Christians, China and the U.K.

As we’ve written and talked about quite a bit lately, there is no question that America was built by men who believed in and feared God. People will tell you that that’s not true, that they didn’t believe or that the founders had a view of God that downplayed his involvement and importance in human life, but that’s simply not true. As you also know, whether people believe the truth on that issue in this day and age is becoming more and more irrelevant, because 21st Century Americans care less about God, the Bible, and His church with each passing day. This is where American would do well to take a lesson from… the United Kingdom and China?

As strange as that sounds, two news reports from England’s The Telegraph news site over the last week put America’s path toward total apostasy and rebellion in a shocking new light. In the first, British Prime Minister David Cameron called for the Christians of his nation to be more evangelical and more bold with their faith. To quote the article – Christians should be “more evangelical” about their faith and “get out there and make a difference to people’s lives”, David Cameron has said.

In his strongest intervention on religion to date, Mr Cameron said that in an increasingly “secular age” Christians need to be even “more confident” and “ambitious”. He said he wants to “infuse politics” with Christian “ideals and values” such as “responsibility, hard work, charity, compassion, humility and love”.

Can you imagine those words being spoken in America today? Can you imagine a leader not only saying something nice about Christians simply to placate them, but calling on them to help them bring about the change the nation needs to see? Though Cameron made concessions later in saying that atheists and secularists can bring about morality as well, his point stood clear – if things are going to change, those who believe in Christ need to be leading the way. That’s a sermon every American needs to hear, coming from the lips of a world leader in a nation that has long been secularized.

The second article focused on the estimation that China is on pace to have more Christians than any other nation in the world by 2025. While our first inclination might be to suggest that that’s due to population, consider the fact that as China was in the midst of becoming the world’s most populous nation, in 1949 they only had one million who claimed Christianity. Today that number is nearing sixty million. Though there are still a number of underground churches facing persecution, there are also churches who are working with the government and even sanctioned by it, because, as the article says “’They do not trust the church, but they have to tolerate or accept it because the growth is there,’ said the church leader. ‘The number of Christians is growing – they cannot fight it. They do not want the 70 million Christians to be their enemy.’” One minister interviewed in the article said, “Christianity can also play a role in maintaining peace and stability in society. Without God, people can do as they please.” Though their doctrine may not be correct and though the Communist Party of China is still working hard to control what is taught, China is realizing what Cameron also pointed out: without vocal, active Christians a nation fails from the inside. Why has America forgotten that?

It’s clear throughout the course of history that once a nation experiences hard times or hits rock bottom morally, they begin to turn back to God for guidance. That was the entire point of the book of Judges, and we can see it happening elsewhere to Israel and their contemporaries throughout the Bible. It doesn’t HAVE to be that way though. Some sort of rock bottom status is not a requirement for large-scale repentance on a national level, though. Unfortunately, as long as a nation’s citizens feel self-reliant and morally good in their own hearts without God, and the Christians of a nation feel comfortable and lack urgency in their evangelism, change will never come about without some sort of rock bottom experience. Sound familiar? That’s exactly where we are in America today, and unless that changes we will continue down a path to destruction where God will bring us to repentance. What can we do to stop what feels like a runaway train of immorality among the populace and apathy among the church?

First, develop a proper understanding of sin. Sin isn’t a “mistake” or a bad decision, it is rebellion against God and makes us guilty for putting His Son on the cross. It separates us from each other through our own selfishness, from God’s blessings because of His justness, and from God Himself because of His righteousness. So long as we continue to think that our sins aren’t that bad or that other people’s sins like homosexuality, drug abuse, etc. are worse rather than focusing on our own separation from God, we will remain stagnant.

Second, we have to develop a sense of urgency. Yes, heaven is a real place that God has promised those who are faithful to Him, but hell is just as real and from what we read of Jesus’ words about the broad gate (Matthew 7:13), most people are going to go there. Family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, even those folks you would consider enemies – is that the end you want them to meet? Eternal separation from God and the punishment that sin without atonement absolutely requires?

