Joy Thief 4B

Continuing Michael's message, he write that having God’s peace, we can focus our minds on the things that matter. According to Philippians 4:8, “Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.”  Proverbs 4:23 says, keep thy heart with all diligence for out of the heart proceed the issues of life. To keep and to guard our hearts and minds, think on the things of God available only through the Word of God. 

Oswald Chambers said, “All God requires from me is extreme obedience with no questioning or complaining on my part and no explanation on his. Then when the crisis comes and courage is required, God expects his men to be the reliable ones.” The reliable ones are the ones who are faithful to His Word. Chambers said, “it’s one thing to say, don’t worry, but it’s an entirely different thing to surrender our hearts to the Lord. There is nothing God can’t handle. Through the tumult and anguish, our rest in him is available only when our hearts are surrendered to him.” For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Worry ends in sin because the root of worry is in having our own way instead of God’s way. Chambers says, “beware of the man who has nothing to lose.” When we turn everything over to God including the throne of our hearts, then we can come to Him with empty hands. When we acknowledge our own weakness, then He will strengthen us and uphold us with the right hand of His righteousness. The problem with a “living sacrifice” is that it wants to crawl off the altar. Therefore, we must crucify upon the cross our will in subjugation to His will. For I was crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me. And the life that I now live I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.

It’s the little foxes, the little cares of the world will choke the Word out of our lives. Worry is infidelity to the Lord. It’s trusting in our fears and anxieties, and believing the world’s lies instead of the truth of the Word of God. To enter into fellowship with the Lord, we must enter in with total abandonment and absolute trust.  According to Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the. Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.” When we align our will with His will in prayer, then we will rejoice in the Lord. Joy and rejoicing are the outpouring of a heart filled with gratitude and praise.

When the Lord says, “Get in the boat, we’re going over to the other side” our job is to get in the boat. Our job is not to ask, “what’s the weather forecast?” The only question is “Whose boat are you in?” Then when the storms rage and the waves are crashing all around, the Captain of Salvation will say, “Peace be still.” Through the trials of life and in the midst of the storm we will come to understand that “even the storms and wind obey him..”

Our joy is not in circumstances, people, things, or worldly thoughts. Our joy is in the object of our rejoicing: the Lord himself. For He alone is worthy of all glory and honor and praise! Therefore, rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice that we may ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!

Your brother in Christ, Michael

Joy Thief - Part 4A

The theme of the book of Philippians is the Joy of the Lord. In each chapter there is a thief that will steal your joy. Also, in each chapter is an antidote to defeat these thieves and restore the joy of the Lord.

In the first chapter, the joy thief is “circumstances”. The antidote is to keep Jesus Christ foremost in our mind because “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain”. In the second chapter, the joy thief is “people”. The antidote is humility to serve others from a heart of love. The joy thief in the third chapter is “things”. The solution is to treasure treasures in heaven instead of treasures on earth. The ultimate blessing is to seek the Blessor instead of the blessings. The thief that steals joy in the fourth chapter is “worry”. The world will indoctrinate our minds through panic, pandemic and pandemonium to succumb to the cares and worries of this world. These anxious thoughts will steal our joy. The antidote to worry is prayer with supplication and thanksgiving to keep our hearts and minds focused on the truth of His holy Word.

The fourth and final chapter of Philippians begins with encouragement to stand steadfast in the Lord, in harmony with believers whose names are in the Book of Life. The love of God is the basis for unity within the body of Christ. The devil’s ploy is to divide and conquer, to set our hearts against each other. However, to reconcile with others, we must meet each other at the foot of the cross. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

In Philippians 4:4, the first key to praying and focusing our minds on the Word of God is the central theme of Philippians: “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.” This is a command. It doesn’t say rejoice when we feel like it or “when the Spirit moves us.” Rejoicing in the Lord is a deliberate, intentional, and purposeful act of the will in obedience to God’s command. When we rejoice in the Lord, we’re obeying the first of the Ten Commandments: thou shalt have no other gods before me (Nothing between your face and my face.) As the song says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth shall grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”

The second key to prayer is “Let your moderation (the spirit of gentleness and loving kindness) be known unto all men, the Lord is at hand.” The book of Timothy encourages us to love others and minister with a forgiving, compassionate, and merciful heart. To minister means to attend and serve; to perform service in any office, sacred or secular; “run to serve” the flock of God with a pure heart fervently.Therefore, to defeat the worries of this world, pray with a submissive heart of gratitude. Philippians 4:6-7 says: “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 

