The following is a passage from "The Master's Plan for the Church" by John MacArthur. This has been an incredibly challenging and convicting book.
I believe the Devil attacks spiritual leaders with more severe temptations than most Christians will ever experience. It makes sense that those who lead the forces of truth and light against the kingdom of darkness will experience the strongest opposition from the Enemy.
An unholy pastor is like a stained glass window: a religious symbol that filters out the true light. That's why "above reproach" is the initial qualification for spiritual leadership. The seventeenth-century Puritan Richard Baxter wrote,
"Take heed to yourselves, lest you live in those sins which you preach against in others, and lest you be guilty of that which daily you condemn. Will you make it your work to magnify God, and, when you have done, dishonor him as much as others? Will you proclaim Christ's governing power, and yet condemn it, and rebel yourselves? Will you preach his laws, and willfully break them?
If sin be evil, why do you live in it? If it be not, why do you dissuade men from it? If it be dangerous, how dare you venture on it? If it be not, why do you tell men so? If God's threatenings be true, why do you not fear them? If they be false, why do you needlessly trouble men with them, and put them into such frights without cause?
Do you "know the judgment of God, that they who commit such things are worthy of death;" and yet will you do them? "Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adlutery," or be drunk, or covetous, art thou such thyself? "Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonorest thou God?" What! Shall the same tongue speak evil that speakest against evil? Shall those lips censure, and slander, and backbite your neighbor, that cry down these and the like things in others?
Take heed to yourselves, lest you cry down sin, and yet do not overcome it; lest, while you seek to bring it down in others, you bow to it, and become its slave yourselves: "For of whom a man is overcome, the same he is brought into bondage." "To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are whom you obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness." O brethren! It is easier to chide at sin, than to overcome it. (The Reformed Pastor, [Carlisle, PA.: Banner of Truth, 1956 reprint], 67-68)
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Properity Gospel???
Mark 8:34-36: If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A Wake-Up Call to Pastors
I've been reading a book called "The Master's Plan for the Church", by John MacArthur. It has been very convicting, but two paragraphs in particular have really made me stop and think.
1. J. Oswald Sanders writes that if a man "is unwilling to pay the price of fatigue for his leadership, it will always be mediocre" (Spiritual Leadership, p. 175). He also says, "True leadership always exacts a heavy toll on the whole man, and the more effective the leadership is, the higher the price to be paid" (p. 169). Because we understand the urgency of our ministry, we will not mitigate that price. Weariness, loneliness, struggle, rising early, staying up late, and forgoing pleasures all come with excellence.
2. Richard Baxter (1615-1691) wrote that the ministerial work, "must be managed laboriously and diligently, being of such unspeakable consequence to others and ourselves. We are seeking to uphold the world, to save it from the curse of God, to perfect the creation, to attain the ends of Christ's redemption, to save ourselves and others from damnation, to overcome the devil, and demolish his kingdom, and set up the kingdom of Christ, and attain and help others to the kingdom of glory. And are these works to be done with a careless mind or a slack hand? O see then that this work be done with all your might! Study hard, for the well is deep, and our brains are shallow. (The Reformed Pastor [London: James Nisbet and Co., 1860 reprint], 164-65)
1. J. Oswald Sanders writes that if a man "is unwilling to pay the price of fatigue for his leadership, it will always be mediocre" (Spiritual Leadership, p. 175). He also says, "True leadership always exacts a heavy toll on the whole man, and the more effective the leadership is, the higher the price to be paid" (p. 169). Because we understand the urgency of our ministry, we will not mitigate that price. Weariness, loneliness, struggle, rising early, staying up late, and forgoing pleasures all come with excellence.
2. Richard Baxter (1615-1691) wrote that the ministerial work, "must be managed laboriously and diligently, being of such unspeakable consequence to others and ourselves. We are seeking to uphold the world, to save it from the curse of God, to perfect the creation, to attain the ends of Christ's redemption, to save ourselves and others from damnation, to overcome the devil, and demolish his kingdom, and set up the kingdom of Christ, and attain and help others to the kingdom of glory. And are these works to be done with a careless mind or a slack hand? O see then that this work be done with all your might! Study hard, for the well is deep, and our brains are shallow. (The Reformed Pastor [London: James Nisbet and Co., 1860 reprint], 164-65)
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
A Word to Parents
"Parents, if you fail to teach your children to fear God, the devil will teach them to hate God. If you fail to teach them to guard their minds, the devil will teach them to have a corrupt mind. If you fail to teach them to obey their parents, the devil will teach them to rebel and break their parents' hearts. If you fail to teach them to select carefully their companions, the devil will choose companions for them. If you fail to teach them to control their lusts, the devil will teach them how to fulfill their lusts. If you fail to teach them to enjoy their own spouses, the devil will teach them to destroy their marriages. If you fail to teach them to watch their words, the devil will fill their mouths with filth. If you fail to teach them to pursue their work, the devil will make their laziness a tool of hell. If you fail to teach them to manage their money, the devil will teach them to squander it on riotous living. And if you fail to teach them to love their neighbors, the devil will teach them to love only themselves. We have a great responsibility to this generation and the next."
