Sunday Sermon Outline: The Parable of the Dinner

Luke 14:16-24

The Parable of the Dinner

 

Introduction:

Luke 14:16-24, “A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; [17] and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’ [18] But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.’ [19] Another one said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.’ [20] Another one said, ‘I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.’ [21] And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ [22] And the slave said, ‘Master, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ [23] And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. [24] For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.’”

Luke 14:1, “went into the house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread.”
 

I. The Places of Honor

 

“noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table” (Luke 14:7). 

 

II. The People of Honor

 

“When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment” (Luke 14:12).

“He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). 

 

III. The Purpose of Honor
 

“those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:6)? 

 

Hebrews 5:12, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.”

“I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). 

 

Matthew 21:31-32, “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you. [32] For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him.” 

Conclusion:

“How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? [30] For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” [31] It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:29-31).

 

 

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Sunday Sermon Outline: The Importance of Death

 The Importance of Death

 

Introduction:

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures ...” (1 Corinthians 15:3).

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

 

I. The Role of Death

John 20:30, “many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book.”
 

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). 

 

John 3:14, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.”  

“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19).

“the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh” (John 6:51). 

 

John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24). John 12:31-33, “'Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. [32] And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.' [33] But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.”

 “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! [50] But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!” (Luke 12:49-50). 

 

James and John's mother “said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.” [22] But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?”” (Matthew 20:21-22).

Matthew 16:21 says, “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.”  

 

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). 

II. The Preaching of Death

“to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood” (1 Peter 1:2). 

 

“you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, [19] but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

“you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

“Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). 

 

“since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose” (1 Peter 4:1).

1 Peter 5:10 says, “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”

“Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, [2] by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. [3] For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

 

III. The Future of Death

Revelation 1:5, “To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood ...” Revelation 2:8, “The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life.” “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

“For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; [17] and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:16-17).

“the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, [5] who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [6] In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, [7] so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; [8] and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, [9] obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:3-9). 

 

 

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Sunday Sermon Outline: 2 Corinthians 2:14 - 3:2

"Genuine Christianity"
2 Corinthians 2:14 - 3:2


     “14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? 17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God. 3:1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you? 2 You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men.”


I. Genuine Christianity results in optimism. 2:14
     "Thanks be to God!"


Philippians 4:6; Romans 8:18; Philippians 1:12




II. Genuine Christianity results in triumphant living. 2:14
     “Thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ.”

Philippians 1:12-14; 4:22




III. Genuine Christianity results in changed lives. 2:14-17
     “14 Thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? 17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.”


2 Timothy 4:3




IV. Genuine Christianity results in a new reality. 3:1-2
     “Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you? 2 You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men.”


1 Corinthians 6:9‑11; Colossians 3:9-10




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Sunday Sermon Outline: James 5

“Patience in Suffering”
James 5

Introduction: 2 Timothy 3:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5


I.  Warning to oppressors vs. 1-6
     “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. [2] Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. [3] Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! [4] Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. [5] You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. [6] You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.”

Matthew 19:24; 1 Timothy 6:9-10; 2 Peter 3:10


II. Encouragement to the oppressed vs. 7-12
     “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. [8] You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. [9] Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. [10] As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. [11] We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. [12] But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.”

Revelation 6:10; 1 Corinthians 15:36; Isaiah 45:9-10; Jeremiah 4:3; Hosea 10:12


III. Wisdom to overcome oppression vs. 13-20
     “[13] Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. [14] Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; [15] and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. [16] Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. [17] Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. [18] Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit. [19] My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, [20] let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

Ephesians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 12:7, 10; Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:7; Matthew 10:28; 1 Kings 17:3-6, 8-16; 18:17


Conclusion: James 5:19-20, “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, [20] let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

Romans 6:6; Ephesians 5:9-11; Genesis 4:9; John 8:31-32; 2 Timothy 1:10; John 16:3


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Sunday Sermon Outline: James 1

“Consider It All Joy!”
James 1

Introduction: Jeremiah 6:13-14

James 1:1, "James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings"

Acts 8:1, 4; 11:19; 1 Peter 1:1


I.   Dealing with trials  vs. 2-4 
     “[2] Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. [4] And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”


II.  Asking for wisdom in dealing with trials  vs. 5-8
      “[5] But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. [6] But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. [7] For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, [8] being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

1 Corinthians 3:3


III. Considering our position in light of trials  vs. 9-11
      “[9] But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; [10] and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. [11] For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.”

Matthew 19:24; Luke 18:25; 1 Timothy 6:9


IV.  Understanding the purpose of trials  vs. 12-18
      “[12] Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. [13] Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. [14] But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. [15] Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. [16] Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. [17] Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. [18] In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”

1 Peter 4:12; 1 John 5:4; Ephesians 4:4-6; Philippians 3:19-21; Matthew 25:1-13


V.   Speaking and doing right while under trials  vs. 19-27
      “[19] This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; [20] for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God [21] Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. [22] But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; [24] for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. [25] But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. [26] If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. [27] Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

Ephesians 4:4-6


Conclusion: 2 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 10:4; John 3:19; Matthew 6:19-20, 31-33


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Sunday Sermon Outline: Hebrews 13:15-21

“Continuous Christianity”
Hebrews 13:15-21

Introduction: Hebrews 13:12-14 


I. Continual Sacrifices vs. 15-16
“Through 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. [16] And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Matthew 12:34; 1 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 11:4; Romans 12:1-2; Romans 2:6-8; Matthew 25:21; Philippians 4:18; Hebrews 10:24-25


II. Continual Submission vs. 17-19
“[17] Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. [18] Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. [19] And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner.”

Hebrews 13:7; Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 4:11-12; Ezekiel 3:17-21; Jeremiah 3:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 


III. Continual Service vs. 20-21
“[20] Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, [21] equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17; Colossians 1:9-10; 1 John 3:21 – 4:1; Hebrews 13:8; 1 Corinthians 3:19; 4:2


LISTEN TO SERMON AUDIO HERE

Relationship

It is common today for certain words to be 'spiritualized' and made to mean either more or less than the context of the Scriptures would allow. This has always been the case though, as man has been warned consistently not to add to or take away from the revealed word of God (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; Ecclesiastes 3:14; Revelation 22:18).

One such word is relationship, misused by both the world and the church. For example, God has identified a proper physical relationship as between a man and a woman ... and within the boundaries of marriage ... yet the word relationship is regularly used by those engaged in sinful actions such as homosexuality, fornication and adultery.