Prayer is the antidote to worry and anxiety. Through prayer, the peace of God that surpasses worldly understanding will guard our hearts. God’s Peace is available only through Christ, the Prince of Peace, for Jesus said, “My peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Peace with God is the result of reconciliation ... reconnection and atonement (at-one-meant) through Jesus Christ’s payment for our sin. For He who was without sin was made the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him. Because we have been reconciled with God we have peace with God and with our brothers and sisters in the family of God. Our fellowship is in the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

Let continue Michael's message on the their of joy - worry - in the next post.

In Christ, Brian 

Civil War Proclamation

 

America is divided and engaged in civil unrest today. When this previously happened, the president made a national proclamation. This is the text of a Proclamation for a Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer issued by President Abraham Lincoln as printed in The Liberator on April 24, 1863. The proclamation was issued on March 30, 1863, declaring April 30, 1863 as a national day of fasting.

Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the supreme authority and just government of Almighty God, in all the affairs of men and nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for National prayer and humiliation;

And whereas, it is the duty of nations, as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truths announced in the Holy Scriptures, and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord;

And, inasmuch as we know that, by His divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people? We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God, we have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us! It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.

Now, therefore, in compliance with the request, and fully concurring in the views of the Senate, I do by this proclamation, designate and set apart Thursday, the 30th day of April, 1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer. And I do hereby request all people to abstain from their ordinary secular pursuits, and to unite, at their several places of public worship and their respective homes, in keeping the day holy to the Lord, and devoted to the humble discharge of the religious duties proper to that solemn occasion.

All this being done in sincerity and truth, let us then rest humbly in the hope, authorized by the Divine teachings, that the united cry of the Nation will be heard on high and answered with blessings, no less than the pardon of our national sins, and restoration of our now divided and suffering country to its former happy condition of unity and peace.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this thirtieth day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-seventh. President Abraham Lincoln.

Unity is only found in the Lord, God Almighty.

America, Peace.

Moral Failure – Part 2

1 Samuel 2:25 “If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?”

Even though God is immutable (does not change) many so-called Christian churches are reinterpreting essential doctrine with false teaching based upon the humanistic wisdom of the world in order to appease, accommodate and not offend. In them, there is an emphasis on feelings and relationships verses biblical facts.There is no longer sin – just poor choices, mistakes, indiscretions, shortcomings, moral failures. When told not to preach the Gospel but rather “show it” by deeds in helping people, a salvation of human effort is exhorted, and God’s grace offered in the divine, redemptive atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross is denied. It’s a Gospel shift from sin and redemption to social justice and secular interpersonal relationships. Lost is the primary calling of the New Testament church, and true Biblical justice is occluded or ignored. Evangelism is hijacked to “come and see my trendy and popular church; not come to the Savior. In these “Christianity-lite” churches, it is not about repentance, conversion, consecration and discipleship (they are omitted), but friendships and fun. Many people in that kind of church are openingly “living in sin”, using recreational drugs and living in the hedonistic moment with no problem, as if there is no sin and there is no Hell. Thus, many “cheap grace” Christian churches are fundamentally quiet about sin and irrelevant in society and the culture for Christ.  

Hebrews 9:27-28 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

Time to stand up and defend the faith in America. The ministry of Jesus Christ is to decrease the population of Hell; not increase it. Jesus said in John 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Find a Bible-believing, Christ-centered church, read your Bible, spend devotional time in prayer to your Heavenly Father, join Bible Studies and worship the true living God.

2 Peter 3:9 tells us that “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “repentance” in theology, sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God, a violation of his holy law, and the basest ingratitude towards a Being of infinite benevolence. Go and sin no more. The Apostle Paul explains in Romans 6:22-23 “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Lord means “a master; a person possessing supreme power and authority. In scripture, the Supreme Being; Jehovah. The word is applied to Christ and to the Holy Spirit. To say, “No Lord” is an oxymoron. The kingdom of God has a king; the majestic King of kings and the Lord of Lords – Jesus Christ. Reject the godless rebellion, repent and obey the sovereign Lord, then bear witness to the truth of the Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Sin is moral failure, but repentance and walking with the Lord is victory.

