The Lamentations of Jeremiah

For What Do We Grieve?

In the five lamentations of Jeremiah one is struck with how personally the prophet takes the punishment of Judah and Jerusalem. They have been removed due to their sin, sin which Jeremiah pleaded with them to repent of and turn to God. But they refused.

Do we grieve as did Jeremiah over the condition of sin?

Do we grieve as did Jeremiah over the condition of sin?

Jeremiah’s heart is broken over the desolation of the once great city of David and the derision that is spewed forth toward its remains. But in the midst of his wailing he reminds himself and the people of God of the wonderful mercies of the Lord and His impending judgment upon His enemies.

When the church falls into sin do we mourn over her destruction? Do we weep over the ridicule hurled at her by her enemies? Do we seek the mercy of the Lord, His judgment upon His enemies, and a restoration of the old paths? Do we weep over the sins of our day? Do we care for the lost and dying?

If every Christian grieved like Jeremiah consider just how strong and glorious the kingdom on earth would be. How Christ would be exalted. How God would be glorified. It starts with me! Be faithful.

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Relationship Game: Dating

To Date or Not to Date

It happened once again. A young teenage couple in our congregation “broke up.” After spending months together, sending thousands of texts back-and-forth, and declaring their “love” for one another, they are now picking up the pieces. Their relationship is over, resulting in emotional (and maybe physical) broken ties that will take a long time to get over. One is left wondering how many times this young lady (and young man) will give herself away—emotionally and physically—before she finally walks down the aisle to marry an altogether different man?

Built on Christ, relationship pieces fit.

Built on Christ, relationship pieces fit.

I believe that even within the church our thinking has become poisoned in this arena. Dating has become such a major part of our culture that very few Christians even stop to consider what dating really entails. Dating holds such a “majority view” in our society that for many, this hot-button topic is not even up for discussion. Sadly, most parents have assumed a “we did it, so it must be ok” stance. As such, many homes focus on that magical age when a teen is finally able to go out on a date. Older Christians oftentimes don’t help the situation—as they are often questioning young people about who they like, further promoting this boyfriend/girlfriend mindset. After all, isn’t that what we do?

While it may be what the majority do, one should step back and ask if dating in modern times is a wise thing for Christian young people?

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

Because my advice runs counter to our current culture, many Christians will take exception to my counsel to you. In fact, some may take personal offense. My effort here is not to offend but rather to encourage a paradigm shift on how we envision finding a future spouse. A large number of Christians have adopted a worldly perspective on finding a mate—never giving any consideration to God’s Word or God’s will in this matter. To the extent that the Bible addresses “premarital” relationships at all, it uses the language of men marrying and women being given in marriage (see Matt. 24:38; Luke 20:34-35). Some would argue that this was the cultural norm in the past, and that things have changed today. Since when have God’s people ever taken their cues from society? Have we forgotten that we are not to be conformed to the world (Romans 12:1-12)? While there are some success stories of dating, modern dating (even modern “Christian” dating) has, in many cases, become a means for sexual activity—outside of marriage.

Dating begins with a male or female initiating a more-than-friends relationship. “Dates” are normally conducted in private, or maybe with a small group of friends, and may or may not have marriage as its end goal. I believe honest evaluation recognizes that modern dating promotes lust and provides a doorway for fornication.  Consider what happens when someone creates a strong endorphin bond with a girlfriend, and then they break up years later. What is the response ten years later when that young man is married to someone else and happens to see his “old flame” in the mall? Could it not be truthfully said that in many cases dating develops an appetite for variety, promoting dissatisfaction within a future permanent bond of marriage? Additionally, modern dating develops a very self-centered “feeling” oriented version of love. Can Christian parents look at these attributes and feel comfortable that our current dating system is biblically preparing young men and women for marriage?

In an ironic twist of fate, in the modern dating model, the father, who is supposed to be helping ensuring the purity of his children, is the least involved. Rather than protecting their purity, in many cases he is the one sending them out, as hormones race through the teens’ bloodstream. Sadly, the first time many fathers really meet the “boyfriend” is when he asks for the daughter’s hand in marriage. My question would be what is he really asking for? He’s already got what he wants! He’s already stolen the daughter’s heart—and maybe her purity as well. That’s not honorable—that’s poaching.

