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When God Opposes The Shepherds
Serving themselves instead of their flocks
By David Crowe
"Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, ‘Thus says the LORD God, "Woe, shepherds of Israel, who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?’ " - Ezekiel 34:1-2
Shepherds were responsible for their flocks. It was an exacting calling. They were to protect the sheep, retrieve those who strayed, and were held accountable to their masters when they failed. They were to be devoted, selfless, and strong. Young David met all those requirements (Cf. I Samuel 17:33-37). He had the heart of a lion and the people loved him for it. And so did God.
The Bible makes it clear that these same characteristics and expectations applied not only to sheep herders in the wilderness, but also to political and spiritual leaders, to kings and governors and those in authority.
Homer and other secular writers frequently called kings and governors 'shepherds.' Jehovah God was referred to as the "Shepherd of Israel," and Jesus Christ as "The Great Shepherd."
When Shepherds fail their calling
Shepherds - whether spiritual or political - who serve themselves instead of those they are shepherding, are dealt with severely by God. In Ezekiel 34 the LORD held them responsible and accountable for selfishly ensuring their own well being before that of their flocks, for profiting at their expense and ignoring their condition. God judged them for it. He said,
"Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand: I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be foodfor them." Ezekiel 34:10 KJV
The leaders of Israel and Judah, both priests and kings, and those who were to serve the people, had become corrupt, and were under judgment. In the New Testament Jesus called them hirelings.
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling, and does not care about the sheep." John 10:11-13 KJV
A word for our day
While the God of heaven through the prophet Ezekiel was referring to the misguided, ungodly leadership of Israel's kings, princes, authorities and priests, His warning is immutable, unchangeable, unalterable, and remains true for our elected and non elected officials and those pastors of our day who serve themselves and ensure their well being before the well being of their flocks. It applies to those political leaders who care more for the approval of their peers than of God, for the security of their pensions, than doing what is right, no matter what the cost. It applies to pastors and all who hold leadership in our seminaries, colleges and Christian organizations who go along to get along instead of standing firm on the eternal truths of Scripture.
Those who will not, as David, fight for their sheep with courage, determination, and faith in God, but leave them to wander and become prey to the cultural "beasts of the field", while they play it safe, will be judged harshly.
Americans Christians - at the hands of both our spiritual and political leaders - have become as those who are lost, weak, broken, and who wander from place to place without a shepherd, not knowing the truth about who they really are in Christ, as kings and priests of the most high God, nor their citizenship responsibility on earth as Ambassadors of the King of kings. And thus it follows, that we are like sheep for the slaughter, ill prepared prey for the ravening wolves around us.
Heavenly Father, have mercy on us. We and our leaders have sinned. We are like dumb sheep, easily led astray, easily deceived, and lost without a Shepherd. You and You alone are the Good Shepherd. Turn our hearts, and the hearts of our earthly shepherds back to You as the only deliverance from the hirelings who fleece the sheep for personal gain. May we cease our wandering amongst the promises of this world and return to You. Deliver us, our children, and our children's children from this lost and rebellious world and all it's allurements. Restore our faith in You, Your Word, and Your Dear Son. Renew our minds with the truth. Set us free to walk in the newness of Life you bring to our weary souls. Ignite within us a renewed desire to proclaim Your Name above every name, and the way of salvation that You and You alone have provided through Your shed blood. Come quickly LORD Jesus, but until You come, may we occupy with boldness, by the power of the Holy Spirit within our breasts. May we exalt and honor You in all we say and do to the Glory of God in Christ Jesus, Your Dear Son. It is in His Name, and His Name alone that we pray, Amen.
"For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the LORD so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and Safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall notescape." - I Thessalonians 5:2-3 KJV
To read more from David Crowe, please visit his website at RestoreAmerica.org.
@ November 10, 2009
The Tragedy Of America's Pulpits
By David Crowe
"The fear of man bringeth a snare, but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe" - Proverbs 29:25
The Hebrew word for 'snare' in Proverbs 25:29 means "to be ensnared, trapped; to have a noose around one's neck or have a hook in the nose." By implication it means to be enslaved, to lose one's freedom or liberty.
When men fear man more than they fear God, they lose their freedom. Instead of fearing God, fearlessly proclaiming His truth, and walking in obedience, they place a noose around their necks and a hook in their noses, to be forcibly led where they do not wish to go.
When our pulpits and pews are filled with the fear of man
Such is the case of America's evangelical pastors whose fear of man, has led to their retreat from moral leadership in the pulpit and silence in the public square. As a result, Christians in tens of thousands of churches across the land are like sheep without a shepherd, without understanding of their Christian Heritage, or responsibilities as citizens, and know not what they should do. When pastors and their flocks relinquish the moral and spiritual authority God has given them to speak into the surrounding culture, those who God calls 'wicked,' prevail, to the discouragement of the people.
"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." Proverbs 29:2
Throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles which chronicled the account of the kings of Judah and Israel, it is repeatedly said of the majority of the kings, "he did evil in the sight of the LORD" and "led the people astray."*
The stark contrast to our Patriot pastors
Unlike the patriot pastors in New England who railed against the British from their pulpits for imposing ungodly laws upon the colonists, tens of thousands of America's contemporary pastors know very little about their God ordained responsibility to speak into civil government, our Christian Heritage as a nation, our Constitution, citizenship responsibility, and contemporary legislation that will affect every member of their congregation. As a result, the banner of righteousness is trampled underfoot, the ungodly are elected, and the people mourn. Their fear of losing their tax exempt status, member support, and peer approval, overrules their commitment to truth and the commandment of Christ to be 'salt and light' before men. They are emasculated. Proverbs 28:12 describes them when it says,
"When the righteous triumph, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves."
Hiding themselves
The overwhelming majority of our pastors have 'hidden themselves,' conveniently using the excuse that "we are in the end times" and these things are "the will of God", that we should not interfere, lest we be "opposing His will." Apparently it has not occurred to them that what we are seeing is the wrath of God because of our lawlessness and rebellion, our silence as the people of God in the face of evil, our desire for the approval of men, rather than godly righteousness.
As a result, ' Rome burns' while we look the other way, thinking that we are spiritual and therefore absolved from responsibility, an attitude shockingly reminiscent of the pharisees whom John the Baptist and Jesus categorically rebuked.
The folding of hands
To thousands in our pulpits, pews, and church boards, "occupy till He comes" has come to mean "sit it out, and do nothing," as if we were powerless to change anything, fatalistically assuming God has disabled us from the power within to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. How foolish, faithless, and utterly disappointing to the Coming King.
His children have come to prefer the noose, the trap, the snare, and the hook in the nose, to our own folly and that of our children.
To read more from David Crowe, please visit his website at RestoreAmerica.org.
@ November 3, 2009
Surefire Ideas for a Fun Sunday School Class
By Steven Belks
You enjoy a great passion for Bible studies and the way of the Lord, but conveying that passion to a classroom of sometimes rowdy and inattentive students requires discipline and creativity. Here are some best kept secrets you can use to transform the "rigors" of Bible study into an enjoyable and memorable educational experience.
First, choose your materials wisely. So many religious texts for children are either overly dry or flowery or even insipid. Today's generation of internet-raised children need to be stimulated -- not with tons of electronic learning tools but rather with great stories that build solid morals. Talk to other Sunday school teachers about which books and materials work best in terms of reaching kids. Experiment with various stories and projects -- your kids can act as a de facto focus group to help you find the best material for your teaching style.
Along those lines, make sure you are prepared for class. Kids can tune out easily if their instructor doesn't command the space. You need not be the most eloquent public speaker or engaging personality to keep peoples' attention. But you do need to have a plan in place and to communicate that plan. Review your lesson each week. Bundle your information thematically. Bring in props or guests or materials that the kids can physically handle to make the lessons come alive.
Engage your students by answering questions -- no matter how ridiculous or potentially heretical. Kids are natural curious about God and about the world around them. If you don't know the answer to a specific Biblical question or prayer-related matter, talk to a church authority who can help you. If you’re overly rigid and dogmatic, you run the risk of turning off children and shutting down their minds.