From John MacArthur's book "What the Bible Says About Parenting"
From John MacArthur's book "What the Bible Says About Parenting"
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Crushed for Christ
Revelation 2:8-11- And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.'
I wonder what the church in Smyrna would have thought of modern day American Christianity. I wonder how they would have responded to the message that God wants you happy, healthy, and wealthy. I wonder what they would have thought of the promises of American pastors that if people would just come to Christ, then all of their problems would instantly be solved. I wonder what they would think of the many professing American Christians whose lifestyles seem identical to non-Christians.
I'll tell you what I think they would have said. They would have said it was hogwash. They would have said it was heresy. They would have said that America could keep there Christianity-lite. They would settle for the true Gospel that calls us to REPENTANT faith in Christ as our only hope of salvation. They would hold on to the demand of the Gospel that they should deny themselves, pick up their crosses daily, and follow Christ.
Why would they choose such a hard and demanding lifestyle over the possibility of having their "best life now"? Maybe because they actually believed the Word of God. They had the audacity to believe verses like 2 Timothy 3:12. "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Did you notice a striking phrase in that verse? It says that ALL who desire to live a godly life in Christ WILL be persecuted. Notice it didn't say some might. It said that all will. They had the nerve to believe Matthew 5:10-12. "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." They even had the gall to believe John 15:18-21. "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master ' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me." They understood that Christians are not called to a life of leisure. We are called to follow Christ no matter the cost.
I'll tell something very fascinating about the church in Smyrna. Smyrna means "myrrh". Myrrh was a spice used for perfume and anointing dead bodies. Myrrh had to be crushed before the aroma would really come out. It is the same way with Christians. It is the hard times that prove who the genuine followers of Christ are. Anybody can "follow" Christ during the easy and happy times. Persecution and trials separate the true from the false. Hard times actually make the true Christians stronger, while it makes the fake believers jump ship.
Romans 5:3-5 tells us, "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
John MacArthur told a story that illustrates how the persecuted church may seem poor, but it is actually rich beyond measure (just like Christ said about the church in Smyrna).
"They had holiness, they had power, they had love, they had joy, they had grace, they had peace, they had true friends. They had a divine resource. They had a sympathetic Savior. They had grace upon grace. They were rich. That's how it is with a persecuted church. Don't you ever feel sorry for the persecuted church. I will never forget standing down here in front of this row after a service and having a pastor come to me when the Soviet Union was still under communist rule and shaking my hand and saying, "I have read your material in Russian and I come here and I have experienced your church today and I just want to tell you I don't know how you can possibly endure being a pastor in the United States."
And I said, "What do you mean?"
He said, "I could never be a pastor here. It's so much easier in the Soviet Union."
I said, "Why do you say that?"
He said, "Because your people are caught up in the world and material things and comfort and how can you find true commitment?" He said, "I would far rather pastor in the Soviet Union." John MacArthur
In closing, I'm going to let Scripture speak for itself.
1 Peter 1:3-9- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
I wonder what the church in Smyrna would have thought of modern day American Christianity. I wonder how they would have responded to the message that God wants you happy, healthy, and wealthy. I wonder what they would have thought of the promises of American pastors that if people would just come to Christ, then all of their problems would instantly be solved. I wonder what they would think of the many professing American Christians whose lifestyles seem identical to non-Christians.
I'll tell you what I think they would have said. They would have said it was hogwash. They would have said it was heresy. They would have said that America could keep there Christianity-lite. They would settle for the true Gospel that calls us to REPENTANT faith in Christ as our only hope of salvation. They would hold on to the demand of the Gospel that they should deny themselves, pick up their crosses daily, and follow Christ.
Why would they choose such a hard and demanding lifestyle over the possibility of having their "best life now"? Maybe because they actually believed the Word of God. They had the audacity to believe verses like 2 Timothy 3:12. "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Did you notice a striking phrase in that verse? It says that ALL who desire to live a godly life in Christ WILL be persecuted. Notice it didn't say some might. It said that all will. They had the nerve to believe Matthew 5:10-12. "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." They even had the gall to believe John 15:18-21. "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master ' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me." They understood that Christians are not called to a life of leisure. We are called to follow Christ no matter the cost.
