04:00

The attempt to undo the Reformation continues full speed ahead. This time however, one evangelical leader that I greatly respect threw the gospel under the runaway bus of ecumenism and political clout. Dr. Al Mohler appeared on Focus on the Family with Dr. James Dobson and two prominent Catholics yesterday (4/6) and failed to defend the gospel. To be fair, Dr. Mohler did not acquiesce to the ecumenical heritage of Dobson, but he didn’t stand firm to call the pope the heretic that he was either. John Paul II blatantly denied the sufficiency of the gospel of Jesus Christ time and again in his encyclical writings, as I have presented the last couple of days. But Mohler passed on the opportunity to stand in the tradition of Luther and defend the heart of the gospel. Very disappointing indeed! Hear the discussion here: http://www.family.org/fmedia/broadcast/a0036100.cfm

My Senior Pastor Philip DeCourcy took full advantage of the necessary opportunity to point out the wolf in sheep’s clothing that was Pope John II. He went through some key theological heresies that appear in the Pope’s encyclical writings. He also dealt with the various blasphemous titles that the Pope took unto himself. Our folks responded very well to the gracious, yet firm, manner in which the material was presented.

While ultimately, a biblical heritage is fundamental, we must also remember the men on whose shoulders we evangelicals stand. These men, in the tradition of Luther, stood often to their death, for the grace of God in Christ alone. The London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 in Section 26: Of the Church, line 4 states "The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by the appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order or government of the church, is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner; neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof, but is that antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the church against Christ, and all that is called God; whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." Read for yourself here:
http://www.vor.org/truth/1689/1689bc00.html

Now it seems apparent that John Paul II is not The Antichrist - otherwise, he will be rising from the dead soon and my pre-tribulational rapture position is wrong! But it is quite clear that John Paul II and the Roman Catholic Church are anti-christ in the sense that they completely deny, from the Council of Trent all the way through Vatican II, the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

Will evangelicals stand up for the gospel or melt into the mucky pool of theological compromise while grasping for political power? I will continue to stand with Luther to call the wolves within the fold of the church to repent. I will not stand with them to gain any political clout. Nor do I believe that we can best glorify God by joining hands for the purpose of promoting a "form of godliness while denying the power therof" with those who deny the sufficiency of the cross of Christ.

In Acts 20.29 Paul reminds the Ephesian elders that “fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.” May we be ever vigilant to guard our flocks from the wolves that infiltrate the ranks of true believers.

Grace to you!

Evangelical Youth Ministry Leader Calls for “Protestants” to Be “Embracients”

2005-04-08T11:49:00.000-04:00

More from the mushy, watered down, theologically-empty evangelical front! I just read this article with absolute disgust. It proves once again that most Protestants have no idea why they are Protestants. Maybe we don’t want to wear the tight collars or habits on our heads. Maybe we like a guitar at our worship services instead of candles (though that distinction in rapidly disappearing thanks to Brian MacClaren and the Emergent Church movement and the Charismatic inroads into the Catholic Church).

Did we forget the reason Martin Luther posted 95 disagreements with the Rome on the church door in Wittenberg in 1517? Is 500 years too long to remember? Apparently Mark Oestreigher of Youth Specialties either forgot, or found the Reformation unnecessary. Here are his comments on the division between Catholics and Protestants. “We protestants got our name because we're "protesters"—we were against some things in the Catholic church of that time. Unfortunately, that nexus has become part-and-parcel with who we have continued to be. If there's one thing that Protestants are really good at, it's not agreeing, it's reacting against (in protest) and starting something new.”

Actually, if the truth were to be told, “that nexus” of protesting “some things in the Catholic church of that time” has indeed not become “part and parcel with who we have continued to be.” That is the fundamental reason evangelicalism fails to have an eternal impact on our society. Evangelicalism as a whole has no theological distinction to speak of.

Anyway… read the whole mushy article from Mark Oestreicher, President of Youth Specialties here:

http://youthspecialties.com/about/news/2005/pope_john_paul_II.php

Did you catch his description of the false teachers of the Catholic parish in your neighborhood? “For all of us protestants (embracients!), this is a key point in history where we have the opportunity to embrace our Catholic brothers and sisters—our co-heirs in the church of Jesus Christ, fellow children of God.”

Let’s consider this thought being a “co-heir” and “fellow children of God.”

Romans 8.17 is where we discover the aspect of the grace of God that allows those who have be transformed by the sufficient, one-for-all sacrifice of Christ as “heirs of God and Joint heirs with Jesus Christ.” It is truly a profound thing that we sinners, both by nature and practice, will reign with Christ and be called “joint heirs” with Him. As those who have been regenerated by the faith alone in Christ alone we will be the heirs of the riches of the glory of God. This thought is closely connected to John 1.12-13, where we find that all those who receive the Him (that is Jesus), those who believe in His name (alone) have the right to called children of God. That means those who not trust in the name of Christ alone do not have the right to be called children of God.

These are very precious thought worthy of our mediation at some point. God allows us to be called his children, and as such, we are guaranteed the rights do children. We will be heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ! Amazing thought for a sinner such as I!