Make religious ceremonies and prayers concrete. Try games, sports and show and tell projects to involve your students in the myths and rituals you teach. Kids naturally enjoy play acting different Biblical characters - so why not host a Bible-based talent contest? Kids can write Bible-based plays, do a Christian music dance-off, or even do Bible karaoke. Of course, you don't want to turn your Bible class into a free for all -- you do need the kids to attend to the lessons -- but you can find plenty of ways to spice up the classroom without sacrificing the profundity of your mission.
Be passionate about what you are teaching. It may have been a while since you reviewed the classic biblical tales. But the texts of Christianity are rich with important life lessons that are applicable to practically any dilemma the modern kid might face. Bring the Bible to life by letting the children see your own passion for the material. If you don't care about the lessons, how can you expect others to listen and connect with the material?
Keep order. If you have a class disciplinary problem, nip this in the bud right away. Once your classroom senses that you've lost control of the wheel, you may find it very difficult to regain order. While you don't want to be overly strict -- images of stern-faced nuns slapping disobedient children with rulers come to mind -- you do need to make sure that the kids in your class know their place. You can use your support staff to enforce rules. Your priest or administrator can help you manage particularly difficult students or emotionally tricky situations. You can also call in parents if things get really out of control. Lay out the "law of the land" early, so that kids know your expectations. Be clear and regular in your enforcement of these rules. If you go soft sometimes and overreact at other times, you will confuse the situation and undermine your authority.
Above all, lean on your abiding your love of children to see you through the tough times and to guide your instruction. You are going to make mistakes, and you will encounter classroom situations that throw you for a loop. But by leaning on that fundamental love that draws you to teach Sunday school, you can overcome obstacles.
Finally, remember that you don't have to reinvent the wheel. Borrow lesson plans from other, more experienced Sunday school teachers. The internet offers a panoply of courses, ideas, and activities for Bible study. Your school may have its own curriculum that constraints you. Or you may before forced by time considerations to focus only on a set agenda. Even if you are held to rigorous constraints, find some ways to inject your personality and sense of faith into the lessons.
About the Author: Steven Belk is an author and a representative for Concordia Supply, a leading provider of vacation bible school and church supplies online. Visit us today for a full selection and great pricing.
@ August 14, 2009; Source: Narrow is the Path
Eschatology Speaks to Progressive Liberalism: Tree Climbing in America
By: Rev Michael Bresciani
Eschatology is the study of the last four things specifically death, judgment, heaven and hell. The study of eschatology necessarily takes in the second coming of Christ since no judgment will take place until that is accomplished.
Progressive liberalism is a neo-political term used to describe the geo-political trends in a modern world. It generally means a leaning toward larger government and less stringency in education and child rearing. A fuller definition would require pages not paragraphs.
At the outset liberalism is at a disadvantage because of another definition and it is hard to make a comparison. An “ism” is a movement, doctrine or system of belief. An “ology” is a specific body of knowledge and in general does not necessarily require anyone’s belief in it to make it true. You may believe that gravity is nothing but when you fall out of a tree it establishes itself as a law each and every time you hit the ground.
It would be fair to say that progressive liberalism is man falling or in today’s climate of PC, tolerance and diversity, jumping out of a very tall tree and eschatology is what happens when he hits the ground.
Before seeing how second coming prophecies speak to liberalism it must be noted that one of liberalisms more prominent assertions, that religion has no bearing in modern life is partly true, but that too has only to do with definitions.
The common definition for religion is that it is a “belief system.” In fact the word religion is non-existent in the Old Testament and is used only four times in the New Testament and only once there is it given a definition. The definition James gave to religion (James 1:27) has to do with the behavior of the believer and not a system of worship. So what are we to do if even the Bible refuses to give us a proper definition?
The simple truth is that the Bible isn’t about religion it is about revelation. Religion is something man creates to categorize, codify, actuate and perpetuate a system of belief. From the New Testament onward no such demand was made by God but a request or invitation was made to see what God had revealed to man. God has revealed himself in the person of Jesus Christ and that is why the Apostle Paul was able to say that Jesus was the ‘express image’ of the living God. (Heb 1:3)
Revelation and religion are as far apart as the east is from the west. One is mans feeble attempt to appease, assuage or placate God with a system of beliefs, behaviors, liturgies, ceremonies, sacraments, icons, theologies, doctrines, ethical codes et al. The other is God reaching down to man and showing who he really is and exactly what he expects of us.
The Bible says mans number one proclivity from birth to death is to sin. The second greatest proclivity although not mentioned in scripture but proven in history has got to be religion. Sadly, among the great list of sins is the sin of rejecting the revelation that God gave of himself. Religious practices are useful only as long as they are supplements rather than substitutes for the real thing. What is the real thing?
Once again we have to resort to the differences between “ologies” and “isms.” God wants us to know him, not just about him from second sources like theological positions or religious practices. He wants us to know him personally and collectively as in community or nationally. The ‘ology’ or knowing part of theology means nothing unless it is in fact personal.
When we don’t know him personally we will always hide in or live in ‘isms’ like Catholicism, Presbyterianism, Methodism and many others. An ‘ism’ is a terribly poor substitute for a real ‘ology.’ Real time Christianity can safely borrow from the meaning of the phrase “it’s not what you know, but who you know that counts.”
Don’t decide to take offense with this because you happen to be a devout Catholic or Protestant. Just ask yourself if the practice of your religion is a substitute or a supplement. The answer is yours to decide and any subsequent action taken is also entirely in your ball park.
Because eschatology includes what is known as pre-millennial prophecies (second coming of Christ) that are according to scripture pre-written history how can a mindset like neo-liberalism possibly stand against the prophetic in an effort to explain our future? Liberalism is a pathetically hopeful pipe dream by comparison.
To qualify the assertions of pre-millennial prophecies we have only to view the record of accuracy in Old Testament prophecy. In what is known as pre, mid and post exilic prophecies (captivity and subjection of Jews to Gentile Nations) the accuracy rate is one hundred percent. In prophecies of the Diaspora (dispersion of the Jews to all nations) the accuracy rate is also one hundred percent.
Messianic prophecies also have a one hundred percent accuracy rate. Some of the prophecies Christ fulfilled in the last 24 hours of his life before his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection were fulfilled against the odds of 53,000,000 to 1. There are 167 scriptural pictures of what would happen to Christ and not one of them was wrong. The final clincher is the fact that it is the same God, the same Spirit that gives us the pre-millennial prophecies.
The second coming prophecies are replete with timing, (season of) moral and geo-political conditions of the nations, the formation of a world economic and political power in the same general geographical area as the old Roman Empire (EU) and the emergence of certain key figures that engage the entire world in a new economic system.
It isn’t confirmation of the accuracy of prophecy that we need to seek here but rather it is comparison. Biblical prophecies paint an entirely different picture for our world than the purveyors and prognosticators of the new progressive liberalism that is sweeping the world and America of late. Here is a simple breakdown in layman’s terms.
Global Warming: Without doubt the threat of our planet being thrust into a worldwide drought or another ice age is absolutely zero. According to prophecy the world as we know it is transformed by the re-entrance of Christ in our history. Radical topographical changes will be made to the earth before the 1,000 year millennial Kingdom begins but they are not man made. Some eschatologists believe that it is to prepare the world to become an almost completely agrarian society. Deserts will cease to be arid and many mountains will be flattened.
Gay Agenda: The gay agenda is the second to the last signal that society has gone to the edge of its own demise. Both the Bible and history clearly have shown that any and all nations that began the trek into moral decline were at the precipice of their own final and irreversible fall. Nothing has changed in writ or history and progressive liberals can only hope you don’t know that, much less believe it. Today’s idea of education won’t pose any threat of our children finding out. God was given his walking papers long ago from the Dewey system of enlightenment. Revisionist history and a progressive slant to geo-political science take up the rear guard and that’s why some students think Prague is a town in Kentucky.
Abortion: It would seem at first that there is no way to connect the worldwide genocide that is abortion to the prophecies of the second coming of Christ. Speaking again of conditions that would prevail in society as the last days approached Christ said “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” (Mt 24:12)
Throughout millennia mothers birthed and raised children through times of war, famine, drought and political uncertainty with little or no money. Now in a time when western civilizations poorest and even welfare moms have thousands of times more money than ever dreamed of by women of the past the single greatest excuse for an abortion is the lack of money. In the very simplest terms Christ is saying that this is a pure unadulterated excuse wrapped in the skin of a lie. In no uncertain terms Christ said that in the last days it would be love that is missing not money!
