VIII. Settling for Mediocrity
Colossians 3:23
Introduction:
Excellence ought to be a priority in the Lord’s work.
We cannot thrive on mediocrity.
At this point, the pastor gave a humorous look at the “slipshod hall of fame.” I will identify the entities, giving some of the detail as I remember it. You can probably use your imagination pretty well.
1. Jerry the Janitor – needed a job, so they’re paying him $200 a week. Cleaning the restrooms involves emptying the waste baskets and flushing the toilets. His entire contribution to the job is about 20 minutes a week, making him the highest paid (by rate) employee of the church.
2. Willie the worship leader – I don’t remember any of the details about him.
3. Sarah the soloist – never saw a high note she didn’t like – or could reach.
4. Pearl the pianist – donated the piano, so no one else will ever get a chance to play.
5. Gary & Gwen the greeters – after the hassle of getting ready for church, they are not on the best terms with each other.
6. Larry the lawn mower – always does the mowing on Monday morning, so the grass is nice and tall again by the following Sunday.
Why excellence is important.
#1 – God Loves Excellence
We know God loves excellence because everything about Him bears its mark.
God’s Creation
God’s Character
God’s Commands
God’s Faithfulness
#2 – The Bible Commands Excellence
“Good enough for government work” isn’t good enough for God's work
#3 – People Respond to Excellence
If you have two churches that are pretty much the equivalent of one another, and one decides to pave their parking lot, people will tend to prefer that one.
This example reminds me of something that happened when I was in my teens. I attended a small country church, and the grass was not kept mowed. When it got very tall, they had a farmer come in and mow it with his sickle-bar mower. The mowed grass was just allowed to lay. I was griping about it once when riding home on a Wednesday night with a neighbor – we had no transportation of our own. One statement made was that “if the Holy Spirit is on the inside, what’s on the outside won’t matter.” I didn’t think at the time to say, “But how can they encounter the Holy Spirit on the inside if they balk at what the outside looks like?” Anyway, before we got home, the neighbor said, “OK, you come over here tomorrow, and I’ll loan you a rake and a pitchfork, and you can take care of it.” I agreed. But I didn’t go alone; my father came with me, and I raked most of the hay; Daddy took the pitchfork and hauled it back into the woods. He also spread out a pile of cinders that had been brought in to make a non-muddy parking surface. I have no idea what the people of the church thought about our action.*
Excellence requires five qualities on our part.
#1 – Courage
It takes courage to make the necessary changes in order to become and excellent church.
#2 – Giftedness
Mismanagement of God’s gifts is one of the greatest obstacles to excellence.
Know your gifts and use them; don’t insist in serving in an area you’re not gifted in.
#3 – Money
Quality costs. “If it bears His Name, it’s worth our best.”
#4 – Planning and Preparation
#5 – Perseverance
When we meet resistance, we must persevere.
Conclusion:
Are you willing to commit to excellence?
Excellence comes when we give up ourselves.
*Anecdote about the church grounds is the blogger’s own experience. I don't think the neighbor expected me to take him up on that.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
How the Church Hinders the Kingdom of God - Part VII
VII. Missing Golden Opportunities
Acts 8:26-38
Introduction:
I think there are trhe reasons why we miss God-given opportunities.
We have our own hurts and needs to contend with.
People are great actors.
They are very good at hiding their needs.
The pace of our lives.
Five practical lessons:
Lesson #1 – Some opportunities, if they are missed, will be lost forever.
Every morning, before you get too deep into your day, you need to ask God to open your eyes and help you recognize whatever divine appointments He has set up for you.
Lesson #2 – God will give special opportunities to those who are committed and prepared.
The single most important thing you can do to prepare yourself to be used by God is study the scriptures.
II Timothy 2:15 – Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Listen to the Word preached and taught.
Lesson #3 – Some opportunities are much larger than they first appear.
We must remember there are no small opportunities.
Lesson #4 – Some opportunities bear immediate fruit for the kingdom.
“You probably rub shoulders with a dozen people every day who hate their lives an d would be willing to try something different in a heartbeat. . .if they only knew what to try.”
