Time to Change the Argument!

To say that I was angry doesn't fully express all of my emotions. I was sick to my stomach, frustrated (extremely frustrated), saddened, and (YES!) angry. It happened last week when my wife and I received a phone call that told us to turn to Larry King and watch an interview. Our kids were in the room so we didn't do it. I knew what the show was all about. We found out that another one of our "Christian" artists had announced that they were homosexual.

Unfortunately, this is starting to become all too common. In 2008 there was another famed artist who announced that he was a homosexual. In his pursuit of homosexuality he left of trail of a broken marriage, children without a father, and a Christian fan base scratching their collective heads. The question in all of this is how do we change the argument? It seems as though people with traditional Christian beliefs about sexuality are viewed with such disdain. We are seen as judgmental, arrogant, and even narrow minded. Trevin Wax wrote an excellent article for Baptist Press which talks about this problem. After reading the transcripts from Larry King's show - here are the suggestions he came up with:

1. "We need to shift emphasis from the truth that 'everyone is a sinner' to the necessity of repentance."

This is a very powerful argument. All of us seem to understand our sinfulness (to one degree or another) but how many of us understand the necessity of repentance. Without repentance we cannot be saved. It takes more than an intellectual acknowledgment of what Jesus has done on the cross. The Bible teaches us very clearly that we must turn from our life of sin to follow Jesus. Repentance = agreeing with God about my sin and turning from it. I not only confess my sin but I give it up!

2. "We must not allow ourselves to be defined by our sexual attractions."

Many of those who choose to follow the path of their attraction seem to think that they are being true to themselves. However, if we took this same approach within the confines of traditional sexual attraction there would be a huge uproar. What if I'm attracted to a woman other than my wife. If I don't run after her am I not being true to myself? Actually, when I choose to live in proper relationship to my wife I'm being true to her and to God. Sexual attraction and sexual behavior are two totally different things. Although I may not be able to understand being attracted to the same gender - acting upon that attraction takes me outside of God's design (one man - one woman).

3. "We must expose the arrogance and judgmentalism of those who would so flippantly dismiss the witness of Christians for 2,000 years."

I find it interesting that the traditionalist is always viewed as judgmental. However, how arrogant for those on the other side to reject the teachings of the church, the Bible, and the last 2,000 years of the Christian faith. There may be some who would dismiss the teachings of the Old Testament but how could we possibly ignore what the Bible says in Romans? In Chapter 1:18-32 (this is New Testament Folks!) we see that people who go down this path are doing that which is unnatural. Don't give me the argument that they are just being who God "created" them to be! God's Word teaches otherwise. It seems to me that they got to a place where they had "itching ears" and went out found a teacher who would make them feel comfortable in their sin.

4. "We need soft hearts toward Christians struggling with same-sex attraction."

This is a situation that the church is going to have to deal with. We need to find a way to communicate truth to those who struggle in this area. Although you may view it differently it is no different that people who struggle with porn, drugs, alcoholism, etc. It's a genuine temptation for some and we need to be able to love people toward deliverance. Can it happen? Yes - it can!

At the bottom of this blog entry I'm posting a website operated through the Southern Baptists that helps people overcome this particular perversion. My hope is that the church will not run away from this issue or turn our backs on those who need us. We must be the agent of change.

www.sbcthewayout.com

A Promise Delivered

"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." 2 Corinthians 1:20

I'm so grateful to be able to share with you a story about a promise delivered. Due to security reasons I will not give out names or locations. However, I will do my best to communicate this awesome blessing.

Nine months ago we received word that our missionary friends were expecting their 2nd child. The next day, the expectant mother had to have emergency surgery! Immediately the people of God began praying and God in His faithfulness answered our prayers. Statistically speaking - she should have never made it out of the hospital alive. But with God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

Though the next 9 months would prove to be difficult in many ways, this couple remained faithful to God. One reason was that God had spoken to the mother through a dream. This dream came during her surgery. In the dream she saw the Lord holding her child. His words were, "Don't worry - He's with Me." She asked the Lord, "Does that mean that he is with You so that you can protect him or does it mean that I will never get to hold him?" She never received an answer. A few days later we talked about the dream and I felt sure that God was affirming that He was protecting the child and that everything would be O.K. Today, that promise is a reality!

