Why Should a New Convert Not Open-Air Preach?

 (I contend that this also applies to new Christians teaching, discipling and leading groups)

by Brandon Rhea

10/21/2016


New converts to Christianity usually have an unmatched zeal for the gospel. The freshness of their salvation through the precious blood of their Savior propels them to action. Their enthusiasm can lead them to engage people in evangelism. Some veteran street preachers even take the passionate babe in Christ with them for an outreach. Very quickly, this opens the door to their opportunity to step up on the box. While I admire such fervor to preach the gospel in the open air, I must caution against this approach for six reasons.

1. New Converts Need Time to Grow in Character

A new believer needs time to grow in the fruits of the Spirit. In Ephesians 4:17-32, Paul addresses the Ephesians on how we should live differently from the unconverted. We must put off the old self and put on the new self. This includes putting off unrighteous anger and corrupting talk. Open-air preaching is a temptation for new converts to respond in unrighteous ways to the mocking, scoffing, and apathy of the non-Christians. A new believer does not know how to respond to cursing with blessing. They have not learned to rejoice when persecuted. If the man struggled with bitterness, wrath, malice, and violence before Christ, then he will need time for the Holy Spirit to sanctify him through the Word. The consequences of him exploding in an ungodly way would be the discrediting of the gospel message.

2. New Converts Need Discipleship

In Acts 18:24-28, God gifted Apollos to speak in the synagogues about Christ. In verse 24, we learn that he is an eloquent speaker and competent in the Scriptures. In verse 25, Luke tells us that Apollos received discipleship. Someone instructed him in the way of the Lord. This verb, instruct, means “to teach in a systematic or detailed manner.” Apollos went through a systematic discipleship program on the meaning of the Scriptures. Yet, he still needed correction. In verse 26, Priscilla and Aquila heard him preach, but he needed more instruction. They took him aside and taught him the way of the Lord more accurately. Then, God used him marvelously in Achaia to refute the Jews.

If Apollos received detailed and systematic instruction and still needed correction, how much more does a new convert? Most baby Christians have not read the Bible completely. They usually know the basics of the Gospel, but they are not competent in the Scriptures. People saved from nominal Christian backgrounds or other religions usually know very little about the Bible. They need time to learn the Scriptures through their church’s preaching and personal study in order to be prepared to preach the gospel accurately.

3. New Converts Are Students and Not Teachers

If a man is not competent to preach on Sunday in the pulpit, then he is not competent to preach on Saturday on the street corner. In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul exhorts Timothy to “preach the word.” The word, preach, in this context means “to publicly announce religious truths and principles while urging acceptance and compliance.” There are only two differences between preaching on Sunday in the pulpit versus Saturday on the street corner. First, in one circumstance the preacher has a roof over his head. Second, it is a different context. On Sunday, it is a worship service to the people of God. On Saturday, it is on the street corner to mostly unbelievers. However, the act of preaching is the same. Both are public declarations of Biblical truth with the desire to see people accept it.

When a man stands up on the street corner to preach, he is declaring to the pedestrians that he is a teacher of the Bible. He understands the message and is going to proclaim it for their consideration. A new convert is not at the level of a teacher. He is still a student who is learning the basics of the faith. Imagine if a young man took a French class. After six weeks, he has learned the basics like pronouncing the abc’s, numbers, and rudimentary vocabulary. What if this young man decided to go to the street corner in order to teach people French? The assumption by the crowd would be that he is fluent and can teach. Unfortunately, they would be quickly disappointed since he is a new student to the study of the language.

A person may object and say, “Does this mean that he cannot share the gospel with anyone?” No! You are assuming that preaching is the same thing as having a conversation with a person one on one. It is not. In a conversation, a new convert does not set himself up as a competent instructor of the Bible. Instead, he is sharing what he is learning from the competent teacher at his church. Let us go back to the French student. Would it be wrong for him to share with his parents the new words he is learning in French? No, it would not, because he is not portraying himself as a French teacher. Instead, he is sharing privately the lessons that he has learned in class.

4. Teachers Will Receive a Greater Judgment

James 3:1 says, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” In this context, the word, teacher, means “one who provides instruction.” This does not have to be a public proclamation but can be private. Preaching is always a public teaching activity. Therefore, we can apply this principle to preachers. There is greater judgment for them. We should not encourage a new convert to take greater responsibility before they are able to handle the stricter judgment. They are unprepared spiritually and doctrinally to be held to this greater standard.

5. A New Convert May Not Have the Ability to Preach

In 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, an elder must have the ability to teach to be qualified for the office. While a person does not have to be an elder to preach, these passages do show that it is a gift from God. There are some men who may have the desire to preach, but they do not have the ability. Either they have poor communication skills in contrast to Apollos or they cannot rightly handle the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15)

If a new convert feels the desire to preach, then he should do two things. First, sit under the preaching ministry of his church. By hearing the preaching of God’s Word every week, you will grow in your knowledge of the Lord. Besides this, it demonstrates to him what good preaching looks like. By seeing a gifted man of God preach the Bible with care, it will disciple him to do the same thing. Second, ask for an opportunity to preach at your church or teach in Sunday School. It is wise for you to cut your teeth as a preacher in the local church with a friendly audience. By learning in the church, then it will sharpen your skills in order to preach in the open-air.

5. New Converts Are Prone to Pride

In 1 Timothy 3:6, Paul wrote, “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.” This warns churches to avoid choosing a new convert to become an elder. They are particularly prone to becoming prideful. The devil will use the new office as an opportunity to have them fall into his arms. This principle can be applied to preaching as well. The public recognition of preaching can act as a stumbling block to a new convert. They start to think that they are a mature follower of Jesus since they are preaching the Gospel on the street corner and most believers are not. This pride turns into an unteachable spirit and can turn to isolation. Unfortunately, I have seen men err into false doctrine and they refused to be corrected. The open-air ministry puffed up their pride. Even though they thought they were teachers, they became fools.

What Should a New Convert Do?

I encourage men who open-air preach to take new converts with you. However, see it as a discipleship opportunity. The new convert is coming with you in order to learn. By inviting him to go, it forces the new believer to face the fear of man. Also, the conversations in the car are advantageous moments to discuss spiritual matters. When you go to your spot to preach the gospel, it grants more instruction to the babe in Christ to meditate on these truths. When there is interaction with non-believers, he will witness you demonstrating gentleness while delivering truth. Besides this, he will be exposed to new arguments against Christianity and the appropriate response from the Scriptures. Please see outreaches as discipleship opportunities, but do not push the man onto the box while he is still on a diet of milk.

Witnessing 101

Most Americans, when asked, will say they are Christian. They grew up believing they are Christian. They may have gone to church on Easter, Christmas and even a few times in-between. They believe in God, they've heard of Jesus, too. They even know some of the Bible stories like Jonah and the whale; Moses; and Noah's Ark. I mean, if you had to pick a religion and you had been raised this way, you would say you are a Christian, right? That's what I said. That's what I believed. That's how I raised you. I was wrong. Really wrong. And I need to tell you why . . .. . . . . . .

This is a pamphlet written by me to my son many years ago.  I used it as a witnessing tool to help explain to him what Jesus did for us and what it means to accept Christ and follow him.  Since then I have sent it to many of my friends and family.  It's a great tool and a way to reach loved ones that may be a distance from you.  You can order it here:

The Book Patch

The Cost

excerpts from MacArthur's "The Starting Principle of Discipleship" . . . . . . . .

If you want to follow Christ, you want to be a Christian, do you?  Here’s the message.  Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him. 

Do you hear that in the contemporary gospel?  Do you ever hear that?  Do you ever hear that in a message given by a television preacher or an evangelist?  Do you ever hear anybody say that?  Do you ever hear anybody stand up in a crowd and say, “If you want to become a Christian, slay yourself, deny yourself all the things that yourself longs for and wants and hopes for, be willing to die and slavishly submit in obedience to Jesus Christ”?  That doesn’t sell.  That’s not smart marketing.  It just happens to be the truth. 

So what do you want to do?  Get someone artificially converted?  That’s the popular way.  Give people the illusion they’re saved when they’re not so that some day when they face Christ they’re going to say, “Lord, Lord,” and He’s going to say, “Depart from Me, I never knew you.”  The gospel has to be the gospel.  You want to follow Me then?  The principle is, it’s the end of you if you want to follow Me.  It’s the end of you.  You don’t exist anymore.  Paul said it this way.  “For to me to live is - ” what? “ - Christ and to die is - ”  I’ve learned how to be abased and how to abound.  I’ve learned how to have things and not have things.  It doesn’t matter.  If I live I live to the Lord.  If I die I die unto the Lord.  What’s the difference? I’m the Lord’s.”  That’s the attitude. 

