Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You

Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Colossians 3:16

This verse gives us several reasons why we sing in worship to God:

  • It’s a way the word of Christ dwells in us richly.
  • It’s a way that we as Christians teach and admonish each other in all wisdom.
  • It’s a way to show our heart-felt thankfulness to God.

I know it’s easy for me to forget this as I sing in worship.  I think a lot of us forget this.  I think that’s why musical worship has gotten so far removed from what God said in his Word that he would have it to be.

Does the love of the Lord dwell in your heart?  Does it come out in song?

Does the love of the Lord dwell in your heart? Does it come out in song?

We tend to go to two extremes when it comes to music in worship.  First, we might be so self-centered in our subconscious desire to be entertained that we either turn the worship service into a concert atmosphere with choirs, hand-clapping, pianos, guitars, drums, singing, and dancing in the aisles.  Reverence to God and making God the focus goes flying out the window, as does any desire to simply give him what he asked as revealed in this verse.  Even those who recognize the sinfulness of the instrumental additions to the music God prescribed in the New Testament and the error of the entertainment, concert-like so-called worship may still be guilty of focusing on self in our more reverent a cappella singing.  We do this when we focus on whether the song chosen is a song we like, or putting undue emphasis on making sure that we get the altos and tenors to harmonize more.

When our focus is on what entertains and pleases us in the song, does the song really help the word of Christ to dwell in us richly?  When we are focused on “rocking out” to the cool guitar accompaniment or making sure that we’re singing the bass part just right, how can we pay attention to any teaching or admonishment that we may need to hear in the lyrics of the song?  When the choir does something really entertaining and it makes us laugh while they sing a lyric that talks about all that God has done for us, will we even think about being thankful to God?

The other extreme we tend to gravitate towards is the exact opposite of the concert atmosphere:  somber, mournful ritualism.  A song of thanksgiving such as Amazing Grace or Sing and Be Happy is sung with the sorrowful tones and mood that would be appropriate for Night With Ebon Pinion.  Song leaders regularly report of seeing somber, moody, sorrowful faces in the pews as they lead singing, no matter how joyful the lyrics of the song may be.  Many song leaders themselves look mournful as they lead singing, showing none of the enthusiasm or happiness which, if seen, might motivate those in the pews to feel likewise.  I believe this approach to worship comes from not only a desire to avoid the concert/entertainment atmosphere, but also from a ritualistic approach to worship that is equally wrong.  We tend to take for granted what we do with regularity for long periods of time.  When we know that week after week, Sunday after Sunday, we will sing a song, then pray, then another song, then partake of communion and give of our means, then sing two more songs, after which comes the sermon, and then the invitation and closing song, followed by the closing prayer…well, it becomes easier for our minds to wander while we sing and pray.

Jesus condemned this kind of worship (Matt. 15:8), and rightfully so.  When our hearts are far away because we’ve been lulled by how easy it is to think of other things during this familiar ritual in which we are participating, how can the word of Christ dwell in us richly in that moment?  If we know the lyrics and melody of Angry Words by heart because we sing it all the time and so our mind wanders as we sing it, will we truly be taught and admonished to control our anger and watch what we say to others?  How can we be filled with the gratitude that the lyrics of It Is Well With My Soul call for when we’re not even thinking about what we are singing?

I have found that true worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24) requires discipline and self-control (Gal. 5:23; 1 Cor. 9:27).  I have to make the conscious decision to focus on each and every sentence of every song.  I have to make the conscious decision that I’m going to ignore my own personal preferences about the choice of song, or how fast or slow the tempo is, or getting that tenor part exactly right.  I have to make the conscious decision that my focus is going to be on giving God as much honor and reverence as I know how while I’m singing this song.

Guess what always happens as a result?  I find myself being reminded of passages of Scripture as I sing certain lyrics.  I find myself being taught and admonished to do better in certain aspects of my life as I sing a particular song.  With other songs, I find myself filled with gratitude and thanksgiving for all that my Redeemer has done for me.  Everything that God wants to happen as shown in today’s Scripture is taking place within me.

How about that?

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Tis the Season

Tis the Season

Tis the season! Tis the season of gratitude, gift giving, family get-togethers, and the time of the year when more people are probably more open to considering listening to and discussing the gospel message than at any other time of the entire year. Keeping in mind the absolutely essential nature of personal evangelism in the Lord’s kingdom, tis definitely the season to take advantage of such abundant opportunities!

