Withdrawal of Fellowship is God’s Plan for Restoration

Last Sunday was a day which many at Palm Beach Lakes will never forget. It will not be because of the sermons, but because of the visible manifestation of the power of the word of God to transform lives. It was an emotional day with tears of joy because we were reminded again that the word of God is living, active and cuts to the heart.

It was two weeks ago that the elders came before the church and asked the church to help bring about the restoration of three members who had left the Lord. The elders had worked diligently to bring them back, and so they stood before the church asking for all who had any influence on them to give an even more concerted effort to bring them back home. On Sunday, it was so thrilling to be part of  an assembly where two of those who are loved so much returned. Let me share some thoughts about this matter.

Withdrawing from those who have already left the church does work. There are some who think that if one has already stopped attending, we should not withdraw from them. Such is not the case! What if our elders had just ignored these wayward members saying, “Well, just take them off the role, for we have nothing left to withdraw from them”? This past Sunday we saw the folly of such reasoning. God knows how to do His work, and I am thankful our elders lead us in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake! That day ended with families rejoicing, with the church loving those who had returned, with angels rejoicing and with joy on the throne because of what had happened. Even before the final announcement of withdrawal was made, one responded. Then on Sunday night, after the final announcement had been made, another came home. What if we had not withdrawn from those who had already withdrawn from us!

The loving contact made with the wayward helps them come home. Many in this church, over the past two weeks, had used many avenues to let those who had left know we longed for their return. These very thoughts were expressed to me and others. Withdrawal is designed to bring prodigals home.

I grieve that some missed Sunday night worship. You failed to see how much this church loves the lost. You failed to be able to encourage the one who returned. He needed you. You failed to rejoice with families reunited in the Lord. You failed to hear the emotional experience of the confession of wrong which was made. You failed to see visibly that the gospel does work. You failed to have your faith in His working in this church built up. I grieve for you, because I think you failed!

Posted in Dan Jenkins | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Withdrawal of Fellowship is God’s Plan for Restoration

Paul’s Description of Ungodly Preachers

The apostle Paul says more about preaching than the rest of the Bible combined. When he wrote his first letter to the church at Thessalonica he described two kinds of preachers. A close study of them in the second chapter of this book provides a vivid contrast between them. Most of us have seen both kinds, and as we read this passage, memories of those we have known come to mind. Look at his description of ungodly preachers.

Their exhortation has little regard for the difference between truth and error. Paul said, “Our exhortation did not come from error” (v. 3). His view of preaching was that he had been “entrusted with the gospel” (v. 4). The apostle Peter also described the responsibility every teacher has to the truth. “If anyone speaks let have him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). The implication is that if one ignores what God said then he should not speak at all!

Their lives did not reflect their devotion to righteousness. The apostle said, “Our exhortation did not come from . . . uncleanness” (2:3). There is nothing which destroys the power of the message of the gospel more than unholiness in the lives of the messenger.

Their exhortation was characterized by flattering words and sought to please men and not God. Look again at the words in this epistle. “Neither at any time did we use flattering words” (v. 5). The eternal souls of those in the audience are far too precious for teachers to hide the message of God in such a way that pleasing men keeps sin from being addressed. Think about the fact that we have far too many who generically preach against sin, but rarely preach against sins!

Their teaching was motivated by a love of money which they received. Paul said, “Neither at any time did we use . . . a cloak for covetousness” (v. 5). Preachers should never preach so that they might receive a salary! Johnny Ramsey, a preacher who greatly impacted my life, once said, “You should love preaching so much that you never preach to be paid, but love it so much that you would even pay for the chance to preach.” “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim. 6:10), and it is often the root of preaching which does not honor God.

Their preaching sought glory from men. Paul’s last description of the ungodly is, “Nor did we seek glory from men” (v. 6). The pulpit is not a stage to be used to bring praise from the audience. The only audience which matters is not the one before the preacher, but the one above him!

Posted in Dan Jenkins | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Paul’s Description of Ungodly Preachers

Paul’s Description of Godly Preachers

In the second chapter of Paul’s first letter to Thessalonica, there is a startling contrast between two kinds of preachers. There are those whose motives, methods and message bring havoc to the church. Then there are those who bring joy to heaven as lives are changed by the proclamation of the story of the cross. Because preaching plays such a vital role in God’s design of the church, it is imperative that we know the kind of preaching God wants.

Godly preachers see that God has entrusted them with gospel. The apostle Paul said, “We have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel…” (v. 4). The greatest story ever told has been placed in the hands of mortals, and these men of God never preach without a constant realization that the Creator has confidence in them that they will deliver His message.

Godly preachers are gentle in dealing with others. The word of God is a mighty sword which can be used to destroy those who hear. However, God’s plan is not to slay the enemy of the cross but to use that sword to do a heart transplant! Two illustrations are used to describe this relationship between the teacher and those who are taught. First, there is the one of a nursing mother and the affection she shows as she deals with her child. Paul said, “We were gentle among you…” (v. 7). The second is of a father as he directs his children to change their lives (v. 11). There are cruel mothers and harsh fathers, but these are not the kind Paul has in mind. Think about the kindness of Jesus in dealing with those He taught. He is the master teacher.

