"The Christian Message"

Is taking a stand against same-sex marriage "the Christian message".  I know plenty of people, who are not Christians who would stand right along side you on this issue.  The Christian message is the gospel.  The Christian message is that both moralists and the immoral are condemned and guilty before God.  The Christian message is that we have no hope out side of Christ regardless of where we stand on a moral or civil issue.

You want to talk about morality? You want to talk about sin? Let's not pick out five that we can easily assault because  we don't do those five. Let's talk about the fact that we have all broken the greatest commandment; committed the greatest sin that any human being can commit.  We have all failed to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. And, as R.C. Sproul one time said, "And you know you haven't kept that commandment at any time in your life for five seconds." You can't keep that commandment. It's impossible. Well let's talk about that.

If you want to go after America's immorality, then let's indict the whole nation for not loving God. That is not only the first and great commandment, that is the sum of the commandments. And the second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself, and you can't keep that one for five seconds. So if we're going to get moral, then let's go where we need to go because that, wrote the apostle Paul, is  the sum of all the law. Why do we have to pick these selective ones?

If we're going to call America to morality, then let's indict them where they need to be indicted and let's indict our own hearts where we need to be indicted and say we've broken the first and great commandment, and we've broken the second one, and we do it all the time and therefore we are all condemned to hell in desperate need of grace and forgiveness and salvation.

That's the Christian message.

(Several excerpts by other writers were used in the composition of this post)

A Woman's Ministry

Sharing Christ with others - A Christian sister writes to a lost friend.

My heart glows with a desire to speak well of His dear name, His finished work, His glorious person, and, if it might be His will, to set other souls on fire with love or longing after Him.  For what can I do while away from my glory-home, but to be a savor of Christ, telling poor dead sinners, that whatever be their profession, they are "feeding on ashes;" that "a deceived heart has turned them aside" from the only way of salvation?

Having thus partaken of life, I am constrained to testify in my feeble way that this is the bread of God, which nourishes the soul; this is the wine of the kingdom, which cheers the heart, and, with the oil of the Spirit, makes the face to shine.

Below is the full letter.  I am blown away that this sweet Christian sister calls her attempt to share Christ with her friend "feeble".  Feeble?  To me it is glorious and breathtaking.  I do not believe that she is speaking with a manufactured or "culturally acceptable" humbleness when she uses the term "feeble" in describing her testimony.  One might even assume that this was how women back then ministered and therefore it was the norm and nothing to be "blown away" by.  If that is the case, I can only pray that God will revive His people so that our attempts can be at least as feeble as hers were.  How much we can learn from reading letters like this.  Please take the time to read the entire letter.

My Dear, 

It was not my intention that your kind notes should be so long unanswered; but true, indeed, is Jeremiah 10:23, "I know, Lord, that a person's life is not his own. No one is able to plan his own course." And my heavenly Father had prepared for me a journey I then knew not of--I mean down into the valley of affliction, having been much prostrated in health since I had the pleasure of hearing from you. The descent was gradual, and quite safe, for I was enabled to lean upon my Beloved, who kindly granted me, that as the outer man was weakened, the inner man was renewed by the Spirit day by day. From the beamings of celestial glory which sparkled through the crevices of a decaying body, I joyfully hoped soon to put off mortality and enter the presence-chamber of my Lord, to behold Him, not "through a glass, darkly," but "face to face;" to see that countenance, once "marred more than any man's" for my sake, but now in resurrection glory, shining above the brightness of the sun in his meridian splendor. Such was my anticipation, but apparently not my Lord's intention at this time, as He is now gradually strengthening this poor tabernacle, and sending me back a second time from the very gates of the Celestial City. May He condescend to be glorified in my return to the discipline of the wilderness, and pardon my unwillingness.

