Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Gospel Marketing
Let me begin this post with a humorous story that took place in my world a few months ago. Back in February Bass Pro was having their annual spring fishing sale and this was something I get really gigged out about. I love a good sale! And I love a good fishing sale even better! The morning the sale started I was there and was ready amongst many other fisherman to get my deal of a lifetime. They had a fantastic offer this year (or at least they made us all think it was fantastic….) on a fishing rod that was “technically” last year’s model. As I carefully looked over the selection of rods they had available on the shelves I overheard a couple of other guys next to me discussing their potential purchase as they were looking at the rod’s which were situated right next to the ones I was looking at. The difference was the ones they were investigating were the new and improved “2016” model fishing rods. I continued ease dropping (don’t judge you do it too…) and overheard one of the guys explaining to his buddy the “differences” between the 2016 and 2015 model rods. Right or wrong I couldn’t help myself I looked over at the guys and inserted myself in the middle of their conversation and asked “do you really think the differences between the 2015 and 2016 models are that different?” They both gave me the polite courtesy chuckle and said “probably not”. To which I responded “But you know what they are going to tell us there is and we are going to believe them and keep coming back year after year.” They both laughed again and we parted ways.
Now why do I take the time to share this story. Is it because I believe the entire bass fishing industry is lying to everyone about differences between products? Maybe. Just kidding. I know there are differences between rods, reels, tackle, boats, etc. Just as there are differences between whole food groceries and the “regular” groceries. Just as there are differences between Ford, Chevy, Nissan, and Toyota. The fact there are distinct differences in different brands is why the brilliant idea of marketing was invented. Truth be told I am a sucker for a good marketing scheme especially if it’s for the latest and greatest bass fishing bait, rod, or reel. At the same time let me transparent and say marketing makes me really irritated at times too. In the world of advertisement and business competition it’s all about one upping the competition, and telling the world why one product, brand, restaurant or whatever is the best over all the others. The irritation comes in when I consider the lengths we as society are willing to go and accept in the name of marketing to get the edge we need.
A few nights ago I like probably thousands of pastors watched the message by Mark Dever at T4G on Endurance in ministry. The message was well delivered, encouraging, and challenging to my current thought patterns and approach to ministry. One of the challenges/condemnations he proclaimed in the message was the Church must not fall into the trap of marketing. Why? Because our product - the gospel – is something no one willfully buys. As I internalize what this practically means and how God is leading me to lead I wonder where one can draw the line? All churches to an extent whether they like it or not “market” themselves. If you have a sign outside of your place of worship gathering you are in effect “marketing”. I hate it when things are gray. I like black and white. Unfortunately in my limited wisdom and perspective there seems as if there is no good resolution. There continue to be divisive differences between the varying different church camps and evangelical networks. As time goes on each will continue to get more dogmatic about where they are and why. All the while I continue to get personally more confused on what healthy New Testament living and church is. Maybe the struggle I am expressing in this post is because my theology is really weak or maybe it is because we’re all jacking this thing up.
I believe to a certain point in what Dever expressed in his message. Sinful man doesn’t in his sinful nature want the gospel. Thus it is useless in a sense for the carrier of the gospel the church to try an adopt the crazy marketing antics she see’s in the world around her. When the Church tries to “give” her community what she thinks they want she perpetuates a consumer driven mentality which will as Dever points out in the end impact the church in a very negative way. Because it will produce shallow, individually focused baby Christians that will struggle to replicate themselves as is the command in the great commission.
Yet isn’t there a balance in all of this to be had too? Could one not argue the miracles in the New Testament were in effect God’s marketing strategy to advance the gospel? Not really sure why I am writing this post or how to draw a conclusion but here goes…. In my spirit I sense there are probably those in my circle of influence right now who are still on opposite ends of the spectrum expressed in this post. And I would lovingly point out how dangerous both extremes are and can be. Hyper Calvinism is just as heretical and can be just as dangerous as full blown consumer centered Arminiansim is and can be. Both camps need to understand that people matter not just theology, and visa versa both camps need to lean heavily into their theology and gospel centered conviction allowing that to truly guide their practice. We must not let numbers drive our theology. There are certain practices and marketing strategies which yes will draw crowds but probably will fail in accomplishing true transformation. Is a crowd all we are looking for? Is the communities opinion of us what drives our practice? Are we so narrow minded in our school of theology we shatter relationships and opportunities? I’m probably more grateful now for my time at Dallas seminary then I am ever before. Having professors from completely different schools of thoughts forced me and continues to force me back into wrestling through the “essentials” of the faith. May God give me, you and his bride humility and conviction to preach faithfully, reach aggressively, and wait well for his return.
Monday, April 20, 2015
Chapter 29 Continued
Yesterday's message at Revive was a lot to bite off. Chapter 29 in The Story covered a huge chunk of the NT writings and journeys by Paul and I knew getting through it all was a near impossibility.
For those who were not able to be with us yesterday the title of yesterday's message was 'The Beginning of Missions"as we looked into the life of the apostle Paul and his missionary effort through the church at Antioch. I had several hopes going into yesterday's teaching and only God knows if those hopes landed on good soil and developed into something more. But one of the big ones that I will mention again here as an outset to this post which effectively is functioning like the conclusion of the message yesterday is that we would have a stronger contextual framework for the entire NT by looking into the missionary journeys of Paul. I don't think its an overstatement to say that if one can grasp the journeys of Paul and major events on those journeys he or she has a much better ability to conceptualize how the entire NT works together. And as I stated yesterday for the day in age in which live this is desperately important because the faith is under fire. As a buddy of mine was once encouraged by one of his mentors "we need more Christians who know more, not more Christians who know less."