Men want glory.  They want health.  They want wealth.  They want happiness.  They want all their felt needs met, all their human little itches scratched.  They want a painless life.  They want the crown without the cross.  They want the gain without the pain.  That’s how people think.  That’s not God’s interest.  The author of our salvation, according to Hebrews 2:10, was made perfect through suffering, and so are we as well taken through the crucible of suffering.  And where we suffer, first of all, is in the death of all hopes, all ambitions, all desires, all longings, all needs that are human.  That’s the point.

So you want to be a Christian, it’s not easy.  You’d think it was easy.  Today, if you want to be a Christian, pray these little words.  Pray this little prayer, and you’ll be a Christian.  It’s not easy to be a Christian.  Let me show you some things.

Matthew 7:13.  This is, again, the teaching of our Lord.  Matthew 7:13, Sermon on the Mount, familiar words, verse 13, “Enter by the narrow gate.”  First of all, become a Christian, you’re going through a narrow gate.  The idea of narrow here means “constricted.”  I mean, it’s one of those things that you have to kind of go through.  It’s very, very tight.  You can’t carry anything through it.  You come through with nothing.  “There is a wide gate, but it leads to destruction.”

There’s a wide religious gate, and people are going on with all their baggage, and all their self needs, and all their self esteem, and all their desire for fulfillment and self satisfaction, and all of that.  They’re going on there, but it doesn’t go to heaven, it says “heaven” but ends up in hell.  And many go that way.

But there is also, verse 14, this very small, narrow gate and it leads to eternal life, but notice this, “Few are those who find it.”  And the idea is it’s hard to find.  And I agree that it’s hard to find.  It’s especially hard to find today.  You can go to church, after church, after church, after church, after church and never find it.  It’s a very narrow gate. 

It’s hard to find and it’s hard to get through.  Why?  Why is it so hard to find and why is it so hard to get through  Answer, because it’s so hard to deny yourself.  So hard.  That’s the reigning reality in human fallenness, that man is the master of his own soul, the captain of his own faith, that man is the monarch of his own world, that man is king and to say he has to slay himself, deny himself, that’s too much to swallow.  You preach a gospel that doesn’t include that and people will flock around to get out of hell into heaven.  You start preaching the true gospel that calls for total and absolute self-denial, the recognition that you have nothing of which you are worthy, nothing of which you can be commended, nothing in you that needs to be salvaged.  But rather you’re willing to slay everything you are, all your hopes, dreams, ambitions for the sake of the pearl, for the sake of Christ and you’re coming on God’s terms.  That’s not easy.  It’s hard, first of all, to find that truth and it’s even harder once you’ve heard it to submit to it because man worships himself.  He’s his own god. 

What we need to be telling people is not “come to Christ and you’ll feel better about yourself,” is not “Jesus wants to meet whatever your needs are.”  Jesus doesn’t want to meet your needs, your worldly, earthly, human needs.  He wants you to be willing to say, “I will abandon all the things I think I need for the sake of Christ.”

And then Jesus told those two parables in Matthew 13:44-46.   He said there was a man who found a treasure hidden in a field and he saw the value of the treasure and he sold everything for the treasure.  Then he said there was a pearl of great price, that the man found the pearl of great price, he sold everything to get the pearl.  It’s the selling everything that is the essence of salvation.  It’s I give up everything, I deny myself, I offer my life both in terms of death, if need be, and in terms of obedience in life.  This is the message of the gospel.  So when you go to preach the gospel, that’s what you have to say. 

Now, you say, “But people aren’t going to buy that.”  Well wait a minute, people aren’t going to buy that, of course not, unless the Spirit of God is working in their hearts, right?  Unless the Spirit of God is doing the work of conviction, and the Spirit of God is awakening the dead heart, and the Spirit of God is generating faith, and then that’s the only true message that connected with the work of the Spirit will produce true salvation.  Don’t reinvent the gospel to suit you.  That’s what’s being done today. 

Discipleship

quote from John Stott . . . . .

 “The Christian landscape is strewn with the wreckage of derelict, half-built towers (referring to Luke 14:28-30) – the ruins of those who began to build and were unable to finish.  For thousands of people still ignore Christ’s warning and undertake to follow him without first pausing to reflect on the cost of doing so.  The result is the great scandal of Christendom today, so called ‘nominal Christianity.’   In countries to which Christian civilization has spread, large numbers of people have covered themselves with a decent, but thin, veneer of Christianity.  They have allowed themselves to become somewhat involved; enough to be respectable but not enough to be uncomfortable.  Their religion is a great, soft cushion.  It protects them from the hard unpleasantness of life, while changing its place and shape to suit their convenience.  No wonder the cynics speak of hypocrites in the church and dismiss religion as escapism.

from MacArthur's The Gospel According to Jesus  -  

When Jesus called disciples, He carefully instructed them about the cost of following Him.  He turned away those reluctant to pay the price – like the rich young ruler.  He warned all who thought of becoming disciples to count the cost carefully.  Scripture teaches us to deny self (Matt 16:24), consider ourselves dead (Romans 6:11), lay the old self aside (Eph 4:22), and in a sense, treat the selfish aspect of our beings with the utmost contempt (1 Cor 9:27).  Why does Christ use such offensive terms?  Because He is eager to chase the uncommitted away and to draw true disciples to Himself.  He does not want half-hearted people deceived into thinking they are in the kingdom.

Can you imagine us Christians doing that today???  Instead of being inclusive – EVERYBODY is welcome – we instead might be exclusive?  Weeding out those who are not serious, those not willing to give up self, family, comforts of this world, etc.  Isn’t the road narrow and the gate small?  So why have we paved this wide road and erected a huge gate for ALL to come to Jesus when we know that’s not going to be the case?  And by doing so, have we not given so many the illusion they have secured eternal life with the Creator?

MacArthur -

One who is not willing to lose his life by taking Christ is not worthy of Him (Matthew 10:38). That person cannot be a disciple (Luke 13:27).  These statements cannot be made to accommodate the kind of casual approach to conversion that is in vogue in our generation.  Jesus does not ask people to add Him to the milieu of their lives. He wants disciples willing to forsake everything.

Why People Don't Make Disciples - David Platt

Cleansing of the Temple

The following is from an Easter Devotional put together by Covenant Fellowship.............

It often doesn't take long for heartfelt devotion and passion for God, to drift toward simply going through the motions.  Left unchecked, it can lead to hypocrisy - living your life with the appearance of devotion and love toward God that is not really there.  That's what happened to the Jewish people in New Testament times and the fig tree was a perfect illustration of this.  Jesus approached a fig tree with big, shiny leaves but no fruit.  On the outside the tree looked well, but it wasn't doing what it was created to do - produce fruit! So the Lord cursed the fruitless tree.  When Jesus approached the beautiful marble walls and gleaming gold pillar capitals of the temple with throngs of worshippers gathered around, all looked well - on the outside.  But the Jews received his strongest rebuke.  Jesus cursed the blatant hypocrisy and greed by turning over the tables and condemning their selfish practices.  The temple court was meant to be a place of prayer and worship for the Gentiles.  It was a place where men and women outside of Israel could seek God.  But it had become a den of robbers that hindered the Gentiles from praying and seeking God.  The same can be true today.  When we claim to have faith in Christ, but don't live lives transformed by his love and grace, we may hinder men and women from clearly hearing and responding to the gospel.  Unbelievers can see right through an outward "show" of religion.  Jesus wants us to know that how we live matters.  It matters that we pursue purity and obey God's Word.  It matters that we pray and seek God with sincere hearts.  Jesus died to free us from the trap of hypocrisy and to give us His Spirit, who purifies us and empowers us to live lives in line with the truths of the gospel.

Pray that God would help us to live pure lives that are dedicated to the glory of God, obedient to the Word of God and committed to prayer.

Tozer

  Nothing can take the place of the touch of God in the soul and the sense of Someone there.  Real faith, indeed, brings such realization, for real faith is never the operation of reason upon texts. Where true faith is, the knowledge of God will be given as a fact of consciousness altogether apart from the conclusions of logic.

