Thoughts from Pastor Joe

Christian Parenting

2011-02-02T13:58:00.000-08:00

By Pastor Joe & Debbie Tassell

As our second child prepares for his last year of high school and then heads off to college, there have been those who have asked us what we did “right” in bringing up our children. Before we begin listing some things that God has laid on our hearts, we need to stress that it’s ALL God. It is only by His power and might that we were able to accomplish anything with our boys. He enabled us to bring them up as godly men who love the Lord and want to serve Him in whatever way God leads them. Psalms 127:1a, “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.”

1) Love your children! Give your children hugs and kisses! When a parent gives their children hugs and kisses, they are less likely to go elsewhere to find “hugs and kisses”.

2) Give your family priority! Husbands, your wife and family should be your priority, not going out with the guys!

3) Spend quality, alone time with your children! Parent, that bonding time is so important if you want your child to listen to you in anything you say.

4) Read various books to your children! Pass on the love of reading. They are never too old to read books to.

5) Read the Bible to your children! Pass on the love of God’s Word by reading God’s Word to them at bedtime. We’ve actually come across people who have said that they don’t read. Say what? How do they teach their children what God’s Word says with authority if they don’t read? (1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Tim. 2:15).

6) Teach your children to not take anyone’s word for granted! Teach your children to not take what their parents, pastor, or teachers say for granted. Teach them to delve into God’s Word for themselves to see what answer God has for them! Then pray about it. Make it personal! (2 Tim. 2:15; Deut. 11:18-19).

7) Church is a priority! God comes first! Parent, when you don’t feel like getting out of bed to go to church – do it anyway! Parent, when you don’t feel like going to a church activity – do it anyway! If you don’t set the example now, how will your children ever learn this extremely important way of living? By not putting church first, you are teaching your children to give God their second best! Do you want your child to be the happiest they possibly can be? Teach them this important priority! (Heb. 10:25; 1 Cor. 10:31).

8) Saturday night is not the night to stay out late!Letting your child stay out late with their friends so they are half awake on Sunday morning, or even worse, don’t make it to church, is teaching your children that God is not a priority, worshipping Him is not a priority. You are teaching your children it’s okay to come to church half a wake so they can barely listen to what the Sunday School teacher or the preacher is saying about God’s Word. Don’t teach them that God’s gets seconds! (1 Cor. 10:31).

9) Busyness is ungodly! His Word commands us, “Be still and know that I am God!” (Psa. 46:10). Do not fill your child’s life with many fruitless activities just because you want them to be “well-rounded”. Filling up your child’s life with activities that have nothing to do with Christ or His great commission or not allowing them to “think on these things” is a grave error that will come “back to bite you.”

10) Block TV Channels! Parents don’t be afraid to take control of the entertainment in your home. Say no to certain shows even if “their friends” are watching them. Don’t allow your children to have TV or Internet access in their bedrooms. Letting your child watch whatever he/she wants no matter what age is like letting the pedophile down the street come into your house and rape your child. Putting raunchy stuff in their brains does not magically disappear later on in life. (Phil. 4:8; I Cor. 15:33).

11) A radio should not be an important thing in your house! Our children did not have radios growing up. Don’t let the frivolous, lascivious music into your house or into your child’s brain. A song or lyrics are not easily removed once they are heard. Take control of what your child downloads! We are not saying that all music has to be Christian, but it should be something that wouldn’t offend Jesus Christ when He is in the room. (Phil. 4:8; I Cor. 15:33).

12) Stay informed on the entertainment industry! Know what’s going on. Know how to explain to your child why you say no to certain movies, music, etc. This will also help you maintain balance in your home, so that you are also able to say yes to things that are not that big a deal! Because you are informed! Because of this you will be able to teach your child also to be discerning about media. (Matt. 10:16).

13) Back up every rule with Scripture! So it isn’t just you saying it, it is God’s Word demanding it. Be ready to give an account to your children in all things. (1 Pet. 3:15).

14) Homeschool! Let me preference what we are going to say here by saying: Thank God for our public school teachers! We thank them profusely for taking on this very difficult position! We also know that not all teachers and children your child comes in contact with everyday are Christians. Young minds are pliable and susceptible to what is being taught to them and around them. It’s important to ground your child in biblical truths at a young age, so that they may know why they believe what they believe (in every subject)! We believe the best possible place to do this is in the home. (If you want more reasons to homeschool, please come talk to us and we will gladly talk with you.) (Prov. 13:20; Deut. 6:6-9).

15) If possible, mothers, don’t work outside the home!Wow! What a novel idea. A stay-at-home parent. (Titus 2:3-5; 1 Tim. 5:14). The excuse we hear most often is that we could not afford that. Why? Because you’re used to getting everything you desire? If you don’t need it, do without! “Use it up, wear it out, make do, do without!” God’s Word says owe no man anything (Rom. 13:8). If the reason you are working is because you are in debt up to your ears, then you need to get your priorities straight. What does this teach our children? Why is our country in so much debt? Because parents have neglected to teach their children that “things” are not the answer to happiness. This is sin! (Matt. 6:20, 24).