My hope is that rather than having a worldly checklist that characterizes the ideal fantasy spouse, you will look for a godly spouse defined by Scripture. I pray you will find someone who will help you get to heaven and someone who will help you in your walk with God. I look forward to meeting someone who not only will help you in these areas, but someone with whom you can service and honor God better together than apart!

Your mother and I would prefer that you not experience “divorce practice.” We believe that dating conditions individuals to break off relationships rather than teaching commitment. It also causes many young people to isolate themselves away from their friends. We have watched on many occasions where dating leads to intimacy, but not commitment, thus devaluing the true meaning of sexual relations and marriage. Our aim is to keep you honorable before God and help you remain both physically pure as well as emotionally pure. We hope that when you really do give your heart to someone that it is the person you will marry—the one who will help you get to heaven.

Paul declared to the church at Thessalonica, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, emp. added). Because of this your mother and I are trying to identify a better system for you to find your future mate. As you begin the important process of finding a lifelong mate I hope you will keep these key Scriptures in mind:

*1 Corinthians 6:9-7:19 (a reminder to be pure, the consequences of sexual sin, and instructions for marriage)
*1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 (teaches the importance of not defrauding another in your relationships by your words or conduct)
*Song of Solomon 2:7 (“do not awaken love before it pleases” — i.e. before the proper time)
*Proverbs 6:20-7:27 (warns us to avoid sexual sin and foolish relationships)

*James 1:13-15(reminds us of that temptation can lead to death)
*Romans 13:8-14 (reminds us of the importance to put others first and not seek to please ourselves)
*Romans 14:1-15:7 (also reminds us to value others and do what is good for their soul’s)
*1 Timothy 5:1-2 (Paul admonishes young men to treat single women as sisters in Christ)
*Titus 2:1-8 (encourages young men and women to focus on self-control/godliness)
*John 14:15(true love to Christ is demonstrated by obeying His commands)

My children finding your spouse is an exciting and important step—as such, we don’t want you to miss-step. While your mom and I have not worked out all of the “kinks,” we believe courtship is a much better model for Christians today. We will save the principles of courtship for another day. Keep studying, and keep praying for your future mate.

Love,

Dad

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Effective Everyday Evangelism

Effective Everyday Evangelism

Below is a shameless plug of a book written by a good friend, preacher, and fellow article writer: Doug Dingley.  The information is pulled from a flyer for his book.  Having read his previous book “More than Conquerors” and greatly appreciating its message, I have no doubt that this latest endeavor will leave you spiritually awakened and ready to serve.  Check it out! – Travis Main

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Having been a member of the Lord’s church for any length of time, you have more than likely heard one of “those” comments: “Oh yeah, you’re the ones who think you’re the only ones going to heaven,” “You’re the folks who don’t believe in music,” or, “You believe in water/works salvation instead of salvation by grace through faith.”

Effective Everyday Evangelism

Effective Everyday Evangelism

I have been very blessed by God to recently have published: Effective Everyday Evangelism; the Adventures of Joe Clevelander & Chuck Churchman. It deals with how to faithfully, lovingly, biblically and effectively address such comments and questions – as well as the subject of homosexuality and the anti-biblical “Sinner’s Prayer for Salvation” amongst others – but how to do so on a simple, non-antagonistic, easy-to-understand level, utilizing everyday illustrations and examples from the world around us to help the biblically uninformed to better understand God’s truth. Heavily scripturally-referenced throughout and divided into 13 chapters with discussion questions at the end of each, plus, including an appendix of 7 very scriptural bible studies covering such things as God’s biblical plan of salvation and Christ’s one, New Testament, pre-denominational church, this book is ideal for either personal or congregational bible study, as well as to hand out to those you are seeking to see saved. Here’s what some others have said:

I loved the book! Not a one-trick pony, this book speaks volumes on evangelism but it does not stop there. Each chapter is filled with memorable stories that challenge the most seasoned Christian to fight the good fight, to love thy neighbor as thyself, and to always lean upon the word of God. But there is more. Thoroughly footnoted, this book is great for classroom discussion, personal study, or as an outreach tool. The depth of bible knowledge the writer possesses is clear throughout and always on point. This book is for the experienced preacher, new convert, and God seeker alike.

