The Battle for the Heart

What is our most important stewardship? While many of us tend to focus on economic or financial aspects of our "stewardship," most of us should be spiritually sensitive enough to recognize that there are other priorities that should supersede economic or material things: family, etc. But what priority should be the paramount consideration among the competing demands on our time and resources? What aspect of our lives will prove to be the primary determinant of our eternal destiny? Many demands continually consume our attention: family, careers, and the economic pragmatics that determine our personal prerogatives, etc. The "urgent" will tend to preempt the important. But our most critical stewardship is our heart. That is what God is most concerned with, and it is this stewardship which will determine our response to all of the other issues we face-moment-by-moment, day-by-day, throughout the year, and, in fact, which will determine our eternal destiny. While our salvation is based entirely on what the Lord has done, our ultimate rewards will derive from our responses to the opportunities He provides to us. Our decisions will derive from our perspectives, and these, in turn, derive from what is commonly called our "world view": our global perspective of the world we find ourselves in - our origin, our purpose, and our assumed destiny. There are, however, only two basic world views:
1. We are simply the result of a series of cosmic accidents; or

2. We are the result of a purposeful design with a destiny that will be determined by our responses, and their consistency with, the aims of the Designer.
There are no other alternatives. All of our attitudes and perspectives derive, consciously or presumptuously, from our world view. If we believe that we are, as our government schools continue to inculcate our children, simply the result of randomness, it shouldn't surprise us that many lack a sense of destiny or moral responsibility. If, however, we recognize a design in the universe - and in ourselves - we not only acknowledge a responsibility, but also yearn to know as much as possible about the Designer and His intentions. We live in a dark world. Paul warned his protégé, Timothy, that times would become increasingly hazardous: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away (2 Timothy 3:1-5)."
However there is hope for the future. Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." Let's not lose sight of our fundamental anchors in this sea of distress:
1. God still reigns;

2. The Church is still precious in His sight;

3. Its mission is still clear;

4. Our focus is still Heaven; we are but pilgrims, not "earth-dwellers"; and

5. Victory is still certain.

The Influence of the Emerging Church in a Post-Modern World upon the Restoration Movement

The following are the notes that Mike Runcie, Klint Pleasant and I used to lead the discussion in class this morning at the McKnight Road Church of Christ on June 11, 2006.

I. The “Restoration” of the 19th century was a movement of various believers from different denominational backgrounds. Its motto was “Christians only; but, not the only Christians.”

II. What is the “Emerging Church” movement?
a. In a book entitled "Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church," which is scheduled to be published in June by Zondervan, theologian D.A. Carson defines the Emerging Church Movement as a group of people who believe the church must use new modes of expressing the Gospel as western culture adopts a postmodern mindset."At the heart of the 'movement' ... lies the conviction that changes in the culture signal that a new church is 'emerging,'" writes Carson, who serves as research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill. "Christian leaders must therefore adapt to this emerging church. Those who fail to do so are blind to the cultural accretions that hide the gospel behind forms of thought and modes of expression that no longer communicate with the new generation."According to Carson, the movement arose as a protest against the institutional church, modernism and seeker-sensitive churches. At times it is difficult to identify with precision the participants and parameters of the movement, he writes.Carson acknowledges that the Emerging Church Movement has encouraged evangelicals to take note of cultural trends and has emphasized authenticity among believers.

III. While many contemporary church leaders have been busy in our church offices preparing sermons, running church programs and making church more professional, a new world is emerging all around us. We are fast moving from a Judeo-Christian world to a post-Christian world. This means we need to rethink leadership, preaching, spiritual formation, evangelism, what we do in worship services and most importantly of all how we view "church”.

IV. What is it that people seek?

A. Hospitality

B. Authenticity

C. Community

V. What is the church’s role in a society that is increasingly hostile to traditional Christian values?
a. Basis of morality?
b. Definition of the “Family”
c. Institution of Marriage
d. The role of justice in Society
e.


VII. -The change in our society from a Judeo -Christian world to a post-Christian world. This means we need to rethink leadership, preaching, spiritual formation, evangelism, what we do in worship services and most importantly of all how we view "church".

Obedience and Blessing

Yesterday evening I spoke at church. My assigned topic was "What did Jesus have to say about Murder?" I struggled a bit with that assignment; but, the more I did the more I discovered some great truths of God's revelation about our humanity and the struggle to contain the wolf within each of us. The following are my notes that I thought I would post for those interested in the passages that we strung together. This post may not make a lot of sense to those who did not hear the lesson; but, this is my attempt at sharing some things with those interested in delving into the Word.

Obedience and Blessing
We Lack What We Desire Most:
Wholeness
Peace
Fulfillment
Joy
Because We Are Not Obedient to God
The Nature of God Is Love With Consequences
Rules are in play to benefit us
Commandments were not given to instill guilt
God’s relationship with his people is a covenant. It is NOT optional
When we learn the rules and obey we discover the simplicity and clarity of life which can lead to unlimited blessing
2 Timothy 2:5
"If anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. "
Hebrews 12:12-13
"Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. "
Proverbs 3:1-2
"My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; 2 for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare will they give you. "
Proverbs 19:16
"He who keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises the word will die. [RSV]
He who obeys instructions guards his life. "[NIV]
Tools to Discover Truth
"Great peace have those who love Your law; And nothing causes them to stumble. "Psalms 119:165
"If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land. "Isaiah 1:19
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22 [NIV]
"Therefore to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."
James 4:17
"He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
I John 2:4
What did Jesus say about Murder?
First reaction: I have got this one licked!
This is not a big deal!
I have never murdered anyone.
But wait! What did Jesus say?
Matthew 5:21-22
"You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire. "
What is on the inside?
Mark 7:20-21
And he said, "What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a man."
Where did it come from?
Original Sin
Genesis 4:5-7: So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is couching at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it."
Sin is magnified over time
Genesis 4:23-24 Lamech said to his wives: "Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, hearken to what I say: I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. 24 If Cain is avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy-sevenfold."
The Depravity of Mankind
Genesis 6: 5-8
The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the LORD was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7 So the LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the ground, man and beast …for I am sorry that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
Numbers 35:30-31
If any one kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses; but no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness. 31 Moreover you shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer, who is guilty of death; but he shall be put to death.
Hosea 4:1-2
There is no faithfulness or kindness, and no knowledge of God in the land; 2 there is swearing, lying, killing, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds and murder follows murder.
John 8:44
"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. "
Romans 1:29-32
They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them.
I John 3:15
Any one who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
Revelation 21:8
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death."
The Last Words in the Bible
I warn every one who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if any one adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if any one takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
The Last Words in the Bible
20 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

Knowledge vs. Love

"If any one imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know."

I Corinthians 8:2

I have not seen the movie The DaVinci Code yet; but, I read the book several years ago. I thought it was well written fiction; but, the conclusion was absurd. Yet, why do so many people flock to the concept of "hidden knowledge"? It was no different in the early church. There were those who taught that unless you had the secret knowledge [gnosis] you could not understand the secrets of the kingdom of God. Those teachers were called gnostics. Yet, Paul in his letter to the church at Corinth makes it clear. Knowledge "puffs up". Love "builds up". It is a lot easier to dialogue about hidden meanings and teachings than it is to go seek out the lost, the widow, the orphan or the alien in our land. After all, it was the knowledge of Good and Evil that got us all into trouble in the first place. Or as Paul puts it in I Cor. 13:2,

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

Let us strive harder to to love God first and our neighbor as our ourselves.