16) Teach your children to tithe! Who gave us the money or our jobs in the first place? It ALL belongs to Him. The least we can do is give Him 10%. Teach your children when you give to Him, He will take care of you!! Our family has seen it firsthand! (Col. 1:16; Phil. 4:19).

17) Don’t be afraid to say no! You are NOT their best friend! You are the parent first!! Do not give in to this! (Prov. 29:17).

18) Dating is not for young children! Teens who have no control of their sexuality need not be dating or in a one-on-one relationship! A tween going through puberty and just figuring out what it’s all about doesn’t need the added burden of sexual temptation thrown at them. We do not own our own bodies if we are Christ’s (We are bought with a price). So teach your child to treat their body, soul and mind like it’s His, because it is! (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

19) Have your child dress like they are God’s child! (1 Cor. 6:19-20.) Not the world’s child. God wants them to be modest. “I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly…” I Tim. 2:9. Parents, your daughter doesn’t need to be dressing provocatively around the boys. Please explain to them that boys hormones do not function the same as girls! Please sit down with your daughters and explain thisvery important matter before it’s too late! Before your daughter comes crying to you because a boy took advantage of them or worse!

20) Parent, teach your sons to respect girls! Teach them to treat a girl like she is God’s child!

21) Teach your child to be polite! Teach them even if they don’t like someone, they should still be polite to them!! Love your enemies! (Matt. 5:43-48).

22) Laugh! Laugh! Laugh! Parent, a loving, sweet, laughing, spirit, will become your children’s. If you walk around with a sour face, your child will have a sour face. If you are angry all the time, your child will grow to be angry all the time. (Eph 4:31). Teach your child to smile and laugh through the hard and difficult times. Make the verse “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10b), a reality! Take time to laugh with your children. It’ll make their day! (Psa. 68:3)

23) Pray for them! Author John Eldredge states, “To live in ignorance of spiritual warfare is the most naive and dangerous thing a person can do." Your children are fighting every day for their lives. The devil is REAL and roaming “around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). Be on your knees for your children praying that God will protect them and guide them and that they might truly seek Him every day.

An actor for a new MTV series recently said, "When you are a teenager, your friends are your family." Teens are finding more relationship with peers than with parents and its destroying families and churches!

Parents, God has given you the privilege of bringing up your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord! (Eph. 6:4). Do it! God has not given the responsibility of raising your children to a youth pastor or other leader in the church. The church is not responsible to bring up your children!! YOU ARE!

Your Pastor and your church love you and are here to support you and help you. But YOU must be the parent God wants you to be!!!

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him" James 1:5. We are praying for you!

Self-Love

2010-02-11T10:19:00.000-08:00

I have received another interesting question from another friend. Again, I thought this might be a topic of interest to others....or, perhaps not. Either way, here goes:

Matt. 22:39 "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

The following is my friend's question:

"There is often a huge debate amongst people I respect greatly on the whole topic of self-esteem, self-love, and this verse. How does one properly and Biblically respect yourself as one of God's creation without becoming gloating and yet also not being so disdainful of ones weaknesses that we view ourselves as garbage?"

Here is my response:

I think a good place to start is by looking at Ephesians 5:28-30...."In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body."

This statement and the statement in Matthew 22:39 make the assumption that a normal person takes care of their own needs. It is normal to ensure that you get the food and water you need; the clothing and shelter you need; and so on.

Neither passage is intended to be taken as a commandment to love one's self or to care for one's self. These are statements that assume you do that and, therefore, you should live towards others in the way that you (as a normal human being) do towards yourself.

There is no contradiction in these statements with Jesus' command to deny ourselves. Rather, these statements reinforce an attitude of self-denial. That is to say, if it is normal to love and care for one's self (from a naturalistic standpoint), then Christ is commanding us to live above the natural - live supernaturally - by applying what is normal to the lives of others.

So, one could read that command in this way: "Just as it is normal to love yourself, you shall love others in that same way."

Again, there is no command to love yourself; rather, the command is to love OTHERS with what would normally be self-love.

Self-love has been corrupted by sin which dwells in the flesh. In fact, "love" has been twisted and corrupted altogether by the world. To properly understand and apply the Great Commandments (Matthew 22:37-39) is to take a step in recovering true Love for the Glory of God.

On the matter of properly respecting one's self as a creation of God: As believers, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Our bodies are His temple (I Corinthians 6:19-20). Just as we would be very careful to treat a temple made of brick and mortar, so we should be careful to treat our bodies as God's. "You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

This is a matter of attitude. We do not care for ourselves out of a sense of vanity or indulgence; rather, we do so as stewards who are striving to be faithful with what God has given us.

"Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful" (I Corinthians 4:2).

Does God Hate Gays?

2010-02-04T06:25:00.000-08:00

Recently, I was asked the following questions by a friend of mine:

"What do you think Jesus would have thought about homosexuality and gay marriage? Would He have hated gays? Would He have accepted gays for who they are?"

