Secret things!

Ephesians 5: 11 - 12

¹¹ Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. ¹² For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.

Are every day church people, exempt from deeds of darkness?

Some of what people speak in secret, indicates their true heart.

Is it possible for people who have secret meetings and speak harsh words, are they shameful in the eyes of God?

One would have to be curious about a person’s salvation, because of the things done in secret.

Again, I think we should pose the question… “Are all church people really saved”?

I think it’s at least worth the discussion.

The evil acts of men, only confirm what we find in the Bible.

The Bible says that the heart of man is deceitfully wicked, so anything’s possible…right?

I used to tell some of the men of accountability I used to meet with, that I was capable of any heinous crime, and yet they would scoff.

I think sometimes we forget, that Adolph Hitler was self proclaiming confessed Christian.

What sets a person apart as a follower of Jesus? In Jesus, there is no darkness at all.

Is there an area of darkness in your life, that needs to be confessed today?

Then work that out with God, and move toward repentance, if in fact, that’s what’s necessary… 

What Manner?

Romans 1: 29

²⁹ They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness…

Nothing hurts a church more than someone spreading false rumors.

If we’re all honest though, we’ve all had a hand in spreading some sort of rumor over time.

The latest one that has affected me, is the one that someone is currently going around with.

It’s suggested that someone we asked to come in and minister to our church, is being paid regularly out of the church benevolence fund.

Where they got their information, is anyone’s guess, and it just isn’t true!

Sometimes the spin is actually trying to create permanent damage, on purpose.

Rumors are sinful, make no mistake about it.

Starting them or adding fuel to them, God still hates.

Paul said these sorts of people were filled with unrighteousness.

There is no room in the church for a misrepresentation of the truth.

If we hear rumors floating around, the best thing we can do is to stomp them out.

I don’t think we have to do some exhaustive Bible study, to know that starting or fostering rumors is wrong.

Maybe if we focused more on the truth, the truth would actually set us free…

Inner Beauty!

1 Samuel 16: 7   NKJV

“Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him.

For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

We all know the old sayings… “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, or “Beauty is only skin deep”.

We know this much, a person’s appearance is not the real indicator of what’s in the heart.

Jesus even stated that even if the outside of the cup appears clean, the inside might reveal a completely different story.

In an egocentric society, what’s on the inside, might be a lot different than what’s on the outside.

God makes it clear what really matters to Him.

Inner beauty is what counts to Him.

So when someone see’s you coming to church on Sunday morning, is what they see, what they get?

We can hide what’s on the inside, from those on the outside, but God knows the truth.

Sometimes it’s important to know the real heart of a person, before we ever assess their character.

I wonder how many people I’ve judged personally, without ever getting to know them on the inside?

Have you ever done that?

But then it goes both ways, doesn’t it?

Some people I’ve met actually looked like they’ve had it all together, spiritually, that is until you they showed you their true, inward colors…  

Endure!

Matthew 24: 12 - 13

¹² And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. ¹³ But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

On August 11^th, 1927…Pastor Smith Wigglesworth preached a sermon on the second coming of Jesus.

He told his congregation that day, to watch out for these signs…

·         There must be special preparation for the return of Christ and at least half of all believers will be totally unprepared.

·         There will be many Christians who believe that they can do whatever they want and God will look the other way.

·         It will be common for preachers to deny the existence of hell.

·         It will be offensive to talk about the blood of Christ.

·         The pulpit will not be a place where you’ll hear about sin, repentance or confession.

·         The world will look to worship a man and will overlook his faults to get him into power.

·         People will believe that certain preachers are powerful symbols of God, simply because of their crowds and their buildings.

·         As churches turn away from the Holy Spirit many believers will seek after false teachers.

·         The last days are a time for the truest people of God, to engage in extravagant asking.

I wonder how many people then, thought old Pastor Wigglesworth had lost his mind?

It seems like the old codger knew what he was talking about after all.

So in considering what this preacher of the past had to say, will you be one of the few, who will endure to the end?

Maybe it’s time for the church, to engage in extravagant asking…

Who's Benefit?

1 Corinthians 1: 30   NLT

³⁰ God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.

If we’re ever going to be truly like Jesus, then everything we do, has to be for someone else’s benefit.

I sat in on a Bible study yesterday, and I was reminded of some crucial information that followers of Jesus, totally miss.

We all relate to the death of Jesus, because we celebrate that on Good Friday, or when we take communion.

We all relate to the Resurrection of Jesus, because that’s why we go to such great lengths to celebrate Easter Sunday.

But when’s the last time you celebrated the burial of Jesus though?