Baby and mother are doing well and we trust that God will continue to watch over this family. We thank God for His faithfulness.

I pray that today's blog will encourage you. Instead of wringing your hands at life's difficulties - choose to hold on to the promises of God. His promises are sure and steadfast. If He has spoken, it will be delivered.

You may not be able to understand His timing but you can always trust His heart.

Nail It Down

Over the past few weeks there has been one dominant theme that the Lord has lead me to share with others: "You may profess it but do you POSSESS it?"

I sense that there is a time coming in the church when we will no longer be able to straddle the fence. The times we live in demands spiritual reality. Saying something isn't the same as doing something! James said, "...Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:18) Some people try to imply that James is leaning toward salvation by works. Absolutely not! What James is attempting to teach the church is that faith without works is dead.

Listen to this warning in Paul's letter to Titus: "They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work." (Titus 1:16) I have a friend in the ministry who said, "You can't live wrong and die right!" In other words, our lives need to match what we say we believe.

Some people might take offense to this type of preaching. When I make statement like this, the quick argument is: "What about eternal security?" Folks, the problem is that we don't understand what eternal security is all about. There is a great multitude in our congregations today who are trusting in a particular event in life (I went forward, I prayed a prayer, I was baptized, or I joined the church) but have absolutely no reality of faith evident in the way they live. My understanding of salvation is that when we come to faith in Jesus that "old things are passed away - all things become new." If we have been saved then our lives will give evidence of this salvation. Eternal Security means that the believer is secure in their salvation. You cannot lose it like someone losing a wedding ring. God will not break His covenant with you. This covenant is based upon the finished work of Jesus Christ. But this covenant doesn't give you a license to sin!

Eternal security completely trusts and affirms the grace of God. We didn't do anything to be saved and we cannot do anything to stay saved. Salvation is the work of God in my life. It's complete and continual. I have been saved - I am being saved - I will be saved. Salvation takes care of my past, my present, and my future. The teaching of eternal security is all about assurance. It gives me the understanding that if I stumble that God's grace is sufficient. I'm not perfect - I am forgiven.

Here's one of the scariest portion of Scriptures that I have ever read: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" (Matthew 7:21-23)

The thing to take note of in Matthew 7 is that Jesus doesn't argue about what they have done in His name. He simply says, "I never knew you." Salvation isn't about what you profess. Salvation is all about being HIS! I can have a religious experience but it doesn't mean that I have been brought into a relationship. The greatest need today is not people who draw close to God with their lips but those whose hearts are with Him.

My encouragement to you: NAIL IT DOWN! If there is any doubt in your heart that you are saved - go to God in prayer and confess Jesus as Lord. Give yourself completely to Him. Surrender your will to His will.

I just had an opportunity yesterday to share this experience with someone. This person have known for some time. Never have I doubted their salvation. However, God was pressing in on their heart. "You profess it but do you possess it?" This question just kept ringing in their spirit. As I listened to what God was saying, the word "Surrender" kept coming up. I don't know what it was all about. I don't know if the person wasn't genuinely saved or not. All I know is that yesterday this person "Nailed it Down!" God's presence was real and the peace of God flooded in as we prayed. Only God knows what truly took place in that time. And I guarantee that we will see a difference in the life of this individual. His life will become more than just a profession of God but a possession of God.

Dear Reader,
I do not share these things with you to bring fear. I share this with you to awaken a reality. Most believers that I speak with have come to a place in life where they have had to own their salvation. In other words, it was more than just a confession of faith. They had to walk in it! I remember sitting in the back of a church building by myself and crying out to God "Lord, I'm yours! I can't live it - I just want You to live it through me." From that moment on my life changed. I was saved before that but what was missing was the reality.