Unless we start thinking eternally, we will continue our path towards national destruction. Change doesn’t start with a legislature passing a law or a court making a decision according to God’s precepts. They haven’t done that, they aren’t doing that, and so we shouldn’t expect them to do so. Instead, change starts within us, as individuals and churches, developing the fire for God’s Word and taking it to the people around us lest it start to catch fire in our bones like Jeremiah (20:9).

– http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10770425/David-Cameron-says-Christians-should-be-more-evangelical.html,

– http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/10776023/China-on-course-to-become-worlds-most-Christian-nation-within-15-years.html

 

 

 

Posted in Brad Harrub | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Christians, China and the U.K.

Word of God

Psalm 119 is an interesting piece of scripture. Not only does it have the distinction of being the longest “chapter” in the Bible with 176 verses, but it is divided into twenty-two sections with eight verses each and begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, evidently which the author arranged in a methodical manner to facilitate memorization. The entire emphasis of this eminent psalm is on the word of God. Notice some lessons we can learn about the word of God in the second section (Beth).

The word of God can cleanse (119:9). Jesus said, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you” (John 15:3). We are sanctified and cleansed “with the washing of water by the word” (Eph. 5:26).

The word of God needs reading daily (119:10). In seeking God with our “whole heart” and trying not to wander from His commandments, we need to be daily Bible readers.

The word of God can prohibit us from sin (119:11). However, it can only work if the word is in our heart (Ps. 40:8; Rom. 10:8; Col. 3:16). It will do little good in prohibiting from sin if the word of God is simply on the shelf, on the table, in our pew, or even in our hand. It must be in our hearts.

The word of God requires learning (119:12). Just as the psalmist was open to learn the word of God (Ps. 119:64, 68, 108, 181), we likewise should be eager to learn. A knowledge of the word of God does not come naturally through osmosis, but rather it takes diligent study (2 Tim. 2:15). As the Ethiopian nobleman answered the question from Philip concerning his understanding of the word of God, “How can I, except some man should guide me?” (Acts 8:30-31). Jesus quoted the prophets (Isa. 54:13; Jer. 31:34; Mic. 4:2) when he said, “And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me” (John 6:45).

The word of God requires teaching (119:13). After learning the word of God, we should be willing with our lips to declare “all the judgments of thy mouth.” Jesus emphasized this in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16). The psalmist also said, “I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest” (Ps. 40:9). Paul told the young man Timothy, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).

The word of God is valuable (119:14). It is “better unto me than thousands of gold and silver” (Ps. 119:72). It is more valuable than “gold; yea above fine gold” (Ps. 119:127). The wise man spoke of the wisest investment one can make: “Buy the truth, and sell it not” (Prov. 23:23).

The word of God requires meditation and respect (119:15). Oh, how we desperately need both of these things today. We should spend time in daily meditation of the word of God today (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:2; 63:6; 104:34; 119:78, 148; 143:5). As the psalmist later said, “O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day” (119:97). We also need a deep respect for the word of God as the supreme authority for our lives (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It is divine in its origin (2 Pet. 1:21). It is truly a blessing to those who respect it (Ps. 19:11; Matt. 7:24). It is our standard for faith and practice in all matters of religion and morality (John 12:48; 1 Thess. 2:13). It is sacred (Deut. 12:32; Rev. 22:18-19).

The word of God requires remembrance (119:16). We need to take heed to “never forget thy precepts” (cf. 119:93).

May God bless our treatment of this sacred book that He has bestowed to us as a blessing!

Posted in Sam Willcut | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Word of God

Good Name Good Man

A Good Name Given to a Good Man

He was such a good man that the apostles gave him a new name! Barnabas is an amazing example to Christians today of what each of us should be. The history of the church was changed by this man. To look at his life and see his impact on the church can be a great encouragement to every Christian.

Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus. His heritage in the priestly tribe of Levi gave him preeminence among the Jews, but he readily embraced Christianity from the beginning. Obviously, he wanted to find God and serve him.

Barnabas gave Himself to the Lord. When those first Christians, who had come from every nation under heaven and perhaps stayed longer than they had planned, had need (Acts 2:5), the members who had property began selling it to supply others’ needs. Barnabas is the only person who is specifically mentioned as having such a compassionate heart (Acts 4:36-37).

