Faithful to the Church

     Over the years, like most of us, I have learned some very important lessons in life. In fact I would go so far as to say I have had life changing lessons. Many years ago, while I was in the first church that I regularly attended, I started to develop convictions that were contrary to the teachings and directions of that church. With much prayer my wife and I, who were both young in the faith, realized that it wasn't pleasing to God to stay in a church that we believed was compromising truth. So, we left that church (we'll call this church #1). There were some who disagreed with our decision and told us so. This is were we heard the now famous line, ”There is no such thing as a perfect church”. I must admit as a young believer I saw the merit in such a statement.

     Not too much later my wife and I found another church to call home (we'll call this church #2) . We were very pleased with it and learned a great many foundational truths there. We were there for a few years. It was at this time I felt “the call” to preach. So, I enrolled in Bible College. I also decided to temporarily leave church # 2, where we were so happy, in order to do a summer internship at another church in our neighborhood (church #3). However, after the summer was over, we decided to stay on to help the struggling pastor of church #3. The church we left (church #2) was supportive of the decision. Are you confused yet?

     After being in church #3 for a few years we started noticing some things that really bothered us. I was a deacon now and I saw more than ever what went on behind the scenes. I was very bothered by some ungodly behavior and compromise. At this point in my walk with Christ I had gained even more convictions and God was leading me down this road by teaching me through experience. Not experience alone mind you. But experiences that lead to dependence on God, which leads to deeper study of His Word. I knew we had to leave church #3. Only, with this church we were attacked. The pastor of the church was afraid that my leaving might send the wrong message to the congregation. But we were also confronted by another “faithful church member” who asked me a very telling question. This man asked me if I could show him from the Scripture why I am leaving the church. A scriptural reason to leave or else I shouldn't leave. He was being very hostile toward me. Needless to say, I felt I owed him no explanation at all.

     After leaving church # 3 we were very sad. Yet, we were always taught how important it was to be in church, so we started looking again. After visiting several churches we found a small church that caught our eye. The young pastor and his wife seemed to be sweet people who had a heart for God and strong biblical convictions. We waited six months or so then decided to join church # 4.

     We enjoyed church # 4 for quite some time. I taught Sunday School and preached fairly regularly. As time went on (time reveals many things) we began to notice the pride and hot temper of the pastor. I made the mistake of confronting the young pastor about these issues. He didn't take it well. I was attacked by the pastor and my name was slandered throughout the church, and to five local churches, as well as to the seminary which I was attending at the time.

     We were crushed. This young, and arrogant pastor was doing everything in his power to make my name mud. Needless to say we left church #4.

     This was one of the most difficult times of our lives. We were devastated and didn't know what to do. Very few people stood with us. There were few who understood our plight. Except, of course, for those whom God had chosen to take a similar road. Yes, we were shunned by some. But it was at this point in our lives that God transformed our thinking about church. He opened up our eyes and freed us from the unbiblical practices and teachings of most modern churches in America.

     Now, without opening a big can of worms, for there are many things that I have learned during this time. I only choose to discuss one issue in this article. Faithfulness to the church.

     While visiting a church I went up to the information desk to ask for a doctrinal statement and other information about the church. At the desk sat a dear little old woman to whom I made my request. She told me that they were out of doctrinal statements, but wanted to assure me that this church was a good church. She continued, “I have been here for 35 years”. I thanked her and walked away with but one thought, “So what?”. So what if she had been in that church for 35 years? That tells me nothing. If I have learned one thing over the many years, it is that many people are “faithful to the church”. Many exalt this as some great virtue. My argument in this article is that this is no virtue at all.

     I know plenty of people who have been Christians for as long as me or longer and have always been members of the same church. Is there anything wrong with this? No, not at all. As long as you aren't there for the wrong reason. Here are what I consider wrong reasons to stay:

• I was a charter member of this church. I'm not leaving for anything.

• All of my friends are here.

• My kids would be devastated if we had to leave.