Lesson #5 – The goal of every opportunity should be to point people to Jesus.
People should see and hear Jesus in all we do and say.
Conclusion:
A story is told of a Dutch woman named Greta who had a severe stroke; the only movement she could make was to blink her eyes. But even so, in her last days in the hospital, she led 2 people to the Lord.
The secret to advancing the cause of Christ is not talent or ability. It’s not youth, good health, or good looks. It’s not even wit or intelligence.
It’s passion.
Acts 8:26-38
Introduction:
I think there are trhe reasons why we miss God-given opportunities.
We have our own hurts and needs to contend with.
People are great actors.
They are very good at hiding their needs.
The pace of our lives.
Five practical lessons:
Lesson #1 – Some opportunities, if they are missed, will be lost forever.
Every morning, before you get too deep into your day, you need to ask God to open your eyes and help you recognize whatever divine appointments He has set up for you.
Lesson #2 – God will give special opportunities to those who are committed and prepared.
The single most important thing you can do to prepare yourself to be used by God is study the scriptures.
II Timothy 2:15 – Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Listen to the Word preached and taught.
Lesson #3 – Some opportunities are much larger than they first appear.
We must remember there are no small opportunities.
Lesson #4 – Some opportunities bear immediate fruit for the kingdom.
“You probably rub shoulders with a dozen people every day who hate their lives an d would be willing to try something different in a heartbeat. . .if they only knew what to try.”
Lesson #5 – The goal of every opportunity should be to point people to Jesus.
People should see and hear Jesus in all we do and say.
Conclusion:
A story is told of a Dutch woman named Greta who had a severe stroke; the only movement she could make was to blink her eyes. But even so, in her last days in the hospital, she led 2 people to the Lord.
The secret to advancing the cause of Christ is not talent or ability. It’s not youth, good health, or good looks. It’s not even wit or intelligence.
It’s passion.
Monday, February 15, 2010
How the Church Hinders the Kingdom of God - Part VI
VI. Fighting amongst ourselves
James 4:1-2
Introduction:
Our friendly fire, or internal fighting, has taken a toll.
(Here the pastor related the incident of friendly fire in Afghanistan in which Pat Tillman was killed).
This fighting leads to seven terrible things happening in the church:
The church leaders are distracted.
The noncombatants are discouraged.
The Lord’s work is disrupted.
The community’s seekers are disenchanted.
Long-held beliefs are disregarded.
The congregations testimoney is discredited.
The Lord is dishonored.
I want to suggest several behaviours that will help us create a culture of calm.
Obey Leaders
Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Confront Troublemakers
Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject
Refute Heresy
Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Meet Needs
If we would get busy meeting people’s needs, we would not have time to fight.
Suppress Legalism
Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
This does not mean getting rid of the rules.
Discourage Arguments
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Forgive Sinners
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Conclusion:
Knuckle down and do the work of love.
James 4:1-2
Introduction:
Our friendly fire, or internal fighting, has taken a toll.
(Here the pastor related the incident of friendly fire in Afghanistan in which Pat Tillman was killed).
This fighting leads to seven terrible things happening in the church:
The church leaders are distracted.
The noncombatants are discouraged.
The Lord’s work is disrupted.
The community’s seekers are disenchanted.
Long-held beliefs are disregarded.
The congregations testimoney is discredited.
The Lord is dishonored.
I want to suggest several behaviours that will help us create a culture of calm.
Obey Leaders
Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Confront Troublemakers
Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject
Refute Heresy
Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Meet Needs
If we would get busy meeting people’s needs, we would not have time to fight.
Suppress Legalism
Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
This does not mean getting rid of the rules.
Discourage Arguments
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Forgive Sinners
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Conclusion:
Knuckle down and do the work of love.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
How the Church Hinders the Kingdom of God - Part V
V. Hopping from Church to Church
I Corinthians 12:12-27
Note: this topic does not rule out the validity of changing churches under certain circumstances.
Introduction:
Church hopping is counter-productive.
Two kinds of church hoppers:
The Complainers
The Consumers - often hopping around among a group of churches within a given length of time.
Conclusions about Church Hoppers
Church hoppers tend to be very critical.