In Christ, Brian

Moral Failure - Part 1

 

Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Historical documents prove that America was founded as a Christian nation on the basis of the Bible and this was affirmed by the Supreme Court in the Trinity Decision of 1892 stating, “These, and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation.” The national motto is “In God We Trust”. Creator God is written in the Declaration of Independence. Yet, there has been an ongoing attempt by secular humanists to move the culture away from biblical fidelity and morality for decades. Behavior historically considered sin, moral failure, deviant and detrimental to the welfare of society are being systematically “normalized”, chiefly by redefining descriptors using less judgmental terms. It is a radical agenda to undermine God and county. 

Leviticus 4:22 “When a ruler has sinned, and done something unintentionally against

any of the commandments of the Lord his God in anything which should not be done, and is guilty,” 

God’s Law has set the standard in America from conception. Sin is the root problem; it’s breaking God’s Law. Israel’s King David correctly stated in Psalm 51:4 “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight—That You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.” Redefinition of words and terms by the god-rejecting world system in hate and lawless rebellion of God does not change the Law of the Lawgiver and the abandonment of God’s holy Word as the preeminent source of authority is heresy. It is deliberate irreligious, nonspiritual behavioral conditioning. But, Pro-Choice abortion-on-demand is still infanticide (the sin of murder), Same-sex marriages is still the sin of homosexuality, recreational drugs use is still (pharmakia) the sin of drug abuse, Co-occupying and casual sex outside the context of marriage is still the sin of fornication, Extra-marital affairs is still the sin of adultery, Existential secular humanism and naturalism is still the sin of unbelief of God, and et cetera. 

Romans 1:18-22 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.”

The atheist ideologues proceeding with fraudulent manipulation of language aim to advance their political, environmental, quasi-scientific, and socialistic agenda and criminalize anything not conforming to their radical agenda, being called haters, sexists, homophobic, and intolerant. Though created by God, they hate and deny their Creator and His Almighty authority over them, their rebellious thoughts, words and actions, and the world that He made. God has sovereignty over His creation. The fact is that God owns and operates everything, but they want Him and His people silenced, dead and gone. along with freedom, liberty and justice. It’s an attempted hostile takeover of both.

Let's continue this message on moral failure in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

Love Those You Lead - Part 2

Pastor Kyle continues that the next key is to “lead enthusiastically”. Enthusiasm is intense enjoyment, interest, or approval. Another word for enthusiasm is godly passionate. The word was originally used to refer to a person possessed by God’s essence, or someone who exhibited intense piety. The word originates from the Greek ἐνθουσιασμός, from ἐν (en = in) and θεός (Theos = God) and οὐσία, (substance or essence). The Apostle Peter’s passion for Christ is obvious in the pages of the New Testament. When asked by Jesus, “Who do you say that I am?” in Matthew 16:16-18 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” The Lord Jesus literally builds His church on the passion of Peter’s confess here. 

Give it 100%, and if you get it wrong you’ll realize it quickly and be able to correct it. The Apostle writes: “serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly.” We should be enthusiastic in how we love and lead others. What about the times when we do not feel enthusiastic about the things of God? Whenever we are tired, stressed or frustrated, it can rub off on our faith. The important distinction that I want to make though, is that those events don’t actually change our faith, they just change how we feel about our faith. There is a bad difference between those two things. Sometimes, our passion for God feels “red hot”; sometimes, it doesn’t. Once and awhile, the wind gets knocked out of our sails. Passion and enthusiasm for God do not always translate into smiles and feeing great all the time. We have been called by God, so we should always have a reasonable demeanor of hope, even when things are not perfect. Hope is the bridge that can take us from hurt to blessed. We need to work to get ourselves into a better, positive and more hopeful place. 

Lead with an extra dose of humility, be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” In ethics, the word humility means freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth. In theology, humility consists in lowliness of mind; a deep sense of one's own unworthiness in the sight of God, self-abasement, penitence for sin, and submission to the divine will. Just as you put on clothes daily, put on humility and cover yourself. Our humility should be so genuine that others around you can sense it. People can smell authentic humility or not. The Apostle is talking about an internal attitude and character that naturally come out of the heart. 

One way of putting on humility is by exercising joyfully submission and service to authority. In the church, by principle, willingly respect and be subject to the Elders as shepherd leadership. All of us are called to belong to a body of Believer. We need to body of Christ to keep us on track with God, on the Christ’s mission and commission in this world and to keep us humble. Submission teaches us what we are not willing to let God of; surrendering personal preferences so that God can prevail and the kingdom of Christ advances. It is a heart issue. 