The burial of Jesus is mostly an afterthought in the church.

Most of the decisions we make in the church, are for our benefit, are they not?

Who do you know who buries their plans or agendas or feelings, for the sake of the Body of Christ these days?

Most people leave churches for their benefit, and most people stay in churches for their benefit.

When’s the last time you went to Jesus, and had a burial of sorts? Maybe we need to stop looking out for number one, and look out for everyone else.

Jesus did everything for our benefit, and nothing for His benefit.

Every time we step out in faith for Christ, me must not only die, but we had better pick out a place to be buried too.

Maybe that’s the problem with the church today.

It could be that when we say we… “die” to things, we might not be so quick to bury them. Maybe the church is only teaching a small portion of the Gospel… 

Don't Stop!

Matthew 23: 37

³⁷ “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!

How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”

Jesus had been rejected by those whom he loved.

I can assume that Jesus felt anger, and pain, and grief and sadness.

Have you ever loved anyone, that in the end, rejected you?

If you haven’t taken a chance on loving someone, then you can’t begin to feel the pain of Jesus.

Jesus wanted nothing more, than to turn a wayward city away from destruction.

We can feel the same way, when the Gospel account is rejected by those whom we shared it with, and care about.

Jesus had the power to gather His people, and He made every effort to reach them.

Those whom Jesus tried to reach, had a certain animosity toward the message and the prophets of God.

No matter how hard your efforts are for those you love, some even whom you love the most, will sometimes negate your best laid intentions.

But that doesn’t mean we stop trying…

Assignment!

Philippians 2: 5 - 7

⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant…

Did you know that being a true servant, starts in the mind?

Paul even starts verse 5 with… “Have this mind among yourselves…”

Are you into establishing a personal reputation, or are you on the other hand, a servant?

God is always more interested in who you are, than what you are.

Servants have an attitude to serve.

People who are not servants, are mostly interested in serving themselves.

Who are you serving these days?

True servants focus on others.

My youngest brother works for a company, who purposes themselves to serve the needs of people in need.

They have raised literally thousands of dollars, on their own time, blessing people who need to be served.

This is a secular Green Bay company, who could put most churches to shame, and the reason that is, is they’ve figured out how to serve.

Humility is not thinking less about yourself, but thinking of yourself, less.

True servants focus on their God given assignment.

So what’s your God given assignment today? You do have one, don’t you?

77 times!

Matthew 18: 21 - 22

²¹ Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”

²² Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

I don’t know about you, but do you ever have misunderstandings in the church you attend, or with the people you’re closest to?

I wonder if people are just less forgiving than they used to be?

Followers of Jesus should be overfull with the grace that has been extended to them.

Shouldn’t grace be engrained in our very hearts?

Isn’t forgiveness the release of the wrath we sometimes feel towards another?

And yet scripture says these things to us, but do we truly follow these spiritual precepts?

Pray for those who persecute us…Abound with one another in love…Never avenge yourself…

Do good to those who hurt you…Watch your own life…etc., etc.

It may be kind of a tall order, but should we just forget about what’s been scripturally required of us?

A friend sent this to me yesterday, and it sure seems to fit this subject…

The Window from Which We Look
A  young couple moved into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside. "That laundry sure isn’t very clean," she said.
"She sure doesn't know how to wash her clothes correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry detergent?" Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make those same, nasty comments.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband…
"Look, she’s learned how to wash her clothes correctly. I wonder who taught her this?"

The husband said… "Actually, I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows

Dividing Wall!

Ephesians 2: 14

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility…

True peace is finding oneness with another person, or persons.

Can you imagine the kind of peace we could have in the church, if we were ever to become one?

Is it any wonder why nations who have had a peace treaty, never find oneness, or peace.

Maybe if we adapted to the source of our peace, Jesus Christ, we could finally find true oneness.

I have people that come to me all the time, and share with me about a conflict they have with another person.

One thing I find kind of humorous, is that they never start with themselves as maybe being the source of the conflict.

Is it possible that in those cases, the dividing wall of hostility is you?

Could it be that the lack of lasting peace, is the person you look at in the mirror first thing in the morning?

I realize that may take some intense, inner soul searching, but it might be worth the effort in the long run.

Once our attitude is changed, then peace really has a chance.

Maybe before any conflict can be resolved, we might be the first one’s who need to find the peace of Christ…

“Father, thank You that we all have full access to You. Thank You that You give Your grace, only to the humble.

Help us all to believe in the message of Your peace, and help us to use that peace to break down every dividing wall.

Amen.”

Take Captive!

2 Corinthians 10: 5

⁵ We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…

Every day is a battled that is waged in the mind of every person.

