Did anyone else lose sleep during the Olympics? I found myself getting ready to go to bed after a particular event. But, the announcer, just before the commercial break, would tease the next race/event/match and I would have to stay up a little longer lest I miss a piece of history! I, for one, am glad the Olympics are over!
One of the things I found myself thinking about was the small number of winners compared to the large number of competitors. Only three medals are given out per event, yet many compete for those three places. In other words, there are more failures/losers in the Games than winners. Often, the difference between medaling and not medaling was the length of a fingernail! While it may be hard to fathom, some athletes attended the Games and competed knowing that there was absolutely no chance for them to compete. So, knowing that they would lose did not keep them from competing and representing their country. Just the opportunity to compete on behalf of their homeland was victory enough!
I know me well enough to know that when it comes to pastoring, I'm more like the Nigerian swimmer who picks up swimming 3 months before the games than I am like Michael Phelps. We can look at pastoring as competition. We can think that we are winners or losers. This determination is based on comparison to other churches and other pastors. But, could it be that our Lord calls us to compete for His Kingdom and to represent Him and to trust Him for the results? I think too often pastors can get the "wandering eye" thinking that the next church will be better when in reality God wants to plant us where we are for His glory. C.J. Mahaney interviewed Mark Dever, Pastor of Capital Hills Baptist Church in Washington D.C., and posted this quote from the interview on the blog: So by saying I wasn’t interested in going anyplace else, I meant to send out a wide signal to say, “Please don’t tempt me by asking me about other options, because this is going to be slow, hard work and it’s worthy of a life.”
Pastors can go to conventions and conferences and hear stories of how God is blessing other guys and think that they are failures at their church. We forget that committing to pastor a church can be slow and hard work, but it is indeed worthy of a lifetime! In fact, any results we see cannot be attributed to us, but to Christ who is adding to His church. He builds the church for He gave Himself for the church! I know this, I want to compete in such a way that I have the same joy as those Olympians who were glad to compete whether they won or not! Faithfulness and obedience to Christ is not failure, no matter the results.
Is it descriptive? The worship service spoke to my heart.
What about church? Is it a place? Is it a people? Does it designate a group of religious people?
I hope you see the issue/problem! Whenever we make worship an event and church a destination, I think we’ve moved away from what the Bible would have us think about these two terms.
Let me go ahead and cut to the chase and then do some explaining. I think worship is a response to a holy God who has redeemed us from the penalty of our sins through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I think church best describes a called out people who are the church whether gathered or scattered.
First, let’s talk about worship. Whenever we treat Sunday mornings as a worship event, then we minimize the fact that worship is our response to God. God doesn’t wake up Ruler of the universe on Sunday mornings and then cease to be God at noon! He is God all the time! He never sleeps nor slumbers! God is the same God on Tuesday morning as He is on Sunday morning. He is the same God while you sleep and while you’re awake! If that’s the case, we are to worship God ALL the time. Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.” (HCSB) In fact, we were created so that we might glorify God and enjoy Him forever. So, whether we are gathered together as a corporate body or scattered as individuals, our response to who God is and what He’s done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ is worship.
Second, what about the church? While I don’t necessarily have a problem with a building being called a church, I think using church in this way greatly limits it wonderful meaning. The Greek word translated church in the New Testament is ekklesia which means “the called out ones.” Used in the New Testament, church usually meant a gathering of believers in a city (1 Corinthians 1:2 “To God’s church at Corinth...”) or the elect of God of all people in all times (Ephesians 1:22 “...and appointed Him as head over everything for the church”). So the primary meaning of church in the New Testament refers to a people, not a place. In other words, while the members of the “called out ones” of 3BC may gather at 410 W. McKnight Drive, when we leave that location we don’t stop being the church! I’m the church at work, at school, at home, at ball games, wherever I am.
In light of this, shouldn’t we quit thinking about worship and church as destinations and ends? I think that’s why the writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 10:24-25: 24 And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, 25 not staying away from our meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (HCSB, emphasis mine) The people of God didn’t gather for worship since worship was a lifestyle response to who God is and what He’s done. They met to promote love and good works and to encourage one another. Did people worship God at these meetings? Undoubtedly they did. But the people didn’t think of worship as an event to attend once a week! Also, when they left the meeting, did they cease being the church? No! The only difference when they left was that they no longer were the church gathered. They scattered out as the church!