We live in a world that spends billions of dollars to save whales, seals, wolves and endangered species of all kinds. We put limits on how many animals a hunter may kill or how many fish an angler can catch but place no limits on how many of our own unborn children we may kill.
Abortion stands alone as the most nefarious and wicked by-product of progressive liberalism. Regardless of how lawful it is to abort an unborn human being no amount of common acceptance can remove the reprehensibility, the gore and the blood guilt that it spawns. It is in truth unbridled murder under the auspices of an ideology that is not worthy of even one of its innocent victims.
The next time you hear someone say that more people have died because of religion than any other cause you might remind them of this. Not only has some perverted political ideology cost the lives of more people throughout history but in this country alone 50 million innocents have died under the banner of liberal court rulings (Roe v Wade) in less than a generation.
Nearly 115,000 abortions occur every day worldwide. In John Lennon’s 1971 hit ‘Imagine’ we are asked to imagine a world with no religions. That is all too easy as the last days approach Antichrist will handle that part of the worlds big transition into progressivism. What seems a far better thought is a world with no abortion!
Although there is much ado about Al Gores “Inconvenient Truth” for the unborn it is Darwin’s ‘convenient truth’ that is the worry. It is a delusion of biblical proportions (2Th 2:11) that convinces a modern and liberal world that God’s sweetest little souls can be sent back to where they came from marked ‘unwanted.’
Apostasy: The apostasy (falling away) of the church is what the Bible concerns itself with but when this keg of wispiness, laziness and faltering loyalty explodes it creates a lot of collateral damage. Documents regardless of how revered and the principles on which they were drawn such as the Constitution and the Bill of Rights will be damaged, disregarded and altered.
At the heart of the apostasy is a general decline in faith in the one God who created everything and the revelation of his will in the scriptures. This opens doors to falsehoods, false prophets, and idolatry. This is the last step in the decline of any nation. Pre-millennial prophecy shows that man will finally go to the heights of idolatry in the very worship of man. The Antichrist will be a well accepted leader who will draw the worldwide allegiance and worship of every inhabitant of the earth…or else, but that’s another subject. Here is what Christ says about it…
“I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.” (John 5:43)
In short the pipe dream of progressivism leads to the nightmare of Armageddon and that too does not require the belief of the adherents of liberalisms brave new world. The truths in Eschatology are the hard cold ground that will meet a mistaken world on its way down from the lofty and wind shaken boughs of the highest tree that today is named progressive liberalism.
About the Author: www.americanprophet.org is the place for news, articles, movie and book reviews and other insights for life. Rev Bresciani is a columnist for online and print publications and has over two million readers and counting.
@ July 24, 2009; Source: Narrow Is the Path
5 Ships Needed to Take Your Church into the Future
By Bryan Cutshall
One of the most common mistakes made by leaders is changing courses to fast. A church is a lot like a ship. If you turn too fast, you will turn the boat over. The sea of life if full of sunken ships that would have survived if the leaders would have transitioned instead of forcing abrupt and immediate change. Change is not accepted merely because it is needed. Many people know things need to change, but would rather settle for mediocrity than venture into the unknown seas of an uncertain future. People will only accept change if their leader has enough influence, track record and integrity to ensure a safe trip into uncharted waters. Changing a church requires at least 5 ships: Leadership, Worship, Discipleship, Stewardship and Fellowship.
Leadership- Unless the leaders are on board, change will be resisted and confusion is imminent. All of the questions have to be answered among the leaders, before the visions is cast to the rest of the congregation. Corporate vision casting should never catch your leaders off guard.
Worship- The key to a successful worship service is flow. A worship service that doesn’t have constant interruption points gives you a seamless experience with God. A service with flow gets you into His presence, and there your mind can be changed. Change must be perceived as spiritual growth. Nothing says that like a seamless flow in a worship experience.
Discipleship- Solve your problems in the smallest possible component. The quickest avenue of change is through small groups. Your discipleship program not only gives you the best results for personal growth, but also provided the perfect vehicle for corportate growth. Vision trinkles down from the top. As the leaders cast the vision, the small groups leaders can have unprecedented influence in creating positive momentum.
Stewardship- The first question concerning change is, “can we afford it.” Churches have got to start thinking outside the offering plate. Growing churches need to create income streams that fuel their ministry budgets. A stewardship plan up front makes a huge impact on how people perceive ideas for change.
Fellowship - The larger a church becomes, the better it has to do small. Connectivity is the key to cohesiveness. Never underestimate the power of a night of eating, laughing and enjoying each other. The church is in the relationship business. We create an environment where individuals can have a personal relationship with God and the family of God. Friends can change the hearts of another friend much quicker that the best ran campaign.
All Aboard!
About the Author: For more information and other articles like this please visit my website at www.churchtrainer.com
@ July 8, 2009; Source: Narrow is the Path
IRS Admits Churches Have Free Speech Rights That Liberal Organizations Have Denied for Decades
By David Crowe
Why has it taken so long?
For decades the IRS' silence on the issue of what churches could and could not do served to aid liberal organizations like the ACLU, People for the American Way, and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, to silence America's pulpits.
In 2006 a group of Christians in Texas challenged those groups by holding several pastor conferences that included the Governor of Texas as a speaker.
Liberty Legal Institute reports that "The IRS investigation came as a result of a complaint filed by the Texas Freedom Network (TFN), a left-leaning Austin based political organization, who accused the non-profit group of breaking the law by trying to influence political campaigns. Specifically, TFN accused the religious organization of "encouraging pastors at the gatherings to mount voter registration drives and turn congregants out at the polls." "
The investigation forced the IRS to recognize in writing the rights of churches and pastors to speak out on issues, hold voter registration, and invite political leaders and office holders to speak at their gatherings, rights that many of us, have long held as our God given and Constitutional rights.
Liberty Legal Institute announced yesterday that "the Internal Revenue Service found that pastors who gathered in 2006 for a series of public policy conferences and included Gov. Rick Perry as a speaker, had every right to do so and that the organizers of the events did not violate any tax laws that govern non-profit organizations."
Read the World Net Daily Article
You will hear little if anything of this defeat from the media because it is a major setback for their pet organizations in the strategy to silence churches and Christians while they dismantle our laws and institutions.
"There comes a time in the affairs of men when they must prepare to defend, not their homes alone, but the tenets of faith and humanity on which their churches, their governments, and their very civilization are founded." - Franklin Delano Roosevelt
About the Author: David Crowe is the founder of Restore America, an organization formed to call all bible believing voters to restore our nation to its Godly foundation, to help restore hope and preserve our liberty. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD." (Psalm 33:12) To read more from David Crowe, please visit his website at RestoreAmerica.org.
[Other articles pertaining to this topic: IRS backs pastors' political activities (One News Now); IRS rules that pastors do not risk losing tax-exempt status for traditional-values advocacy (Washington Times)]
@May 21, 2009
Becoming..by Grace
By Dr. Michael A. Halleen
By the grace of God I am what I am, and (God’s) grace to me was not without effect. (1 Corinthians 15:10)
Early in my ministry career I was a college chaplain and often spoke at youth retreats. On one such occasion I was traveling from Chicago to Seattle with two college students who were to provide music. We were on United Airlines which at that time scheduled flight attendants to work together for an entire month. Somewhere over South Dakota the crew announced that because this was the last day of their working together, they were going to celebrate by holding a talent contest for passengers. The winner would receive a bottle of champagne.
Bob, one of my musician companions, immediately pulled his guitar down from the overhead luggage bin and went to the front of the plane with a handful of other hopefuls. I knew the others had no chance—none—against this extraordinarily talented young man with a flair for performance.
The passengers on our DC-10 were treated to a series of lame jokes and old songs crooned badly—and then Bob. He sang a peppy song he had written using invented words that was a hit at every youth retreat. He engaged his audience at 35,000 feet and soon had them singing his nonsense syllables with gusto. Returning to his seat at the rear of the plane to loud applause, grinning from east to west, Bob proudly displayed his bottle of champagne. “What else could I do?” he said. “I am what I am—an entertainer!”