Barnabas was given a new name by the apostles because of his spirituality. Until that time, he had been called Joses (Joseph), but he was given a new name. From that time on he was called Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement.” The church was in its infancy, but Barnabas was such an encourager to others, he was given a new name.

Barnabas was responsible for the flourishing of the church in Antioch. When the church in Jerusalem learned of the establishment of the church in Antioch, they sent Barnabas, “The Encourager,” to help. God described him as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” When he arrived “. . . a great many people were added to the Lord” (Acts 11:24).

Barnabas was responsible for helping Saul of Tarsus (we know him as Paul) find his place in the kingdom to serve the Lord. Those early Christians were afraid of Paul and were hesitant to accept him. “They were hearing only, ‘He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy’” (Gal. 1:22-23). It was “The Encourager” who came to rescue Paul. He went from Antioch to Paul, who had returned to his home city of Tarsus, and brought him to work with the church in Antioch (Acts 11:26).

Barnabas was responsible for Mark finding his place of service in the church. Mark was his nephew and traveled with Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey. Paul was disappointed in what Mark did, but “The Encourager” stood up for this young Christian. Barnabas stood up against the great apostle. Had he not done this, we would be missing one of the books of the Bible, the gospel of Mark.

Think about it. What name would your brethren give to you? Discourager? Complainer? Lazy? Undependable? God help us all to become like “The Encourager”!

Posted in Dan Jenkins | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Good Name Good Man

Beyond the Plateau

In Wyoming, there are a number of plateaus. Their images cut clearly against the sky. As the light hits the plateau throughout the day, the strata displays a variety of appealing red, orange, brown, and grey tones, and a lazy shadow plods along at the side. In truth, not all plateaus have this distinct desert look. Some of the world’s plateaus are covered over in vegetation, some are underwater, and there can be quite a variation in sizes. To understand how big a plateau can be, it is said the state of Wyoming itself is a large plateau broken up by mountain ranges. Plateaus are created and shaped by wind, rain, movement of the earth’s crust, and even lava flows.

There is another meaning for the term plateau which is taken from the geologic feature. The term plateau can mean a point where growth, increase, or improvement has leveled off. For Christians, this is not a beautiful thing. They are called to continual growth.

2 Peter 3:18 – But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.

That growth comes from knowing and following the Word of God. When spiritual growth occurs, plateaus are left and a grand peak is climbed.

I Peter 1:1-2 – Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;

Rather than geologic forces shaping the Christian life, humanity tries to shape it into a plateau. It tries to make the Christian like everyone else. It encourages his media choices. It suggests or tries to enforce worldly standards of morality. It offers many types of gods. If successful, these influences will not only cause a plateau in the life of a Christian, but they will erode it away into nothingness.

Matthew 7:24-27 – Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock.  And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof.

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Beyond the Plateau

John 16 – The Disciples Informed

Jesus begins this chapter with “these things.” What things? Jesus proceeded to review things that he had just told his disciples, but now gives them more information. In Jn. 15:20, Jesus reminded the disciples of the principle that He had mentioned in which a slave is not greater than his master. And so, ultimately, the disciples would experience opposition because of Jesus. And, people would reject Jesus because they did not know God who had sent Him. Thus, by His preaching and working miracles, he had confronted people with their rebellion against God. But, their hatred did not jeopardize God’s plan. And so, even though the world rejected Jesus, there was no cause for it. But upon Jesus leaving his disciples, he would send the Comforter who would then be with the apostles. Yet as Jesus’ disciples, they could not love the world (1 John 2:15-17) or be conformed to the world (Rom. 12:1-2). And in fact, the apostle’s situation would even be dangerous because the world’s opposition was of hatred (Jn. 15:18-19), persecution (Jn. 15:20), excommunication, and even death (Jn. 16:1-4) would turn towards them because they would be identified with Christ.