Perhaps He is saying to me as before, "The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying--Return home and tell how much God has done for you." (Luke 8:38, 39) And my heart says, "We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard;" (Acts 4:20) and, "Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what he has done for my soul." (Psalm 66:16)

I must come to you again in the sweet name of Jesus; and if ever one poor sinner more than others had cause to extol that precious name, it is she who now addresses you; in whose SOUL it is "as ointment poured forth;" in whose EAR it is more melodious than music; and in whose HAND it is a staff either to pass over Jordan, or journey forward in the pilgrim road. Feeling that I am the most vile, worthless, and unlikely of all creatures to have sat down so blissfully at the banquet of Love--this poor heart must praise the Founder of the feast, who is also the substance of it; and who, by His own irresistible power, sweetly brought me in, and then said, "Eat, O friend, drink, yes, drink abundantly, O beloved!" "For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed." Having thus partaken of life, I am constrained to testify in my feeble way that this is the bread of God, which nourishes the soul; this is the wine of the kingdom, which cheers the heart, and, with the oil of the Spirit, makes the face to shine.

Moreover, having just come from very near views of eternity, I must solemnly testify that Christ only is the Rock upon which the soul can be safe and triumphant, when the waves of death seem going over the body. At such a time the world stands afar off; friends can only look on, or look up; and all that is to come appears a vast forever--either in the fiery wrath, or the blissful presence of the Lord God and the Lamb. Nothing can be solid but "Christ in you, the hope of glory." To realize this at such a moment is worth a thousand such worlds as this; and, indeed, whatever you may be called to give up, is not worth a name in comparison of a precious Christ. My heart glows with a desire to speak well of His dear name, His finished work, His glorious person, and, if it might be His will, to set other souls on fire with love or longing after Him. For what can I do while away from my glory-home, but to be a savor of Christ, telling poor dead sinners, that whatever be their profession, they are "feeding on ashes;" that "a deceived heart has turned them aside" from the only way of salvation?

I would also seek to encourage poor, trembling souls, who are already brought into judgment, and feel the sentence of death in themselves, to put their case, bad as it is, into the hands of the "Wonderful Counselor," (Isa. 9:6) prevailing Intercessor, (Rom. 8:34) and "Advocate with the Father," who is "Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 John 2:1) I think, beloved, He is just what you seemed to need when you wrote to me, for the sentence of death appeared to be working deeper, that you might not trust in yourselves; (2 Cor. 1:9, 10.) And the goodliness of your flesh seemed to be fading, I hope, by the blowing of the Spirit Jehovah thereupon, (Isa. 40:6, 7) to make way for the beauty of Jesus. By your words, your loveliness seemed turning into corruption, (Dan. 10:8) and the Lord, with inward rebukes correcting you for iniquity, was making your beauty to consume away like a moth. (Psalm 39:11) Though to your feelings these dark discoveries make against you, they are in truth for you, for it is the light which makes manifest; and better that the leprosy should be exposed, than have it working death unheeded.

When the things over which you lament were within, they troubled you not; and now they are disclosed, the great enemy would suggest that you are too filthy for the fountain, too cold for the fire, too much diseased to appear in the presence of the great Physician. He does this in a wily way, bringing to mind, when you would approach the mercy-seat, some shortcoming or misdoing, in order to turn your eye away from that sprinkled blood which is the sinner's all-prevailing plea. May the Comforter reveal Christ, as He convinces of sin, and take of His precious things--and set them against your vile ones, giving you heavenly skill and understanding to plead--His precious blood against your sin--His perfect obedience against your constant disobedience--His power to heal against your desperate disease.

You know those before the throne overcame Satan "by the blood of the Lamb;" and our victories must come in the same way. Yet this way we are so slow to learn, because it is completely out of and against that SELF which it is so hard to leave. However, the Holy Spirit will not forsake His own work; the least beginning shall have a sure ending, for He will perfect that which concerns us. David tells us how he became such a skillful warrior: "It is God who girded me with strength." "He teaches my hands to war." "By you I have run through a troop; by my God have I leaped over a wall."