Prayer from Iran

Prayer for March 5

O God, Because I acknowledge that I can only live with discipline, you give me that discipline; such knowledge is a great mercy.  Thus I ask you most humbly: Cleanse my heart and make it holy through repentance and faith, through the Holy Spirit and through rebirth.  Strengthen me, so I do not let any impure spirit control or possess me.  Amen.

Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.  James 4:8

The Center of Your World

Narcissistic Personality Disorder may soon be dropped from the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.  Why?  Essentially because it's now considered just a manifestation of normal personality.   But here is the problem - dropping it from the manual is essentially throwing in the towel and waving a white flag where self-centeredness exists.  It will basically be telling our culture it's OKAY to be a narcissist, just not an extreme one - well, not for now anyway. 

We have become such a society of me, me, me.  The minute our feet hit the floor in the morning it's  - "how do I feel?"  "I need a cup of coffee."  "What do I feel like doing today?"  "Which outfit should I wear?"  And it only gets worse as the day wears on. "I'm hungry, I'm thirsty, I'm tired, I'm bored, I'm lonely, I'm rich, I'm poor, I'm fat, I'm thin, I'm just right, I'm smart, I'm dumb," etc.  It's not necessarily what we are, it's that we're constantly thinking of ourselves in every thought throughout the day.

Now one would think that a culture filled with people looking for self-gratification would be brimming with lots of self-fulfilled, satisfied people. But they couldn't be more wrong. Our culture is actually brimming with divorce, drug use, spousal abuse, child abuse, alchoholism, crime, suicide, etc.  There is just one problem with the theory that self-gratification leads to self-fulfillment.  Self.  We cannot look to ourselves for any kind of gratification or fulfilment.  It's impossible.  Our fulfillment comes from the One who created us and gave us our purpose to begin with - God.  And He created us to bring Him glory.  So how could we be fulfillers of our own desires?  Wouldn't we then be giving ourselves the glory?   But we weren't created for that purpose.  And when we don't fulfill our purpose we end up with a society full of miserable, misguided people looking for happiness in all the wrong places.

Then there are those who believe that helping others will bring them happiness. After all, they've taken the focus off of themselves and placed it on others.  Or have they?  We look to their motivation and often find they are patting themselves on the back for a job well done - whether publicly or privately. And the happiness is fleeting.

Our goal is not to do good on this Earth. Our goal is to do God's will and then give Him the glory. And by doing that we no longer puff ourselves up thinking we are "good" when in fact, we are fallen.   When we are in the center of God's will, we have a sense of peace and joy.  We can know that we are fulfilling our purpose on this Earth by bringing Him glory. It means we have truly taken the focus off of ourselves and placed it on God, who will then guide us to those He wants us to serve. 

We don't need to "know ourselves" - at least not the way all the self-help books and programs tell us we should.  By listening to them we only continue to put ourselves in the center of our world.  Jesus is the one we truly need to know and place in the center of our lives.  He will then help us to know his Father.  And it is He who knows us better than we could ever know ourselves.  God created us to bring Him glory and with a purpose in mind.  He will guide us to accomplish that purpose if we allow Him.

Healthy Churches

This was too good to wait until tomorrow to post.  I challenge all of us to not only evaluate the church we attend, but evaluate our own involvement.  ARE you involved?  DO you serve our Lord?  Or do you leave it for the leaders and those "called" to a certain ministry?  HAVE you held your brothers and sisters accountable?  Or is it easier to shrug it off and just be comfortable.  Growth, in the best way, is not comfortable or easy.  If you haven't felt conviction or some form of discomfort lately, then I would surmise you haven't been growing either.

Principles of Healthy Church Growth

by Phil Van Auken

Understanding Church Growth

• The growth of a local church is the natural byproduct of its spiritual health (intimate relationship to God).
  
• The church belongs to Christ, not to us. He has a unique growth plan and purpose for each local church that makes up His body. Christ, not man, makes the local church grow.
  
• Some churches are redwood trees, others are bushes; some are flowers, others are grass. But ALL of the plants in God's forest have strong roots.
  
• Christ is interested in Kingdom growth (converted souls), not man-made growth based on the "3 Ms": materialism, marketing, and management.
  
• Christ is interested in the right motives for church growth: love for sinners; a sacrificing lifestyle that is salt and light to the world; dependence on God (humility).
  
• Man's motives for church growth are: the "3Bs": (budgets, baptisms, and buildings); empire-building pride (like the Tower of Babel); staff career-climbing; and guilt.
  
• Christ vomits man-made growth out of His mouth. (Rev. 3:18)
  
• Man-made church growth causes church cancers: congregational politics; materialism; competition between churches; cultural (undiscipled) Christianity; congregational homogeneity; performance-oriented staff (the "CEO" pastor).
  
• Growing churches are thus not necessarily healthy churches.
  
• Christ calls us to labor in a number of overlooked fertile harvest fields: growth in corporate prayer and patience; growth in heartfelt, genuine worship (instead of routine rituals for God); growth in the percentage of members who do the work of the church; growth in congregational diversity (ethnic diversity, as well as a mixture of new Christians and mature Christians); growth in member discipleship and empowerment; growth in ministry partnerships with other Christian organizations outside your local church.

Today's Lukewarm, Naked Church

• The comfortable, non-sacrificing church.
  
• We expect the staff to do the work of the church. "That's what we pay then for, isn't it?"
  
• We expect missionaries to save all the souls. "That's what God called them to do, isn't it?"
  
• Church leaders must stay out of the comfort zone and model sacrificing discipleship to the congregation.
  
• The church must be in the world to save those in the world. (John 17: 6-19)
  
• Growing, spiritually healthy churches must make room for the non-Christian, the "near-Christian," the immature Christian, and the backslidden Christian. Legalism and membership conformity cause the church to lose its warmth (salt and light).
  
• The church must tithe its budget and time to go beyond church walls in the local community.
  
• Why we don't pray: (1) We're comfortable and don't want anything (2) We don't care enough about others (3) We think small (4) We don't want to get involved (5) We're afraid God will respond and we'll have to interrupt our comfortable routine.

In The World...

• Church growth does not take place unless a new Christian enters God's Kingdom. Transferring memberships between churches is "recycled" (man-made) growth.
  
• Because our society is breaking down morally, most church growth opportunities today come from crisis ministry: divorce, unwanted pregnancies, alcohol and drug addiction, family abuse, etc. This is the harvest field that Christ labored in and said was white unto harvest. (John 4:35 and Matthew 9:37-38) Unfortunately, this is crisis ministry, not comfortable ministry.
  
• Middle class America is comfortable and secular, so this is often a barren harvest field to work in. Unfortunately, many churches want to do all of their work in this harvest field, because middle class church members have money and usually require only a modest amount of the church staff's time and energy. Crisis ministry church members can be disruptive to church routine and require a lot of time and attention. Highly legalistic churches don't view the "crop" in crisis harvest fields to be very worthy of harvesting. (Matthew 9:1-6)
  
• Church growth requires the church to be all things to all people. (1 Cor. 10:33)
  
• Because God has a unique purpose and plan for each local church, He is doing special work in each church. Leaders should find where God's special construction site is for their local church and go to work there. If we want our church to grow, we should work where God is already working in our midst!
  
• The more a church grows numerically, the more it must engage in discipleship. New Christians need "big brother" disciplers. Church growth is discipleship.
  
• The best form of discipleship is "on-the-job" ministry service to the unsaved and to those in crisis. Disciples of Christ must get beyond the comfortable walls of the local church and go out into the world where people are hurting and searching for forgiveness and a fresh start in life.
  
• The local church cannot grow if it seals itself off from the world for fear of being "tainted" by sin. We have the whole armor of God to help us be in the world but not be of the world. (Ephesians 6:13)
  
• Churches should look for ministry partners to provide growth opportunities: Prison Fellowship, community Christian service agencies (Salvation Army, etc.), other congregations, etc. God extends special blessings to unity among the brethren.

...But Not Of The World

• Christ's local church is not a business ("First Baptist Incorporated"). A CEO and board of executives shouldn't run it. The job of the church staff and lay leaders is not to perform. This is Christ's role. Church leaders are to be spiritual role models, reflecting the light of the Holy Spirit to the congregation and a dying world.
  
• The local church must not use the devices of the world (entertainment, material wealth and comfort, power, slick marketing, autocratic management, etc.) to run itself and promote its interests.
  