Now, for three years, Jesus had been with them to protect them from attack; but now He was about to leave them. And, Jesus tells them the reason for Him to return to the Father is so the Comforter would come so as to help them be witnesses of the life of Jesus. Of course, he also left so that He could intercede for His people (Christians). Yet, this was difficult for them to grasp at this time (vs. 12). Thus, the Spirit becomes the teacher, through the apostles (vs. 13). He testifies of Jesus and He glorifies Him (vs. 14). So, people who claim that the Spirit of God led them to do things contrary to the example of Christ or the teaching of the Word are mistaken and are being led astray by Satan. For, Jesus is the truth (Jn. 14:6), and the Word is truth (Jn. 17:17), and the Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of Truth.” So, where the Holy Spirit is at work is never separate and apart from the truth. That is why when we study the Word, we see Jesus Christ which helps us to know God better and to glorify Him in our lives. And, as we teach in a hostile world, the Spirit uses the Word he has taught us and that we share, to convict the lost.

Now, in vs. 16-22, Jesus announced that in a little while, they would not see Him; then, in a little while, they would see Him. It was a puzzling statement (vs. 25) and the disciples did not understand. What did Jesus mean? It could be about his burial and how he would die and then rise from the grave or it may be that he was speaking of His return to the Father (vs. 16, 10). Instead of asking Jesus to explain His words, the men began to discuss it among themselves, almost as though they were embarrassed to admit their ignorance. However, you do not get very far by exchanging your ignorance! It is when we come to the Lord and ask for His help that we learn the important lessons of life. And what we learn is to wait for the coming of Jesus. But while we are waiting, we must deal with our trials and hurts on the basis of transformation if we expect to mature in the Christian life (Rom. 12:1-2).

Now, in vs. 23-28, we learn of the time after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. It would be a time when Jesus would no longer be with them and they would have to request answers to their questions from the Father in prayer. Now, Jesus knew they wanted to ask Him a question (vs. 19). But, Jesus encouraged the disciples to ask the Father for whatever they needed and that they would be granted as long as they were offered “in Jesus’ name” (Jn. 14:13-14). But, the disciples had not appealed to the Father in Jesus’ name before now. So, Jesus urges His disciples a second time to “ask” the Father realizing that while Jesus was on earth, He met all the needs of the disciples. But upon returning to the Father, the Father would meet their needs. Things were certainly changing there in the Upper Room, He had used a number of symbolic images to get His message across: the washing of their feet, the “Father’s house,” the vine and branches, and the birth of a baby. In the days that followed, these images would become clearer to the disciples as they would be taught by the Spirit of God. Jesus would return to heaven to be with the Father, and there He would minister as our High Priest, making intercession for us (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25).

Now, in John 16:29-30, the disciples suddenly moved out of their spiritual stupor and made a tremendous affirmation of faith. First, they claimed to understand what He had been teaching them, though this claim was probably presumptuous, as their actions proved. They seemed unable to grasp the meaning of His promised resurrection. In fact, they were bewildered even after His resurrection as to the future of Israel (Acts 1:6ff). Yet, they not only affirmed their understanding, but they also affirmed their faith and assurance. Well, Jesus would later speak to the Father about their spiritual condition (Jn. 17:6-8). Certainly He knew their weaknesses, but He was quick to approve their growing evidences of faith and assurance. But it is possible to have faith, understanding, and assurance and still fail the Lord. And, unless we practice that faith, apply that understanding, and rest on that assurance, we will fail when the time of testing comes.

That is what happened to the disciples, and Jesus warned them that it would happen. He had already warned Peter that he would deny Him, but now He warned the entire band of disciples that they would all forsake Him. But, why did He tell them all this? It was so the disciples might have peace in a world of tribulation. What? Every believer is either overcome or an overcomer. “And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 Jn. 5:4). The world wants to overcome us; this is why Satan uses the world to persecute and pressure believers. The world wants us to conform; it does not want us to be different. When we yield ourselves to Christ and trust Him, He enables us to be overcomers. Thus, we are told to “cheer up!” (vs. 33). His victory over the world can make us overcomers because He has first overcome for us. There is joy when we permit God to transform sorrow into joy, when he answers our prayers and when we overcome the world.

Posted in Robert Notgrass | Tagged , , | Comments Off on John 16 – The Disciples Informed