Tis the season... for questions!

Tis the season… for questions!

Now of course as we have know from the gospels and the example of the Master Teacher Himself, “good teachers ask questions.” And there are many good and appropriate bible questions and ‘conversation-starters’ that we can use to pique people’s curiosity, regarding some of those things that are typically tied to this time of year by those who don’t know too overly much about the Word of God and what it actually says. (Remember, our job is not to convert anyone, but to get people into the Scriptures and let God and His word convert them. We have the best chance of accomplishing that when we simply ask them nice, basic, non-antagonistic questions that, #1). Get them to wonder about the real biblical facts of the matter and to question their former understandings, and then, #2). Go check it out for themselves in God’s holy word.) For example, when pictures, depictions, or discussions come up regarding the “nativity scene,” we need to ask those we love, questions like: “How many wise men does the bible say there were?” or “Did the ‘wise men’ actually visit the manger where the baby Jesus was born, or the house where He was later on?” Or perhaps we might ask as we set around an angel-topped Christmas tree with the family, “Were there actually ever any female angels mentioned anywhere in the scriptures?”

Pique their curiosity. Make them think. Give them things to reconsider which they always just took for granted that they knew. As they discover discrepancies between what they always thought for sure was true and what the God of the bible actually says, it might just cause them to wonder about what other things they thought were surely in the Scriptures, but yet which never were… things like the ‘sinner’s prayer for salvation,’ instrumental music in New Testament worship, and/or, that man-made denominational churches and doctrines which completely contradict the sacred scriptures are still completely acceptable to God as well; or, said another way, that it doesn’t matter that much what one ‘believes,’  as long as one ‘believes.’

Tis the season to get people thinkin’! Tis the season to help people reason! Tis the season, to get ‘em to: hungerin’ and thirstin’, and studyin’ and searchin’ – to questionin’ and re-searchin’! Tis the season! And we all know what God said about that, don’t we? “Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2NKJV). Now is the time! Tis the season!

 

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The Vision of God, Prophet, and Man

What God Sees

When God wanted the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king for Israel, He told him to go to the house of Jesse, who had several sons. (cf. 1 Samuel 16:1) When Samuel arrived, he was very impressed with Jesse’s oldest son, Eliab. Eliab was a fine young man, tall and handsome and Samuel though God has surely chosen him for the job. But Samuel was mistaken.

God's vision sees beyond that of prophet, priest, and man.

God’s vision sees beyond that of prophet, priest, and man.

God taught Samuel, saying, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Following this discussion, God chose David, Jesse’s youngest son, who, at that time, was much smaller and less impressive than his brothers. Now, in fairness, David grew up, he got bigger, stronger, and became a mighty warrior in his own right. But that wasn’t why God picked him. David had internal qualities that God desired in the leader of His people.

Over the years, other kings would come to the throne of Israel. As they ruled, God judged each one of them. But God never judged them based on their economic successes, their tax policies, their military victories, or how well they made deals with other nations. Rather, throughout the Old Testament God looked at their hearts to see whether they kept His commandments, or whether they did not.

In the New Testament, when the apostle Peter is called by Got to preach to the household of Cornelius, Peter, moved by the circumstances in which he found himself, rightly declared, “I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation He accepts those who fear Him and work righteousness.” (Acts 10:34-35)

When God looks at a man, God sees the heart and soul of the man. When God looks at men who have hearts of faith and righteousness, God is pleased with what He sees. When God looks at men who have hearts of sin and unbelief, God is unhappy with what He ses.

Notice the words of Scripture concerning the discernment and wisdom of God in such matters: “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. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:12-13)

The point of this is twofold.

Firstly, in trying to please the One to whom we must give an account, we should remember what God sees when He looks at us. When God looks at a man, He does not look at the man’s nationality, his bank account, his height, his skin color, his eye color, his hair, or his property. When God looks at a man He sees the heart, and He judges the heart.

This reality should compel those who want to be pleasing to God to be most mindful of the right things. Men waste a lot of time trying to fulfill “the lust of the flesh,” and “the lust of the eyes,” striving for health, beauty and wealth. But we should remember, “while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8; ESV) Likewise, we are urged not to trust in riches, but to trust in God, not to lay up physical treasures, but to seek for spiritual treasures that cannot be taken away. (cf. 1 Timothy 6:17; Matthew 6:19-21)

You aren’t going to get to heaven working for those things that please men; you need to work for those things that please God.