It’s a great mercy to be able to accept the circumstances and opportunities—and limitations—which make up my life in this moment. To receive and work within them, not lamenting that they are not stronger…or other…than they are right now—this is the meaning of living by grace. I am what I am. Greater still is the mercy of hope, the ability to embrace my sample of life while looking forward to what’s next. It’s not enough to say, “I’m stuck here; I can do no other.” Grace is dynamic. Full of hope, I accept with gratitude the circumstances of today, but I live with the promise of tomorrow. I’m becoming what I ought to be.
A young man whose body and speech were severely affected by cerebral palsy spoke at a meeting I attended. “What you see is a handicapped person,” he said. “I am what I am. But in here,” he continued, pointing to his head, “I’m All-Star second baseman, turning double plays and headed to the Hall of Fame.” I was moved. Grace is not without effect.
Dr. Michael A. Halleen writes very insightful and inspirational messages known as "Monday Moments". If you would like to recieve these messages please contact Mike at mhalleen@att.net.
@ May 13, 2009
Religious Frauds and the Bible
Robin Calamaio
Introduction
Have you ever heard (or said), “That church is filled with hypocrites!” or, “That preacher is a con-artist!” ? Guess what? This might be an accurate assessment! The Bible speaks to this subject in great detail. Many people object to Christianity because they know many “Christians” are frauds. Quite honestly, I was stunned when I discovered the Bible's material on this subject. I believe you will find the forthcoming material informative and interesting. I will first define hypocrisy and fraud with Bible examples for both. Then the penalties awaiting hypocrites/frauds will be discussed. This is followed by a conclusion.
Hypocrisy and Fraud Defined
Hypocrisy involves personal behavior that is inconsistent with some professed standard. There is deliberate and non-deliberate hypocrisy. Deliberate hypocrisy consists of giving “an impression of having certain purposes or motivations, while in reality having quite different ones. In some languages, this is expressed by ‘having two faces’, ‘two tongues’, ‘being two people’, ‘having two hearts’” (Louw & Nida, Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament, pg.766). Some translate this word “pretender,” or “stage actor.”
Ananias and his wife Sapphira are examples of this in Acts 5:1-10. They had sold land and wanted everyone to think they were donating the entire price of the land when in fact they had agreed together to withhold some of it for themselves. They both died on the spot. A New Testament execution by God Himself. Age of Grace, huh?
Non-deliberate hypocrisy occurs when the hypocrite is not even aware of his/her inconsistent behavior. In Galatians 2:11-21, Peter and Barnabas are probably an example of this. They were reverting back to some selective elements of Judaism and it took an objective outsider (Paul) to see it and confront them. This type of hypocrisy often begins quite subtly and progresses gradually. Everyone probably falls into this type of hypocritical behavior at times. But once exposed, one should turn from it, make amends if possible, and try to figure out how -and where - wrong turns were made that led to the wayward path.
Fraud involves actions that take advantage of another. Hypocrisy is present, but fraud moves to this next level. Again, there are deliberate frauds, and non-deliberate frauds.
Satan is the primary deliberate religious fraud. He “disguises himself as an angel of light” (II Cor 11:14 ). On Judgement Day, it will probably be revealed he operated in this role more than any other. His goal is to come as close as possible to presenting, and representing, the truth - yet still be outside true teaching and behavior. Also, his strategy is to infiltrate the church with hypocrisy, fraud and misinformation. And what is his primary method in accomplishing this? “Therefore, it is not surprising that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness” (II Cor 11:15 ). Their behavior may appear impeccable, but they teach “doctrines of demons” (I Tim 4:1). They operate from pulpits and teaching positions. Deliberate frauds are propelled by greed and lust. “In their greed they will make merchandise of you .... (They) indulge the flesh, despise authority, are daring and self-willed ... and have eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin .... (They) take advantage of unstable souls, have a heart trained in greed, and promise freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption .... Many will follow hard after their sensuality and because of them the way of the truth will be evil spoken of” (II Pet 2:1-3,10,14,19). They “love to be first” (III Jn 9), “care for themselves (while) flattering people for the sake of gaining advantage” (Jude 12:16 ), and “creep into households and captivate weak-willed women weighed down with sins” (apparently sexual trysts) (II Tim 3:5,6). You might be right in your assessment - that preacher could very well be a fraud!!
Non-deliberate frauds are very sincere in life style and teaching, yet are in grave error on core Bible understandings. An example of this type of fraud is found in Matthew 7:21-23. Jesus said, “not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven .... Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me you who practice lawlessness.’” This is an after-death conversation. Eternity is in front of these people, and they know Jesus is “Lord.” This life is forever past and there is no game playing going on in this post-death appeal. They really do believe they had practiced righteousness in their time on earth – in Jesus’ Name - yet Jesus will declare them evildoers!! This passage is astounding. Many religious zealots fall into this category. They may have an apparent “zeal for God, but not according to (correct) knowledge” (Ro 10:2). Even the Apostle Paul was in this group before he became a Christian (I Tim 1:13).
Most of the foregoing material refers to leaders. But the Bible also has much to say about followers. This complicates the whole picture as there is great mixture of deliberate and non-deliberate hypocrisy and fraud among followers. In the parable of the four soils (Lk 8:4-15), the second soil represents those who “receive the word with joy, (but) have no firm root; they believe for a while, but in time of temptation fall away.” They start out strong, but when true challenges come, they abandon the faith. The third soil represents those “who have heard...(but) are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.” This group probably comes to church on Sundays, but the rest of the week is consumed with self interest. They “profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him” (Tit 1:16 ). They “hold to a form of godliness, but have denied its power” (II Tim 3:5).
These may comprise some of the “tares” of Matthew 13:24-31, and 36-43. They look good on the outside, but are actually weeds. These tares (frauds) are mixed in with the wheat (Christians), and will not be removed until harvest day (Judgement Day). They are stained with hypocrisy and fraud. Every generation has its share of tares. This will continue to the end of the age.
But there is a more aggressive type of fraudulent follower. These choose not to hear “sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they heap up for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires” (II Tim 4:3). Christianity in America reeks with this. Not only are there many cults and sects, but orthodox circles are plagued with “strong arm” people who seek control of their church and its message. These frauds are “religious” as long as it is advantageous. They can act very friendly, until their interests are crossed. They do not attend church to be taught, or changed, by God. They have other reasons for church activism. Some are pressured by family expectations while others want to add religion to their social resume. Some want to establish “business connections” with church people and others want a power position when none exists at work or home. Some estimate that 5% of churchgoers are truly Christians. While it is impossible to confirm this figure, it is noteworthy that some think the percentage of true Christians in the church is this small.
Penalties
“‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay’, says the Lord” (Ro 12:19 ). Suppose you own a business that employs an outside sales force. As they present your product, you begin receiving alarming requests at headquarters. Orders are coming in, but customers are in error on the product’s price. Others are misinformed about the product’s purpose. Others are confused on warranty information. As the owner, you know you are accountable for your product’s representation. And when you consider all your effort that made the enterprise a reality in the first place, what would be your response to your sales force? Wouldn’t it be proper to find out who was responsible for the misrepresentations? The answer is obvious.
This crude illustration does bring the point home. God has chosen to share extremely valuable information to humanity through the Bible. And the cost involved to bring this information to us was higher than any of us can know. It comes through a Roman cross.
And God has determined this information is to be transmitted by people to people. Both the proclaimer and listener are cautioned. The proclaimer is warned of “a stricter judgement” (James 3:1). The listener is instructed to “examine everything carefully and hold fast to that which is good” (I Thes 5:21 ). Those who misrepresent God, whether “innocently” or deliberately, face unimaginable penalties. Divine woes are pronounced on them (Mt 18:7) and for them “black darkness has been reserved forever” (Jude 13). Read Numbers 16, Acts 5:1-11 and Rev 20:10 for a few examples of God’s actions in this regard. “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31 ) and “leave room for the wrath of God” (Ro 12:19 ). He will deal with each hypocrite and fraud in His own way and time. In these matters, we are ultimately “relieved of duty.” God will take up for Himself. That is part of being God.