However, when we begin to ascribe those salvific blessings to those who deny the sufficiency of the cross of Christ, we deny the very impact of the grace of God. Mr. Oestriecher apparently believes that even those who teach that grace comes through Mary, the Church, the Papacy and the Sacraments should be embraced and called “fellow children of God.” Is Mr. Oestreicher deliberately denying the cross himself? Or is he simply acquiescing to the ecumenical spirit that now defines the so called Evangelical movement?

Either way, my the grace of God be boldly proclaimed today in the face of such rampant ecumenism that by its very nature denies the fundamental gospel of the grace of God in Christ!

Grace to you!

A link to a favorite Blog

2005-04-06T09:24:00.000-04:00

Here is a link that I would encourage you to check out. Dr. James White is an apologist and Executive Director of Alpha and Omega Ministries. You will find his entire site very valuable, particulary his recent posts on Roman Catholocism. Enjoy your reading!

http://aomin.org/index.php?itemid=333

2 Tim 2.14-16 "14Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness" (ESV)

Our quarrel is not over words or irreverent babbling, but an effort to "rightly handle the word of Truth" which is being thrown out at the expense of ecumenism, false piety and a general lack of "good courage" to "contend for the faith the was once delivered to the saints" Jude 3.

Grace to you!

There is One Mediator between God and Man

2005-04-05T10:56:00.000-04:00

As I continue to watch (and mostly read) the coverage of the death of John Paul II, I am amazed (though I shouldn’t be) at the extent of the Marian Theology. It is cult-like and very scary. Let me remind you of the comments I made yesterday regarding the Pope’s high view of Mary as the Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix.

From the “Redeemer of Man” – an encyclical letter of His Holiness John Paul II: “if we feel a special need, in this difficult and responsible phase of the history of the Church and of mankind, to turn to Christ, who is Lord of the Church and Lord of man's history on account of the mystery of the Redemption, we believe that nobody else can bring us as Mary can into the divine and human dimension of this mystery. Nobody has been brought into it by God Himself as Mary has. It is in this that the exceptional character of the grace of the divine Motherhood consists. Not only is the dignity of this Motherhood unique and unrepeatable in the history of the human race, but Mary's participation, due to this maternity, is God's plan for man's salvation through the mystery.”

You can read the whole of his encyclical letter on redemption here: http://www.cin.org/jp2ency/redeem.html

Did you catch that last comment? God’s plan for man’s salvation is Mary’s participation in bringing Christ to the world and participating in His suffering. She therefore becomes the Mother Grace. I actually heard another Vatican official comment the John Paul II was going to lay down his rewards at the feet of Mary! Presumably he believes that Mary will in turn lay his worship at the feet of God on his behalf. Hence the bad theology that Mary is the Mediatrix, or the mediator between God and Man. Read 1 Timothy 2.5,6: “5For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” (ESV) Who has the Scripture declared to be the one mediator between God and man? There is only one! The “Man Jesus Christ.” The word here translated mediator is from Greek mesites. The idea is we have one who acts as the link between two parties for the purpose of peace. Jesus is the link between sinful man and Holy God. Jesus is the one who brings the peace. Romans 5.1,2 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” How do we have peace with God? “Through Jesus Christ,” and by means of justification. It is this justification that allows us (verse 2) to “obtain access by faith into this grace.”

Without justification, there is no redemption. Justification comes at a cost. 2 Cor 5.21 is the most succinct and profound verse on the heart of the gospel. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Justification comes at the cost of imputation. Christ Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin on our behalf. He actually became the embodiment of sin itself, without ever sinning or diminishing His divine character. He did this to bear the totality of the God’s wrath against sin. Jesus paid the debt that appeased the wrath of God. Our sin was imputed to Christ Himself. But that is not all. There is another side to the coin of imputation. As our sin was imputed to Christ, His righteousness was imputed to us. Just as Christ never sinned, never became a sinner, never diminished His divine character, rather; He undeservedly bore the wrath of God in our substitution, we too undeservedly receive the righteousness of God. You cannot earn it, just as Christ could not earn the wrath of God. This imputation is initiated at the moment of faith.

Do you see how the false teaching that Mary might in anyway play a role as a Mediator nullifies the finished and sufficient work of Christ on the cross? Faith plus anything is indeed insufficient to save us from the wrath of God. By attempting to add to the already sufficient death of Christ as our propitiation, we in essence are denying the very power of that death. Faith plus baptism is not saving faith. Faith plus the sacraments is not saving faith. Faith plus church membership is not saving faith. Faith plus the work of Mary is not saving faith.

The cry of the Reformers is biblical and relevant in today’s world of mushy, “let’s just all get along” Christianity. “By Grade alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone!”

Grace to you!

Did Mary Open the Door of Heaven for John Paul?

2005-04-04T17:32:00.000-04:00

I heard on Fox News an official Vatican representative say that The Virgin Mary was holding open wide the doors of heaven for the Pope. At least we now know it isn’t St. Peter as all the jokes indicate! Shame on me, this is no laughing matter! Karol Wojtyla, from Wadowice, Poland died on Saturday afternoon EST. Mr. Woljtyla was popularly known as Pope John Paul II and was revered by the blasphemous name, “The Holy Father – vicar of Christ.” Don’t misunderstand me, please. There is good reason for us to respect and appreciate this good man. John Paul II was a key instrument, along with President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minsiter Margaret Thatcher, in bringing an end to Communism is the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. He was probably the bravest, boldest proponent of human dignity as any person in the 20th Century. He continued to voraciously argue against the ordination of women or homosexuals. He was a man who heralded peace. He sought to compensate for the failure of the Roman Catholic Church to fight against the slaughter of the Holocaust. By all accounts, John Paul II was a very good and influential man. If anyone could earn heaven, it was Karol Wojtyla.