With all of the sad and unfortunate hatred that is often expressed by people claiming to be Christians, I can understand why my friend asked such questions. And I felt it was of the utmost importance to answer these questions. So, here is my response:

First, it is a true shame how so many have taken the message of God's Love through Jesus Christ and turned it into something that it is not.

Does Jesus hate gays? Absolutely not! He loves them and wants to bring them into right relationship with God the Father. That is His desire for everyone.

John 3:17 says, "For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."

The big problem is that people have somehow decided that one behavior is worse than other behaviors. But the fact is: we all fall short (sin). God's standard is not that we live a better life than someone else. His standard is perfection (holiness). But none of us are perfect, so He provided that perfection for us by giving us His Son, Jesus. When we turn our backs on our own efforts at trying to please God and accept the perfect work of Christ in our place, then we can stand before God as forgiven and cleansed.

All of our behavior (homosexual, heterosexual, whatever) falls short of being what God requires. Only Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God, lived up to the standard that God required.

But following Christ is not easy. He said that whoever wants to be His disciple has to deny himself. That means we don't live for our own pleasures, we live for His glory. And He will accept everyone who comes to Him in faith with a true desire to live for Him. And even then, we will still fail and fall short. But He promises to keep forgiving. He will pick us up every time we fail. And He wants us to keep forgiving each other too.

So, what would Jesus think of "same-sex marriage"? I don't think He would give much attention to it. I think He would love people and teach people His way and if the government wants to make same-sex marriage legal, then that's their business.

Being homosexual doesn't send someone to hell. Neither does stealing, cheating, lying, committing adultery, or any other sin. We are all hellbound sinners because we were born in sin and that is our nature. Jesus was very clear about what sends us to hell and He was just as clear about how to get to heaven. He said...

"He who believes in Him [Jesus] is not condemned; he who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3:18

God doesn't require us to "clean up" our lives in order to please Him. He wants us to trust in Him and then, live for Him. He loves us ALL. And He won't turn away anyone who comes to Him in faith and repentance.

For me, I couldn't care less if they (human government) make same-sex marriage legal. It won't change anything about my marriage and it won't change anything about what I believe or teach. True marriage is a covenant relationship established by God. The State-issued contract that makes a marriage legal in the government's eyes has little to do with the covenant that God calls marriage.

Everyone is welcome at my church. We don't turn anyone away. God accepts us right where we are, then He takes us on a journey of redemption and transformation that is truly amazing!

Life in Christ is worth it! And it's available to EVERYONE who comes by faith!

Elders and Deacons

2009-05-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

“A bishop [elder], then, must be…Deacons likewise must be…” (I Timothy 3:1-13). God’s Word clearly instructs us concerning the qualifications of elders and deacons. We are left with no doubt what qualities we should seek in those whom we appoint to serve as leaders of the church. These qualifications can be found in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1. But sometimes the question is raised concerning the roles and responsibilities of these two offices. Do the terms “elder” and “deacon” refer to the same office? Or are they two distinct offices each with their own area of responsibility?

Well, such questions should be answered scripturally. And to be clear on this matter is important for our church so that we are not hindered in our efforts to effectively minister to the glory of God.

First, let’s consider the elder. The New Testament also refers to this office as bishop, overseer and pastor. A church may have one pastor or several depending on the needs of the congregation. The primary responsibility of the elder/pastor is proclaiming the Word of God. Ephesians 4:11 speaks of those who are “pastors and teachers”. The Apostle Paul taught Pastor Timothy that “a bishop then must be…able to teach” (I Tim. 3:2). In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he urged the young pastor to “Preach the Word!” (II Tim. 4:1-5). We also learn that elders are to watch over the spiritual welfare of the church. They are to “hold fast the faithful word” (Titus 1:9); “they watch out for your souls” (Hebrews 13:17); and the Apostle Peter instructs the elders in his first epistle to “Shepherd the flock of God” (I Peter 5:1-4). Finally, elders are responsible for the administration – or oversight – of the church’s overall ministry. This begins with effective oversight of his own home. “He must be one who manages his own household well…if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?” (I Tim. 3:4-5).

Second, we have the office of deacon. The word deacon means servant. The only place in the New Testament where we find any description of the responsibilities of this office is found in Acts 6:1-4. In this passage we find that the Apostles were becoming overwhelmed with the job of caring for the church in Jerusalem (a church of several thousand members). Some widows “were being overlooked in the daily serving of food” (Acts 6:1). So, the Apostles instructed the church to appoint men who would serve the church by caring for the needs of the members, especially watching out for those who may otherwise be neglected (such as widows and the elderly). The purpose of establishing the office of deacon was to alleviate the Apostles so that they could devote themselves “to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). We can logically conclude from this passage that the role of deacon is to assist the pastor/elder in ministering to the needs of the church so that the pastor (or pastors) is not overwhelmed.
The biblical example of the role of deacon is brief thus allowing each church to function as needed. The church’s size, location (and the time period in which it exists), all present different needs and circumstances. The deacon’s responsibility is simply to serve the church by helping the pastor. Here at Immanuel Baptist Church we have several offices established to help care for the specific needs of our congregation. The deacons serve most closely with the pastor to serve the Lord’s Supper and meet the spiritual and material needs of the members. We also have deaconesses, trustees and our finance team who all fulfill the role of “deacon” (servant) in various ways so that the ministry of our church is accomplished “being fitted together…growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:21-22).