The word is also misused within church circles. Many congregations have purpose statements that reflect the following: “We desire to bring all people into a saving relationship with Christ Jesus, and a family relationship with one another through Christ.” While that sounds wonderful, many such congregations present differing views of what it means to enter into relationship with Christ, and their relationship with one another is based solely on the fact that they call themselves Christians. In many cases, neither the truth of Scripture nor the evidence of righteous behavior come into play before declaring such “relationships.” To me, it is not unlike the first grade boy and girl on the playground who swap toys and call one another boyfriend and girlfriend. It is clear that in their immaturity they have no clue what they're talking about.

But there is a proper usage of the term … if we let the Scriptures speak. The primary definition of relationship is 'the state of being related.' Technically, all men who are the offspring of Adam and Eve are “related,” but that is only a physical relationship. I'm interested in the spiritual relationship.

According to the word of God, we become "sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26). We “have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23).

As Christians, we are reminded that we are "of God's household" (Ephesians 2:19). We "are no longer a slave, but a son" (Galatians 4:7). Right "now we are children of God" (1 John 3:2), and in fact considered "as beloved children" (Ephesians 5:1). "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:16).

This was by God's design. We were "predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren" (Romans 8:29). We "have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5-6). Even though we “were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds” (Colossians 1:21), now we are considered "heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17)..

Our relationship with one another though is not one “in name only,” as practiced throughout Christendom. Jesus taught us to pray to "our Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 6:9). The only thing then that could possibly make us brothers is having the same Father. If your Father tells you one thing to be saved yet tells me another, there's a problem. God has explained His will within His word. Only by submitting to God do we prove Him our Father, and by extension that we are brothers.

How do I enter into a proper relationship with God? I must be “washed ... sanctified, [and] ... justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). I must repent of my sin, be baptized into Christ, and allow His blood to wash away that sin, never to return to it again.

How do I enter into a proper relationship with my brothers and sisters in Christ? In like manner, as the Scriptures say, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? [15] Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? [16] Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE [17] Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; and I will welcome you. [18] And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

It is oh so popular to declare “a personal relationship with Jesus,” but the proof – as they say – is in the pudding. If you know nothing of God's word and live more like the world than like Christ, then I have to assume your relationship status is false. If you claim to be my brother, then act like it. “By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother” (1 John 3:10).

But if you DO have a proper relationship with the Lord, well … “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding. [14] For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold. [15] She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her” (Proverbs 3:13-15).

And if you DO find someone who has equally surrendered to the will of the Lord, someone with whom you can truthfully say you are in Christian relationship, then “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

How serious is God?

Somewhere along the line … somewhere between the fallacy of unconditional love and the constant desire for programming that is the product of human wisdom and reasoning … man has lost his fear for God. Everything about the modern church suggests that God is weak and compliant to the whims of His creations.

Mere men – calling themselves religious leaders – sit behind closed doors and make decisions about the life and progress of their congregations. They discuss their ideas for hours, finally taking a vote to ratify their will upon the flock. A closing prayer invokes God's blessing upon the product of their collective wisdom. Meanwhile, the few Bibles in the room remain closed.

Paid ministers – professional “pastors” – sit behind office desks. They scour the internet searching for tips and tricks on how to tweak body programming in order to bring in more people and generate more revenue. They download graphics for their Powerpoint presentations, and cut and paste all the appropriate stories, jokes and illustrations for Sunday's message. They turn off the screen only long enough to read the book on their desk … not the Bible, but the current religious bestseller from which they are drawing their latest sermon series.

Meanwhile, the members of the congregation simply go about their daily lives. They get up and put on their Christian t-shirts, drink their coffee from a mug that has a picture of Jesus on it, turn on the computer screen and wiggle the mouse to take off the inspirational screen saver, then proceed to check the internet for sports scores and recipes, and to surf Pinterest and Facebook. The amount of God's word they digest in a day is limited to the random “verse of the day” that is sent to their email account.

Forgotten is the fact that God so detested sin that He attached to it from the beginning of creation the death penalty (Genesis 2:17). Forgotten is a flood which destroyed a world which had ignored God and become corrupt and violent (Genesis 6:11). Forgotten is the destruction of wicked Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24). Forgotten is the God who brought devastating plagues against Egypt (Exodus 7-11), and buried their military strength in the Red Sea (Exodus 14:27). Forgotten is the God who ended Korah's rebellion by causing the ground to open and the earth to swallow up the offending leaders (Numbers 16:32), and then sent a plague to wipe out those who followed his false leadership (Numbers 16:49). Forgotten is the God who sent poisonous serpents among His rebellious people (Numbers 21:6).

“Oh, but those are all Old Testament references. The New Testament God is a God of love!”

Oh, really? Is that what your religious leaders are teaching you?

Forgotten is the declaration of Jesus, “I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!” (Luke 12:5).

Forgotten is the judgment against those who would ignore His word, “Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. [15] Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city” (Matthew 10:14-15).

Forgotten is the verdict delivered against those who fail to repent, “It will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you” (Matthew 11:22). “It will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you” (Matthew 11:24). “Repent or perish” (Luke 13:3, 5).

“You shouldn't take things so literally! You make God sound so serious.”

Was Jesus serious when He said “that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36)? Was He serious when He sent His Spirit to “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8)?

Was God serious when He caused Ananias and Sapphira to drop dead for lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-10)? I believe it produced the intended result, as “great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things” (Acts 5:11).

“Well, our church is a church of love, acceptance and forgiveness! If you don't believe me, just check our signboard out front. It's printed in big letters.”

Meanwhile – in not so big letters – comes the warning of the apostle Paul, that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18) … that “because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Romans 2:5).

“So what's the problem, Paul? Why are so many congregations failing to produce real Christians? Why are so many religious leaders compromising with the world? Why are preachers preaching watered down, crowd pleasing half truths?”

“THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES” (Romans 3:18).

“Stop it, Jonathan! You're just trying to scare people!”

There's only one problem with the logic of such an assessment. I wasn't the one who wrote, “If we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, [27] but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES” (Hebrews 10:26-27). “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

“Well, I'm just glad my Sunday School teacher doesn't teach like that!”

“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment” (James 3:1).

“But you're making it sound like I should spend more time scared than happy!”

“If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth” (1 Peter 1:17). “IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?” (1 Peter 4:18).

For those of you who regularly attend a congregation focusing on strong emotional content and positive, uplifting messages, what exactly should we do with the entire chapter of 2 Peter 2? It isn't that pesky Jonathan Ingram, but an apostle of Christ who states that “false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. [2] Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; [3] and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. [4] For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; [5] and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; [6] and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; [7] and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men [8] (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), [9] then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, [10] and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, [11] whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. [12] But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, [13] suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, [14] having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; [15] forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; [16] but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet. [17] These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. [18] For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, [19] promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. [20] For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. [21] For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. [22] It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.””

