Don’t do it
A couple of days ago, we talked about this passage at work:
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations – “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” ( referring to things that all perish as they are used) – according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. (Colossians 2:20-23 ESV)
What do you think Paul is saying about these kinds of prohibitions (i.e., “Don’t handle that…,” “Don’t taste that…,” “Don’t touch that…”)? Could forcing yourself and others to stay away from certain things actually cover up deeper problems?
Distracted by Rightness
Arthur at “The Voice Of One Crying Out in Suburbia” points out one of the elephants in the room in modern evangelicalism in his post “This should go without saying.”
Arthur writes:
A starving child doesn’t care if you are pre-, post- or amillenial.
The widow isn’t really all that interested in congregational or Presbyterian forms of church government.
The fatherless child isn’t going to reject food because the one offering it is an Arminian.
The Christian in a third world country without a Bible is not going to refuse one because it isn’t the right version.
The lost person down the street doesn’t need to hear about your denomination or how great your church is or what a wonderful preacher your pastor is, they need to hear about Jesus.
I agree with Arthur: this should go without saying, it needs to be said.
But, I think there’s a bigger problem. It’s not just that the church has become distracted by these arguments (and others), many in the church feel they are doing “the work of God” when they defend their position on this arguments. In fact, there are many (so-called) “ministries” who exist simply to defend their particular belief in one of these (or similar) areas of theology.
Like Arthur says in his post, these items may be important, but (to me) they are way down on the list of importance. We are never told to spend all (or most, or some) of our time and energy and resources debating and arguing these things. And, we certainly never find these types of debates and arguments called “ministry”… that is, service.
So, we get distracted by these kinds of arguments (eschatology, soteriology, and, yes, even ecclesiology) and we call our distractions “ministry.” Meanwhile, real ministry (serving other people) never gets done… or rarely gets done. But we think we’re doing good things… all the while we’re distracted from the things that God has called us to do.
The foundation of this problem is that we’ve been distracted by rightness. There’s a misconception that our goal is being right and that we should always point out where (we think) other people are wrong. Of course, this is normally true when it comes to the gospel, but (especially since the Reformation) Christians have begun to separate over, demand allegiance to, and defend all kinds of teachings and doctrines that are not related to the gospel.
We think that if we demand “rightness” then we are leading people to the truth, that is, to Jesus. But, this is often not the case. In fact, the debates and arguments that Arthur mentions are generally not related to the truth of Jesus Christ nor to salvation by grace through faith. But, we still demand that others accept what we say is “right.”
What’s the answer? Focus on the gospel. Yes, hold convictions on those other doctrines, hold them tightly if you choose, but let them distract you from the good news of Jesus Christ. That is, don’t let them distract you from fellowshiping with those who hold to the good news of Jesus Christ (but perhaps are “wrong” concerning your favorite doctrines), and don’t let them distract you from proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ… and please don’t proclaim accepting your favorite doctrines (that aren’t the gospel) to those who are unbelievers.
Systematic or Casual
My friend Dan at “The Ekklesia in Southern Maine” has written an excellent post called “Official.” In the post, Dan is asking about (or actually offering examples of) both the systematic study of Scripture and more casual usage of Scripture.
A systematic study of Scripture would be a planned study (like most Bible studies). It could be study through a book of the Bible or it could be topical. But, the plan for study would be decided before-hand.
A more casual use of Scripture would depend on what is happening in people’s lives. Scripture would not be studied as much as used as examples or to encourage, convict, admonish, etc. But, which Scripture to use would not depend on a predetermined plan, but on what is happening the lives of the people involved.
In his post, Dan talks about how conversation about life situations (using Scripture along the way) has proved more beneficial to him recently than more systematic studies of Scripture. In response to Dan’s post, I said the following:
I find that improptu teaching/encouraging based on what’s going on in each person’s lives can be very beneficial. These times can include scriptural teaching and study as well.
I think there is also a benefit to systematic study, because that study will round out our understanding. It will fill in gaps and prepare us for struggles that we will eventually go through, or that others are going through.
So, I say, do both!
Yes, do both. Have planned systematic studies of Scripture, but don’t stop there. Have conversations with people about what’s going on in their lives, but don’t stop there either. We need both.
What do you think?
Count others more significant than yourselves
At the beginning of Philippians chapter 2, Paul lays out a very convicting list that should define the life of believers. One of those characteristics is this: “Count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3) Another is this: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).
Paul then tells us that in order to think like this, we should think the same way that Jesus Christ thought (Philippians 2:5-11).
Have you ever thought about what this should look like in the lives of Christian leaders, elders, pastors, bishops, etc? Do these commands apply to leaders in the church? How?
Following Your Convictions
My friend Eric at “A Pilgrim’s Progress” has made a very brave decision to following some of his convictions. He writes about it in a post called “I’ve Resigned from Professional Pastoring.” Eric begins his post with this:
After much study of scripture, prayer, discussions with some of my friends, and reading good books, I have come to the conclusion that I can no longer in good conscience remain a salaried pastor. I cannot find it anywhere in the bible, so I’m not going to do it.