It's Kind of Like...

2009-05-06T05:37:00.000-07:00

I was reading this morning about the frustration that doctors often feel when trying to get their patients to understand the importance of exercise and I realized how much doctors and pastors have in common on this point.

The doctor's frustration is kind of like a pastor's burden for his congregation.

Your doctor feels like a broken record. He’s sick and tired of telling you
how important exercise is to your health because YOU DON’T LISTEN.

He’s sick of explaining how so many of your health problems will improve or
even disappear as the result of a consistent exercise program.

He’s tired of tallying your controllable risk factors which include
physical inactivity and obesity.

So why does he continue to give you the same lecture?

Because he’s seen exercise change lives!

He’s even seen exercise save lives!

So it is with the pastor who is so often not heard when he implores his brothers and sisters in Christ to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called [spiritual exercise], with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1-3).

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25). Again, spiritual exercise.

Why? Because lives are changed! And more than that, God is glorified!

Pastor

2009-04-28T06:34:00.000-07:00

“The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly” (1 Peter 5:1-2).

Have you ever wondered why we use the title “pastor” to refer to the one that God has called to lead the church? The New Testament uses four different titles for the same position: elder, bishop, overseer and pastor. However, elder, bishop and overseer are used more than 15 times and the title “pastors” is used only once (Ephesians 4:11). In that verse it says, “And He Himself [Christ] gave some to be…pastors and teachers.” Everywhere else in the New Testament, when the spiritual leaders of the church are mentioned, they are called elders, bishops or overseers.

So, why has “pastor” become the most commonly used title in the church today? Well, I think we use this title with good reason because it so beautifully captures the fullness of the calling of one who has been appointed by God to be an elder/overseer of His flock. First Peter 5:1-2 (quoted above) is Peter’s reminder to the elders of the church what their calling truly is. It is not merely to be a business administrator, though administration is certain a part of pastoral ministry. After all, the church is not a business or merely an organization; it is a living organism; it is the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-14). Nor is he called only to preach, though preaching the Word of God is of central importance (2 Timothy 4:1-5).

The Apostle Peter calls on the elders to “shepherd the flock of God.” What does he mean by “shepherd”? Well, the Greek word translated “shepherd” in this passage is derived from the word that is translated “pastors” in Ephesians 4:11. This is a personal ministry. A shepherd loves the sheep. The sheep are more than just a commodity to the shepherd. He knows each one and he strives to care for each one according to their particular needs. In the church, this means more than just preaching to the whole congregation on Sunday mornings. It means being available to the individual members and striving to encourage and edify through the ministry of personal relationship. Although this ministry takes place in many settings (homes, hospitals, etc.), the one place that represents the overall ministry of a Pastor is his office which is often referred to as the “Pastor’s Study.” I have a sign on the window of my office that was given to me by one of our members a while back and I think that it states very well the reason that we prefer to use the title “pastor”.

“The Pastor’s Study is a symbol of the calling of the Christian Minister to be the shepherd of a flock of God. Here, sermons are prepared to feed the congregation on God’s Holy Word. Here, the work of the Church is planned so that the congregation may grow in grace and bear fruit in fellowship, teaching and witnessing. Here, you will always find a friend and counselor in time of need. He will not be surprised at your sins, nor will he judge you in them, but, he always invites you to share with him, the wisdom and love of God, the knowledge of forgiveness of sins, and the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. You Are Always Welcome.”

Where is Your Treasure?

2009-03-04T07:21:00.000-08:00

Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21).

Where is your treasure? Some teach that this passage is calling us to reject all earthly possessions other than what is essential to get along; a vow of poverty; suggesting that earthly wealth, in itself, is wrong. They look to verse 19 of this passage in support of their position: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…:

But Jesus is not speaking merely about having money or material possessions; He is speaking about the condition of our hearts in relation to earthly wealth. The Apostle Paul expanded on this teaching in his letters to Timothy. In First Timothy 6:9 he says, “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare.” Then, in verse 17, he says, “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches…”

The problem is not in having money and things. The problem is in desiring those things, trusting in those things and feeling proud of those things. It is a matter of attitude. We give our hearts to that which we truly treasure. And Jesus made it abundantly clear in Matthew 6:24 that we cannot give our hearts to Him and still have affection for the things of the world.

God is not trying to ruin our fun. He is not some ogre who demands that we give Him all of our attention rather than to something of equal value to Him. There is nothing that is equal to God Himself in value! Why? Because He is the Creator and Sustainer of all! Therefore, God is of infinite value.

