Suffering Stops Sinning

At the time of Apostle Peter’s writing the Roman society was filled with certain joys that needed to be stopped.

We might recall some of them from our history lessons.  There were the famous entertainments of risqué theatre productions, chariot racing culture, and gory gladiatorial combat.  There were the infamous immoralities from giving free reign to passions of all sorts:  temper, sex, drink, slander, lying, and theft to get ahead.  

Christians were seen as killjoys, antisocial non-participants, and cultural traitors who spoke out against such things. When one becomes a Christian many things change with internal desires, outward behavior, and purposeful living.  It is a life lived with much higher joys and meaning and satisfaction. 

In 1 Peter 4:1-5, our Apostle Peter describes how suffering stops sinning.

The New Resolve for the Present and the Future

1 Peter 4:1–2 ESV “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.”

Jesus Christ “suffered in the flesh,” meaning in this temporary earthly life and realm of sinfulness.  Of course, Jesus Christ suffered once to deal with sin by His Cross on behalf of His People.  He did this with Holy Spirit empowered resolve to obey God the Father and accomplish His will.

We then are to have, and being His own can have, the same attitude inspired by the Holy Spirit living our lives.  We are called to a new way of life, new devotion to Christ, new resolve against the sinfulness of the world.  When suffering in this world, we should consider how this works to bring an end to sin in our lives.

How is it that unjust suffering works to eliminate sin in a Christian’s life?  Does it inherently work purification?  Maybe, but some would say it just as easily pushes us in the opposite direction.  Does it lessen opportunities for sin?  Maybe, but some would say it provides more.  Above all it works to focus our mind—is this what you have found?

Suffering is not something that works automatically, but only insofar as our mind is set to face it head on and gain something from it, and then it morally strengthens us.  We are to be like Jesus in this commitment upfront to obey God and embrace suffering because of this commitment.  Even though he was the perfect Son of God, God become Man, He in His humanity grew in this strength and resolve.

This mindset going into suffering shows that we are willing to be done with sin; and then it works ever deepening resolve in us, increasing freedom from sin, and establishing a whole new outlook on life.  Suffering then works as a reinforcement; and as a help to us; and as a fence of security.

And so one of the greatest results is that we can live out the rest of our life on earth under the control of new motivations for growth.  We don’t have to follow common human passions, but seek out doing the will of God in this life.

A Sarcastic View of the Past Can be Helpful Too

1 Peter 4:3–5 ESV “For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”

We were just like all the rest of the “Gentiles,” that is unbelievers without God and without hope, and enslaved to our passions and the ways of the world around us.  We praise God for His rescue of us and making us now part of the People of God.  

How helpful it can be at times to be sarcastic with ourselves about our past life without God in this world!  This is the Apostle’s approach in verse 3.  There was more than enough time to “enjoy” the sins of the morally corrupt and rebellious world.  Of course, this is not how we really see it, rather we are glad to have escaped what we are now ashamed of.

Certainly, not all people live such unrestrained lives in this extreme picture; however we also know that people do not live as clean as they claim either.  The natural inclination to such things is like a seed ready to germinate within each one of us naturally.  We are all infected with the corruption of sin and no one is free from the contagion, nor pure.

As one scholar pointed out, perhaps the activities being described were directly related to cultural celebrations most everyone participated in to some degree, such as, family religious festivals, trade guild celebrations, and civic holiday celebrations.  If so, then the matter of having Christ’s resolve to resist cultural and social expectations makes a lot of sense.

Prepared to Honor God

Christians just don’t do certain things and that is the way it is.  What changes have you noticed in your life and desires?  What parts of you are becoming ever more refined in your pursuit of holiness?  What breaks from sin have proven good and propelled you forward in your walk with Christ?

Where now, today, do you need to put forth the resolve of Christ in the same power of the Holy Spirit?  Remember that suffering is appointed as a help for you in this.  Maybe it is in some of the same areas as Roman society:  entertainment, lifestyle, friendships, or personal control?  What about the passions and impulses that are given free range in our society?