If you look hard enough, you can always find the garbage pile.
Church hoppers tend to have a “me first” attitude.
Church hoppers almost never get involved.
Church hoppers almost never make a serious financial commitment to the church.
Church hoppers make it a point to remain emotionally detached.
Church hoppers enjoy living free from accountability.
One doctrine the Bible keeps harping on is “We need each other.”
The Blessings of Long-term Commitment:
Blessing #1 – Serving faithfully in one church over the long haul will give you a sense of belonging.
Blessing #2 – Serving faithfully in one church over the long haul will give you a sense of accomplishment.
Blessing #3 – Serving faithfully in one church over the long haul will lead you to some wonderful discoveries about yourself.
Blessing #4 – Serving faithfully in one church over the long haul will fill your life with meaningful relationships.
Blessing #5 – Serving faithfully in one church over the long haul will make you a powerful witness for the Lord.
Conclusion
God intends for all of His children to be committed to and intimately involved with a local church.
I Corinthians 12:12-27
Note: this topic does not rule out the validity of changing churches under certain circumstances.
Introduction:
Church hopping is counter-productive.
Two kinds of church hoppers:
The Complainers
The Consumers - often hopping around among a group of churches within a given length of time.
Conclusions about Church Hoppers
Church hoppers tend to be very critical.
If you look hard enough, you can always find the garbage pile.
Church hoppers tend to have a “me first” attitude.
Church hoppers almost never get involved.
Church hoppers almost never make a serious financial commitment to the church.
Church hoppers make it a point to remain emotionally detached.
Church hoppers enjoy living free from accountability.
One doctrine the Bible keeps harping on is “We need each other.”
The Blessings of Long-term Commitment:
Blessing #1 – Serving faithfully in one church over the long haul will give you a sense of belonging.
Blessing #2 – Serving faithfully in one church over the long haul will give you a sense of accomplishment.
Blessing #3 – Serving faithfully in one church over the long haul will lead you to some wonderful discoveries about yourself.
Blessing #4 – Serving faithfully in one church over the long haul will fill your life with meaningful relationships.
Blessing #5 – Serving faithfully in one church over the long haul will make you a powerful witness for the Lord.
Conclusion
God intends for all of His children to be committed to and intimately involved with a local church.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
How the Church Hinders the Kingdom of God - Part IV
IV. Speaking Above the Level of Our Knowledge
I Timothy 1:6-7
Introduction:
Good-hearted people with the best of intentions can cause harm by speaking above the level of their knowledge.
If we want to do no harm to the kingdom, we must avoid four temptations.
The Temptation to Analyze People
“Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” – David’s brother Eliab
“The next time you are tempted to blurt out an analysis of someone you dislike or disagree with, remember that only God is wise enough (and fair enough) to make judgments regarding another person’s deepest secrets and private motives.” – Mark Atteberry
The Temptation to Explain Suffering
None of us has the knowledge to always know what God is up to.
The only things we can be sure of in suffering are these two:
God loves me
God is faithful
The Temptation to Spread Rumors
Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
The Temptation to Believe Everything You Hear
I John 4:1 Dear Friend, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Conclusion
We must watch what we speak.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
I Timothy 1:6-7
Introduction:
Good-hearted people with the best of intentions can cause harm by speaking above the level of their knowledge.
If we want to do no harm to the kingdom, we must avoid four temptations.
The Temptation to Analyze People
“Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” – David’s brother Eliab
“The next time you are tempted to blurt out an analysis of someone you dislike or disagree with, remember that only God is wise enough (and fair enough) to make judgments regarding another person’s deepest secrets and private motives.” – Mark Atteberry
The Temptation to Explain Suffering
None of us has the knowledge to always know what God is up to.
The only things we can be sure of in suffering are these two:
God loves me
God is faithful
The Temptation to Spread Rumors
Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
The Temptation to Believe Everything You Hear
I John 4:1 Dear Friend, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Conclusion
We must watch what we speak.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
How the Church Hinders the Kingdom of God - Part III
III. Living Below the Level of Our Beliefs
Introduction:
Many in the church, many believers, have become blind to their own sin.