Without further commentary let me pick up where left off at about 11:45am yesterday. Pages 412 to about 420 in chapter 29 of The Story give us a little bit of what took place in the second Missionary Journey of Paul. On his first stop in Derbe/Lystra we are told in Acts 16:1-3 he gets this young guy named Timothy to join him. Funny thing is Paul has to circumcise him before he is a legit part of the second missionary journey along with him. Talk about paying the price to serve on mission. How many of us would just rather send out support letters right? But Timothy like Paul knew that serving God was an uncomfortable reality at times. I am grateful Timothy sucked it up and went ahead and kept on following. There is a lot of application for being an effective missionary in the first few lines of Acts 16. From Lystra Paul headed to Iconium and Antioch of Pisidia most likely encouraging the saints from what Luke tells us in Acts 16:4-5. It's refreshing to know Paul stays so connected through out his ministry with churches that he has helped start. In this is a principle for churches and missionaries to stay engaged with each other through the long haul as difficult as it is in this fast paced communication heavy thing we call life. I hope I can do this.
Acts 16:8 Paul leaves from most likely Antioch of Pisidia and heads north towards Troas. Receiving the Macedonian call there Paul departs for Phillipi in Acts 16:12-40. It is there he meets, teaches and baptizes Lydia of Thyatira, frees a trafficked slave girl, gets beaten, jailed, and rescued from prison. But not before he leads the suicide driven jailer to Jesus. Paul's google calendar was pretty nuts for those several weeks he was in Phillipi. But isn't that a pretty good example for us as modern missionaries? To be active in our service and not lazy? Going on from there Paul heads to Thessalonica in Acts 17 where intimidation and bail all come into play. The point: Missions can and probably will get messy at some point. After Thessalonica Paul travels to Berea in Acts 17:10, Athens in 17:16, Corinth in 18:1-11 where he most likely writes 1 and 2 Thessalonians to the folks he had just visited in Thessalonica. From Corinth Paul heads to Ephesus, then Ceasarea and back to Antioch of Syria.
Paul stays active and on mission for Jesus along with using his brilliant intellect of theology in the OT to stand up for Jesus. In Athens his theology and doctrine come into play in a big way. Check out Acts 17:16-18 if you want to see for yourself. Paul sets the bar high for missions and I am glad he provides such a sterling example.
I would love to go into more detail on what happens at each site and the third journey but I have to run. I will try to post again soon and finish up some of what we see on that trip.
For those interested Revive is planning her first mission trip to Nicaragua December 5 - 12 thru chosen children ministries. Anyone interested please contact me to find out more on how you can support, pray and be involved. Blessings.
For those who were not able to be with us yesterday the title of yesterday's message was 'The Beginning of Missions"as we looked into the life of the apostle Paul and his missionary effort through the church at Antioch. I had several hopes going into yesterday's teaching and only God knows if those hopes landed on good soil and developed into something more. But one of the big ones that I will mention again here as an outset to this post which effectively is functioning like the conclusion of the message yesterday is that we would have a stronger contextual framework for the entire NT by looking into the missionary journeys of Paul. I don't think its an overstatement to say that if one can grasp the journeys of Paul and major events on those journeys he or she has a much better ability to conceptualize how the entire NT works together. And as I stated yesterday for the day in age in which live this is desperately important because the faith is under fire. As a buddy of mine was once encouraged by one of his mentors "we need more Christians who know more, not more Christians who know less."
Without further commentary let me pick up where left off at about 11:45am yesterday. Pages 412 to about 420 in chapter 29 of The Story give us a little bit of what took place in the second Missionary Journey of Paul. On his first stop in Derbe/Lystra we are told in Acts 16:1-3 he gets this young guy named Timothy to join him. Funny thing is Paul has to circumcise him before he is a legit part of the second missionary journey along with him. Talk about paying the price to serve on mission. How many of us would just rather send out support letters right? But Timothy like Paul knew that serving God was an uncomfortable reality at times. I am grateful Timothy sucked it up and went ahead and kept on following. There is a lot of application for being an effective missionary in the first few lines of Acts 16. From Lystra Paul headed to Iconium and Antioch of Pisidia most likely encouraging the saints from what Luke tells us in Acts 16:4-5. It's refreshing to know Paul stays so connected through out his ministry with churches that he has helped start. In this is a principle for churches and missionaries to stay engaged with each other through the long haul as difficult as it is in this fast paced communication heavy thing we call life. I hope I can do this.
Acts 16:8 Paul leaves from most likely Antioch of Pisidia and heads north towards Troas. Receiving the Macedonian call there Paul departs for Phillipi in Acts 16:12-40. It is there he meets, teaches and baptizes Lydia of Thyatira, frees a trafficked slave girl, gets beaten, jailed, and rescued from prison. But not before he leads the suicide driven jailer to Jesus. Paul's google calendar was pretty nuts for those several weeks he was in Phillipi. But isn't that a pretty good example for us as modern missionaries? To be active in our service and not lazy? Going on from there Paul heads to Thessalonica in Acts 17 where intimidation and bail all come into play. The point: Missions can and probably will get messy at some point. After Thessalonica Paul travels to Berea in Acts 17:10, Athens in 17:16, Corinth in 18:1-11 where he most likely writes 1 and 2 Thessalonians to the folks he had just visited in Thessalonica. From Corinth Paul heads to Ephesus, then Ceasarea and back to Antioch of Syria.
Paul stays active and on mission for Jesus along with using his brilliant intellect of theology in the OT to stand up for Jesus. In Athens his theology and doctrine come into play in a big way. Check out Acts 17:16-18 if you want to see for yourself. Paul sets the bar high for missions and I am glad he provides such a sterling example.
I would love to go into more detail on what happens at each site and the third journey but I have to run. I will try to post again soon and finish up some of what we see on that trip.
For those interested Revive is planning her first mission trip to Nicaragua December 5 - 12 thru chosen children ministries. Anyone interested please contact me to find out more on how you can support, pray and be involved. Blessings.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
What I'm learning lately
Since my last post a whole lot of time has gone by and a lot more lessons have been learned. Being a young pastor comes with unique challenges and obstacles but it is worth it in so many ways. Like when I get to see things finally begin to click for people in the context of our Bible Fellowship ministry or when I see a dad who has been battling to get his family back finally start to gain headway. These are the moments and situations that make the headache of my youth and stupidity worth it. I am so thankful for a beautiful bride who challenges me to remember the moments God has used us in more than the moments where I am left wondering why things are not working better. Between Cassie and our elders God has placed multitudes of people around me that are a constant encouragement and reminder that I have a calling placed upon my life that I must trust and lean into. Below are several lessons I feel like God has been sharing with me that I would like to pass on to whoever is listening or reading this.