By living resolved to suffer in order to avoid sinning we are further strengthened to live for the will of God.  Be confident and content, for you will succeed and eventually be perfected in the image of Christ.  What might change for you?  What good things might you be hoping for in your life?

So, “arm yourself” with this mindset of Christ for your life from this point forward.  Pray that your resolve will be empowered by the Holy Spirit, and so made successful before God the Father.

Approved And Entrusted

The concepts of being “approved” by God and “entrusted” with His gospel played a key role in the Apostle Paul’s self-understanding of his mission, his relationship to God, and his relationship with all people including the Thessalonians. This approval and trust empowered him to minister boldly in the midst of great opposition, to remain committed to avoiding error, impurity, and deceit, and to stay focused on pleasing God rather than people. 

In the first chapter of 1 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul recounted God’s powerful working among the Thessalonians in their radical conversion to Christ from idolatry and their immediate zeal for spreading the gospel throughout the region. Intense opposition followed Paul wherever he went and the Thessalonian church had already begun to experience it for themselves. And so, Paul, Silas, and Timothy wrote this letter to encourage this new community of Christians in their faith and identity in Christ. They would need to be able to withstand, persevere, and triumph in their new life of adversity and persecution.

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. (1 Thessalonians 2:1-4, English Standard Version)

Empowerment of the Apostle Paul and His Team

Motivation and empowerment increase when people’s work matches their values, when they possess confidence that they will be successful, when they can choose when and how they perform their work, and when they believe they can make a difference. God delegated to the Apostle Paul tasks of appropriate difficulty that related to his career as an Apostle. In his empowerment of the Apostle Paul, God delegated in a manner consistent with what is considered good delegation: (a) specifying his responsibilities clearly, (b) providing adequate authority, (c) monitoring his progress, (d) providing necessary information, support, and assistance, and (e) turning his mistakes into learning opportunities (Yukl, 2013).

God’s empowerment of Paul noted in 2:1-4 fits with psychological empowerment as a leadership theory. Paul referred to himself in 3:2 as a co-participant, sunergon, with God in the Gospel, and described the delegation of duties in 2:1-4 in various ways. God approved Paul and his team and entrusted them with the Gospel. Consequently, Paul ministered with great motivation to please God and appeal to people with the Gospel. 

The four elements of psychological empowerment are: (a) meaning, (b) self-determination, (c) self-efficacy, and (d) impact. Paul felt empowered because God changed his life and gave him a new mission (meaning), trusted him to develop his own strategies and methods (self-determination), infused him with confidence that he could be successful (self-efficacy or competence), and allowed him to witness the results of conversion and transformation of people, and the establishment of churches (impact).

Empowerment Continues for Us Today

As a public Apostolic epistle, 1 Thessalonians was meant to be read aloud to the faith community in Thessalonica and to all faith communities (5:27) for their encouragement. God’s empowerment of Paul extended to the empowerment of the Thessalonian believers, and it has continued to extend to His Church ever since and all throughout the world. From the Apostle Paul’s ministry model with the Thessalonian church Christian leaders and churches today can shape and re-shape their ministries accordingly, and by God’s Spirit and grace can expect similar results that will bring Him glory through increased effectiveness and spiritual joy. 

Christians should proclaim the gospel boldly and live out the gospel genuinely. The Apostle Paul served as an entrusted messenger, teaching Christ-followers how to live out the gospel they preach. Can Christians today likewise appeal to others to examine their lives as Christians, and ask God to do the same? Such transparency speaks volumes to the world about honesty, integrity, and authenticity. The world needs more Christians like this. This will further strengthen and empower the church as God keeps supplying a greater boldness and the grace to prove faithful as those “entrusted with the gospel” (v.4). 


Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in organizations (8th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Personal Holiness Has Fallen On Hard Times

Maybe it is just me, but it seems like the topic of personal holiness is overlooked these days.

