Ministers of Reconciliation
Posted: November 3, 2011 Filed under: Daily Life, Gospel, Testimony Leave a comment »
In a world of subjective truths, complete equality, tolerance, and acceptance, Christianity has become nothing more than “another” religion in the eyes of many. Western culture in particular is grievously enamored with the idea of self-reliance, self-dependence, and self-worth. Christianity is extremely counter-cultural because it teaches the actuality of human depravity, the necessity for a Savior, an other-worldly focus, and an eternal view of our temporal lives. For the world at-large, this is something that is considered intolerant and outdated, a tradition steeped in tradition, and a stumbling block to progress in the world. For Christians, however, this is true reality. This is life for the human race
Perhaps a substantial reason for the negative view of Christianity is the attitude and actions of Christians themselves. As a world religion, the stigma of dependence on something outside ourselves is already a built-in excuse for the world to reject us. In addition, Christians mistake their salvation as a license to be self-righteous and judgmental, wondering why the world is not intelligent enough to “figure it out.” As the Pharisee in Luke 18, we often look at the world around us exclaiming, “Thank you God that I’m not like these tax collectors!” As the story goes, the Pharisee has much to learn from the tax collector whose only justification is in the mercy of God, not in his righteous (or unrighteous) works. I have encountered many non-Christians and de-churched Christians who use Christian hypocrisy as the chief reason for their unbelief. Often times this is a copout, in my estimation, but just as often it is as real to them as Jesus is to us. For Jesus to be a catalyst for change in the world, Christians must first wear His name with humility, dignity, and fervor.
As Jesus so clearly states in Luke 19, even if we do not worship Him, creation itself will cry out His name. He doesn’t need us to change the world but, nonetheless, He uses us as agents of reconciliation (2 Cor. 15:14-21). It is our duty and obligation to speak truth into the world (Matt. 28:18-20), and there is no “out clause” for the Christian. We are to be salt and light in a tasteless and dark world (Matt. 5:13-16), loving Him and others because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). There is a story going on all around us, a story God has been writing since before the foundation of the world. Again, He doesn’t need us, but He wants us and uses us. Acts 17 tells us that God has appointed to every person the time and boundaries in which they live so that they will find Him. So, for the Christian, this means that not only are you in the time and place that you are to find God, but those around you are in a similar position. You cannot save His elect, but it is your burden as a Christian to treat everyone as though they are. As the great Charles Spurgeon once said (and I paraphrase), “I believe that God will save His elect, and I also believe that if I do not preach the Gospel He will lay the blood of the lost at my doorstep.”
A non-Christian reading this essay may have no clue what I am talking about. Heck, a Christian reading this may be confused, but the Bible is the only authority Christians have to stand on and we must plant our roots firmly in it. In the end, we do not know the answers to every question about how and why God saves anyone, but His Word is very clear that the proclamation of His Gospel is a key component to transforming the world (Romans 10). The world cannot be ultimately changed for the better by new legislature, war, personal enlightment, or secret philosophies; it can only be changed by the sin-stomping, life-altering, culture-scandaling, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father but through Him and by Him (John 6:44; 14:6).
This is our hope, and this is hope for our world. May we as Christians reflect Christ in a way that is not self-righteous and proud, but rather humble and sacrificial. Perhaps one of the most telling verses in the entire New Testament comes in Acts 2. After hearing the preaching of the Word, the early Christians went about their daily lives following the apostles’ teaching, sacrificing for one another, and spending genuine time in community. The result? They were loved by those around them and “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (2:47). People were being saved just by watching these Christians live their lives! This is the Gospel at work in the world, changing lives through lives that love God and love others. The word being preached is extremely important, as seen earlier in Acts 2, but there is so much more to it. Jesus will be a catalyst for change in the world when Christians obey Him the way these early Christians did.
I was first introduced to church at the age of 14. Following my parents’ divorce, I was subconsciously chasing after self-worth and the approval of others. I found that at church. There were people there who loved me, who invested in me, and who genuinely wanted to show Christ to me. All of these factors taught me things about God, but I was always provided with a list of rules to follow in order to convince God to love me. It wasn’t until the age of 21 before Christ took full hold of my heart. When hearts are transformed, actions will follow. At first, I was more like the bratty kid who does chores begrudgingly rather than a respectful and loving son, obeying out of love, respect, and appreciation for my Father. It is paramount that Christians be ministers of reconciliation, watching Jesus grab hearts not through our Pharisaical attempts at righteousness, but through our works of love aimed both at Him and at His image-bearers. Christ does not need us, but He uses us. May we be faithful stewards of this responsibility.