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

I saw a lot of tension in the church today in America, and it is unnecessary. Humility dispels tension. The church needs to carve out a third viewpoint, reminding people that they do not need to look left or right; they need to look up. We need to look inward to see if there is any wicked way in us and repent, so that Jesus can lead us in His everlasting ways. We need to stop looking to donkeys, elephants and institutions for hope and wisdom, and start looking to the Lamb of God. Secular division is destroying our country right now. Unity is in one nation under God and we can be light in the darkness and humbly say that Jesus offer a better way through the Gospel message. In this way, we need to be sheep in God’s flock, who know our Shepherd’s voice and follow. 

Our Chief Shepherd Jesus Christ is speaking and we need to tune out the distracting noise around us to hear Him. Know your Good Shepherd’s voice from the others and respond to it in humble submission and obedience. Do you hear the Lord calling you? When you focus on listening, hearing and following the Shepherd’s voice, you’ll always be where God wants them.

In Christ, Brian        

  

Love Those You Lead - Part 1

Psalm 23:1-3 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

This last Sunday, Pastor Kyle continued in our church’s virtual online sermon series through the book of 1 Peter. Along with farming, Shepherding is one of the oldest professions in human history. Tending to sheep is notoriously hard because the animals are stubborn and unintelligent. Sheep cannot swim and tend to wander off, so shepherds have to constantly be looking out for their health and well-being.   

Luke 15:4-7 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”

Israelite shepherd would physically laid across the opening to the sheep pin as a gate at night to keep the animals from wandering out and predators from coming in. While on duty, the shepherd’s job is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Bible uses the metaphor of shepherding as a direct parallel to spiritual leadership. We as human beings are like sheep, following predictable patterns. Sheep need constant care and attention. Without the protection of a loving shepherd, they easily succumb to a tragic demise. Pastors and Elders are spiritual shepherds called to lead Christ’s church, so that the flock may be fed and grow in spiritual peace and provision.

1 Peter 5:1-5 “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over

those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Likewise, you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

This message applies to everyone because (1) 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete,

thoroughly equipped for every good work.” No matter the sermon topic in the Word of God is, the Scripture’s message always applies to every one of us. (2) we all have people that we love, and we all have people that we are involved with caring for and leading. 

The Apostle Peter, personally called by Jesus and with the Lord through His entire earthly ministry, goes on to explain the most powerful tool that every Elder has to lead others, which is their own personal example of Christian living to the flock, setting a pattern of integrity for the congregation. Not perfection but a pattern of the right course of action. A disciple is a student/follower of their teacher, leader or master. Christian shepherds should emulate Jesus’ (the Good Shepherd’s / the Chief Shepherd’s) example, which we are to follow. To lead well, lead with an increasing pattern of following Jesus’ example. 

We should become more and more like the men and women of God that we were called to be every single day. There should be a growing into the likeness of Christ pattern in all of our lives. Jesus is your Chief Shepherd. Pastors and Elders, Deacons and Lay-leaders are undershepherds of the Lord. No human being can met all your spiritual needs, that only Jesus can ultimately fill. Being flawed in a fallen world, the Chief Shepherd will equip you as you follow Him. God loves to equip those who seek Him with all their heart. We are to always to be knowing “right” from “wrong” in the eyes of the Lord and be working on turning from sin and walking in the Spirit as you do what God desires and requires. Live in a manner that is worthy of the Gospel today and every tomorrow thereafter. When you mess up, confess up. Own it when you blow it. Strive to “go and sin no more” and lead by your example.     

Let's continue Pastor Kyle's message on Christian Leadership in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

Stealing Joy – Part 3

This week, Michael writes: The book of Philippians is a letter of insightful and uplifting spiritual encouragement about “the Joy of the Lord” According to American pastor, Bible teacher, conference speaker and a prolific writer of Christian literature and theological works, Warren Wiersbe, in each of the four chapters of Philippians there is a thief that will steal your joy. Each chapter also has a solution to keep these thieves at bay.  

The background history for Philippians is in Acts 16. Paul on his missionary journey with Silas was looking for opportunities to speak about the good news of the gospel of Christ. He found a group of women who were meeting “down by the riverside” to pray. There he met Lydia, a seller of purple who was a leader in her community. She and her household were converted to the Lord and baptized. She offered to host Paul and Silas at her house while they were in Philippi.  