Oh, and by the way, did you catch that Peter was speaking not about worldly people, but about religious leaders? That's some pretty strong language he uses about supposed Christians. But you've probably never even heard that chapter read in the non-threatening, non-judgmental atmosphere of most contemporary congregations.

I find it ironic that churches create their own worship traditions which have no biblical basis, while ignoring completely the very few passages that actually DO refer to corporate worship. The greatest example I can think of is in relation to non-believers who attend our assemblies. Today, it is believed that you must not offend non-believing visitors, but instead to placate and woo them. Yet the apostle Paul – writing to a congregation that was exalting the soaring emotionalism of tongues over the sober message of prophesy – says that we must keep the main thing the main thing! The word of the Lord must be declared in such a way that when “an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; [25] the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you” (1 Corinthians 14:24-25).

Where are the men today like Abram, who “fell on his face” when God spoke (Genesis 17:3)? When God revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush, “Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God” (Exodus 3:6). Where are the Christians today – when they read the revealed word of God – who “work out [their] salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12)?

Today's worship services are designed to inspire and entertain, to produce sentiment and solidarity. There is nothing at all to be afraid of!

Maybe that's the problem. Perhaps we need to reintroduce the concept of “the fear of the Lord,” which – according to God's word – is “the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7) and “the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10).

To those congregations which continually struggle to please both men and God, Jesus makes it clear, "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters" (Matthew 12:30). To those who try to walk that imaginary line, your Master says, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. [16] So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth" (Revelation 3:15-16).

Do you still think that the New Testament God is a God of love? Certainly there is love available for those who would accept the Lord's terms and accept Christ as both Lord and Savior. But this world has already been marked for demolition. “By His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men” (2 Peter 3:7).

This is nothing new. The God of the Old Testament is not a different God than the One presented in the New Testament. Jude writes that “Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, [15] to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him”” (Jude 14-15).

Kind of neat, huh? A writer at the back of the New Testament directs our attention to the front of the Old Testament … to a prophesy that directs our attention back to the end of the New Testament.

OR … we could just sum it all up by saying, as written in the Revelation, “if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

I don't know about you, but that sounds pretty serious to me.

Ashamed

“How do you invite someone to church when you're ashamed of your congregation?”

What embarrassed the individual was not peeling paint and dated carpet. It had nothing to do with a choir member out of tune or kids running in the aisles. This was about Christians living clearly hypocritical lives. The concern was for leaders who were incapable of expounding upon the Scriptures. The shame was in the desire to bring people to the truth of Christ, yet nothing about the individual's congregation revealed that truth. A strong emphasis was placed upon meeting perceived needs rather than real needs. The thrust of the services was entirely physical. The goal always seemed to be in pleasing the senses and the masses, rather than the Spirit of the Master.

How do you invite someone whose life you are hoping to change to a congregation full of people who have never changed? How do you ask them to sit next to you in a service that you cannot in good conscience support? How do you explain to them the benefit of a message in which you found no benefit?

The answer is: You don't. Invite them, that is. If you believe that something is wrong, why would you willingly support it?

I have heard it said, “Attending some church is better than attending no church.” What horrid thinking! Do you care so little for the person? Perhaps then you would hand them a glass containing water and poison, saying, “Drink this. Some water is better than no water.” Why would you purposely encourage the propagation of false doctrine? Why would you lead someone to drink from a polluted well?

From others, I have heard that you should never leave a troubled congregation … that you should always stay and try to fix the problems.

“Running away doesn't do anyone any good,” they say.

While that sounds noble, it is an answer born of human pride rather than the Holy Spirit.

“No one's going to drive me out of my church!”

What about the apostle's doctrine? “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. [18] For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting” (Romans 16:17-18).

“But if I keep plugging along, maybe someone will listen.”

Listen to who? Jesus? You mean, the One who said, “Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them” (Mark 6:11)?

So clearly there IS a time to separate yourself from those who do not represent Christ, accept His words, or receive those who have been sent by Him.

Another phrase I've heard countless times – primarily when the church splits loom - is, “You should support the church, not the minister.”

While I would never recommend following a man simply based on the power of his charisma, the statement itself has always seemed more concerned with “customer retention” than with the care and tending of the soul. Such a statement misrepresents the very nature of the church, which is to be “the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

Well, the truth is … this isn't about the church at all, it's about Christ. Christians are the ones who wear His name, not the other way around. The church didn't die for your sins, Jesus did. We are the body, but He is the head.

Have you ever noticed that no one in the New Testament ever invited someone else to church? The Samaritan woman ran back to her village – water pots forgotten – to tell people about Jesus (John 4). The apostles weren't out preaching the church, they were preaching Christ (Acts 5:42; 1 Corinthians 1:23). The church was growing not because of their programming, staff or facilities, but because “the word of God kept on spreading” (Acts 6:7). And those who became Christians weren't going on and on about the church, but were “rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord” (Acts 13:48).

So when someone wants to force you to make a decision between the congregation and the minister, the correct choice is to turn to the best food source. Who's providing “the bread of life” (John 6:35) and “rivers of living water” (John 7:38)? The answer could be a) the congregation, b) the minister, or quite possibly c) none of the above.

When your local religious leaders begin to speak of what a friendly congregation they are a part of, or what a great _____ program they have (insert youth, music, men's, women's, drama, outreach, benevolence, missions, or whatever is locally popular), or what tremendous facilities they possess, ask them which one of those things will have a greater impact upon the lives of mankind than the word of Christ, which “implanted … is able to save your souls” (James 1:21).

And as far as the original question goes, “How do you invite someone to church when you're ashamed of your congregation?” The answer is still: You don't. First, we don't invite people to church at all, we lead them to Christ. He is the only One able to make someone a part of His body (Acts 2:47). Having said that, we invite someone only to where Christ is preached and magnified. Many congregations will claim they do so, but let the seeker beware, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8).

And finally, if you are ashamed of your congregation … if you see behavior – especially among the leadership – which does not accurately represent Christ … if you hear preaching that is focused more on this world than the next, and is filled more with stories, humor and opinions than with Scripture … if you see that the programming for daily life has superseded the preparation for eternal life … then don't be afraid to speak what you already know in your conscience and your heart … that your congregation is not the church at all, but are “false brethren” (Galatians 2:4).

May we do what the apostle Paul did when faced with such deception, “But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you” (Galatians 2:5). Not even an hour! Not one “worship” hour do I want to waste in pleasing myself, rather than pleasing the Lord … in being entertained, rather than edified and encouraged … in considering earth, rather than heaven … in listening to fiction, rather than fact … in giving attention to the straying sheep, rather than “the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25).