1. I need to do more of this.....I was having a conversation yesterday with one of the bright young guys God has blessed Revive with the past few months and we were talking about long range planning and communication efforts within our church. As we began to talk and discuss about the idea of an "active" blog that we could launch into our website he pointed out to me the benefit of creating an atmosphere of online community that currently we do not have in our church where open dialogue can happen more freely. I am excited about what is ahead and what God is getting ready to do in our local context.
2. Community really matters ... This sounds obvious and I think we all know it. But how intentional am I about leading our church in exercising healthy community has been one matter I have been challenged on greatly. Churches with good community and people with good relationships don't just get those by osmosis I am convinced. I believe there is a level of work and diligence that must be cultivated into the DNA to make good community.
3. My timing isn't the timing.....It's been a busy season of life for me with moving, church projects, events etc. and I have a bad habit of going from 0mph to 90mph in 2.2 sec. I don't like waiting and I always think my timing is the timing. God's been faithful to show me that some of my youthful exuberance is just plain folly.
4. Death will always suck..... Funerals are the worst part of the job. A pastor who says he enjoys funerals I think needs to do some spiritual examination. I understand if the deceased is a believer we can rejoice that they are in heaven and that death is a "gain" in Paul's words. But death is still painful and it was never God's original design.
5. There are seasons.....Growing up in the beauty of the midwest in Columbia Missouri I can really appreciate the 4 seasons God blessed us with. I love each season in a unique way. Whether it's the crisp of fall and the leaves crunching, deer hunting mornings and football afternoons or the gobble on a cool spring morning each season is awesome. And I am learning that in life there are seasons too. Seasons of struggle. Seasons of triumph. And just seasons. I think its critical for me to trust that seasons come and seasons go.
6. Emails are good but breaking bread is better.... Figuring out how to communicate effectively has been my biggest learning curve right now. Understanding that vision can't be cast in a paragraph and sent through a server is something I wish I could have learned sooner. Vision takes time, and continued work to get it into the marrow of those I'm leading.
7. God's provision is overwhelming... Recently God allowed Cassie and I to sell our first home and move into the mission field he has called us into. As that process has taken place we have seen in a dynamic way that God's provision is extravagant. I'm so thankful for what He has given and I constantly try to remind myself I am a steward not an owner.
1. I need to do more of this.....I was having a conversation yesterday with one of the bright young guys God has blessed Revive with the past few months and we were talking about long range planning and communication efforts within our church. As we began to talk and discuss about the idea of an "active" blog that we could launch into our website he pointed out to me the benefit of creating an atmosphere of online community that currently we do not have in our church where open dialogue can happen more freely. I am excited about what is ahead and what God is getting ready to do in our local context.
2. Community really matters ... This sounds obvious and I think we all know it. But how intentional am I about leading our church in exercising healthy community has been one matter I have been challenged on greatly. Churches with good community and people with good relationships don't just get those by osmosis I am convinced. I believe there is a level of work and diligence that must be cultivated into the DNA to make good community.
3. My timing isn't the timing.....It's been a busy season of life for me with moving, church projects, events etc. and I have a bad habit of going from 0mph to 90mph in 2.2 sec. I don't like waiting and I always think my timing is the timing. God's been faithful to show me that some of my youthful exuberance is just plain folly.
4. Death will always suck..... Funerals are the worst part of the job. A pastor who says he enjoys funerals I think needs to do some spiritual examination. I understand if the deceased is a believer we can rejoice that they are in heaven and that death is a "gain" in Paul's words. But death is still painful and it was never God's original design.
5. There are seasons.....Growing up in the beauty of the midwest in Columbia Missouri I can really appreciate the 4 seasons God blessed us with. I love each season in a unique way. Whether it's the crisp of fall and the leaves crunching, deer hunting mornings and football afternoons or the gobble on a cool spring morning each season is awesome. And I am learning that in life there are seasons too. Seasons of struggle. Seasons of triumph. And just seasons. I think its critical for me to trust that seasons come and seasons go.
6. Emails are good but breaking bread is better.... Figuring out how to communicate effectively has been my biggest learning curve right now. Understanding that vision can't be cast in a paragraph and sent through a server is something I wish I could have learned sooner. Vision takes time, and continued work to get it into the marrow of those I'm leading.
7. God's provision is overwhelming... Recently God allowed Cassie and I to sell our first home and move into the mission field he has called us into. As that process has taken place we have seen in a dynamic way that God's provision is extravagant. I'm so thankful for what He has given and I constantly try to remind myself I am a steward not an owner.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Modern Day Rechabites
Before I begin this post I think its only fair to begin that I am not advocating for anyone to take the particular stance that I am going to stand for in this post. However I do believe there are some who may have God begin to tug at the strings of their heart to consider a different choice based on the power of the Scripture and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
A fair amount of disagreement exists about the subject of alcohol. Therefore let me go ahead and approach the disagreement head on and discuss it in a very black and white manner. There are a number of secondary issues in the Christian faith. I understand that well. And to be honest there have been many seasons of my life that the secondary issues were more primary to me. In fact maybe they even still are.... But regardless of the "level" we place on these issues these are still issues that we as believers must wrestle through. Scripture is clear about the issue of drunkenness and we can all agree that is a sin. But can we consume it? Yes. There is no where in the bible that forbids the consumption of alcohol. It is a freedom we have in Christ there is no doubt about that. And some enjoy that as a freedom. I however am probably becoming one of the rare few who do not enjoy that freedom. My wife Cassie does not enjoy that freedom either.
