Do you Want to be Tickled?

Tickle Me?

Today’s society wants to be tickled.  They want to hear things that appeal to them.  What appeals to them is their own traditions, beliefs, feelings, or values.

Universities which once used to be a place to challenge thought and delve deep to discover truth, now seem to promote only group think.  If someone poses a thought which is unique from other students, feelings explosion occurs!  Students weep, feel threatened, or get angry when exposed to something outside of their box of thought.  Their minds want to be tickled.  Agree with me!  Don’t terrify my mores.  Safe rooms have had to be set up for fear of enountering a different point of view.  Visiting lecturers have been protested against, threatened, or canceled because they see the world through a different set of glasses than the mind numbed students.

 

The government working with mass media and pharmaceutical companies engaged opposition fiercely during the Covid 19 years.  They told people they must lockdown, though they knew from history that such a position would be futile with covid.  They told people they must wear masks.  Though they knew that evidence from over a century of practice and study proved masks useless.  They chose arbitrary spacing distances such as six feet (completely out of the air) and expected not to be questioned.  They forced ineffective and dangerous vaccines upon citizens, hiding and ignoring trial results and mass side effects.  When doctors of great renown questioned the widespread actions, they were censored, jailed, and had their licenses pulled.

Parents have been watching the educational system melt down for decades.  Schools are not turning out well educated children in the fields of literature, mathematics, science, and technology.  Instead, they are being exposed to drag shows, make believe pronouns, gender studies, and homosexuality.  When parents try to express their dismay, they are labeled domestic terrorists.  They are marched away from the assemblies and told their parental rights end at the school doors.

Sadly, the church is not immune to the pathetic blockades of inflexible minds.  “This is what we have always done.” “We have never been taught that.” “We like the way things are now. ”  These words echo from one congregation to the next.  They are not ready to hear teaching and explore the scriptures to see if the things said are true.  They just want to hang anyone with a different thought.  They want to shut up the noise that causes them any discomfort.  Truth does not matter.  Feelings, comfort, happiness are the god they love.  Churches want to be tickled.

For the betterment of society, mankind needs to listen, to contemplate, and to investigate different thought.  They need to challenge what they believe. The need to be willing to change if it appears they have been following a path of failure and foolishness.  Only with sincere minds of patience, goodness, self control, and peace is there room for needed change in our world.  Jealousy, envy, anger, greed, and selfishness currently reign in our times and we will be none the better for it if it is allowed to persist.

 

Posted in Video | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Do you Want to be Tickled?

Assemblies of the Saints

Assemblies of the Saints

Many churches have corporate assemblies a few times throughout the week.  Hopefully, individually or in groups Christians have the opportunity to see each other socially or spiritually outside of such assemblies.  Statistically, sound, in depth, examination of scripture where the bible student is able to ultimately articulate the purpose of scripture with understanding is directly related to their attendance of Christian assemblies.  The weaker and less challenging scriptural examinations are, the more dismal the retention.  People want to know their God, understand their purpose, and know how they can engage.  If they feel they have a role or bond, their involvement increases.  This is true for all ages.  If you want to retain, truly train.  People who are challenged and learning want to gather more and walk in the light.  History demonstrates this.  They also seek out those of like mind for reasons beyond worship and study.  They do so for encouragement, comfort, and a fellowship of life.

Peter and the apostles shared the gospel on the day of Pentecost.  Thousands heard and responded, to the gospel call.  As Jews were converted to Christianity, they were excited.  They wanted to talk and share this moment with others!  So, they willingly spent day after day listening to teaching at the temple and discussing these amazing times over meals at their homes.  No one commanded them to assemble together like this, they did it because they were in awe of the moment (Acts 2:42-47).  Their minds were engaged with the joy of Christianity.  The yoke was easy; the burden was light.

Historically, Jesus rose on the first day of the week (Mark 16:9).  He had told his disciples to remember Him in the partaking of fruit of the vine and unleavened bread (Luke 22:19).  This commanded practice was observed by the first century Church on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).  It was discussed by the apostle Paul in I Corinthians 11 and the day became known as the Lord’s day (Revelation 1:10).  Writings outside of scripture by Ignatius, Irenaeus, Origen, Justin Martyr, Clement, and others noted the first day assembly and partaking of the Lord’s supper.  Durations of these gatherings were from brief to lengthy and occurred in either morning or night.  The Christian practice to gather to remember Christ on the first day of the week is the only specific example of a time to gather given in scripture.  All others were based upon choice or chance.  The yoke was easy; the burden was light.