Secondly, as we mature spiritually, we need to try to see the world the way God sees it.

Though we cannot discern the heart the way God does, Jesus taught His followers, “Do not judge according to appearances, but judge with a righteous judgment.” (John 8:24). When we make judgments about people, we should not do so according to their wealth, their power, their looks, or any of their other physical attributes. That was the way that Samuel wanted to judge Eliab and God reproved him for it. God wanted Samuel to learn to look deeper, and so should we. Men have a soul and it’s the soul that matters above all other things.

In life we are called upon to make many decisions about individuals around us, and as we do so, we should always strive to remember that what matters is not what men see, but rather what God sees when He looks at a man.

 

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Backbiting

Backbiting

Most Christians look into their mirrors and like what they see. They see an individual who has never committed murder or rape. They see a person who is trying to do good and believes in God. But what happens when we peel back the curtain and look even deeper? Is it possible that our mirrors have become fogged over to everyday sins?

Are you guilty of Backbiting?

Are you guilty of Backbiting?

When we consider sin we often mentally picture the “big” sins—and yet, we don’t find this delineation in the Bible. Instead we learn that sin (big or little) separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). God cannot be holy and have anything to do with sin. So while we may not have ever committed murder or rape, what about something just as sinful—like backbiting? How many times has that person in the mirror talked about someone behind his/her back, not giving second thought to the fact that you are gossiping or back-biting?

Stepping on toes from the pulpit is not nearly as common today as it was in decades gone by. Preachers, worried about their jobs, are not as quick to point out sins that might affect a large proportion of their church family. Even though we may not discuss it much, it doesn’t change the fact that back-biting is very prevalent and still very sinful.

Here’s what I intend on teaching my children about backbiting.

I had a humbling experience that I’m not proud of that I want to share in hopes that you learn from my mistake. Several years ago I talked to a friend and his wife who lived out of state on my cell phone. After hanging up I put the phone away and continued to talk about this family. I didn’t say mean or unkind words, but I talked never-the-less. Imagine my horror when I discovered that my phone had dialed them back and they had been listening to my entire conversation. The problem was not that my phone dialed without me knowing—the problem was me. I shouldn’t have been talking about these people behind their backs. It was a lesson I will not soon forget.

One of the hardest things you will ever learn is to keep your mouth shut. There will be times in your life that you want to pick up the phone and express your frustration or your anger over something that someone has done to you. Let me strongly encourage you to grow in maturity and leave the phone alone. Learn to go to the person you feel has wronged you rather than talking about them behind his/her back. I promise you this will save you a great deal of heartache in the future.

The Bible is crystal clear when it comes to backbiting. Webster’s dictionary defines backbiting as saying mean or spiteful things about someone else. Sometimes people use the word slandering when discussing this topic. In essence, what you are doing is corrupting someone’s name and character behind his/her back. It is a form of gossiping, and the Bible condemns such behavior, even for preachers and elders. In Proverbs 25:23 we read, “The north wind brings forth rain,
and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance” (see also James 4:11-12).

In Paul’s second letter to the Christians in Corinth he noted “For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; (2 Corinthians 12:20; see also Romans 16:17-18). In Proverbs 16:28 we read “A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.”

I have two instructions for you when it comes to this sin. First, when someone comes to you with gossip or is backbiting, take the backbiter to the one they are talking about, and do not receive their comments. Instead, encourage them to discuss their problems with the one they are upset with. Do not promote backbiting by receiving it! Second, do not say things behind someone’s back that you would not say to his/her face. The way to end backbiting and gossiping is to never let it leave your lips—that will end it.

In Proverbs 6, Solomon lists 6 things that the Lord hates, seven of which are an abomination unto Him. The last thing on that list is one who sows discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:19). Look at Psalm 15—a psalm about who can dwell on God’s holy hill. In that list, the Psalmist specially mentions, “He who does not backbite with his tongue,” (Psalm 15:3). God formed you with a tongue for a reason. Do not forget how you should use your tongue. Never forget what Jesus said: “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Love,