There is a very practical reason why God wants us to set our affections on Him and store up our treasures in heaven rather than pursuing the accumulation of earthly wealth. That reason can be summed up in two words from First Timothy 6:17…“uncertain riches”. Our nation’s current economic crisis ought to be sufficient evidence of that uncertainty! In Matthew 6, Jesus points out that all earthly possessions (including money) are vulnerable to theft, decay and collapse. According to recent news reports, even the government insurance that protects our money in the bank is in jeopardy.

But, as God’s children, we need not worry about all the uncertainty that is threatening the American way of life. In fact, Jesus commands us several times in Matthew 6:25-34, “Do not worry.” If we are desperately hanging on to earthly things, worrying about what life will be like if it all collapses, then that is evidence that our treasures are earthly and our hearts have misplaced affections.

I wrote in my last post about the importance of believing that God is great. If we truly believe that He is great, that He loves us, that He wants what is best for us; then we will hold loosely to our money and material possessions. If we truly have our affections set on heavenly treasure, then we will seek ways to use our earthly treasures for a heavenly purpose. Do you have enough? Then, find someone who is in need and share with them. That is how you can use your earthly treasures to store up heavenly treasures.

The words of First Timothy 6:18-19 are written to those who have been blessed with much. As Americans, we all have been blessed with much. So, these words apply to every one of us: “Do good…be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for [yourselves] a good foundation for the time to come, that [we] may lay hold on eternal life.”

God is greater than your problems!

2009-02-24T05:42:00.000-08:00

“In theology, endless mistakes result from supposing that the conditions, bounds and limits of our finite existence apply to God...In our life of faith, we easily impoverish ourselves by embracing an idea of God that is too limited and small…It is vital for spiritual health to believe that God is great” (J.I. Packer).

God is not bound by the limitations that we experience! He has life in Himself and He is the giver of life to all of us. So often our struggles and our frustrations can be traced back to having too small a view of God and His ability to empower us. We forget that we are His children and we try to live this life in our own strength. God’s desire for us is that we rely on His strength and He gives us frequent reminders in Scripture that He is right here waiting for us to fall on Him and let Him carry us.

We are told in Ephesians 1:3 that we have been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” But we cannot take advantage of those spiritual blessings unless we obey the loving words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” The Apostle Paul made a similar statement in Colossians 3:2, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

The secret to having the strength and energy to handle earthly life is by maintaining a heavenly mindset. Don’t put God in a box. There are no limits to His ability to sustain you and successfully bring you through every trial and trouble this world can throw at you. All He asks is that you keep your mind fixed on Him and stay away from all that would pull you from Him (Hebrews 12:1-2).

“Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.”
~ Psalm 1:1-3

Love

2009-02-03T04:33:00.000-08:00

It’s February, and my mind immediately thinks of two things: the shortest month of the year and Valentine’s Day. Well, there is a third thing every four years…leap year. But I suppose the main theme that is on everyone’s minds in February is romantic love and how they will demonstrate that love to their “significant other” on Valentine’s Day.

As Christians, we often downplay romantic love and say that the greatest form of love is God’s love and that love was much more than feelings, it was a selfless act of God’s will when He sent His Son to be our sacrifice for sin.

But I think we miss the point that God’s action in sending His Son was prompted by something much deeper than just His will. We would never think that our human love could ever be something that is just a cold, willful action. When we think of love we think emotion before anything else. So, how could God’s love be merely something of His will and not be just as deep and emotional as the love we experience as humans?

After all, we are created in God’s image and likeness, so if love is a deeply emotional experience for us then it must be a deeply emotional experience for God too.

I did a topical search on “the love of God” and came up with words like: sovereign, great, abiding, unfailing, unalienable, constraining and everlasting. And I’m thankful for all those qualities! But we seldom describe God’s love the way we describe our romantic love for each other: warm, passionate, exciting, desirable. When we fall in love with someone, we feel something! We don’t simply decide that we will selflessly give ourselves to them as a pure act of the will…we feel it.

God has feelings for you! He is not a distant God who decided to save you from sin and punishment and give you a home in heaven just because it seemed like the right thing to do. He did it because He has deep, passionate, romantic feelings for us! Romantic? Yes! Webster’s on-line dictionary defines “romance” as: “a relationship between two lovers; an exciting and mysterious quality.”

God is our “lover”? Well, consider what Ephesians chapter 5 has to say about a husband’s love for his wife: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” God’s Word likens the romantic love of marriage to the love Christ has for His bride, the church! Husbands and wives should have a real, tangible, passionate, physical, warm love for each other! And Jesus wants us to understand that His love for us is just as deep and warm and passionate as anything a married couple can experience.

As you celebrate love and romance this Valentine’s Day, remember to take time to deepen your relationship with the One whose feelings for you are deeper and more passionate than the human heart can even begin to comprehend!But don’t keep that love to yourself… “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11).

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T05:58:00.000-08:00

“I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High” (Psalm 9:2).