Paul cast out a devil from a slave girl who told fortunes for her masters. When they realized that the source of their wealth was gone, they stirred up the crowd in the marketplace and started a riot against Paul and Silas. The magistrates arrested Paul and Silas and put them in jail for causing an uprising. While in prison, they were beaten but that night they sang praises to God. A miraculous earthquake opened the doors of the prison. The jailer was about to kill himself for allowing the prisoners to escape but Paul and Silas called out: “Do yourself no harm. We’re all here.” They witnessed to the jailer about the gospel of Christ. The jailer and his whole household were converted and came to the Lord.

The city officials released Paul and Silas and told them to leave Philippi. Paul advised them that he was a Roman citizen and that he had been unjustly accused and imprisoned. Paul exercised his right as a Roman to appeal to Cesar since he had been unjustly imprisoned in Philippi which was a Roman colony. Paul wrote this epistle to the believers at the church in Philippi from Rome while he was being held captive before his appeal to Cesar.

The epistle of Philippians is an epistle of joy. After his salutation, Paul begins this letter in chapter 1 verses 3-7: “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.”

Christian Fellowship means that which we “partake” in common within the body of Christ. This begins with God’s gift of grace: His Holy Spirit which is Christ in us the hope of glory. The Apostle Paul said that his joy is that we participate in the fellowship of the gospel. Our collective faith is in salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

As a reminder, the first couple thief that will steal your joy in Philippians is circumstances and situations. Paul said, in verse 12, “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel” Paul said that whether in pain or comfort or in life or death, my joy is in the gospel of Christ. The antidote to the circumstances of this world is to our focus on our mission: our participation in the good news of the gospel message of Jesus Christ. The defense and the confirmation of the gospel is in verse 2. The participation in the fellowship of the gospel is in verse 5. The furtherance of the gospel is in verse 12.

During these times of worldwide pandemic where everyone is facing the effects of social distancing and sheltering in place, we can still experience the joy of the fellowship of the gospel of Christ. Paul is singularly focused on the Gospel of Christ. He said, for me to live is Christ and to die is gain. In Philippians 1:22-26 Paul continues: “But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot (know) not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.”

Life is a dress rehearsal for eternity. Paul continuing in verse 27-28 said that my desire is that you live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ: “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.”

Upon salvation we’re given by God’s grace a new life in Christ. He is the one who is worthy of praise. Despite our circumstances and situations, our circumstances are working out for the furtherance of the gospel. The antidote to circumstances is the focus on the gospel of Christ. When we “turn the other cheek” that’s walking in a manner worthy of the gospel. Jesus said, blessed are they when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, for great is your reward in heaven. Compared to His grace and mercy, every circumstance and the pain of tribulations are insignificant. Problems are inversely proportional to the power to overcome the problems. The question is, how great is your God?

When we focus on the joy of the Lord, the problems of this world fade to insignificance. Sam Parsons learned this lesson while he was ministering in nursing homes by singing to the elderly residents. He met an old lady from Japan who was paralyzed. Her face lit up when he came into her room. He asked her, “How do you remain so cheerful in your condition?” She couldn’t speak so she held a chopstick between her lips to point to the letters on a board. She spelled out the reference to a Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 1:9. This verse says, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” Sam was so inspired that he wrote a song called “The Best is Yet to Come.”

The Apostle Paul was in a dire situation but he did not focus on his circumstances. Instead he focused on the gospel, the good news of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Through the trials and pressures of this world, we will come to an understanding of hope and the love of God. For tribulation workesw patience and patience experience, and experience hope. And hope makes not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.  

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you that ye might have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.” Therefore, Philippians 4 says “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!” that we may live to the praise of the glory of His grace.

Your brother in Christ, Michael

Evangelical Piety - Part 4

 

In John 4:34-36, Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.

Finally, Willard affirms that piety involves working the fields white unto harvest. Jesus says to His disciples in Matthew 9:37-38, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Working the fields white unto harvest requires “witness”. That specifically means speaking individually to others about their condition before God and about God’s provision for them. Evangelical piety requires presenting the gospel in all of its connections to life as well as in special public effort to “reach the lost.” In this context, one sees why a lively conception of sin remains important. 

