Effective Elders by Google

Effective Elders by Google

Over the past fifteen years I have had the privilege to meet more than 1,000 elders scattered across the United States and abroad. I have worked with many of these men in planning Gospel meetings, Origins seminars, youth rally’s, etc. Yes, there are some elders serving who are not qualified, who are poor leaders, who do not know the Word, or simply enjoy the title. But most elders I have met serve because they love souls, they love the bride of Christ, and they love their church family. These are the ones who wear the deep wrinkles, gray hair, and other “scars” from truly worrying about the souls of their sheep.

elders google

Where is the next generation of elders?

I have watched on multiple occasions elders get so choked up, as they prayed for those who responded to the Lord’s invitation, that they had to stop and wipe away tears. I have listened to men share the ongoing heartache they feel having counseled broken families. I have seen firsthand visible bags under the eyes of men who stayed up late into the night praying for a specific member of their church family. I have counseled elders who desperately want to give the right counsel to members who find themselves in ethical dilemmas, such as new fertility practices.

I cannot count the number of meals I’ve eaten with elders who—with pain in their voices—discuss the apathy among their church family. I have been asked numerous times what resource is out there that can help get people more involved or help their members evangelize better. I have watched elders who have had to gently but firmly correct someone in a Bible class who was teaching error. And I can’t imagine the number of “fires” these men have had to put out between silly squabbles in their own congregations.

But the reality is these men are rapidly getting older.

Many are very close to their reward.

Some have already died out.

And while we often view the appointment of elders as a lifelong appointment, like the Supreme Court, the reality is there comes a time when men are no longer “able to teach,” “hospitable,” “desire the work,” or “the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:1-7). In Titus one of the qualifications is that they are to “hold fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 2:9, emp. added).

In other words, an 85 year-old elder who can no longer hear well, has not taught a class in over a decade, misses most elders meetings because of poor health, does not actively feed the sheep, and only holds the title elder because he was appointed 25 years ago, is no longer qualified. (I realize that this is a sensitive topic in many congregations, but the reality is the qualifications still exist even after the person has been appointed.)

As a result, in the next ten years we are going to have a massive amount of seats become available in elderships all across this land. In many congregations we either don’t have enough elders to truly protect and feed the sheep, or we don’t have any because “we don’t have anyone qualified.” I know of many congregations that only have two elders, and one is already gravely ill.

So who is going to fill their shoes? Have we honestly been training the next generation of men to take care of the bride of Christ? In Titus 2 we read, “Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works, in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you” (Titus 2:6-8). What are we saying when a congregation goes 10-15 years without having men qualified to be an elder? Why are we not training men for this position?

Add to this, that many congregations are missing an entire generation (20-35 year-olds). What is going to happen when it becomes time for the millennial generation to step up and lead the church?

Have you ever watched a how a 20-30 year-old person solves dilemmas? Almost universally they will take out a smartphone and ask Google (or Siri or Alexa) for an answer.

“Hey Siri where is the closest gas station?”

“Hey Google, how do I get a ketchup stain out of a hemp shirt?”

“Hey Alexa, how do I make turtle cheesecake?”

Friends, you can’t use Google and be an effective elder. Oh sure, you can ask Google some questions about qualifications or duties of an elder. But being an effective elder is more than simply asking your phone for a solution.

There are many things your smartphone cannot teach you. Like for instance:

  • Google can’t tell you how to properly console a mother who has just lost a child. Only time, experience, God’s Word, and loss can teach you that.
  • Google can’t tell you how to give comfort and counsel a woman whose husband is addicted to pornography.
  • Google can’t identify false doctrine or teach you when you should speak up and correct someone.
  • Google can’t pray for your congregation.
  • Google can’t figure out how to resolve squabbles among your members.
  • Google can’t instruct you on when (and how) to use church discipline.

And while your smartphone may have a Bible on it, it can’t get that information into your head and heart. Only time and study does that.

I fear that the younger generation does not want to receive instruction from the older generation—after all, they can just Google it. But as I mentioned above, there are many things Google cannot teach you. Google cannot tell you how to most effectively feed the sheep in your congregation, because Google does not know all of the intricate details about your sheep.

If we are going to preserve the bride of Christ in America we must start teaching the younger generation how to be effective leaders. We need to start mentoring the 20-30 year olds. The younger generation must humble itself and be willing to learn. Find out what caused the wrinkles and the gray hair, and listened to what they did right and what they did wrong.

I believe there is a great future for many congregations in America—as I have met some incredible men who are exactly what I believe God expects in an elder. But if we are going to pass that on and improve, then we need to put down our phones, open up God’s Word, and learn from those who already walked down that path!