Dad

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ESCUELA BIBLICA

5 RAZONES DEL PORQUE NECESITO IR A UNA ESCUELA BIBLICA 
 
Algunos hermanos han alegado y al presente continúan haciéndolo para impedir que hermanos de buen corazón puedan prepararse en una escuela bíblica. La argumentación parece tan sin sentido muchas veces, ya que si ese no es el caso entonces no se puede utilizar ningún libro, ni tampoco entrar a buscar material en páginas web de reconocidos defensores de este sector porque sería lo mismo… recibir instrucción a eso se le llama inconsistencia. En fin la verdad del asunto es que si hay abundante evidencia en la Biblia que nos autoriza  a servir en las escuelas bíblicas. Cristo dijo: “Venid en pos de mí y os haré que seáis pescadores de hombres.” (Mr.1:17). Interesante la manera como el Señor conjuga el verbo ser a futuro; es decir que estos hombres a los que estaba llamando los iba a preparar por un periodo de tiempo, los iba a instruir, los iba a educar para que luego ellos hicieran el trabajo por si solos. Basta dar un vistazo a Hechos 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 para observar que tan bien había Pedro (particularmente en este caso) aprendido a pescar hombres. El Señor Jesús sabía lo que hacia, a quienes el llamó fueron estudiantes fieles (a excepción de Judas) que estuvieron incluso dispuestos a dar su vida por lo que habían aprendido. Así de necesario puede ser un entrenamiento. Samuel en el A.T dirigía una escuela de profetas (1Sam 19:20) y Pablo al casi final de su vida manda a Timoteo a encargar hombres fieles, idóneos para enseñar también a otros (2Tim.2:2).  Aquí 5 razones que yo espero puedan conversarle a usted a poder buscar un entrenamiento serio en una escuela bíblica seria.

Una Escuela Biblica: Solamente es el inicio de lo que es una vida de estudio intenso y progresivo.

Una Escuela Biblica: Solamente es el inicio de lo que es una vida de estudio intenso y progresivo.