We both over the past few years since we began full time ministry service have realized the rarity of our conviction on this point. And to be honest over the past several months my heart and soul has searched within itself about whether this conviction is a legalistic one that I need to repent of in the hopes of being able to live more freely within the gospel. Because I believe the gospel provides freedom in Christ. Thus I do not want to be bound by legalistic standards that I believe are not from God.
And so over the last few months I have had countless number of conversations regarding the issue of alcohol with those in our church, my family and others. As I have done so I have come across most of the arguments on both sides of the issue. Here they are just to name a few...
Jeremiah 35 is a passage I don't remember in all my conversations about the subject of alcohol that has ever really been talked about and or used. I am sure someone somewhere has but I haven't heard it before. So when I read it I was pretty blown away. For those unfamiliar with the historical context of Jeremiah it pretty much goes like this. God has raised up a prophet named Jeremiah to preach to his people Israel a message of repentance. But because their hearts are so hard and their rebellion so strong they reject his preaching every time. The hope of the book is found in Jeremiah 30 - 31 that despite their rebellion God will still save, bless and use them. Which is such a beautiful illustration of the gospel hope we have.
In the midst of the rebellion Israel is displaying God sends Jeremiah to go to a particular house. Jeremiah 35:2 "Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak with them and bring them to the house of the Lord." Now as you read the chapter there are several interesting things that happen. First when Jeremiah comes to their house God tells Jeremiah to offer those in the house wine to drink. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal right? A wine tasting gig put on by God? Who wouldn't go that? And as the chapter goes on Jeremiah being the faithful prophet he is does exactly what God had commanded him to do. He gathers them all together and puts wine before them. What happen next is truly beautiful to me. Because what happens next is how I believe God provided the answer I have been searching for and wrestling to find for a really long time....(God why don't I have the freedom to drink like others I know do?)
Jeremiah 35:6 "But they answered, "We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our Father commanded us, 'You shall not drink wine, neither you nor your son's forever." The passage goes on to tell further instructions the Rechabites were to follow as well. And then in verse 8 it says they obeyed the voice of their father to drink no wine all of their days. Now let me stop right here and interject that this passage here in Jeremiah 35 is really most all we know about this nomadic tribe the Rechabites from what scholars tell us. I think this is fairly significant observation that all we know about them is how they are obeying the instruction their Dad gave to them. The passage goes on in Jeremiah 35:12-17 to say .."Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 13 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you not receive instruction and listen to my words? declares the LORD. 14 The command that Jonadab the son of Rechab gave to his sons, to drink no wine, has been kept, and they drink none to this day, for they have obeyed their father's command. I have spoken to you persistently, but you have not listened to me. 15 I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, sending them persistently, saying, 'Turn now every one of you from his evil way, and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to serve them, and then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to you and your fathers.' But you did not incline your ear or listen to me. 16 The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have kept the command that their father gave them, but this people has not obeyed me. 17 Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing upon Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the disaster that I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken to them and they have not listened, I have called to them and they have not answered." Now from just a causal reading of these verses its apparent that God is speaking through Jeremiah and telling the nation of Israel that the Rechabites are an example of what Godly obedience is. The Rechabites were an example of obedience in the midst of a people who were not following God.
Now a couple of parallels that I want to point out right of the gate that I am not making. I am not using this passage to say that every Christian who finds the liberty and freedom to consume alcohol is like Israel and is being wayward in their obedience. But what I do believe this passage can be used to say is that there are certain people/families that are set apart to be salt and light to the world around them in their unique obedience to stay absent from alcohol. And those who are set apart in this way should not be labeled as "weaker" brothers because they don't drink.
A few final thoughts I want to leave everyone reading this with. I believe God has set me and my family apart as Modern day Rechabites. Within the bible there is one concept and one command that I think are critical and play into Jeremiah 35 in a profound way for my own life personally and for my beautiful bride Cassie. The command is one most know well its the fifth command "Honor your father and mother". The important concept playing into this passage is one we know less about and its headship. The role that God has given to men, and fathers. Headship implies more than just being an example to those God places in our care. It's living as God has designed a man to live and to be all God has called a man to be. My purpose in bringing those two items up is because while Cassie's Dad and my Dad are different. And I am talking night and day different..... They both raised us before we even knew God would bring us together to be married with the conviction that alcohol was not a substance that would be consumed under their household. And so we both grew up as Modern day Rechabites. Why? Because we honored the headship of our dad's and listened to what they commanded us. Now that I am married and we have our own house and family how does this reality still affect us? Well I don't believe that my dad's headship over me has ended. That's a lifelong role he plays in my life. He will always be my dad. And I am still called to honor him. So as with Cassie to her dad. Just because we are married doesn't mean we get to throw out the convictions our dad's raised us with. I wonder if there are not a lot younger 20 something Christians who think that because they are married with their own family that they get to just make their own rules? I don't think the bible teaches that. To sum it all up let me say this. I am a modern day Rechabite as odd as that may be because I still want to honor my dad's headship over me and in doing so hopefully I am also honoring God. Not everyone has the same story Cassie and I do and that's why we are a "rare" breed. But through this passage God has given me the resolve that the path of abstinence to alcohol is what He has called our family too.
I hope this encourages others whose path is similar to Cassie and I's. Maybe this is the biblical text that God wanted to bring to your mind to keep fighting the fight and sticking with an "unpopular" conviction.
Be blessed.
A fair amount of disagreement exists about the subject of alcohol. Therefore let me go ahead and approach the disagreement head on and discuss it in a very black and white manner. There are a number of secondary issues in the Christian faith. I understand that well. And to be honest there have been many seasons of my life that the secondary issues were more primary to me. In fact maybe they even still are.... But regardless of the "level" we place on these issues these are still issues that we as believers must wrestle through. Scripture is clear about the issue of drunkenness and we can all agree that is a sin. But can we consume it? Yes. There is no where in the bible that forbids the consumption of alcohol. It is a freedom we have in Christ there is no doubt about that. And some enjoy that as a freedom. I however am probably becoming one of the rare few who do not enjoy that freedom. My wife Cassie does not enjoy that freedom either.