I Am a Believer
Posted: March 1, 2011 Filed under: Testimony Leave a comment »
I am a believer. I’ve entered a fellowship of disciples of The Anointed One, The Savior of the World, The I AM. We battle as one unit, pressing on with force against the darkness of this world to shine the light that has been entrusted to us by our King. We fight wars with peace, wrath with gentleness, injustice with righteousness, hate with love, greed with giving, slavery with freedom, pride with humility, lust with cleanliness, sloth with desire. I worship the Eternal God whose glory is above all things this earth can provide, and I will steadfastly follow the path laid before me.
I am redeemed. My past is buried and my future is risen. No longer am I bound by the shackles that have kept me on the ground, I now soar on wings like eagles. My friends think I am insane, but my brothers join me in claiming the Name. My sin is my sorrow but my God is my joy. I am washed clean by the unending flow of love that pours from the breath of the Almighty and by the blood of the Lamb who was crushed for my iniquities. He changed my name and gave me new life.
I am obsessed. I no longer desire the wants of this world, but I crave the will of the Holy One. I will study until there is nothing to learn, preach until every ear has heard, pray until no words are left, give until I am empty, and yearn for the day when my Savior returns. I refuse to wander in the wilderness of mediocrity or settle for the idolatry of my flesh as a means of gratification, but I am thirsty for even a glimpse of the glory of my Creator.
I am unmoved. I do not waver in the face of oppression, but I stand on the Rock. My enemy cannot move me, buy me, derail me, or lure me away from my Messiah. My roots are deep and my foundation is secure, resting on the 66 book love letter given to me by my Father. Though my knees may become weak and I feel like crumbling, I will remain upright knowing that I will be restored and renewed into an even more beautiful creation. If Satan himself brings me to the highest mountain and offers me all the kingdoms of this world, I will proudly proclaim that my aim is Heaven and my possessions are not my own. I stand firm on the hope that when I reach the narrow gate my Redeemer will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
by Brandon Smith
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” – C.S. Lewis
The Need for Inerrancy
Posted: December 17, 2010 Filed under: Daily Life, Gospel, Testimony 3 Comments »Inerrancy is a hot-button word in Evangelicalism. Men who stand for it are often called fundamentalists or legalists. Men who stand against it are called heretics and liberals. The Conservative Resurgence in the SBC surely polarized this subject on a broad scale, above and beyond Baptist life. In any event, say what you wish and stand where you want.
As for me, I need the Bible to be inerrant.
The Bible cannot merely be another religious book with some truth in it. Adam and Eve cannot be simply a poetic example of good vs. evil. Abraham cannot simply be a cartoon character. David cannot simply be one of many kings in a small area of the Middle East. John the Baptist cannot simply be a crazy redneck from the woods.
I need Jesus to really be God.
I need Jesus to really be born of a virgin.
I need Jesus to really live a perfect, sinless life.
I need Jesus to really be punished on the cross in my place.
I need Jesus to really bodily rise from the grave.
I need Jesus to really return on the clouds in glory.
I need Jesus to really banish Satan and evil forever.
I need Jesus to really establish the new Heaven and Earth.
If Jesus is not who He said He was, if He is not who the Scriptures record Him to be… then He is another apocalyptic rabbi decomposed in a tomb somewhere. There is no hope, no real reason for doing anything.
Too many pastors are ignoring this. Too many choose to preach on topical nothingness rather than espousing the absolute dire need for Scripture to be right about the Gospel.
There is no more important message than the message of a risen Savior and the TRUTH of that message.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 14
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures … And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
Thoughts from a Young Pastor
Posted: November 5, 2010 Filed under: Church, Pastoral Resources, Testimony 5 Comments »
Being in ministry at a young age can be daunting. Often times, young men dive head first into a ministry role (typically working with youth is an entry point for any wet-behind-the-ears pastor) with a swagger and confidence that screams, “I’m gonna change this church MY way!” At least, that was my mindset. Successes and failures come, heartache makes you want to quit, growth makes you want to pat yourself on the back, and everyone in the church has “advice.” The fact is, ministry is never as it seems. Your bad days are sometimes the days that you grow the most (unknowingly), and the good times are always sweeter than expected.