  1. Instrucción: Por supuesto que esto es uno de los más grandes beneficios de asistir a una escuela de predicación seria. Nosotros mismos podemos hacer un gran trabajo pero interpretar ciertos versículos, los métodos de investigación, los recursos para realizar esa investigación la formación y presentación de la investigación realizada con por citar algunos cosas que son muy difícil de aprender de un libro solamente o peor aún por uno mismo. La instrucción de calidad en lugares donde hombres fieles han pasado su vida detrás de esto y han peleado largas batallas puede ser de gran influencia para  que muchos puedan hacer lo mismo. Ellos debieron  de haber adquirido el conocimiento de alguien más y ahora usted en una escuela lo adquiere para luego pasarlo a alguien más y la cadena sigue. Sin duda alguna en este sentido debemos de considerarnos como recipientes, como un baso que es llenado de agua, luego alguien bebe y sigue llenando para seguir vaciando, somos simples recipientes y cada cristiano del Nuevo Testamento debería de considerarse a sí mismo como un recipiente que contiene el evangelio, el mensaje de salvación y que debe de ser transmitido a otros. La instrucción bíblica brindada en las escuelas de predicación, colegios o universidades de la Iglesia de Cristo que son serías hará que nosotros podamos instruir a la Iglesia; por donde caminar y que lugares no pisar en este camino hacia el cielo.  2Tim 2:15 un obrero que use bien la palabra de verdad, que no tenga de que avergonzarse, para poder salvarse a sí mismo y a los que escuchan (2Tim. 4:16).
  2. Convicción: En realidad el objetivo de las escuelas de predicación sanas no es hacer un lavado de cerebro a sus estudiantes o participantes, ni tampoco hacer que ellos prediquen a como la escuela lo hace, de hecho hay escuelas de predicación donde los instructores están en desacuerdo y enseñan diferente en ciertos puntos doctrinales (que no son puntos de salvación o condenación) y que no traen tanta repercusión al final de la ecuación. El objetivo más bien es ayudar a cada estudiante a ver objetivamente a ampliar sus métodos de investigación, a exponerlo a las diferentes corrientes de pensamiento y luego es responsabilidad del estudiante llegar a una convicción propia. Esta parte es extremadamente importante, note las palabras del apóstol Pablo:“Conociendo, pues, el temor del Señor, persuadimos a los hombres; pero a Dios le es manifiesto lo que somos; y espero que también lo sea a vuestras conciencias” (2Co.5:11). Amado lector no existe tragedia más grande que un maestro que no esté convencido así mismo, definitivamente las personas lo sabrán y la convicción en un ministro es más que necesaria, es trascendental. ¡No podemos enseñar lo que no sabemos y mucho menos  lo que no creemos!. 
  3. Protección: La protección más visible es quizás la de la falsa doctrina. Muy especialmente en nuestros países centroamericanos la corriente más fuerte es la pentecostal y sus ramificaciones. Es fácil ver una película o encender la radio pentecostal e incluso tomar un libro y ser influenciado por alguna parte a creer, practicar e incluso enseñar falsa doctrina. En una escuela de predicación “seria” hay una preparación intensa para que los estudiantes se mantengan alejados de estas corrientes y que protejan a otros.
  4. Interacción: No siempre todo será color de rosa cuando uno trabaja con la hermandad. Recuerdo que en mi tiempo de escuela había un sistema de castigo para estudiantes que incumplieran las reglas internas de la escuela llamado; “deméritos” el instructor encargado era el decano de estudiantes y el hermano realizaba muy bien su trabajo ( y vaya que si lo hacia). Una de sus responsabilidades era asegurarse que los estudiantes encargados de la limpieza hicieran bien su trabajo y si no un demérito espera a los estudiantes a cargo la mañana siguiente. Realmente estuve muy enfadado por una semana con el hermano decano de estudiantes por haberme premiado con un demerito al encontrar un papelito insignificante detrás del basurero (tuve que disculparme con el hermano más tarde por haberme enojado con él y  por supuesto él ni siquiera lo sabía). Todo era parte del entrenamiento, lo mismo con los demás estudiantes, cada año hay uno que otro choque, solamente piense un grupo de desconocidos de Lunes a Viernes de 8 a 4 por 2 años puede que irrite a alguno y puede que alguno me irrite a mí, pero este ambiente de convivencia prepara a cualquiera  para enfrentarse a la realidad en las respectivas congregaciones. Definitivamente uno aprende a interactuar con todos, al final se construyen relaciones que van a perdurar por años con aquellos hermanos que recibieron la misma; instrucción, protección, y con quienes convivimos por dos años en un mismo salón de clases. Se convierten en nuestros colegas de trabajo, hermanos espirituales y hasta nuestro trapo de lagrimas por las experiencias vividas juntos en la escuela y por la confianza plena que lleguemos a tener en estos hermanos, porque les he conocido. Sin lugar a dudas la escuela fueron los dos mejores años de mi vida y recomiendo a cualquiera que diga que no necesita ir a una escuela para predicar, quizás a la escuela no vayas solamente para aprender a predicar sino a aprender como ser un siervo, como interactuar y a ganar una familia muy cercana…yo espero que si usted tiene esta oportunidad  en algún moment de su vida no la pierda y no la desaproveche.  
  5. Especialización: Esto no acaba aquí. Solamente es el inicio de lo que es una vida de estudio intenso y progresivo, la verdad de Dios no cambia  y no ha cambiado en dos mil años, pero nosotros si vamos creciendo y vamos aprendiendo más cada día y este proceso no termina hasta que bajemos al sepulcro no importa cuantos años tenga de predicar el proceso no se detiene. Pero la escuela Bíblica realmente sienta una base para nuestra carrera. Cada evangelista debería ser un especialista en  el sagrado libro, debería al menos estar informado de todos los temas tocantes a la biblia y la vida espiritual. Realmente es bastante y toma una vida entera profundizar. La escuela es la base más firme para comenzar a hacer eso. Uno de los peligros más grandes de cualquier estudiante graduado es pensar que ya tiene toda la información necesaria para su ministerio… déjeme decirle no es así siempre habrá más que aprender. Nosotros los especialistas en cirugías espirituales debemos de estar preparados para cualquier tipo de operación espiritual que haya que hacer incluso cuando es tiempo de operar a uno mismo.

El Señor ascendió al cielo (He.1:9) sabiendo que había preparado un grupo de hombres que llevarían a cabo el trabajo encargado. Ellos fueron a todas partes del mundo llevando este mensaje, pescando tal como había sido prometido en el entrenamiento, fueron resucitando muertos espirituales  principalmente y el Espíritu Santo  confirmando la obra de ellos. Todos y cada uno de ellos partieron de este mundo con un gran legado espiritual y unos cuantos plasmaron ese legado en forma escrita; la biblia, pero todo comenzó cuando ellos no se negaron al llamado para ser entrenados la primera vez que escucharon la voz del Señor. Es probable que como ellos usted también necesite dejarlo todo e ir al entrenamiento para ser pescador de hombres. ¡Gracias sean dadas a Dios por cada escuela bíblica y sus operarios que han abandonado sus propias vidas para preparar obreros fieles.!

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