Book Review: Jesus Is ______.

Judah Smith has written a new book  Jesus Is ______. with the subtitle "Find A New Way To Be Human". Smith tells us of the campaign his church engaged in to ask the people they know how they would finish this statement. He's received many answers, some thoughtful, some filthy and blasphemous. He has a website for the campaign at jesus-is.org.

I must admit at the forefront of this review, that I was a skeptical reader knowing that a lot of what Smith teaches is the typical seeker-sensitive, feel-good message and not what I believe to be the root Gospel message of Scripture using proper hermeneutics. It's too watered-down for the depth of study I desire in my walk with Jesus.

With that said, I was surprised with what Smith has written here in Jesus Is ______. I must commend him for his effort with this book. I appreciate his struggle with his own faith and the things he's been wrestling with.

"Over the last few years, I've been on a journey that has challenged stereotypes--of myself, of sin and sinners, of Jesus himself. It's hard to describe the depth of the transformation I've experienced, but I do know this: I'll never be the same again." (pp. xv-xvi)

I believe what Judah has written (whether he would agree or not) is geared toward those that are far away from God and His commands. He's written a book that one could hand to someone who did not know God; even one who did not want to know God in an effort to reach them for Christ. Jesus Is ______. was written as an outreach to those living away from Christ calling them to believe the Good News.

I did differ with much of what Smith has written. So, while I commend his effort and work, I think there were a few things that troubled me personally.

"So when I preach and write, I often retell Bible narratives in my own words. It's not a new translation; it's a paraphrase, usually with a good dose of humor thrown in. Sometimes I crack myself up; but laughter is biblical, so I feel almost holy laughing at my own jokes." (pg. xviii)

I often retell and talk through the Bible narratives myself when I preach. I may even say things that are funny, but I do my best to remain faithful to the words written down because I don't want to take liberty in clear passages and promote a false message or a false Gospel. I can't say Smith did that, but some of his 'retellings' were a bit out there for me. He used vocabulary and slang that just didn't speak to me. Some of it I found very distracting. A few things were a bit too much.

In his retelling of the story of Zacchaeus, he referenced really corny things like TMZ (the tabloid organization that chases celebrities and has a daily show where they reveal the results of their stalking.), "blinged-out robes", Justin Bieber, and references a lot of movies like Nacho Libre, Napoleon Dynamite, and Braveheart. Another issue I had was Judah uses some 'colorful' language (not really that bad, but enough for me to scratch my head) like "This is jacked up...". I know it isn't that bad, but I know too many pastors that curse thinking it's edgy and acceptable today. This wasn't cursing, but it rubbed me the wrong way.

"...and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." (Eph. 5:4 NASB)

I commend Judah for a lot of what this book addresses, which is the problem of sin that this world is filled with. I also disagree with what Judah and many others believe about sin:

"The problem with the "if God can save...." statement is that it implies a rating system for sins. It's an unspoken, often culture-driven, and arbitrary badness scale...To him, all sin is equally evil..." (from pg. 4)

I disagree that sins are all the same. To God, all sin IS indeed evil, but God does not see someone like the shooter of Sandy Hook elementary and equate what he has done with my 7 year-old son who lies to me about whether he brushed his teeth at night. There is a huge difference between a willful, intentional murderer and a young man who is content with his gingivitis and tells me he is clean (see, I can be funny). Does God want my son to lie? Of course not. He wants him to learn to respect his parents and be a truthful, faithful person. But God is not going to stand in judgment with the same wrath about that sin that He does about a man who planned ahead to bring guns into a school to shoot little children. I believe strongly that there is a difference. All sin is wrong, but all sin is not equal.

I also believe God has called those of us who live in the Light of Jesus to speak out against sin. I do not believe it is hypocritical or judgmental to be the "righter" of wrongs and the voice of justice. Sin is wrong and it corrupts. We, as Christ's followers, should be loud about the things that are around us and call them out with gentleness and respect.

In all, what Judah Smith has written is something one could hand a friend who knew nothing about Jesus. It is very basic and easy to read. It took me about an hour and a half to get through the whole book at a quick reading pace. At the end, I would want to discuss it with the reader because of what Smith has said in the past in order to caution the reader about taking everything he says at face value. They may go on to listen to Smith's sermons online and take in some really bad theology and teaching. But for those who need a very basic book about sin and how Christ died for that sin, this is a good book for that purpose. He did a good job keeping the Gospel message simple. Jesus did die for those sins you commit. He wants you to turn from them. He wants to save you. This is great news and I appreciate Judah Smith teaching this wonderful truth. 
I would give Jesus Is ______. 3 out of 5 stars.


*****
I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson Publisher's Booksneeze review program. I was not required to write a favorable review. I was only asked to be honest. The words are my own.

Book Review: The Founders' Key

Dr. Larry Arnn has written a very timely work perhaps not knowing how much so. Freedom and liberty are eroding and, one by one, our rights held by the Constitution and Declaration are being voided.

In his work, The Founders' Key: The Demise and Natural Connection Between the Declaration and the Constitution and What We Risk by Losing It, Dr, Arnn draws the connections our founding documents have with each other. Dr. Arnn speaks to the current political climate and how our elected officials seek to separate the two documents as if they were written mutually exclusive and cancel each other out, thus concluding them moot to our modern society.

With history on his side as well as a wonderful defense of our founding fathers, Dr. Arnn puts these false notions to rest that our Declaration and Constitution have run their course. Dr. Arnn decimates the idea that we as a modern society need new and more in-depth documents that speak to a culture that has a "better" grasp of equality, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

We are indeed in perilous times. Dr. Arnn may not have known that even today our second amendment rights are being attacked in the name of civility and of protection. For the first time in a long time, the Constitution may be "officially" overridden in order to strip away rights granted by the documents that have prevented the overreach of government powers.

Dr. Arnn has written a master work in The Founders' Key. If you would like some insight into the writings of our founders, I encourage you to pick up a copy of this book. The Founders' Key should be in the library of everyone wanting to know more about our nation's founding documents.

*****
I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson Publisher's Booksneeze review program. I was not required to write a favorable review. I was only asked to be honest. The words are my own.

Book Review: The Fight Of Our Lives

I finally finished reading William J. Bennett and Seth Leibsohn's book The Fight of our Lives. Let me start by saying many will not like what they have to say because it isn't politically correct. This book is a tough and loud read. The truth is that Bennett and Leibsohn are correct whether we like to hear it or not. They share the motivation and ideology behind Islam's radical nature that many have decided isn't worth hearing. It has become easy to point a finger of racism or bigotry at those like Bennett and Leibsohn for sharing good information, history, and truth...this is why Fight had to be written. We need to be shaken to the deep truths of what is happening.