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Interacting with Muslim Americans

Interacting with Muslim Americans

Can a true Muslim be a good American? How should we interact with Muslims since they are called to convert us or kill us?

The Quran (Islam’s holy book, their “Bible”) contains verses which promote jihad, a holy war which requires Muslims to act violently toward unrepentant non-Muslims.  One of many passages which does so is this one:  “Now when ye MEET IN BATTLE those who disbelieve, then it is SMITING OF THE NECKS until, when ye have routed them, then making fast of bonds; and afterward either grace or ransom till the WAR lay down its burdens.  That (is the ordinance).  And if Allah willed He could have punished them (without you) but (thus it is ordained) that He may try some of you by means of others.  And THOSE WHO ARE SLAIN in the way of Allah, He rendereth not their actions vain.”  (Surah 47:4, emphasis mine).  Muslim scholar Abdulla Yusuf Ali wrote a commentary on this passage in which he stated, “When once the fight (Jihad) is entered upon, carry it out with the utmost vigour, and strike home your blows at the most vital points (smite at their necks), both literally and figuratively.  You cannot wage war with kid gloves.”

muslim americans

A Christian’s response to Islam should not be through violent means.

The religion of Islam is similar to Christianity in that its followers each exhibit varying degrees of faithfulness to its commandments.  Just as there are “liberal” Christians who hold to a relaxed view of biblical teaching, there are “liberal” Muslims, those who hold a relaxed view of the many teachings of the Quran concerning violence towards non-Muslims and thus are peaceful and kind.  Just as there are “conservative” Christians who simply take the Bible for what it says and try to obey all of it, there are also “conservative” Muslims who take the Quran for what it says and try to obey it all, including the passages about violence towards non-Muslims.  The “conservative” Muslims are currently represented by ISIS, the 9/11 hijackers, etc.  The “liberal” Muslims, generally speaking, are far more likely to be “good Americans” (i.e., abiding by the laws of this country; living peacefully with their fellow Americans.)

Scripture gives several guidelines on how Christians are to interact with Muslims:

  1. Remember that their souls are precious in the sight of God, so reach out to them with the gospel (John 3:16; Luke 19:10; Mark 16:15).
  2. Help them see us and our Christ as a loving people who represent a loving God by loving our neighbors and our enemies (1 Cor. 13:4-7; 1 John 4:8; Matt. 22:39; 5:44).
  3. Our love is primarily shown by sharing the truth with them in love (Eph. 4:15).
  4. Rather than writing off all Muslims you know as among the “conservative,” violent type, judge each individual Muslim righteously (John 7:24).
  5. Upon evidence that you’re dealing with a Muslim who is very “conservative” in doctrine (i.e., a violent jihadist), act wisely to protect yourself (Matt. 10:14); cf. Acts 23:12-35).
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The Duty of the Prophet

The Duty of the Prophet

As we read from the prophet Ezekiel, we should be aware that while God is preparing Ezekiel to prophesy to the rebellious people of Israel, he is also given a profound and dire warning. If the man of God (Ezekiel particularly in this case) fails to warn the sinner of God’s judgment then the sinner will be lost and the man of God (Ezekiel) will also be held accountable. However, if the man of God faithfully proclaims God’s warning, and the sinner refuses to repent, then the sinner will be lost but the man of God will be justified (Ezekiel 3:18-21).

Ezekiel prophet

Are you warning or condemning?

Let us not however think that this warning is only for the inspired prophets of old. The apostle Paul said “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences” (2 Corinthians 5:11) While we don’t have the right or the authority to condemn sinners, we do have a responsibility to warn sinners from their evil ways and declare unto them the judgments of God. Love the sinner and hate the sin, enough to share the truth of God. This, too, is part of being faithful.

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Outnumbered? Overwhelmed?

Outnumbered? Overwhelmed?

Life is never easy, but there are those times when we become so overwhelmed that we are filled with despair, feeling like we can never succeed. God, who supplies all our needs, has given us His words of truth to let us know just how wrong we are. Remember this. With the exception of two times (one was in the Garden of Eden; see if you can think of the other) the number of the ungodly has always far surpassed those who are godly. Look at the following words of encouragement He has given us about how we will triumph because He is here with us. Pay special attention to the word “thousand.”

overwhelmed outnumbered

Do not forget who has your back.

There were millions of Jews who left Egypt and headed for the Promised Land, but before them lay the task of conquering that land. Some readily gave up saying, “The people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large…there we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak) and we were like grasshoppers in our sight” (Num. 13:28, 33). They gave up.