~Bear Valley Bible Institute Graduate & Gospel Preacher, Frederick Klein (See: www.southsidegr.org)

I have only known Brother Dingley for a relatively short amount of time, yet in that short time, he has demonstrated over and over his keen ability to thoroughly and yet simplistically open up the Scriptures. This gift is demonstrated once again in this book. As a preacher myself, I have witnessed the struggle people have teaching biblical principles in a way that is easy for everyone to understand. Brother Dingley has masterfully shown each of us simple ways to answer the most commonly asked questions regarding the Lord’s church. In fact, I found myself not just enjoying the delivery of the biblical answers but getting excited about getting this book into each of the members’ hands where I preach. I have no doubt that this book will be a great benefit to the kingdom of Christ and that God will be glorified even more by those that take to heart the valuable information presented in this fantastic writing.

~Brown Trail School of Preaching Graduate & Gospel Preacher, Landon Rowell

(See: www.gospel-preacher.com, & www.ramonacofc.com)

Check it out for yourself today at www.amazon.com/author/douglasdingley,

or order directly from www.jameskaypublishing.com!

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Atonement and Sacrifices

Full Atonement With One Perfect Sacrifice

Whenever you think of the Day of Atonement just remember the importance of that day to the Jews. Each year on the tenth day of the seventh month, God remembered all of the sins of that nation. Atoning sacrifices were always connected with appeasing the wrath of God (see Numbers 16:41-46; 25:1-13), and it was imperative that this holy day of atonement be observed.

Atoning sacrifices were always connected with appeasing the wrath of God.

Atoning sacrifices were always connected with appeasing the wrath of God.

Now consider how the observance of this day would have impacted the infant church. There were 3,000 who obeyed the gospel on Pentecost and so many more afterwards. They were promised the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), and it became a visible reality in their lives just four months after Pentecost. The Jews assembled again for the next annual feast, the Feast of Tabernacles, observed each year on the first day of the seventh month, and the feast lasted for an entire week. Just two days after the feast ended, the Day of Atonement was kept. The high priests carried the blood of a bull and a goat into the Most Holy Place and assuaged the wrath of God by sprinkling the blood on the mercy seat.

Perhaps those Christians in Jerusalem would have on that day seen the difference between the blood of animals and the blood of Jesus. Every devout Jew would have been mindful of the blood carried by the priest that day, except those who had become Christians. They would have vividly seen the distinction now made between the two covenants. Christians did not need the blood of animals. Their salvation had nothing at all to do with the events happening in the temple. There was a new law, a new altar, a new priesthood and a new blood sacrifice. That Old Testament Day of Atonement had been superseded by a far greater day of true atonement.

The new priesthood was not the Levitical priesthood established by Moses. The new high priest did not need to first offer blood sacrifices for himself, for the new high priest was sinless. He did not need to offer a yearly atoning sacrifice, for Jesus’ blood obtained eternal redemption! The book of Hebrews sums it up with these words. “We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.  Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come” (Heb. 13:10-14).

The words of a hymn say it all: “Full atonement, can it be? Hallelujah! What a Savior!”

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CANTANDO DURANTE LA CENA DEL SEÑOR

CANTANDO DURANTE LA CENA DEL SEÑOR
Es muy frecuente escuchar en varias congregaciones un canto ser entonado durante la participación de la cena del Señor. ¿Es esto apropiado de observar o llevar a cabo? NO. No es y de hecho está mal. Hay congregaciones que lo realizan solamente en el acto de la ofrenda, sin embargo sigue estando igual de mal que en la cena. En primer lugar se debe de entender muy bien, ¿que es? la adoración a Dios y se debe de estar completamente convencidos de, que solamente existen 5 actos de adoración que Dios nos ha ordenado bajo el nuevo pacto que su hijo selló con precio de sangre en la Cruz. Dede de comprenderse a la perfección de, que la cena del Señor no es el acto principal de adoración de una congregación, ni que la predicación lo es, sino que todos y cada uno de ellos es de igual importancia y relevancia.

CANTANDO DURANTE LA CENA DEL SEÑOR?

CANTANDO DURANTE LA CENA DEL SEÑOR?