Why I am saying all this? I think we’ve allowed the way we think about the words worship and church to dictate our behavior. Since I went to a church building on Sunday morning and sang songs and listened to a sermon, I’m done with both church and worship until the next Sunday. Could that be why the church (not the building but the people) is not impacting lost people in America the way we should...and specifically in Murfreesboro? Can you imagine what would happen if worship became a moment by moment lifestyle of the people of God called the church? What if the called out ones came to a building for a meeting where songs of praise were sung to God, prayers were offered, the Scriptures were preached, the people encouraged, love and good works were promoted, and then scattered to be the church and to worship God?
I hope you will think on these things. You will hear the Pastors begin to refer to our Sunday morning gatherings as the meetings. It will be strange to hear. Quite frankly, it’s still a little strange to us!!! But, believing that words have meaning and that the Holy Spirit used words purposefully, we want to communicate that church is a people gloriously saved by the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit for service which will result in the church responding in real daily worship.
My pastor just sent a link to a blog with the instructions "Read this please." He sends me a lot of stuff to read, as he does the entire staff. It's usually pretty good stuff, too, so I try to pay close attention to what he sends (besides, what better way to offend your boss than to say, "Yeah, I saw that you sent me something, but I have better things to do than trifle with that.")
This one was especially good, because worship was the subject. I'm always interested in what people have to say about worship, because, in this age, it's a touchy subject. People have left our church because of the worship; on the contrary, people have been attracted to our church because of the same. So, whenever the subject of worship comes up, I want to read about it, hear it, even discuss it.
Here's an excerpt from the blog:
Most churches would agree that racial or economic segregation runs contrary to the very nature of the Gospel. Most would also acknowledge that any sort of class bigotry is antithetical to the Gospel and should therefore not be tolerated. But there’s another, perhaps more subtle, type of segregation that many churches today have actually adopted and embraced. Following the lead of the advertising world, many churches today (and more specifically worship services) are targeting specific age groups to the exclusion of others. For years now churches have been organizing themselves around generational distinctives: busters, boomers, Generations X, Y, and Z. Many churches offer a “traditional service” for the tribe who prefers old music and a “contemporary service” for the tribe who prefers new music. I understand the good intentions behind some of these efforts but something as seemingly harmless as this evidences a fundamental failure to comprehend the heart of the Gospel.
The issue here is worship style. To some churches, that's a critical issue and they can't seem to exist without it. I personally experienced the issue in my last church. When I arrived on the scene in January 2000, this church in south Mississippi had three morning services: traditional, contemporary and blended. At the time, I thought it was the answer. I didn't create those services, because they already were in place when I accepted the call to be the minister of music, but I thought it was a great way to meet every need in a typical, county-seat First Baptist Church. But, it didn't take me long to see that there were, in essence, three "churches" worshipping at the same location. As a matter of fact, one church didn't like the other one; the other two didn't care. And, I was caught in the middle.
The author of the excerpt above, Tullian Tchividjian, says that when we divide our church generationally, especially in regard to worship, we basically don't trust the Gospel to unite the kingdom of God, regardless of the generation. We wouldn't tolerate racial segregation - why would we tolerate generational segregation?
Tchividjian's blog goes on to say:
In Romans 10, Paul argued for the Gentiles’ place in God’s redemptive plan when he said, “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon him” (Rom. 10:12). Also, in Galatians where Paul decried certain Jewish leaders for teaching that the sign of circumcision was a condition for justification, he said, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). And then in Colossians 3:11, Paul addressed class distinctions which were threatening to divide the church by declaring the new creation in Christ—a newness in which “there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.” In these ways, Paul affirms a foundational reality that always accompanies true Gospel belief: When God makes us one with Christ he also makes us one with each other.
Read that last line again...and again...and again. When God makes us one with Christ he also makes us one with each other. That's the Gospel, and it not only saves us, but it makes us one in Him.
So, why is there still an issue? Pride. Our own selfish, sinful desire is that we be served...by the music style, or maybe a sermon on how to be a better parent, or better yet, a clip from Andy Griffith followed by a John Denver song. When we put our own desires and pride above the commandment to worship Him, then we've fallen into the sin of idolatry.
The Gospel is why we worship. It's the celebration of an awesome, thrice-holy God who has saved us by grace through His Son Jesus Christ. It's what we try to do here at 3BC. And, it's all that matters.