However, we need to revisit the biblical doctrines of Justification, Imputation of Righteousness, Faith in Christ alone. Many evangelicals, such as Pat Robertson and Billy Graham, have continues to declare John Paul II a m"man of God" and assure us he is a "Christian." Even President Bush, who claims to be evangelical, said Saturday that the Pope had been ushered into his "well deserved eternal reward". Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said generally kind things regarding John Paul II, but they could not bring themselves to even hint that he might be in heaven. But we have the ever compassionate President Bush, who claims to be born again, sending John Paul straight to heaven, even though the Pope insisted that Mary was the “Mother of Grace” and the “Co Mediatrix” with Christ. Take a look at some of the beliefs of John Paul in his own words (emphasis mine):

1. September 8, 1982, Feast of the Birth of Mary, during a papal address to the sick: “Mary, though conceived and born without the taint of sin, participated in a marvelous way in the sufferings of her divine Son, in order to be Coredemptrix of humanity.”

2. From the “Redeemer of Man” – an encyclical letter of His Holiness John Paul II: “if we feel the feel a special need, in this difficult and responsible phase of the history of the Church and of mankind, to turn to Christ, who is Lord of the Church and Lord of man's history on account of the mystery of the Redemption, we believe that nobody else can bring us as Mary can into the divine and human dimension of this mystery. Nobody has been brought into it by God Himself as Mary has. It is in this that the exceptional character of the grace of the divine Motherhood consists. Not only is the dignity of this Motherhood unique and unrepeatable in the history of the human race, but Mary's participation, due to this maternity, in God's plan for man's salvation through the mystery.”

John Paul II had clearly declared his devotion to Mary “The Mother of God” and “Mother of the Church.” His own motto he chose for himself was "Totus tuus", "totally yours," addressed not to Jesus, but to Mary! For more from the very writing of John Paul II himself regarding his doctrine of redemption and the role of Mary see the following links:

http://www.cin.org/jp951213.html - Pope John Paul on Mary the Mediatrix

http://www.cin.org/JPIICoRedm.html - Pope on Mary Co Redemptrix

These thoughts ought to put great passion in your souls to share with your Catholic friends, neighbors and family members the true peace available from God in Christ alone. I will try to find time tomorrow to write regarding the doctrine of redemption and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness, but for now, please think for yourselves. On what grounds does one enter heaven? Will Mary be holding the door for anyone? Who is the “One Mediator between God and man?” Plenty to ponder.

Do not be “ashamed of the gospel of God, for it is the power of God for salvation to those who believe.” Now is the time to boldly proclaim the grace of God made available by Christ alone appropriated by Faith alone!

Grace to you!

Worship in the Laundry Room

2005-04-02T16:26:00.000-05:00

Last week was a great time of vacationing with my family. It was not rushed, packed or harried with a whole list of this to do, see, and experience. It was the kind of vacation where one gets to simply stay home and not go to work. Now for those of you who love your job as much as I do, you realize that being only 15 minutes from your office and yet not checking in is virtually impossible. I managed to only go in twice, just once to teach a class though.

The majority of my vacation time was spent playing with my kids, cleaning my garage and caring for my pregnant wife. That sounds good, doesn’t it? Believe me, she does a good job of taking care of herself and the rest of our family, she hardly needs my help. But, I was home for the week and wanted to give her some time to prop up her feet or lay down her head. I cleaned the kitchen. I picked up after the kids. I gathered the laundry. I swept the living room and dining room. Then… I cleaned the kitchen again. I picked up after the kids again. I gathered the laundry again. I swept the floor again. Every time I turned around there was something to pick up again, something to sweep again. It was getting depressingly repetitive. At one point, I walked to my wife and said to her, “There is no way I could do your job. It is depressing!”

Later that night as I sat on the couch, I thought about how my wife Crystal consistently, patiently serves her role as a wife, mother and homemaker. My wife clearly understands that what she is doing is not simply an act of service to me or to the children, though it is certainly that. It is much more. It is, for her, an act of worship to a beautiful God. Yes, she worships even in the laundry room.

Worship is not limited to what you experience in a large room with a group of people on Sunday morning. Worship is a lifestyle. See Hebrews 13.15,16 “5Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. 16And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Worship then involves a life that is lived in constant thanksgiving, recognizing that we can do nothing and have nothing of merit apart from God Himself. Even our worship itself is done “through Him” according to verse 15. We have nothing and can do nothing for God apart from God Himself. However, everything we do, must fit this pattern of thankful lips. A life of goodness and sharing is also an act of worship. As we go throughout our days, often routine, sometimes even a mundane, we must recognize we are worshipping something. The question is, what are we praising, who are we thanking, what drives us to do what we do? Are you driven by a desire to glorify yourself… to raise yourself up the corporate ladder? Perhaps you are worshipping your family and would give yourself wholly for the what you deem to be the good of your family. Or perhaps it is your boss. You want to impress and seek a smile from your boss.