Conclusion
The Bible confirms the presence of religious hypocrites and frauds. Some practice deliberate hypocrisy and fraud, while others are unaware, to varying degrees, of their error. Religious frauds will be present to the end of this age. Unfortunately, they damage many people who are sincerely seeking God. But the damage will be temporary for those who are truly His. While hypocrites and frauds offend many people, the One primarily offended is God Himself. They mar His reputation, and penalties will be meted out for this. The severity of punishment will depend on the degree of culpability (motives and actual harm). This information should help those who are sincerely seeking God. But God helps the sincere seeker in yet another way. Jesus was the victim of religious hypocrisy and fraud. He was slandered, betrayed, framed, tried and murdered at the hands of religious hypocrites and frauds. He knows firsthand the trauma caused by hypocrisy and He can teach us how to withstand and successfully respond to these assaults.
About the Author: Free, unique ebooks at http://www.freelygive-n.com/Free_Christian_Ebook_Home.html . Or find out how to get right with God through a visual Stick Figure Gospel Presentation at http://www.freelygive-n.com/Gospel_Presentation.html! Robin has a Master of Divinity - Emmanuel School of Religion, 1992.
@April 8, 2009; Source: FreelyGive-n.com
What is the Focus of Your Church?
by Jerry Kinard
When I got out of the military in 1996 to plant our church. I thought that it would be a matter of time before our church would be growing with large crowds. I rested mostly on my ability to preach and teach the Word of God. I was wrong. It does not matter how gifted you are or how talented you may think you are in the end it's God's church and He is the only one who grows it.
I've tried a variety of different approaches to reach our community for Christ all to no avail. It was not until a few years ago and reiterated again last spring through a Navigator conference that it became clear to me that my job as a pastor is to make disciples (See Matthew 28:18-20).
One of our problems is that I think we get lost trying to compete with the church down the street. We are not in competition with one another. As a friend of mine Scott Lycan once said, there is no us and them. It's just us.
There are so many people that are hurting in the world. I think our attempt to fix the problem is admirable at best. But many time it's a feeble attempt. We try to put Bandaids on bullet wounds. Instead of trying to fix the cause of the problem we try to fix symptoms. The problem in the world is sin. It's not just enough to get a person saved, but we must also follow them up and help them grow to spiritual maturity in Christ (See Colossians 1:28-29) to the point where they are loving Jesus with all that they got.
I also think at times we are fighting the wrong battles. Our battle is not political but spiritual (Ephesian 6). I am a strong opponent of abortion. However, if we do not change the heart of the person than we are wasting our time. There is no amount of legislation that is going prevent a sinful heart from sinning. As pastors and leaders our fight is in the pulpit for the hearts and minds of those whom we are called to serve. When those who are in our congregation are hungering for God and His will then we will see some gains in the abortion issue. We cannot expect unsaved people to make godly choices.
The reason our churches are not impacting our community for Christ is because we are not relevant. What the world is looking for is Christ shining brightly in our lives and the only way this happens is through a heart that is totally surrendered to Him.
In order for us to make disciples we must first be a disciple. How's your walk with the Lord? What is your ministry focus? Is it maximizing your potential in Christ through discipleship or is it focused on something else?
In closing, Mary and Martha were two sisters who loved Jesus. However, Mary, knew that intimacy and growing in Christ was far more important than her ministry (Luke 10:38-42). Let's stop trying to build our own empires and focus on what's important - being a disciple and making disciples of Jesus Christ.
About the Author: Jerry Kinard is the Pastor of Growth Minstries a house church network in Raleigh, NC. You can contact him at jqkinard@gmail.com or visit the church's website at http://www.raleighhousechurches.com.
@ March 25, 2009; Source: FaithWriters.com
Our Gifts
By Dr. Michael A. Halleen
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. . . . (Let us) use it in proportion to (our) faith. (Romans 12:6)
Alexander Borodin was a nineteenth century Russian composer, a member of “The Mighty Handful,” a group of that nation’s five leading composers dedicated to producing a distinctly Russian music. His opera, Prince Igor, is thought by some to have been his most significant work.
Borodin, however, always considered himself no more than a part-time musician—a “Sunday composer,” as he called himself. His training and professional career were in organic chemistry. He worked as a researcher in that field, writing scholarly articles and delivering lectures in Russian universities and throughout Western Europe. But on weekends, as a hobby, he wrote string quartets and symphonic poems—and Prince Igor. It’s that music that became his legacy to the world. Likewise, . . .
- Socrates was a stonemason who made a good honest, living. But he was a curious man, and in his off hours he asked questions and challenged people to think. Today he’s remembered as the founder of Western philosophical thought.
- Alexander Graham Bell was a teacher whose wife was nearly deaf, and at least in part as an effort to assist her to hear better, he invented the telephone. What started as weekend tinkering to solve a domestic communication problem revolutionized communication for all.
- The Wright brothers built bicycles in Ohio, but when business was slow they fiddled around with the idea of flying. It was just a sideline. Then came that December day in Kitty Hawk, and the Wrights would forever be associated with flight.
- Jimmy Carter was, in many ways, an undistinguished, garden-variety U.S. president. Since leaving office, however, he has achieved greatness in still another career as an international diplomat and humanitarian.
The gifts that lie within many are too great to be confined to a single avenue of expression. The interests that drive some spirits are too varied and rich to be satisfied with punching the same clock for forty years. And, for a certainty, the needs of the world go well beyond the contribution any of us can make to meet them in a mere eight hours per day. We need more “Sunday composers.”
Are there dreams still hidden in you? What are you doing next weekend?
Dr. Michael A. Halleen writes very insightful and inspirational messages known as "Monday Moments". If you would like to recieve these messages please contact Mike at mhalleen@att.net.
@ March 16, 2009
The Seed and the Soil
By Dr. Michael A. Halleen
(Jesus said) "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.. (Some) seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying.even a hundred times." (Mark 4:3, 8)
Those who teach us these days about revitalizing the church point out that "It starts with the soil, not the seed." They mean that the power of God's love-the seed-will have its effect wherever it is welcomed and received. There is no situation in which the Spirit of God fails to do its work. All we need to be concerned about is the condition of the
soil-our own hearts. It's our resistance to the message of grace that alone can make that grace of no effect. New life, reconciliation, hope, joy, peace of mind-it all starts with the soil, not the seed.
The seed had found good soil one day when Alexander MacLaren, a renowned 19th century preacher, met with a friend whom he had been hoping to convert to the Christian faith. The man had many intellectual doubts which MacLaren had been attempting to address in a series of sermons. At their meeting, this friend asked the preacher how he might go about joining the church. Overjoyed, MacLaren asked which sermon had removed his doubts. "It wasn't any sermon!" the man said. "It was a poor woman who stumbled on the steps of the church. When I reached out to help her, she thanked me and said, 'Do you love Jesus my Savior? He means everything to me!' I still have lots of questions, but now he means everything to me too!" The soil was ready for the seed.
The seed had found good soil also when a bishop of the Church of South India went to baptize some young people from one of his parishes. He asked one of them what it meant to him to be a Christian. The young man pointed to the local missionary standing nearby and said, "To me to be a Christian means to live like Mr. Murray." The bishop probably had expected a more abstract answer; what he heard instead was something about the power of the seed in good soil, multiplying.
Sometimes we wonder where God is in our lives. Why is God withholding blessing, we ask. It must not be our time, we guess. The Lord has entered some other door than mine, touched someone other than me.
But the farmer is still sowing, and the seed is always good. Take a look in the mirror. It starts with the soil, not the seed.
Dr. Michael A. Halleen writes very insightful and inspirational messages known as "Monday Moments". If you would like to recieve these messages please contact Mike at mhalleen@att.net.
@ March 2, 2009
Open Church Membership vs. Closed Church Membership, and the Bible
By Robin Calamaio
Answer these questions honestly. Could Jesus, if physically here, become the pastor of your church - without becoming a member of it? Could He be an elder, deacon, teach a Sunday School class ... or even be a greeter? Don't lie. If not, then your church practices closed membership. Incidently, Who resides in a Christian making a Christian ... a Christian in the first place? "I in them" (Jn 17:23) and "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col 1:27). When a Christian walks in your church ... isn't Jesus walking in too?