Worship segregation is wrong, and it's wrong because it's unscriptural. Let us all join together to sing and celebrate the unity we find in the Gospel!
Our VBS just concluded a few weeks ago, and, as usual, it was a blast! Lots of kids, lots of activity, and lots of fun. Not just for kids, either. The adults have a lot of fun, too.
One thing we do here at 3BC for our worship rally at the day's conclusion of VBS is a skit called "The Adventures of Pastor Mike". Every day, Pastor Mike is on an adventure to share the Gospel. This year, he was on Outrigger Island with his trusty assistant Dave-O the Surfer Dude. They always had in mind sharing the Gospel with the people of Outrigger Island.
As is always the case with good drama, an antagonist is presented whose job it is to foil the attempts of Pastor Mike. On Outrigger Island, it was Cap'n D'Geib and his mate, Pegger. Just when you think D'Geib gets the best of Pastor Mike, Mike calls out to Missions Man for a daring rescue. Missions Man and his partner, Marty, the Missions Giant, run in save the day, and encourage the kids to "Know the truth! Speak the truth! Live the truth!"
On Wednesday of this year's VBS, Pastor Mike was kidnapped by D'Geib and Pegger and was taken away. Dave-O the Surfer Dude tried calling for help, but Missions Man doesn't respond to "Missions Dude! Missions Dude!" That night, at open house, we continued the skit that found Pastor Mike hidden away in a cave. Click on the link below to see what happens. (Our apologies to Freddie Mercury and Queen.)
George Carlin has passed away. He was a very well known comedian in America. One of his most famous routines dealt with the seven words you can't say on television. I actually have never heard this routine, but it doesn't take much of an imagination to guess what some of those words are!
Carlin was known for his observational humor as well as his countercultural, anti-establishment bent. Some of his funniest (and cleanest) routines dealt with words and another about the differences between baseball and football.
Words were important to Carlin and he used them to great success and notoriety.
Words are important to God. In Ephesians, Paul speaks about words and their importance. In Ephesians 4:29 (HCSB) Paul says "No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, in order to give grace to those who hear." Rotten talk? But Paul, we're just joking! To that excuse Paul says in Ephesians 5:4 (HCSB) "And coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks."
Our Lord Jesus Christ indicates that the condition of the heart is made known by the words one speaks: "A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart. An evil man produces evil out of the evil storeroom, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart." Luke 6:45 (HCSB) And to each of us He gives this sober warning in Matthew 12:36-37 (HCSB) "I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak.
For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
As Christians, we must realize that we give testimony to the Living Word who became flesh and lived among us. Jesus Christ used His words to proclaim the reality of the Kingdom of God, of His desire to save the lost, of His love and compassion for those enslaved by sin while at the same time warning the unbelievers that the wrath of God would fall on them.
On Sunday, George Carlin faced a living God who sent His Son to bear His wrath for the lost. According to Carlin's words, he didn't have much use for God or His Son. May God burden our hearts for those whose words reflect their lostness. And then, may our Lord grant that we will use our words to proclaim the Gospel to the lost.
Words are important! Let's use them for the glory of God and for the salvation of the lost!
Hebrews 12:1 says that we have a large crowd of witnesses surrounding us. This comes immediately after Hebrews 11, the "rollcall of faith" chapter. The writer of Hebrews, trying to encourage Hebrew Christians to remain faithful to the new covenant in Christ and not return to the old covenant sacrificial system, recalls the great Old Testament saints who were faithful to God as they looked forward to the One to whom the old covenant pointed. In pointing out the faithfulness of these saints of God, the writer wants the Hebrew Christians to realize that the OT saints were faithful looking forward to Someone they had not seen. The Hebrew Christians had the benefit of knowing Who the Messiah was...our Lord Jesus Christ. So, if the OT saints could be faithful in looking to Someone they hadn't seen, surely the Hebrew Christians could remain faithful to the One they had seen.
So, for the writer of Hebrews, the witnesses, the OT saints, are not those who are passively watching the Hebrew Christians run the race. The witnesses actively point the participants (the Hebrew Christians) to Christ who is the source and perfecter of our faith. When the Hebrew Christians read the OT, they should see in the lives of those saints a passion for the coming Messiah who is our Lord Jesus. Therefore, the Hebrew Christians should run with endurance like those saints.