We must remember, worship in its purest form occurs in the laundry room of the homemaker, the copy room of the office manager, and on the factory of the blue collar worker. What we do on Sunday morning is simply an overflow of a life of worship. If you approach a worship service anticipating the worship leader to provoke your spirit through song or testimony or in any other way, you are not even ready to think about worshipping, let alone actually worship. Worship is not a song, a sermon or cute sketch in a worship center. To be sure, these can be means of corporate worship, but they are the result of a life of worship… a life of praise, thanksgiving and goodness in our daily routines of life.

How many of us emotionally engage in “worship” on Sunday morning, but never even mention the Lordship and Jesus Christ and the Holiness of God in the daily routines of life. We sing with all our hearts, we even lift our hands in physical expression of what we feel. But those feelings do not translate into worship if they do not affect the lives we live.

Let this be a challenge to you as my wife has been to me. Worship should be the defining characteristic of a Christian life. Does your life point to the God from whom we gain our very life?

Grace to you!

Condi for President?

2005-03-17T15:22:00.000-05:00

March 2005 and we are bombarded with comments, suggestions and hints regarding who will battle for the President of the United States in November 2008. We are three and half years away from voting! President Bush has nearly four years left of administration. He has a far reaching, aggressive agenda. We really should be dominated by the careful scrutinizing of the presidents policies and plans, not focused on who might do what in 3 years. But that isn’t reality in American politics, is it?

So who might run for the GOP nomination? Rudolph Guliani, a pro-homosexual, pro-abortion, social moderate? John McCain, a renegade, make-a-name-for-myself, self-styled, fiscal conservative? Tom DeLay, a purported conservative Christian who as blameless as Vito Corleone? Dr. Bill Frist, (now we are talking) a quiet, behind the scenes, tough negotiator, a fiscal conservative with an aggressive bent towards foreign policy!

All road appear at this point to be leading to the ever popular Dr. Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State. Dr. Rice is very diplomatic, aggressively conservative in foreign policy, and genuinely an expert in the region of the world that currently requires most of our foreign policy attention. She has a far reaching network of trusted advisors. She is academic, yet down to earth. She claims to be a born again Christian and her outwardly displayed fruits appear to back that claim. Admittedly, I do not know much about her domestic policy, specifically in regards to fiscal concerns (which incidentally is a major concern to me with the current administration). However, what I do know about her social policies is very disheartening.

Dr. Rice appeared with the ever smug Tim Russert on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday March 13. After making light work of Mr. Russert’s pointed questions regarding, Lebanon, Hezbollah, Iraq, and poppy in Afghanistan, she waffled on a vital social question of our day. Observe:

MR. RUSSERT: You told the Washington Times on Friday you were mildly pro-choice. What does that mean?

DR. RICE: It means that like many Americans I find the issue of abortion very difficult. I believe it ought to be as rare as possible. Nobody wants to see anyone go through that. I favor parental notification. I favor a ban on late-term abortion. But I, myself, am not a fan of the government intervening in the laws.

MR. RUSSERT: You would not outlaw it?

DR. RICE: No.

You can read the whole context at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7173024/.

When I heard Dr. Rice admit, without any hesitation at all, that she would not seek to outlaw the brutal practice of abortion, she lost my vote and all my support for the presidency. She is and will continue to be a very good Secretary of State, serving under the authority and administration of President Bush; however, I cannot support her as a presidential nominee.

But I must say that her response was not at all surprising. It is the prevalent mantra of the socially moderate and left leaning American. “It is a difficult issue.” “It should be as rare as possible.” When is murder a difficult issue? Rare? That’s like saying domestic abuse should be rare. The goal is the eradication of such brutal crimes, not a decrease in their occurrence. Dr. Rice went on to say that she doesn’t favor the “government intervening in the laws.” Is that not the God-ordained and constitutionally dictated role of the government? Isn’t that what the Congress is supposed to do? Article !, Section 8 of the constitution specifically state that the Congress “shall have Power to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States.”
Someone should remind Dr. Rice of the Powers given to the Congress by the Constitution.

In reality, this is all irrelevant. We do not need the Congress to pass a law to ban murder. The laws regarding murder are already on the books. There never has been a law that makes abortion legal. There was an overreaching, legislative decision made by the Supreme Court that excused murder in the case of a child that is yet unborn. But there in no law originating in Congress (as the Constitution requires) for the legalization of murdering unborn humans. By calling abortion legal, we are buying in to the radical thought the judges can legislate from the bench. I just paused to reread Article III of the Constitution (that would be the section defining the role of the judiciary, in case you were unfortunate enough to attend one of most government schools that don’t teach our constitution anymore). The role of judges is not to make law. In fact it is not even to interpret law. The role of the judiciary is judicial. Profound? The Judicial branch the American government is called to enforce existing law. Our Supreme Court went beyond that reach by failing to enforce what had been the law of this land for 200 years. In fact, murder continues to be against any law in this country. We just don’t have a judiciary that will enforce the law. We don’t have legislature with enough will to exercise their Constitutional responsibilities.