There are good arguments, and then there are those that aren’t worth the energy.

Every discussion should be taken captive within the Lordship of Christ.

A mindless Christian, has the potential of being an angry, frustrated Christian.

Being a follower of Jesus, doesn’t mean we engage in battle the way the world does.

Sinful ways of thinking, need to be taken captive in Christ.

We use God’s Word to tear apart our opinions, and foolish arguments.

Sometimes when we use God’s Word as a filter, the things we fretted/argued about, don’t seem so important after all.

Every thought that isn’t of God is rebellion towards God.

It is those thoughts that we really need to put behind closed doors.

We must submit to the authority of God, and His Lordship.

When we do that, we won’t be so prone to argue about silly, thoughtless things.

As you think today, take your thoughts captive in Christ, and obey Him.

You know the old hymn…Trust in Obey, for there’s no other way… 

Joined!

Mark 10: 9

^9 “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Statistics show today, that most marriages end over some pretty petty reasons.

2/3^rd of all marriages end when, there’s really a pretty low level of conflict.

You would think that adultery, or sudden tragedy, would be the reason for marriages ending, but that’s not true.

Actually, when there’s an accumulation of strife and disagreement in a marriage, that’s the primary reason for the nail in the coffin.

The petty bickering actually takes its toll, and it begins to weigh heavily on the human mind.

Instead of working on the reasons for the mental breakdown, most couples just throw in the towel.

The same is true for people divorcing themselves from their local church.

Most folks don’t have the tools to solve petty church issues.

The first sign of problem, and folks often take the easy way out, instead of staying and trying to work through it.

Is it any wonder, that the true churches of Christ, are taking it on the chin these days?

Researchers suggest, that if people in churches and marriages, can instead major on the majors, both relationships will survive.

So maybe that’s the reason we need to renew our minds in Christ Jesus?

The Father reconciled all people to His Son, but the payment was costly.

Maybe the things that we should consider living for, are really worth dying for… 

Stretching!

John 3: 12

^12 “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?”

Jesus was having a conversation with a person from the local church.

He proclaimed to Nicodemus, the necessity for every person, Jew or Gentile, to be born again.

Jesus spoke a divine truth about the spiritual life.

Was this revelation an earthy thing, or a Heavenly thing?

Nicodemus wasn’t really ready to handle this truth.

There are a lot of people in the church today, that can’t handle this spiritual truth.

Why all modern churches today, don’t teach this commonly held theology, is anyone’s guess.

The Bible is a complete revelation, and yet most people never ever read God’s Word.

Do you grasp the hidden things of God?

Do you care about what He desires to reveal to you?

If we were only willing to open our hearts to Heavenly things, maybe we could get passed elementary earthly things…

“Father God…would you stretch us today? Would you reveal to us the things of Heaven?

Help us to grasp those deeper things, that other people just plain reject. Amen”

Ready to listen?

John 16: 12

¹² “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.”

I believe the church feels as though Jesus only speaks to us through affirming, positive words.

There are times when Jesus must speak to us in hard ways as well.

Maybe the reason we’re not seeing much change in our spiritual walk, is because Jesus has some things to say to us, that we might not be ready for.

Is that possible in your case?

Jesus met a religious guy in the dark of the night, and Jesus said some things to him, that maybe he wasn’t ready for.

Jesus told this religious guy, that he would never see Heaven, unless he was born again.

Whether Nicodemus was ready or not to hear what Jesus had to say, Jesus had to say it.

Jesus has some things to share with us about Heaven, that will stretch the human mind.

Are you ready to hear from Jesus?

What if He told you some things about yourself, that would stretch you?

Let’s face it, human beings can only handle just so much.

Jesus never runs out of things to show us.

Are you in a place today, where you can bare them?

What would it take, for you to get into that position?

Open the Door!

Revelation 3: 30               ESV

²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Jesus has pretty strong words of correction for the lukewarm church.

John’s words of prophecy, take on a whole new meaning today.

If we turn from our life of indifference, Jesus offers a profound invitation.

Is it possible, that many people have not opened the door, and let Him in?

What a promise! I mean, who wouldn’t open the door to Jesus?

You might be surprised at how many are willing to let Jesus in, but on their terms only.

Jesus will come in and fellowship with us, and interact with us, and sit and have a meal with us.

We must allow Him to come in though, on His terms and not our own.

Jesus is speaking to a church that actually shut him out.

Many people think this is a salvation verse only, but that’s not the primary purpose of this verse of scripture.

If true followers of Jesus would open their hearts, and join Him, Jesus would come in, in a very powerful way.