The Sins That Drag Us Down
Materialism
Our commitment to Him will rise and fall in direct proportion to our interest in material things.
A story was told about a woman who was going to teach her Bible study class a lesson on materialism. She was writing up her outline at her computer. She would suggest that the members of her class go through their houses and look for evidence of materialism. As she worked on her outline, it occurred to her that she needed to do this herself, not just ask it of her class. She got up and went to her closet and opened the door. There, on racks, in boxes – never opened or worn – on the floor from recent wearings, were shoes. She counted them – 84 pairs, and was convicted of her materialism.
Worry
Most Christians understand that worry is a sin.
Worry also serves as a wrecking ball to your witness.
If you say you trust in God, and people see you worrying, it puts a negative image on your trust.
The naïve don’t have a problem with worry. The pastor tells of his early days as a pastor in Mississippi, when a tornado warning went out. He got the family to the safest place in the house – the bathroom. Mississippi houses don’t have basements! Meanwhile, he kept darting out to look out the window and watch the tornado with interest. It never touched down. He wasn’t familiar with tornadoes. He was not worried at all. Some time later, he drove the 60 miles to the church he was pastoring, to find out that a tornado had touched down in a small town nearby. The town was virtually wiped out. One church had nothing left except the communion table, and the Bible on it. He had a healthy respect for tornadoes after that.
Superiority
We must be careful not to slip into a prideful, cocky attitude that causes us to throw out words of judgment and condemnation. The illustration given here is that of the Pharisee and the tax collector – the Pharisee telling God how good he is, and how he obeys the letter of the law; that he is not like this tax collector (far superior, you can read between the lines!). And the tax collector bows his head, beats on his chest and says, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” And who goes down to his house justified? The humble and repentant tax collect rather than the proud and self-righteous Pharisee.
Elevating Our Game
Put the power back into preaching.
We need to remember that the primary reasons why God gave us the Bible is because it is “usefule for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
Jonah 3:4-5 Jonah preached a sermon on repentance to the Ninevites, and 120,000 people repented.
Acts 2 Peter preached a sermon on repentance on the day of Pentecost, and 3,000 people were saved.
Move our heart closer to the Lord.
Your heart is the one thing you can’t afford to be without when you come before God.
Whe powerful preaching and tender hearts come together in the presence of Almighty God, incredible things always happen.
Isaiah 29:13
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Amos 5:21-23
I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.
Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.
Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.
Conclusion:
When we live below the level of our beliefs we allow sin to settle in and make itself at home.
If you do not want to be a hindrance to the kingdom, your behaviour must meet with the king’s approval.
The story is told of a knight coming before his king, disheveled and bleeding, and he says to the king, “I have been harassing your enemies to the west.” The king replies, “I don’t have any enemies to the west.” Says the knight, “You do, now.”
We need to remember who we are and whose we are.
Introduction:
Many in the church, many believers, have become blind to their own sin.
The Sins That Drag Us Down
Materialism
Our commitment to Him will rise and fall in direct proportion to our interest in material things.
A story was told about a woman who was going to teach her Bible study class a lesson on materialism. She was writing up her outline at her computer. She would suggest that the members of her class go through their houses and look for evidence of materialism. As she worked on her outline, it occurred to her that she needed to do this herself, not just ask it of her class. She got up and went to her closet and opened the door. There, on racks, in boxes – never opened or worn – on the floor from recent wearings, were shoes. She counted them – 84 pairs, and was convicted of her materialism.
Worry
Most Christians understand that worry is a sin.
Worry also serves as a wrecking ball to your witness.
If you say you trust in God, and people see you worrying, it puts a negative image on your trust.
The naïve don’t have a problem with worry. The pastor tells of his early days as a pastor in Mississippi, when a tornado warning went out. He got the family to the safest place in the house – the bathroom. Mississippi houses don’t have basements! Meanwhile, he kept darting out to look out the window and watch the tornado with interest. It never touched down. He wasn’t familiar with tornadoes. He was not worried at all. Some time later, he drove the 60 miles to the church he was pastoring, to find out that a tornado had touched down in a small town nearby. The town was virtually wiped out. One church had nothing left except the communion table, and the Bible on it. He had a healthy respect for tornadoes after that.