Most people believe their congregation is just the greatest … and list out every (physical) reason why that is true. Yet the word of the Lord demands that we “test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Perhaps your congregation will pass the test! Perhaps the Spirit of God is working among them. You will not know it by means of numerical patronage, but by their adherence to the Spirit's mission to “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). If your preacher and leaders do not speak of such things, turn and walk away. Such a congregation has been created by the traditions of men and the desires of the membership, rather than “in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Ephesians 4:24).

If you are ashamed of your congregation, perhaps there is a valid spiritual reason for that shame. Certainly such a body is not the one for which Christ died. No one should ever be ashamed of that which is divinely created. So there must be another explanation ... another power at work ... another "head" who has introduced a need for shame. “Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, “THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.” [17] But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him” (1 Corinthians 6:16-17). Therefore, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? [15] Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? [16] Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. [17] “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. [18] And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

How Great Thou Art!

I was thinking this morning of that verse of the old hymn “How Great Thou Art” that says, “When through the woods and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees ….” The rain has been drizzling down now for a solid day, but that in no way has diminished the beauty of the woods. Everything is green and vibrant. The animals are present in abundance. Over the last two days, I have seen four deer, two chipmunks, a wild turkey, a raccoon and numerous squirrels and birds. I hear no traffic noise, no human voices … nothing but birds singing sweetly in the trees.

I consider the beauty of God's creation … I think of how marvelous it is to be surrounded by what He has made … and remember that – even amidst such splendor – this is nothing compared to what awaits the Christian in heaven. I look forward to standing with the Lord someday. As great as this world may be, I long for “new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).

But praise God, I do not have to wait for heaven to begin experiencing its joys! Certainly there is a future event coming that will be glorious indeed, but when I repented of my sins … when I was “baptized into Christ” (Galatians 3:27) … when I received “the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38) … an immediate change took place. “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).

In other words, there are benefits available right now, if only those who are called by His name would remove their eyes from the world (Colossians 3:2) and fix their eyes on Christ (Hebrews 12:2). Truly, it is a blessing to be surrounded by nature, but greater still is the consideration of “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

Earthly eyes cannot appropriately apprehend such blessings. They are specifically designed for those who “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). It is so difficult for those with physical bodies to think spiritually, but this is exactly why the Lord has given His Spirit to those who are reborn into Christ Jesus. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, [13] which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words” (1 Corinthians 2:12-13).

It is hard for us to see beyond the earthly. We consider our families, our homes and land, our belongings, our jobs, and believe ourselves to be blessed. And perhaps we are, but not all blessings are “spiritual” blessings. The Lord “causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). Even evil people have jobs, land and families ... and some Christian people do not!

But the Lord has prepared something special for His people! Speaking spiritually, the prophet Ezekiel looked forward to the time of the Christ, saying, ““I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and bring them to their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the streams, and in all the inhabited places of the land. [14] I will feed them in a good pasture, and their grazing ground will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie down on good grazing ground and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. [15] I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest,” declares the Lord GOD” (Ezekiel 34:13-15).

This is not speaking of physical things, but of spiritual blessings to those who willingly submit to the leadership of the One who is “the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25). Note the separation from the ungodly (2 Corinthians 6:17), the spiritual feeding (1 Timothy 4:6), and “rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29) available for the Lord's flock.

Even today, the wilderness and the woods can be a dangerous place, full of predators. But spiritually speaking, that's why we need a Shepherd … to protect the flock. Again, the prophet Ezekiel looks forward, “I will make a covenant of peace with them and eliminate harmful beasts from the land so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. [26] I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing. And I will cause showers to come down in their season; they will be showers of blessing” (Ezekiel 34:25-26).

What a privilege to be the recipients of that promise! “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Our dwelling place is secure, because we “are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, [20] having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone” (Ephesians 2:19-20).

All men can receive the benefit of God's physical blessings. They may appreciate the fall of the rain, the warmth of the sun, a walk in the woods, or the sound of birds singing sweetly in the trees. But only those in Christ Jesus receive the full benefits of being a part of the family of God, “for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).

“When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow in humble adoration, and then proclaim: My God, how great Thou art!”

One Purpose

Philippians 2:2 speaks of “being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” This verse seems fairly simple to understand, because all of it is understood by applying Christ. The “same mind” is the mind of Christ. The “same love” is the love of Christ. We are “united” by Christ's Spirit. Therefore, our “one purpose” also has to do with Christ.

It would be easy to say – as many ministers teach – that our purpose is Christ's purpose, to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:17). Because of such verses – and because of the commission accounts that Jesus spoke to His apostles – it is thought that our “one purpose” is salvation … soul-winning … evangelism. But is that true? Salvation was God's reason for sending His Son to this earth, but Jesus declared as He drew near to death on the cross, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).

While I am not belittling the importance of evangelism, I do not believe it is our “one purpose.” Soul-winning is a byproduct of our purpose, but not the purpose itself. It is this misunderstanding which has led the modern church astray in it's thrust to do whatever is necessary to bring people in.

Salvation was Christ's work, completed on the cross. But concerning us, He said, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18). This was the work that was intended to remain, even after He ascended back into heaven … the building of the church.

“That's what we do!” some say. “We build churches!” And indeed there are many church planting bodies which secure buildings, provide leaders and people, establish services, and begin new congregations. Is that what Jesus meant though? Is our purpose just to flood the streets with more and more congregations?

How about first examining what is NOT our job? It is not our job (elders) to make decisions for the body. “Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body” (Ephesians 5:22). Jesus is the One with “all authority” (Matthew 28:18), therefore church leaders need to stop acting as if they have some power base.

Second, it is not our job to lay a foundation for the church, because it's already been done. God's household has been “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20). Yet when churches proceed to write THEIR books … the cathechisms, the books of discipline, the bylaws, the organizational charts, the vision plans, etc. … they are saying in effect that the Bible is NOT sufficient to meet those tasks.

So what is our “one purpose”? Ephesians 5:25-27 says that Jesus “loved the church and gave Himself up for her, [26] so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [27] that 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.” Jesus sacrificed Himself for us. Jesus cleansed us. What was His goal? To prepare His bride for heaven.

Today's services see lots of people shaking hands and making friends. We see people clapping their hands and singing their praise songs. We see them all bow their heads while someone prays for Aunt Suzie's cancer treatments. We hear the preacher preach about the good works we can do in our community. We take up an offering to pay for all our ministers, secretaries and missionaries. We take up a special collection to send our youth group to Six Flags. We gather midweek for a Bible study and some cheesecake. There are even a few people left over who drop by the church on Saturday for the work day.