Even though Christian discipleship is a hot topic today, the part about “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” by Jesus Christ is missing from many discussions and from many lives. Do Christians actively pursue personal holiness still, I wonder?

Possible Reasons

There might be a number of reasons for this lack of pursuit.

1. Christians don’t see it as that important, beyond the basics of acceptable morality.
2. Christians have adopted the best of current cultural standards as their own standards.
3. Christians don’t really know the biblical standards, and there is significant self-doubt about the ones they think they might know.
4. Christians are living outside of God’s moral will, they know it and they feel it.
5. Christians are fearful that they will become self-righteous, or will be viewed that way.

Of course, the biggest category these days has to do with all views, practices and proprieties in the area of human sexuality. It is astounding how difficult it is to have a biblically honest conversation around matters that have historically been clear for millennia even up to about 10-15 years ago.

Preferred Conversations

Instead, Christians prefer to talk about transformation. This is a large theological term, a good term, but it has been co-opted for speaking in general terms about many things. It sounds much more comprehensive; though it provides an excellent opportunity to hide. By focusing on others and on matters of community and social justice it is easy to avoid our own shortcomings whether minor blemishes or even serious sins.

Supposedly getting into morality specifics could be offensive, so we leave it up to the individual brother or sister and their personal relationship with God. This only seems more noble because we are either ignorant of God’s Scriptural commands, or we are afraid of them, or both. But we miss that true transformation, both at the personal level and for the greater good, is rooted in personal character.

1 John 2:15–17 ESV “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

Push the Envelope

It is possible to go beyond current acceptable norms in Christianity. How odd it is to use the phrase--but we can “push the envelope” on Christian personal holiness. We need to speak honestly and spiritually with our closest friends.

Ephesians 5:3–17 ESV “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

The goal is to please the Lord, at least it ought to be! Three books that have been helpful to me:  The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges, The Holiness of God by R. C. Sproul and Holiness by J. C. Ryle.

So then, my friends, “Since we have these promises [in the Gospel], beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)

The Eradication Of Sin

We long for the day when sin will be finally and fully eradicated. At that time we will live in perfection in all our relationships—with God, ourselves, one another and the world. This Day is the Day when Our Lord Jesus Christ Returns. This will be the Day when God will triumph over sin in His People and in His Creation.

Romans 8:18–25 ESV “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”

Our Glorification in the Resurrection

Glorification is the final step in the application of our redemption, including the redemption of our bodies as well as our souls.

Romans 8:29–30 ESV “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

The Old Testament promises our resurrection and generates hope. It prepares us for the full revelation of its reality in the New Testament with Our Lord Jesus Christ. Such passages as these: Job 19:25-26; Psalm 16:11; 49:15; 73:24-25; and others.

Isaiah 26:19 ESV “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.” 

Daniel 12:2 ESV “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

The New Testament brings clarity to this long standing testimony of hope from the Old Testament. Jesus Christ’s teachings on this topic are abundant in the Gospel accounts. His own Resurrection of course being the greatest testimony and hope ever! As a result, the New Testament is filed with encouragement to look to this hope at the final Day. Such passages as these: John 11:23-24; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; Hebrews 11:16-19; and others.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 ESV “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”

This teaching of the reality of the resurrection is one of great hope and comfort, and for encouragement to persevere and please God. We will be like Christ in glory, fully renewed in strength, beauty and spirituality. We will be recognizable, being same person in body and soul. All of this is a celebration of God’s triumph over sin

Colossians 1:19–20 ESV “For in him [Christ Jesus] all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

We are not fully capable of explaining how this will work with our limited scientific minds. This will be a different type of existence, in full righteousness. There will be a renewal of the creation in perfect harmony. We will be embodied, enjoy society and work, all in an endless perfection of God-centeredness.

Jonathan Edward’s Meditations

Heaven, as Jonathan Edward’s taught, is God’s “fixed abode of manifestation” along with His angels and His saints. We cannot exaggerate its glory, and there we will “swim in an ocean of love and be swallowed up by the bright light of infinity.” 

