Narrow Minded or Christ Minded?

Narrow Minded?

I recently heard a story about a denominational preacher who was questioned about some of his unscriptural worship practices.  Lacking any Scriptural proof, he simply attempted to justify himself by saying something to the effect that those who opposed his views were “ narrow minded. ”

Narrow Minded

Narrow minded?

 

The term “ narrow minded ” is defined as “lacking tolerance, breadth of view, or sympathy; petty.”  I find it interesting that people who want to do things their way (instead of doing it God’s way) always try to justify themselves by throwing the blame on those who demand a Scriptural answer.  Such people do not respect the authority of God’s word – which tells us that we must do all things according to the Scriptural pattern (cf. Heb. 8:5) by the authority of Christ (Col. 3:17).  John 4:24 tells us that we must worship God both sincerely and according to His truth – “for the Father is seeking such to worship Him“ (v. 23).  This assures us that God does not accept just any worship, no matter how sincere people are.  Jesus said, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Lk. 6:46; cf. Matt. 7:21-27).

You see, friends, those who respect the authority of God’s word are only as narrow minded as Christ is (Matt. 15:7-9,13; 7:13-14; Lk. 13:24).  So let this mind be in you (cf. Phil. 2:5).

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Preaching the Truth or Not

He preaches the truth, or does he?

I was recently talking to a member of the church in another city who was considering leaving the present congregation to attend a larger congregation that recently had hired a new preacher. This person had visited the larger congregation and was impressed by much of what she saw. The comment made to me was, “I have been there a few times, and I have never heard him preach anything wrong.”

Preaching

Preaching the Truth? Or Not.

There were some things which were different and at first this person felt uncomfortable, but the fact she “had never heard him preach anything wrong” negated the feelings of uneasiness. While not all change is wrong, wisdom says that we should consider the motive behind the change.

There is a difference between preaching truth and preaching all the truth. It may not be the “I have never heard him preach anything wrong” that should be the concern and measure of the new preacher. It is not what is being preached, but what is not being preached that is the problem. Paul said, “I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:26).  The sermons preached in some congregations could easily be preached in denominations. They are “cute” and one leaves having had a wonderful experience. Such sermons are Biblically based, but often never distinctive. They are rarely confrontational and end with an admonition of “let us all try harder.” The preaching in the first century ended with a call to acknowledging sin and repentance.

There is a difference between preaching against sin and preaching against sins. As I listened to the person’s “have not heard anything wrong” concept, I thought of how easy it is to preach against sin, but how difficult it is to preach against specific sins. Everyone preaches against sin, but it is far harder to preach against unscriptural divorces and remarriages. My guess is that this is the reason many preachers will not preach about this or about dancing, immodest (lascivious) dress, drinking, church discipline and a host of other specific sins.

There is a difference between “positive” preaching and balanced preaching. The popularity of the community church has caused many to think that if we copy their preaching we can compete with them. Thus, many go to popular churches because they want to leave with a warm, positive feeling. The positive approach that leads one to the “I have never heard him preach anything wrong” may simply be some seek to always be positive. Biblical preaching involves more than exhortation. It involves reproving and rebuking (2 Tim. 4:2) and includes the whole counsel of God. The popularity we should seek is the favor which comes from above all of us!

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The Truth About Persecution

How Do You Define Christianity?

The name Samer Kamil Yacub probably does not mean much to 99.9% of Americans. But it should. He is believed to be the last Christian who left the Iraqi city of Mosul this week, after 2,000 years of Christianity in that town. Let that soak in for a moment. A place that has had Christians for 2,000 years now has none.

Persecution

Could You Handle Real Persecution?

Christians in Mosul have been forced to flee—while being beaten, robbed, and in many cases killed by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). This so-called “peaceful religion” has been telling Christians for several weeks now: “Convert or die.” In America we rarely hear about the hundreds of Christians who are being killed by Muslims. After all, it would not be politically correct to shine a negative light on that religion. As the bumper stickers say, we should all just “co-exist.” So, while our country argues over whether or not an NFL team can retain the name “Washington Redskins,” Christians in Iraq have been going through persecution that most of us cannot even fathom.

Imagine for a moment watching your church family torn apart—with members being killed for their beliefs. Imagine watching as some of your immediate family is sent away—and you aren’t quite sure where they have gone. At militant checkpoints in Mosul they order fleeing Christian women into trailers where Muslims take away their jewelry and add it to an ever-growing pile. They take their money and anything else of value they are carrying. It does not matter to them if you are crippled, sick, or have no place to go. The message is still the same: Convert or die. And so, rather than renouncing their faith, thousands of Christians have left Mosul and become refugees.