Last Wednesday evening I informed the sweet people of Chevis Oaks Baptist Church that I will be resigning as pastor.
I know that this was a difficult decision for Eric. He was concerned about his family and with the people who are part of Chevis Oaks.
Whether you agree with Eric’s conclusion about “professional pastors” or not, I think everyone can appreciate his desire to follow his convictions, even (and especially) when they are difficult.
I knew Eric before he was a professional pastor… because he was one of my pastors then. I know that Eric will continue to pastor and that God will continue to use him and his family.
Equipping
Each Sunday, our church studies through a certain passage of Scripture together. Currently we are working our way through Genesis, usually studying 1-3 chapters per week. Also, each week, someone is scheduled to facilitate our study.
Depending on who is scheduled to facilitate the study, our teaching may be more lecture-style or more discussion-style. I say “more-” because there is always discussion and dialog, even if they teacher decides to lecture. (By the way, I’m not saying this is the only way to teach. It has been very beneficial for us to do it this way.)
Last Sunday, I was scheduled to teach through Genesis 33-34. As a follower of Jesus, I have the responsibility of teaching others. And, as a teacher, I have the responsibility of equipping others to teach.
So, Sunday, I took the opportunity to do both. I asked my son Jeremy if he would be willing to teach part of Genesis 33. He agreed. So, the two of us worked on his lesson together. We read through the chapter a few times together, and we talked about it together.
Then, when he was ready to start putting together his teaching (“lesson”), I helped again by suggesting for him to think about answering two questions. He divided his lesson into two parts, with each part answering one of the two questions.
Since this was the first time he would be teaching the group, I also suggested that he write out his teaching. Often, when people first start teaching, they can become very nervous or lose their train of thought. So, by writing his lesson down, he was able to prepare what he wanted to say and then present it without being concerned about getting nervous or getting lost.
He did a great job answering the two questions. I made a few suggestions about connecting his material together. I asked if he wanted to lecture or if he wanted to ask for discussion or questions. He wanted discussion, so the two of us picked a few places in his teaching that he could stop and ask for questions or comments.
Then, I asked him to think about the two questions and answers and to think about how he would apply those to people today. He wrote out a couple of paragraphs of application.
Sunday morning, after we sang a few songs and read through some Scripture together, it was time for me to teach. I told everyone that I had asked Jeremy to help me. I reminded everyone of the background and context of Genesis 33-34 (especially the events at the end of Genesis 32), and then turned the teaching over to Jeremy.
He read through Genesis 33. Then began to read his lesson. At the appropriate time, he stopped and asked for questions or comments. He responded to those. Then, he would continue his lesson. After he finished, I continued teaching through Genesis 34.
After Jeremy finished, and before I started teaching again, someone made a comment that I’ll always remember. One of our brothers said to Jeremy, “You didn’t even have to go to seminary.” But, of course, that’s the point. If the church was training and equipping people, then seminary would not be necessary. (I’ve even hard many seminary professors make this same statement.)
So, I was excited to teach Sunday. But, even more than that, I was excited to have the opportunity to continue to equip Jeremy to teach as well.
We Have A Short Memory
When it comes to our church traditions, beliefs, and practices, people tend to have a short memory. We believe that whatever has occurred in our lifetime – or our “church time” – must have occurred through all of the history of the church.
I remember when I first realized this. When we were discussing leadership for our church, we started talking about “elders.” Of course, coming from a Baptist tradition, most of the people used the term “pastors” and “the pastor.” Someone said, “We’re not Presbyterians. We don’t have elders; we have pastors.”
I scratched my head at that statement. Why? Because I knew that historically Baptists had used the terms “pastor,” “elder,” and “bishop” interchangeably. In fact, the London Baptist Confession of 1689 used all three terms, preferring “elder” or “bishop.” The Baptist Faith and Message of 1925 (the earliest confession of our own denomination) used only the terms “elders” and “bishops.”
But, the people who were part of our church only knew about the term “pastors.” Since that was the only terms they had heard, they assumed it was the only terms that could be used.
Of course, this doesn’t only apply to what we call pastors/elders/bishops. Did you know that Sunday School only started (at the earliest) in 1751 in England? And, it wasn’t started to teach people Scripture; it was started to teach children living in slums how to read so that they would not become criminals. That’s a far cry from modern Sunday Schools, isn’t it? But could you imagine suggesting a Sunday School that didn’t teach the Bible or Christian doctrine, or Christian living? Why can we not imagine that? Because we have a short memory, and we assume that what we’ve experienced is the way it’s always been done and the way it should always be done.
What about Youth ministry? Surely the first Youth ministry was started by Peter or Paul, right? No. Actually, youth ministry did not start until the industrial revolution (late 1800s to early 1900s) as a way to provide community support for young people who moved away from the farms (and their home town community support) to be near the factories. Youth ministry kicked it up a notch in the 1940s and 1950s to help servicemen returning from World War II. (But, note, these were not primarily teenagers, but people in their early twenties.)