I hope someone reminds Dr. Rice that our laws specifically forbid murder, including unborn humans. It is in fact the job of the government to intervene in the law, whether she favors it or not.

I cannot support Dr. Rice for President on the grounds that she fails to be willing to enforce the existing laws of the land and fails to recognize the right of all humans, even those as of yet unborn.

Let us pray that God will send a leader to our great land that has the wherewithal to lead, according to laws of the Constitution.

Grace to you!

Social Security... is that the government's job?

2005-03-14T10:15:00.000-05:00

President Bush has given Social Security “reform” the starring role in his domestic policy this year. He has a long road ahead of him to gain the needed support from his own party, let alone across the aisle. The President has crisscrossed the country pitching his plan for reforming the half-century old socialist hand out, all the while insisting that central to any long term reform would be partial privatization.

All the talk about Social Security leaves out one major part of the discussion. Should the government be controlling my retirement? Should this be included in the scope of government’s jurisdiction? Do you think our Founding Fathers had in mind a government so involved in the private lives of Americans that they demand we put aside money for retirement, in a government run “trust” account no less? Even the Federalist founders, such as Adams and Hamilton, that did have a broader idea of a stronger, federal government than did Washington, Jefferson and Monroe, had no thought a government as far reaching as FDR’s massive social programs that forever redefined the role of the American government, not the least of which was Social Security.

I don’t think it was in the scope of the God’s design for human government either. Romans 13.1-5 outlines some specific responsibilities of a God ordained government.

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.” (ESV)

This passage outlines only two responsibilities of a government. A God-ordained civil government (and they all are, no matter how evil – see verse 1 above), is called to encourage good and punish evil. That’s it! Verse 3 says that when we do good, we will receive the government's approval. When we do evil, we should be very afraid, for the government is given the responsibility to carry out the wrath of God with the “sword.” Earlier in this context (12.17-19) we are told not to take revenge on behalf of ourselves, trusting God to mete out His own vengeance. The means God uses to carry out that vengeance is civil government (13.4).

So in this limited scope of governmental responsibilities, where do we find a call to manage my mandatory retirement account? Is there a call for the government to craft a society that experiences parity in social status by taxing at a much higher percentage those who make more money and giving it out in social programs to those who make less? Is that the God ordained role of government? Is that even the role of government as designed by our Founding Fathers? Then again, there are gone and we know God’s will is not on the reference list for today’s politicians. So this is all irrelevant!

One final thought before I beg for your comments. If President Bush really believes that privatization is the savior of the social security program, why no go all the way? Why is he only proposing to “allow” us to personally invest 4% of our income? Notice the fancy language? It is as though we are getting some special privilege. We are still going to be forced by Uncle Sam (or should I say, Big Brother) to invest 4% of our income into a retirement plan and put an addition 8% or so into the big government pot so they can redistribute the wealth.

Don’t misunderstand me. I think it is wise, biblical stewardship for all of us to be saving, for emergencies now and life in the future. It is common sense, Christian living principles that should drive us to be good stewards of what we have. Joseph gave us a good example in saving during the seven fat years to survive during the seven lean years. But is it the role of the government to force me to do and then actually (poorly) manage those required accounts.

I would appreciate your comments. It is very important for us to have a biblical worldview that allows us to accurately interpret the news of the day.

Grace to you!

I'm back... and Coming soon...

2005-03-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

This blog has been silent for nearly two weeks. It doesn't seem that long, but indeed it has been. Two weeks ago, as I mentioned in my last post, I was in Los Angeles for a pastor's conference at Grace Community Church. It was excellent. I was encouraged, challenged, convicted and reinvigorated to faithfully carry out my duties as a shepherd. Much more will be said regarding this conference in coming posts.

Last week I was in Chicago all week. I took a group of students from our college ministry here at the church to be involved with Inner City Impact, an urban youth ministry located in the Logan Square and Humbolt Park areas of Chicago. It was a very eyes opening experience that was challenging and encouraging. The work being done their by B.J. Bechtel and the staff is unbelievable. Take a moment to check out their website - www.innercityimpact.org I will write more about this trip in the near future as well.

COMING SOON

Articles that are currently rolling around in my head that have not yet made it out my fingers...

1. Condi for President?
... wanna hear my answer? You probably won't like it.
2. The Foolishness of the Cross
... evangelistic implication of 1 Cor 1.18-31
3. Social Security ... or Social Engineering?
4. Safe in the Hood
... is the church as secure a place as an inner city gang?

PLEASE COMMENT

A large part of my goal with this Blog was to be sharpened by you, the readers. That only happens when you respond to my comments. Good, bad or indifferent, at least share your initial comments so we can encourage and sharpen one another.

Grace to You!

Trying Not to Make and Idol

2005-03-02T18:52:00.000-05:00

I write today sitting in the courtyard of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA! That's right! The church where my greatest theological and ministry influence shepherds. I am tremendously privileged to be at the Grace Church Shepherds Conference. Dr. MacArthur spoke this morning, giving us an introduction to a study of Jude - THE LONG HARD BATTLE FOR THE TRUTH. Unbelievable. I am trying not to sound like the proverbial "kid in a candy store," but let's face it... I am in the "Mecca" of fundamental Christendom.