• I will not be known as a “church hopper”.

• I can't do this to the pastor.

• What would that young Christian think if I left? He would be confused.

• What will my non-christian friends and family think?

• This is MY church! I'm not leaving.

• I'm waiting for this ungodly pastor to leave some day.

• My kid's go to school here.

• This church has the best programs for kids.

     Friends, God doesn't want you to be faithful to the church. He wants you to be faithful to Him. Sometimes these two things are in conflict with each other. I believe there are many people who spend their whole lives being faithful to the church, and have never been faithful to the Lord Himself. It's easier to do that. Commitment to the Lord is full of hard decisions.

     No doubt, for many of you, the verse that you have been bludgeoned with is popping in your head.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

     We should assemble but never at the cost of truth. This verse today has come to mean much more than it ever could have been intended to mean. This is not a command to be at the church every time the doors are open. As is taught in many churches. But to encourage believers to assemble and encourage each other in the Lord. You are not in violation of this verse if you stop going to a church that compromises truth. God is never pleased with compromise. It is true, “there is no such thing as a perfect church”. Oh, how many sins, and compromises are made with such reasoning. You can justify anything that goes on in a church with that line of thinking. If you are faithful to God, then none of the reasons given above will stop you from doing what is right.

     I recently read a biography of Aurthur W. Pink. Pink would be in many people's minds a church hopper. He spent much of his life going from church to church because he was a man of conviction. He would join a church until it made changes in the wrong direction. Or until the organizations for which it was affiliated with went wrong. Pink had many admirers but few close friends. His faithfulness was not in an organization, in a building, or in a pastor. Pink was faithful to the Lord.

     We must examine whether or not we are true to Christ or true to the wrong thing. I am certain that there is many a church member and many a pastor who will say, Lord, Lord, did we not bring doughnuts in your name, and in your name drove kids to Awana and gave lots of money to the building program? 

What do you think will be the Lord's answer?

     I conclude with this thought. There may come a time when you are faced with that tough decision on whether or not to leave the church you are in. Don't make any decision without much prayer. But when the time comes don't hesitate to do what is right. There are enough people who are stuck in churchianity. It's not always easy to do right. Some day you may even find yourself unable to find a good church. If that day comes will you settle or will you stand for Christ?

A lonely walk

     We live in a day and age where peace and unity are on everyone's minds. You hear it in the political rhetoric of the day as well as in the churches all across the U.S.A.  In a perfect world peace and unity would be ideal. Of course, if it were a perfect world then we wouldn't have to talk about peace and unity. But the ugly truth is that we don't live in a perfect world. We live in a fallen world. A world that has been cursed by sin. None of us have escaped its effects. As the Bible teaches “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” All of us have tainted minds. We can't think right. This means that we need divine guidance to correct our wicked minds. You may object at this point. You may think that you're not wicked, and not a sinner. If this is the case then you're the only one. But it's not the case.

     The interesting and even disturbing thing is that this cry for peace and unity has permeated most of the churches in this nation. Why would a message of peace and unity be disturbing? The answer is simple. When ever people cry for unity it always means someone must leave their convictions at the door. And it is rarely the ones who are doing all the talking of peace who leave anything behind. That is called peace at any cost. Some find this a virtuous cause. Some believe this is the goal of the Christian walk. Many even believe that peace and unity at any cost is what the Bible teaches. But it may surprise some to know Jesus said:

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn " 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.” Matthew 10:34-36

      This is far from peace and unity at any cost. This may shock some people to hear this, but the gospel divides. The gospel that we cling to is hated by the world. Sometimes that means that our family despises the truths of God and therefore they despise us. That's what Jesus was referring to in the previous text. Will you stand for truth when the truth is unpopular? When your family members hate the truths you hold to so dearly. When the masses hate you and mock you as they did our Savior will you join in His suffering or will you deny Him. Remember the Apostle Paul said:

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

     This inclusive message of peace and unity is spread in churches all across our Country. It is true that few people in churches would outwardly deny the Lord. But there are other ways of denying Christ. One way is to deny His Word. A common way they do this by changing the meaning of the text. The Bible is not confusing, but often people who want to justify their sin will come up with interesting ways of interpreting Scriptures. I like what Dr. Bob Jones Sr. once said “The acid test of our love for God is obedience to His Word”. Let's not forget that Jesus Himself said, “He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me”. John 14:24

     I think part of the problem is that we see these mega-churches with their thousands of members and we hear the pollsters tell us that 80% (or so) of Americans claim to be Christians and we think that there are endless numbers of Christians in the world. How misguided one would be to believe such a thing. The main problem with this is, the Bible never claims that many will be saved. It actually claims the opposite.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it”. Matthew 7:13,14

     The message of the Bible is a message of peace and unity. But only peace with God and unity with believers who share the common thread of devotion to Christ and His revealed Word. It is a message of separation from sin and from worldliness. From beginning to end, the people of God were called to be separated from the ungodly. Never to be joined with unbelievers and always separate from disobedience within.

Many Christians wrongly refer to John 17 as a mandate for Christian unity.

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” John 17:20, 21

“I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:23

     There are, as I see it, two major problems with using these verses as a mandate to all Christians to have unity. The first is that Jesus is asking God to give unity to believers and to those who will become one. He is not asking you to jump in and do something that He is asking the Father to do. God is not impotent. He doesn't need our help. He is omnipotent (He can do anything). Secondly, the request for unity is not at the expense of holiness. This is not a plea for unity at any cost. No, this is a prayer from God the Son, to God the Father asking for unity centered around the holiness of God.

     I will conclude with this thought. Those who call themselves Christians are a dime a dozen. We see them on the television, in the political arena, in our families, and in our churches. They talk the talk but when push comes to shove they never really surrendered their lives to the Savior. They aren't people of the Word. But those who are truly born of the Spirit of God are people of the Word. For we know that the Word of God is all we have. We don't rely on the news media, or Hollywood, or general consensus to tell us what is truth. We rely on the Word of God.

     This means that there are few of us. That we will be alone in our views. Despised and rejected by men. One day, when our Savior returns we will have true peace and unity. Until then, the true believer in Christ will find himself standing alone.

Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. John 15:20, 21

     

Race is Always the Issue

     Being a conservative like I am I know that I have bias. We all do. If you don't think you do then your probably one of the people I'm addressing in this article. But what amazes me is that so many liberals (political, not theological) can't see they are often more guilty of what they accuse conservatives of than we are. For example, while it is so fresh in my mind, I was accused by a liberal of being hateful for my article called “Why I don't support Barack Obama”. The main thrust of the article is because I'm a Christian and because Obama supports abortion, I can't support him. I will admit to using some harsh language in describing those who support abortion. I was accused being hateful and judgmental. This amazes me in light of the fact that they blame President George W. Bush for everything. During the inauguration of President Obama, the extremely disrespectful crowd, with no respect for the office, booed Bush and Cheney when they entered the stage. No hate there.

     But the issue that gets me most and the thrust of this artical is that of race. One might think, if you watch the main stream media, that conservatives are racists and liberals are lovers of all man kind. Not only do I think that this is more accurately judged on an individual basis. But also, I think if anything it is the opposite. Let me take a shot at explaining my point.