• The church must emphasize outreach (to the unsaved) over inreach (to the comfortable congregation).
  
• Church leaders must encourage and empower members to get away from the church for outreaching ministry activities.
  
• Church leaders are to empower members, not control them (which is the proper role of the Holy Spirit). When staff seek to control people, someone goes out the back door of the church every time a new member arrives through the front door.
  
• The Bible is meant to be applied, not merely studied.
  
• Small churches shouldn't envy middle size churches. Middle-size churches shouldn't covet to be large churches. Large churches shouldn't lust to be "super" churches. All church growth is Christ's business.
  
• The wrong church growth tools are: pressure, competition, guilt, and entertainment.
  
• The right church growth tools are: prayer, sanctification, discipleship, outreach, sacrifice, discomfort, sorrow, compassion, diversity, Bible-applying.

Encouragement In The Garden Of Gethsemane

• God doesn't value you or your church for what you do. We don't have to earn God's love or blessings.
  
• God has a unique role for you and your church. Look at your ministry through His eyes, not man's eyes.
  
• Church growth is God's work.
  
• Church growth happens one saved soul at a time.
  
• The grass and bushes in the forest are just as useful and necessary as the tall trees.
  
• Be the Christian God wants you to be and He will sanctify you to help the members of your church become the Christians He wants them to be. When the members of a church are the Christians God wants them to be, the church will grow and grow!

---

Note: This article originally appeared in Phil Van Auken's website.

Prayer for January 12

O Gracious, kind, loving Lord Jesus Christ!  Gentle, humble, patient Lord! You left us a beautiful, virtuous example of a holy life so that we might follow in your footsteps.  You are an immaculate mirror of all virtues, a perfect example of holiness, an irreproachable measure of piety, and a sure standard of righteousness.  How different my sinful life is compared to your just life!  Amen

He restoreth my soul:  He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.   Psalm 23:3

Prayer for January 10

Remember, Lord, Your mercy and your kindness, which you have shown since the dawn of time.  Do not remember the sins of our youth, nor our wrongdoing, but remember us according to your mercy, for the sake of your goodness.

Give us true repentance, heartfelt remorse, and grief over our sins, O Lord Jesus - a godly sorrow, one that prepares our hearts to receive your comfort and forgiveness.  Give us the spirit of love, gentleness, humility, devotion, reverence, mercy, and prayer so that we and all the saints may possess your kingdom with love and eternal life.  Amen.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.  Galatians 5:22

Forgive Me

(from the blog -  i am servant )

July 1, 2010

 

I read this quote recently, and it conjured up a variety of counterproductive emotions in me.
“I like to define forgiveness as ‘giving up the right to punish the one who has hurt you.’ That’s what Jesus did on the cross.”
-Jan Silvious

Wow.

I am sure other people dont do this, but I have spent a lifetime perfecting the art of punishing people for their transgressions against me.

I can remember doing it as a child. If someone offended me or mistreated me I made it my unspoken mission to make them suffer as I had.

I used forgiveness as a weapon, a form of strategic manipulation in my ultimate battle to see who was the most ‘right’.

Thats very important to me you see… to be right.

When someone sought my forgiveness I had determined that it meant I was right. They were wrong and I had won.

This distorted view of forgiveness has brought me to disturbing conclusion.
I am wrong.

Over and over again, I am (was, is, have been) wrong.

Coming from someone who spent a lifetime trying to convince the world (and myself) that I am right, this is a horrific admission.

I read an excerpt from my Bible on forgiveness:

“Love is the prime ingredient in forgiveness. Often the one wounded must forgive with an act of the will, giving time for working through feelings and experiencing healing. Forgiveness comes with the removal of past offenses from the mind, followed by meditation on Scripture, giving over to God our hurts, praying for the offender, and serving as a willing channel for God’s grace.

…Forgiveness is the willingness to search for new solutions. (not mine or yours, but a new mutually acceptable way)

You must use words that do not cast blame or create questions. You must be concerned with seeking forgiveness only for your wrong. You must remember that a forgiving attitude does not excuse self, defend self, or accuse another.”
(emphasis mine)

I love the transparent and authentic forgiveness that is God’s perfect design. His recipe is flawless. His way ideal.

I have been on a mission to seek forgiveness from everyone that I have wronged. (and shamefully, the list is long) Some have offered me mercy, some have not. Some hurts run deeper then others.
What I am learning is that through forgiveness, I am truly finding out what mercy is.

“Seeking forgiveness frees you to receive Gods mercy.” (from my Bible, ‘The Womens Study Bible’)
And after I try to amend the wrongs I have done on this earth, I can lay them all at the feet of Jesus, and he wipes the slate clean.

Now, my responsibility doesn’t end! I must seek to change my behavior! To learn from my errors.
But He doesnt hold them over my head… He doesnt whisper in my ear, “You dont deserve this joy Amanda, remember that one time you did that bad thing?”

He whispers, “I forgive you. I forgive you. I forgive you. You are forgiven.”

Campaign Against Sin

One of the best articles I've ever read - perhaps because it has such personal meaning to me..............

Truth and Consequences: Exposing Sin in the Church

By Bob and Gretchen Passantino

Copyright 1994 by Bob and Gretchen Passantino.

King David had a humongous problem. A problem that threatened to destroy his administration. This problem not only could destroy his career, but in doing so it could destroy the economic and social stability of the nation and leave it ripe for internal decay and external exploitation. He'd had tough problems before in his years as Commander in Chief, but this was the worst yet.
How was King David going to explain to his people that his affair with the wife of one of the army's most successful generals had gotten so complicated that he was forced to send the general to his death in a hopeless battle so he could quickly marry the new widow to legitimize their child?
The ordinary people didn't know how hard it was to run a country, to have multitudes depending on you for leadership. They didn't understand how the extraordinary stresses leaders faced almost demanded extraordinary tension relieving activities. They didn't understand how using all of one's energies to run the country left one vulnerable to what the ministers called the "sins of the flesh."
It was time for a damage control strategy meeting. King David called in his most trusted advisors for a top-level secret meeting. First to arrive was his court magician, Mike, who had parlayed a brief flirtation with the black arts into a national inspirational comedy ministry. He had been able to hide his four marriages, numerous affairs, and tall-tale telling for twenty years. He was sure to have some great ideas.
The next to arrive was Brother Jimmy, from Southern Judah. True, Jimmy wasn't as well-liked anymore since that last police stop with the prostitute in his chariot, but he did have years of experience covering up his pornographic recreational activities. He could help devise a plan for keeping the worst details out of all but the most tacky tabloids.
The West Coast Kingdom Network contingent arrived later that day. Paul and Jan were sure to give David good advice on how he could appeal to the people with a powerful "word from the Lord" and take pledges for a new temple franchise at the same time. In addition, they brought suggestions from several West Coast ministers who had managed to overcome their bad PR to form new speaking platforms, and from other national ministers who were unable to attend because of their busy crusade schedules but who advised how to prosper in the midst of human suffering and poverty.
Last to arrive was Prophet Hal, brimming with ideas about how David's "little problem" was actually a sign that the Messiah was near and that the people should be concentrating on the refurbishing of the temple instead of David's personal life.
The top secret summit lasted all week. The media tried to crack security, but the usual "high level administration sources" were curiously silent. Nobody knew what was going on behind closed doors, except that the Jerusalem Kosher Pizza Hovel was making a fortune on late night deliveries.
When the king's press conference was finally announced, media from all the world jammed the pomegranate garden awaiting the king's presence. King David's communications advisor, George the Greek, strode to the podium.
"Members of the press. I have a brief statement from the palace, then King David will give his statement. Copies of both statements will be available as you leave, as well as 8x10 glossies. Now, to the statement: 'The palace announces that King David has instituted a new policy of cooperation with the armed services and chosen as liaison between the palace and the Hexagon Mrs. Bathsheba Uriah, whose late husband, General Uriah, sacrificed his life for his country in the recent battles supervised by Secretary of Defense Joab. This is a wonderful opportunity for this administration to confirm its commitment to supporting women in strategic leadership roles. In an effort to further reduce the national debt, King David has additionally decided to marry Mrs. Uriah so that she can perform her duties without salary. Thank you.'"
The murmurs of the reporters had started to die as King David walked briskly out the palace door, into the garden, and to the podium, flanked by his advisors. The morning sun glinted from the special highlights applied to his hair. No shine reflected off his carefully powdered cheeks and forehead. He turned his best side to the press artists and gave the magic smile that had won him the popularity of the people.
"My fellow Israelites. Today marks the beginning of a new era in God's kingdom. After careful consideration and agonizing self-sacrifice, I stand before you fully prepared to continue my responsibilities as the Lord's servant according to the Lord's calling. There have been rumors about my relationship with Bathsheba, wife of the late General Uriah. I tell you in all sincerity today that these rumors are vicious and are tearing down the trust relationship I worked so hard to build. A man in my position expects attacks from the Enemy, and Satan has been working overtime on this one. Sometimes all it takes for a war to be lost is for the people to lose trust in their leadership because of evil rumors and destructive gossip. Well, I think better of you all than that. I know you will reject any such malicious talk and not believe anything you hear unless it comes from my lips.
Over the years, God has used me in mighty ways to further his kingdom. All of you know how as a young boy God gave me the power to kill the giant Goliath with my little slingshot. And those of you who've read my best-selling biography know the words God directed the prophet Samuel to speak when he anointed me as king. I waited patiently for the old administration to finish its term and for King Saul to die before I took office. Israel has never been so prosperous or so safe as it has been under my rule (by God's grace, of course).
Now, all of us have our little imperfections. Take my magician advisor here, Mike. He got in a little trouble a while back for using exaggeration and embellishment in his comedy routine, and he learned a lot about God's forgiveness for his moral lapses, but he's still going strong -- he didn't let those little things keep him from the ministry God called him to. And look at Brother Jimmy. I think people appreciate the struggles he goes through with demons. It isn't easy to keep on preaching against pornography when demons are harassing you at every turn with the stuff. And my dear friends Paul and Jan, along with the dozens of ministers God has prospered through their crusades, they know that when God entrusts you with 30 million pieces of silver, Satan can tempt you to use it for personal gain. And yet they allow the Lord to use their mansions, chariot limousines, Nile barges, and jewels as an inspiration to their "partners" to give even more to the Lord's work so everybody can prosper just like them.
Frankly, we're all sinners. I apologize for being merely human. I don't want you all to think I've gone Holy-wood on you -- I would never do that. In fact, I think my human shortcomings should reassure you that I haven't forgotten what it's like to be struggling with sin. I'm just a simple country boy who's been called by the Lord to the most important leadership position in His kingdom, and my communications team just hasn't caught up to the big league yet.
I'm proud to announce my marriage to Bathsheba, and her appointment to liaison with the armed services. I know this move will strengthen our nation, save us tax money, and restore in you the confidence you once had in my administration.
I close with advice from my dear Brother Hal here, who years ago wrote prophetically that demonic activity, Satanic temptations, and even the moral failings of Israelite leaders are a sign to rejoice because the Messiah is right around the corner. I am confident that Brother Hal and his wives, as well as my wives, join me in encouraging you -- The Messiah is Coming! Rejoice!"
As King David gazed out over the media crowd his smile broadened into a grin. The glazed eyes, the vacuous smiles, the reporters' blank notebooks all testified to David's triumph. God's kingdom was saved!