What do any of these things have to do with preparing the bride of Christ for heaven? Which of those things make us more holy or more blameless? Which of these things prove to the world that we have been sanctified – set apart – for a special and unique purpose? I believe those things serve the opposite purpose. They do nothing but make us more like the world, and less like Christ. If our mind is on our favorite style of music, or our friends, or our stomachs, or our kids' fun time … then it is not on how to please Christ our husband.

If there is soul-winning to be accomplished, it will be done because we are salt and light in our communities. Our “bait and switch” techniques and the “carnival barker” atmosphere we have created within our congregations will never produce real growth. The answer to bringing people into the church (not a building) is not to be like them, but to be like Christ. They will not join us because they see that we are just like everyone else, but because we stand out from everyone else.

“We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. [29] For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:28-29). Are we becoming “conformed to the image of His Son”? There are churches declaring themselves as “imperfect people” and “sinners,” yet the word of the Lord says, “God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:7).

“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7), says the apostle. “... in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:12). I have heard within the church the profanity and coarse jesting of elders and members alike. I have seen within the church adultery and immorality, gossip and slander. I have witnessed arguments, divisiveness, hatred and the literal gnashing of teeth. I have seen those who call themselves Christians fall away from Christ at the slightest sign of trouble. I have watched as people turned their ears away from the truth of God to listen to the whisperings of mere men. I have seen countless lives on display, but none that can be described with the word “purity.” And these are the “examples” for a community that needs to know Christ?

One purpose. Just one … and we can't even get that right. Just be the bride. Act every day as if you are wearing white robes (Revelation 7:9, 13) and you must not get them dirty! Your husband, Christ, is coming back. Be ready when He gets here. That's our one purpose … to prepare for the return of Christ.

“But what about soul-winning?” ask those who have been brainwashed by the Bible colleges. What do you think will happen if we start acting like Christ? What will happen if start living what we preach? Do you really think the sheep in the pasture has to be told how to procreate? Does the shepherd gather them together to give them a seminar on the subject? #sigh #readthebiblepeople

“I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. [11] For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations” (Isaiah 61:10-11).

One purpose, people. Be the bride.

New Birth

I am so grateful to the Lord for the safe birth of my second grandchild. Holding little Tabitha Ruth for the first time was truly a joyous moment. So too was my grandson's birth, and the birth of my children. But – not to diminish these births for a second – an even greater joy … an even more emotional moment … took place as I baptized my two children into Christ.

Currently my grandchildren – Jonah and Tabitha – are beyond the reach of Satan (Romans 7:9). They are protected by their innocence. But a day is coming when they will learn the difference between right and wrong. They will – at some point in the future – choose to sin, and in that moment stand in need of a Savior.

I am grateful though that there are at least five of us – Christian parents, Christian grandparents, and a Christian uncle – who stand ready to teach and instruct these two little ones. We stand together – warriors ready for the conflict – prepared to fight for their souls.

Recently, evolutionary biologist and renowned atheist Richard Dawkins spoke to a large crowd of people gathered for a literary festival. In his speech, Dawkins stated that what Christians teach their children – the “indoctrination of religion” – should be labeled as “child abuse.” “We must not indoctrinate our children,” he says.

You see? Already the fight with the devil for their souls has begun. This is exactly why we must indoctrinate them. We must tell them “the old, old story of Jesus and His love.” We must teach them of a God and His “amazing grace.” We must warn them of the enemy who wants to destroy them.

I will never forget the first song I sang in public at the age of three. “Mommy told me something a little boy should know, and it's all about the devil and I've learned to hate him so. She said he causes trouble when you let him in the room. He will never, never leave you if your heart is filled with gloom. So let the sunshine in, face it with a grin! Smilers never lose, and frowners never win! So let the sunshine in, face it with a grin! Open up your heart and let the SON shine in!”

My mother taught me that song – and so many others. My parents read me the Bible stories. They taught me the difference between right and wrong, according to God's standard. Eventually, my father baptized me. I baptized my children. I look forward to seeing Joshua baptize his children.

This is why the Bible is so important … from the earliest age. God's word was delivered “so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged” (Deuteronomy 6:2).

Yes, the life of a newborn child is reason to celebrate. But a greater celebration is coming! “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). We may not have to worry about that yet … but if the Lord continues to tarry, the day is coming when we will, because “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

Regardless of what the atheists say, God has declared, “Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die” (Ezekiel 18:4). Therefore, we have a duty to our children … to indoctrinate them … to protect them … to prepare them … to “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

Thank you, Lord, for a new birth! And I mean that both physically and spiritually.

“How sweet to hold a newborn baby, and feel the pride and joy he gives. But greater still the calm assurance this child can face uncertain days because He lives!”

Andrea! Josh! Barak! Lee Anne! It's not too early. Let's get started. The fight starts here and now. If we don't draw a line in the sand, Satan will come and kick it in our face. Our preparation has a purpose … “whatever is born of God overcomes the world” (1 John 5:4) … and those two little souls are worth far more than a mere existence on this earth.

Don't get me wrong … I look forward to spending time with my grandchildren. I want to play with them, go fishing and camping with them, pray with them, sing with them. I want to see them grow up and become superior citizens … of the kingdom of God.

I'm glad I was there for their physical birth. I hope I'm still around to see their rebirth. And while I am grateful for time spent with them in this world, I hope even more for an eternity with them in heaven.

Conflict Resolution

One need not be a rocket scientist to see that this world is deteriorating. Not merely the material order, but society as well degenerates. Forget for a moment the so-called “pagan” nations. America – that which has been called a “Christian” nation – has become anything but Christian. As one contemplates current events, it is not hard to imagine what it was like for Lot living in Sodom and Gomorrah. 2 Peter 2:8 says, “for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds.” I understand, Lot … I understand.

It is not surprising that the moral values of our nation are in decline. As a people, we no longer give God anything more than a cursory lip service. And if in fact the heart of a people is evil, then it is no surprise that “evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13).

Such is the state of our union today that people can no longer even communicate. We have technology that enables communication greater than at any time in human history. We've come a long way from smoke signals and the telegraph, from postcards and letters. Now we have cell phones, satellite phones, VoIP, email, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Facetime … and the list goes on.

But for all of our communication capabilities, we have actually lost communication ability. Two people are brought forward during a television news segment to represent opposing political views. Both claim to have the facts, and both claim to be in the right. The problem is, logic dictates that for both of them to be right and hold contradictory views is impossible. The easy solution would be for someone to step forward and check their facts to find out who's right and who's wrong. But such a simple thing is no longer simple … a platform of absolute truth is never reached … and both sides resort to name-calling and belittlement.