I am writing this with a genuine attitude of rejoicing! God has truly blessed my church (Immanuel Baptist Church of Hamilton, OH) over the course of this past year! And He topped it off by giving us an amazing Christmas season!

For me personally, this has possibly been the fullest Christmas I have ever had. But I don’t mean that it has merely been a full schedule. Rather, it has been full of meaning and purpose.

Being involved as a cast member of our Christmas musical (“One Bethlehem Night”) was fun but, more than that, it was encouraging to me as a pastor to see people work together to accomplish such a huge challenge and do it with a sincere desire to make the Gospel story known during the holiday season. Then, to have the privilege of sharing in such meaningful worship and fellowship with my church family on Christmas Eve really brought it all together so that I can shout with the psalmist “I will be glad and rejoice in You, O Most High!”

The best part about all this is: it doesn’t stop with the end of the Christmas season! The excitement of Christmas ought to be a catalyst to spur us on to greater participation in the Body of Christ as we pursue a deeper relationship with Christ and with each other.

As I write this, I am also preparing for the first Sunday of 2009. We will begin our year at Immanuel by observing both baptism and communion and rejoicing that God has reached out to us in His love and grace and brought us into His story. I can think of no better way to start the year!

I am excited about this journey that we are experiencing together as brothers and sisters in Christ! I trust that you will personally determine by God’s power to be an active part of all that God is doing in His church. Be involved in the life of the Body in your local church!

We should all strive to do our part to ensure that the Body of Christ is characterized by “an inexpressible and glorious joy” as we labor together in the work of the Gospel.

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

Happy New Year!

Praise God this Thanksgiving

2008-11-04T07:18:00.000-08:00

Ezra 3:11 says, “With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD.”

It is because God is worthy of our praise that we give Him our thanks. And we give Him our praise and thanks because He is our Creator and Redeemer. Without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5), but because He loves us with an everlasting love He has given us His power so that we “can do all things through Christ who strengthens” us (Philippians 4:13).

So, in this season of Thanksgiving I think it is appropriate that we take the time to praise our God and Savior. I thought the following acrostic of the word “praise” would be helpful in drawing our minds and hearts toward the only One who is truly worthy to “receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:12).

We give our Thanks and Praise to God because He is…

Powerful –
Psalm 29:4 “The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.”
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Righteous –
Psalm 11:7 “For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.”
Revelation 16:5 “And I heard the angel of the waters saying: ‘You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things’.”

Awesome –
Psalm 47:2 “For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.”

Infinite –
Psalm 147:5 “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.”

Strong –
Psalm 24:8 “Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.”
Second Corinthians 12:9 “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Eternal –
Psalm 90:2 “Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

[all Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version]

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Free Spirit

2008-09-25T05:10:00.000-07:00

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).

A “free spirit”…you know, that person who doesn’t seem to have a care in the world. They march to the beat of their own drum; nothing holds them back or keeps them down. They just move through life from one thing to the next doing things their own way; the master of their own destiny…or so it seems. Perhaps that is your natural personality. Or, maybe you’re the complete opposite. You live by order; you live by routine; you live life according to the plans and rules that you’ve established for yourself. And maybe you even look at the free spirit and envy them.

Well, I happen to be one of those “free spirits.” At least, that’s what my natural personality is like. During my teenage years, I was attracted to TV shows that portrayed men who stood apart from the norm. They did things their own way and, in spite of the troubles that always seemed to come their way, they always came out on top and everyone looked up to them. One of my favorites was Kwai Chang Caine of the “Kung Fu” series. He was forced to leave the Shaolin Temple in China and he came to America to wander from place to place helping others with the unique skills that he had learned growing up. Another favorite was James Rockford of the “Rockford Files.” He was a private investigator who played by his own set of rules but always solved the case and ended up the hero. Those kinds of TV shows influenced me because I already had a personality that was geared toward individualism. I wanted to pursue my own interests and go through life without being tied down by routine or the day-to-day boredom that seemed to be the slavery of so many. But what I found during my early adult years was that I was a slave to my own stubborn pursuit of personal interests.

What I have learned is that the life of the “free spirit” is not really a free life after all. I found that true freedom is found only in the willingness to submit myself to the will of God. Many believe that if they give their life completely to God’s will then they will feel enslaved the rest of their life; they won’t be able to enjoy life; they won’t be able to enjoy the wonders of being a free spirit. But really it’s just the opposite. The more we pursue the things of this world, the more enslaved we are to something that will never satisfy. The things of this world will leave us empty and longing for the next (hopefully better) thing. The answer to true satisfaction in life is not being a “free spirit”; it is being Spirit-filled. Jesus tried to explain this to the Jewish people of His day in John 6. He told them, “If you abide in My word…you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” But their response to Him was, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone.” So, Jesus had to explain that “whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.”

Romans chapter 6 explains that we are either a slave to sin leading to death or a slave of God leading to everlasting life. The world sees the life of a Christian as a burden, something that will take away their freedom. But the truth is that we just don’t realize how enslaved we are by self-interest and worldly pursuits until we submit ourselves to God’s will and then we find ourselves in a freedom that gives us “inexpressible and glorious joy” (I Peter 1:8)!