Superiority
We must be careful not to slip into a prideful, cocky attitude that causes us to throw out words of judgment and condemnation. The illustration given here is that of the Pharisee and the tax collector – the Pharisee telling God how good he is, and how he obeys the letter of the law; that he is not like this tax collector (far superior, you can read between the lines!). And the tax collector bows his head, beats on his chest and says, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” And who goes down to his house justified? The humble and repentant tax collect rather than the proud and self-righteous Pharisee.
Elevating Our Game
Put the power back into preaching.
We need to remember that the primary reasons why God gave us the Bible is because it is “usefule for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
Jonah 3:4-5 Jonah preached a sermon on repentance to the Ninevites, and 120,000 people repented.
Acts 2 Peter preached a sermon on repentance on the day of Pentecost, and 3,000 people were saved.
Move our heart closer to the Lord.
Your heart is the one thing you can’t afford to be without when you come before God.
Whe powerful preaching and tender hearts come together in the presence of Almighty God, incredible things always happen.
Isaiah 29:13
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Amos 5:21-23
I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.
Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.
Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.
Conclusion:
When we live below the level of our beliefs we allow sin to settle in and make itself at home.
If you do not want to be a hindrance to the kingdom, your behaviour must meet with the king’s approval.
The story is told of a knight coming before his king, disheveled and bleeding, and he says to the king, “I have been harassing your enemies to the west.” The king replies, “I don’t have any enemies to the west.” Says the knight, “You do, now.”
We need to remember who we are and whose we are.
Monday, February 8, 2010
How the Church Hinders the Kingdom of God - Part II
II. Winning People to the Church, Not to Christ
Hebrews 12:2-3
Introduction:
The church has a problem.
The Problem:
We tell people, “Just come to church and…”
When a loved one dies, “Just come to church…”
When a marriage is falling apart, “You need to come to church.”
When parents have problems with a teenager we say, “Just come to church.”
When people lose a job we say, “Just come to church.”
When people are discouraged or depressed or hopeless we say, “You should go to church.”
Too often we make the church sound like it, rather than Jesus, is the source of salvation.
It’s possible for us to witness to our friends and get them all fired up and started to church without ever mentioning Jesus.
People begin their faith experience with their hope pinned on a group of imperfect people rather than the Lord of all creation.
Warnings people need to hear about the church:
Warning #1 – You will encounter some difficult and unpleasant people.
We allow anyone and everyone into the church.
Difficult and unpleasant people make going to church risky business.
I frequently say that I’ve met some of the greatest people in the world in the church.
What I rarely say (but what is just as true) is that I’ve met some of the weirdest, most irritating people in the church.
Warning #2 – The church you join is not always going to be like it is today.
A person generally loves the pastor of the church he joins.
But what happens if the pastor leaves and is replaced by someone with a totally different style and personality?
A person generally loves the music of the church he joins.
But what happens when our favorite songs are replaced with songs we’ve never heard before and don’t like?
A person generally loves the location of the church he joins.
What happens when the church buys ground and builds 10 miles out of town?
A person generally loves the fellowship of the church he joins.
What happens when factions arise and a fight breaks out?
People, like wineskins, need to be flexible enough to accommodate new strategies, methods, and formats without blowing up.
What people need to know about Jesus.
People need to know that Jesus, not the church is the way.
When a person is battling depression, facing the death of a loved one, has lost a job, or staring cancer in the face what they need to hear about is not the church, but Jesus.
You see, the volleyball team, the Sunday School class, the worship team, the fellowship dinner, and all the other programs and activities are not the way.
They can help people along the way, but they aren’t the way.
Jesus is the way.
People need to know that Jesus, not the church, is the truth.
The church holds the truth.
The church should share the truth.
The church is not the truth.
The truth will set people free, and the church does not set anyone free.
Jesus is the truth, the One who sets people free.
People need to know that Jesus, not the church, is the life.
The church cannot breathe life into anybody.
We can only lead people to the One who can.
Jesus is the Life.
Conclusion:
Our witnessing and help should be Christ-centered, not church-centered.
It is good to invite people to church.
