Practice What You Preach

Rebellion against authority abounds at all levels — local, state and federal, and yes, even in the church. Jesus said to the crowd and to his disciples, “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach” (Matt 23:2-3 NIV). On a civil level it’s easy to obey and do what authorities tell me to do even though I may not agree with a particular law. However, when it comes to a man-made religious laws and hypocrisy, I’m hard pressed to obey and do everything I’m told to do.

Co-Conspirators

Acquaintances of criminals can sometimes knowingly, or unknowingly, have a hand in criminal activity. We’re hearing more and more about people being charged as co-conspirators in such offenses as sex trafficking, illegal gun purchase and fraud. I’m sure these people never thought of themselves as co-conspirators, or ever dreamed the crimes committed by their friends would come back to bite them. People of faith can also get caught up and trapped if we associate with the wrong people. Paul warns, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Cor 15:33 NIV).

Enslaved

Most of us don’t consciously look back on our life without Christ. We’d rather focus on growing and maturing as a believer. However, by looking back we can see where we, like the Galatians, were enslaved. Paul said, “Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again” (Gal 4:8-9 NIV)?

Firstfruits

In an ongoing TV series, it’s not unusual to see video clips of the previous segment to help viewers recall where they are in the story-line. Likewise, as kids return from summer vacation, teachers sometimes give a brief overview to get students up to speed. In a series of sermons preachers seem to use this review method on the off-chance that there is someone new in the audience, or that the audience has forgotten last week's message. However, for those of us who were in attendance the previous week, the review is unnecessary and frustrating. When the review takes up the first half of the time allotted for the message then it is no longer the firstfruits of the pastor’s preparation, it’s a re-run. Proverbs said, “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV).

The Door

My neighbor put in a dog door for her Australian Shepherd, but the dog is afraid of the door and won’t use it. However, that hasn’t stopped her young daughter, Moria, from scrambling back and forth and claiming the doggie-door as her own. Unfortunately, many people today are similar to the Australian Shepherd and they fail to recognize Jesus Christ as the door to salvation. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:6-7NIV).

Not Mine to Keep

Our 16-year-old grandson bought a used car that the previous owner had invested a lot of money in while doing the mechanical upkeep. I’m sure at the time of the maintenance the previous owner gave no thought to keeping the car in good shape for the next owner. Similarly, as we prepare to list our current house with a realtor, it never occurred to me that all these years I’ve been making upgrades for someone else. Paul puts life’s possessions in perspective, “What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away” (1 Cor 7:29-32 NIV).

God Sees Trouble and Grief

I’m having a hard time grieving for the communities, the victims and the families of the mass shootings because, rather than allowing America to grieve over the tragedy, elected officials and the mainstream media have insisted on politicizing it. I discovered I can take comfort from the psalmist, “Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, “He won’t call me to account”? But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out” (Psalm 10:12-15 NIV).

Sober Judgment

As President Trump made plans to visit communities effected by the recent mass shootings some elected officials from those communities demanding he stay away. While these officials were elected to represent the people in government (local, state and federal), they seem to forget that they do not represent the people in life (emotionally, mentally or spiritually). Leaders in the church can display a similar attitude when they feel they can make all the decisions for their membership. Paul said, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you” (Ro 12:3 NIV).

Men Will Slay Each Other

America continues to see innocent people gunned down by mass murderers and it’s not unusual for believers to look at such tragedies through the lens of Revelation. Even though we’re not yet to the Seven Seals of Revelation, I find one passage that is remarkable similar to what is happening in America today. John wrote, “When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword” (Rev 6:3-4 NIV).

A Good Read

While hovering over a friend in the ER waiting room I had conversations with others who were coming and going for treatment. One woman, who appeared to be in her 70’s, lamented about her hearing loss and not being able to afford hearing aids. She said, “I don’t know if you read the Bible, but it says to expect problems. I’m a JW [Jehovah’s Witness] and things are going to get bad.” I was struck by the phrase, “I don’t know if you read the Bible…”. The statement did not carry the same sense of judgment that can come when we ask others if they are a Christian, if they are religious, or if they go to church. We promote the Bible as the Word of God, but maybe we should also promote it as one of our favorite books and as a good read. The psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105 NIV).