Beginning with the attack on Fort Hood in 2009 by homegrown terrorist Nidal Hasan and continuing to remind us of other attacks like the Cole and 9/11, the authors reason that our response to such incidents directly reflects the way future attacks will happen. Under President Obama, we have seen a lapse, not only in judgment, but in defense and security; from the vocabulary we use to describe the attacks to our lack of resolve to stand up against tyranny and let terrorists see that their acts of cowardice will be met head on by our men and women in uniform.

[Stepping outside the book for a moment, it is for these reasons a President Ron Paul would only serve to disintegrate any kind of strength we are seen with in the world. It won't be any different than it is now and we will continue to be in the fight of our lives.]

In order to protect and defend the United States, we need to understand the nature of violence Islam chooses and preaches so that we do not always look as weak as we have in the last 3 years.

Fight is a tough book to take as lightly as many will. Bennett and Leibsohn provide some of the best commentary I have ever heard on this subject. They are of the few willing to say what so many will not. Radical Islam is at its core fundamental Islam. Many Muslims who do not consider themselves Radicals still adhere to Sharia law--which tells me they are just as radical as those they disagree with. I hope it changes.

Spoiler Alert
Bennett and Leibsohn speak to how Islam can be a real religion of peace:

"A truly reformed Islam would lament but allow apostasy. It would support pluralism, denounce the application of Sharia law, prohibit polygamy and underage marriage, extend social and legal equality to nonbelievers, and inveigh against terrorism everywhere and always.

Unless and until these kinds of conditions and statements can be met and agreed to, the case for doctrinal Islam, unreformed Islam, being a religion of peace has the status of "alleged" with several counts stacked up against it...

...Does one want to be a good Muslim by living his life by the nonviolent moral code found in much of the teachings of Islam? The answer is obvious: many do. And they need to be cultivated." (excerpts from pgs. 126, 127, & 128)

I fear too few Muslims are willing to do this.

I enjoyed (if I can use this word to describe a book about acts of terror) The Fight of our Lives. I think Bennett and Leibsohn have presented a well-written and well-researched book about Islam and how it has affected the world. I recommend it to everyone who wants to learn more.

*****
I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson Publisher's Bookszeeze review program. I was not required to write a favorable review. I was only asked to be honest. The words are my own.

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Shepherd Your Flock

As a sales associate for a Christian book store, I now see a lot more than the average person when it comes to what churches read and teach. As someone who has been a leader of a church, I have many opinions on what is good and what is not so good and what is downright heretical, but as an employee for this company, I can't reveal my true feelings most of the time...it's my job to basically shake my head and say "yes" to whatever they are looking for.

I will be sharing from time to time here my perspective on life in the church based on what I am seeing at work. Today I want to address how churches choose curriculum.

I was approached the other day at work by a woman searching for curriculum. I showed her the aisle that held the many women's bible studies. She saw how many there were and immediately said, "Oh, that's a lot to look through, is there anything that is easy or basic for new believers?" I had to admit I had no clue which curriculum to point her toward, not because I didn't know, but because I did know. First, there isn't one. Second, why was she asking this 36 year old man which curriculum to choose for her women's group? Did she really want me to choose it for her? Third and most importantly, where is her pastor?

This is the one that I really have the issue with. I am calling on our pastors and ministers to lead their congregations in the direction they need to go. That includes making certain that you are finding the curriculum that is right for your flock. Sending a member of the group to choose some random curriculum is not the right way to set a vision and direction for your church.

How do you know what she picks out will be sound teaching? Who will be teaching it? She didn't sound very confident in knowing what to teach.

One of the biggest failings I see in the church is our lack of vision and direction and real leaders stepping up to teach and lead the way. We need leaders who know where to take a church so that the membership doesn't feel as though they are left to fend for themselves.

Some may think I am being to harsh and critical about this. I see this flaw as one of the most critical issues we are facing right now; churches without leadership. If my words seem critical, maybe it is because it is hard to hear that our leaders are failing the flock. The requests I get at work make me shake my head in disbelief almost every single day. It is sad to see people who are supposed to be saved look so lost in our store.

Church leaders need to take a more active role in selecting the kind of material they want taught in the church; vetting it and checking it's soundness and reasoning it with scripture to see if it matches up. The degradation of our churches is due in large part to our becoming more like a business where everything is delegated to other people instead of taking the time necessary to plan ahead and know what people will be hearing and learning in our church classes. Even if this woman was confident in what she wanted, how does her minister and pastor know that what she is going to teach is healthy biblical teaching if he isn't there to see it and read it himself first?

I know that we hold a priesthood of all believers and that the average Christian should learn to share their faith. I believe that too. I'm not trying to be elitist. I just believe so strongly that our churches need to hold to a set standard. We want people to come to know Christ and to know what is right, true and Biblical too.

Take the time to shepherd your flocks so that the Christian bookstore employees don't have to even if they are qualified.

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A New Evangelical Liberalism

by Phil Johnson
via Apprising Ministries

The gospel’s most dangerous earthly adversaries are not raving atheists who stand outside the door shouting threats and insults.

They are church leaders who cultivate a gentle, friendly, pious demeanor but hack away at the foundations of faith under the guise of keeping in step with a changing world.

No Christian should imagine that heresy is always conspicuous or that every purveyor of theological mischief will lay out his agenda in plain and honest terms. The enemy prefers to sow tares secretly, for obvious reasons. Thus Scripture expressly warns us to be on guard against false teachers who creep into the church unnoticed (Jude 4), wolves who sneak into the flock wearing sheep’s clothing (Matt 7:15), and servants of Satan who disguise themselves as angels of light (2 Cor. 11:13-15).

Theological liberalism is particularly dependent on the stealth offensive. A spiritually healthy church is generally not susceptible to the arrogant skepticism that underlies a liberal’s rejection of biblical authority. Liberalism must therefore take root covertly and gain strength and influence gradually. The success or failure of the whole liberal agenda hinges on a patient public-relations cam­paign.

That is precisely how neo-liberals have managed to get a foothold in the contemporary evangelical movement. Consider how evangelicalism has changed in just a few short decades.

CLASSIC EVANGELICALISM

Historic evangelicalism has two clear distinctives. One is a commitment to the inspiration and authority of Scripture. The other is a conviction that the gospel message is clear and non-negotiable.

Specifically, evangelicals understand the gospel as an announcement of what Christ has done to save sinners, redeem Adam’s fallen race, and usher believers into his eternal kingdom. The gospel is not a mandate for sinners to save themselves, redeem humanity, recover human dignity, safeguard cultural diversity, preserve the environment, eliminate poverty, establish a kingdom for themselves, or champion whatever social concept of “salvation” might be popular at the moment. In fact, the gospel expressly teaches that sinners can be justified only through faith in Christ alone, and exclusively by his gracious work—not because of any merit they earn for themselves.