Exchanging Truth for Lies

When the Church allows compromised Christian leaders to explain away sin, compromise truth, and sin with impunity, we exchange truth for lies. We become no better than idolaters, people whose credulous adoration of compromised leaders fulfill what Paul calls exchanging "the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man . . . exchang[ing] the truth of God for a lie" (Rom. 1:22, 25). Our recasting of King David's story from 2 Samuel is a lie, but sadly, it represents a popular attitude in the Church today toward sin in Christian leadership. Unfortunately, although most Christians sincerely want truth and want to follow biblical ethics, we too often listen to such lies from our leadership and instead of denouncing sin and demanding accountability, we parrot excuses like those given here and allow compromised leaders to continue in leadership.

Biblical Accountability

The Bible clearly states that Christian leaders should be accountable both to the Word of God and also to God's people, whom the leader serves. Among the requirements Paul describes for a Christian leader are that he be "blameless," and "of good behavior" (1 Tim. 3:2). A Christian leader must "have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil" (1 Tim. 3:7). This does not mean that the Christian leader is simply good at covering up his sin. Christian leaders must display integrity and honesty -- they must prove themselves worthy of Christians' trust.
One would think that our outspoken faithfulness to truth telling would extend to telling the truth about sin within the Church. And yet at this point many Christians shrink from truth telling, instead hiding behind empty platitudes such as "don't judge;" "forgive and forget;" "don't shoot your own wounded;" "look at all the people who came to the Lord through this ministry;" etc. Sadly, we have unbiblically acted as though telling the truth contradicts biblical concern for a sinning Christian leader.
Christians who cry out, "It's wrong to judge," are ignoring the context of the passage (Matt. 7:1-2), which does not forbid judging, but instead insists on judgment according to God's word. In addition, a judgmental criticism of judgement is self-refuting. If it is wrong for a Christian to publicly criticize a Christian leader whose testimony is false or who is immoral, then isn't the critic also wrong for publicly criticizing the Christian? Paul points out this contradiction among some Jews, saying, "You who say, 'Do not commit adultery,' do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?" (Rom. 2:22). One who speaks English to utter the sentence "I can't utter a word in English" has refuted himself. Aren't those who accuse Christian investigative journalism of being the "Christian Gestapo" themselves acting Gestopo-ish?
Assuming that integrity and accountability exclude compassion unfairly brands truth telling as "shooting" and ignores that "the wounded" have been wounded by their own sin.
Christians who excuse false testimonies and immorality by pointing to the "fruits" of a ministry deny Paul's forceful argument in Romans 3:8 that to do evil that good may come is slanderous and contrary to biblical ethics.
To equate forgiveness with absolution from personal responsibility is to cheapen biblical forgiveness and to deny biblical justice.

Christian Leadership

The objections against revealing a Christian leader's sin seem to imply that it is possible for one to have a valid Christian ministry or profession, and yet have a private life of corruption. However, the Bible explains that it is not possible for one's sinful conduct to have no negative effect on one's profession of godliness. Titus 1:6-8 summarizes the same qualifications for a Christian leader Paul gave in 1 Timothy 3, but goes on to condemn one who says he believes, and yet whose works deny his profession of faith:

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. The profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work (1:15-16).

To attempt to combine immorality with godliness to produce spiritual fruit is completely contrary to scriptural teaching. In fact, Paul ranks it with "profane and vain babblings" and warns Timothy to avoid "contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge" (1 Tim. 6:20).
In addition, Jesus openly rebuked Peter when Peter argued against Jesus going to the cross (Matt. 16:22, 23). Paul writes Titus that it is the responsibility of the church to hold the leader accountable for his sin: "Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith" (Titus 1:13). Paul also commands Christians to rebuke sinning leaders publicly, "Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear" (1 Tim. 5:20). Paul took his own advice, as recorded in Galatians 2, and publicly rebuked Peter "before them all" (Gal. 2:14).
If we neglect to uncover sin within the Church, we rob the Church of the integrity it should expect from its members. The Church becomes weak through compromise, and the leader becomes weak because of his or her immorality. Fallen leaders betray the trust of those they lead. Maturity in the Lord, which is an essential part of qualifying one for spiritual leadership, can be confirmed only by an established pattern of resisting sin and walking faithfully with God, family, and others.
First Thessalonians 5:21-22 commands us to "test all things," and Paul commended the Bereans for "searching the scriptures" to test what he himself had taught them (Acts 17:11). The Christian whose life is characterized by truth telling must support spiritual leaders whose lives exemplify Christian maturity, and must hold those leaders accountable. If a Christian leader is chosen whose life is bound by immorality, the Christian has the obligation then to expose that sin publicly since the leader is public and his actions impact the church he leads.
Fallen leaders damage the trust relationship established between them and their followers, a relationship mirroring the trusting relationship we are to have with the Lord. In addition, they break the trust relationship Peter tells us to have with the world; that is, we are to live so that even the world will note our trustworthiness and be unable to speak against us, but will, instead, glorify God (1 Peter 2:12).
It is unethical for Christians to cover up for leaders who have achieved their position through false qualifications or stories, or who are living immorally. Can the Church claim a higher ethical standard than the world when we adopt a "code of silence" worthy of the most pernicious organized crime conspiracy or even some suspected invisible satanic ring?
Some people in society have a greater responsibility for honesty and integrity than others. This does not mean that it's less wrong for one person to lie than another, but a public leader has a greater responsibility because the consequences of his failure have greater ramifications. A lay person who has a mistaken medical opinion will not affect the lives and health of as many people as a doctor with a misunderstanding of medicine.
An individual in a position of public trust surrenders his privacy regarding his suitability and trustworthiness. He has asked the public to trust him for specific reasons or qualifications. Those reasons and qualifications are open to public scrutiny. If the leader is trustworthy, they will withstand examination. If he is not, close examination will reveal their inadequacies. Christians who are committed to truth must preserve this fundamental right and obligation to know in whom they are asked to trust.