God commands, "examine everything; adhere to the good" (1Thes 5:21). Church membership is a "thing." As it affects the practical workings of the fellowship of the saints, scrutiny is demanded. Indeed, to leave this practice unexamined ... would be sin.
Definitions
Closed church membership places one's profession of faith secondary to the elements composing that local church's qualifications for "membership." A profession of faith in Jesus Christ, as one's Lord and Savior, is not enough to be "in." Chosen distinctives must be agreed to - before full access is granted.
Open church membership recognizes one's profession of faith as an authoritative transaction between an individual and God. "(J)oyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us into the Kingdom of His beloved Son" ( Col 1:12,13). God Himself lavishes all kinds of temporal and eternal gifts, promises and positions at that transfer ... and he/she is "in." Open membership honors this eternal transaction immediately and fully - and fears unrighteously inserting itself between the all-powerful, living, holy Creator ... and His child.
The Catalyst For My Inquiry
When on staff at a residential ministry, a professing Christian left us and headed to a local area church. He was unrepentant of clear-cut sin. I called the church to inform them - with the expectation they would investigate, and then present a united front toward that errant brother. Such action internally protects the local body - and is actually an act of love toward the offender. This also externally protects that local body from being viewed as a haven for unrepentant, "spiritual felons" who are professing Christians. Anyway, I was told the church could not do anything. That individual ... was not a member of the church. Questions came ... and convictions arose.
The Practice of Church Membership
Historically, church membership is a relatively new practice. The Reformation catapulted its use. Its purpose was to keep nonconformists to the particular sect ... out. Distinctives of the sect were thus protected from corruption. Actually, not much has changed. This is one of those unusual instances when "preservation" actually promotes decay. For you to understand the forthcoming material ... teachability is required.
The "Free Zone" and the "Freeze-Out Zone"
Closed membership creates an outer "zone" in the local church. Professing Christians can attend ... and float around as free agents - with no accountability or responsibility. This is a "Free Zone" created by church leaders - unsanctioned by God. On the other hand, it's also a "Freeze-Out Zone." Church leaders can keep out professing Christians whom they designate "a threat" for some reason. This censorship is destructive to the "frozen-out" saint and also damages that local church body.
Damage 1: Weaker Brothers Rule
... with stronger brothers dispatched. Closed membership is actually the bad fruit ... of weaker brothers. This tool keeps stronger brothers out - who cannot, and will not, bow before these fire-destined, plastic barriers. For example, Paul cites those who declare certain days as "high and holy," or who declare things "unclean" that actually aren't ... as weaker brothers (Ro 14:1-23, and 1Cor 10:19-33). Of course, they often do not appear weaker - or believe themselves so. They pound pulpits, institutionalize their petty distinctives, rule their flocks, attack dissenters - and keep out contrarians. Then, in the greatest of ironies, they charge saints so dispatched as, "unwilling to submit to authority," "divisive," "factious," "rebellious," "lone-rangers," "being their own God," "unteachable," "self-righteous," etc. But, in truth, those hiding behind their plastic barriers have shut themselves off from unwanted information - and challenges. Closed church membership establishes bastions where weaker brothers rule ... for now.
Damage 2: A Maimed Body
God grants spiritual gifts to His children "for the common good" (1Cor12:7). The Spirit distributes these "to each one individually just as He wills" (1Cor 12:11). I will not be surprised if we find that all through history, God gifted area saints with a great balance of the gifts. And, the health of that body, and consequent impact on their area, will be directly related to the accuracy of their church leadership practices (polity). Closed church membership is an extremely effective tool ... for cutting the local body to shreds. Local "leaders" cut off hands, feet, ears - and gouge out eyes ... and then wonder why they do not have a greater impact on their community. Closed church membership comes directly from the toolbox of "the angel of light" (2Cor 11:14). He has used, and continues using it - deftly.
Damage 3: "In Order That the World May Believe ..."
"I do not ask in behalf of (the disciples) alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one ... in order that the world may believe that You did send Me" (Jn 17:20,21).
Open Church Membership is hard. Individuals of great differences gather, and work together - in common cause. This befuddles outside observers ... because naturally, "birds of a feather flock together." God wants to create a local body that is extremely "unnatural." Open membership results in a group that, just by its very existence - speaks loudly and convincingly to the surrounding community. Unfortunately, closed membership creates churches that look - to outsiders - just like other groups. It is made up of the same "type" of people. This single error forfeits one of God's greatest witnessing tools - unity in true diversity.
The Local Church
... is God's creation for His children in this age. Saints are equipped there "for the work of service" (Eph 4:12). Spiritual gifts are exercised there for "the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man" (Eph 4:12,13). It is not a place of universal agreement on all things - as each person is at a different maturity level - in knowledge, understanding and behaviors. So, it's a place of tolerance in many areas ... yet, a place where "iron sharpens iron" (Pr 27:17). That necessarily involves friction. It's a place of discovery, inquiry and growth - and an oasis and place of safety. It's a place where His children experience glimpses of the coming age, "where righteousness dwells" (2Pet 3:13).
Local Church Leadership's Actual Responsibility
Initial responsibility of local church leadership toward a newcomer is extremely simple. Is that individual a professing Christian - or not? If affirmative, as a member of the body of Christ, God requires local leaders to allow His child full access to all the spiritual treasures residing in that local group. Furthermore, He expects that local body to seek Him for His reasons in bringing that saint to them at that point in their history.
God requires behavioral and doctrinal soundness of every saint - new and old alike. Local leadership must be extremely careful in defining what that last statement actually means. When Paul said, "If any so-called brother ... should be an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler .... Remove the wicked man from among yourselves" (1Cor 5:11-13), those sins must be defined the way God defines them. And when violated, the procedure of Matthew 18:15-17 must be followed. The same is true when assessing doctrinal soundness. Who would God label, "a factious man" (Ti 3:9-11)? What "is contrary to sound teaching" (1Ti 1:10) - as opposed to allowing convictions of those weaker in knowledge to stand (Ro 14: 1-23)? And what is an actual spreading of "strife among the brethren" (Pr 6:19)? Proper definitions on all counts must be carefully forged before the Head of the Church - and clearly annunciated to newcomers. Freedom to challenge those definitions is an ongoing right if one believes grounds have been discovered for such a challenge.
Conclusion
God does not require anything beyond properly defined behaviors and doctrines for His children to have full participatory rights in the local church. Plastic barriers are an assault on that saint's granted designations bestowed by the Head of the Church. As these designations come through a successfully endured crucifixion, any practice subverting these blood-purchased endowments - is sin of the highest order. Ignorance of these matters will not excuse one from accountability for these matters. Closed membership is sanctioned recklessness. I contend this little article will survive His flames, while myriads of church rolls, and all they represented ... will go up in smoke.
About the Author: Free, unique ebooks at http://www.freelygive-n.com/Free_Christian_Ebook_Home.html . Or find out how to get right with God through a visual Stick Figure Gospel Presentation at http://www.freelygive-n.com/Gospel_Presentation.html ! Robin has a Master of Divinity - Emmanuel School of Religion, 1992.
@ Feb 24, 2009, Source: FaithWriters.com
The Church Of Tomorrow
by Andrew Strom
A lot of people probably read some of the writings on this website (RevivalSchool.com) and wonder, "Where is all this headed? What is the goal?" A glib answer might be- "We want to get back to real 'New Testament' Christianity." But what exactly does that look like?
This is an important topic - and something I have pondered a great deal over the years. What exactly would the ' New Testament Church' look like if it was translated into a modern western city?
To get started, I want you to forget about today's church just for a moment - with all her obvious problems and contradictions, and picture something quite different. I want you to imagine that you are still living in the same city, in the same year, but you are right in the middle of a 'Book of Acts'-type scenario. Somehow everything has changed.
For some reason, all of the Spirit-filled Christians in your city have left their Denominations and divisions behind. They have truly begun to fulfill the prayer of Jesus - "That they all may be ONE". They now hold huge gatherings all over the city - right out in the open. And as well as these united gatherings, on most streets there is now a house-meeting, where all the Spirit-filled believers from that street gather together, eating and sharing and having communion, etc. (ie. A " NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH"). The power of God flowing in these house-meetings is amazing. Many healings and miracles are occurring. The 'gifts' flow freely every day.