There is a very encouraging word in Hebrews 11:33-34, "who through faith . . . out of weakness were made strong"—strong through faith; which faith leaves the creature and 'creature-working' behind--and fastens upon a precious Christ, determined to go through all, trusting in Him, and saying heartily, "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Gal. 6:14) My soul earnestly desires that you may obtain "like precious faith" to venture wholly upon Jesus; and though that faith should seem small "like a grain of mustard seed," it will not prove a delusion; for "He knows those who put their trust in Him," although sometimes they know not to whom they really belong. May it please our gracious Lord soon to reveal Himself, as you desire, and grant you that sealing of the Spirit (Eph. 1:13) for which you long. May the Lord bless you indeed, enlarge you out of SELF into Christ, and keep you from evil, that it may not grieve you.

So prays, yours affectionately,
Ruth Bryan - 1849.

"How dare anyone deprive us of our comforts!"

Ever find yourself thinking that way?

My husband and I just finished volume one of  Sam Storm's two volume book entitled "A Sincere and Pure Devotion to Christ".  Michael reads a chapter or two each night before we turn out the lights.  One portion really stood out to me as I was contemplating the American Christian culture and how, frankly, scared we are of putting ourselves in harms way for the sake of the gospel.   Here is the excerpt below, which God used to both convict and encourage us:

I travel extensively throughout the U.S. and occasionally overseas, speaking at churches and conferences. Typically, either at some point while I'm away or immediately upon my return, my wife lovingly asks such questions as: "Did the ministry go well? Did they respond positively to what you had to say? Did you sleep well in the hotel? At what restaurants did you eat? Are you feeling o.k.?"

 

She's never yet heard me say in reply: "They threw stones at me during my first sermon. One caught me square in the forehead. I felt my life was in jeopardy on a few occasions and I honestly didn't know if I'd escape. Two leaders in the church beat me with rods and the local sheriff threw me in jail on the second night. I didn't sleep a wink in that stinking cell and the food was so repulsive I couldn't eat a thing. Other than that, the ministry was great!"

 

No one in the Christian west anticipates such treatment. If we ever encountered anything remotely similar to what Paul faced, we'd wipe the dust from our shoes and never return. Surely "ministers of God" (v. 4a) who are dedicated to the gospel ought to expect the best of everything. How dare anyone deprive us of our comforts!

 

So what would motivate a man to willingly pursue a life characterized by the sort of hardships Paul endured? What could possibly sustain a man through such sufferings?

 

One answer is found in Hebrews 10:32-34. There we read of Christians who "endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated" (vv. 32-33). Beyond this, they "joyfully accepted the plundering" of their "property" (v. 34)! Here's why. Here's how. They "knew" they "had a better possession and an abiding one" (v. 34).

 

The degree to which we find suffering intolerable is the degree to which we lack confidence in the glory of our inheritance in Christ. To the extent that we are embittered by oppression and persecution, we reveal our lack of satisfaction in him.

 

Paul was in the grip of the glory to come (cf. 2 Cor. 4:16-18), and found strength to endure. Like those believers in Hebrews 10, he feasted on the promise of a future with Christ and held fast.

 

  

A Growing Trend; A Growing Concern

This is going to be a very lengthy topic.  I will be presenting it in several posts--over the course of the next month and as time allows.  I will begin with a few somewhat provocative statements followed by some questions to ponder.

The bible saves no one!  It is the gospel (the message of the Cross - the "good news") that saves by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I do not want people "churched".  I want them saved and then to attend worship services with me.

Questions to ponder:

1.  Is the gathering on Sundays for believers or for all people?

2.  Is the written Word (the bible) for believers or for all people?

3.  What is God's purpose and intent for Sunday gatherings?

4.  What is God's purpose and intent of the written word?

5. Were the early Christians, and all Christians for that matter for 1500 years, who did not have the written word in their own language, less effective for the cause of Christ then we are?  Was their Christianity sub-standard?

6. Throughout the history of the Christian church, who was it that "gathered on Sunday" and why?  - even when it meant the possibility of losing their life.

I don't think that these should be difficult questions to answer.  The confusion, I believe, is the result of two things: first, our lack of zeal in doing what we should be doing; that is sharing the gospel with others outside of church; and, second our zeal for defending the authority and inerrancy of scripture - which I wholeheartedly affirm.   But, I do not believe it is a book for the unregenerate.