In 1740, Edwards preached a famous sermon on heaven entitled “The Portion of the Righteous.” It is a captivating sermon. John Gerstner referred to Edwards as “the rhapsodic seer” of this beatific vision and summarizes the sermon in this way:

In his sermon, Edwards describes how Christians will behold God with their souls’ eyes, as an experience of their whole being, in the beatific vision of pure love. They will continually grow in perfection with ever new discoveries of God and one another as His saints, like lovers. And they will enjoy blessed fellowship in perfect love together in perfection and perpetual youth.  

Even now, those glorified in heaven are interested in the saints still on earth, for there is One Church of God. But in glory, all the saints of God will be rewarded for their works in Christ according to their capacities, each being full, and yet our blessedness will increase forevermore as we delight in one another’s blessedness. As the stars vary in degrees of brightness we will differ in glory but each being satisfied, according to 1 Corinthians 15:41.

Five Applications

Here are five ways we can apply the coming reality of our glorification and the eradication of sin that will impact our lives today.

1. Actively anticipating heaven and glorification will build up our hope. John Calvin said, “Meditation on the future life is a primary mark of a Christian.”
2. Reflect on the deaths of Christians, especially those you know. Consider their present existence and experience, and let joy of glory fill your soul!
3. Truly hoping for the Day of Christ will have observable effects in our lives. It will actually work to change us and make us more like Christ! (1 John 3:2-3)
4. We are to live out the future we know is secure. We need to keep renewing our minds in thinking this way so that we live this way. (Colossians 3:1-3)
5. Read Jonathan Edwards’ sermon “The Portion of the Righteous.” It will thrill your soul like nothing else you have probably ever read about heaven! It will take you to new heights of praise, delight, and worship!

Pentecost For The Rest Of Us

One particular annual celebration in the Church calendar holds special meaning for me. It is Pentecost. This is because I was converted on Pentecost Sunday in 1984. And so, as a pastor I would preach on it every year and promote its celebration to those who have forgotten it.

Three main feasts in the historical Christian Calendar relate directly to Jesus Christ. Christmas celebrates the Incarnation of the Son of God.  Easter celebrates the redemption He accomplished for us in His Cross and Resurrection. And Pentecost celebrates His exaltation and giving the Holy Spirit to His Church.

The Historical Event


Pentecost is the annual celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Church, and the initial 3000 conversions at the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Originally a harvest festival under the Old Covenant, the first New Covenant celebration was the harvest of conversions.

Luke records the historical event of Pentecost in Acts 2 to encourage us with one of the basics of the Christian Faith. The Spirit’s role in the Church is to empower the Church for witness to Christ Jesus. This is what we see throughout the Book of Acts (i.e. Ac 8, 10-11, 15, 19). This is what we see throughout Church History. The Holy Spirit began a new ministry in and through the people of God in the New Covenant. The Holy Spirit indwells all the People of God.


The Holy Spirit empowers the Gospel, and He empowers the Church to preach the Gospel. Luke is telling us that we all as Christians are Pentecostal Christians. Forget the Pentecostal connotations and embrace Biblical language, or post-Pentecostal Christians, if you prefer. We are a Church empowered by the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel of Salvation.

An Unrepeatable Historical Event

Pentecost is an unrepeatable historical event. It is a climactic point in the History of Redemption, fulfilling many Old Testament prophecies of the time of the Messiah and the New Covenant.

It is not a paradigm for personal experience, as some have mistakenly interpreted it. Some use the event to promote various forms of Second Blessing spirituality. Others use it to raise expectations for large scale conversions. And other use it to mark out the parameters of their vision for communal living. And the list goes on.

The question is often asked, “what prevents us from being just like the early Church at Pentecost?” The answer is simple: Pentecost is an historically significant event in History of Redemption. It is non-repeatable, as much as the Incarnation, Cross and Resurrection are unrepeatable, to which Pentecost is itself is tied.

