What Is Our Priority As Christians?

Posted on October 17, 2012 by bibleteacherorg

I’m working on a new sermon for Pearce’s Baptist Church this Sunday called “Is Christ At Home In Your Hearts”. The Text comes from

Ephesians 3:14-17 (KJV)  For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith …

What is our priority as Christians? The big news from the Southern Baptist Convention seems to be an ongoing argument between Calvinism and non-Calvinism. If you’re not a Calvinist (and I’m not) and not a theologian preacher graduated from Seminary (and I’m not) you probably don’t know what a “Calvinist” is. Rather than go into great detail I’ll see if I can summarize it. Calvinists believe that God has pre-chosen certain people to be saved, and only these chosen people will be saved. Calvinists further believe that Christ only died for these “pre-chosen” or “elect” people. Non-Calvinists believe that God offers salvation freely to everyone, and that Christ died for the whole world.

Let me be clear: I am not a Calvinist. I believe that Jesus Christ died for the whole world. I believe John 3:16 when it states “God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life”. The Scripture further teaches that Christ died for all (1 Timothy 2:6; Isaiah 53:6), for every man (Hebrews 2:9), for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2), for the ungodly (Romans 5:6), for false teachers (2 Peter 2:1), for many (Matthew 20:28), for Israel (John 11:50-51), for the Church (Ephesians 5:25), and wonderfully for me (Galatians 2:20). I believe that Calvinism misses the mark when it speaks of Christ dying for just the elect, something they call Limited Atonement. I am not a Calvinist. Having said this, however, I must ask …

Why all the fussing between Calvinists and non-Calvinists? Why did the Southern Baptist Convention waste it’s time drafting a “Resolution on Sinner’s Prayer“? Why are we arguing at all?

Though I am not a Calvinist, my favorite preacher – often called the Prince of Preachers – was C.H. Spurgeon. Spurgeon was a Calvinist. I’ve read a number of books written by John Piper – great books that glorify God. Piper is a Calvinist. Other great preachers, teachers, or pastors who were Calvinists were George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, John Gill, James P Boyce, B.H. Carroll, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Donald Barnhouse, BB Warfield, Alexander Maclaren, J. Greshan Machen, John Murray, Francis Schaeffer, G.Campbell Morgan, John Knox, M.R. DeHaan, Charles E. Fuller,  and in more modern times D. James Kennedy, and John MacArthur. Non-Calvinists argue that Calvinists are not evangelical nor mission minded, which is untrue. Spurgeon pastored one of the largest Churches in his day, Edwards preached the Gospel during the First Great Awakening,  D. James Kennedy founded Evangelism Explosion to teach Gospel Witnessing Techniques to God’s people, John McArthur shares the Gospel through his Grace To You radio and television broadcasts. Paul Washer is an in your face evangelist – and a Calvinist.  R.C. Sproul is a Calvinist.  Apologist and Preacher Voddie Baucham is Calvinist. Jerry Bridges of the Navigators is Calvinist. Writer and producer of Joni and Friends Joni Eareckson-Tada is Calvinist. Francis Chan is Calvinist – at least, the Bible College he founded is.  I could go on and on. If I burned every book from my pastoral library written by Calvinists I daresay I wouldn’t have much left – and neither would my self righteous non-Calvinist brethren.

As Christians – if we are Christians – we have much more to concern us than Calvinism. Romans 14:1 tells us to avoid doubtful disputations – arguing about things for which there is no clear Biblical answer. The Bible teaches predestination and the Bible teaches free will. The Bible teaches that God knows all things, and yet at times God seems to regret certain actions He took (Genesis 6:6). There are many things in the Bible that I cannot understand, but I accept them on faith because the God Who loves me and saved me asks that I accept it. One of the things that I can understand is that God expects every Christian to love every Christian. Jesus said:

John 13:35 … “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The world knows that we are Christians because we who are Christian love other Christians. That’s not hard to understand, is it? If I love you but don’t agree with you, I can disagree in a kind and Christian way. I don’t have to get together with a bunch of people and draft a resolution against what you believe. If we are Christians the Holy Spirit of God will guide us into all truth (John 16:13). When I hear something that doesn’t match what God has said in His Word, then He speaks to my heart – and I move on. As D.L. Moody once said “When I eat fish, I eat the meat but leave the bones”. I can read a book by anyone and, comparing what I read to the Book can determine right from wrong because God tells me. Jesus also said

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

If I am a Christian I need to be light in darkness. We are so busy being righteous and doctrinally pure that we can’t seem to be right about what matters. As Christians we are to be like Christ. We are to reach out to those who are suffering and lonely. We are to minister to the sick and the infirm. We are to give people a hand up, while pointing upward to Christ.

