Wimpy men??

As men we are called not to be wimpy, find me a wimpy man in the bible? Let’s run down a list:

o   Kill a lion

o   Kill a giant

o   Build a boat, wrangle animals

o   Fiery furnace

o   Lion’s den

o   Rebuild a wall

o   Take a nation on a 40 year wilderness walk

o   Fight off all the tribes

o   Take on Pharaoh

Check, Check, Check…. There is no rhyme or reason to this list. I just wanted to point out, none of these guys I would call wimps. And none in new testament either, Jesus called fishermen, commercial fishing now is a tough job, back then I am sure it wasn’t any easier. We make TV shows about it, real men, doing real men stuff. John the Baptist was survivalist, Paul a mercenary and a murderer. If you want what we consider to be tough men, the bible has them in spades. (Truth be told I feel kind of wimpy as I type this, I need to go take an ax to an oak tree and feel manly for a minute or two).

What makes a man kill a lion, build the ark, step into a fiery furnace, and stare down a Pharaoh? Belief, not belief in themselves but belief in the Master they served. They came in the name of another, they acted on behalf of the one that sent them. The messenger does not come with his own words but with the words of the master. 

As men (speaking in general for all men) we do not have a belief. We have not developed the belief in another, belief in the one true God, because society tells us that we are the most important. Culturally we see society say you are more important than your children, wives, jobs, and friends. Society says that our children are not our responsibility or if by chance they are, its only financial. Wives, why? Don’t by the cow, get the milk for free. Society says government should provide enough jobs and if they don’t, free money for doing nothing, everyone deserves equally to have cash in their pocket, right? And friends, friends are a number on a social site, got 500 friends and not one person to help drive you home from a doctor, but they all like the witty posts you make……….am I getting the point across. 

We are told to be tolerant of all, everyone is right, nothing is our responsibility. God says not true. He calls all men to be the manly men he has left us examples of in the bible. He calls us to be men who believe in …….Him. In the truth that is God. 

John 14:12-14 ESV

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.  

As New Testament men, Jesus says believe in me, do works in my name after my example, ask in my name unto the Father. To live this we need to believe. We need to believe all that he has told us and allow that to control and dictate our life.

Let’s go medieval for a minute; we have all seen Brave Heart, who doesn’t want a broad sword, right? So that is the kind of manly man we need to be to slay the enemy, so we need a creed. What? What is a creed? Not the band…. I said medieval…. Creed, meaning a statement of the basic beliefs that guide the action of a person or group!

As men we are to be leaders of our homes and children. We should set the example for those the Lord places in our path. We need to have a creed, we need to study, determine where we stand, put it down in writing. Refer to it when we are unsure of what so next…… base our beliefs in God and who he has made us, and we will reflect him in the style of a truly manly man!

Sovereignty of God

King David, man after God's own heart....... he danced to his clothes fell off, we credit him with worship and song...... we say we want to be a "house of David"!

What else was David, adulterer, womanizer, killer, warrior, bandit.... all of these titles fit as well.

I would like to point out something that King David knew that allowed him to be a man after God's own heart. He knew God was sovereign.

Do you understand that word, I didn't. So I did what all good students do, I Googled it- supreme power of authority. David knew that is where God stood, as supreme power and authority over all.

This is why we see he will not kill Saul, God's annointed. It is why he fled from Saul, because God had not told him it was time. It is why he did not build the temple, though he wanted to so badly. He understood God's decisions are without question, the final authority.

I submit the example:

2 Samuel 12:22-23

New International Version (NIV)

²² He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ ²³ But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
In this we see David weeping and praying for the life of his child that bore the sin of his murder of a soldier for his wife and adultery that led to it. In this event, confronted with his sin, David begged to make in him a clean heart never denying his issues or questioning God. Here we see a man that understands God's authority and supreme power, even to the point that he knows God is just, even when he takes the life of the child.