It is the wrong question to be asking. The better question to ask is, “in what ways are we to be like the early Church at Pentecost?” To answer this questions requires more thorough Biblical understanding, deeper theological reasoning and practical reflection on Christian living.

Today, we proclaim the same empowered Apostolic Gospel as those empowered by the Holy Spirit. We urge people to forsake this evil generation and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We welcome them into the Church as the Holy Spirit convicts and converts them. Together, we enjoy the blessings of God as a forgiven people and as people possessing the Holy Spirit.

The Repeatable Part is The Mission Part

Pentecost is about the Mission, which leads to the ultimate goal: the worship of God among all the nations. Missions is about God, who through the Gospel is gathering His elect from all people groups to worship Him in glorious joy forever and ever.

This is why we celebrate Pentecost annually, to remind us of our identity as the Church and our purpose as the Church. Let us pray continually for the outpouring of Pentecostal power of the Holy Spirit upon us. Let us do so for the empowerment of our Gospel witness for the expansion of the Church.

This is Pentecost for the rest of us, ever since that great day long ago, 50 days after Jesus’ Resurrection, and until the Day of His Glorious Return and His Kingdom. This is why I would preach a special sermon every Pentecost. Some of the passages are: Acts 2:1-47; Jn 3:1-15; Joel 2:18-32; Matthew 12:22-37; Galatians 5:16-26; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Romans 8:8-11; and Hebrews 8:1-13. There are many many passages to preach and teach the People of God about their great and full salvation!

The Pulpit Bully

Have you ever cringed while listening to a sermon and afterward felt that your spirit was harmed rather than helped? If so, it might be because the preacher is a bully.

These types of preachers are aggressive in seeking to dominate others. They are often strident in their pronouncements. But, just as many of them are sly and secretly persuasive.

Preaching bullies do not preach the Bible properly, nor usually accurately. They confuse their role of faithful persuasive application with the Holy Spirit’s role of conviction and changing the heart.

There are at least three indicators of bullying from the pulpit, corresponding to their designs upon others’ thoughts, feeling and behaviors.

Control Thoughts

A pulpit bully uses his position of power and his knowledge to impose his viewpoint as the only option when there are other options. He draws unnecessary lines in the sand, mocks other viewpoints and casts suspicion on those who hold other views than his own. He prefers that people don’t think for themselves.

Instead, the preacher should help us think well biblically. He should respect other legitimate Christian viewpoints. He should take the opportunity to model for us how to rejoice in the richness of God’s Word and the glory of Christ.

Manipulate Feelings

A pulpit bully uses his platform to push people around until they feel the way he does about things. He moves people’s passions into conviction on some matters and not on others, until their emotions match his own. He defines the fruits of the Spirit in terms of his own character development, and denies and chides the experience of others.

Instead, the preacher should acknowledge the valid range of human emotions. He should respect people and the working of the Holy Spirit in His People. He should take the opportunity to celebrate the powerful purifying presence of the Spirit working Christlikeness in us.

Conform Behaviors

A pulpit bully uses his privilege to relentlessly advance his agenda and pressure others to get his way. He criticizes misbehavior at length, persists in addressing the same set of life issues and coerce our choices by fear. He works people over so they all look, speak and behave in a prescribed manner.

Instead, the preacher should trust his congregation and their spiritual judgment. He should not be afraid of disagreement or diversity. He should be patient with people as our heavenly Father is patient. He should take the opportunity to honor the lifelong process of Christian growth.

Advice to the Battered Ones

The Apostle Paul instructs pastors to pursue a different path: 1 Timothy 1:5 ESV “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”

Bullying is using one’s position and power to intimidate and keep others in a position of weakness. Pulpit bullies do this through preaching. They do not respect the Word of God, the People of God, not really even God Himself!