The writings of Pliny the younger (112 A.D.) suggest Sunday evening gatherings of Christians to share meals were occurring, but no second study or worship time on the first day of the week.  Following this time frame, the Church of England was noted as having afternoon services on Sundays in the 1600s.  When the puritans came to American during this era, they held second services.  They practiced it and considered themselves more pious than those churches who did not gather a second time.  How much have times not changed!  Americans began to regularly have evening meetings in the 1800s as gas lamps became available.  WWII introduced 24/7 work schedules and this brought about many evening assemblies.  After this time though, evening assemblies began to decline.  Even with innovations such as “Life Groups” the trend proceeded downward.  Second or third assemblies on the first day of the week have not been a prevalent occurrence throughout history, nor did the Lord or His apostles every mandate such.  The yoke was easy; the burden was light.

Midweek gatherings are evident in the immediate aftermath of the day of Pentecost.  Acts 2:46 and Acts 5:42 record the excitement of the people and the work of the apostles.  People would later gather together over persecution or need such as a lack of food.  Beyond this timeframe, it is recorded that during the middle ages, monks would gather for evening and morning prayer.  In the heart of the restoration movement (1500s), John Calvin held midweek meetings.  In the 1800’s, D.L. Moody and others held mid-week prayer meetings and preaching assemblies.   Circuit preachers and tent meetings brought about many mid-week services.  As with the Sunday evening services, WWII saw the increase in many mid-week assemblies by women whose husbands were off to war.  However, when the men returned, mid-week and second Sunday services again fell off and have been on the decline for decades.  Consciously or unconsciously, this was a closer return to the first century.  The yoke was easy; the burden was light.

The increase in gathering with WWII has been mentioned a couple of times so far.  The time frame was one of peril or potential peril.  Family life was disrupted.  Lives were lost.  Faith was challenged.  Times were threatening.  The unique times drew people together.  In the first century, close to 70 AD, the Hebrew writer spoke of coming persecution.  Prophecy had pointed its finger at that time.  In Hebrews 10:24-25, the call was for the Jewish saints to assemble together more frequently as the danger of that day grew near.  Spend time with one another, love one another, encourage one another, help one another.  Do not let one another forget who Christ is and why He died.  Do not turn back to Judaism in the face of this great threat.  This was not a command for more corporate worship.  This was a call to assemble in any way possible with Christians who may not be alive much longer due to the threat of the Roman armies.  Lift them up, do not let them leave the faith.  In times of trial or persecution, modern day Christians should likewise seek out one another for social and spiritual strength as first century Christians were encouraged.

When taking a peek at history, services beyond the commanded first day of the week to remember Jesus in the Lord’s Supper have always been optional and based upon time and conditions.  There will always be those who feel that gathering more frequently makes them more pious than others.  There will always be those like the Pharisees or Boston movement who want to regulate every part of a Christian’s life with the nice sounding theme of “it’s for your own good”.  However, no individual or group of individuals has the authority to bind or lose what God has not already done so in heaven.  Do not allow guilt to be laid upon your shoulders by mandates of fleshly motives.  If you desire to assemble more frequently with fellow Christians in small groups or large, socially or spiritually, in homes or central locations, may God bless you in your walk.  Do not neglect what God has commanded and embrace with joy what He has left to your free will.

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Assemblies of the Saints

Joel – Rethinking the Book

Joel – Rethinking the Book

The Book of Joel! The video below comes from time recently spent in Eagleville, Missouri  and taught this book.   It is a fine congregation to visit and I encourage you to drop by if you are in the area.  While I was there I presented two lessons.  The first lesson, below, examines the book of Joel as a whole.  The follow up lesson focuses upon 4 points to draw from the book.

This book comes to those of Judah and Jerusalem through the prophet by the hand of God.  Devestation is coming upon the people because of their ungodly behavior.  They are called upon to repent from their actions.  Jerusalem is going to be crushed by the Chaldeans (Babylonians).  But if they would just repent…

Rethinking the Prophet Joel

Posted in Video | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Joel – Rethinking the Book

No Salvation If Not Circumcised

No Salvation If Not Circumcised

Judging by the topics discussed in the epistles, almost every congregation had to deal with the problem brought into the church by those whose past religion demanded that for one to be saved he had to be circumcised. The problem really surfaced when uncircumcised Gentiles became members.

At first the church was entirely Jewish, but when Saul/Paul led the persecution of the saints, they were scattered to Gentile cities (Acts 8:4). Many of them fled north and came to Antioch in Syria. At first, they taught only the Jews in this Gentile city, but there were Christians from Cyprus and Cyrene (in north Africa) who began teaching Gentiles, and soon many were led to the Lord (Acts 11:19-21). It did not happen immediately, but by the time when Paul returned after his first missionary journey (where he led hundreds, perhaps thousands of Gentiles into the church without demanding circumcision), the problem was magnified.

Certain Jews from Judea came to Antioch and stirred up the situation teaching, “Unless you are circumcised…you cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1). Read the rest of this chapter to see how the matter was handled, but those who believed this false teaching spread it into almost every congregation as they began. The Bible clearly affirms circumcision is meaningless.

“Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters” (1 Cor. 7:19). “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation” (Gal. 6:15). “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love” (Gal. 5:6). The doctrine was completely false. It is nothing. It does not avail anything.

However, there is another circumcision which does matter and unless you are circumcised you cannot be saved. It is not a physical removal of part of the human anatomy from the body, but a circumcision, a cutting away, of sin from the heart.

God clearly affirms that one is not one of God’s chosen people because of physical circumcision, but an inward one. “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart” (Rom. 2:28-29).

Moses prophetically described the church, saying, “And the Lord, your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live” (Deut. 30:6). Have you had this circumcision? You must have it!

Posted in Dan Jenkins | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on No Salvation If Not Circumcised

The Priorities of Triangle Christianity

The Priorities of Triangle Christianity

A dear friend of mine recently taught a lesson regarding priorities in the life of mankind.  In doing so, he illustrated life as a triangle of priorities with God at the top, then family, then work.  He then broke down time Christians spend with each.  The concept of putting God first in our lives, I believe is spot on (Matthew 10:37, John 21:15).  My friend’s analysis is a very common approach that expresses a solid Biblical truth.  However, I would like to take some time in this article suggesting another illustration that I believe demonstrates the life of mankind in a better fashion.

Matthew 22:36-40 – Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

From this scripture, the priority of serving God fully is established.  Secondly, is a love for mankind.

Matthew 23:23 – “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”

Notice, Jesus establishes that no aspect of God’s commands (Law of Moses in this case) should be neglected.  Thus, serving God nor loving mankind should be separated.  In fact, true love for mankind glorifies God.

John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 

Here Jesus establishes that if we love Him, we keep His commandments.  This would certainly involve the new covenant which He established.  What I wish to establish at this moment is that putting God first means that mankind is living in a manner which emphasizes obedience to all of His commands.

Consider the following passages:

Gen 2:24/Ephesians 5:31 –  Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 

Eph 5:32 – This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 

Genesis 9:1 – “And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.”

Ephesians 6:4 – Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 

1Timothy 5:8 – But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12  and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

These passages taken as a whole with those previously given establish that: serving God, loving mankind, caring for a wife and family, and working are all commands given which glorify Him and are not to be neglected.  (Note:  This is not a discussion of scenarios regarding those who may be single.  Suffice it to say, scripture has addressed that in its place and such a life in godliness is authorized.)  The greater point is the entirety of God’s commands involve Him, family, work, and even play.  God’s Word covers everything in our lives necessary for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). So, with these thoughts in hand, let us revisit the illustration of priorities of the triangle:  God first, then family, then work.

priority triangle

Really?

When the usage of a priorities triangle occurs, the message frequently is: “You need to spend more of a % of time at the top.”  You need to be doing more studying, praying, door knocking, setting up Bible studies, letter writing, fasting, meditating, inviting people into your home, attending every conceivable gathering of the Church at any time, etc.  The elders and preachers and church need you to step up!  Are you giving 15% of your time? 20% of your time?  50% of your time, you can give more!  Consider that unless you are 100% at the top of the triangle, you will always feel guilty that you aren’t doing more.  This is the doctrine of the pharisees.  This is the doctrine of salvation by works.  You need to perfect every single thing in your life so that you will truly be holy.  Such a doctrine causes you to feel guilty, lacking, inadequate, condemned, and unable to truly be an acceptable child of God.  Under this teaching, you will either live life feeling like a hypocrite or you will leave the faith (Romans 7).

For a moment, let’s illustrate the Christian life in a way I believe more accurately presents a Biblical view of what God has in view for His creation.  What if life is a circle?  If you are in the circle, you are a child of God.  If you are out of the circle, you are ignorant of God or choose to reject Him.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 

Act 2:37-38 – Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins,…

Hebrews 10:12-14 – But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

If you are a Christian seeking to serve and obey Him, you are in God’s circle.  You live a life where the old man before knowing Christ is dead (Romans 6).  You were cleansed by the single, one time for all time, sacrifice of Jesus.  For all time, means past, present, and future.  You are forgiven when you are in God’s circle.  The only way you get out of that circle is by purposely, deliberately, walking away from Him.  This is why you can rejoice.  This is why you should not condemn yourself when you stumble in your Christian walk.   Christians are forgiven.  You are His child.  You understand the priorities of your entire life! Worshipping, raising a family, working, interacting with mankind, socializing, playing, are guided by the concept of living pure and holy as Christ.  Your life is not reigned by percentages spent on various activities.  Your life is given to living right according to the commands of God.  In this you will not falter, live as a hypocrite, or turn away from God because of guilt.  Your eyes are always on Him and He gave you a life that you might receive knowing He loves you.  Jesus said “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Embrace His understanding and compassion for you.  Don’t live a life terrified you aren’t at the top of a triangle of priorities, but rather live knowing you are encircled by the power of God’s love.

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The Priorities of Triangle Christianity