I'll tell something very fascinating about the church in Smyrna. Smyrna means "myrrh". Myrrh was a spice used for perfume and anointing dead bodies. Myrrh had to be crushed before the aroma would really come out. It is the same way with Christians. It is the hard times that prove who the genuine followers of Christ are. Anybody can "follow" Christ during the easy and happy times. Persecution and trials separate the true from the false. Hard times actually make the true Christians stronger, while it makes the fake believers jump ship.
Romans 5:3-5 tells us, "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
John MacArthur told a story that illustrates how the persecuted church may seem poor, but it is actually rich beyond measure (just like Christ said about the church in Smyrna).
"They had holiness, they had power, they had love, they had joy, they had grace, they had peace, they had true friends. They had a divine resource. They had a sympathetic Savior. They had grace upon grace. They were rich. That's how it is with a persecuted church. Don't you ever feel sorry for the persecuted church. I will never forget standing down here in front of this row after a service and having a pastor come to me when the Soviet Union was still under communist rule and shaking my hand and saying, "I have read your material in Russian and I come here and I have experienced your church today and I just want to tell you I don't know how you can possibly endure being a pastor in the United States."
And I said, "What do you mean?"
He said, "I could never be a pastor here. It's so much easier in the Soviet Union."
I said, "Why do you say that?"
He said, "Because your people are caught up in the world and material things and comfort and how can you find true commitment?" He said, "I would far rather pastor in the Soviet Union." John MacArthur
In closing, I'm going to let Scripture speak for itself.
1 Peter 1:3-9- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Advice to Teachers
The following is an excerpt from "The Soul Winner" by Charles Spurgeon.
"Let every teacher weigh these words of Paul, "But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us." The genuine soul-winner knows what this means. For my own part, when the Lord helps me to preach, after I have delivered all my matter, and have fired off my shot so fast that my gun has grown hot, I have often rammed my soul into the gun, and fired my heart at the congregation, and this discharge has, under God, won the victory. God will bless by His Spirit our hearty sympathy with His own truth, and make it do that which the truth alone, coldly spoken, would not accomplish. Here, then, is the secret. You must, dear teacher, impart to the young your own soul; you must feel as if the ruin of that child would be your own ruin. You must feel that, if the child remains under the wrath of God, it is to you as true a grief as if you were under that wrath yourself. You must confess the child's sins before God as if they were your own, and stand as a priest before the Lord pleading on its behalf."
"Let every teacher weigh these words of Paul, "But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us." The genuine soul-winner knows what this means. For my own part, when the Lord helps me to preach, after I have delivered all my matter, and have fired off my shot so fast that my gun has grown hot, I have often rammed my soul into the gun, and fired my heart at the congregation, and this discharge has, under God, won the victory. God will bless by His Spirit our hearty sympathy with His own truth, and make it do that which the truth alone, coldly spoken, would not accomplish. Here, then, is the secret. You must, dear teacher, impart to the young your own soul; you must feel as if the ruin of that child would be your own ruin. You must feel that, if the child remains under the wrath of God, it is to you as true a grief as if you were under that wrath yourself. You must confess the child's sins before God as if they were your own, and stand as a priest before the Lord pleading on its behalf."
Friday, January 23, 2009
My Boys are Living Up to Their Names
Kelli and I often joke about how our boys are living up to the names we gave them. After the boys and Kelli went to bed tonight, I began to think about how true that is. Allow me to illustrate.
Nathaniel Jacob is our oldest. It took us a little while to decide on his name, but when we came up with it, we knew it was the one. Nathaniel means "gift of God". Nathaniel has no doubt been a gift from God. Kelli and I got married in June of 1996. That December we found out she was pregnant. I think we had tried for only a month or so before we found out she was pregnant. We were ecstatic to put it mildly. Nathaniel has been a blessing in countless ways. From the beginning he has been a Momma's boy. To this day, he fiercely takes up for his Mom (whether she is right or wrong! lol). He loves his dear old Dad, but Mom will always hold a special place in his heart. I was working very long hours on night shift when he was little, so Kelli spent a lot of one on one time with him. Jacob means "supplanter or deceiver". Nathaniel really takes after his namesake in this category. Jacob was a good guy in Scripture, but he sure could be sneaky when he needed to be! That's my Nathaniel. I could tell story after story about the sneaky things he has done. He has definitely given us our share of laughs.