The life of a free spirit is very attractive. It appeals to the very core of our nature because we all long to be free. But I have learned by personal experience that the life of a free spirit is not the answer…the Spirit-filled life is the answer. Galatians chapter 5 tells us that Christ has made us free. And the fruit of His Spirit is joy! So, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25).

Pursue God and He will give you true freedom and satisfaction!

Seasons

2008-08-26T06:58:00.000-07:00

“Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years’” (Genesis 1:14).

September is always a month that makes me think about the seasons. I suppose the reason is that September brings us to the end of summer and, as we enter the fall, we are reminded that the cold dark days of winter will soon be with us. But even with the harshness of winter on its way, I still love the fall. It is my favorite season.

We know the necessity of the seasons for the benefit of the earth. The season of growing crops must be followed by seasons of rest for the land. But seasons were not given by God only for the benefit of the earth; they were given for our benefit as well. Seasons help keep us from falling into apathy and indifference.

The changing seasons ought to be a reminder to us that we should be constantly changing and growing in our walk with Christ. Second Peter 3:18 tells us, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” Just as the earth must yield to the seasons as they are constantly changing so that the ground stays healthy and plant life is able to flourish at its appropriate time, so we ought to constantly be yielding to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives so that we are able to flourish spiritually (“But the fruit of the Spirit is…”).

Although fall is the season when the earth begins to prepare for its winter sleep, it is usually a time when families begin to wake up after their summer break and get back into the swing of the school year schedule. In the church we ought to use this “reawakening” to help reenergize us as a church. We should take advantage of the enthusiasm of this time of year and determine that we will press forward with renewed vigor toward that prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!

But while the changing seasons can be a means of reenergizing us they can also teach us the importance of patience. We live in a “right now” culture. When we want something we want it “right now.” And that attitude can invade the church. We want to see our pews filled with people every Sunday and we want to see that happen “right now.” We want to see our youth group grow and we want to see it happen “right now.” As a pastor I sometimes find myself anxious to see things happen quickly. But then, the changing seasons remind me that God does not work on a schedule of “right now.” He works according to “times and seasons” (Daniel 2:21).

Author Ken Myers says that when we “are disengaged from the order of creation, we are more susceptible to various contemporary follies that arise from a failure to perceive God’s ways in the world of space and time…Involvement with plants, animals, and the settings in which they thrive reminds us of the benefits of time; an important lesson in a sped-up culture for those trying to understand the meaning of patience and long-suffering.” We need to listen to the rhythm of the seasons to be constantly reminded that we should be living in harmony with the rhythm of God’s will for our lives. Even if that means things don’t happen “right now.”

So, in the changing seasons I find the lesson of balance. We need to be reenergized by change so that we never become complacent in our walk with God. But we also need to be patient and allow those changes to happen according to God’s timetable rather than trying to force things to go our way (which never really works out anyway).

In this changing season let us determine together that we will “labor, striving according to His power which mightily works within” us (Colossians 1:29).

Are You Content?

2008-08-07T17:53:00.000-07:00

There is an old Parable called the Parable of the Stonecutter that can be found in Books and Various Places around the Internet and it goes like this:

There was once a stonecutter, who was dissatisfied with himself and with his position in life.
One day, he passed a wealthy merchant's house, and through the open gateway, saw many fine possessions and important visitors. "How powerful that merchant must be!" thought the stonecutter. He became very envious, and wished that he could be like the merchant. Then he would no longer have to live the life of a mere stonecutter.

To his great surprise, he suddenly became the merchant, enjoying more luxuries and power than he had ever dreamed of, envied and detested by those less wealthy than himself. But soon a high official passed by, carried in a chair, accompanied by attendants, and escorted by soldiers beating gongs. Everyone, no matter how wealthy, had to bow low before the procession. "How powerful that official is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a high official!"
Then he became the high official, carried everywhere in his embroidered chair, feared and hated by the people all around, who had to bow down before him as he passed. It was a hot summer day, and the official felt very uncomfortable in the sticky chair. He looked up at the sun. It shone proudly in the sky, unaffected by his presence. "How powerful the sun is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be the sun!"

Then he became the sun, shining fiercely down on everyone, scorching the fields, cursed by the farmers and laborers. But a huge black cloud moved between him and the earth, so that his light could no longer shine on everything below. "How powerful that storm cloud is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a cloud!"

Then he became the cloud, flooding the fields and villages, shouted at by everyone. But soon he found that he was being pushed away by some great force, and realized that it was the wind. "How powerful it is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be the wind!"

Then he became the wind, blowing tiles off the roofs of houses, uprooting trees, hated and feared by all below him. But after a while, he ran up against something that would not move, no matter how forcefully he blew against it — a huge, towering stone. "How powerful that stone is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a stone!"

Then he became the stone, more powerful than anything else on earth. But as he stood there, he heard the sound of a hammer pounding a chisel into the solid rock, and felt himself being changed. "What could be more powerful than I, the stone?" he thought. He looked down and saw far below him the figure of a stonecutter.