If you face a bully in the pulpit week after week, just leave and find a preacher who thinks more highly of the calling of preaching. If not, you could end up destined to live life as a weak and abused Christian. Find a healthy godly church with a preacher that brings blessing and healing into your soul through the true Word of God.

Hijacked Preaching

Preaching is not what many have come to think it is.

It is not about giving a good speech with applause and handshakes to follow. 
It is not about delivering a theology lesson with head nods and warm hearts agreeing.
It is not about providing counseling for the myriads of hurting people. 
It is not about motiving people to a better morality, making them feel guilty or superior. 
It is not about making Jesus sound politically correct or incorrect.
It is not about skillful altar calls, and the baptisms that follow. 
It is not about artsy appeals to a live really cool communal Christian lifestyle. 
It is not about presenting the top (insert a number) tips for living a happy life. 
It is not about convincing unbelievers, while ignoring the soul needs of believers. 
It is not about the preacher’s hair, jeans or suit, his language, or his makeup artists.
It is not about the newly released book and the promises contained in it.
It is not about dropping nuggets of wisdom for financial and relational successes. 
It is not about addressing current political concerns, injustices or outrageous atrocities. 
It is not about wooing weak women or duping men easy to be suckered. 
It is not about the number of people in the room or those listening by live streaming.
It is not about meticulously mentioning the concerns of various constituencies. 

The list goes on, and for American Christians this is especially true, sadly, embarrassingly and reprovingly. Preaching has been hijacked, taken to places it should not go.

Certainly, preaching, even good preaching, may contain some of the elements from the above list, but preaching still stands separate; it is not those things. It is a unique calling.

Preaching as Sui Generis

Preaching is a unique event without analogy or parallel. As John Stott named it in his book Between Two Worlds, preaching is sui generis, its own genre. There are only three things a preacher need to know about and concern himself with: the Holy Spirit’s role in Scripture, people and the preacher. God the Holy Spirit has written the Scripture. He indwells Christians. And He empowers the preacher. 

The Bible is God’s Word. There is nothing more powerful and important to study, declare and apply than this! What else is there worthy to be preached?! It is a simple task, though it is a profound task. And we are called to honor the Word before the Lord, His people and the angels.

1 Peter 1:12 ESV “It was revealed to them [Old Testament prophets] that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.”

Believers in Jesus Christ really want to listen to the Word. They really truly do, more than seeing the things in the list above! They have been re-made to hunger and thirst for the Word of God. And unbelievers will be given spiritual life by the living and abiding Word through the preaching of it. So everyone benefits.

Psalms 119:130 ESV “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” 

2 Timothy 4:1–2 ESV “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word . . .”

The unction of God upon the preacher is easy to recognize and makes a world of difference! This is not simply passion, but the anointing of the Spirit that stirs the soul of the preacher, affecting him first and then the congregation. It far surpasses anything on that relatively boring preaching list above.

Simply Preach the Word

A few years ago I did some academic research on historical metaphors and models of preaching. I was stunned and lamented to see the modern devolutions, especially in the last couple of centuries.

For the pastor today, the pressures to perform and produce are intense. It is a matter of spiritual warfare. Consequently, every Sunday that I preach I must reset myself by prayer to the classical view of preaching, which is simply declaring the Word of God. 

Stay focused. Don’t let your preaching be hijacked, taken places other than God’s designed destination, and don’t bother listening to preaching that has been hijacked.

Ordinary Trainers Make Training More Accessible

When it comes to accessibility, there are less helpful trainers and there are more helpful trainers.

This overly sharp contrast will highlight how trainers who are current practitioners make ministry more understandable, easily applicable and lead to greater results.

Less Helpful Trainers

You have seen them. Although they are extraordinary people with inspiring ministry stories, most likely it has been a while since they have done the ministry for which they are providing training. Nevertheless, they are the recognized experts, ministry celebrities, and have a wealth of resources.

Their presentations are refined and their stage presence is polished. The systems and solutions offered appear simple and easy to use. However, at the book table the program details and pricing overwhelm. But people buy in because they want the grand ministry success promised. Or they sign up to learn how to become a certified system trainer themselves.