We both over the past few years since we began full time ministry service have realized the rarity of our conviction on this point. And to be honest over the past several months my heart and soul has searched within itself about whether this conviction is a legalistic one that I need to repent of in the hopes of being able to live more freely within the gospel. Because I believe the gospel provides freedom in Christ. Thus I do not want to be bound by legalistic standards that I believe are not from God.
And so over the last few months I have had countless number of conversations regarding the issue of alcohol with those in our church, my family and others. As I have done so I have come across most of the arguments on both sides of the issue. Here they are just to name a few...
- There are those who point to the NT and Jesus turning the water into wine and will say if Jesus turned the water into wine it must be okay to consume. And I can't argue with that.
- Another argument is that Paul instructs Timothy to consume wine for the sake of his own health.
- On the other side there are two common arguments. John McArthur makes lexical arguments regarding the words used for wine in the biblical times. He has word studies that he believes shows the Greek words used for wine in the bible reflect that the alcoholic content of what wine was in that time is far different than the wine we have today.
- Others don't even make the lexical arguments against alcohol but rather use the idea that it's a stumbling block from Paul's terminology. Saying that it can cause others to stumble if they consume it.
Jeremiah 35 is a passage I don't remember in all my conversations about the subject of alcohol that has ever really been talked about and or used. I am sure someone somewhere has but I haven't heard it before. So when I read it I was pretty blown away. For those unfamiliar with the historical context of Jeremiah it pretty much goes like this. God has raised up a prophet named Jeremiah to preach to his people Israel a message of repentance. But because their hearts are so hard and their rebellion so strong they reject his preaching every time. The hope of the book is found in Jeremiah 30 - 31 that despite their rebellion God will still save, bless and use them. Which is such a beautiful illustration of the gospel hope we have.
In the midst of the rebellion Israel is displaying God sends Jeremiah to go to a particular house. Jeremiah 35:2 "Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak with them and bring them to the house of the Lord." Now as you read the chapter there are several interesting things that happen. First when Jeremiah comes to their house God tells Jeremiah to offer those in the house wine to drink. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal right? A wine tasting gig put on by God? Who wouldn't go that? And as the chapter goes on Jeremiah being the faithful prophet he is does exactly what God had commanded him to do. He gathers them all together and puts wine before them. What happen next is truly beautiful to me. Because what happens next is how I believe God provided the answer I have been searching for and wrestling to find for a really long time....(God why don't I have the freedom to drink like others I know do?)
Jeremiah 35:6 "But they answered, "We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our Father commanded us, 'You shall not drink wine, neither you nor your son's forever." The passage goes on to tell further instructions the Rechabites were to follow as well. And then in verse 8 it says they obeyed the voice of their father to drink no wine all of their days. Now let me stop right here and interject that this passage here in Jeremiah 35 is really most all we know about this nomadic tribe the Rechabites from what scholars tell us. I think this is fairly significant observation that all we know about them is how they are obeying the instruction their Dad gave to them. The passage goes on in Jeremiah 35:12-17 to say .."Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 13 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you not receive instruction and listen to my words? declares the LORD. 14 The command that Jonadab the son of Rechab gave to his sons, to drink no wine, has been kept, and they drink none to this day, for they have obeyed their father's command. I have spoken to you persistently, but you have not listened to me. 15 I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, sending them persistently, saying, 'Turn now every one of you from his evil way, and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to serve them, and then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to you and your fathers.' But you did not incline your ear or listen to me. 16 The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have kept the command that their father gave them, but this people has not obeyed me. 17 Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing upon Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the disaster that I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken to them and they have not listened, I have called to them and they have not answered." Now from just a causal reading of these verses its apparent that God is speaking through Jeremiah and telling the nation of Israel that the Rechabites are an example of what Godly obedience is. The Rechabites were an example of obedience in the midst of a people who were not following God.
Now a couple of parallels that I want to point out right of the gate that I am not making. I am not using this passage to say that every Christian who finds the liberty and freedom to consume alcohol is like Israel and is being wayward in their obedience. But what I do believe this passage can be used to say is that there are certain people/families that are set apart to be salt and light to the world around them in their unique obedience to stay absent from alcohol. And those who are set apart in this way should not be labeled as "weaker" brothers because they don't drink.
A few final thoughts I want to leave everyone reading this with. I believe God has set me and my family apart as Modern day Rechabites. Within the bible there is one concept and one command that I think are critical and play into Jeremiah 35 in a profound way for my own life personally and for my beautiful bride Cassie. The command is one most know well its the fifth command "Honor your father and mother". The important concept playing into this passage is one we know less about and its headship. The role that God has given to men, and fathers. Headship implies more than just being an example to those God places in our care. It's living as God has designed a man to live and to be all God has called a man to be. My purpose in bringing those two items up is because while Cassie's Dad and my Dad are different. And I am talking night and day different..... They both raised us before we even knew God would bring us together to be married with the conviction that alcohol was not a substance that would be consumed under their household. And so we both grew up as Modern day Rechabites. Why? Because we honored the headship of our dad's and listened to what they commanded us. Now that I am married and we have our own house and family how does this reality still affect us? Well I don't believe that my dad's headship over me has ended. That's a lifelong role he plays in my life. He will always be my dad. And I am still called to honor him. So as with Cassie to her dad. Just because we are married doesn't mean we get to throw out the convictions our dad's raised us with. I wonder if there are not a lot younger 20 something Christians who think that because they are married with their own family that they get to just make their own rules? I don't think the bible teaches that. To sum it all up let me say this. I am a modern day Rechabite as odd as that may be because I still want to honor my dad's headship over me and in doing so hopefully I am also honoring God. Not everyone has the same story Cassie and I do and that's why we are a "rare" breed. But through this passage God has given me the resolve that the path of abstinence to alcohol is what He has called our family too.