God's Word tells us:
"Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness" (I Timothy 6:6-11).

When our lives are consumed with having what we don't yet have we just wear ourselves out. Getting caught up in worldly pursuits draws our eyes away from Jesus Christ. But He has the solution for the wearisome pursuits of life. Jesus tells us, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). He also said, "“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:31-34).

Are you Content?

Gospel Authorship

2008-08-06T07:12:00.000-07:00

In response to the assertion of modern Historical Criticism that the Gospel writers were dependent upon one another or upon some other text (namely, the Two-Source Theory or Four-Source Theory), and, therefore, the historical accuracy (and thus the full inspiration and inerrancy) of the Gospels is brought into question; I am making this statement in full favor of the Independent Authorship of the four Canonical Gospels (namely, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John).

First, I believe in the full divine inspiration, inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture which is comprised of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments. I believe that this Scripture is the full and sufficient Word of God.

Second, I believe that sufficient evidence exists to confidently take the position that each of the Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, are the true writers of the Gospels and that they wrote independently of one another by the full inspiration of the Holy Spirit; therefore, their respective Gospel accounts are historically accurate, true and completely trustworthy.

The testimony of the early church fathers concerning the independent authorship of the Gospels is superbly represented in the words of John Chrysostom (347-407):

And why can it have been, that when there were so many disciples, two write only from among the apostles, and two from among their followers? (For one that was a disciple of Paul, and another of Peter, together with Matthew and John, wrote the Gospels.) It was because they did nothing for vainglory, but all things for use.
What then? Was not one evangelist sufficient to tell all? One indeed was sufficient; but if there be four that write, not at the same times, nor in the same places, neither after having met together, and conversed one with another, and then they speak all things as it were out of one mouth, this becomes a very great demonstration of truth.
But the contrary, it may be said, hath come to pass, for in many places they are convicted of discordance. Nay, this very thing is a very great evidence of their truth. For if they had agreed in all things exactly even to time, and place, and to the very words, none of our enemies would have believed but that they had met together, and had written what they wrote by some human compact; because such entire agreement as this cometh not of simplicity. But now even that discordance which seems to exist in little matters delivers them from all suspicion, and speaks clearly in behalf of the character of the writers.
But if there be anything touching times or places, which they have related differently, this nothing injures the truth of what they have said. And these things too, so far as God shall enable us, we will endeavor, as we proceed, to point out; requiring you, together with what we have mentioned, to observe, that in the chief heads, those which constitute our life and furnish out our doctrine, nowhere is any of them found to have disagreed, no not ever so little.
(Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on the Gospel according to St. Matthew)

Are You in Love with Your Church?

2008-07-25T06:51:00.000-07:00

What does the church mean to you? Is it just a place that you go once or twice a week (or maybe less often?) to get a “spiritual fix”? Or, perhaps you recognize that the church is not a building, it is people – people who have been born again by the grace and power of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. But what role does church play in your life? Is it one of many things that are a part of your life? Or does your life revolve around the church?

You may ask why a Christian’s life should revolve around the local church. Why can’t it just be a part of my life rather than the central theme of my life? Well, because the church is more than just a gathering of Christians. The Bible tells us that the church is the Body of Christ. First Corinthians chapter 12 says, “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” Just as the parts of your body are dependent on the body as a whole for their life and function, so we as members of the Body of Christ must realize that our spiritual life, growth and function depend upon our connection to the Body as a whole. And that Body finds its visible manifestation in the local church.

Joshua Harris has written a book entitled, Stop Dating the Church: Fall In Love with the Family of God. In this book, Harris makes the case for the biblical mandate that we live our lives centered around the Church – the Body of Christ. And he shows that our commitment to, and involvement in, the local church is the primary way that God wants His children to live that Church-centered life.

Allow me to quote the back of the book:

We are a generation of consumers, independent and critical. We attend church, but we don’t want to settle down and truly invest ourselves. We’re not into commitment – we only want to date the church.
Is this what God wants for us?
Stop Dating the Church reminds us that faith was never meant to be a solo pursuit. The church is the place God grows us, encourages us, and uses us best. Loving Jesus Christ involves a passionate commitment to His church – around the world and down the street.
We can’t be apathetic. It’s time to fall in love with the family of God.

I praise God for so many of you here at Immanuel Baptist who are truly committed to this local body of believers! Your faithfulness is an encouragement to me everyday. But perhaps as you read this you realize that you are one of those who has been holding back. You are only dating the church. Perhaps you have not yet taken the step of obedience in water baptism or you haven’t joined Immanuel as a member. Or maybe you are a member, but you have gotten distracted by other things and you just need to return to the love and fellowship of the Body. I strongly recommend this book as one tool that will help you fall in love with the family of God all over again.

The Book: Stop Dating the Church, by Joshua Harris, Multnomah Publishers
Where you can find it: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=23653&netp_id=337799&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=covers