On July 27th, 2014 Jonathan Krohn observed

…the al Qaeda-inspired fighters who overran the city last month gave Christians an ultimatum. They could stay and pay a tax or convert to Islam—or be killed. Yacub, 70, was one of the few Christians remaining beyond last Saturday’s noon deadline. He may have even been the last to leave alive.

“[A] fighter said, ‘I have orders to kill you now’,” Yacub said just hours after the Sunni extremists tried to force their way into his home at 11 a.m. on Monday. “All of the people in my neighborhood were Muslim. They came to help me —about 20 people — at the door in front of my house. They tried to convince ISIS not to kill me.”1

As I read those words I asked myself what would happen in America if we were forced to “convert or die.” How strong is our faith? Sadly, I believe many weak Christians would convert rather than be put through major persecution. After all, not many people are willing to give up their $5 cup of coffee or sports/entertainment.

In Iraq the choice of being a Christian means you will probably lose your house and all your belongings—and may, in fact, lose your life. In America we define a Christian as someone who attends a church for an hour, maybe wears a “Christian t-shirt,” and doesn’t go watch the really bad movies. To Americans, persecution means that some politician didn’t vote the way we wanted him/her to—or a restaurant chain is singled out for their stand on traditional marriage.

So what happens then when the real persecution comes? And it will. How many people will be willing to give up their affluence in order to retain their faith? I suspect on that day there will be a separation—wheat and chaff—with many current Christians deciding “its not worth it.” To those I would ask, “Was it worth it to Christ to die for your sins?”

Persecution of Christians in America is growing. Are we rearing our children to be strong enough to stand? Will they renounce their religion and convert when they are truly tested or will they “fight the good fight?” It’s time American Christians wake up and look around the world and see what is really going on. It’s time to be informed. Parents must realize that simply raising Christians is not enough. The next generation in America must be warriors. After all, it’s quite possible that during your child’s lifetime America will see a dramatic rise of Islam. Will your child be like Samer Kamil Yacub—and be the last Christian to walk out of your city or will they simply convert?

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Decisions and Mistakes

Ever Make a Mistake?

We have all made lots of bad decisions in our lives. Whether it is a mistake in business or in the church, we have made plenty of mistakes and that also includes bad decision in both family and personal situations. Of course, none of us try to make bad decisions, but sometimes the way we make them can significantly increase or decrease the chances of mistakes. For myself, I have learned from every bad decision I have made. And, I have repeated a few of them again and again and will still learn something. But, as much as we can, we should want to make better decisions the first time. So, to help us, consider some ways you and I will make bad decisions. It begins with:

Decisions

Decisions and Mistakes

Making them too fast. As the old saying goes, “haste makes waste.” Every day we make lots of decisions. Everyday there is a fork in the road and we have to decide from which socks to put on, to what we will eat for lunch, to life altering decisions. And, oftentimes we have to make them quickly. But, bad choices are made too hastily on important issues when we make them based on our emotions or bad information or impulses just to satisfy another. And as a Christian, as a light in the world, people see you and rely on your influence upon them (Matt. 5:16) and your input. So, on important matters, it is wise to seek counsel and advice from God first (Matt. 6:33). And then, instead of getting information overload from several inexperienced individuals seek advice from others who are experienced and most importantly, godly realizing that the only basis for a really good decision is correct thinking knowing that wisdom comes from above (Jam. 3:17).

Making them too slow. I know that in the cartoon the tortoise beat the hair. But realistically, decisions can be more like watching a pressure cooker: with Time all it does it builds steam and cooks everything in it. But, if you wait too long, it will explode. Of course, we are to count the cost of important matters (Lk. 14:28), but so often it is the case that people procrastinate and are just downright lazy or scared to death to make a decision. And worse, in matters of spirituality, some are double minded and unstable in all their ways (Jam. 1:8). And, James means here that when one is double minded they have two loyalties—two priorities and are pulled in two different directions and become confused because of their emotions or because of the relationship and so, they don’t know what is best when dealing with something. But, waiting will seldom make the decision easier and often only complicates the process the longer we wait. But again, if we seek God’s help, he will direct our paths (Prov. 3:5-6).