The finally aspect of witnessing for the gospel and the kingdom of Heaven is standing for truth. Earnestly contending for the faith, but includes standing for what is “right and just in the eyes of the Lord” and good in society. For evangelicals, Christ-centered piety must always be from the heart and unto God. It is not for the benefit of appearance. It is not to impress people. It is a matter of an honest and transparent heart standing before a just and holy God. Just being who I am because of Christ’s death on the Cross. There is a need for this kind of transparency as part of the gospel life.      

The Great Commission of Jesus - Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Willard declares that in evangelical piety, one lives as a disciple of Jesus, and discipleship is a process of learning and growth. In 2 Peter 3:18, the Apostle testifies, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” As a learning process, discipleship means living interactively with His resurrected presence (through His holy Word, His personal presence, and through other people) as we progressively learn to lead our lives as He would. One of the principle problems for contemporary evangelicals is that they have lost the concept of discipleship. It is now assumed that you can be a Christian without being a disciple of Jesus Christ, and many are. To be a disciple is to be an apprentice or student/follower of Jesus in Kingdom of God living. But today’s “social evangelicals” may farm the making of disciples out to “parachurch” organizations (Christian faith-based organizations that work parallel to, but outside and across denominations to engage in social welfare and evangelism). In fact, sadly, we are now somewhat at a loss to what discipleship is. The Great Commission of the Lord has become the great omission of the church. It seems that this great Commandment has been reduced to a great suggestion.

The teaching of salvation by grace through faith has brought people to a condition where they really don’t know what they are supposed to do. Currently, we are not only saved by grace, we are paralyzed by it. There is great confusion. We find it hard to see that grace is not opposed to effort, but is opposed to earning. The grace of God is not earned, purchased or deserved, it’s an undeserved gift of unmerited favor from the Almighty. Grace is a tremendous motivator and energizer when you understand and receive it rightly. We emphasize “trying” and not “training”. Trying in ministry will prove never to be enough; you have to be trained. Such training comes under the area of discipleship. We have separated faith in Christ from obedience and fulfillment. There is no available bridge to get from one to the other.  That would, of course, be discipleship.   

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Willard concludes that we have lost discipleship largely because, in the contemporary evangelical tradition, we have lost Christ as teacher. If you do not have a teacher, you cannot have a student or disciple. We become mere spectators and consumers of holy things, not participants in the life Jesus is now living on earth, and we lose meaningful discipline. Disciple is education; instruction; cultivation and improvement, comprehending instruction in correct sentiments, morals and manners, and due subordination to divine authority, who profess the religion of Jesus Christ. Discipline is something we do to enable ourselves to accomplish what we cannot do by direct effort. While the idea and practice of spiritual disciple is rich in the evangelical tradition, with no living teacher it will not work. So, the idea of discipled disciples disappears as a leading idea in evangelicalism because the teacher (Jesus) and His Great Commission has been omitted and disappeared as the primary engine to drive moral transformation of individuals and society. It is a way of omitting the divinity of Christ because the whole person of Jesus, which is critical to any Christ-centered piety, is not involved. If you don’t believe and think that Jesus is superior, sovereign and sufficient with regard to everything you are involved in, what can you mean by calling Him Lord? In a Christ-centered piety, we have to recapture the greatness of the whole Christ as the object of our faith. 

In John 8:31-32, Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

True evangelical thought and honest Christian tradition make available to human-kind a genuine Saver sent by Almighty God, an authentic Savior to sinners, the only hope for the world – Jesus, our Lord.  

In Christ, Brian

Evangelical Piety - Part 3

Romans 3:21-24 “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed,

being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Author Dallas Willard continues that the second basic element in evangelicalism is “Conversion”. This involves both reconciliation and regeneration. Romans 5:9-11 tells us, “Much more then, having now been justified by [Jesus’] blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. In Scripture, the word “reconciliation” is defined as the means by which sinners are reconciled and brought into a state of favor with God, after natural estrangement or enmity; the atonement; expiation. In today’s social gospel, we have lost the concept of reconciliation. Often all that is stressed in reconciliation is forgiveness – where even that has been replaced by Christ “meeting my needs”. 