What I see happening is that the church is becoming a place to bring people that are not saved, to get them saved; and, the Bible (the actual printed book) being given power, in and of itself, as a means of salvation.

more to come...

(If I am really off track here, please take the time to set me straight, as these matters are weighing very heavy on my heart.)

MARKS of the MESSENGER: Knowing, Living and Speaking the Gospel

Thoughts on Chapter Two:


As mentioned in the previous post, one of our church's nurture groups is reading the book by J. Mack Stiles entitled, Marks of the Messenger: Knowing, Living and Speaking the Gospel.  Tonight we were gathering to discuss the topics that the author brought forth in Chapter Two entitled, Students of the Message.


As I was contemplating the content of this chapter, I looked back at the title of the book.  It seemed to me that a very important word was missing from the subtitle.  As the chapter pointed out: one can know the gospel intellectually; reform their behavior to better live in outward conformity to the gospel; and, even speak the gospel without ever being born-again.  What is the missing word?  Love!   The title would be better:  Knowing, Loving, Living and Speaking the Gospel.  That was observation number one.  If we don't love the gospel, our knowledge; our life; our speech will profit nothing.  Let us remember:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Observation Two:  There was a paragraph that stuck out head and shoulders above the rest, which clearly articulated and exposed a very common misunderstanding among professing Christians.  This is the paragraph:

There is a tendency to think that our sins are bigger than our sin--maybe because it's that rare case when the plural is smaller than the singular.  Sins are those individual acts of rebellion--symptoms of a bigger problem.  Our sin is the bigger problem: it's our condition or state which is in hideous rebellion toward a holy and good God.   When Christians feel that sins (acts) are bigger than sin (condition), they see evangelism as an effort of moral reform rather than explaining the steps that need to take place to rip out our wicked hearts and replace them with new hearts–that amazing work of God that Jesus called being born again.

To help illustrate how important it is that we clearly understand what is being expressed in the above paragraph; let me ask you to think on the following:

Let's say your co-workers where gathered around in a break room and the conversation turned to discussing homosexuality.  One turns towards you, knowing that you are a Christian, and says, Hey, isn't it true that you believe that all homosexuals will go to hell?   How would you respond?

If you are confused about "sin" versus "sins", you could very well miss this opportunity to share the truth.  You might even respond in a way that would add to the misconception that they already are suffering under about Christ, Christianity and the gospel of grace. 

So how would you answer?

If your answer is something like "The Bible says all sinners will go to hell"; or, if you are even able to quote 1 Corinthians 6 9:10 "...do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." and that was all you said, you are guilty of the very thing chapter two was warning against.  In fact, you would be guilty of confirming your listeners' misconceptions about what true Christianity is.

What should be your response?  The two examples above make no mention of Christ or the gospel.  The two examples above leave your listeners thinking that if they want to go to Heaven, they better clean up their act.  So, what should one say when presented with such a sweet opportunity?

Something like this comes to mind, "I am so glad you asked me that question.  Let me ask you a question in return.  Did you know that even someone who lives a life of sexual purity, (even a nun for example), will go to hell when they die; if they are not reconciled to God through Christ?" 

In your mind, picture this exchange occurring.  What would be the reaction of the listeners?   In most cases, the conversation about homosexuality would come to an end. In fact, in most cases, any conversation would abrubtly end. You could follow up the dead silence by saying, "So many people are confused about Christianity.  If any of you would like to hear more about Christ: Who He is, Why He came, and what He accomplished on the Cross to save sinners (even moral ones), just let me know and we can meet for coffee after work.  I would love the opportunity to share with you."

The bottom line is that we must get over being defensive about our faith.  Our mission is to share the truth in love.  We cannot make them believe it.  We cannot convince them that the Bible is the Word of God.  What we can do (by, and because of, His Spirit within us) is know it thoroughly, love it deeply, and live it joyfully; so that when we speak it, we speak the truth in love.