It seems also that many of the church buildings and cathedrals have simply been abandoned. No longer do Christians want to hide themselves away behind "four walls". They want to gather out where the people are - presenting Jesus to the whole world. They want to be truly "one body". There is no way that any of their old buildings could contain the crowds, anyhow.
And the men whom God has raised up to lead this vast movement do not seem much like the 'Reverends' or even the 'televangelists' of old. In fact, quite a few of them have never even been to Bible College, and they seem to be very plain, ordinary people from humble backgrounds. But what an anointing! It is very clear to everyone that these 'apostles and prophets' (as they are known) have spent many years in prayer and brokenness before God - drawing closer and closer to Him. When they speak, the very fear of the Lord seems to come down, and many people repent deeply of their sins. Demons are cast out and the blind and crippled are made whole. -These kinds of things are happening all the time. The whole city is just in awe of what is going on, and thousands upon thousands are being saved. Even the newspapers and television are full of it.
As soon as someone repents they are immediately baptized in water and hands are laid on them for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. -This is expected from day one! And it is also expected that every Christian has a gift and calling from God - and that they should be encouraged to move forward and fulfill their calling. No longer is there a distinction made between those who are "ministers" and those who are merely 'laity'. Now it is expected that EVERYONE is a minister of the Lord! (However, there are 'elders' - ie. older Christians to guide things).
Some of the bishops and pastors from several denominations have actually denounced this great move of God very strongly. They say it is "deception" and warn their people to stay away. (-Every Revival in history has been accused of this - usually by religious leaders). But to be honest, it is so obvious to most people that God is the one behind it all, that very few take these men seriously. The Spirit of God is sweeping all before Him. The glory of the Lord has come.
One of the reasons that these leaders are so upset is that a lot of the Christians' GIVING now does not go to church buildings, but rather to the POOR. In fact, God has spoken to many people to start supporting widows and orphans overseas, etc. They also give generously to anyone in their midst who is in need. Many even sell their own possessions in order to do this.
The huge over-riding theme of this great movement is LOVE. "Behold how they love one another" is the catch-cry of many who watch this 'new church' in action. And everyone is given to MUCH PRAYER.
And so, gathering "as one" in the outdoors and breaking bread from house to house, they eat together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord adds to their number daily those who are being saved.
CAN THIS REALLY HAPPEN?
The above description is taken straight out of the Book of Acts - as applied to today. Everything in the above paragraphs is put there to give you an idea of what it would be like to live in the Jerusalem church at the start of Acts. -And it was like that for YEARS. Imagine the impact of such a church on the world around it! God is wanting to do this again. And He wants to use ordinary people like you and me to help bring it to pass.
I am convinced that we are NOT supposed to treat the early church as a "special case". It was given to us as an 'example'. It is what the "normal" church should be like all the time! And yet we have fallen so far below this standard. Only in times of Revival do we approach it again for a time. But I believe it is supposed to be "normal" for the church to be like this - day in and day out. This is the way that Jesus always wanted us to be.
However, one thing is clear. It will take a great "SHAKING" for us to get anywhere close to the above description today. You have to be aware that in order to get there from here, a whole lot of 'hierarchies' and church boards and careers and titles and positions would be on the line. And a lot of men simply don't want to lose those things. It doesn't matter to them whether it is Truth or not. If it affects their reputation, their position or their organization, they will oppose it with everything they have.
Sadly it is very difficult to see a "smooth" transition to this kind of Christianity. I believe we are in for a shaky ride. But I certainly believe that it is on God's agenda. And like the Great Reformation before it, I believe He will do WHATEVER IT TAKES in order to get us there.
Here's to true 'NEW TESTAMENT' Christianity, my friends - the kind that Jesus and the apostles actually invented in the beginning.
Let us settle for nothing less - WHATEVER IT TAKES.
About the Author: Andrew Strom's Ministry helps those who are fervently seeking the truth of scripture and points out the obvious flaws of false doctrine and false prophets. His books include: Survive the Depression and True & False Revival. For more about Andrew Strom and his ministry, go to RevivalSchool.com.
@ Feb 18, 2009
Loyalty
By Dr. Michael A. Halleen
Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. (Ruth 1:16)
These words were spoken some three thousand years ago by a young widow to her mother-in-law. The two women were facing the difficult prospect of trying to make lives for themselves in a society in which women were almost entirely dependent on men. Each had seen her husband die, neither had sons on whom to depend, and in their world there was no social network of care on which they could lean.
The older woman, Naomi, pleaded with her daughter-in-law, Ruth, to return to her family of origin where there might be some support available, but Ruth refused. Her loyalty was to Naomi, and they would make it together or they would not make it at all. One commentator has suggested that there is no bolder step of personal commitment described in all of the Old Testament.
Such loyalty is in short supply among many of us. We hold on to membership for as long as the organization meets our needs. We remain loyal to a commitment for as long as it suits our convenience. We keep our allegiance until something better comes along. Ruth would have had a difficult time affirming our priorities.
Some years ago I officiated at the funeral of a Detroit fireman who had died suddenly—not in the line of duty—in his early forties. At the appointed hour, the door at the back of the room opened, and a stream of men and women in dress uniform filed in. Silently, reverently they marched, led by the fire chief himself. They filled row after row, having come to pay their respects to one of their own. It was an impressive demonstration of loyalty that Ruth would have understood thoroughly.
That image came to mind again recently as I stood among a crowd of friends who had gathered to offer encouragement to a man and his three very young children whose wife and mother had died of cancer. Candles lit, we circled their house and sang together, a sign of our desire to stand with them through difficult days ahead. Firefighters, soldiers, athletes, union members, participants in self-help groups—they all demonstrate faithfulness to one another. How much more should family members—and church members—do the same!
Loyalty is not a matter of convenience, but of commitment. Your people will be my people . . . .
Dr. Michael A. Halleen writes very insightful and inspirational messages known as "Monday Moments". If you would like to recieve these messages please contact Mike at mhalleen@att.net.
@ Jan 26, 2009
Be Thankful
By Dr. Michael A. Halleen
Therefore, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:12, 15)
I was on a flight from Minsk to Kiev during one of my early visits to that part of the world. The plane, an older Russian twin-engine model, was boarded through a door in the aft part of the cabin and seated no more than thirty people. When we touched down and rolled to a stop at Kiev’s city airport, I stood and began to gather my stuff, just as I would have done on any American flight.
A Russian friend traveling with me tugged gently on my sleeve and motioned for me to sit down. For a moment I resisted, until I noticed that the other passengers had remained seated. “Its our custom to wait for the pilot to leave first, and we thank him for the flight", my friend whispered.
We all sat quietly for several minutes until the cockpit door burst open and the two pilots strode up the aisle toward the door in the rear. A number of people said spasibo (thank you) as the pilots walked by, a few nodded and smiled, and one even reached out to shake hands. Only as they were stepping out onto the tarmac did we passengers stand and begin to file out. “Its the Russian way, my friend said. “We must be thankful.”
The Apostle reminded his readers that there are many qualities important in the life of a believer. He instructed them to put them on as one might put on an article of clothing. These are not divine gifts handed down from above but ways in which human beings can decide to behave toward one another. Its not enough to say “I’m not a compassionate person” or “Im just naturally impatient.” One can choose the way one responds in any given situation. I can decide to show kindness, determine to answer gently, deliberately adopt a humble spirit, in the same way I might select a shirt to put on in the morning.
And remember to be thankful. Put that on too. Along with the other moment-by-moment options, I can choose to say thanks. The Russian way is also the Christian way.
Therefore, today whenever I leave a plane and the pilot or another member of the flight crew is standing by the door, I make it a point to thank him or her for the flight. The Russian way is the right way, and I want it to be my way.
Dr. Michael A. Halleen writes very insightful and inspirational messages known as "Monday Moments". If you would like to recieve these messages please contact Mike at mhalleen@att.net.
@ Jan 19, 2009
Are You A Shepherd Or A Hireling?
By Dr Gerrit van Vuuren
In Jesus’ discourse about the Good Shepherd in John 10 there are several parties involved. In this article I would like us to look at the comparison and relationship between shepherds and hirelings in the specific part of Scripture. To achieve this, we will consider sheep, hirelings and the Good Shepherd.