  

In John 3:3-7 the Lord Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” In theology, the word “regeneration” means new birth by the grace of God; that change by which the will and natural enmity of man to God and His Law are subdued, and a principle of supreme love to God and His Law, or holy affections, are implanted in the heart. Regeneration, born again, born anew, born from above, transformation metamorphosis, the resurrection of the spirit of man that died at original sin that separated us from God. Sometimes the doctrine of regeneration is totally absorbed in the doctrine of justification. Regeneration, or coming to have a new kind of life (“from above”), is central to conversion as is forgiveness. Indeed, forgiveness is even subordinate to it. You are given new life by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and in that process your sins are forgiven. You cannot live in God or God in you without regeneration, forgiveness and reconciliation. 

1 John 1:1-7 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. Fellowship with Him and One Another. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

The third basic element in evangelicalism is “testimony”. Testimony differs from evidence; testimony is the declaration of a witness, and evidence is the effect of that declaration on the mind, or the degree of light which it affords. In a church service, a personal account, such as of one's conversion. It is an affirmation; declaration. An open attestation; a profession of faith. In Acts 1:8, the Lord Jesus told us, “you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Traditionally, testimony was treated as an integral of conversion; belief and confession were inseparable. Both are meant to be heard. 

Hebrews 4:12-14 “For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”

Willard points out that along with these three foundational elements of Christ-centered piety in evangelical tradition, there are disciplinary aspects – “disciplinary” because they are thought of as “means of grace” or ways of sustaining and developing one’s life; not as modes of punishments. Primary among these are the public ministry of the Word of God, individual Bible Study, prayer, and the ideal of a whole-life discipline and holiness. Evangelical piety, our entire life, no matter what we were doing, was to be a part of our faith in Christ. In the Priesthood of Believers, whatever any Believer was doing was supposed to be priestly and unto God. The Apostle Paul proclaims to us in Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that

from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

Let’s continue this message on the need for “evangelical piety” in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

Evangelical Piety - Part 2

1 Peter 3:14-16 “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.”

Harvard president Derek Bok wrote, the religious institutions no longer seem as able as they once were to impart basic biblical values, which has led to the widespread decline in ethical standards. Today, they do not seek to convey a set of moral truths or demonstrate a deep concern for the problem. The subject is not treated as a serious responsibility worthy of sustained discussion and determined action. It is understandable that we should not pay much attention to moral development in our society if there is no basis in the knowledge of sovereign God and His Holy Word. But, Willard states that the Christ-centered piety of the evangelical tradition provides both the knowledge and the community within which people can find a basis for moral development, because in that tradition they find a solid basis for human life. 

Evangelicalism has three essential marks: belief in the uniquely divine nature of Jesus Christ, in the Bible as the “Word of God”, and in the necessity of a new birth transformation by the Holy Spirit. The three substantive elements of evangelical piety across the ages are: conviction of sin, conversion to a godly life of faith, and testimony to the saving work of God by grace in the soul. “Sin” is defined as: The voluntary departure of a moral agent from a known rule of rectitude or duty, prescribed by God; any voluntary transgression of the divine law, or violation of a divine command; a wicked act; iniquity. Conviction of sin is no longer a popular topic among evangelical Christians, but that is quite a recent development. Yet, without conviction of sin, there is no repentance that leads to Christ, the Blessed Redeemer. No sin or punishment for sins means no conviction, no need for salvation or need for a Savior.  

Father of the Reformation, Martin Luther stated, “The first duty of the gospel preacher is to declare God’s law and show the nature of sin, because it will act as a schoolmaster and bring him to everlasting life which is in Jesus Christ.” English cleric, theologian and evangelist, John Wesley – “Before I preach love, mercy and grace, I must preach sin, law and judgment.” The Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon stated, “They will never accept grace until they tremble before a just and holy law.” American evangelist, D.L. Moody – “God, being a perfect God, had to give a perfect law, and the law was given not to save men, but to measure them.” The Apostle Paul explains in Romans 7:7, “Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law.” God’s Law is the standard by which everything (including every sin) is measured. God’s Law was the standard. Romans 6:23 explains the ultimate truth: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” My Mentor Bill Stiles similarly stated, “You must know what you have been saved ‘from’ before you can understand what you are being saved “to”. What is salvation from? Today, this has been largely disregarded and people do not know sin and its consequences, if it is known at all. Look around, open your eyes and see the lawlessness today. God’s just wrath is on the God rejecting world system of rebellious sin.  Will the Christian church be silent? 