     Joseph Hayne Rainey (June 21, 1832 – August 1, 1887) was the first African American person to serve in the United States House of Representatives and the second black person to serve in the United States Congress (U.S. Senator Hiram Revels was the first) and the first African American to be directly elected to Congress (Revels was appointed). He was elected to fill a vacancy in the Forty-first Congress of the United States as a Republican. He was reelected four times. As a Congressman, Rainey was dedicated to passing civil-rights legislation.^a

     Hiram Rhodes Revels (September 27, 1822 – January 16, 1901) was the first African American to serve in the United States Senate. Since he preceded any African American in the House, he was the first African American in the U.S. Congress as well. He represented Mississippi in 1870 and 1871 during Reconstruction. In 2002, scholar Molefi Kate Asante listed Hiram Rhodes Revels on his list of 100 Greatest African Americans. Republican.^b

     Brooke, Edward William, 1919–, U.S. senator (1967–79), Admitted to the bar in 1948, he served (1963–66) as attorney general of Massachusetts, where he gained a reputation as a vigorous prosecutor of organized crime. Elected (1966) as a Republican to the U.S. Senate, he became the first African-American senator since Reconstruction.^c

       BRUCE, Blanche Kelso, a Senator from Mississippi; born in slavery near Farmville, Prince Edward County, Va., March 1, 1841; was tutored by his master’s son; left his master at the beginning of the Civil War; taught school in Hannibal, Mo.; after the war became a planter in Mississippi; member of the Mississippi Levee Board; sheriff and tax collector of Bolivar County 1872-1875; elected as a Republican to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1881; was the first African American to serve a full term in the United States Senate.^d

     There have only been five African Americans in the U.S. Senate. If you've lost count, three of the five were Republicans. I can hear the objections already. That was then, and this is now, and the Republicans have changed a lot since then. Well, the Democrats haven't. They are still oppressing minorities today. Keeping them poor and dependent on the government with all of their social programs. Teaching them a poor work ethic by giving them affirmative action. Of course, today if a black person is successful in the Republican party he is labeled an “Uncle Tom”.^e After all I don't remember the same tears of joy when Clarence Thomas was nominated to fill the seat of Thrugood Marshall. I don't recall Oprah or the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) dancing in the streets when President Bush nominated Collin Powell as the nations first black U.S. Secretary of State. And we mustn't forget the amazing Condoleezza Rice, first black female U.S. Secretary of State.

     Yes, there have been democrats in there as well. But the Republican record is pretty impressive. Let's not forget the very first Republican President, Abraham Lincoln. The great emancipator himself.

     So the problem I have is that I believe that this election for many democrats is, it's all about race. Obama was the junior Senator from Illinois. Why all of this confidence that he can run the country? I believe the answer is in what happened on election night. People were crying and repeating over, and over; “What an historic moment”. What? The only thing that makes it historic is that Obama is the first U.S. President who is half white. I mean half black. I mean African American. Sounds like some pretty shallow people. Wasn't it Martin Luther King Jr. who said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." Only words.

     I will end with a few questions from a typical white person, like Obama's grandmother. Is Obama torn between hating his white half, while loving his black half. Is it wrong for me to be proud of being white? If this election is historical just wait until we get someone who is all black. 

I wouldn't be rejoicing if a white liberal got elected as President. So why should I put aside all of my views and convictions just because his skin is a different color?

      No matter which way I look at it, it seems that to the liberals, this election is all about race.

a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_H._Rainey

b http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_Revels

c http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0809073.html

d http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=b000968

e http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_Tom

Why I do not support Barack Obama

This was first published on my facebook page and most of the comments were positive. With one exception from a person who said that it was full of hateful lies. Well, you be the judge.

     I am a Christian. I'm a real Christian. I actually believe that the bible is the very Word of God and that Jesus Christ is the promised Savior and the second person of the Trinity. I believe that He (Jesus) came to save us from sin.

     The reason I clarify what a christian is, is because everybody and their mother calls themselves a christian in America nowadays. The problem with this is that bible describes what a true christian is like. The Bible is clear as to the “fruit” a true christian will produce.

     With that said I make the following statement without apology. You can not be a christian and be pro-choice. As Gregory Koukl put it:

"Let me put the issue plainly. If the unborn is not a human person, no justification for abortion is necessary. However, if the unborn is a human person, no justification for abortion is adequate."