Forsaking Lies for the Truth

The examples of Jesus and his disciples' commitment to truthfulness and integrity give us our model for holding our Christian leaders accountable. If we do not expose false testimonies and revisionist histories, especially when they are propagated by Christians, then all truth claims and all historical knowledge comes into doubt. We can have no certainty of the truth of Christianity or the objective reality of the resurrection. In the first century, the apostle Paul could claim that the resurrection "was not done in a corner" (Acts 26:26). Should Christians be so careless with the truth that we need to hide our corrupt leaders "in a corner" to preserve the faith rather than speak the truth and call those corrupt leaders to repentance and reconciliation? God forbid!
Good discernment and moral accountability should be practiced among believers. The Old Testament establishes this pattern. Instructions concerning false prophets in Deuteronomy 13:1-5 assume the prophet arises from the congregation of Israel. The passage admonishes the people to banish idolatry from their families, "If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend" (v. 6). Deuteronomy 13 instructs the Israelites how to practice good discernment within their own communities: "you must inquire, probe and investigate it thoroughly." If the community is idolatrous, it must be dealt with publicly (v. 14). Psalm 50:18 states that one who sees a crime and doesn't report it has moral culpability.
The New Testament continues the theme of good discernment within the believing community, most notably when the Bereans test Paul's teachings (Acts 17:11) and the Thessalonians are commanded to test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). Judgment is not excluded, but unrighteous judgment is, as Jesus declared: "Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment" (John 7:24).
Jesus expelled the money changers from the temple, denounced the Pharisees and scribes, and rebuked the teachers of the Law. He reprimanded Peter in front of the other disciples (Matthew 16:22-23). Paul followed Jesus' example and named false teachers in the Church (2 Timothy 2:14-19) and openly criticized Peter (Galatians 2:11,14).
Paul warns that false teachers will arise within the Church, "Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:30). The false teachers of Jude are said to "have secretly slipped in among you" (v. 4).

The Biblical Pattern for Accountability

When immorality occurs in the Church (Titus 1:15-16), the Bible says to deal with it truthfully and constructively. The procedure for public leaders caught in false teaching or immorality is to be rebuked publicly "so that the others may take warning" (1 Timothy 5:20). A congregation member who sins privately against another Christian is not to be exposed publicly unless he persists in sin, in which case he is to be rebuked before the church and we are to "treat him as you would a pagan or tax collector" (Matthew 18:15-17). Paul follows this in 1 Corinthians 5:3-12 concerning the Christian who persisted in his sexual immorality, and affirms that judgment belongs to the Church: "I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present . . . . What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. Expel the wicked man from among you" (v. 3, 12).
Christian leaders are accountable to God's people, whom the leader serves, and should be "above reproach," "respectable," and "able to teach" (1 Timothy 3:2). A Christian leader must "have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil" (1 Timothy 3:7). A Christian leader who is a false teacher or immoral should be rebuked to encourage reform (Titus 1:13), and cannot dichotomize his ministry from his life, expecting God to bless his preaching while privately he sins; he is "disqualified for every good work" (vv. 15-16).
Telling the truth about false teaching or immorality in the Church corresponds with the ethics and truth characterizing the Church. The Church is "salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:13- 14) only if characterized by truthfulness (v. 11) and righteousness (v. 16). Each Christian leader has an obligation to "hold firmly the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it" (Titus 1:9). No Christian is happy when false teaching or immorality arise, but we cannot neglect responsibility, doctrinal and moral accountability.
Christians sometimes are uncomfortable with criticism within the Church because they wrongly assume that public criticism, because it is painful, is also destructive. On the contrary, the "pain" of biblically conducted confrontation produces individual growth (1 Timothy 4:16), encourages others to Christian maturity (1 Timothy 5:19-20), promotes Church strength (Ephesians 4:15), and preserves the Church's reputation in the world (1 Peter 2:12).

A Call for Christian Integrity

The consequences of compromising biblical truth and ethics are devastating. Like an insidious cancer, lies and immorality eat away at the church. Tender believers lose their faith, the associates of the sinner fall into sin themselves, non-believers mock the church and reject the gospel. While covering up for a compromised leader, or tolerating sin in the midst of the congregation may appear at first glance to be loving, compassionate, and "good PR," in actuality it is like a lung cancer patient continuing to smoke.
We cannot condone continuing sin within the Church. We must expose it, deal with it biblically, call sinners to repentance, and then extend the forgiveness, discipleship, restitution, and restoration offered from God's Word.
Sadly, Mike Warnke's problems are not unusual in the Church today. When we began ministry in 1972, we had already experienced some of the duplicity too prevalent among Christian leaders. Gretchen had quit working on one ministry's newspaper because the editor, who was also an evangelist, kept making advances to her, suggesting that the burden of his ministry caused him to need special comfort. Bob, who is nearly blind in one eye, had struggled with what to say when a traveling evangelist prayed for his healing and then announced to the audience that Bob was healed -- but he wasn't. As new Christians, we assumed that these were isolated instances and that the Church wouldn't ordinarily tolerate such moral compromise.
Now, almost twenty years later, we've worked on numerous investigative pieces regarding compromised Christian leaders. Crying Wind, Alberto Rivera, John Todd, Michael Esses, Joey LaVey, Lauren Stratford, Troy Lawrence, Mike Warnke, Bob Larson, and dozens of others have come under temporary Church scrutiny for their ministry and moral lapses. Many were completely defensive when challenged, and many responded much like our fictional King David. No true confession, no real repentance, certainly no biblically mandated restitution and restoration. Tragically, most of them continue in active ministry.
The Christian Church cannot compromise forever by covering up and excusing sin within its leadership. Continued toleration of immorality will transform the Church into what Jesus described as white-washed graves -- pristine on the outside, and full of rotting flesh and decaying bone inside.
The true biblical story of King David is quite different than what we created here. In 2 Samuel 12:1- 14, Nathan rebukes David for his sin with Bathsheba, and God attaches consequences to David's actions that follow him throughout the rest of his life and reign as king. But most important is David's response to God's rebuke through Nathan. Let each of us join David in his confession before God:

Have mercy on me, O God, 
          according to your unfailing love; 
         according to your great compassion  
            blot out my transgressions. 
            Wash away all my iniquity 
            and cleanse me from my sin. 
                                     
            For I know my transgressions, 
           and my sin is always before me. 
        Against you, you only, have I sinned 
        and done what is evil in your sight, 
     so that you are proved right when you speak 
            and justified when you judge. 
                                 . . . . 
    Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; 
      wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 
            Let me hear joy and gladness; 
       let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 
             Hide your face from my sins 
            and blot out all my iniquity. 
                                     
          Create in my a pure heart, O God, 
       and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 
          Do not cast me from your presence 
          or take your Holy Spirit from me. 
       Restore to me the joy of your salvation 
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 
                                     
     Then I will teach transgressors your ways, 
         and sinners will turn back to you 
                  (Psalm 51:1-13).1 

Will Jesus Find You, Too?

Should We Preach with Authority?

-by Shane Idleman.

A few years back, I listened in astonishment as postmodern leaders
talked about replacing "preaching" with "having a conversation." At
first, I thought that maybe they were confusing individual conversations
with how we should speak to the masses, but I was wrong. They
felt that we should stop "preaching" from the pulpit, and start being
more passive and less confrontational. Never mind the fact that
Jesus said, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities
also, because for this purpose I have been sent" (Luke 4:43). But
according to many postmoderns, it's time to replace... preaching
with conversing.

Don't get me wrong... I'm not questioning cosmetic issues such as
styles of worship, ambiance, lighting, and mood. I'm challenging
the dangerous practice of removing foundational principles - Spirit-
empowered preaching is foundational.