Por alguna extraña razón a veces se ha llegado a pensar que se debe de poner mucho más énfasis en la Santa Cena y muchos han caído al extremo de que cuando este acto llega: se apagan las luces y se encienden unas luces rojas muy bajitas y se comienza a cantar un himno solemne para preparar el “ambiente”. Cada uno de los actos de adoración son separados el uno del otro y al mismo tiempo igual de importantes el uno con el otro.  Cada acto de adoración envuelve actividad: física, mental, y espiritual  al participar de ellos. En 1Cor 11:23 en adelante que muy común mente se utiliza antes de la participación de la mesa del Señor, Pablo nos recuerda que esto se hace en conmemoración o en memoria del sacrificio del Señor. Es decir que los participantes deberán de estar adecuando su mente en ese sacrificio. El cantar durante la cena del Señor se convierte en un acto incorrecto a partir de las siguientes razones, le invitamos a que considere:

  1. La Situación Emocional: Cuando se introduce un canto en la cena es por alguna razón necesaria. No dudamos de las buenas intenciones de muchos hermanos, pero hay otros quienes creen que ya la participación de la santa cena cada semana puede tornarse en un “ritualismo” dicen ellos. En 1Cor 11:24 cuando se leemos “en memoria de mí”, permítame hacer notar que la frase no necesariamente implique sentir la emoción al hacerlo, sino más bien es algo que va más allá de las emociones, tiene que ver directamente con mi espíritu y mi mente. Quienes ven a la cena del Señor como un ritualismo que necesita ser mejorado, avivado con un canto, es porque quizás no han logrado comprender correctamente que significa hacerlo con la mente.
  2. La Incongruencia: Esta es demostrada por la lógica. Si la congregación puede cantar durante la celebración de la cena o durante la ofrenda entonces: ¿Porque no cantar durante el Sermón o durante una oración?. Bueno alguien pude responder: “¡Porque son actos muy consagrados donde se requiere de toda la consagración necesaria y 0 interrupciones!”. Para nada nos oponemos, pero el mismo principio debe de ser aplicado a la cena o la ofrenda.
  3. La Falta de autoridad: El Nuevo Testamento es nuestra maxima autoridad en religión hoy. No existe ningún mandamiento directo, ni tampoco un ejemplo aprobado y no hay una inferencia necesaria, por tal motivo es muy peligro obrar. Al igual que interpretamos el silencio de las escrituras sobre los instrumentos musicales en el N.T deberíamos de proceder con este tema. Es muy importante aclarar que en todo lo que se relacione a asuntos de opinión y que la Biblia guarde silencio, tenemos libertad de proceder a decidir y establecer con mucho cuidado cual sea lo mejor para todos. Pero al mismo tiempo que quede muy claro que este asunto  de cantar durante la celebración de la cena, no es un asunto de opinión, son los actos de adoración a nuestro Dios, ¡no puede de ninguna manera ser asunto de opinión.! 
  4. El Canto está en otro contexto: Tomar la cena mientras se canta o recoger la ofenda y cantar viola directamente el propósito, la manera y la metodología del canto. El canto a Dios está diseñado para que utilicemos el corazón en él (Ef 5:19, Col.3:16). Para cantar se requiere que el adorador ponga todas sus energías y se concentre en lo que esta cantando, esto es hacerlo con el espíritu y con el entendimiento (1Co 14:15). A demás es necesario que a la ora de cantar se haga como resultado del gozo interno que es expresado por los labios (Heb 13:15). Nosotros No hacemos música para alegrarnos, hacemos música porque nuestra alma se regocija en en las Buenas Nuevas de Dios (San. 5:13). El canto debe de incluir al menos tres cosas:  • GOZO • EMOCION •DEVOCION. ¡Amigo simplemente es imposible llevar a cabo todo esto junto con la cena del Señor.!
  5. El Desorden: En 1Co 14:40 en las instrucciones varias para la Iglesia el Apóstol Pablo termina diciendo: “Hagace todo decentemente y en orden”. La palabra orden, incluso en este contexto tiene que ver con cada cosa esperando su turno. No hay razón lo suficientemente fuerte para apresurar el servicio de adoración mezclándolos. En cualquier caso eso es bíblicamente llamado como desorden y está condenado por Dios.
Aún después de presentar 5 fuertes razones habrán muchos que no verán en ellas suficiente peso para dejar de practicarlo. Cada cristiano en especial el liderazgo debe de preocuparse bastante para que la adoración a Dios sea pura y sea tal como El la especificó. Al final el Padre está buscando adoradores que le adoren en espíritu y en verdad (Juan 4:23-24).
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