Unfortunately, this communication breakdown has invaded the church. “One body and one Spirit” (Ephesians 4:4) has degenerated into parties and cliques. As the apostle noted in Corinth, “when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you” (1 Corinthians 11:18). Brother Paul, such divisions still exist. Friend group opposes friend group. Family opposes family. Communication comes in only two forms: 1) thinly-veiled hypocrisy, as everyone pretends to get along, or 2) outright hostility. I have yet to see an earthly congregation in which everyone is “of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Philippians 2:2).

So if we truly desire to be “Christian,” then how should we resolve these conflicts?

First, there are certain things we must NOT do. We cannot give into the flesh and let our base instincts rule. Too many people speak without listening. Too many speak in anger. Too many gossip and slander, considering themselves experts on things of which they have no first-hand knowledge. Too many follow party lines rather than thinking for themselves. Too many are talking behind backs rather than communicating face to face. Too many are whispering in corners rather than bringing their conversations into the middle of the room. Such people are like roaches and rats – bold in the darkness, but scurrying for the holes when the light hits them.

But this is the world in which we live. Cowards become bold behind the anonymity of a computer screen, yet those bold enough to speak face to face cannot disagree or debate without red faces and angry words. Satan has been victorious, because “the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” (James 1:20).

The Scriptures offers a better pattern for those willing to listen and learn. First, let's consider a conflict presented for our edification. Galatians 2:11-14 says, “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. [12] For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. [13] The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. [14] But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?””
There are three points in particular which jump out of that text regarding conflict resolution. First, this problem was dealt with face to face (v. 11). Second, this wasn't about personal opinion, but about “the truth of the gospel” (v. 14). And third, when the situation did not appropriately resolve itself from a private meeting, it was then dealt with “in the presence of all” (v. 14).

Some might suggest that what Peter (Cephas) did was none of Paul's business, but Peter's behavior was affecting the Christianity of others. His attitude became a stumbling block for the body. Absolutely it was Paul's business. It would have been my business … or your business. “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them” (Ephesians 5:11).

But the right way to deal with such a problem is one which follows the biblical pattern established. In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus says, “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. [16] But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. [17] If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”

Step #1: Identify the sin. If real sin has occurred, then you will be able to provide chapter and verse for the transgression. If you cannot provide a biblical foundation for what you believe is a fault, then it is probable that you are allowing your own personal feelings to interfere.

Step #2: If you believe sin exists, go to your brother personally and privately. This is not a matter to be shared with others. Nor is it right to simply shove a note in their pocket anonymously. Do you care about the body of Christ or not? The primary goal in conflict resolution is repentance and restoration. Whispering behind someone's back does not suggest credibility, and anonymity only displays cowardice. The only way a person will potentially see sinfulness within themselves is against a backdrop of righteousness.

Step #3: If your brother continues in sin and will not listen, confirm the sin. This is the step that is most often abused. Too often in confronting Joe Sinner, a few people are taken along as “moral support” or as “backup.” Perhaps others are brought in because they share your opinion of the other person. If there's anything worse than being confronted by one person with his chest puffed out and nose in the air, it's two or three more just like him. The verse stated explicitly though why others were involved. They were “witnesses,” so that “every FACT may be confirmed.” Therefore, I don't care what you think you know. Don't come to the table unless you have facts. Someone saw me do something thirty years ago? Really? You “think” I've committed such and such a sin because so and so informed you? Was so and so even a reliable and credible witness? Maybe you and your little gang don't know as much as you think you know. If you are going to truly resolve a conflict in a holy and righteous manner, then it must be based upon FACT. Confirm the sin!

Step #4: Eventually if a sin becomes blatant enough, it will begin to affect others. Trying to keep it behind closed doors will do nothing to protect body members who may be exposed to such sinfulness. As the doctor will tell you if you have cancer cells isolated in one part of your body, cut it out to protect the rest of the body! In the case of willful and blatant sin, the wrong thing is to ignore it. The whole church needs to know eventually … not to expose the shame of the sinner, but to protect those who have not yet succumbed to such temptation. And if the sinner will not repent even after being exposed to the congregation, then reject them even as they have rejected Christ. The modern church falsely speaks of unconditional love. The Bible though speaks of loving discipline, by which real repentance and restoration is brought about.

It is easy to see that in today's world, people don't really want to resolve their conflicts. What is held aloft as idealism is often nothing more than personal favoritism. People believe what they want to believe – regardless of the facts – and all the debate in the world will not change their minds. Such a mindset is not of God. The Spirit of the Lord works to unite, not divide. God “is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

We therefore have a responsibility. “My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism” (James 2:1). “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; [4] do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

This isn't about you, it's about Christ. This isn't about your feelings, but about God's word. As the Lord prayed to His Father, so I pray, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17).

Forgive and Forget

On my birthday, a relative who had spiritually wounded me sent a card that contained a reference to Philippians 3:13-14, “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

The implication is that I should forget the past and move forward. First, I would be remiss if I did not correct the misinterpretation of the Scripture. Paul is not suggesting we forget the past, he is telling us to forget the sinful life we left when choosing to accept Christ and walk the narrow path to salvation. “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). He is giving us an eternal recipe for success: Forgetting the old man of sin that should be dead and buried, and reaching forward to what only a new creation in Christ can attain.

So Paul's text is not about forgetting the past. It is not about forgetting grievances against you. In fact, Paul is the first to warn against those who have proven to be “dogs” and “evil workers” - those who have received a “false circumcision” (Philippians 3:1). He implores us to examine the evidence which our past contains in order to make a determination between those who “walk according to the pattern” and those who are “enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:17-18). As the apostle examines his own life, he remembers distinctly which single congregation supported him when he first began to preach and the fact that every other congregation neglected to help him (Philippians 4:15).

But my relative – who claims to love me – has suggested that I need to let go of the past and move on ... to forget any perceived sins against me. In effect, I am being asked to consider the family relationship as more important than whatever grievances I may have. This certainly is a popular thought. Modern psychologies – which have invaded both the world and the church – teach us that we cannot move forward – in our lives, in our relationships – unless we learn to forgive. It is said that we must not harbor resentments. “You have to forgive and forget!”

But is that the truth? Why then has God said to the churches three times, “I have this against you” (Revelation 2:4, 14, 20)? In fact, can you find even one passage of Scripture in which God forgets the past and overlooks sins committed against Him? Only one thing – ONE – causes God to forget sin, and that is repentance. In every other case, God has indeed harbored resentment. “I will set My face against you” (Leviticus 26:17). “I will act with hostility against you” (Leviticus 26:24). “I will act with wrathful hostility against you, and I, even I, will punish you seven times for your sins” (Leviticus 26:28).