Go Fish

Politicians, newscasters and community activists continue to play social cards — race, victim, entitlement, feminist, sexist, etc. Unfortunately, there are a few people of faith who, rather than bearing up under what they perceive as unjust suffering, want to get in the game and they too play social cards. Peter tells believers to submit to every authority, “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God” (1 Peter 2:15-19 NIV). When fellow believers play the race card it’s probably time to tell them to Go Fish.

Bully Pulpit

When attendance and membership in a church are on the decline, it is not unusual for the pastor to turn the pulpit into a bully pulpit. Pastors begin to view the membership, not as their flock, but rather as the marketing arm of the church. They unabashedly tell the congregants that it is their job invite people to help fill the empty seats. That message is in error because it is not our job to fill seats in the auditorium for the pastor’s sermon. According to Jesus, the greatest commandment and our primary duty is, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matt 22:37-40 NIV).

Spoken Through the Son

According to national surveys many people feel they have faith and consider themselves to be spiritual. However, they do not belong to a church, nor do they have any need for Bible study, or fellowship with others of like faith. I’m really not sure how Jesus, the son of God, communicates with these folks. The writer of Hebrews said, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs” (Heb 1:1-4 NIV).

Nothing is Hidden From God’s Sight

When I attend meetings as a reporter it is not unusual for boards and committees to be evasive and less than forthcoming with their reports. Most organizations, including the church, do not want their actions exposed, their decisions questioned, or their constituents to hold them accountable. The writer of Hebrews reminds believers, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double–edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Heb 4:12-13 NIV).

Accusation or Observation

People of faith are hesitant to critique church leadership (preachers, elders and deacons) and I suppose the hesitancy comes from Paul’s admonition, “Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses” (1 Tim 5:19 NIV). There is a huge difference between accusation and observation and I can’t help but wish that Paul would have given us a better understanding of what he means by accusation.

Be On Your Guard

This week I attended a board of directors meeting and one agenda item was for the board to appoint a member of the community to a committee. When the chair called for a motion, one board member said, “Does anyone know who she is?” Another said, “I don’t know how crucial it is that we know a lot about the person.” In order to move the motion along, and also cover-up the lack of information on the candidate, the CEO said to the board, “You are also taking the recommendation of the committee.” When the appointment was approved unanimously it became obvious that the board gave little thought to making appointments in their organization. Although Paul was speaking to the Ephesian elders, his caution to believers about the importance of vetting cannot be overlooked. Paul said, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard” (Acts 21-28-31a NIV)!

When the Wind is Against Us

There are occasions when, rather than feeling joy, our ministry feels like a burden. It’s as though we are overloaded and the Lord doesn’t see the load we are carrying. When evening came Jesus was alone on land, but his disciples were in a boat in the middle of the lake, “He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down” (Mark 6:48-51a NIV). A perfect time to look for Jesus is when we are straining at the oars and the wind is against us.   

Fan Into Flame

Some people seem naturally more gifted than others, but they too must work to improve their God given gifts and abilities. Unfortunately, few of us display real passion when it comes to maturing and improving spiritual gifts. Paul, in recalling the sincere faith of young Timothy, said, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self–discipline” (2 Tim 1:6-7 NIV).

Paul’s Charge

My current church, which was planted in 2008, was established with seasoned believers. We began with an average attendance of about 100 and over the years continued to grow both numerically and spiritually. It was pure joy to worship when surrounded by such pillars of faith. However, the last couple of years changes in leadership and pastors caused a decline in attendance and we are once again averaging a little over 100. Even more disheartening is the fact that the spiritual maturity of the church is also declining. Paul said, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry” (2 Tim 4:1-5 NIV).

Protecting the Lord’s Table

Many churches, including my own, have fellowship over coffee and doughnuts prior to worship services. In some churches this fellowship time is allowed to extend into the worship service. While the communion meditation is being given, some adults and children are still sipping coffee and hot chocolate, or going back for one more morsel of doughnut. Paul is very protective of the Lord’s Supper. He said, “When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not! For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord” (1 Cor 11:20-27 NIV).