    With that said I make the following statement without apology. You can not be a christian and be pro-choice. Can you be a christian and vote for Obama? I believe it is possible, but only if you are ignorant of the fact that Obama is a baby killer. I know, those words sound harsh. The reason I use the words “baby killer” is because I believe that people who are pro-abortion need to stop candy coating what abortion really is. Abortion is murder. If you vote for someone who is guilty of this heinous act then the blood of all of these defenseless babies is on your hands as well. You are a murderer of children just as much as supporters of the Nazi's in WWII made you guilty of genocide.

     With that said, I'm sure liberals or “said faith” Christians would fire back with some anti-war statement and think they have made a an excellent argument. However, a statement such as that would only serve to prove that they have no idea what the Bible teaches.

     Twice, Obama voted against bills prohibiting tax funding of abortions. In February 2004, his wife, Michelle, sent out a fundraising letter, which actually stated her concern over the rise of conservatism in the Country, and that the ‘so-called’ partial-birth abortion was a legitimate medical procedure that should be protected.

     I conclude with this thought. If Obama turns the economy around, ends the war in Iraq and causes the United States of America to be respected across the world, I still will never support a pro-abortion president.

Isaiah 5:20 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

The Evangelist

     Years ago when I was a brand new Christian I was introduced to the traveling evangelist. I must admit that as a young Christian I was quite taken in by some of these men. They would come into the church and start their week long revival meeting. Some were just called evangelistic meetings. Either way the evangelist would preach a week of messages that he probably preached in the last town. I was always confused about whether or not the meetings were for Christians or for the lost. After all he is called an “evangelist” in other words an “evangelizer”. Yet so many of the messages were for those in the church. I believe it may have something to do with the fact that it is harder now than ever to get the lost into church than it has been in the past. Therefore, preach to the ones who are there.

     Many of the messages were decision messages. They were meant to bring about a decision. But not just any decision, a public decision. Why a public one? Well, we were told that it was because a public decision is one that sticks. Because others can keep you accountable. Also Jesus said “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 10:31). This, of course, is totally out of context. But it helps to put the pressure on.

     One of the tools used by the Evangelist is called “doubt”. If he can get you to doubt whether or not you have really trusted in Christ or not then you are more likely to make that public decision. Then with every head bowed, every eye closed, and no one looking around, (except the evangelist, pastoral staff, and trained crew of counselors), would you raise your hand so I can prey on you, I mean pray for you. Then with the piano playing “Softly and tenderly” through twelve times the people go forward. Of course if there is a visitor in next to you who simply will not budge, you are to encourage them to go forward by telling them you will go up with them if they would like. Oh, I almost forgot about the tithe message.

     Maybe some or all of these thing are all too familiar to you too. It didn't take me long to realize something was amiss. Well, maybe it took me longer than I remember. I soon learned that when the word “evangelist” is mentioned in the New Testament it is referring to more of a church planter than an itinerant preacher. With this bit of knowledge I started to ask people why we have evangelists as we know them today? The answers I got were anywhere from; “An Evangelist is a sheepdog” to “Just because something is not biblical doesn't make it unbiblical.” Of course, with that logic you could condone crack cocaine. But I digress.

     The thing that started to really bother me was when I got to seminary. I noticed that in the class we were taught just what I came to learn on my own about Evangelists. But these Pastors, Students, and even the church affiliated with the seminary still had evangelists in their churches. Why? We are, or I thought we were, Calvinistic in our doctrine. Yet these circuit riders are using Finney like tactics.

     Here is what I think is the reason. Besides the fact that the president of the seminary and the evangelist are old college buddies. As I got closer and closer to some of these men I notice that to say you're calvinistic and to be calvinistic are two totally different things. Many of these Pastors say they are trusting in God for results but then engaging in Finney like tactics. To me this just means they don't really trust in the power of God to accomplish His will. Instead, they look at their dwindling numbers and call up the manipulating Evangelist. Too many pastors are focused on the wrong things. Large numbers don't glorify God. Who cares if the numbers in your church are way down? Leave the numbers up to God. And never, never compromise.

Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7