Picture a 30 year old man. He has 8 years of marriage and 8 years of pastoral ministry under his belt. Still learning, but no spring chicken. He fathers 3 children. He is part of a an incredibly gifted pastoral staff. He is a level headed young man, most of the time. He would like to think of himself as fairly mature. Now... place this man right in the center of his greatest spiritual mentors, the men, who through their writings and teachings, have most influenced his thinking and practices. This same man who is usually level headed and mature is like a little leaguer standing in Yankee Stadium with Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Pedro Martinez and some of the other major league greats. The only thing greater for this little slugger would be to bring back the greats of yesteryear such as Babe Ruth or Cy Young. That is me. I am trying to keep my composure. But I am in the midst of John MacArthur, Al Mohler, R.C. Sproul and Phil Johnson. The only thing to make it better would be if we could bring Jonathan Edwards, Martin Luther or C.H. Spurgeon back from the ministry of yesteryear .

God has blessed me today in a special, certianly undeserved way, to be in the presence of such godly, Christ centered, Word exalting men this week, not the least of which is my own pastor Philip DeCourcy. What an honor to learn from these men!

Grace to You!

Removing Responsibility ... Again!

2005-03-02T18:44:00.000-05:00

The Supreme Court ruled yesterday (Monday, Feb 28) in a tight decision (5-4), it is unconstitutional to exercise capital punishment for minors. In commenting for the majority Justice Kennedy stated the most Americans consider people under the age of 18 too young and impressionable to make decisions on their own, thus capital punishment would violate the constitutional prohibition of “cruel and unusual punishment.” The decision has immediate consequences for around 70 minors currently on death row around the country.

I wonder what kind of message that our high court is sending the youth of our country. What will be the results of telling minors that they will not be held to the rule of law? Now, I understand that there will still be other consequences should a teenager break the law. But in reality, does not this ruling, unintentional as it may be, communicate a certain free reign for our youth? Is that really a healthy message to be sending America’s teenagers, who already have little sense of self control and personal responsibility? Our culture goes out of its way to invent excuses for inappropriate, even unlawful, behavior. “Newly discovered” behavioral disorder are introduced so fast, publications cannot keep up with them, let alone parents, pastors, teachers or counselors who accept the responsibility to guide the development of these youth. Incidentally, these disorders are “diagnosed” only by their presented symptoms and have no physiological characteristics. They simply become excuses that lead to hopeless despair. Consider two ways to approach a consistently disobedient child.

One: Tell him he has a disorder called Attention Deficit – Hyperactivity Disorder. Give him a high dose of Ritalin and tell him to go on with his routine.

Two: Define his disobedience as rebellion. Explain the consequences of that rebellion. Help him establish a healthy routine of increasing his attention span, controlling his mind, which will enable him to control his actions, and developing a respect for the various authority figures in his life. When the rebellion persists, the consequences are graciously, but consistently doled out.

Which situation will have the better long term effect? Of course, that may actually be part of the problem. We do not want to do the hard work it takes to create a long term fix. We want quick obedience, slavish actually. We want to go about our business and make our life easy. We do not take time to invest in the life of others (not even our own children) with the aim of long term emotional, physical, spiritual maturity.

God speaks to this type of catering to the flesh and short term, quick fixes that hide the heart issues that drive choices. Galatians 6.7,8: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

Let us be about the business in our lives and in the lives that we have the opportunity to shape, of sowing the those things which are eternal. There will be consequences for choices, let us not make light of these, but hold ourselves and other to the high standards of the rule of law, and more importantly, the Law of God.

Thanks to our Supreme Court, today we have it even harder to explain that “Yes! There are consequences to your actions!”

Remember... we must examine the news of the day in light a biblical worldview.

Grace to You!

Learning to Shepherd Better

2005-02-28T10:45:00.000-05:00

I will be accompanying the six other pastors from my church to California to the Shepherds Conference at Grace Community Church. We leave tomorrow (Tues) morning and will return over the weekend. I am thrilled for a number of reasons. The times spent with the seven of us pastors is great fun and strengthens our commitment to minister together as team at our church. I am also excited because one of my ministry and theological mentors has been Dr. John MacArthur. Of course, Dr. MacArthur doesn't know he has mentored me, for he has down so through books, tapes, CDs, etc. This will be my first opportunity to be at Grace Church and see hands on what God is doing in the ministry there.

The California weather is not a draw currently! I assured our church folks yesterday that they don't have to wonder if their pastors are sitting on beach somewhere in CA! It is going to be cool and raining on us all week!

So this Blog will be silent for the coming week. Please do read and comment on past posts. That is part of the reason I post my thoughts. Your comments will sharpen me! Iron sharpens iron! Also, pass the URL on to others, so we can all be an encouragement to each other.

Grace to You!