The Protestant Reformation clarified and illuminated those same two principles—sola Scriptura and sola fide. Indeed, they are sometimes known as the formal and material principles of the Reformation. But they weren’t novel ideas someone dreamed up out of thin air in the sixteenth century. They are and always have been essential principles of biblical Christianity. In the long course of church history, those truths have frequently been clouded and confused, or mingled with (and sometimes overwhelmed by) bad teaching. Yet since the time of Christ and the apostles those truths have never been totally silenced. They are in fact the very backbone of New Testament doctrine.

Historic evangelicalism made much of that fact. From the dawn of the Reformation through the mid-twentieth century, few evangelicals ever thought of questioning Scripture or modifying the gospel.

CONTEMPORARY EVANGELICALISM

With the advent of the seeker-sensitive movement, however, evangelicals began to be influenced by a new species of entrepreneurial leaders who marginalized those core doctrines by neglect. Most of them didn’t overtly deny essential biblical truths; but neither did they vigorously stress or defend anything other than their own methodology.

The results were predictable: Churches are now filled with formerly unchurched people who are still untaught and perhaps even unconverted. Multitudes of children raised on a treacly diet of seeker-sensitive religion have grown up to associate the label evangelical with superficiality. Most of them cannot tell you what the term originally meant, and they reject whatever vestigial evangelical boundaries or doctrinal distinctives their parents may have held onto. But they still call themselves evangelicals when it’s convenient, and many have remained at the fringes of the visible movement, decrying how out of step the church is with their generation. That, after all, is exactly what they learned from their parents.

This is fertile soil for liberalism to burst into full flower, and that is precisely what is already happening. Evangelicals are blithely following a number of trends that advance the neo-liberal agenda. Unless a faithful remnant begins to recognize and resist the neo-liberal strategy, evangelical churches and institutions will eventually succumb to rank liberalism, just as most of the mainstream denominations did a century ago… This may sound like an oxymoron, but while treating faith as an academic matter, liberals prefer an almost anti-intellectual, agnostic approach to dealing with the specific truth-claims of Scripture. They like their doctrine hazy and indistinct.

One maneuver neo-liberals have perfected in these postmodern times is an artful dodge when they dislike a particular doctrine but cannot afford to make a plain and open denial. Instead, they will claim, “Scripture is simply too unclear on that point. We can’t really be sure. The point is disputed by top scholars, and who are we to speak with too much certainty?”

Thus without denying (or affirming) anything in particular, and without even technically dismissing the matter under discussion as an unimportant point, the ruse effectively sets the truth aside. The skeptic’s goal is thus accomplished without incurring any of the odium of skepticism.

Heavy doses of that flavor of postmodern, neo-liberal evasion have conditioned multitudes of church members to regard carefulness and precision in handling doctrine as both unimportant and potentially divisive. These days the person who shows evidence of doctrinal scruples is much more likely to be held in suspicion or disdain among evangelicals than the neo-liberals who have deliberately made the study of biblical doctrine seem so cloudy, confusing, and contentious.

In reality—and this is a lesson the church should have learned from both Scripture and church history—unity and harmony cannot exist in the church at all if there is not a common commitment to sound doctrine.

CONCLUSION

As long as these four trends and others like them continue to thrive within the evangelical movement, the threat posed by neo-liberalism looms large. Conservative evangelicals should not grow apathetic or take too much comfort in the apparent meltdown of Emergent Village and the liberal wing of postmodernized Christianity. Even if the Emergent ghetto does finally and completely give up the ghost, many of the leading figures and popular ideas from that movement will simply blend into mainstream evangelicalism, which is growing less mainstream and less evangelical all the time.

We must pay attention to the lessons of history and stand firm on the truth of Scripture—and we desperately need to be more aggressive than we have been so far in opposing these neo-liberal influences.

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The Church Needs Men

"The Church at this moment needs men, the right kind of men, bold men...We languish for men who feel themselves expendable in the warfare of the soul, who cannot be frightened by threats of death because they have already died to the allurements of this world.

Such men will be free from the compulsions that control weaker men. They will not be forced to do things by the squeeze of circumstances; their only compulsion will come from within–or from above.

This kind of freedom is necessary if we are to have prophets in our pulpits again instead of mascots. These free men will serve God and mankind from motives too high to be understood by the rank and file of religious retainers who today shuttle in and out of the sanctuary.

They will make no decisions out of fear, take no course out of a desire to please, accept no service for financial considerations, perform no religious act out of mere custom; nor will they allow themselves to be influenced by the love of publicity or the desire for reputation."

A.W. Tozer "Of God and Men" [Camp Hill: Christian Publications, 1995], 11-13.

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Panel Discussion: "Love Wins" by Rob Bell

I found this discussion very Biblical and very helpful:



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Earthquake

Last night I watched the coverage of the 8.9 earthquake (and dozens of aftershocks) hit off the coast of Japan followed by the tsunami that entered the shores of surrounding islands.

I am struck in awe at the devastation that a natural disaster can have. It is easy to be saddened by this kind of destruction because I think how I might be affected if that were to happen to me and what the people in that area might be going through looking for loved ones and trying to repair a semblance of normal life when all they have might be gone.

I am easily distracted in my own life with trying to gain a step up in my ministry, my family, my work, my health, my finances, my marriage... It can be hard to cope with constant barrages from negative people and those who wish ill of me and my ministry. I realize that I have it good. My life isn't being confronted like those in Japan.

When disaster strikes, how does one respond? I am fortunate than most and not in the way that you may think.
Yes, I have enough money to buy food and clothing.
Yes, I have the ability to enter a warm home and bed and sleep well.
Yes, my family loves me and cares for me when I am sick.
I have the ability to turn on a faucet and watch clear, clean water spill out of the tap and into a cup for me to drink and cook.
Those are wonderful blessings and miracles that God has given me. The real reason I am fortunate than most is because I know Jesus Christ.

In times of trial and pain, Jesus is there listening to my hurt.
In times of sadness and anxiety, Jesus comforts me.
In times of financial woes, Jesus has provided for me.
When life is good and I am blessed beyond what I deserve, Jesus celebrates with me.
Most of all, in my sin and my rebelliousness, Jesus has saved me.

Not everyone we encounter knows the glorious gift Jesus has provided us. I can help people by giving them a leg up when they are down, but if I don't share Jesus with them, I may never get a second chance. That should be my priority in every chance encounter I have with another human being. I should be asking them if they know Jesus. He alone has the power to save. This life is going to be full of more devastation like the earthquake in Japan. My prayer is that Christians everywhere are sharing the good news so that if these earthly days end, they will have the destiny of everlasting life.

My heart goes out to those in Japan and all the other places that have been left destroyed over the years. I am praying for the Japanese people as they try to rebuild the things that they need. I pray for the people who lost their lives and their families. I pray we as a wealthy nation can help them not with just money but bodies. Men and women to go and help clean up and rebuild. I also pray that we have Christian men and women in Japan to help lift up their neighbors with comfort and love and share the good news of Jesus.

Join with me in praying for this disaster. If you have the gift and time to travel to Japan, I urge you to go.