John 3:16-18, 35-36 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Willard avows that the foundation of evangelical piety, across the ages, remains not only conviction of sin, alienation from God, condemnation, and a sense of eternal loss in hell, but also deliverance from bondage to sin. The evangelical tradition deals at great length with guilt before God and bondage of the will to the practice of sin. Without conviction of sin, there is really no problem for the gospel to solve. Sin is death. Yet “Sin” has totally disappeared as a category of analysis and understanding in “contemporary” cultural. Interpersonal relationships is now the emphasis. Without sin, evangelical religion makes no sense, and the emphasis of that religion upon sin has always been a matter of reproach to it. God’s Law exposes sin and points to the foot of the Cross for redemption and reconciliation. What is salvation to? 1 John 5:11-13 testifies clearly, “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”

Let’s continue this message on the need for “evangelical piety” in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

Evangelical Piety - Part 1

Deuteronomy 4:8-10 “What great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today? Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children— how on the day that you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, the Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.’”

Prior to all the pandemic and social tension of 2020, our church’s associate Pastor, a former world-evangelist, brought up in a Staff Meeting and communicated to me of his deep concern for the lack of Christian Discipleship and the obvious Biblical Illiteracy within the Christian Church today because the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ to “go make disciples of all nations” was not happening in this nation. The natural consequences of sin and a lack of biblical knowledge, church doctrine and the Godhead (Father, son and Holy Spirit) has naturally led to the decline in national Christianity, Christian values, reverence for God, diluting of ethics, adulterating of morals, mitigating of honor and respect in a deteriorating society that has no solid foundation or moral compass except existential secular humanism. Recent survey shows declining church attendance, declining belief in God, and lack of knowledge of biblical truth. What has been removed and omitted from Christianity to cause this?

Pastor was formulating a vision and associated new church program to evaluate where people were in their Christian walk, then begin discipling individuals, starting with the Gospel message, the marks of evangelicalism, the substantive element of evangelical piety and the basic elements of evangelicalism and disciplinary aspects of grace found in the teaching the Word of God which are missing in the contemporary church today. The institution of such a discipleship program is temporarily on hold due to the Coronavirus pandemic closing the church campus and almost all ministry efforts are focused on online virtual worship production. But, the awareness of the need, the visionary planning to succeed for the kingdom of God and communication of evangelical piety restoration continues and prepares. The nation needs discipleship and the Lord commands it. Sharing the gospel and our testimonies is what we're explicitly called to do. 

Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in

the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

As to not be speak some foreign language, let’s define some of these terms that are not commonly used in everyday conversation, yet important for biblical learning and understanding for application. The reference source is the 1828 Webster’s dictionary.

·      The word “disciple” means: a learner; a student; a scholar; one who receives or professes to receive instruction from another. Or a follower; an adherent to the doctrines of another. Hence the constant attendants of Christ were called his disciples; and hence all Christians are called his disciples, as they profess to learn and receive his doctrines and precepts. 

·      The word “discipleship” means: the state of a disciple or follower in doctrines and precepts. 

·      The word “secular” means: pertaining to the present world, or to things not spiritual or holy; relating to things not immediately or primarily respecting the soul, but the body; worldly. The secular concerns of life respect making provision for the support of life, the preservation of health, the temporal prosperity of mankind. 

·      The word “evangelical” means: according to the gospel; consonant to the doctrines and precepts of the gospel, published by Christ and his apostles; as evangelical righteousness, obedience or piety.

·      The word “piety”, in principle, is a compound of veneration or reverence of the Supreme Being [God] and love of His character, or veneration accompanied with love; and piety in practice, is the exercise of these affections in obedience to God’s will and devotion to His service. Includes devoutness, devotion, faithfulness, goodness, holiness, righteousness, respect and virtue.

Acts 1:7-8 And He [Jesus] said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

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Christian author and teacher Dallas Willard, in his book “the Great Omission”, states that one of the great engines of individual and social transformation has been “evangelical” thought and experience as a sustaining force. “Piety” refers to the inward and outward states and acts that constitute a life of devotion to God. Externally viewed, piety consists of the routine activities carried out in a sustaining relationship that honors God who gives us life and well-being. Piety steadies us, gives our lives a substance, and moves us towards the highest human ideals. The opposite if piety is wickedness, which is defined as: the departure from the rules of the divine law (the Laws of God); evil in disposition or practices; immorality; criminal; sin; sinfulness; corrupt in morals and manners. The Lord Jesus explains in John 3:19, “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil [wicked].” Sin is the root cause of the problem.

Let's continue this message on the necessity of "piety" in the next post.

In Christ Brian