Getting them into the Lord’s preferred working environment is important.
But let’s make sure they understand where their hope lies.
It’s not the church.
It’s Jesus.
Hebrews 12:2-3
Introduction:
The church has a problem.
The Problem:
We tell people, “Just come to church and…”
When a loved one dies, “Just come to church…”
When a marriage is falling apart, “You need to come to church.”
When parents have problems with a teenager we say, “Just come to church.”
When people lose a job we say, “Just come to church.”
When people are discouraged or depressed or hopeless we say, “You should go to church.”
Too often we make the church sound like it, rather than Jesus, is the source of salvation.
It’s possible for us to witness to our friends and get them all fired up and started to church without ever mentioning Jesus.
People begin their faith experience with their hope pinned on a group of imperfect people rather than the Lord of all creation.
Warnings people need to hear about the church:
Warning #1 – You will encounter some difficult and unpleasant people.
We allow anyone and everyone into the church.
Difficult and unpleasant people make going to church risky business.
I frequently say that I’ve met some of the greatest people in the world in the church.
What I rarely say (but what is just as true) is that I’ve met some of the weirdest, most irritating people in the church.
Warning #2 – The church you join is not always going to be like it is today.
A person generally loves the pastor of the church he joins.
But what happens if the pastor leaves and is replaced by someone with a totally different style and personality?
A person generally loves the music of the church he joins.
But what happens when our favorite songs are replaced with songs we’ve never heard before and don’t like?
A person generally loves the location of the church he joins.
What happens when the church buys ground and builds 10 miles out of town?
A person generally loves the fellowship of the church he joins.
What happens when factions arise and a fight breaks out?
People, like wineskins, need to be flexible enough to accommodate new strategies, methods, and formats without blowing up.
What people need to know about Jesus.
People need to know that Jesus, not the church is the way.
When a person is battling depression, facing the death of a loved one, has lost a job, or staring cancer in the face what they need to hear about is not the church, but Jesus.
You see, the volleyball team, the Sunday School class, the worship team, the fellowship dinner, and all the other programs and activities are not the way.
They can help people along the way, but they aren’t the way.
Jesus is the way.
People need to know that Jesus, not the church, is the truth.
The church holds the truth.
The church should share the truth.
The church is not the truth.
The truth will set people free, and the church does not set anyone free.
Jesus is the truth, the One who sets people free.
People need to know that Jesus, not the church, is the life.
The church cannot breathe life into anybody.
We can only lead people to the One who can.
Jesus is the Life.
Conclusion:
Our witnessing and help should be Christ-centered, not church-centered.
It is good to invite people to church.
Getting them into the Lord’s preferred working environment is important.
But let’s make sure they understand where their hope lies.
It’s not the church.
It’s Jesus.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
How the Church Hinders the Kingdom of God - Part I
This is the first in a series of posts based on a series of sermons our pastor has been presenting in the last several weeks. Some of the earlier entries don't have the scripture references, but I have been diligent lately to get them down.
I. "Slinging Mud on the Bride of Christ."
There are 4 types of mudslingers:
1. The Missing
These are people who left the church and are ready to tell you everything that is wrong with it - some of which might be true, but most of which probably isn't. Otherwise known as the blame game.
2. The Malcontents
The chronic complainers - they always have something to complain about.
3. The Moochers
The people who believe the church exists solely for meeting their needs. They never have any input, but they'll let you know if their needs, as they see them, aren't met.
4. The Misbehavers
Church members who misbehave publically - an example was a man in a restaurant who was so critical & demanding (and loud) that he had a waitress almost in tears.
Three results of mudslinging:
1. The devil is handed an opportunity
2. The lost are handed an excuse.
3. The Lord is handed a heartache.
I. "Slinging Mud on the Bride of Christ."
There are 4 types of mudslingers:
1. The Missing
These are people who left the church and are ready to tell you everything that is wrong with it - some of which might be true, but most of which probably isn't. Otherwise known as the blame game.
2. The Malcontents
The chronic complainers - they always have something to complain about.
3. The Moochers
The people who believe the church exists solely for meeting their needs. They never have any input, but they'll let you know if their needs, as they see them, aren't met.