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (ESV)

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"Why We're Different" by James Glasscock

"I hear people say all the time that if we just live good lives "people will want to know why we're different" and then they will want to be Christians, too. If Jesus had just been a really good small town carpenter instead of actively reaching out to those in spiritual need and proclaiming the kingdom of God--where would we be now?

If there are people in your life who are needing to know the grace of God, don't hope they notice your life. Speak up and help them see HIS."

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"The Canon Is Closed" by Charles Spurgeon

"The canon of revelation is closed; there is no more to be added; God does not give a fresh revelation, but He rivets the old one. When it has been forgotten and laid in the dusty closet of our memory, He grabs it out and cleans the picture, but does not paint a new one. There are no new doctrines, but the old ones are often revived.

It is not, I say, by any new revelation that the Holy Spirit comforts. He does so by telling us old things over and over again; He brings a bright light to manifest the treasures hidden in Scripture; He unlocks the vaults in which the truth has long lain, and He points to secret rooms filled with untold riches; but He coins no more, for enough is done.

Believer! There is enough in the Bible for you to live on forever. If you should outnumber the years of Methuselah, there would be no need for a fresh revelation; if you should live until Christ returns, there would be no necessity for the addition of one single word; if you should go down as deep as Jonah, or even descend as David said he did, into the depths of hell, still there would be enough in the Bible to comfort you without one extra sentence."

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2010 Books of the Year

I read a lot. As many are doing, here are my favorite books this year.

The Map: The Way of All Great Men by David Murrow - I had been looking forward to David Murrow's follow up book to Why Men Hate Going To Church and it sure did deliver. Where his first book exposed many of the issues of why men hate going to church, The Map enlightened us to how we can then disciple men in the way that has been done in history before us in order to get them to love Christ and the church today. Wonderful book! All men (and women) need to read this.



Why We're Not Emergent by Kevin DeYoung & Ted Kluck - The whole title to this book is Why We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys That Should Be). These two young men fit the profile of those flocking to the emergent church: young, hip, questioning stagnant traditions, and open to reaching those who don't fit in a traditional church. The problem they (and I) find is that the emergent/missional/postmodern church's answers to those questions are leading people astray with teaching that is contrary to what scripture says, practices that are deceptive, and a gospel that is very much "contrary to the one preached to us (Galatians 1:8)". These guys get it although DeYoung is a much better writer of theology than Kluck who writes for ESPN.


The Truth War by John MacArthur - This is the first John MacArthur book I have ever read and it made me want to read everything else he's ever written. Dr. MacArthur is brilliant and contends for the faith in this book that is also critical of the emergent church. We all need the truth. Most importantly, we need to do a better job of discernment in teaching others what is truth and what is not.




Confessions of a Reformission Rev. by Mark Driscoll - This is the story of how Mars Hill Seattle was started by Mark Driscoll. It is full of triumphs and failures in church planting but has a very happy ending. Very inspiring and hopeful for budding church planters.





Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood by John Piper & Wayne Grudem - Many today would disagree, but Piper & Grudem give a primer for why the complimentarian model is the biblical calling for men and women and not the egalitarian one. I found it to be the most scholarly book on the roles of men and women that I have ever read and it has many authors that have submitted chapters in this 500+ page volume. Thoroughly cited and endnoted, it should be on every pastor's shelf and used for reference.


The Obama Diaries by Laura Ingraham - A riot of a book. I laughed until I cried. A very witty and insightful (nay, prophetic) book on the current administration.







The Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose - I wrote an individual review of this book HERE, and just want to reiterate that it was a great read. I still pray he would have made a decision to follow Christ but his view of Christianity and Christ's people has definitely become softer.




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Merry Christmas

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Happy Thanksgiving

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America's Best Churches

by Mike Lewis

In January, ChurchRelevance.com came up with a ranking and listing of the most influential churches in America today (HERE). I read the lists several times recognizing many of the churches based on their pastors, name recognition, and authors of books.

I thought to myself that yes, these are very big and very well known churches. But something bothered me about knowing this. It was the criteria that they used to come up with their lists.

The author of the website states,

"If you are looking for some top churches to watch in America, I have created mashups of the top churches to study in the areas of
(1) growth,
(2) innovation,
(3) church planting,
(4) size,
(5) influence, and
(6) overall."
(I added the numbers--these are the 6 lists they came up with.)

These lists sound like they could be for companies on a Forbes list or businesses to watch in the stock market, not churches. It really bothered me. Is this the litmus for identifying good churches? Are these the criteria that make us healthy churches? If so, I know of many churches using these models that aren't growing. I also know many, many churches that, according to this criteria, would not be considered "top" churches. Yet I know many "better" churches based on other criteria.

Here is my list of the things I would like to see "top" successful churches identified by:

1. Faithfulness to scripture/contextually and hermeneutically sound. I believe strongly that this should always be the #1 reason a church is considered good. Too many churches grow by twisting scripture in order to scratch itching ears. They tell people things that God never promised and that Jesus never said. To me, teaching the Gospel truthfully and soundly is the way the church grows. It is the example we find in scripture. For more, read Acts.

2. Leaders who don't seek to grow large churches, but because of the way they model Christ, their churches grow. I know an abundance of church leaders that never thought about money when it came to their calling to ministry. They are ministering because they want to see the world come to Christ. Some of their churches are growing by leaps and bounds. The important thing is that they are modeling Christ in their daily walk and sometimes they still don't grow. But they continue to walk with humility and respect and do not seek for themselves, but for the lost world around them.

3. Churches that are in small population areas that might not grow, but people recognize as Christlike bodies. There are places where, no matter how much you do to be relevant, no matter how faithful you are to scripture, no matter what, the church is small. It is because the population is small. I see men faithful to the Gospel and live in these places because they are called to be there and know that they may not see numerical growth. Yet, they do not think about the day they will be able to move away to a "better" city in order to make more money or see their church explode in growth. The people matter to them and that is it.

4. Church members that know the Gospel and scripture and share regularly with everyone they meet and show the love of Christ during the week in their interaction with others. It is awesome to hear church members walk away knowing what God's Word says and have the ability to quote it when they are in a time of trial. It is amazing to hear church members help someone dealing with a crisis by quoting the words of Scripture. It is a blessing to see members share their faith daily with their neighbors and to share the good news of Jesus with friends and family. This is our ultimate goal.

5. Churches that have made good financial decisions and aren't constantly in debt because of new building projects and new pastors. Too many times, we rely on tax exempt status to keep us in a particular place. I see too often churches take on building projects when they aren't financially capable. I also hear of churches that hire new staff members every week to do the work (that I guess) the ministers already on staff don't have time to do (which to me is odd considering all the roles I have held at one time in churches). It is hard to see that happen when so many are in need of money today.