I hope this encourages others whose path is similar to Cassie and I's. Maybe this is the biblical text that God wanted to bring to your mind to keep fighting the fight and sticking with an "unpopular" conviction.
Be blessed.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Review continued
I left off yesterday with discussing the truth of chapter 2 within Recovering Redemption and hope it was helpful. Chapter 4 entitled "Struggling Well" was another helpful chapter to me personally. I think the overall concept itself to some sounds strange. How can we struggle well? But as the book points out its possible through the gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the overall thesis within that chapter was God's design for the believer's life is not to be without or get past struggle in life but with his power learn to get through it well. Selfishly we all would probably like to go around the block of struggle but in God's plan its normally to drive straight through it. And that's how He develops us. Another really helpful concept within this part of the book was the idea that both Christians and non-Christians will have struggle in life. Therefore no life struggle is not what defines us as believers. Instead its how we process through that struggle with the power of the gospel that sets us apart as Christians.
Skipping ahead to chapter 8 on Fear and Anxiety is what I'd like to do next. Not that there wasn't good stuff in the other chapters but just because this was a strong chapter. Matt opens with the struggle of his bout with cancer and thus has instant credibility with us as the readers. No one is going to argue with that story. Having never dealt with a struggle of this magnitude I wondered how applicable it was to me. But as I continued to read it hit me that in the depth of who we are we all struggle with fear and anxiety at some level. And how that manifests itself is different in all of us. The last part of the chapter was particularly strong in my opinion. Here is where Matt admits the struggle we all have and leaves us with one strong piece of wisdom as he writes "The worst thing you can do with fear and anxiety is to pretend you're too strong to have them. The best thing you can do is just let Him be in charge of them." I think in the culture I've grown up around this statement would rub some I know the wrong way. Because as a men especially we've been wired to just thicken our skin up and act like we got it. There is freedom and healing in learning that we actually don't. I would also throw out one caution here to consider. I think the pendulum might be starting to swing to far in the other direction too. Where now we are so open about our hang ups, fears and anxiety it almost works against us in a way to stop pursuing sanctification. I'm not voting for less transparency about our shortcomings. Never would I vote that way. But I believe it's vital that in the midst of our open confession about our shortcomings we work toward gospel living too and not just settle on confession. Confession is the beginning of the redemption process not an end.
Chapter 10 "Go in Peace" may have been for me the most convicting chapter overall. It talked a lot about relational reconciliation and how the gospel bears light on how to do that and the need to that. I know there is some of this needing to happen in my life and its hard to just honestly do it. Regardless though I pray for an opportunity to do it and to see God be given glory through the process. And as a result of reading this chapter I would challenge anyone else reading this post who knows there is someone in their life they need to reconcile with but haven't needs to figure out a way to just do it.
Finally wanted to share one block quote from chapter 11 that I will conclude this review with is as I believe its remarkably powerful. "Being baptized somewhere as a kid, but then showing no transformation of life, no willingness to walk in obedience to God, no acceptance of a greater authority than the autonomous tyrant of their own will, and yet still expecting to be hailed as a Christian - we would never apply that kind of logic to any other realm of life and consider it normal. " I am a big coffee drinker, except I hate the way it smells, and especially the way it tastes. I love my family, but I'd rather spend time with anybody else but them. I've always been a huge, huge Mets fan. That's baseball right?" Ludicrous." Chandler nails here it on the head. And there are those who apply this logic to themselves. May the grace and mercy of God wake you up inside to stop fooling yourself.
Do I recommend the book ? Highly. Its worth the read and consideration and probably worth a re-read to be perfectly honest. Through the gospel change is possible. And that is good news.
Skipping ahead to chapter 8 on Fear and Anxiety is what I'd like to do next. Not that there wasn't good stuff in the other chapters but just because this was a strong chapter. Matt opens with the struggle of his bout with cancer and thus has instant credibility with us as the readers. No one is going to argue with that story. Having never dealt with a struggle of this magnitude I wondered how applicable it was to me. But as I continued to read it hit me that in the depth of who we are we all struggle with fear and anxiety at some level. And how that manifests itself is different in all of us. The last part of the chapter was particularly strong in my opinion. Here is where Matt admits the struggle we all have and leaves us with one strong piece of wisdom as he writes "The worst thing you can do with fear and anxiety is to pretend you're too strong to have them. The best thing you can do is just let Him be in charge of them." I think in the culture I've grown up around this statement would rub some I know the wrong way. Because as a men especially we've been wired to just thicken our skin up and act like we got it. There is freedom and healing in learning that we actually don't. I would also throw out one caution here to consider. I think the pendulum might be starting to swing to far in the other direction too. Where now we are so open about our hang ups, fears and anxiety it almost works against us in a way to stop pursuing sanctification. I'm not voting for less transparency about our shortcomings. Never would I vote that way. But I believe it's vital that in the midst of our open confession about our shortcomings we work toward gospel living too and not just settle on confession. Confession is the beginning of the redemption process not an end.
Chapter 10 "Go in Peace" may have been for me the most convicting chapter overall. It talked a lot about relational reconciliation and how the gospel bears light on how to do that and the need to that. I know there is some of this needing to happen in my life and its hard to just honestly do it. Regardless though I pray for an opportunity to do it and to see God be given glory through the process. And as a result of reading this chapter I would challenge anyone else reading this post who knows there is someone in their life they need to reconcile with but haven't needs to figure out a way to just do it.
Finally wanted to share one block quote from chapter 11 that I will conclude this review with is as I believe its remarkably powerful. "Being baptized somewhere as a kid, but then showing no transformation of life, no willingness to walk in obedience to God, no acceptance of a greater authority than the autonomous tyrant of their own will, and yet still expecting to be hailed as a Christian - we would never apply that kind of logic to any other realm of life and consider it normal. " I am a big coffee drinker, except I hate the way it smells, and especially the way it tastes. I love my family, but I'd rather spend time with anybody else but them. I've always been a huge, huge Mets fan. That's baseball right?" Ludicrous." Chandler nails here it on the head. And there are those who apply this logic to themselves. May the grace and mercy of God wake you up inside to stop fooling yourself.