The Faith of Ronald Reagan

2005-02-28T10:21:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite things to read and study is political history, particularly American political history. The biography that I am currently reading is called THE HAND OF PROVIDENCE, THE STRONG AND QUIET FAITH OF RONALD REAGAN. The biography is written by Mary Beth Brown, a friend of the Reagan family. It has always been evident listening to Reagan's speeches and following his policy decisions that his faith provided a significant element to his worldview. Admittedly, I am not yet through with the book (perhaps I should want until I finish to comment), but it is striking how much Reagan recognized the hand of God moving him into strategic places in life to follow His Dreams. He saw each life event as another step to reach his greater goals, which for him involved acting, particularly movies. What I find missing in this account of Reagan's personal faith is the understanding that the providential hand of God is not only moving you closer to some END RESULT, but it places exactly where God wants you to be at the present. There didn't appear to be any sense that Reagan lived for the moment he was in, he was always looking ahead to something bigger and greater.

Please don't misunderstand me, ambition is a good thing. The Apostle Paul frequently talks about looking ahead pressing for a goal (2 Cor 5 and Phil 3 specifically). We should all be ambitious, striving to have a greater impact on the world around us, striving for excellence in all we do. Christians should be the very best in whatever field God places them (movies, politics, missions, economics, sales, etc...). We should be driven by a desire to honor God with excellence. "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven" Matt.5.16.

I wonder, however, if ambition robs us of making the most of the opportunities that God sets before us today. Do you excel in your current job, ministry, schooling, etc. So that you can reach the next rung of the proverbial ladder? Or are you seeking to excel now so that you can have a greater influence on the people that are presently in your sphere if influence? The same Paul who challenges us to be ambitious and to strive for excellence reminds us to "look carefully how you live, not as unwise but wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil" (Eph 5.15,16 ESV). Carpe Diem! Are you having an eternal influence in your present sphere? Or are you consumed by effort to climb the ladder of success? Be motivated! Be diligent! Be ambitions! But be faithful in making the best use of the current moment as well.

More about Reagan another time.

Grace to You!

The Best and Most Far Reaching Job in the World...

2005-02-25T08:33:00.000-05:00

PARENTING... My wife and I have been thinking a lot lately about the task that God has set before us to raise our children. We what to proactive. We don't want to simply rush around putting out fires, praising success, or punishing the most recent display of rebellion. We want to be very deliberate about bringing Elisabeth, Rebekah and Jonathan up in the nurture and admonishion of the Lord. So we have established a list of goals - specific and measurable - for our child rearing endeavor. We have agreed to sit down monthly and evaluate our parental ministry in light of these goals.

Maybe these goals will be helpful to you. Maybe you can comment on them as to how they have payed out in your parental ministry. Anyway, here they are:

1. To expose them to the gospel, by life and by Word, from a very early age so that they have the opportunity to be saved at an early age.

2. To instill in them a love of family and desire to be an active part of the family unit so that they will contribute to the life and ministry of the family.

3. To teach them the Word of God so that they will allow the Word to dwell in them richly, so that they will develop a Biblical worldview regarding (family, education, ministry, current events, church, etc).

4. To guide them in becoming active, productive citizens so that they may let their light shine before the world so they me see their good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.

5. To stir up a passion for reaching the unsaved so that they will be active in sharing the hope of the gospel.

6. To encourage faithful stewardship of all God’s resources so that they will honor Him with their time, talents and treasures.

7. To teach them the doctrine of the Church, so that they will desire active participation in and love for their local church at all stages of their life.

8. To challenge them to strive for excellence (academics, extracurricular activities, employment, etc.) in all they do so that God will glorified in the sight of the watching world.

Grace to You!

Morning Musings

2005-02-24T13:40:00.000-05:00

Luther the Movie

Last weekend I watched LUTHER staring Joseph Fiennes. In fact, I watched it twice. It was awe inspiring, a very compelling film about arguable the most important events in the history of the church since the days of Peter and Paul. It was quite true to history, not very kind to the Roman Catholic Church at all. It was certainly a dark period in Roman Catholic history and the filmmakers capitalize on that. The Church was on the verge of a split already, factions warring over control. In the midst of all that a young monk, so moved by his fear of God and desire to experience the acceptance of a loving God, began to read the New Testament. There he discovered the opportunity to experience the righteousness of God because Christ already experienced the wrath of God.

We often think of Luther as an extreme revolutionary. In fact, this film bordered on overemphasizing that aspect of his nature. Luther was a revolutionary, but not extreme. He certainly had propensity to publically preach rather privately in his own parrish. But Luther was not altogether condemning the Roman Church, in fact he continued to show support for Pope Leo. His famous 95 Thesis were meant to emphasize the sincerity required in true penitance, not condemn that practices outright. Pentitence could not be bought with indulgences, but must proceed from a broken heart. A heart that is crushed by the reality of offending an Holy God. He maintained that true penitence will have an outward expression, but is rooted in heart. (see Psalm 51 for a model of true repentance.)

I wonder how much fear of being too "Catholic" drives the average protestant's theology. Are we so afraid to look too Catholic that we never allow for an outward expression of repentance? The Bible is clear that true repentence will have an outward expression (see 2 Cor 7.9-11 and parable in Luke 15). Are our hearts truly broken over sin? Do we really repent? Something to think about...

DENNY IN FOR GLENN BECK

One of my favorite people to listen to on the radio is Glenn Beck... the fusion of entertainment and enlightenment. What a job! He gets paid to sit in a chair and talk about the news of the day and make fun of it.