4. The Misbehavers
Church members who misbehave publically - an example was a man in a restaurant who was so critical & demanding (and loud) that he had a waitress almost in tears.
Three results of mudslinging:
1. The devil is handed an opportunity
2. The lost are handed an excuse.
3. The Lord is handed a heartache.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Freedom vs License
We hear many people claiming that certain things are their right because this is a “free” country. And quite often, we succumb to their demands, even though what they demand as a freedom is not freedom at all, but license. One cannot have true freedom without discipline. These people demanding these licentious “freedoms” want to do away completely with discipline. “Freedom is the ‘right’ to do whatever I want, regardless.” Often they add on to that, “as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else.” That is a bogus claim, because any licentious behaviour is bound to hurt someone else. Everything everyone does touches other people in one way or another. We have a group clamoring to legalize illicit drugs, insisting that the users hurt no one but themselves. And not all of these are users, although a good percentage of them are. So, who is hurt by someone who uses, say, for example, marijuana? This is the drug most often demanded to be legalized. It has been called a gateway drug. Some people insist that it isn’t. People who have worked with drug users say otherwise. Even if marijuana is non-addictive (as many claim), it is likely to promote the desire for a greater high. Many addictive behaviours do the same. And who is it hurting beside the user? At the least, the user’s family. At the most, society in general.
We are right now in the process of giving into the demands for homosexual marriage – while the homosexual community is, at the same time, making demands that we go all out to find a cure for AIDS – a costly item for every taxpayer in America. People pooh-poohed Rick Santorum’s statement that if the Supreme Court dealt with Lawrence vs. Texas, that the next thing would be a demand for allowing homosexual marriage, saying, “It’ll never happen.” Six months later activists started demanding homosexual marriage. I have seen homosexuals demand the “right” to make a marriage with another person of the same sex. Now people are concerned that eventually polygamy will be approved, or any varying type of “marriage.” And the homosexuals say, “It’ll never happen.” We already have NAMBLA pushing for eliminating, or at the least, lowering, the age of consent.
A little sin begets a bigger sin, just as a little “white” lie demands another lie to back it up, and so on, ad infinitum. I have seen sexual abuse addiction. When the novelty of one type of abuse wears off, another one, worse than the previous, must be found by the abuser. The victim of the abuse may be virtually unable to get free of this abuse for whatever reason.
Our Founding Fathers said that our Republican form of government would work only for a moral and spiritual people. This is because moral and spiritual people tend to practice self-discipline. People point to slavery to deny this belief. But most people are unaware that slavery was one of the issues of the American Revolution as well as the Civil War. King George III refused to allow the colonies to make any laws curtailing slavery in any way. As soon as the Union was formed, 12 of the 13 states passed laws forbidding the importation of slaves. The fact that this was not always followed (blackmarket, etc.) does not negate its existence.
With the decay of morality and righteousness, more and more people are demanding the “right” to do anything they want. They accuse the “moral and righteous” people of trying to make a theocracy of our nation. I’m sure that our Founding Fathers would see reason to make more laws against immoral behaviour, and to tighten the ones we have, because we are no longer a moral and spirtual/religious/righteous nation. They never intended the degradation that is now occurring in our country. They told the people of America that the kind of government they had given us was “a Republic, if you can keep it.” We have not kept it.
Not only have we discarded self-discipline, we have even started to demand that our government “take care of us.” This involves the government taking money from the diligent and honest, and distributing it to the lazy and indolent. Oh, to be sure, there are some people who are poor not through their own fault, but such people used to be cared for by the “moral and religious.” Now, the government has usurped that position, and takes our money against our will, and determines who is “worthy” of receiving it. And we have even got to the point where many people, who have not been properly taught about our history, honestly believe it is truly the government’s job to take care of the needy.
I have, on a number of occasions, told of an incident that describes true freedom. Some of you old-timers like me may remember a ballet dancer named Edward Villella. I saw him interviewed once on television. The interviewer asked Villella if he wasn’t ever afraid of falling when he was performing. His answer went something like this: “No, I am never afraid of falling. I discipline myself and practice diligently so that when I get on the public stage, I am perfectly free (italics mine).” This response shows the relationship between self-discipline and freedom.