When the participants get back home to their own ministries they are frustrated the new system doesn’t work as easily as they thought it would. Some wisely dump the materials and do what they know works, while others keep signing up for more and more help from the ministry franchise.

More Helpful Trainers

You have met them. They are ordinary ministers and people doing the same type of ministry for which they providing training. They are current practitioners. They know well the needs and struggles of their ministry colleagues personally and identify with them as partners, even friends.

Their presentations are encouraging and they carry themselves with humble credibility. The participants leave knowing that they can improve their ministry on their own by what they have learned. The trainers share ministry tools freely and allow them to be modified to fit a variety of ministry contexts.

There are more of these types of trainers available because these people are the ordinary ministers who serve all around the world. This group has greater potential because of their sheer number, personable influence and much broader networks.

Still, many more of these types of trainers could be mobilized. Maybe some of them need to understand how much they really do have to offer. Maybe some of them just need a quality opportunity to get involved.

Certainly, the global Church needs many types of training and trainers, from the extraordinary to the ordinary, as the Lord gifts and provides. Pray that the Lord will move upon many more of His ordinary ministers with confidence in their gifts and the power of the Holy Spirit to train others.

These ordinary men and women are even more likely to make far greater and deeper impact on the way Gospel ministry is actually accomplished around the world than the few extraordinary ones.


[See a related blog entry: Customization Over Standardization]

Confessing Christ In A Hostile World

It is not likely that any of us will end up in a courtroom having to defend our practice of Christianity. 

It is even less likely that we would be wrongly convicted of something and have our property confiscated, or be confined in prison, or put to death, at least in America. Yet, we do know it is a reality for many in history, many around the world today, and perhaps we have even known a few Christians personally who have suffered greatly.

Nonetheless, we do experience many types and levels of challenges to our Christian way of life. Our society can be quite subtle and sinister in its challenges at times. Sometimes it is veiled and sometimes it is not so veiled in its hostilities toward us who profess Christ.

This can become quite personal at times, too; and when it does, we can see the benefits of giving in to daily pressures in order to keep or enhance our finances, or keep or enhance our reputations.

Never Easy, Always Necessary

Confessing Christ in a hostile world has never been easy, but it is always necessary. Luke gives us confidence for this by supplying us with words that Jesus spoke to His disciples on this matter on one occasion.

Luke 12:11–12 ESV “And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.””

Since persecution is inevitable and very personal situations of testing will keep coming, we constantly need to be preparing ourselves. Yet, we need to prepare our heart and our mindset more than the words we might say.

Since the power of the Holy Spirit is so substantial and so palpable, we should be greatly encouraged to speak up for Christ. As disciples we take the promise of the Holy Spirit above as a source of great courage. Christians need not worry about the Day of Great Persecution, or even little days of persecution, for the all powerful Holy Spirit will witness through them!

Jesus told His disciples that when they would be charged in synagogue tribunals by the elders, and even by Gentile authorities, they had no need to be anxious about their words of defense or jurisprudence. This is because the Holy Spirit would give them the perfect words at that time. Besides, it is not really possible to prepare adequately for these types of trumped-up situations anyway.

We will be aided in our testimony by the Holy Spirit as our “defense attorney;” and He is very good. God Himself will supply with the words and the courage necessary when we need it.

Trials as Opportunities

Later on, Jesus will teach about such trials as opportunities.

Luke 21:13–15 ESV “This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.”

Luke would have us remember that Jesus would be our perfect example in this. Jesus was tried by the Jewish religious authorities (i.e., Annas and Caiaphas) and by the Roman political authorities (i.e., Herod and Pilate). And He gave answers displaying great wisdom and power. Luke goes on to show us the same pattern repeated by Peter, John and the Church in Acts 3-4, and then by Stephen in Acts 7, and then again by Paul in Acts 21-28.