I agree we need houses of David in the sense of worship, but I believe equally important is heart that bows to the sovereignty of God. Singing and shouting are hollow acts if the heart does not acknowledge the sovereignty. God is not a genie, we do not have the right to blame Him when He does not do it our way. Understanding who He is, His sovereignty is the only way to truly see Him in all the power and glory and worship our Lord as David did.

My prayer is that the Lord make in me a clean heart and allow worship God as sovereign.   

Immaturity makes us feel the need to defend God, and hurts the one He loves!

I grew up in a pastor’s home; there was always someone in the church that wanted to talk about my father. I was so immature that I felt the need to defend him. It is a natural response. Many times as kids someone has made a comment about our mother or father perhaps even a grandparent and we rushed to defend their honor, “take it back…. Take it back or I will punch you….. “. Please don’t act like I was the only one.

The Lord showed me today that we tend to do the same thing as children of God. We become militant, “we are right, how dare they go against God, surely it is my job to point out all their wrongs……” if this is not you then you know someone like this. Is there a time to point out wrongs? Yes, in a loving way. Is there a place to remind all sinners that they need Jesus? Yes, but let’s use his example.

Exodus 3:14

God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

         God will show himself as he sees fit, as he did with pharaoh. I bring this to you today, God does not need use to be the police of sin, he does not call us to stand up to the bullies. Like Peter in the garden he is saying put away your sword, I don’t need you to defend me. Remember “the greatest of these is love.” In the words of Jesus, love your God and love your neighbor.

         I offer this thought, what if we showed Jesus not through fighting gay marriages and abortion, but channeled that money through providing free marriage counseling for God ordained male and female marriages that were headed to divorce. Instead of rallying at an abortion sight or fighting the courts we financially assisted mothers to make sure they could raise the kids, or arrange adoptions. We change how old the baby can be when its aborted and we call it a win, Jesus is saying show me to them and they won’t ever want to have an abortion and the problem will be no more. These problems come from sin and only He can remove them.

        You can’t shame people into a love for Jesus. You cannot defend the one who needs no defense. If you truly love a parent you do as they wish, you obey what they ask of you. It is the same with our Heavenly Father. I heard it said one time God is hard to bash or talk bad about when his messenger comes with a gifts of love for those in need. It’s time we realize Jesus doesn’t look like a lawyer in a court trying to stop the sin of abortion, he looks like the friend or neighbor that says I know it will be hard and it wasn’t planned but God loves you and I will help you, you are not alone. Why can’t we as children of God spend more time saying “you are not alone”?

The missed lesson in the story of the prodigal son

Most of us know the story of the prodigal son; if you do not you kind find it in Luke 15 starting in verse 11. Allow me to recap.

            Son says “Dad I want what will be mine when you’re dead, I don’t want to wait”. Dad gives it. Kid travel to the hottest party spot and then surrounds himself with people and parties until broke. Famine hits (think economic downturn) and he is out of cash. He finds himself in debt to a man that has him working in pig pins feeding them, he is considering eating that stuff they eat, remembering the good old days. Then he decides to go home.

Luke 15

            ¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.

So here we have a son of entitlement, thinking that all should be given to him. Much like we have today with kids living at home until they are 21-26 and some even older. There are people in their 30s still having parents pay for things for them. This is a generation of prodigal spirits. A society that says, I am entitled, I deserve this and that, I should not have to work and be patient. I want it now.

            So rather than argue, the father out of love gives the desires to the kid. Much as our heavenly Father has given to us freely, we have the freedom to choose, even if that choice abuses his good and loving nature. When the boy starts to return home, he knows that he has nothing of value left, he has tried to do it his way and has failed, he knows he deserves nothing. He decides he will beg to be a servant in the fathers house. He realizes his own failure and dirtiness and knows that if his father will have him he, will serve him. The act of the father taking him back in all his filthiness, despite all he has done, makes the boy want to serve him. He realizes that his father’s servants have good and happy lives of abundance, when he has squandered all he had. He realizes the intelligence of the father plan, and a goodness that he has abused.