““You who have forsaken Me,” declares the LORD, “You keep going backward. So I will stretch out My hand against you and destroy you; I am tired of relenting! [7] I will winnow them with a winnowing fork at the gates of the land; I will bereave them of children, I will destroy My people; They did not repent of their ways”” (Jeremiah 15:6-7). Why didn't God just forget about the past? Because “they did not repent of their ways.”

Forget psychology! Forget Oprah Winfrey! What does Jesus say? “If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. [4] And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4). According to the Master, there is no forgiveness apart from repentance.

I have made my grievances crystal clear against my family members. I would love for the family relationship to be restored. I long for the fellowship of those who desire to be my Christian brothers and sisters. But this isn't about a petty insult. This isn't about getting my feelings hurt. This is about the rejection of my ministry to Christ, and therefore Christ Himself.

I have been fired by “Christian” congregations four times. In each case, members who claimed to love me and my family believed lies and turned away from us. They would not support us. They denied the evidence of my life and my preaching. I cannot forget that. God does not forget that. A separation has been made. “Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them” (Mark 6:11).

Only once in almost thirty years has someone from a former congregation contacted me to say, “I was wrong.” Once. That brother I graciously accepted back into my life with tears. The repentance was sufficient to warrant forgiveness. For the rest – even from my family members – I'm still waiting.

I cannot forgive sinful behavior apart from repentance, because God does not. Not one unrepentant sin has blindly being overlooked by the Lord. He does not ignore our transgressions with a conspiratorial wink. Man is superior at excusing sinful behavior. “Oh, we're only human. We're all just imperfect people.” God never makes such declarations. Can you really imagine Him saying, “Oh, it's all right, you're only human. I'll ignore that sin since you're all just imperfect people.” Only by repenting will proper fellowship be restored.“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

My family treat me as if I have severed the ties that bind us as some sort of temper tantrum. Just the opposite. I take no pleasure in the separation, nor have I walked away from them lightly. What has been done was affected only after much prayer and consideration of the Scriptures. Before I ever considered their sins, I first considered my own, as Jesus says, “First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye” (Matthew 7:5).

Also, they (my family and former congregations) have in effect – by their behavior and speech – suggested that no sin was committed. If they do not see their sin, that is their problem not mine. I am responsible to the Scriptures, which state, “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them” (Ephesians 5:11). I cannot force someone to understand, or even to listen. All I can do is speak truth.

God did so in abundance, yet His people – those who claimed to love Him – rejected His spiritual assessment. “How have we despised Your name?” (Malachi 1:6). “How have we defiled You?” (Malachi 1:7). “How have we wearied Him?” (Malachi 2:17). “How have we robbed You?” (Malachi 3:8). Jesus also warned of such blindness – and its repercussions – early in His ministry, “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ [23] And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS’” (Matthew 7:22-23).

In fact, considering such Scriptures, it becomes all the more necessary for me to remove myself from such people. Overlooking the sin would only perpetuate the blindness. The right thing to do when unrepentant sin remains blatant and outstanding, according to the apostle of Christ, is to sever fellowship, “I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:5). Sometimes it is only by an extraordinary measure that wickedness can be revealed and realized.

Our Declaration of Independence claims that when it becomes time to “dissolve the …. bands which have connected them with another … a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

Our founding fathers were following a biblical model … and so have I. As Jesus says, “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. [16] But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. [17] If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15-17).

That's Not Trust

“For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; [9] indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; [10] who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope” (2 Corinthians 1:8-10).

The circumstances in which the apostle found himself were dire indeed. When you've reached the point where you truly believe you are going to die, how much lower can you go? But God specializes in the impossible. As Jesus testified, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God” (Luke 18:27). What is required from man though is trust.

I would define trust as responsive faith. It believes, but doesn't only believe. It has faith, but that faith actively works. Trust means putting what you believe into practice.

“Did God really say that?”
"Yes, He really said that.”
“Did He mean it?”
“Yes, He really meant it.”
“And He actually wants me to do something about it?”
“Yup, that's the fact, Jack.”

I would suggest that there is little evidence that the modern church understands trust at all. For example, let's imagine Jesus is standing right on the other side of a deep chasm. He says, “Walk to Me.” Now, in the Bible we read of Peter and the trust that He placed in Jesus, getting out of the boat and walking on the water. But walking on air? Joe Christian is ready to obey though, so he grabs a hatchet, cuts down a few nearby trees, fashions a makeshift bridge, and is able to walk out on it just far enough to reach Jesus' hand. The Lord looked at him, sighed, shook His head, and said, “That's not trust.”

Imagine Jesus handing a note to Joe and saying, “Take this to your next door neighbor.” Hmmm. Joe's never actually talked to his next door neighbor. Doesn't even know his name, but he's willing to be obedient. So he calls a bunch of his friends and invites them to a party at his house. Knowing the noise of the party will get his neighbor's attention, he rents a large flashing signboard, programs in the message from Jesus, and sets it directly between his house and the neighbor's. And Joe, watching from his house, finally sees his neighbor look out his window and read the sign. The next day, Joe returns to Jesus with a big smile. “Mission accomplished!” The Lord looked at him, sighed, shook His head, and said, “That's not trust.”

Imagine Jesus taking Joe to a small lot in a relatively poor neighborhood. Joe notices a concrete foundation and a stack of building supplies nearby. Jesus says, “I want you to build a house.” He points to the supplies, “Everything you need is right there.” After Jesus leaves, Joe – ready to obey – rolls up his sleeves and gets to work. Framing the house doesn't take very long, since the wall studs were already together. Joe only had to raise them into place and secure them. He noticed a bag full of nails, but understanding the principles of construction, went out and bought power screws instead. He knew they would last much longer and be much more secure. Then Joe was ready to place the exterior walls. He noticed the boards Jesus provided weren't very attractive, and wanting to really please his Master, went out and bought better boards with his own money. By the time Joe was finished, the outside of the house was attractive and much more pleasing to the eye than those simple boards. All that was left was the inside. Again, Joe noticed the Lord's supplies were basic and minimal at best, so he called some of his friends in the community and asked if they would donate some better supplies for finishing and furnishing the inside of the Lord's house. Lots of people got involved, and soon the house was a veritable showplace inside. Joe smiled. He knew the Lord would be pleased with his initiative. About to contact Jesus, Joe had one last flash of brilliance, contacting a local company to completely landscape the yard. When the Master finally arrived, Joe smiled, asking, “Isn't it beautiful?” The Lord looked at him, sighed, shook His head, and said, “That's not trust.”