So, why can we not imagine a church without a youth ministry? Because that’s the way we’ve always seen it done, and so that must be the way it’s supposed to be. We have a short memory.
You could say the same for our “traditional” hymns, which tend to be only a couple of hundred (at most) years old. Or traditional church instruments. Or so many other beliefs, programs, and activities of the church. In many cases, we don’t realize that what we’re doing or what we believe is a relatively new invention or creation. (Note, this does not mean that these things are bad in and of themselves.)
It’s true. We have a short memory. Typically, our memory only reaches as far back as our own experiences.
But, the church should never be based on our experiences… or our traditions, for that matter. The church is much more than that. Perhaps, this is why I love to look at the church in Scripture so much. In those images and stories and encounters and corrections and instructions, we find a beautiful picture of a timeless community built around the continued presence and work of Jesus Christ.
When we focus on the church from a scriptural perspective and on the presence and work of Jesus Christ, our memory gets much, much better.
They don’t want cake
For the last few years, we’ve been attempting to serve some of the residents of a government assisted housing development that we affectionately call “the Neighborhood.” We first started spending time with the residents because we were invited by our friend Cathy.
After speaking with Cathy briefly, it became obvious that there were several great needs in this neighborhood: spiritual (certainly), physical, emotional, nutritional, financial, etc. Our family could not meet all of those needs, so we didn’t even try. Instead, we simply served in way that we could.
But, we also attempted to serve in ways that the people in the neighborhood wanted. For example, because of the nutritional need (this is a HUGE need among people who live below the poverty line), we began to take small bags of fruits and vegetables to the people that we met. We didn’t spend alot of money on each bag… probably only about $10 or so.
Eventually, we found out that some people like watermelon while others like cantaloupe. Some liked potatoes while others preferred squash. Some like beans and some liked corn. Some were happy with anything that we brought them. They were all very grateful.
But, it wasn’t that they were necessarily grateful for the produce. Instead, much more, they were appreciative that we spent time with them, got to know them, and brought them things that they wanted and needed.
We were not the only people who would bring food to the residents of the Neighborhood. But, it seems that we were the only ones who spent the time necessary to build a relationship with them. This meant we had to spend enough time with them that they began to trust us (which wasn’t always easy).
One morning while we were visiting with one of the elderly ladies, another group was going door to door giving the residents food. They gave this lady some bread, doughnuts, and cakes. She thanked them and put them on her table, while the group left and made their way to the next house.
Our friend started laughing. I asked her why she was laughing. She said, “They bring me cakes and pies and doughnuts occasionally. Never ask my name or anything. So, they don’t know that I’m diabetic and can’t eat any of it.” She offered the sweets to us, but ended up throwing most of it away.
Now, the group that brought the cakes and doughnuts and bread meant well. They wanted to serve this lady, but they didn’t know how to serve her. One size does not fit all when it comes to serving people.
Instead, we must spend time with people so that we can know what they want and what they need. Guess what? We made some mistakes early one. We brought some people food that they did not eat. But, we learned, because we kept coming back.
And, most importantly, we always saw the people as more important than our acts of service. We would gladly and quickly change how we were serving someone as we got to know them.
All of our service was for an ultimate purpose, of course. Bringing fruits and vegetables might help them a little. Giving them a ride to the doctor’s office or picking them up at the emergency room may be beneficial.
But, our ultimate goal was to demonstrate and proclaim the love of God and the good news of Jesus Christ. He love is personal, so our service should be personal as well.
September 11 and the Kingdom of Heaven
Eric at “A Pilgrim’s Progress” has written an excellent article called “Thinking About September 11th.” His article is a great reminder about the citizenship and loyalties of those who follow Jesus. We are but pilgrims living in the nations of this planet – foreigners, even. He says:
If we think about September 11th primarily as Americans, then we are thinking mainly patriotically and politically. What we probably remember most from that terrible day is Muslim extremists high jacking multiple airplanes, flying them into buildings, and killing thousands of people. Our emotional response is likely still one of anger. Our desire may still be what it was nine years ago: payback.
If we think about September 11th primarily as citizens of heaven, then our thinking should be much different. It ought to be theological instead of political. Our focus should be from God’s perspective instead of from the American perspective. In thinking this way, what did we see that day? We saw a great deal of sin and death.
And, as Eric says, this should lead us to remember and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ! Yes! We should always live as citizens of the kingdom of Heaven, whatever might happen among the kingdoms of this world.
Thanks, Eric!
Love as Assurance
I’ve heard many passages read and interpreted in order to help people understand and accept that God is their Father and that they are children of God. Usually, this is called “assurance of salvation.” But, I don’t remember anyone using this verse:
We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. (1 John 3:14 ESV)
Are you demonstrating love to your brothers and sisters in Christ? If so, then you are no longer dead in your sins; you are now alive in Christ. (And, remember how John defines love just a few sentences later – see 1 John 3:17.)
And, if you are inclined to think that the second part of that verse (“Whoever does not love abides in death”) is a little drastic… it is. But, it is also a consistent theme in John’s letter. For example, see 1 John 4:20.
Very power passages… and love is a very powerful assurance.