My prayer for you is that you will "Nail it Down." The Bible teaches us to "make your calling and election sure." It also says that we should "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Remember that this isn't a salvation by works. NO - we must fully trust in the grace of God! However, what you will experience after this is a life that demonstrates who you are in Christ.

**If you take the steps that I have shared with you please share it with me. Click on the comments and tell me about your experience. Where you saved? Did you re-commit your life to Him? Did you sell out to all that God wanted? Thanks in advance for letting me know and may God bless you as you walk with Him.

Can We Handle the Truth?

"Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.'" (John 14:6)

In his book "Houses that Change the World", Wolfgang Simson quoted an Argentinian Evangelist to make a powerful statement concerning our way of church. Juan Carlos Ortiz once remarked: "There are more than 22,000 denominations in the world. How lucky you are that you happen to be in the one that is right!" Since then we have witnesses an increase of the number anywhere between 24,000 and 30,000.

Have we forgotten the words of our Lord? Jesus said that He is the way, the truth, and the life. However, we continue to hold on to our version of the truth. Could it be that the problem we see in many churches is that our steadfast determination to protect our truth is actually keeping the TRUTH from having His way?

From Day 1, I have sought to share with you the things that God is doing in my heart. The problem with that is what I share may seem a little radical. I tend to be very narrow minded in regards to these things. But since you keep coming back to read I feel that I have gained your trust.

What is God doing in me? He's challenging me. He's stirring my heart to look outside of the traditional forms and norms. He's inviting me to join in His way of doing things. Of course...this takes time. I often find myself joining God in what He is already doing and praying that the church will join me as I have joined Him. With all that being said, here's what God is teaching me.

Many people within the church have heard of the Reformation. It refers to the time that God was stirring the heart of Martin Luther in regards to salvation by grace through faith. This is one of the most pivotal moments in the Christian faith. No longer would salvation be tied to works, prayers, offerings, or rituals. The key to salvation that was re-discovered by Martin Luther was GRACE!

Another reformation that happened in the church was a spiritual reformation. The priesthood of all believers led to a greater intimacy with God. It also led to a greater responsibility of each and every believer following after the leadership of God to ministry. Luther's reformation dealt with theology while this 2nd reformation dealt solely with spirituality. As followers of Christ we have come to realize that God has gifted each of us with abilities to be used in His kingdom. We can no longer sit on the sideline and watch ministry being done. No...we should join God in what He is doing.

In spite of all this change, one thing that hasn't changed is the structure. We continue to "do church" inside this marriage of the Old Testament "House of God" mentality to the Jewish synagogue. Therefore, what we participate in on Sunday mornings is a service designed for the people to hear from a particular individual inside a building designed to house God. Think about it! Does this sound New Testament to you?

When we read the Acts of the Apostles we will find that Paul purposefully did the work of the church outside the synagogue. It was his custom to visit there first, but then he would gather together with the believers inside homes or buildings. It seems to me that we have stopped doing what Paul did. Instead, we have moved believers inside and wait for the world to come to us. In doing this, we have trapped the follower of Jesus in a religious system where the greatest attainment becomes church membership.

We have turned the community into a convent. A convent is: 1. A community, especially of nuns, bound by vows to a religious life under a superior. 2. The building or buildings occupied by such a community. Doesn't this sound like church as you know it? Could it be that church as we know it is keeping us from being church as God wants it?

We must be willing to challenge the structure of today's churches. The Bible teaches us that God has given Apostles, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers for the equipping of the body for works of ministry. However, when I step inside a church building all I can find is a pastor(s), some deacons, and the members. We have turned all of our ministry over to a group of professionals and sit back to watch. We have allowed one man to go to God and hear for us just like the Israelites and Moses. But I think that God has a better way.