Observation Three:  I was disappointed by one poorly worded statement on the top of page 30, which read:

The older I get, the less I feel compelled to avoid the subject by hemming, hawing and tiptoeing around, and the more I want people to open their eyes.

I am certain that the poor phraseology of that statement was simply an oversight on the part of the author.  It is clear, by the rest of the book, that this author knows that they cannot open their eyes.  It is God who must open their eyes.  Words are so very important! 

Evangelism

Last night was the first gathering of our churches nurture group where we are reading the book by J. Mack Stiles entitled, "Marks of the Messenger: Knowing, Living and Speaking the Gospel."  The first chapter is full of provocative statements that need to be examined and meditated upon.  I hope we will stay focused on the content and message in the book.


Because I was not not raised in the church, I have the benefit of reflecting back on the numerous ways I was "evangelized" by professing Christians, of all types.  The bottom line is: if you cannot clearly articulate the truth of who Christ is and what He accomplished; if you are not living and loving the gospel; if Christ is not truly your all-in-all; if you have simply added Him on like an extra "thing" in your life, if He does not bring you delight; if you are not acknowledging the reality of His presence in your life; if you cannot naturally and sincerely speak of His beauty and your delight in Him; if other things compete with Him, and can actually supersede Him, for your joy and attention; if you think that sharing Christ is a duty rather than a delight; then, the lost will see that and know that; and, your words will, not only be meaningless and empty; but, your very life and words will bring dishonor and shame to His name.


When more time allows, I will write more...

Very Helpful

Here’s a conversation between an unbeliever and an evangelist who believes in the doctrine of definite atonement (sometimes unhelpfully called “limited atonement”)—the biblical teaching that when Jesus died, God’s unalterable purpose was to cancel the sins and commute the death sentence of all whom he would give to the Son (John 6:39).

Unbeliever: So what are you offering me?

Evangelist: Salvation from God’s wrath and from your sin. Everlasting life.

U: How?

E: Because when Jesus, the Son of God, died, he absorbed God’s wrath, removed it, and he bore the guilt of sin for all who trust him.

U: Did he do that for me?

E: If you will have him—receive him—you will have all that he is for you and all that he did for you. If you will trust him, yes, he did it for you.

U: So you don’t know if he did it for me?

E: He is offering himself to you right now freely. He is offering you a wonderful, finished work of redemption—all that he accomplished in absorbing God’s wrath and cancelling sins. All of that is yours for the having, right now. If you won’t have it, it’s not yours. If you will, it is. There’s only one way to know if your sins were cancelled and your death sentence was commuted in the death of Jesus. Believe on him. His promise is absolute: If you believe, you will be saved. If you won’t believe, you remain in your sin, and under God’s wrath.

U: So what are you asking me to receive?

E: Jesus. Receive Jesus! Because Jesus really did these things. He really secured the freedom of his people from the wrath of God. He really bore their sins in his body on the tree. If you receive him, you are one of them. You are included. All that is true for you. He offers to you freely right now.

U: I thought I could know Jesus died for me before I believed? That’s what I’ve always been told: Believe on him, because he died for everybody.

E: I can’t say for sure, but the people who taught you that probably meant this: Jesus died so that the gospel could be offered to all, and all who believe would be saved. That’s true. But if I assured you before you believe that your sins were cancelled and your freedom from God’s wrath was obtained, I would mislead you. Imagine if I said to you, Jesus certainly obtained your deliverance from God’s wrath and certainly covered all your sins. Now believe that. What would you say?

U: I’d say, great. Now what if I don’t believe? Then I’m still saved, right? Since my sins were certainly covered. It’s done.

E: Yes, that’s probably what you would say, and you’d be wrong. Because I would have misled you. The good news that Jesus has for you before you believe on him is not that your sins are certainly cancelled. The good news is that Jesus really propitiated the wrath of God, and really covered the sins of his people. It is finished. And that is what I offer you. It’s free. It’s full. It’s complete. It’s glorious. And his absolute promise to you is this: It’s yours if you will receive him. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.