I don't claim to know the churches on the lists. I don't know all the church pastors. I don't know everything they teach. There are a few of the churches on the lists in which I admire their pastors. But by these definitions, I cannot agree with the churches placed on these lists. Too many churches spend so much time focusing and creating a business model that leaves out the things that matter more to Jesus.

I do not believe the church should be run like a business.

I believe Jesus would have used a list more like mine if he were to list the "top" churches if he were to make such a list. To Jesus, it wasn't about ranking churches. Although if you read Revelation and the way he judges the churches of Asia, you would see that his list would look a lot more like mine and a lot less like ChurchRelevance.com's.

I know too many great, faithful churches that struggle day-to-day to afford the space they use, pay their one or two ministers on staff, but reach their city in powerful ways. I know of a church that is downtown today whose demographic they reach out to is homeless people. They are less than 200 people regularly in attendance, but to me, they are doing God's work better than any 10,000 member church is.

But it isn't for me to judge. I just thought this was something relevant for me to share today. I would love to hear if you would add anything to the list of criteria. Do you think I am off base? What would you say makes a successful, "top" church?

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"Black Friday" by Johnathan Thomas

My friend Johno made this video in 2008. Thought it would be appropriate to show my readers.



I chose to post it before Black Friday to maybe influence some sanity when you decide to go out and get a good deal.

Is it okay to buy gifts for family? I think so. I do.
Let's remember those that are in need of more than Wiis and Star Wars. Some don't have the basics of life. Maybe some would be willing to take the savings and give it to a child that doesn't have immunization or clean drinking water or a mosquito net.

Living Water International
World Vision

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"Immanuel: God With Us"

by Mike Lewis



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"Gandhi Is My Favorite Christian Hero" by Ben Cook

I hope my friend Ben will be okay with me sharing this here. I figure not everyone has read it since he posted it on Facebook. Plus he references one of my articles and I thought his was exceptionally great, so I hope you enjoy reading this. I have posted the full text since not everyone knows him.
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"Be the change you want to see in the world." -- Mahatma Gandhi

Go ahead and peruse your Facebook profile information page. Skip across to your friends... Eventually, you're gonna probably find someone who has this exact quote listed as a "favorite quote." It's so common, in fact, that several Christians will choose Gandhi's quote over any quote from Christ himself.

That's noteworthy. Even if it's just anecdotal; it's noteworthy. And poignant.

My good friend, Mike Lewis wrote an excellent article which provokes us to consider whether Gandhi would have even accepted the teachings of Christ at all - instead of the emasculated, play-nice-in-the-sandbox, "Jesus" we experience in popular culture. While that is an interesting question altogether, I am perhaps frustrated for another reason.

The emergent church movement is a wonderful, God-sent re-focus for our faith. I am thankful for the stirring they provide for us all. But my hesitation is this: the epistemology of this movement is ambiguous at best. Here's what I mean: I know what is true because it comes from the lips of Christ. Knowledge and truth really come from Christ - whatever He declares as truth is truth. In the above quote, Gandhi expresses truth very eloquently. But it's not truth because Gandhi said it. It's truth because it is declared as truth by the author of truth.

Here comes my question: now that Christians are more attentive to social justice issues... are we doing it because we are attentive to the Spirit of Truth, or are we doing it because it is a cultural value? As postmodern values take deeper root in our culture we see a steady erosion of any standard of objective truth. Except one: social justice/human dignity. The single objective truth in postmodernity is that people should be helping people.

How is it that we have come to the conclusion that we should be agents of social change in our communities? Is this truth given to us by Christ, or is it a cultural value cloaked in Christian terminology and verses? I know, I know - the criticism here is easy to say "who cares, as long as we can agree that it's important? Why can't Gandhi speak truth?" But how we get there matters.

According to Gandhi, we are agents of social change because of human dignity. According to Christ, we are also agents of social change because of human dignity. But also because we have received grace from our heavenly father. Oh, and also because our example in the world will bring glory to our heavenly Father.

When we are not attentive to Jesus as the source of truth, we can miss the boat on some very BIG issues. (The first 4 minutes of THIS VIDEO will illustrate nicely) Yes, this call for social justice has gotten so big in some emergent circles that it has started to eclipse the gospel. The real gospel. The gospel that Gandhi cannot give. The gospel that brings life. The great commission-driven gospel. The you're-a-sinner-Jesus-died-for-you-there-is-an-afterlife gospel.

Jesus puts social justice in its proper context in John 6 when he says, "the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." (John 6:33) In fact, in the greater context of John 6, Jesus is actually frustrated because the whole point of the miracle - feeding 5,000 people - was for people to turn to God. That act of kindness served the purpose of the gospel. But it was not the gospel.

May we always be attentive to Jesus: the way, the truth, and the life.

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"When The Gospel Gets Personal" by Martin Downes

Martin Downes (TUESDAY Evening Acts 24 : v 24 - 27) EMW ABERYSTWYTH Wales 2010 from Evangelical Movement of Wales on Vimeo.

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Panel Discussion – A New Kind of Christianity

by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.



view link

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"In Whose Steps Do We Walk?" by James Glasscock

If as Christians we are allowing any guide, principle, or worldview to determine our course ahead of "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" and "love your neighbor as yourself" we are and will forever be unable to follow Jesus in our actions in any way, shape, or form. When we appeal to heritage, history, law, tradition, or nationalism above "do unto other as you would have them do unto you" we fail to follow in the steps of Jesus.

This is why the pharisees were so baffled, and so jealous. His actions were in direct conflict with those man-made standards, and that shook the very foundations of their world, their pride, and their moral superiority. Love baffled them. Mercy baffled them. Justice that acted as a battering ram to their walls of injustice baffled them. Jesus just plain didn’t make sense, because they’d lost all sense of what loving God and neighbor really meant. If we find ourselves balking at love and mercy, it is because we have followed them, and not Jesus, and that is-–scarily enough–-far easier to let happen than any of us dare to admit most days.

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. -- 1 Peter 2:21 [NIV]

view original

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"Save Me From My Sins" by Charles Spurgeon

"Lord, save me from my sins. By the name of Jesus I am encouraged thus to pray. Save me from my past sins, that the habit of them may not hold me captive.

Save me from my constitutional sins, that I may not be the slave of my own weaknesses. Save me from the sins which are continually under my eye that I may not lose my horror of them.

Save me from secret sins; sins unperceived by me from my want of light. Save me from sudden and surprising sins: let me not be carried off my feet by a rush of temptation.

Save me, Lord, from every sin. Let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Thou alone canst do this. I cannot snap my own chains or slay my own enemies.

Thou knowest temptation, for Thou wast tempted. Thou knowest sin, for Thou didst bear the weight of it. Thou knowest how to succor me in my hour of conflict; Thou canst save me from sinning and save me when I have sinned.

It is promised in Thy very name that Thou wilt do this, and I pray Thee let me this day verify the prophecy. Let me not give way to temper, or pride, or despondency, or any form of evil; but do Thou save me unto holiness of life, that the name of Jesus may be glorified in me abundantly."