Just this week I read the tragic story of Amanda Michelle Todd, a 15 year old child who took her own life on October 10, 2012. This poor child posted a video online. In the video she never spoke, but held up flash cards to tell why she took her life. She was, in essence, bullied to death. Cruel bullies posted evil pictures of her online, and the children she went to school with mocked and degraded her. In despair she eventually took her own life.

Where were the Christians?

Were there no Christians in her school when a gang surrounded her and beat on her? Were their no Christians in her family who would sit down and talk with her, be a willing ear, show love? Did no Christian see the self inflicted cut marks on her arms and tell her that she is a beautiful girl that need not harm herself in this way? Where was the Light of the world? Oh, I’m sorry. We were out back arguing about Calvinism vs non-Calvinism, Pentecostal vs non-Pentecostal, Liberal vs Conservative, Baptist vs Presbyterian vs Methodist vs Lutheran vs ……

Dear God, please help us to wake up and be the light You have called us to be. Amen!

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God is not Crom

Posted on October 15, 2012 by bibleteacherorg

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:13, 14

When I was younger I used to read comic books, and one of my favorites was about Conan the Barbarian. Conan was always facing down demons, saving maidens, and squashing the enemy – a perfect hero for a pimply faced four eyed introverted child. I dreamed of being like Conan – packed with muscles and desired by the ladies. I liked Superman, but I couldn’t really be him. Superman was actually an alien who came to our world. But Conan was a scrawny pimply faced child until evil people kidnapped him and forced him into slavery. It was as a slave that Conan became powerful, able to defeat any enemy. He eventually destroyed those who enslaved him in the first place.

One of Conan’s favorite sayings was “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”.  When I heard that saying I didn’t realize at the time that it wasn’t Conan who first said this, but the German Philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche.  Nietzsche believed in nihilism, the belief that nothing has any inherent importance and that life lacks purpose. He wrote in several of his texts that “God is dead”. Life just happens. We are on this earth for no reason other than to live out our lives as best we can, then we cease to be while our bodies lay rotting without purpose in boxes.

If runners in a marathon were told that there was no finish line, no winner, no ultimate goal, then there would be no runners nor marathon. If life has no purpose other than this moment then why live? Even Conan had a purpose. When he went out on an adventure he sought to save the maiden, to gain riches, to beat the bad guys.

As I outgrew the comic books I tried living – or should I say dying – Nihilism. I tried living for myself, purposeless, without goals. I drank hard on Friday and Saturday, slept in on Sunday, lived for the moment. All the while my soul grew more and more empty, and I felt more and more useless.

Then God found me. He wasn’t the god of Nihilism, the god of Conan, the god called Crom. When Conan was asked about his god one day he painted Crom as grim and gloomy, gazing unconcerned at humanity from atop his mountain perch. Crom is ready to judge, but never to help. The God Who found me saw my flaws, but offered to save me from them. The God Who found me gave Himself for me, paying for my failures and my sins. The God Who found me purchased me from nothingness so He could raise me up to be something.  The God Who found me starting working in my life from the day we met, and has not ceased working to make me better than I was. The God Who found me gave me purpose. He stands with me no matter where I go and no matter what I do. Even when I fail He reaches out and lifts me up.

This God is not Crom, but Jesus Christ.  Those who love Him are “zealous of good works”, people of purpose, people with a goal. Our goal is to tell others about the God Who is not Crom, to tell others how much He loves us, and how He proved that love by giving Himself for us.

That same Lord and Savior calls to you today. Come away my Beloved. Come away from purposelessness. Come away, and soar on eagle’s wings with me.

Come.

He Loves You!

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Mercy: How Fleeting

Posted on October 14, 2012 by bibleteacherorg

Philippians 2:1-5 (HCSB)

Philippians 2
1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. 3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus…

I received a call from a fellow Pastor while I browsed the aisles of a local Good Will Store. “David, they’ve fired me.” Over the next 2 hours, and many months afterwards, I helped this dear friend put his life back in perspective. I prayed for him, sent resume’s to local Churches, and lifted him up when I could. Could I have done more? Certainly. We all get busy, and we all get covered up with the affairs of life. But in my heart I tried my best to lovingly encourage him every time we spoke. I listened. I didn’t critique, but cared, and became the willing ear. Eventually the Lord led him from this valley and back to another congregation, a place of service, a place of blessing.