I'm also not suggesting that we never converse with people; quite
the contrary... We must be slow to speak and quick to listen, but
when we are called to preach, a whole new dynamic takes place.
the Spirit of God speaks, convicts, draws, heals, breaks, restores,
wounds, and rebuilds. In the book, Spirit Empowered Preaching,
the author said, "It must be understood that the preacher does not
share, he declares. Preaching is not a little talk. It is not a fireside
chat. To substitute sharing and discussion for preaching is to risk
the integrity of the gospel itself."

"What does this have to do with me; I'm not a pastor, or a preacher,"
you might ask. It has a great deal to do with any Christian regard-
less of his or her calling. Let me explain. There is a very troubling
trend in the evangelical church, as a whole. Foundational doctrines
such as the cross, sin, judgment, and repentance were declared
openly in the early hours of church history, as well as in American
history-when revivals and awakenings spread across our landscape.

Today, these foundational truths are often neglected, watered-down,
or avoided altogether in the hope of "not offending," "securing an
audience," or being "user-friendly." Judgment is never mentioned;
repentance is never sought; and sin is often excused. This leaves
people confused and deceived because they believe in a cross-less
Christianity that bears no resemblance to Jesus' sobering call to
repentance. Even though you may not be a Christian leader, we all
are called to share God's Word with others-especially the difficult
truths. Then we are also able to offer hope.

"To convince the world of the truth of Christianity, it must first be
convinced of sin. It is only sin that renders Christ intelligible"
(-Andrew Murray; 1794-1866). In other words, the crucifixion only
makes sense in light of the consequences of sin. "Christ Jesus
came into the world to save sinners" (I Timothy 1:15), yet, we're
not suppose to mention sin, repentance, or judgment?

Again, the good news about Christ can only be appreciated with
the bad news as the backdrop. There are times when the saints
must be fed, and there are times when the sinners must be
warned (-C.H. Spurgeon). Preaching, witnessing, teaching, and
so on must be done with God-given authority to truly be effective.
When we fail to proclaim God's Word faithfully, we run the risk of
"encouraging sin" and "perverting the words of the living God."
(cf. Jeremiah 23).

The Function of the Church

I'm currently reading The Peace Maker by Ken Sande and came across some information that is quite interesting. I remember reading scripture that says believers are not to be suing one another and Sande explains it further. 1Cor. 6:1-8 tells us WHY we should not be suing each other and what we should do instead. Paul rebukes the Corinthians because they were suing each other in secular courts which means they were doing this in front of non-believers - certainly not showing the world the love of Christ! And he also states that since the saints will judge the world, we should be competent enough to judge trivial cases. We will judge angels one day - we should be able to judge disputes between each other. He also states that even men of little account in the church should be able to perform this function. He states that it would be better to be wronged and cheated than to bring a lawsuit among each other. Peace and unity among Christians is SO essential to our witness for Christ that God commands us to take unresolved legal issues to the church rather than to the civil courts. Yet how many churches deliberately ignore this passage and do nothing to help their members settle their legal disputes in a biblical manner. I laugh because most churches won't even step up to resolve simple disputes between brothers and sisters much less a legal matter. Instead their main concern is the entertainment planned for Sunday's service and/or the potluck dinner scheduled afterward.

 

But there is something even more interesting that I picked up on while reading this chapter. It seems Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia made this observation:

"I think this passage (1 Cor. 6:1-8) has something to say about the proper Christian attitude toward civil litigation. Paul is making two points: first, he says that the mediation of a mutual friend, such as the parish priest, should be sought before parties run off to the courts . . . I think we are too ready today to seek vindication or vengeance through adversary proceedings rather than peace through mediation . . . Good Christians, just as they are slow to anger, should be slow to sue."

 

How important it is that our judges - especially a Supreme Court judge - are Bible reading Christians! When our leaders are well versed in the Bible, they know what God expects from His children and how to accomplish it. God has given us everything we need to run our lives, our churches, and our country right in His Word. The instructions are there if we spend the time to read and implement. Unfortunately, as Christians, we have become a "pick and choose" lot meaning we elevate the scriptures we prefer and ignore the rest. This is a dangerous practice and one that will bring not only unbalance but eventually unwanted consequences. Our enemy roams the earth looking to devour those who are not vigilant (1 Peter 5:8). 

 

This makes me wonder if our churches are performing the tasks and functions that God has commanded.  Do they even know what all their responsibilities are?  When they neglect their duties, the flock suffers.  Are our churches today so worried about numbers and dollars & cents that they are hesitant to keep their flock on the path of righteousness? 

I'm not sure who wrote this article, but it sure got my attention and woke me up!  Don't be fooled or lied to; don't assume you are saved; don't believe man's word over God's Word.  Open your Bible and READ it for yourself.  Pray for discernment and repentance.  Take it all seriously - very seriously.

He who Overcomes! 

The Dead, the Corrupt and the lukewarm. 

Described vividly in the book of Revelation, chapters 2 & 3, is the professing Christian church in its present state. The people in attendance however are almost completely unaware of the Judgment standing at the very doors. Called upon to repent by the Spirit of God, they ignore His probing and proclaim themselves 'in need of nothing'! But the fact remains, they are destitute of His holiness, full of lies & hypocrisy, possessing a 'form' of godliness & void of power. 
Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God! Ask them what they love most: "I just love ice cream!" "I love going to the movies!" "I love the church picnics!" "I love going to the pastor's house to have dinner!" When is the last time you heard a professing Christian say: "I love being persecuted for my faith!" "I take great joy in my trials & tribulations, knowing that the testing of my faith produces steadfast endurance!" (1Pet1:6-9) 
"From the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks!" Matt13:34 
"These people draw near to me with their mouths & honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me!" Matt15:8
Anyone who must be compelled to love God is only deceiving himself. Those not 'receiving' with meekness the implanted WORD (which is Christ Himself) daily into their hearts, being Purified from all filthiness of the flesh & overflow of wickedness, and then PUTTING it into practice, ARE NOT the son's of God. ONLY those keeping themselves 'unspotted' by the world will inherit the Kingdom of God. (James1:21-27) 

"More blessed are those who hear the Word of God and PUT it into practice!" Luke11:28 