Forty years later, their children entered that land under the leadership of Joshua. His view was always different from the view of the former generation. “Hold fast to the Lord your God as you have done this day. For the Lord has driven out from before you the great and strong nations; but as for you, now one has been able to stand against you to this day. One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you” (Josh. 23:8-10).  One chase a thousand? If there were six million Jews who entered the Promised Land, they could have defeated 6,000,000,000 pagans. How do you like those odds! When you feel outnumbered, remember this story. It is God who fights our battles.

Do not overlook that time when Shamgar killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad (Judg. 3:31); Gideon’s small army killed over 100,000 Midianites (Judg. 8:10); Samson killed a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey (Judg. 15:15); and the Jews’ victory over 185,000 Assyrians without lifting a single weapon (2 Kgs. 19:35).

When you are discouraged because those living ungodly lives seem to be winning, read Psa. 38:17. “The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of thousands.” He is among His people, and He and His heavenly army stand beside you. How many angels does He have? John said, “Then I looked and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne…and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” (Rev. 5:11). And the work of every one of them is to minister to us who are troubled (Heb. 1:14). Remember, you are not outnumbered!

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The Salvation of the Gospel

The Salvation of the Gospel

Jesus Christ offers salvation. He says plainly in Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” He says in John 10:9, “I am the door. He who goes in and out by me will be saved.” Thus, the apostle Peter boldly declared that there is no other name, but the name of Jesus Christ, given under heaven by which men “must be saved (Acts 4:12).”

Salvation is an important part of the Gospel message. Cornelius was told by God to send to Joppa for Peter, who would give him “words” by which he and all his household would “be saved.” (Acts 11:14) Peter preached the Gospel to that house, the words of Christ. Concerning the word of God, Paul reminded Timothy that it was able to make one wise unto salvation (cf. 2 Timothy 3:15), and elsewhere he declared to the church at Rome that the Gospel of Christ was the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).

Salvation how

Salvation? How? From where? By whom?

With all that in mind, a question comes… when exactly is one saved through the Gospel of Christ? There is a great deal of confusion about this in the minds of some, and there are those who will tell you they have been saved, but who, when they begin reading and studying the scriptures have to wonder if such is actually the case.

One of the things that we should probably note first is that there are at least two senses in which Jesus provides salvation. This is because there are at least two things that Jesus saves us from.

In the first place, Jesus saves us from sin. Sin is a blot on our soul and separates us from a right relationship with God (cf. Isaiah 59:1-2). Through the blood of Christ there is the forgiveness of sins (cf. Ephesians 1:7). Thus it was prophesied that Jesus would save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21). Whenever we read about forgiveness in the Gospels, we are reading about a very important aspect of salvation.

In the second place, Jesus saves us from death. Not from physical death, but from an eternal and spiritual death. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God in Christ Jesus is eternal life (Romans 6:23). By removing sin, Jesus also removes the penalty from sin. For this reason, the Bible says, “he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:20) This salvation from death and judgment is at the heart of the resurrection message. Jesus took on flesh, died on the cross and then rose from the dead so that we might know that He had destroyed the power of death. (cf. Hebrews 2:14) In Jesus, those who are saved from sin are subsequently saved from death and have the promise of a home in heaven (cf. John 14:1-3)

Noting then that there are two different kinds of salvation offered by Jesus, though they are very closely related to one another, when we ask the question, when does Jesus save you, we might recognize that there are two possible ways to answer the question.

Concerning the salvation from sins – Jesus saves us from our sins when He forgives us of our sins. So long as a man is still under the burden of sin, that man cannot have said to be saved from sin. Once the man is forgiven, he has found the promised salvation.

Jesus said concerning this, that the man who believes and is baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16). Peter, preaching the first gospel sermon, told his listeners they needed to be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins(Acts 2:38). Ananias, another inspired man, told Saul that Saul needed to, “Arise, and be baptized, and wash away [his] sins, calling on the name of the Lord(Acts 22:16).”  If we understand that it is in baptism that a man has his sins washed away, and that this forgiveness is salvation, we can then understand why the Bible says that baptism saves us (cf. 1 Peter 3:21).

But what about the second salvation – the salvation from death? When does that happen. Jesus said once to His disciples, “But he who endures to the end will be saved(Matthew 10:22b; NKJV).” This is in harmony with what Jesus says elsewhere, “He who is faithful unto death will receive a crown of life(Revelation 2:10).” That crown of life is the promise of eternal life.

So the Bible teaches that Jesus saves us from our sins and brings us into a right relationship with God when we obey the Gospel and have those sins washed away. Then, as we remain faithful to the Gospel, we later, sharing in the resurrection, have a part in an eternal salvation from condemnation.

Which is why Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you… (1 Corinthians 15:1-2a; NKJV).”

 

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