Then I had a need, was going through a valley, was suffering. As I tried to share with my friend he began to critique and not listen. He judged, he did not care. I could have done better. If I had done right, then I wouldn’t be where I am now.

What happened? Why do we forget mercy? Why do we receive grace from God and mercy from others, but so quickly forget to minister these things when we are on the mountaintop? And sadly, those who profess to be Christians are the worst at showing mercy. For some reason – I know not why – the most devoted Church members are the harshest in their treatment of others failures, but ready to receive mercy by the bucket when they themselves fail. They wish balm from Gilead when they err, but hell fire and mockery on those who err beside them. 

I heard someone relate this as true. A biker, a young man who rode with the Hell’s Angels came to Church one Sunday and received the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. He attended Church off and on for a few weeks, then left never to return. When a fellow Church member saw him one day he stopped him and asked why he had ceased attending Church. The biker said “When I heard about Jesus I came forward and received Him, and was excited to be a part of such a wonderful group of people. But in time I noticed something. When I rode with Hell’s Angels we supported one another. We looked after one another. We cared for one another, and worked together at whatever we did. I expected the Church to be like this, but for the glory of Christ. It wasn’t. It wasn’t. Though I believe in Jesus, I can’t believe in any group that doesn’t love at least as much as a lost biker’s gang loves”. 

Think about it.Image

 

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The Most Important Question You Will Ever Answer

Posted on October 13, 2012 by bibleteacherorg

Matthew 16:15  … {Jesus asked} “Who do you say that I am?”

What we THINK ultimately effects what we DO. What you BELIEVE drives your actions.

You can hardly turn the television on today without hearing about some new poll that’s been taken. Political polls are on every channel, with people trying to guess who is going to be our next president. One poll will put the Republican candidate in the lead, whereas another poll will show the Democrat to be ahead. Truthfully, I don’t think anyone knows the future but our Lord. I’m going to go and vote my conscience – and I pray you do, too – and trust the Lord to protect us all afterwards!

I was having a quick lunch at a fast food restaurant the other day and watching CNN because that’s what was on. Across the bottom of the screen is the news ticker – a ribbon where they put little snippets of news. As I watched the ticker it read “1 in 5 Americans have HIV and do not know it”. That got my attention. I don’t know how they figured that out or even if it’s true – but that’s a scary figure. Immediately after this the next news ticker stated “1 in 5 Americans have no religion”. Think about that for a minute and let’s see if we can connect the dots.

“1 in 5 Americans have HIV”
“1 in 5 Americans have no religion”

Do you think there’s a correlation there? Our society is becoming more and more and more secular, more and more divorced from God. The Bible tells us ….

Psalms 10:3-4  For the wicked one boasts about his own cravings; the one who is greedy curses and despises the LORD.  In all his scheming, the wicked arrogantly thinks: “There is no accountability, since God does not exist.”

When people do not think that God exists, when they think that they can only live for themselves today, then this belief in non-belief effects the way they live. If your world-view is that there is no God or that there is a God but He could care less what you do, then that world-view will effect how you live.

If to you God is standardless God or a non-existent God then you will live your life without regarding Him. But if to you God has standards – standards by which you will be judged – then this will influence how you live your lives.

The most important question you will ever be asked is the question that Jesus asks us in our text today. He asks:

Matthew 16:15 … {Jesus asked} “Who do you say that I am?”

Who is Jesus Christ to you? How you answer that question will determine how you live your life when you walk away from Church this morning. How you answer that question will effect how you talk to others, and what you cherish. How you answer this question will determine your success in the business world, and your success or failure as a Church. For I tell you, brothers and sisters, the local Church is failing to reach America! Dr. Jim Denison of the Denison Forum wrote:

“Fewer than half of Americans can identify Genesis as the first Book of the Bible. Only one third know that Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Only one half can name even one of the Gospels. … 60% of young people ages 15-29 have left active Church involvement.”

God calls His Church to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14) and His people to “shine as bright lights in a world filled with darkness” (Philippians 2:15). That’s the goal.

Who do you say that Jesus is?

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