The hardest part for me, to this day, is the disadvantage that comes with being the youngest guy on the staff. No matter how much you read or how much experience you have (I’m 25 and in my third church ministry position), many – if not most – of the staff and congregants will not take you as seriously as you’d like. As an elder and pastor at our church, there are times where I feel hesitant to speak into meetings or general conversation because I’m not sure that anyone will heed my opinion. Fortunately, the other elders respect my voice but, trust me, it’s difficult to tell a 50-year old deacon, “I told ya so.” When I get the opportunity to preach, I have to try and use the experience that I do have as the backbone for my sermon so that people do not tune me out. As much as I’ve read about and would love to teach on marriage, I’m not married and would be ignored even if my sermon is spot on. And on and on it goes.
All this to say, there is hope for the young pastor. Here is some advice to young pastors from a young pastor:
- Trust the Lord – For whatever reason, God has placed you in this position. Whether you are a youth pastor, single’s pastor, or the lead preaching pastor, God has allowed you to do so. Pray, pray, pray. You will be looked at sideways and tuned out at times, but God will place His Word on the hearts of those it is intended for.
- Heed Paul’s Advice in 1 Timothy 4:12 – “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” Regardless of detractions, set an example to even the older crowd in your church. Do not be defensive or arrogant, simply teach and live doctrine and love. Be a Christian first and a pastor last; this order of things will work itself out beautifully. If you’re loving Jesus and living for Him, your life will outflow into your ministry. People will notice.
- Listen to Advice – You won’t always take it or put it to use, but entertain advice from older men, more seasoned ministers, and (gasp) even the little old ladies that storm your office all week. You cannot learn everything from books or podcasts, the best teacher is experience. Take full advantage of any criticism or counsel you can get your hands on.
- Persevere – Ministry at any level can and will crush you at times. You can have strong theology and talent, but you are an emotional human being who will take a beating regardless of how strong you are. As Matt Chandler once reminded me, pastors spend all week dealing with other people’s sins and it can absolutely wear you out. Young pastor, grab ahold of Jesus’ grace and immerse yourself in it. Your greatest weapon is the endless mercy of God and a great salvation that only He can provide.
What I Learned From John Wesley
Posted: August 16, 2010 Filed under: Testimony, Theology Leave a comment »
As I have mentioned briefly in the past, I worked as a Methodist youth pastor for a little over year and embraced Wesleyan theology for about a year before that. After much study and deliberation, I am now a charismatic, 5-point Calvinist Baptist.
Quite the shift in theology, but I did retain some Wesleyan influence that I cannot refute or dismiss:
Holiness - Though it is wrong to say that a Biblical understanding Eternal Security is a license to sin, it has been abused and excused by its adherents for centuries. Wesley would say that we should be holy partially because we could lose our salvation if we “backslide” and I surely disagree, there.
Wesleyan thought emphasizes that the Christian life must be lived out in a holy way, most notably through love. The Acts 2 church was known for their love. Though I believe that we are holy in God’s sight through Christ’s death on the cross apart from any works of our own and I disagree with Wesley that we can ever be perfectly holy this side of Heaven, we are not excused from being the people that God calls us to be. Take a look at Wesley’s Holy Club to see a group that we should all model ourselves after.
Experience – This is one of Wesley’s “four proofs.” He states that Scripture is the strongest proof of Christianity, with the next strongest being experience. Wesley is quoted as saying, “What the Scriptures promise, I enjoy.” It was his testimony that his faith grew to its pinnacle when he experience in his soul what he read in the Word.
I can’t say I disagree at all, here. God’s provision and the Spirit-driven joy that I find in all situations is the anchor that keeps my faith unshaken. Scripture proving Itself in my life has an immeasurable impact on my love and devotion to Him.
Though there isn’t much that I agree with Wesley on, these two thoughts have been a great compliment to my strong theological leaning toward Calvinism. It is probably even true that Calvin or Luther could have taught such things, but I learned and appreciated them through the teaching of John Wesley.
I realize that Calvinists (and possibly even more so, Baptists) will shudder at the mention of Wesley being credible, but we cannot discount the impact he had on 18th century Christendom and the current evangelical world.
I pray that we would appreciate the strengths of those who we may not have much common ground with. We are small fish in a big pond, my friends!
On the run
Posted: May 22, 2010 Filed under: Testimony | Tags: Christ, Christianity, faith, Hope, Jesus Leave a comment »
I spend a lot of time reflecting back on my past.
The things I did. The people I hurt. Irreversible mistakes I made.
A long, wicked 21 years spent running away from a God and a Savior who could have given me true freedom. A God who literally dragged me to the baptism pool at 14 without me even realizing the life change that was about to occur. A God who either cried or fumed (or both) when I spent six more years ignoring Him with my heart, shaming Him with my lifestyle, yet still professing His name with my lips (thanks for the reminder DC Talk).