Can you imagine Jesus warming up the crowd with a few jokes before the Sermon on the Mount? Do you really see the apostles on the Day of Pentecost using a praise band to get the audience pumped before convicting them of crucifying the Christ? Can you really see one apostle or prophet surfing the internet during office hours, or attending the local meeting of the ministerial alliance? Can you see the early Christians, persecuted heavily because of their beliefs, gathering together for an exercise class? In fact, how many – if any – of our modern practices can be justified in Scripture?

“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).

What reason do we have for believing that the Lord will be proud of the congregations we have constructed? Is it because our buildings are so beautiful? How beautiful are the lives of those within? Will the amount of acreage we own make up for the lack of knowledge we possess or the lack of faith we display? Do we really believe that our improvements to the church are superior to what the Lord of all creation provided? Are we really so bold as to think that marketing experts know more about reaching the lost than the One who is King of kings and Lord of lords? The “Christian” church that is being presented to the world today is nothing like that found in the New Testament, yet our “Restoration” leaders smile, pat each other on the back, and say to Jesus, “Mission accomplished!”

“‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). Jesus turns away, saddened by the vain attempts to supplant His eternal wisdom. He sighs, shakes His head, and says, “That's not trust.”

"My God, My God, Why have You forsaken Me?"

“My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1).

Just imagine. Jesus, hanging on a cross, slowly and painfully dying. Every sin of the human race was upon Him. All the enmity of Satan was being brought to bear against Him. God the Father – in righteousness and justice – had no choice but to turn His face away from His only Son.

“My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me?”

What man would not cry out in anguish in the midst of such suffering? How obvious that Jesus fully shared our humanity. As the divine Son of God, Jesus had always been in fellowship with His Father. Yet, because of sin, that eternal fellowship was broken. At that moment on the cross, Jesus was separated from His Father. Is it any wonder He cried out?

“My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me?”

The entirety of the human race was represented on that cross – Jesus by His presence, and everyone else by their sins. Of that race, only Jesus deserved to live. He was the only One who had completely and thoroughly separated Himself from sin. He alone rejected every facet of that which belonged to the realm of Satan.

I have heard with my own ears men – elders, shepherds, church leaders – pray corporately, “Forgive us our many sins.” I have heard them as they stood before the flock, declaring, “I'm not perfect. I'm just a sinner – like we all are.” I have seen with my own eyes on church websites slogan after slogan stating, “We are just a group of imperfect people.”

“My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me?”

Jesus said no. He refused. He would not sin. “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). So even though He was hungry and thirsty after forty days of fasting in the wilderness (Luke 4), still Jesus declined Satan's temptations. Even though He knew He would die horribly and bear the sin of the world, “He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). He accepted the weight of the world's wickedness and suffered the indignity of a public execution, rather than for one moment submit to sin.

So why has it become so common within the church to make excuses for sin? Why do we gloss over it? Why do we look the other way? When the elder prays, “Forgive us our many sins,” I have to ask what kind of life he has been living that would require such a prayer? According to God's word, an elder is to be “above reproach” (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6). So why would such men constantly remind us of what sinners they are? In fact, all Christians – as the bride of Christ – are to be “holy and blameless” (Ephesians 1:4; 5:27; Colossians 1:22). The church is to be “sincere and blameless until the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:10). Those who are called saints are to be “blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Philippians 2:15). It is Satan who wants us to be an “imperfect people.” God wants us to be “spotless and blameless” (2 Peter 3:14).

“My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me?”

I have asked that question, but I have not suffered as Christ did. I hear the word of the Lord, “You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin” (Hebrews 12:4). Yes, I have lost friends and family members for the sake of Christ. Yes, I have lost homes and property. Yes, I have lost jobs. Yes, I have been persecuted. Yes, I have had entire congregations of people turn away from me. Yes, I have been run out of town. Yes, I have experienced hatred, lies and the gnashing of teeth. Yes, at times it feels as though the Lord has abandoned me entirely. But I have still not suffered what my Lord suffered. Therefore,“I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8).

“My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me?”

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Psalm 119:11). There is no excuse for the so-called people of God to tolerate wickedness, much less advertise it. Jesus turned His back on sin, and gave us an example to follow.

“My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me?”

When the church gathers her collective voice and declares to the world her “imperfect” status, it is obvious that she has forgotten the presence of Christ's Holy Spirit, “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

“My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me?”

God was forced by His holiness to turn away from His Son while bearing our stain of sin upon Him. But Jesus – even in such a horrid moment – would not turn away from His Father. The church must be reminded of her King's fortitude. What is so casually accepted in the assembly today ignores completely the warning of Scripture, “O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake You will be put to shame. Those who turn away on earth will be written down, because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the LORD” (Jeremiah 17:13).

“My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me?”

How have we become so callous … so complacent? When temptations are set before us, we must refuse! “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). When you feel the sting of sin and the attack of Satan, then you must take up “the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16). But do not bow to sin … ever! And certainly there should never be a public recognition that imperfection reigns within the body of Christ. The command and promise of God has obviously been forgotten,“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

“My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me?”

Thank God that those were not Christ's last words. Yes, He experienced human weakness and suffering. Yes, He experienced anguish and heartache. Yes, He was assaulted by hatred and abandoned to die alone. But His trust in His Father overcame every obstacle that Satan placed in His path.

“And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” Having said this, He breathed His last” (Luke 23:46).

Jesus' trust was well placed! “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:8-9).

In the face of such dedication, where do we find an excuse for sin? When will the church open her eyes and see the grand deception of Satan? “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).

“My God, My God, Why have You forsaken us?” My question, not Christ's. Therefore, I will provide the answer: Because we have believed the lies that we must acclimatize to our communities ... that we must do whatever it takes to attract sinners … that we must be like everyone else … that everyone must like us.

That wasn't the example of our Savior. He refused to sin. He rejected it completely. He preferred death on a cross to fellowship with Satan. He would not bow to peer pressure, and He certainly wasn't worried about social standing.

“Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

No one wants to suffer, but it is preferable to surrendering to sin.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Paul's response should be our response: “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. [10] Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

“My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me?”

Jesus did not submit to sin, but He submitted fully to His Father. We must so submit – not to the trials and temptations … not to the world and its works, but to “the author and perfecter of faith.”
“Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Praise God for a real Shepherd ... a great Shepherd who wants to lead us away from sin, even through the valley of the shadow of death, to a permanent place "in which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13)!