Do I recommend the book ? Highly. Its worth the read and consideration and probably worth a re-read to be perfectly honest. Through the gospel change is possible. And that is good news.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Recovering Redemption Review
Wow! 8 months later after a vow to become more committed to a regular blog posting it seems I have let the readers down. Good thing there are like 5 of you. Maybe.... Anyway I felt compelled to give a review of a book I actually just completed today and offer it up for those of you who maybe interested in reading it too.
It's entitled "Recovering Redemption: A Gospel-Saturated Perspective On How To Change." By Matt Chandler and Michael Snetzer. Overall the book was challenging and thought and provoking. I will tell why it was in a few moments but first let me address one piece of information that may hang up some of my readers. For those of you reading you may or may not know that Matt Chandler is the President of Acts 29. Acts 29 in the world that I live in is one of the premier church planting agencies there is. It seems to be the agency most I know desire to go with when wanting to plant a church. Probably because its hard to refute the fact that God has blessed this ministry in some incredible ways. But in some of the circles that I have found myself in within recent years that entity itself has been plagued with a lot of unnecessary judgments and critical remarks. Have there been some pastors and planters who have come from Acts 29 who have messed up? Of course. I don't think anyone is arguing that. But can we also agree Jesus provides grace, reconciliation and hope for the darkest of sinners too? Hopefully we can or else I am hopeless and so is whoever else that is reading this post right now too.
Why do I bring all of that up? Simple. I don't want this review and the truth of this book to be tainted. Will it still happen? Probably. Because there are those who have a biased opinion over someone they have never met or talked with just because that someone leads an organization that they think has hurt them. Not trying to be mean here just shooting for truth and don't want to pull any hidden punches. Like how unfair would it be if I got done bringing out all the good points of this book and then say oh by the way Pastor Matt leads such and such organization that you may or may not like. You would automatically discredit all the good that you just heard. Maybe by me doing it this way more credibility can be established and hopefully those who may read this can glean great spiritual help.
Just to set the record straight. I am not a part of Acts 29. The church God has given me to lead and Pastor is not an Acts 29 church. I think this entity does great things for the Kingdom but I don't square up with them completely theologically and wonder a bit about the name itself. Still though despite all of those hangups they are still apart of THE family and I'm thankful Jesus is saving souls through their efforts.
Now to the book. Chapter 2 "Attempted Redemption" was particularly good. Here 4 common methods were addressed that all stumble in when trying to attempt their own redemption. And can't we all be honest for a moment. Don't all of us attempt redemption on our own in some way or another? Even those of us who have professed Christ for a several years I think can fall into the trap of doing this at times. Thankfully we have the Spirit to awaken us when we do it. The 4 ways Chandler and Snetzer list out that we attempt redemption is first through ourselves. I thought in this section one great insight pointed out was that who has lied to us and let us down more than us? Therefore isn't insidious to look to yourself for redemption when you keep failing yourself? Second way folks try to attempt redemption is through others. The authors share some examples here about those who they have seen try this and how miserably its worked out for them. I believe there are so many people in my neighborhood (using that term in an illustrative sense not purely physical sense) right now who are doing this. Seeking redemption, completion, fulfillment and joy in their spouses, kids, family, boy friend, girl friend, etc. But we have to remember those relationship are mere shadows to THE relationship which will bring redemption. Let me back up for a moment and admit I've been guilty of the same hangup. Here is how this generally works itself out in my life. When Cassie is disappointed, sad or upset guess what? So am I? Cause when momma aint happy aint nobody happy. Until this moment I haven't realized how messed up that statement is.... But why is that so? It's because my feelings, satisfaction is so wrapped up in Cassie's that she is almost like my god. And that was NEVER hear me NEVER the way it was supposed to be. And instead of loving her through those times when she is sad I just tend to get sad and mad right along with her too. I need to learn my joy and contentment doesn't come from Cassie it comes from Christ alone. This doesn't mean I am unsympathetic to her needs as if they don't matter. It does mean that when she is upset I can learn to stay strong and calm through it. By nature I've kind of always been a "people pleaser" guess that is what you get when you start throwing newspapers at 10 yrs old. But this section helped open that reality up to me so much more than ever before. And realize my position in Christ isn't achieved through what man says about me its through what He says about me. The third failed attempt at redemption that chapter mentions is with the world. Through substances, sex, money, you name it many attempt it this way too. Here in the deep bible belt south I've observed our worldly attempts are a bit more civilized. Athletics, our college, our hobbies. These are some of the common worldly attempts at the redemption dilemma. But as Matt points out again. Guess what all of these attempts end the same way. Failure. Failure to give us what we are truly after. The fourth failed attempt at redemption is in religion. So glad the authors mentioned this because this is the attempt that is going to damn more than any of the others combined. Empty church attendance, and coerced obedience don't add up to redemption. Those activities won't produce change in us the way we want them too. Neither will any of the other 3 attempts either.
I am out of time but will complete this review tomorrow. Have a great evening.
It's entitled "Recovering Redemption: A Gospel-Saturated Perspective On How To Change." By Matt Chandler and Michael Snetzer. Overall the book was challenging and thought and provoking. I will tell why it was in a few moments but first let me address one piece of information that may hang up some of my readers. For those of you reading you may or may not know that Matt Chandler is the President of Acts 29. Acts 29 in the world that I live in is one of the premier church planting agencies there is. It seems to be the agency most I know desire to go with when wanting to plant a church. Probably because its hard to refute the fact that God has blessed this ministry in some incredible ways. But in some of the circles that I have found myself in within recent years that entity itself has been plagued with a lot of unnecessary judgments and critical remarks. Have there been some pastors and planters who have come from Acts 29 who have messed up? Of course. I don't think anyone is arguing that. But can we also agree Jesus provides grace, reconciliation and hope for the darkest of sinners too? Hopefully we can or else I am hopeless and so is whoever else that is reading this post right now too.