What's the point? I think too often we forget that as Christians, not only does our talk give witness to our faith in Christ, but so do our lives. Our passions bear witness to the reality of Christ in our lives. Our priorities bear witness to the reality of Christ in our lives. Are we like the OT saints? Do we not only look back to what Christ has done for us through His death and resurrection, but do we anxiously look forward to seeing Him face to face? Do we anticipate the coming consummation of His Kingdom? Do we anticipate ruling with Him over new heavens and new earth? For, if we are to really have an impact on our families, friends, neighbors, and communities, our witness must show that this world has very little pull on us, but the world to come...now that's worth risking our lives!
I pray that I, and our entire church, will so long for God's Kingdom to come that we will work day in and day out advancing His Kingdom, by His power, for His glory. By His power and for His glory, let's be the kind of witnesses that future generations can point to as examples of those for whom this world's glory paled in comparison to the glory of Christ. Of course, that means we must have a vibrant faith in the reality of what we hope for which is not yet seen, but one day will seen in all its glory!
Sunday was a great day of joyful fellowship as our body of believers gathered to eat good food and enjoy Christian friendship. Our church picnics are wonderful times as we model the joy of being a part of the body of Christ. It is wonderful as your pastor to see the different generations sitting together, laughing together, and serving one another!
We often forget the importance of food in the Bible. In Genesis 1:29 (HCSB) we see that "God also said, 'Look, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. This food will be for you...'" Esau sold his birthright for some stew (Gen. 25:29-34). David says in Psalm 23 that the Lord has prepared a table for him. Daniel and his three friends chose not to defile themselves eating the king's food (Daniel 1:8).
In the New Testament, we see our Lord Jesus Christ feed mulititudes (John 6:1-13), turn a Passover meal into a perpetual memorial to His atoning death on the cross (Luke 22:14-20), and in His resurrection body eat some fish (Luke 24:41-42). Jesus says to the Twelve that they will eat at His table at the consummation of His Kingdom (Luke 22:30).
Some will say that where there's 2 or more Baptists there's food! I don't disagree! However, Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:31 (HCSB) "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory." So, when we gather together, let's enjoy our fellowship to the glory of God and let's eat together to the glory of God. But, let's also anticipate the day when on the new earth we will eat together in glorified bodies enjoying our Lord and His creation without any taint of sin (or hint of cholesterol)! Until He returns, may our fellowship around the table reflect our love for Him and our love for one another.
Well, our staff is trying to blog again! As you may know, last year we tried to blog as a staff. However, the volume of offensive spammers into the comments section became so overwhelming, we made the decision to shut the blog down. We think we have fixed this problem and so we hope that this new program and format will be safer.
As before, this blog will cover different issues...some from the news, some from sports, some from our own Bible study. We want you to hear from us so that we might model before you a biblical worldview. When we first started the blog, I called it a "dangerous" idea. You know me and our staff well enough to know that we sometimes see the world in a somewhat quirky way (some quirkier than others). Yet, I think it's important for you to interact with us, even if it is through cyberspace. As those given by God to the church, gifts to the church I might add, teaching is a primary way we disciple you and model grace to you. So, if anything, I hope our blogs are teaching tools used by the Holy Spirit for your edification.
May our Lord Jesus Christ grant that we all grow in wisdom and grace for His glory and for the advancement of His Kingdom.
« previous page
(Page 1 of 1, totaling 8 entries)
next page »
This determination is based on comparison to other churches and other pastors. But, could it be that our Lord calls us to compete for His Kingdom and to represent Him and to trust Him for the results? I think too often pastors can get the "wandering eye" thinking that the next church will be better when in reality God wants to plant us where we are for His glory. C.J. Mahaney interviewed Mark Dever, Pastor of Capital Hills Baptist Church in Washington D.C., and posted this quote from the interview on the blog: So by saying I wasn’t interested in going anyplace else, I meant to send out a wide signal to say, “Please don’t tempt me by asking me about other options, because this is going to be slow, hard work and it’s worthy of a life.”
My pastor just sent a link to a blog with the instructions "Read this please." He sends me a lot of stuff to read, as he does the entire staff. It's usually pretty good stuff, too, so I try to pay close attention to what he sends (besides, what better way to offend your boss than to say, "Yeah, I saw that you sent me something, but I have better things to do than trifle with that.")
George Carlin has passed away. He was a very well known comedian in America. One of his most famous routines dealt with the seven words you can't say on television. I actually have never heard this routine, but it doesn't take much of an imagination to guess what some of those words are!