We are right now in the process of giving into the demands for homosexual marriage – while the homosexual community is, at the same time, making demands that we go all out to find a cure for AIDS – a costly item for every taxpayer in America. People pooh-poohed Rick Santorum’s statement that if the Supreme Court dealt with Lawrence vs. Texas, that the next thing would be a demand for allowing homosexual marriage, saying, “It’ll never happen.” Six months later activists started demanding homosexual marriage. I have seen homosexuals demand the “right” to make a marriage with another person of the same sex. Now people are concerned that eventually polygamy will be approved, or any varying type of “marriage.” And the homosexuals say, “It’ll never happen.” We already have NAMBLA pushing for eliminating, or at the least, lowering, the age of consent.
A little sin begets a bigger sin, just as a little “white” lie demands another lie to back it up, and so on, ad infinitum. I have seen sexual abuse addiction. When the novelty of one type of abuse wears off, another one, worse than the previous, must be found by the abuser. The victim of the abuse may be virtually unable to get free of this abuse for whatever reason.
Our Founding Fathers said that our Republican form of government would work only for a moral and spiritual people. This is because moral and spiritual people tend to practice self-discipline. People point to slavery to deny this belief. But most people are unaware that slavery was one of the issues of the American Revolution as well as the Civil War. King George III refused to allow the colonies to make any laws curtailing slavery in any way. As soon as the Union was formed, 12 of the 13 states passed laws forbidding the importation of slaves. The fact that this was not always followed (blackmarket, etc.) does not negate its existence.
With the decay of morality and righteousness, more and more people are demanding the “right” to do anything they want. They accuse the “moral and righteous” people of trying to make a theocracy of our nation. I’m sure that our Founding Fathers would see reason to make more laws against immoral behaviour, and to tighten the ones we have, because we are no longer a moral and spirtual/religious/righteous nation. They never intended the degradation that is now occurring in our country. They told the people of America that the kind of government they had given us was “a Republic, if you can keep it.” We have not kept it.
Not only have we discarded self-discipline, we have even started to demand that our government “take care of us.” This involves the government taking money from the diligent and honest, and distributing it to the lazy and indolent. Oh, to be sure, there are some people who are poor not through their own fault, but such people used to be cared for by the “moral and religious.” Now, the government has usurped that position, and takes our money against our will, and determines who is “worthy” of receiving it. And we have even got to the point where many people, who have not been properly taught about our history, honestly believe it is truly the government’s job to take care of the needy.
I have, on a number of occasions, told of an incident that describes true freedom. Some of you old-timers like me may remember a ballet dancer named Edward Villella. I saw him interviewed once on television. The interviewer asked Villella if he wasn’t ever afraid of falling when he was performing. His answer went something like this: “No, I am never afraid of falling. I discipline myself and practice diligently so that when I get on the public stage, I am perfectly free (italics mine).” This response shows the relationship between self-discipline and freedom.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Blogging 2010
I didn’t post a blog in January. I’ve already posted most family birthdays, some of them twice. There are no new “Magnacalendar” pictures. If you want to review the entire year of “Magnapictures,” they are posted here. I haven’t been very good at writing up stuff, so have neglected my blog shamefully.
However, I do have a new area of interest to write on. My pastor is giving an excellent series of messages, and I have been keeping notes on them. It helps that he gives us a brief outline each Sunday with “Fill in the blanks.” With his permission, I will be posting a brief overview of each of the messages in this series, and perhaps other messages eventually. I will probably occasionally write up a completely original blog. I am working on one right now. But I do have the notes ready to go for the first four sermons in the series I mentioned.
However, I do have a new area of interest to write on. My pastor is giving an excellent series of messages, and I have been keeping notes on them. It helps that he gives us a brief outline each Sunday with “Fill in the blanks.” With his permission, I will be posting a brief overview of each of the messages in this series, and perhaps other messages eventually. I will probably occasionally write up a completely original blog. I am working on one right now. But I do have the notes ready to go for the first four sermons in the series I mentioned.
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