Sheep are by nature defenseless and vulnerable. They need someone to look after them, protect them and provide for them. Jesus was describing the dilemma that sheep experience to demonstrate the predicament of His disciples as well as their future disciples, and all disciples of Jesus through the ages to come. Sheep can only provide for themselves, in a very limited measure. As long as somebody provides them with grazing, water and shelter, they can utilize the water, utilize the grazing and utilize the shelter. But sheep cannot provide their own grazing, or water, or shelter. They are dependent upon someone else to provide for them. They only have the ability to utilize what they are provided with.
On the other hand, they have no ability to defend themselves against lions, wolves, bears or other predators. Sheep are totally vulnerable in this sense. As far as grazing and water is concerned, they have a great need for it and if it is at a distance, or not of the best quality they will suffer, but they will survive for a while. Therefore where such inadequate conditions prevail, they will go to find water, or go off looking for better grazing. The point is, sheep may have the ability to survive imperfect conditions for a time, but they are helpless against the enemy.
When predators appear, sheep become totally defenseless. They will attempt to run away, but will not defend themselves or apply some defensive strategy. Sheep are - like sheep.
Jesus, in His infallible wisdom, describes a situation when the wolf comes. The scenario that is sketched is not one that leaves a chance of a wolf perhaps coming, or on the other hand perhaps deciding to stay away. The wolf will surely come, and when the wolf comes, the sheep will act like sheep.
This is when the sheep will need the protection of a shepherd. Sub-standard provision of grazing, water and shelter is not good, but sheep might survive such. But when the wolf comes there is only one option. They need protection.
Let us relate this to the Lord Jesus’ disciples, in other words, Christians. As you know, we are all human beings, like the rest of mankind. The fact that you accepted Jesus as Saviour and Redeemer does not make you any different from the rest of the human race. You are still a living spirit, temporarily dwelling in a human body, with a soul which handles the communication between spirit and body.
God gave all humans the ability to look after ourselves spiritually to a certain extent. You may consider yourself sufficiently able to look after your own physical needs, but spiritually we are all very limited in our ability. This is because we live in two realms simultaneously. Although we were created primarily spirit, and secondarily physical body, sin has changed God’s intended balance in man’s life. Our spirit which is in contact with God’s Holy Spirit was supposed to rule our life, and give direction to our physical existence. However due to the intervention of sin, things have changed for the worse. We now live primarily in the physical realm, and secondarily in the spiritual realm, and we do not have the ability to be self sufficient spiritually.
Mankind has turned its back on God, and is trying its best to prove it can live without God. Yet this does not change God’s being. He remains a loving God providing for everyone calling on Him for help. Through His Holy Spirit, we are provided for spiritually. However, although there is a provision for receiving His help, God does not force anyone to accept His gift of grace and mercy. It is reserved for those who accept Jesus as saviour and redeemer. For more information on this, read the book of John chapters one to three and other relevant Scriptures.
The point we need to understand is that no matter how hard we try, the enemy has already entered the fold, and he is out to kill. He received entrance through the sin of Adam and Eve in the garden, and we cannot change history. The only protection and hope of eternal survival that we have, is the blood of Jesus Christ. We can partially provide for our own short term needs, but long term, eternally, we are doomed without the blood of Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd.
Now you may wonder if there still is a need for leaders if we have Jesus to look after us. The answer is a definite ‘YES’. We need leaders as the sheep need a shepherd. Essentially, we need True Shepherd Leaders – leaders according to the design of Jesus Christ.
Being saved is a vehicle to help us reach a destination, and not a destination in itself. We are given the right to become children of God, but what we do with that right is in our own hands. According to the Bible, we become spiritual babies when we are saved. Just like physical babies need to be nurtured, fed, instructed and matured, so it is also with spiritual babies. Physical babies need parents to oversee and assist them in their process of growing up, and so do spiritual babies. In the spiritual realm we need True Shepherd Leaders to look after us, instruct us, and teach us to the point where we become mature enough to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
It is also important to understand that maturing as Christians and eventually becoming mature Christians, is not for our personal gain or pleasure, but is intended to be for the glory of God. In the process we have responsibilities of our own, which become more extreme as we mature. From the moment we are saved, we need to understand that we rely on shepherds not because they are our redeemers, but because they were chosen according to God’s appointment, to lead us to maturity. They need to lead us to the waters of the Holy Spirit, and the grazing of the Holy Bible, but never should they become the water and the grazing. Some Christians look to the Pastor or the church as their primary source of spiritual provision which is unbiblical.
Shepherds cannot and should not become substitutes for the Holy Spirit and the Bible. If your leader strays off from the narrow path, or begins making his own rules which do not comply with the standards of the Bible, you need to realize that he is not a shepherd but a hireling. Also, when you become aware that money, personal income or gain, and status becomes more important to your shepherd than reaching lost souls, you should identify him as being a hireling.
Being a True Shepherd Leader, is an appointment of God, and is not determined by your personal attributes, temperament, talent, heritage, or qualifications. Certainly is it easier for a charismatic leader to gain a following, and most definitely the knowledge gained through appropriate theological study is helpful, but these can never become a shepherd’s most important qualifications. The most important qualification for being a shepherd, without which you can never become a true shepherd leader, is being [a] born again by the Spirit of God, and [b] being called of God.
Not every Christian is a shepherd, as there are a variety of Spiritual gifts and ministries with which God blesses His children. But every Christian has a function, a task and a responsibility. According to Ephesians 4 verse 11 God decides who has what function to fulfil.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11 KJV)
God also distributes Spiritual Gifts and Ministries according to His will, and God willing I will soon place articles on those aspects of Christian living as well. In God’s plan every Christian has a function to fulfill, and the function of all Christians should culminate towards achieving God’s will in accordance with the Great Commission. See Matthew chapter 28 verses 19 and 20.
For now, however, it is important to realize that a Christian leader without a calling from God cannot be a shepherd according to Jesus’ design, and will at best be a hireling. It is a person who became a Christian leader for his own personal gain or preference. Perhaps he saw it as a job with a good remuneration, an interesting field of study, or a position that would afford him public acceptance. Whatever the motive, if you are not born again, and not called of God, you are nothing more than a hireling that will abandon God’s flock when the wolf comes.
Being a True Shepherd Leader is not an easy task, and not necessarily the position with the most glamour, best image, or highest income. But nothing can compare with the reward that you receive from God for doing His will.
However, this does not say that God does not want His Shepherds to be paid for the work they do. Neither does it imply that True Shepherd Leaders should not be properly rewarded for their work in the flock. The question that needs to be answered is, ‘what is my motive for being a shepherd?’ Am I doing it because I am compelled by God’s calling on my life, or am I doing so because of the possible reward? God does not begrudge income or money as some think. After all, He is the creator of gold, silver, platinum and every other precious metal or stone.
What He does not tolerate, is greed, the love for money, and especially forsaking the flock for the sake of personal gain.
The question that you Christian leaders out there need to answer is therefore: “Am I a shepherd, or a hireling?” If you are a hireling, repent, come to God for forgiveness, and redemption through the blood of Jesus, and talk to Him about the calling on your life.
If you as church member, follower, and disciple of Jesus realised through reading this article that you have a calling on your life that you have not responded to, follow the same route. Repent of your sins, accept Jesus as saviour if you had not already done so, and talk to God about your calling.
Lastly, if you realize that you have fell prone to a hireling, talk to him about it, but if he does not accept responsibility for his misbehavior, follow God with all of your heart.
About the Author: Dr Gerrit van Vuuren [Ph.D.] is Principal of the Shepherd Leadership Institute. [www.shepherdleader.co.za] At the age of 30 he accepted Jesus as Saviour, resulting in a radical conversion, a radical calling, and a radical ministry. Dr Gerrit wrote a research doctoral thesis on the 'leadership style of Jesus Christ', and has a calling to teach the body of Christ to understand and apply Jesus' leadership style, which he calls True Shepherd Leadership ©. For more information, e-mail him at gerrit@shepherdleader.co.za
Source: Narrow is the Path
@ Jan 2, 2009
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