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Joining God In His Mission

by Mike Lewis

I have taken some heat recently for speaking in a Berean spirit about being "missional". I then qualified my statements by sharing and posting THIS ARTICLE written by Ryan Kelly on what God's mission is and that I gladly join that mission. I urge you to read his article before you go any further here. I think it is introduces where I am going and prevents any reader from assuming they know where I am going here.

One phrase I continually hear when it comes to being "missional" is that the goal of "missional" churches is to "join God in the work He is already engaging in the community..." or something to that affect (this is not a direct quote).

This phrase or idea (that I badly misquoted) has had me in deep thought because I am not sure it is biblical or that we can see examples of it in Scripture. In my study I have, in fact, seen quite the opposite. Let me explain.

Let's start with Acts 8:26ff:

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:

"He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth." [NIV]

The phrase spoken by "missional" proponents cannot be fulfilled unless a person of God is present thus making it a false statement or simply that it is an ambiguous and circular argument. I call it ambiguous because it becomes a question of God being present in the lives of those who don't know Jesus. I believe God is present in this world, but he has equally charged us through His Son Jesus to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..." (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV) It cannot be that God is at work in the lives of the world absent faithful witnesses of Christ. That goes against everything we've been taught by God in His Word.

The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. -- Acts 8:34-35 [NIV]

The eunuch did not know what he was reading about because no one had ever explained the gospel to him.

Some might argue that God was already at work in the life of the eunuch since he went to Jerusalem to worship. However, since he was not a Jew and did not grow up hearing the stories of how God had rescued his people from Pharaoh and how the prophets proclaimed the coming Messiah. He only knew what he had read in the prophets but did not understand what it all meant. God worked in the world by sending Philip to proclaim the Gospel.

We bring the presence of God through sharing the Good News of the Gospel. Unless someone shares the Gospel, is God truly "already at work"? I would submit that God is at work in the world through us and if we're not willing to share, the world may not know what God's will for them is.

As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. --Acts 8:36-39 [NIV]

Only at the sharing of the Gospel by Philip do we truly see God at work in the world. This goes for the saved and the unsaved. We must continually be reminded where our hope lies. We cannot assume God is "at work" if we're not willing to be at work ourselves in sharing His Word with everyone we come in contact with. When it comes to that, I agree with Robert Preus when he said, "The Gospel assumed is the Gospel denied."

I see two dangers in assuming God is "already at work" in the manner of the original phrase: 1.) We get ecumenical universalism. People who accept every and all doctrine without a Berean spirit or 2.) Complete atheism.

Our ultimate Mission (with a big "M" like Ryan Kelly referred to in his article) is to proclaim Jesus Christ and Him crucified for the forgiveness of our sins. That is the best and most biblically faithful way we can join God in the work he is already doing in the world. When we share the Gospel, the Holy Spirit is active in the lives of the people who hear. If we are unwilling to share it, we have assumed they understand His Word and the possibility occurs that they might follow any and every kind of false doctrine that is out in the world. Some may even wonder why it matters to be a Christian since non-Christian organizations are able to accomplish the same kinds of things without Jesus. The difference is we know where our ultimate hope lies.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. -- Matthew 5:14-16 [NIV]

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"A Holy Man" by J.C. Ryle

"A holy man will strive to be like our Lord Jesus Christ. He will not only live the life of faith in Him, and draw from Him all his daily peace and strength, but he will also labour to have the mind that was in Him, and to be “conformed to His image” (Rom. 8:29). It will be his aim to bear with and forgive others, even as Christ forgave us-to be unselfish, even as Christ pleased not Himself-to walk in love, even as Christ loved us-to be lowly-minded and humble, even as Christ made Himself of no reputation and humbled Himself.

He will remember that Christ was a faithful witness for the truth-that He came not to do His own will-that it was His meat and drink to do His Father’s will-that He would continually deny Himself in order to minister to others-that He was meek and patient under undeserved insults-that He thought more of godly poor men than of kings-that He was full of love and compassion to sinners-that He was bold and uncompromising in denouncing sin-that He sought not the praise of men, when He might have had it-that He went about doing good-that He was separate from worldly people-that He continued instant in prayer-that He would not let even His nearest relations stand in His way when God’s work was to be done. These things a holy man will try to remember."

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"Missional One More Time" by Ryan Kelly

I read this great article on the topic of being missional. I found myself agreeing a lot with what he wrote and that it was very helpful for future discussions I will have about churches who call themselves "missional". It is posted on Kevin DeYoung's website and I have provided the link for you to read it in its entirety HERE.

Here's some great quotes, but go read the whole thing...

"...I want to be unashamedly clear that I believe in the centrality of gospel proclamation. This is what I see as the capital-M “Mission” of the church in Scripture. I don’t see mercy ministries being one wing of the plane and the mercy message being the other. I’m not sure what picture I’d draw on the whiteboard as an alternative, but that one doesn’t cut it for me. I also think there are good reasons to ask what this friend or that author means when they say that they are missional and that we should be missional. And I think there are some good reasons to painstakingly and collectively think through the theory and wording of how our deeds relate to our proclamation..."

"...While Jesus healed and fed, the gospel accounts culminate with the disciples’ commission to proclaim and make disciples. This doesn’t mean that this is all they are to do, but “famous last words” do seem particularly noteworthy, especially when they are quadruply given..."

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Book Review: "The Unlikely Disciple"

Posted from a review I did April 28, 2009...thought it was worth sharing here:

I have just finished what I believe is a masterful look at the Christian faith by someone who is not a Christian. The book, The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University by Kevin Roose, began as an experiment. Roose would use his second semester Sophomore year as many did, studying abroad. Only his "abroad" was still in the United States.

Roose develops a plan to visit Liberty University, run by then President, Jerry Falwell as a student. He takes classes in Old and New Testament, Creation Studies, Theology, Evangelism 101, and participates in prayer groups, the church choir, and convocation every day. This is a far cry from his real Alma Mater, Brown University known for their partying image and loose morals within some circles (as he points out himself in his book).

Roose is curious about students of a Christian college. What do they learn? Do they date? Do they use Facebook? (a lot according to the references in the book) And are the students and Roose really all that different?

I recommend this book. I learned a lot about other people. I mean, I always knew the "unsaved" weren't much different than those who are saved...we're all battling daily different things. The difference between us is repentance and forgiveness of sins. I learned that skepticism can be overcome by being a decent human being. As far as salvation goes, Roose ends up respecting the faith and morality on campus and comes near to giving his own life for Christ...I really prayed it would end up that way, anyway. He's a great writer and had me thinking he might by the last page.