            He goes home and is welcomed back. We have all been told that this is the way it is, that God loves us just like this prodigal son, and will accept us back, and He will!    …………………… But we see a change in the son in scripture. It is often overlooked. He went away with the heart of arrogance and self-desire. He returned with the heart of the servant, in humility. When we develop the heart of a servant then we truly can move into our true role in the house of the father. The arrogant son caused the father pain, the house was divided. But the humble servant that returned to him restored the family. Remember that the Father that accepts us regardless of circumstance, also desires to create in us the heart of a servant.

For even Jesus came to serve (Mark 10:45), and we should daily desire to be more Christ like.

Prayer:

Lord develop in me the character of a servant, ever willing to place my hands in the work of your kingdom. Let my desires be the completion of your activities. May others never hear me complain but always rejoicing in what you place before me. You are great and I am worthy only through the blood of your Son Jesus, thank you for welcoming me into your house. I love you Father. Amen

Does the your church share the gospel of Jesus?

It is with a unique mindset I begin this blog today.

I have struggled over whether to write this. The question comes from the fact that some who read this may be able to determine the churches that I mention, please realize that is not the point. There is no malice in the writing and I would ask that none of the readers even consider which churches I reference only the occurrences. This is an issue that can be found in too many churches and the Lord has burdened my heart with this.

My wife and I have been attending a church together for over a year now. In that time we have seen Sunday school and then eventually Wednesday night services canceled in the name of restructuring. I am in agreement that it was needed and I think that the idea was accepted as a good thing by the congregation, lack of progress weighs on some, but there is no lack of support. The pastor is a powerful worship leader, a gifted evangelist, and so we have what people would deem anointed worship meetings on Sunday morning. The music is phenomenal and we are blessed, but not growing.

I recently set in a meeting of the Sunday school remnant that met on their own accord and listened to people speak of tough spiritual times, they spoke of feeling they are in a holding pattern, hard times spiritually. I believe this is because they are in a holding pattern in the physical in regards to the church. Children of the kingdom were meant to serve and for those truly committed to serving and who had been serving the church, they are unsure of an outlet for that service. They desire to serve but they are struggling as there is no outlet and they feel they are linked to this physical church. They also know in spirit that there is something missing.

My wife and I began attending another church on Wednesday evening for a small group, we follow the preaching by podcast, and have attending a time or two. We both agree that it is not the type of church we prefer. These services are not as powerful and seem not to have the same flare. But they are growing, they are seeking to involve their members and have allowed us an outlet to serve the community, and without any pressure for us to leave our church home. Not a week goes by where they are not active in doing something in the community. Sometimes just quietly going to the park and picking up trash.

They are doing all the things the other church is not. They have published worship times, website, community involvement, outreach, small groups, and children’s ministries. I had thought to myself, clearly this is the reason they are growing. No it is not. I thought they get all members involved, giving them an area to serve, that must be the reason. No, a servant will serve regardless of whether their church organizes it for them. So why are they growing?? What is the secret??

There is no secret, I realized the other day what the difference is, it is obedience to the great commission. Keep in mind this is not meant to hurt feelings or step on toes. Most of you that read this have no idea the churches and those that do, understand this plays out all over the country in the same way. This is not unique. One church is sharing the gospel, people are being saved, heaven is rejoicing weekly for the lost sheep saved (Luke 15:1-7). As heaven erupts in rejoicing the church grows. Not only do they share the gospel every Sunday but they teach there people how to share it. Jesus is enough, no secret needed. Now the church that is not growing is great at worship and they love God, and they have fallen into a pattern. They have settled for the presence of God and worshiping together (there is nothing wrong with this) but there is no outreach, it is an inward presence. The church corporately is not sharing the Gospel. There had been no one professing salvation and no baptisms. After a year of attending I had to ask if the church even believed in baptism. I cannot remember the last time salvation was shared during Sunday morning, the sermons seem to soley address the saved. I asked a member that had been there longer than me about this, I almost cried, they said there had been no baptism in years (they had never seen one). Be honest, we all know a church like this one, you may even attend one. They gain member by doing better at something than others, or by creating an anointed environment, perhaps they have the latest and greatest music, coffee, or awesome youth group. They grow through transfers, or not at all.