Godly preachers are not afraid of work. Preachers can be lazy and the church has far too many of them, but Paul talks of laboring night and day to accomplish his goal (v. 8). The motivation behind this is summed up in his words “because you were dear to us.” The work is far too serious for any preacher not to give his all to accomplish it.

Godly preachers are concerned about their lives reflecting their devotion to righteousness as they live among those taught. Think about Paul’s words, “You are witnesses . . . How devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you” (v. 10). Preachers should strive to live so that they can say, as did Paul, “Imitate me just as I imitate Christ.” The harshest words Jesus ever spoke were against Jewish “preachers” who failed to honor righteousness in their lives. Nothing destroys one’s preaching more than the ungodly life of the preacher. Nothing empowers it more than the preacher’s godly life!

Thank God for godly preachers!

Posted in Dan Jenkins | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Paul’s Description of Godly Preachers

Been There, Done That – Don’t Waste Your Time

The first century world was an amazing mixture of so many manifestations of sin. It is ironic that many pagan rituals incorporated fleshly actions as a means of worshiping pagan gods. Who has not heard of the thousand priestesses in Corinth who thought it was a great honor to participate in sexual activities in worshiping the gods? It was not just in Corinth that immorality prevailed but it flourished throughout the Roman world. The pagan world could never understand the new lifestyles of those who became Christians.

Peter addresses this in his first letter to those Christians who lived just across the Aegean Sea in Asia Minor. Read the first few verses in chapter four to see how God used him to address these problems and then make application of these principles to your lives.

Dealing with sin involves arming ourselves with the mind of Christ. This expression found in verse one is rendered in the English Standard Version (ESV) as “arm yourselves with the same way of thinking.” We are in a lifetime battle for our souls and the solution is to prepare ourselves for battle by learning to view life as Jesus did. “What Would Jesus Do” is another way of expressing this same truth.

Dealing with sin means we should “no longer live the rest of our time in the flesh.” Peter’s admonition can be expressed in modern terms as “enough is enough,” “been there, done that” and “don’t waste your time.” Those early Christians could look to a past lifestyle and see how empty it was. In verse three he said, “We have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles.” Sober reflection shows that while we spent that time, it was not time well spent!

Dealing with sin means that we address specific sins and simply stop participating in them. Peter makes specific application of the sins in this list from the ESV and the New King James—“living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.” Look at this list and see the application it has today! We might not think it does, since it mentions idolatry, but remember that Paul says that covetousness is idolatry—and our materialistic world has filled our hearts with craving after things. Look at the list again and see if it does discuss the bar scene, the dating scene with its inappropriate touching and fondling, the one night stands, and gatherings often involving watching sports, where one of the prime activities is drinking.

Dealing with sin involves you personally looking at your life! Listen to the Lord, He will judge us by these words!

Posted in Dan Jenkins | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Been There, Done That – Don’t Waste Your Time

What Happens When You Get Old

The other day I was talking to my wife, Judie, about how I miss those days when I could just pick up the phone and call older preachers, especially Franklin Camp, just to get their wise counsel about problems. She got that special look on her face I have seen over the years and then she said, “Dan, you need to face it, you are the older preacher.” I then began to think of the increasing number of calls I have received over the years.  Getting older sorta’ sneaks up on you!

Many years ago my grandmother was talking about aging. She said, “Getting old ain’t what it’s cracked up to be.” She was so wise. When I told that story to Fran Reynolds, a former member at PBL who is now deceased, she said, “Your grandmother was so right. The truth is, it’s all cracks.”

The last chapter of Ecclesiastes uses such poetic language when it describes aging. It speaks of how our hands begin to shake—”the keepers of the house tremble”; the problems we have with our teeth—“the grinders cease”; eyesight fails—”those that look through the windows grow dim”; hearing diminishes—”the daughters of music are brought low” and the graying of the hair—”the almond tree blossoms.” If you live long enough you will really appreciate this passage!

May I share with you some observations about what we should do as we get older? First, be careful that you do not seek to dominate conversations, and be determined to talk less and listen more. One reason some older people talk so much is because as hearing fails the only way they can know what is being said is to dominate the discussion. Don’t do it! The truth is that most people do not really care to hear you tell the same stories again and again. You may not remember telling that story, but those around you will.

Keep your mind active. I have seen many stop reading and studying before they were 60, and their ability to learn just about stopped. Be interested in what happens around you. Be part of this age of technology and scientific advances. The world is constantly changing. Make sure that you do too!

Above all, do not live in the past. I heard someone say recently that what is wrong with our world is that old people live in the past, young people live in the future and no one lives in the present. Young people seemingly are talking about what they someday want to do and old people talk about what they used to do! What a lesson for every Christian! Forget those past accomplishments and live for today. The past is history, you may have no future. Do what you can do today for the Lord. It may be your last one!

Posted in Dan Jenkins | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on What Happens When You Get Old