In all, Roose still prays for people in tough situations, reads every now and then from his Bible, and still chats with his LU friends. I like one of the things he ends with,

"I found the distance separating my two worlds all but collapsed. Having thrown off the yoke of exaggeration and half truth, I was now free to be the same guy--the exact same guy--when talking to my Liberty friends and my Brown friends alike [...] the people at Liberty were almost completely unfazed. They saw me for who I am, and even though I'm sure they're not completely happy with it--I'm guessing they'd like me to curse less and pray more--they didn't seem altogether shocked or dismayed that I was living on my own terms, at my own pace." (pg. 314)

We as followers of Jesus need to remember that we stand for truth, but need to extend grace and mercy and kindness to those who haven't arrived at the point we're at yet. Those who haven't accepted Jesus yet aren't disgusting people, they are sinners, like us, at a different phase in their journey. Support them in their success. Pray with them in their failure. Never abandon. The on campus pastor makes a great point about prayer from Oswald Chambers: "it is not so true that prayer changes things as that prayer changes me and I change things."

I won't spoil the book. I think it is a must read for anyone seeking to reach their world for Jesus. There is some minor offensive language, mostly by Liberty students (irony of all ironies). Read about visiting lecturers Dr. Gary Chapman, Karl Rove, and Sean Hannity. His friendships and the Christian girl Anna he falls in love with but doesn't want to hurt with his secret. Read about his exclusive interview with Jerry Falwell, the response on campus to the Virginia Tech shooting, and the response on campus when Falwell passes away a few days before graduation.

Ultimately Kevin is one of the classiest people from the words he chooses and how he describes his time at Liberty. If we all were able to muster that the world would be a better place and maybe even more people would find us Jesus freaks more irresistible.

Bravo, Kevin. I was hooked from page one. His website is www.kevinroose.com

Here's the YouTube video that got me interested:


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Where I've Come From

by Mike Lewis

I was in High School. I was beginning to come into my own as a leader in the youth group and was frequently asked to serve in various ways at church--much like most teen males are today--serve communion, speak communion thoughts before it was served, lead singing and sing on praise team, pray, read scripture, and even preached a couple of times.

This particular Sunday was a little different than others in the past. A new man was in charge of the Lord's supper ministry and was wanting to require the guys who serve to not only wear shirts and ties, but full blazers and slacks too. I did not own such items. I was not a dressy dresser. I usually wore jeans, but was starting to dress a bit better on my own, for myself. I had a couple of shirts to choose from and one nice pair of dockers that matches both shirts. I even had one tie!

I knew when it was my turn to serve again, he was going to ask me to wear a particular outfit I didn't own. He was a big guy too (just my luck, his clothes would fit me). I showed up that Sunday dressed in one of my nice shirts and dockers. That was it. No tie...mind you, this was the late 90's and dress shirts could be plain, but we also had some flashy patterns and those were the ones I liked at the time. So there was no way he had a blazer to match my outfit. I figured, he really couldn't do anything to help me that week. But it happened. I found myself with him in the restroom where he had his spare blazers and ties hung up and asked me which one I would wear...

Ugh! I told him I wasn't going to do it. If he wanted me to serve, I would serve as I was and he would accept me as I was to pass out the communion trays and if he didn't like it, he could take me off of the list of servers. I served that week in what I had worn to church but found myself never on the list to serve again.

This has stuck with me to this day. In fact because of this drama, I adopted the verse in First Samuel 16:7 as one of my lifelong verses I would maintain.

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." (ESV)

I didn't want people to think that it was okay to discriminate by what someone wore. This was something I struggled with all throughout my teen years. I wasn't wealthy enough to buy new clothes when I needed them and frequently wore clothes until they disintegrated on my body or were just worn and stretched out and faded to nothingness. It was very hard on me that this focus on clothing reached into the body of Christ and his people when I knew I would never live up to the expectations.

This legalism about what we wear has in many ways fallen by the wayside. I still felt this pressure in my first youth ministry position when I dared to wear jeans to church and when I dared to wear shorts on a summer Wednesday evening. I was told it was a West Coast mindset that I would have to get over. How is that? I wore clothing I had. I thought it was a poor view of the world then and still do today. But for the most part, the church in general has forgiven this duty to wear certain clothes on Sundays.

My fear is that we still have legalistic tendencies like this in other areas though and they are about as helpful as the one that made me reject serving communion because of the kind of decisions that were made about clothing.

Some who are reading this might think that legalism is purely an act of ultra-conservative brethren. No, no, no. I'm afraid not. I see it in our more progressive/contemporary brothers and sisters too.

Dictionary.com defines legalism:

1. Strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, esp. to the letter rather than the spirit.
2. Theology
a. the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works.
b. the judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws.

Anytime we elevate doing works the right way and are so strict that the law becomes more important than the spirit of Jesus, we are being legalistic. I recently read a book written by one of the contemporary leaders of the faith that told me I wasn't praying right (praying in a spiritual way that leads me to experience God's presence rather than the "rote" way I usually pray) unless I prayed the way he wrote about. He also said the same thing about reading scripture (unless I read it this special way, I am not going to receive God's word for my life). Now I am sure many would disagree and say he wasn't really saying that, but that is the way it struck me because in his book, he had a "special" way that dated back into history to ages past.

I hear daily those who push all believers into doing everything the same way even if they aren't spiritually in a place where they can work at the same "level" as others. Service and social justice has become the legalism of the left and there are other ways legalism is expressed in our contemporary settings that I won't go into. These are just two examples of many I could list, but the point I want to make is that it is legalistic to force this onto others when it isn't forced by Scripture in the same way.

Legalism exists in many forms. When I was a teenager, it existed in the form of the way I dressed, whether I wore a hat in church, whether I sang songs by myself or in a singing group, whether I clapped my hands, and if I was in the right denomination. Today is still exists in this form and in the way we pray, sing, serve, whether we have "freed" women and "sinners" to be leaders, and how we organize the leadership of the church.

The good news is that we have been saved by grace through faith and not by works. I cannot boast in the things I have done right because I will inevitably mess that up and won't be able to boast in those things either. I am positive I will still mess up something I do, something I say, the way I serve, and the way I lead. It's going to happen, so let me apologize now and get it out of the way so we can move forward.

When we serve, we should serve out of the blessing of salvation we have received. Those who are forgiven much, love much. Sometimes it looks like me being a good stay-at-home dad and nothing more because that's the extent that I feel able to serve. Sometimes it will look glorious and impressive in the way I lead my church and the other leaders and people in it.

The good news for you is that you may only be able to spend a few minutes a day loving your neighbor in the way you raise your kids, in the way you are nice to the people you encounter, or in the way you submit to your spouse (and by submit, I don't mean what you think I mean...).

The good news is that Jesus Christ died to forgive you of the sins you have committed and you no longer have to worry about trying to atone for what you have done.