I think Peter Haas says it best in latest book, “Sunday Morning is for Lost Sheep”, he states Substance Church was designed with the lost in mind. I think they all should be. If you are sick you go to the doctor, if you know you need a higher power to help, if you are prompted by the spirit to get help, you go to a church. Every Sunday somewhere there is a person that walks in needing to hear the gospel. Teach the flock, but also address the lost sheep. What good is anointed worship if heaven remains silent, grieving for the lost sheep that did not get to hear the gospel. 

Ask yourself 2 things and then read below:

Have I shared the gospel with anyone?

Is my church sharing the gospel from the pulpit and the classroom?

Please join me in praying that all churches will develop a burden for the lost, and that Jesus will always be shared, and the lost sheep will always be allowed to respond. We do not need revival to reach the world, this is a misconception, here is why. Remember Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore 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.”(Mathew 28:18-20) We need to share the gospel and disciple. It is brilliant really, here is why, 1/3 of the world’s population claims Christianity. Let’s assume half of them just answered that because it was popular. If we assume only 1/6 truly are believers, and for each one a person is saved and discipled in a five year time then repeats the same. In less than 15 years every person would be a Christian or at least heard the gospel. I used low numbers. I used long time periods. With God all things are possible, quicker than we can imagine, if we are willing to be used. God can do it in a little time as He chooses, but we must be willing to follow the great commissions.  Please join me (pray for revival if you feel led too) but pray always for boldness and to use the Spirit of boldness to share the gospel. Tell someone about Jesus and then lead you church in the direction of doing the same. When the kingdom grows, heaven rejoices.

The overlooked miracle

The overlooked miracle in the story of the feeding of the 5,000

Matthew 14:13-21

Often times people dispute this miracle, they even say it most likely only appeared to be 5,000. It may have only been several hundred people. As if feeding several people by multiplying loaves and fishes was more understandable. 

But this is not the miracle I want to address. The miracle I want to address is the one of hearing the teaching of Jesus. I often speak to 80 people in a closed environment and without a PA system it is hard to make sure that everyone can here. Can you imagine a high school graduation, Sunday church service, a concert, a candidate speech, or a ref at a NFL game trying to address everyone without the benefits of modern technology? But here we have 5,000 men not including the number of women and children (and I believe the bible is accurate, it was 5k) hearing Jesus teach, we have no information anywhere in scripture that states any of them had trouble hearing. If so they would have left. You don’t hang around at a concert if you don’t hear any music.

So why could they hear him? Because he was Jesus? Because it was a miracle? I believe that that they could hear Jesus the same way that we can hear from him. Through a miracle, this is what the Holy Spirit speaking to us really is, a miracle.

I believe that we should prepare to hear from God in the same way that these people prepared. So what did they do that allowed them to hear from Jesus. What positioned them for the miracle?

Personally and individually

1.     We see that they went to where they knew Jesus was. (they realized where he was going and ran it says to get there) 
2.     They moved in faith (they brought there sick knowing he could heal them) 
3.     They positioned themselves to hear the word (To hear we must we must quiet all else and be still at the feet of the master) 
4.     They forsook all personal well-being to hear Jesus (no food or supplies, just ran after him)

As a group

1.     They acted in unison (they all wanted to hear, as a church or family we must too)
2.     They did not forsake the needy (they brought those who could not bring themselves) 
3.     They made seeking Jesus a family affair (they brought wives and kids)

If we can learn to do these things individually and as a group we can hear the words of Jesus through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This is our miracle.