Next came Benjamin Isaac. Remember how I said that Nathaniel was a major Momma's boy? Well, Benjamin went to the other extreme. When he was a baby, it would break Kelli's heart because he didn't want her to get him to sleep. He only wanted his Dad! She could try to get him to sleep for 2 hours. I could snuggle him and 5 minutes later he was sound asleep. It's no wonder that Benjamin means "son of my right hand". Benjamin and I still cut up about how he is the son of my right hand since he is such a Daddy's boy. Nathaniel might take up for Kelli, but Benjamin always takes up for me (even whey I'm wrong). Isaac means "he will laugh". Wouldn't you know that Benjamin would be our little comedian. We knew from the beginning that he would be the class clown. He loves to make people laugh. And when he laughs, he brightens up a whole room. He is always trying to find a funny joke to tell or come up with some kind of practical joke. There is never a dull moment with Benjamin.
And last but not least, Samuel Joseph. I had always dreamed of having 3 boys. After we had 2 we decided that was enough, though. God had another plan for us! Samuel was our little surprise. I'm glad that God does what He thinks is best for us instead of what we think is best. Nathaniel is the Momma's boy. Benjamin is the Daddy's boy. And Samuel is right in the middle. He tries his best to be equal to both of us. Samuel means "His name is God". In the Bible, Hannah named Samuel that because God was the one who answered her prayer for a child. You have to put both of his names together to get the full effect of how he is living up to his name. Joseph means "He will enlarge". In the Bible, Rachel named Joseph that because God had enlarged her family (and would continue to enlarge it). So you've got "His name is God" and "He will enlarge". We thought we were done with children, but God reminded us that we are not God. He is God and He decided to enlarge our family by giving us Samuel. I sure am glad He did. Samuel is one of a kind to put it mildly.
Oh, here is one more interesting thing about the names in our family. Mark means "warrior" and Kelli means "warrior woman". Yet another example of how we are made for each other.
Until next time, blessings and peace to you...
Nathaniel Jacob is our oldest. It took us a little while to decide on his name, but when we came up with it, we knew it was the one. Nathaniel means "gift of God". Nathaniel has no doubt been a gift from God. Kelli and I got married in June of 1996. That December we found out she was pregnant. I think we had tried for only a month or so before we found out she was pregnant. We were ecstatic to put it mildly. Nathaniel has been a blessing in countless ways. From the beginning he has been a Momma's boy. To this day, he fiercely takes up for his Mom (whether she is right or wrong! lol). He loves his dear old Dad, but Mom will always hold a special place in his heart. I was working very long hours on night shift when he was little, so Kelli spent a lot of one on one time with him. Jacob means "supplanter or deceiver". Nathaniel really takes after his namesake in this category. Jacob was a good guy in Scripture, but he sure could be sneaky when he needed to be! That's my Nathaniel. I could tell story after story about the sneaky things he has done. He has definitely given us our share of laughs.
Next came Benjamin Isaac. Remember how I said that Nathaniel was a major Momma's boy? Well, Benjamin went to the other extreme. When he was a baby, it would break Kelli's heart because he didn't want her to get him to sleep. He only wanted his Dad! She could try to get him to sleep for 2 hours. I could snuggle him and 5 minutes later he was sound asleep. It's no wonder that Benjamin means "son of my right hand". Benjamin and I still cut up about how he is the son of my right hand since he is such a Daddy's boy. Nathaniel might take up for Kelli, but Benjamin always takes up for me (even whey I'm wrong). Isaac means "he will laugh". Wouldn't you know that Benjamin would be our little comedian. We knew from the beginning that he would be the class clown. He loves to make people laugh. And when he laughs, he brightens up a whole room. He is always trying to find a funny joke to tell or come up with some kind of practical joke. There is never a dull moment with Benjamin.
And last but not least, Samuel Joseph. I had always dreamed of having 3 boys. After we had 2 we decided that was enough, though. God had another plan for us! Samuel was our little surprise. I'm glad that God does what He thinks is best for us instead of what we think is best. Nathaniel is the Momma's boy. Benjamin is the Daddy's boy. And Samuel is right in the middle. He tries his best to be equal to both of us. Samuel means "His name is God". In the Bible, Hannah named Samuel that because God was the one who answered her prayer for a child. You have to put both of his names together to get the full effect of how he is living up to his name. Joseph means "He will enlarge". In the Bible, Rachel named Joseph that because God had enlarged her family (and would continue to enlarge it). So you've got "His name is God" and "He will enlarge". We thought we were done with children, but God reminded us that we are not God. He is God and He decided to enlarge our family by giving us Samuel. I sure am glad He did. Samuel is one of a kind to put it mildly.
Oh, here is one more interesting thing about the names in our family. Mark means "warrior" and Kelli means "warrior woman". Yet another example of how we are made for each other.
Until next time, blessings and peace to you...
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