Why do I bring all of that up? Simple. I don't want this review and the truth of this book to be tainted. Will it still happen? Probably. Because there are those who have a biased opinion over someone they have never met or talked with just because that someone leads an organization that they think has hurt them. Not trying to be mean here just shooting for truth and don't want to pull any hidden punches. Like how unfair would it be if I got done bringing out all the good points of this book and then say oh by the way Pastor Matt leads such and such organization that you may or may not like. You would automatically discredit all the good that you just heard. Maybe by me doing it this way more credibility can be established and hopefully those who may read this can glean great spiritual help.
Just to set the record straight. I am not a part of Acts 29. The church God has given me to lead and Pastor is not an Acts 29 church. I think this entity does great things for the Kingdom but I don't square up with them completely theologically and wonder a bit about the name itself. Still though despite all of those hangups they are still apart of THE family and I'm thankful Jesus is saving souls through their efforts.
Now to the book. Chapter 2 "Attempted Redemption" was particularly good. Here 4 common methods were addressed that all stumble in when trying to attempt their own redemption. And can't we all be honest for a moment. Don't all of us attempt redemption on our own in some way or another? Even those of us who have professed Christ for a several years I think can fall into the trap of doing this at times. Thankfully we have the Spirit to awaken us when we do it. The 4 ways Chandler and Snetzer list out that we attempt redemption is first through ourselves. I thought in this section one great insight pointed out was that who has lied to us and let us down more than us? Therefore isn't insidious to look to yourself for redemption when you keep failing yourself? Second way folks try to attempt redemption is through others. The authors share some examples here about those who they have seen try this and how miserably its worked out for them. I believe there are so many people in my neighborhood (using that term in an illustrative sense not purely physical sense) right now who are doing this. Seeking redemption, completion, fulfillment and joy in their spouses, kids, family, boy friend, girl friend, etc. But we have to remember those relationship are mere shadows to THE relationship which will bring redemption. Let me back up for a moment and admit I've been guilty of the same hangup. Here is how this generally works itself out in my life. When Cassie is disappointed, sad or upset guess what? So am I? Cause when momma aint happy aint nobody happy. Until this moment I haven't realized how messed up that statement is.... But why is that so? It's because my feelings, satisfaction is so wrapped up in Cassie's that she is almost like my god. And that was NEVER hear me NEVER the way it was supposed to be. And instead of loving her through those times when she is sad I just tend to get sad and mad right along with her too. I need to learn my joy and contentment doesn't come from Cassie it comes from Christ alone. This doesn't mean I am unsympathetic to her needs as if they don't matter. It does mean that when she is upset I can learn to stay strong and calm through it. By nature I've kind of always been a "people pleaser" guess that is what you get when you start throwing newspapers at 10 yrs old. But this section helped open that reality up to me so much more than ever before. And realize my position in Christ isn't achieved through what man says about me its through what He says about me. The third failed attempt at redemption that chapter mentions is with the world. Through substances, sex, money, you name it many attempt it this way too. Here in the deep bible belt south I've observed our worldly attempts are a bit more civilized. Athletics, our college, our hobbies. These are some of the common worldly attempts at the redemption dilemma. But as Matt points out again. Guess what all of these attempts end the same way. Failure. Failure to give us what we are truly after. The fourth failed attempt at redemption is in religion. So glad the authors mentioned this because this is the attempt that is going to damn more than any of the others combined. Empty church attendance, and coerced obedience don't add up to redemption. Those activities won't produce change in us the way we want them too. Neither will any of the other 3 attempts either.
I am out of time but will complete this review tomorrow. Have a great evening.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Trust and Obey Part 2
It has been a long time since I have cracked open the blog. (I know so many of you have been on the edge of your seat waiting and wondering as to when I would write again.... wish there was a way to type in sarcasm.) Truth be told I forgot my blog login information thankfully Google did not. But since it has been several months since my last post it is only fair to mention that a lot of things have happened in between this post and my last one. Good things. Challenging things. Questionable things, but all of them I know are God things. That might sound like a Jesus juke answer to some of you but for me Jesus fundamentally and at the core is the answer that makes sense in light of all that has happened.
Where do I begin? When writing in the last post God had Cassie and I still serving at Tusculum Hills Baptist Church. However there was a significant amount of transitioning that was taking place there. This led us to ask God if He was leading us into a transition also and where that might be? We were not sure what God's next set of plans were. In time His plan was revealed.
On June 30th by the providential hand of God a new church was born in Nolensville, Tennessee. Revive. And by His grace and goodness He has given me and my family the incredible privilege of leading and shepherding this new work. Giving to us friends and family who have come alongside of us who also are believing God has a mission to be completed in the Nashville area.
The responsibility has been bigger than I could imagine, but I believe the reward will be to. This new endeavor has not come without its challenges along the way as we continue to trust and ask God to lead us as we aim to make much of Him. We have obeyed Him the best way we can as a family as new opportunities have been presented. Please pray that we would continue to do so. God bless and I look forward to writing a bit more consistently in the near future.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Brock
Where do I begin? When writing in the last post God had Cassie and I still serving at Tusculum Hills Baptist Church. However there was a significant amount of transitioning that was taking place there. This led us to ask God if He was leading us into a transition also and where that might be? We were not sure what God's next set of plans were. In time His plan was revealed.
On June 30th by the providential hand of God a new church was born in Nolensville, Tennessee. Revive. And by His grace and goodness He has given me and my family the incredible privilege of leading and shepherding this new work. Giving to us friends and family who have come alongside of us who also are believing God has a mission to be completed in the Nashville area.
The responsibility has been bigger than I could imagine, but I believe the reward will be to. This new endeavor has not come without its challenges along the way as we continue to trust and ask God to lead us as we aim to make much of Him. We have obeyed Him the best way we can as a family as new opportunities have been presented. Please pray that we would continue to do so. God bless and I look forward to writing a bit more consistently in the near future.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Brock
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