The question is: Are we ready to turn the church over to the Lordship of Christ? Can we trust that He will give us the overseers and leaders that we need. Can we trust that they will equip us for works of ministry? Can we stop looking at discipleship as something we do in Sunday School and Small Groups and begin to see that the New Testament model for growing in Christ actually came through relationship? I know that what I'm proposing is revolutionary but isn't that the point? Shouldn't we consider starting a revolution or at least a reformation?

I wonder who will join me...
I wonder who would love to see the church become all that she can become...
I wonder...

There is a lot to think about in all of this. There is a lot of work to be done. But I do believe that we have to get rid of the consumer religion that we have created and move into a different era of the church. All the while remembering that Jesus is the WAY.

An Interesting Comparison

This morning I was given an opportunity to go on my first Spring Gobbler hunt of the season. It's that time of year again in VA and I welcomed the time in the woods. Being out in God's creation is one of the ways I'm able to clear my mind and simply rest in the goodness of the Lord.

I thought of an interesting comparison while I was out there. So much of what we do in hunting can be compared to evangelism.
Preparation: It's hard to be a good hunter if you don't have the proper equipment, haven't scouted the land, or have a good place to hunt. We can use this same criteria for sharing the Good News. If I haven't prepared myself with the Gospel, haven't located the location of those who don't know Jesus, or don't put myself in the best area to share then I'm not going to be quite as successful in reaching people for Christ.
Desire: If I don't desire to be out in the woods then I'm going to stay in bed. Who gets up at 4:30 am to venture off if you don't have the heart to do it. The same can be said when it comes to evangelism. If I don't desire to see people saved then I will never look for opportunities to share.
Enjoying the Hunt: If I killed something every time I stepped into the woods then I wouldn't call it hunting - I would call it killing. The fact is that there are many times that I go out and do not claim the prize. However, if I don't go then I won't be successful. If you don't enjoy sharing Jesus then you won't. If you get frustrated by rejection to the point of giving up then you won't tell people about His grace. But if you can learn to enjoy the opportunity and the obedience then you will continue to share with joy.

Turkey hunting has some great similarities to sharing the Gospel. I'm what I call an "active" hunter. In other words, I like to do things to draw the prize to me. When deer hunting I grunt, use cover scents, and rattle. Turkey hunting is a sport where it's almost necessary to call. You can go out - find a spot - and wait but the chances are against you. However, if you will pick up a chalk box, slate, or a mouth call then you can draw them to you.

Some of the modern "tools" of evangelism tells you to wait for them to get to church. All you have to do is design the service around/for them and hope that when they come then your message will be successful. Friendship evangelism takes the approach of getting close to someone in hopes that your life will rub off on them. That you will gain their interest in spiritual things and when the time is right - BAM! - give them the Gospel. However, the Bible teaches us that people will not come to the Lord until they hear - and they will not hear unless someone shares - and someone doesn't share unless they are sent. We cannot sit idly by and hope that the world will pass our way. We must go to them! We must call them with the Gospel message. This method has the greatest success rate when it comes to evangelism.

Another aspect of calling to the lost as it applies to turkey hunting is that there are different types of calls. When it comes to turkeys, some like the sound of a particular call over another. You may have a glass, ceramic, or slate call - each with a different sound. There are chalk boxes and mouth calls each designed to bring the bird that is ready straight to you. Jude 22 says, "And on some have compassion making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh." There are some people that you share with who need to be warned of the judgment of hell. Although all of us need to recognize that we are sinners who need to be saved by grace, some people will respond to the love of God rather than the judgment of God. Some will respond by understanding that their sins lead to death and death without Christ is hell (literally). We simply need to understand what works for whom we are sharing.

Regardless of your approach and message, one thing is for sure, you greatest chance of success in evangelism is to be out in the field sharing with the lost.
Ask God to give you the desire.
Do what you can do to prepare yourself.
Then GET OUT THERE!
Sure...it's a different kind of hunting but listen to the words of James: "Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins." James 5:20