This week Mr. Beck is on vacation. He frequently has friends fill the void of his empty voice. This morning a commentator from my home town, Toledo, OH, was filling in, Denny Shaeffer from WSPD 1370. Denny is a professing born-again believer. It is amazing in a town so politically liberal and unionized as Toledo that Denny could not only keep, but dominate, the afternoon drive spot. But he does, and he does it very well. Denny's name will probably frequent this Blog, but for today I simply wanted to mention the way he responds to the question almost every caller starts with, "How you doing?" Denny simply responds, "Blessed!" Profound, is it not? What does it mean to be blessed? I was thinking about that this morning as I was listening to Denny take calls.

Psalm 1 indicates that blessedness is not so much a state of mind, but a state of activity. Blessedness is a direct result of activity, or the lack thereof. When we avoid the paths of the unrighteous around us and we "delight in the law of the Lord," we find true blessedness. Amazing, is it not, that the Word of God can have such a profound impact on our lives? It is not a good luck charm or a secret weapon, but it certainly has immediate and far reaching implications in the life of a beleiver. Do I delight in the law of Lord? Do you? Something else to think about...

Grace to You!

Evangelistic Implications of Romans 1.18-20

2005-02-23T15:44:00.000-05:00

I am teaching a class at my church on Tuesday nights called Grace Evangelism. We meet at 6:00 PM for a time of study then go out on visitation. This week the topic of study was the evangelistic implications of Romans 1.18-20 and Romans 2.14-15.

Romans 1.18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

There are certain gospel truths that all humankind already know. God uniquely designed the entire universe to point to Himself. From creation, there are at least two attributes of God that all humanity have embedded on their minds. According to verse 20, all men clearly perceive God's eternal power and His divine nature.

God's eternal power is evidenced in His personal creation of all the world through the person of Jesus Christ and his moment by moment sustaining its very existence. Every man, woman and chiild who every lived or ever will live on this earth knwo that. Why do you think people instinctively call on God when an earthquake or a tsunami rattles their existence? Why do they call out to God when traumatic circumstance beset them? Because they instinctively know of the eternal power of God.

All humankind are also clearly aware of God's divine nature, that is His goodness and grace commonly spread to all humanity. To a limited degree, God's grace is made available to every person without regard to location, religion, gender, race, etc. He rains on the just and the unjust alike (cf Matt 5.45). This is why even the unsaved both plead for God to deliver rain and curse His name when they get too much of it. They know the divine nature of God.

If the Bible is true, and I believe that it always is, there are no atheists! There may well be professing atheists, much as there are professing Christians who are not genuine. All men have the very existence of God already etched on their minds. According to verse 18, they "By their unrighteousness supress the truth." That means it is there, just pushed down under layers of disobedience, rebellion and denial. But it is there.

I have a young friend named John who claimed for many years to be an atheist. He is very intellectual, very sharp. The very beauty and order of the created world sent him on a religious search for the essence of reality and source of life. He eventually landed at the Gospel and God turned his life around. What was it in John that sent him searching for Truth? That's right, it was the very truth of God already inscribed on his heart.

What is the evangelistic implications of this truth? There are no atheists, so what of those who claim to be atheists? We do not argue for the existence of God or His authority. We rather confront the point of sinful rebellion by building on the foundation of truth God has already put in his heart.

Evangelism is the work of God. We get to be His mouthpieces, but He completes the work He began in creation!

In a future post we will look at the evangelistic implications of Romans 2.14-15. In the meantime, read it for yourself.

Grace to You!

Jose Canseco on Hannity

2005-02-23T14:28:00.000-05:00

I listened to Sean Hannity a bit last night. I like to hear this Catholic man's view of current events. Hannity has a Christian, if not a Biblical, worldview that allows him to see current events in a different perspective than the average national commentator.

He did an interview with Jose Canseco last night that I found revolting! First off, let me say right up front, I DID NOT read Canseco's new book Juiced. And I do not intend to read it. But Canseco came across as completely cold, arrogant and blantantly self absorbed. He talked about women throwing themselves at him and other professional athletes. He talked about repeated cheating on his wife and made little of the vows he has taken, multiple times by the way. He blew it off, simply saying "we're not perfect, we all have limbidos!." He willing admitted, yea even bragged about, using and abusing performance enhancing, ILLEGAL, steroids. He commented on the supposed rampant lack of integrity among his fellow players. He claims that he only personally knows one professional player that never cheated on his wife and never used steroids.

Jose, who are you hanging around? The issue is not that all baseball players cheat on their wives, just all the losers that Canseco hangs with! There are great guys in baseball. Go meet Travs Fryman and John Smoltz. There are stnad up men of integrity in the sport, Jose just doesn't like to hang around them.

I could not help, as I listened to this interview, to feel sorrow and grief in my gut for any woman Canseco has taken advantae of, any child he has fathered (and who knows how many their are), and any fan that actually still likes this guy. I can't stand him! He makes me sick!

But I love him! That's right! That is the heart of the gospel message after all, isn't it? Jesus died to save sinners, of whom I am chief. My lifestyle choices are markedly different from Jose Canseco's. But I am no less a sinner who has horribly offended the holiness of God! That is why Jesus had to bear the total wrath of God to pave a way for me to go to heaven someday.

We must remember to view the news and the people around with this in mind. "But for the grace God, that could be me!"