I have spent so much of my life regretting it. I look back wondering why I deserted both of my parents and tried to make it on my own at 16. I lived at a few friends houses, bought things I could never end up paying for, spent time with girls I never cared to spend time with, drank beer until 3 a.m. and then went to church hung over and completely unable to pay attention. If I met my 18-year-old self, I’d probably dropkick him.
I know why I did it, though. I was selfish. It was the easy way out. Following Christ isn’t easy all the time, anyone can tell you that; so I stayed away from Him, running as fast as I could.
Then, in the summer of 2007, I heard a sermon by Matt Chandler.
The sermon was from a series on the Book of Ecclesiastes. All through the book, Solomon does everything he can think of that people consider “fun” and “meaningful:”
Epic parties.
The best food and drink.
Tons of sex.
Lives in a mansion.
Lives with the homeless.
Builds houses with his bare hands.
Does absolutely nothing.
Solomon continually uses the term “meaningless” in describing all of the things that he does. After he has seen everything, heard everything, smelled everything, tasted everything, and experienced everything, here is what he finally decides:
Ecclesiastes 12:13 - Now all has been heard; there is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
After all Solomon did, he decides that the only thing that should matter to a man is God. Seeing the world this way caused a shift in my thinking that has never been the same. With this verse, God pulled me in like a fish on a hook… flailing and fighting, but unable to pull away.
Thank God for His relentless, faithful, never ending grace.
Carlos Whittaker on L.A. Ink.
Posted: January 21, 2010 Filed under: Testimony | Tags: Carlos Whittaker, Christ, Christianity, faith, Jesus Leave a comment »Great testimony (and tattoo!) from Carlos Whittaker of RagamuffinSoul.com. Always amazing to see someone representing Christ on national TV!
I am second: Colt McCoy.
Posted: December 18, 2009 Filed under: Testimony | Tags: Christ, Christianity, Colt McCoy, faith, I am second, Jesus Leave a comment »A great testimonial from Colt McCoy. I love the line, “I’m successful because I have Jesus Christ living inside of me.”
The grace-abounding Shepherd.
Posted: November 15, 2009 Filed under: Scripture Lessons, Testimony | Tags: Christ, Christianity, faith, God, Jesus Leave a comment »
I think a lot about my Godless past and where I am now. I came from a non-Christian upbringing (my father has since been saved) and I always wonder where my life would be now if God hadn’t rescued me.
I don’t even want to begin to think about it.
It’s interesting because I know throughout my life God was pulling at me, yet I seemed to never really pay attention to it. I had begun to seek Him in my early teens and He allowed me to wallow in a lot of sin for a long season before He suddenly began tugging at my heart harder than ever before. I remember that time after time things would go great for me and I wouldn’t give God any credit. I know, somewhere outside of this realm in Heaven, God was saying, “Hello!!! It was me!” Over and over I was bailed out of every situation that I was in and forgot about Him.
Then, I got into a terrible relationship. Bad situation. Don’t get me wrong, it seemed perfect, but I was making all the wrong decisions. Once that ended, I was at a really low point in my life before I finally began to start progressing back towards Him.
If you’ve ever seen The Simpsons Movie, there is a part where the whole town is about to die and everyone in the bar runs to the church and everyone in the church runs to the bar. Comical, and so true.
That was me, running to God only when I needed Him. The amazing thing is, He still took me in. It’s not often that you will find a love that is so forgiving, but then again, we don’t understand the extent of God’s love no matter how much we think we do.
Agape is a word that gets lost in the Greek to English translation. It means “God’s love”; divine, unchanging, self-sacrificing, forgiving, perfect. I spoke in another post about God’s love being described in 1 John 4, but today I was drawn to this popular verse:
1 Peter 5:6-10 – Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Satan may very well have used that relationship to hurt me, but God used it for His glory and brought me back to Him.
I guess the point of the story is that God never gives up on us. He loves us, He seeks us, and eventually He will catch us. Thankfully, God is a grace-abounding Shepherd. We deserve to be let loose to the wolves by Him for the way we act, but He is patient with His wandering sheep.
It struck me deep today how much grace God has poured on me over the years, and I’m comforted and excited to know that this is only the beginning…
No sweeter name than the name of Jesus.
Stephen Baldwin: I am second.
Posted: April 27, 2009 Filed under: Testimony | Tags: Christ, Christianity, faith, I am second, Jesus, Stephen Baldwin, Testimony Leave a comment »Stephen Baldwin has quickly gone from somewhat of a sideshow to a hero of mine. His new found faith in Christ has been inspiring.