Jesus is speaking to the church, primarily about relationship.

Many people view this as a onetime visit, but they’ve literally missed the mark.

Is Jesus still on the outside, looking in on your life? Maybe we really need to open the door…

It"s not about you!

Galatians 2: 20

²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Paul seemed pretty sure about his faith in Christ.

Are you sure of your faith in Jesus today?

Have you been crucified with Christ?

Is it He who lives within you, or haven’t you yet experienced death to yourself?

Did you know that the Romans tried to kill off Christianity, but they did a poor job of trying to squash it.

Every time they killed 10 followers of Jesus, 100 more came forward, and said… “Kill me too!!!”

The Roman Emperors threw 10 into the pit of lions, and 100 more begged to be sent the same route.

Back in those days, Christians were willing to live like Christians, and they were willing to die like Christians.

I don’t see that much anymore in the church.

We’re too much concerned with us being satisfied and dignified, than we are being crucified.

There is a time coming one day, when the church will be forced to stand up and show their true colors.

The blood of Jesus was what it took to start the church, and it will be the blood of His followers, that will help bring the church increased power.

When we start making the church about Jesus, and not about us, there might still be hope, for the hopeless state the church is in… 

Forgive!

Psalm 86: 5

⁵ For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

I remember a time almost 15 years ago, when someone brought a claim against another member of our church.

The matter was brought before us, the Elders serving at the time, and after we spent a good share of the month gathering information, we didn’t find too much evidence either way.

We went to the person who brought forth the allegation, and told them our findings.

We also encouraged each party to forgive the other, for this unfortunate spat.

The sad thing is, the person who brought the claim in the first place, refused to forgive the other.

This person had a read a book, that he thought justified his claim.

Actually, the issue was pretty important to this person, but we felt it was pretty petty.

We encouraged the person just to forgive, and move past it. That never happened.

Those things if left undone, will undo the person who carries the grievance too far, and for too long.

It will certainly rob that person of the fruits of the Spirit, and that’s a very big deal.

Most people who seek the advice of Christian counselors these days, do more so in the area of un-forgiveness, than any other subject combined.

This much I do know, hanging on to un-forgiveness, does In no way justify a person’s refusal to forgive.

If you got something you’re hanging onto, get rid of it today, and forgive it.

Our God is good and forgiving, and so should we be…

Hold firm!

Titus 1: 9  ESV

⁹ He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

After 13 years, I think I have a pretty good idea of the joys and struggles of what it takes to be a Shepherd of Christ’s church today.

I’ve never been shy of preaching the whole counsel of God, even if that bent a few beaks over the years.

Today, will live in an anti-authority culture. It is one where people have lost respect for the position and authority of the Pastor.

I know that all too well.

We also live in the sound bite world, where the words of the most popular guy on TV, drowns out the words of the no name, local church preacher.

Generally, when  a Pastor is run out of town, it’s not because of a bad sermon per say, but by a small, motivated group of people, trying to grab authority that isn’t theirs in the first place.

I find it amazing, that the same people who flock to the TV celebrity Preacher, expect the same results from their insignificant local Shepherd.

The man who encouraged me to consider the ministry once told me… “The first one’s who turn toward you in support, can also be the first ones who want to hang you from the chandelier.”

There’s one problem with the guy whose on TV, reading a scripted sermon, written by his staff of writers.

He’s probably not going to jump on a jet, willing to fly hundreds of miles in the middle of the night, to visit you in the hospital.

The job of the Pastor is to faithfully feed the flock.

The job of the flock, is to faithfully support the role of God’s man.

I’m amazed at how many people who claim to be experts in the field of the Pastorate, who have never ever been one.

Maybe the church, really needs to stop getting it’s roles reversed… 

Intentional Imitators

Ephesians 5: 1 - 2

1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. ² And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Learning to walk in love, sometimes takes forever to learn.

Maybe it’s because we have the wrong definition of love.

Debbie and I have been married for almost 34 years, and after all that time, we’ve learned that love is more than just a feeling.

The love we have for each other today, is now a lifelong commitment of love.

I believe the church can have the same thing.

But why is that we never seem to get past the surfacy, unintentional love?

Maybe if we truly loved in the church, in a very real, intentional way, more people would be attracted to it.

What if we let our guard down just for a moment, and loved the way that Jesus loves?

Church should be a lifelong commitment too.

We shouldn’t run for the cover of darkness, every time things come up that we don’t understand.

Maybe we should work on our fragrance.

And maybe if the churches love became sacrificial, we’d have more fun than we’re currently having.

Let’s be intentional to work on that this week…