You have either crucified your flesh with its passions & desires or you're living according to the flesh. You are either putting off the old man which grows corrupt according to deceitful lusts or being renewed in the spirit of your mind. You are either walking in newness of life with Christ, dead to sin, or pretending to be a Christian because some preacher told you that a past moment of faith guarantees your entrance into the kingdom. 
Stop kidding yourself that your church is 'The Church'. Face the reality that FEW have kept their garments from defilement. The Christianity passing itself off as genuine today is VACANT of spirituality. Every imaginable type of immoral conduct is being condoned and practiced inside the church and the preachers remain silent. Even if they 'appear' to be preaching against sin & demanding obedience, it's done in such a manner that those 'in sin' remain comfortable & complacent in their rebellion. Where is the godly sorrow that leads to genuine repentance....NOT to be regretted a week later when the flesh cries out for more! 
People aren't getting saved FROM sin, they are given a LICENSE to keep on sinning! Protest all you want and claim, "Not my church! We're preaching against sin & demanding holiness." But open your eyes and look around! Is there any difference between your church and the world? When a sinner walks through the door of your church is he immediately taken back by the very presence of God? (he should be, according to scripture) Are the secrets of his heart laid bare and falling on his face does he proclaim that God is truly among you? (again, scriptural) 
NO! This isn't happening because most professing Christians are too busy making excuses for their sin or listening to some popular teacher tell them why the 'hard parts of scripture' don't apply to them! Those in bondage to sin are not convicted of it because everyone is too comfortable in it. And who sets the standard? The Church leadership standing in the pulpit telling you that no one is perfect, so don't look to me for an example? When the pastors tell you it's normal to 'lust' in your heart everyday and everybody does it, including him, it's time to start thinking about repentance! 
The contrast between Biblical Christianity and what's being passed off as Christianity in our churches is appalling. Those who refuse to examine themselves in the Light of Scripture will never enter the Kingdom. The Spirit of God is speaking to His Church, but FEW are listening. The flesh doctrines have given many over to strong delusion. They have become 'lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God', satisfied with a 'form' of godliness without power to overcome sin. This is a deadly state of affairs to be ensnared by. Your soul is hanging in the balance! Take heed to what the Spirit is saying and KNOW, only those who OVERCOME will escape His Wrath. 
To the Dead Church the Spirit says: Rev3:1-6 (listen closely, the Lord Himself is speaking.) 
"I know your record and what you are doing; you are supposed to be alive, but in reality you are dead! ROUSE yourselves and keep awake, & strengthen & invigorate what remains and is on the point of dying; for I have not found a thing that you have done---any work of yours---meeting the requirements of My God or perfect in His sight. So call to mind the lessons you received and heard; continually lay them to heart and OBEY them & repent. In case you will not rouse yourselves and keep awake & watch I will come upon you like a thief and you will not know or suspect at what hour I will come." 
Notice the language Christ used in this passage and how perfectly it applies to the situation at hand. Ask yourself, is THIS what I am doing? Stirring myself, Keeping awake, strengthening my faith, obeying the Word? If not, you are among the 'dead' and stand in danger of His Judgment. Not many will pass the test! 
"Yet you still have a FEW names in your church who have not soiled their clothes and they shall walk with ME in white because they are worthy & deserving! Thus shall he who overcomes be clad in white garments & I WILL NOT blot his name from the Book of Life!" 
Take special note of the promise, given to those who have ALREADY kept themselves unspotted by sin, still they must OVERCOME to make it through. What of those who are comfortable & self-satisfied in their complacency? Will they awaken in time to escape Judgment? Chances are very slim they will be roused in time since they have been so long asleep and under the influence of strong delusion. 
"He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the Spirit says to the churches!" 
The Dead Church has works, lots of them! No denying that. The outward appearance is one of godliness. They are feeding the poor, sending out missionaries, supporting numerous social programs. They have lovely buildings, comfortable pews, Choirs that sing with the voices of angels! Some visit the sick & elderly and even minister to prisoners, widows and orphans. BUT they have NOT kept themselves UNSPOTTED by the world! They have forgotten that Purity of heart goes hand in hand with Obedience to the faith. The inward defilement of the flesh makes everything they do unacceptable to GOD! Sacrificial acts from an un-clean heart. 
"Remember then from what heights you have fallen. REPENT---change the inner man to meet God's will--- and do the works you did previously (when you first knew the Lord) Or else I will visit you and remove your lamp stand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent!" Rev2:5 
Those of you who insist on remaining in the dead churches know that your eternal soul is at stake. This is not a game. The Spirit of God is not saying one thing to you and something entirely different to us. Those who are hearing Him comprehend the desperate hour we are in. Unless you have absolute Divine PROOF verified by scripture that you should remain in your church to warn them of the impending danger, LEAVE NOW before it's too late. How much time remains is solely in the Lord's hands, but He's calling out His Bride to MAKE HERSELF READY. (rev19:7) 
Even the Lukewarm has Works: 
"I Know your record of works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are LUKEWARM and neither cold or hot, I will spew you out of MY mouth! For you say I am rich, I have prospered and grown wealthy and I am in need of nothing; and do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked!"
The lukewarm have excluded Christ from their midst. Although they don't realize it, He is standing outside the church knocking on the door! He loves them dearly and wishes to tell them of their faults, convict, convince, reprove and chasten them back to obedience. (rev3:19) This is the reason He wants them BURNING HOT or Stone Cold, because in between they are NUMB to His prodding. With earnest & burning zeal REPENT, He says, and I will grant you to sit beside Me on My throne! What a promise! Given to those wallowing in sin & rebellion. Such is His undying Love. No one will be able to stand at the Judgment and say that the Lord didn't give them EVERY chance to turn from sin and come to Him. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever, the Judgments of the Lord are true & righteous altogether! (ps19:9) 
The warnings have gone forth
FEW are the faithful and of little power (on earth) Yet the Lord has set before them an open door that NO man can shut! (rev3:8) They reside in the very 'abode' of satan himself, as sojourners in a strange & hostile land. BUT they have KEPT His Word and GUARDED His message and have NOT renounced His name! (rev3:8) They are the FAITHFUL, who throughout history have patiently endured every hardship & remained Steadfast in the face of all obstacles. Refusing to compromise the blessings & the cursing of their God. Holding forth the WHOLE Counsel, warning the Righteous & the wicked that sin will bring them to spiritual death. 
"I am coming quickly; HOLD FAST what you have, so that no one may rob you and deprive you of your crown!" (Rev3:11) 
The final warning from our Lord to Overcomers:
HOLDFAST to what you have, take firm possession of it and hang on securely! Beware lest anyone use trickery & guile to deprive you of eternal life! GUARD what you have as a precious treasure, a pearl of Great price! Protect & secure it from loss. Blessed it the man who hears the Word of God and 'KEEPS' it! (lk11:28) Overcome by the word of your testimony and the Blood of the lamb! (rev12:11) 
If you are numbered among the faithful then you know these words are true. However, if you harbor doubt and resentment because these things don't seem to fit into your 'doctrinal' views, your spiritual slumber is almost complete! He who searches the minds, thoughts, feelings and purposes of the inmost heart, KNOWS where you stand. (rev2:23) 
Examine yourself today in His Holy Light and prove once and for all He is reigning in your heart and keeping it Pure and upright. Make no excuses, you are only cheating yourself.

The Audit of a Lifetime by Ron Hutchcraft

Oh, when the auditor leaves from our annual audit, man, our administrative team is high-fivin'. Partly because, well, again we got a clean audit this past year, and our ministry's been blessed with that year after year, and partly it's just because it's over! They worked pretty hard to be ready for all the things the auditor wanted to check out.
In the business world, and sometimes even in the Christian world, audits aren't always happy. Auditors can find things that get you in trouble with your boss, with the government, even with the law. Audits uncover hidden secrets.
I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Audit of a Lifetime."
Now, I have a meeting scheduled with the auditor in the future. Except, I don't know when it is, because the appointment is with The Auditor, and only He knows when my audit of a lifetime is going to be. Fact is we're all facing the audit of our lives. Our word for today from the word of God in Romans 14:12 says "...each of us will give an account of himself to God."
There will be no exceptions, "...each of us." There will be no excuses, "...will give account of himself to God." No blaming your spouse, your parents, your kids, your friends, your coworkers. I will answer for me and me alone. Also, there will be no secrets. "God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ" - Romans 14:12 says that. The Auditor knows every website we've ever visited, every e-mail or conversation we've been involved with, every sin we thought we got away with.
Many times I've seen a road sign with these stark words: "Prepare to meet your God" (Romans 14:12). Since heaven's all-knowing Auditor will expose everything about my life, it actually makes sense to work on what I'll face in His presence. The Auditor has let us know what He'll be auditing. I'd like to know that now.
Now, I know He'll be auditing the words I speak. Jesus said so: "Men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless (or worthless, that means) word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned" (Romans 14:12). All our words, including the gossip, the angry stuff, the putdowns, the dirty stuff, will be there to meet us on the day of judgment and there will be no denying my own words.
The Auditor's also going to examine why I do what I do. The Bible says, "Wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts" (Romans 14:12). I'm not too excited about those new full body scans that they're installing at airports; they reveal what no one else can see. But that's nothing compared to God's full heart scan at the judgment seat. No matter how good what I've done may be, it will burn if my real motive was me, not Him. God cares a lot more about why we do than what we do. If it wasn't for His glory, if it wasn't because of pure love, it will never survive the audit.
Then Jesus said, "Give an account of your management" (Romans 14:12). The audit is going to be about what I've done with what He's given to me: my money, my influence, my home, my abilities, my opportunities. I'm suspecting that a lot of us are going to be feeling the shame and sadness of what might have been, of how much we could have done and should have done.
And then there's this really sobering warning of what's going to come up at the audit. "When I say to a wicked man (the Bible makes it clear that's all of us), 'You will surely die,' and you do not...speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood" (Ezekiel 3:18). Whew! God will confront me with all the people I didn't tell about Jesus, whose eternity depended on hearing about Him.
I guess the hardest-hitting exposure at the audit of a lifetime will be about what we do with Jesus. The Bible says about Judgment Day, "...the books were opened. Another book was opened which is the Book of Life...If anyone's name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire" (Romans 14:12). What an unspeakably horrific moment.
Jesus checks the Book of Life to see if a person's name is there. If it's not, it's too late. It's entered there when you pin all your hopes on the Christ who died on the cross for your sin. If you never have, you can have your name put in His Book today by giving your life to Him.
The Auditor's told us how to take the dread out of the audit. It says, "If we judge ourselves, we would not come under judgment" (1 Corinthians 11:31). Face it now so you don't have to face it then. It's no wonder He's so deeply interested in how we live our life. He's pretty heavily invested with His blood.