Making them to keep people happy. How many of you have done this? How many of you have made a decision for your family which is of least resistance for fear that a family member would not like it? Or, what about in the church? Of all things, there ought to be a 12-step program for those who are obsessed with seeking the approval of others. We are taught this in our early years, beginning with having the right clothes, driving the right car, and then as we get older, making decisions that will make everyone love you. Well, everyone will not love you. That is a deceit (Matt. 5:11). Making decision to get approval from others is exhausting and turns us into someone we do not like very much. And, quite frankly, we can become so obsessed with what others will think that we forget about what God thinks. Christians, we are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), having been forgiven of sins (Acts 2:38), are God’s masterpiece (Eph. 2:10) and greatly loved by Him (Rom. 1:7) and as we stop trying to please men, only then can we realize that we are to be pleasing God in all we do.

Making them when angry. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think clearly when my emotions get in the way. If we are angry or emotional in our decision making, we will overreact or underreact and emotionally based decisions are oftentimes regretted later. Now, the process of decision making includes judgment that are influenced by the mind and emotions and keep in mind that the decisions we make reflect the desires of the heart (Psa. 119:30), but as David said, “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee” (Psa. 119:11). So before making the decision, will you please yourself or the Lord? Consider the words of Joshua, “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Josh. 24:15). Let us remember that our decisions are not to be “…conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2).

There are many other mistakes one can make in their decisions. This is why we need to seek God first. It is God who leads us in the paths of uprightness (Prov. 4:11). It is He who states whatever you do it must be done for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). And, we cannot forget God’s promise that if we lack wisdom for a solution, we should ask God (Jam. 1:5). Decision making can range from easy to painful at times. And, sometimes the right course of action will hurt us in some way and it is during these difficult times where we need grace the most because as a Christian, you make decisions by the will of God (1 Pet. 4:1-2). So, seek God in your decisions. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6). To

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Denominational Fellowship

 “…For He that Is not Against Us Is for Us”

While Jesus repeated this phrase in slightly different ways several times in the gospel accounts, Mark and Luke specifically record Him saying this in a specific event during His personal ministry on earth. One can find this in Mark 9:38-40 and Luke 9:49-50.

Fellowship

Denominational Fellowship

The context of this passage falls within a section of scripture in which Jesus discussed the cross (Mark 9:31-32; Luke 9:44-45). After Jesus discusses this very important fact with His apostles, they argue about who will be the greatest (Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48). Can one not see how arguing about who will be the greatest is out of place in the context of the cross? In this discussion, John remembers a prior event. John might be very well confessing his failure to realize what Christ was teaching when he said, “Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us” (Luke 9:49). To this, Jesus responded,

Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. (Mark 9:39-41)

This passage has become prominent in past years by those who desire for the church to extend fellowship to denominations. Many preachers today misapply this passage to support the idea of Christians existing in denominations.

One extremely important principle of understanding the Bible is that the Bible is its own best commentary on itself. Therefore, we need to remember several things by correct observation of the text. First, Jesus was speaking directly to “the twelve” (Mark 9:35). In other words, He was speaking to the apostles. Second, when John said, “…he followeth not us,” he is thinking about the apostolic office of “the twelve.” Then, the context shows that Jesus is talking about unrecognized people—probably Gentiles (to whom Luke addresses his gospel), since the mindset of the Jews of that day was selfish and prideful. In addition to the apostolic office, we have seventy more of which the Lord had commissioned in Luke 10:1-17, which we know had power over demons. We should note the fact that the commission to the seventy did not have the same limitations that Jesus gave to His twelve apostles when He sent them on their commission: “Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 10:5-6).

Thus, in addition to the twelve that comprised the apostolic office, Christ commissioned seventy others and gave credentials to them exactly as He did the twelve. It seems highly likely that John ran into one of these seventy, since we know for sure that Jesus commissioned them as the twelve with miraculous powers, just as Jesus said: “…for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me” (Mark 9:39).

Therefore, to make a comparison with one in a different religion unknown to the Bible and doing things unauthorized in the Bible without Jesus forbidding such is a serious misapplication of this passage. Furthermore, as stated in the introduction of this article, the subject of the cross is in the background of this scripture. The cross offers the solutions to the problems of which we are discussing and which we find in this section of scripture. The cross does away with sectarianism. It unites and reconciles men with men and men with God (cf. Eph. 2:11-22). Therefore, to establish fellowship with those who continue to remain factious is the opposite message Jesus and the cross give, as we have recorded in the Bible.

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