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That experience in my teenage years with serving communion had a negative impact on me. I pray that things are not still done the same way. It showed me that my service cannot be the thing that defines me because my service is not who I am. I am the person I am in Jesus Christ and the glorious good news of his Gospel that saves me. There are so many more people living in a legalism that can never be fulfilled because the expectations are so high. I pray that if you have experienced the same thing, you can see that hope is not lost just because of legalistic people. Your hope should be in Jesus Christ. I love the old hymn, "My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less" because of the message it proclaims. I will leave you with that song as you finish reading. This isn't traditional, but a great version. Enjoy!



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Middle Ground - Part 2

by Mike Lewis

Yesterday, I spoke to my being "stuck" in between my ultra-conservative and very liberal friends in the church and how lonely it can be.

The church seems to be "stuck" in its own right. In an effort to be liked by the world and to reach as many as possible, there are many who have lost the ability or even the desire to use biblical discernment in what we will or will not accept.

I have been stunned by some of the authors our tribe has latched themselves to in their spiritual walk with Christ. Day after day I hear spiritual sayings and proverbs by men and women who have long left orthodox Christianity and the comments are usually glowing praise about how well they have "spoken to one's heart".

My desire and efforts to say something out loud come from the love Christ compels us to speak to the truth of his Gospel. It is sad that it is met with vitriol that I would "dare to talk that way about such a wonderful person" because "at least they help people" and "are trying". Is that what we're called to by Christ? To try to help people? To try to be good? His call is clear:

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. -- Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

At some point we do have to draw a line in the sand where we will stand for truth. I do not believe it has to be a dividing line between orthodox believers who differ on non-essential practices. It doesn't have to be an all-inclusive club for only our denomination. The line isn't there to kick out people who haven't gotten their theology straight when they have just begun to follow Christ. The line is there to protect the flock from wolves.

I am not the legalist people claim I am. Legalism is a hard road for all people who place works above grace and put expectations on people above their faith in Christ. What I want, and I believe what Christ wants is for us to unify behind his message of good news to all who believe. If we teach a gospel other than that, we are teaching no gospel at all.

We go to share the Gospel. I will continue to teach the truth. People will despise me for it...that's what Jesus promised. I am prepared. I hope others see the clear call to join me in this mission. The Great Commission. Don't worry, we'll help people along the way.

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Middle Ground

by Mike Lewis

Today I am pondering something a bit different than the articles I usually post. I am thinking about my role as a pastor-teacher-shepherd.

I think about the limited role I play in my current position and then about the future role I will be partaking and I wonder to myself if I am 1.) cut out for it and 2.) willing to speak truth even if it hurts me in the present.

I am very opinionated. I admit it. When it comes to the Gospel, I will not compromise. It gets me in trouble with my more liberal friends who don't hold to the doctrines I hold to. I tend to speak my mind and that's usually when the fireworks happen. For some, I am too legalistic. They despise my complementarian view on the role of women--why can't I just be egalitarian? For others, I am too Calvinist. For yet others, they think I have been reading too much John MacArthur (who I respect highly). They really don't like that I think Scripture is the inerrant word of God.

Then there are my very conservative friends. They think I am too grace-filled--someone actually said that to me. Some say I am not requiring enough when it comes to salvation through baptism. Some say my view on instrumental music is too liberal. And yet others want me to get my head out of John MacArthur books and my NIV & ESV Bibles and go back to God's Bible, the KJV.

I find myself at a crossroad where I do not fit with most churches of Christ. There are Reformed churches and confessional Lutheran churches that would love me, but I think some of them are a bit off and I think robes in worship services are goofy.

How did I get to this place where I feel lonely in theology and in how I show my love for God's creation? It is truly baffling.

My prayer is that I can be afforded the grace that God has given to each of us who has put our trust and faith in Christ. The good news for my liberal friends is that I love them and do not condemn them for wanting to help the poor. Just don't forget they need the Gospel of Jesus more! Teach them. Disciple them. Show them the path Jesus wanted us to take. Don't worry, I am not a legalist. I am a sinner saved by grace through faith. If I could be perfect on all points, I wouldn't need Jesus. I confess my failings and submit to His authority.

There is equally good news for my conservative friends. I believe in the essential nature of baptism for forgiveness of sins and the inerrant word of God. I want only to teach the Gospel of Jesus and have no desire to add to or take away any of His words. Remember to have some mercy on others. Jesus said that those who have been forgiven much, will love much. Love people. Show them the right path and teach them the truth. Be humble, gentle, and patient. It's not up to us to convert the world. We need to also make sure we help the helpless. The fruit of our faith, the fruit of the Spirit compels us to do good things for others.

Maybe there's room for people like me after all. I know that others have struggled with the same thing and have felt isolated and don't fit with what is already out there. I pray God will use me to start a church that reaches these kind of people. In His time. His will be done.

Part 2

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John 1:29-34

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.' I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel." And John bore witness: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." -- John 1:29-34 (ESV)

Seeing the dove descend is not recounted in John, the writer's, Gospel. But John the Baptist did see this when he baptized Jesus in Matthew chapter 3.

John the Baptist proclaims boldly Jesus' mission on earth that he came to take away the sin of the world. We know this is true, for we read in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that God made him to be sin for us so we might become the righteousness of God.

John 1:19-28

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." So they said to him, "Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."

(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. -- John 1:19-28 (ESV)

John had the opportunity to gain a lot by calling himself the Christ. He knew from very early on that the Christ was coming. Talk about faith! John called the one coming, "the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." Jesus Christ was coming and John knew it and believed and prepared the way faithfully and with trust that he did not need earthly praise.

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"All Star?" by Scott Linscott

It seems I have dropped the ball on my posting regularly. It has been a busy month. With that, I want to share an article I read yesterday which spoke powerfully to me as a youth minister and as a parent to a future athlete. I love sports and have always dreamt of children that would one day love sports and want to compete and let me be one of "those" dads. But, with that, I need to remember where my priorities lie and not let my kids lose their faith because we're too involved in any extra curricular activities. I hope you'll read it with that in mind.

Your Kid's An All Star? Wow! Someday He'll Be Average Like The Rest of Us.

Remember...

"The events of 9/11 and today’s memorials should sober the Christian—not to continual mourning—but to greater deeds of compassion. We should be jolted back to the importance of evangelism, the absolute necessity of trust in God, and the fervency of prayer. While we know the many blessings of being American, let us always remember that our true citizenship lies in a greater, more peaceful, more glorious land. There we shall know no pain, no tears, no loss, no terror—nothing but the love and praise of our Heavenly Father."

James Glasscock

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John 1:14-18

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. -- John 1:14-18 (ESV)

The Word we read about in John 1:1-5 is now revealed as becoming flesh to live among the people of the world--Jesus.

We have all truly received grace upon grace. We live in a corrupt world yet we have been loved and received mercy and grace from God through Jesus Christ. We do not deserve salvation, but through belief in Jesus, we all receive it.

For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. -- Matthew 25:29 (ESV)

so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. -- Romans 5:21 (ESV)

The love of Christ is abundant. Let us choose to believe in him and receive the everlasting life he promises.

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