These examples should fill us with courage to speak out regarding Christ Jesus. The Church in history past, and the Church today, reveals the power of the Holy Spirit in action. Some of the most eloquent, bold, and inspiring words of faith have come from ordinary Christians who have suffered, even been martyred.

Besides, has not God amazed you in your times under scrutiny for the Gospel with powerful and wise words that you know could not have come from yourself, but must have come from the Holy Spirit?!

Faithfulness when under interrogation or examination is extremely important; and when the time comes we will trust God and fear God, confessing Jesus Christ, assisted by the Holy Spirit.

Our Lord Jesus Christ comforts us in John 16:33 ESV “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

The Seven Deadly Sins Get More Deadly

There are many lists and many sins.  But one of the earliest and famous is that of the seven deadly sins. Pride. Envy. Gluttony. Lust. Wrath. Greed. Sloth.

Their prevalence in all societies and people (though to varying degrees) testifies to the depravity of humanity and its need of Christ our Savior.  These seven sins are certainly dangerous paths to follow, and can lead to places that are difficult from which to escape.  

Stories of Great Failure and Sometimes Recovery

We all have the stories or know those who can tell them. We have read about them. They are lived out in our churches year after year, even if they never make the evangelical news sources. They are the stories of great failure and sometimes recovery.

Recently, I was reading a book entitled Sanctification: Explorations in Theology and Practice.  Oliver O’Donovan opened his essay on “Sanctification and Ethics” with this fascinating statement, “The doctrine that the elect commit no post-baptismal sin is generally known as heresy; why, one wonders, has indulgence been accorded to the doctrine that the elect commit only venial [lesser forgivable] sins after age fifty?”

Sometimes we think that older Christians have less of a struggle with sin. I am not quite fifty, but I can see from here that this is not true. I have made many observations from my own life and others’ lives. And I have many friends who have told me many stories about how life’s changes bring new and often intensified temptations.

Seven Sins in Stages

Let’s take a quick look at the seven deadly sins, contrasting our experience as younger believers and older believers.

Pride for the young man or woman is obvious to all while often not to themselves. This is the time of life to learn to deal with pride. However, pride for those further along often takes the form of pride in their experience and expertise, learning when sharing it is relevant and when it is not.

Envy for those who don’t yet have much in material possessions seems like a simple problem to avoid, but it is in fact real, although on a smaller scale. Those who are older look around at their contemporaries’ possessions and can wonder why they don’t have more by this point in their lives, and realize they may not be able to do much about it.

Gluttony is a matter of self-control. Youthful over indulgence in eating, drinking and frivolity can be handled situation by situation. But later on in life the typical reasons to avoid such behavior can become less motivating because of boredom, giving up on our image not caring what others think.

Lust early on is based upon what you see and anticipate, often driven by emerging passions. Later on in life, past lusts can become a haunt, lustful habits have solidified and we are involved in many more relationships that offer many more opportunities.

Wrath in youth centers primarily on controlling angry outbursts, and making sure our expression of emotion properly fits the situation. As experience builds we can see deeper into systems and patterns of behavior and likewise anger can run deeper.

Greed starts out as acquiring things upon things, and maybe hoarding our resources. But, when the worries of life increase with time it can be even easier to deny others our practical generosity.

Sloth hides under the name of relaxation quite often, but it also can be seen early in our adult lives by failing to be diligent in the basics of life and work. As years go by, the appeal to give up shows up and we may find it hard to stay focused on our purpose and calling.

These comments were brief one sentence incomplete observations. Certainly there is a lot more to add, explore and even research.

Real Danger that Gets More Dangerous

This real and growing danger requires real perseverance in real faith, great faith, deeper faith and just plain more faith in Christ.

Our lives are not lived in a straight line, and our sanctification is not experienced as a straight line either. There is no guarantee that spiritual maturity will develop as rapidly as we age. In fact, our lives often become harder in new and surprising ways, demanding from us a much greater faith in Christ and the Gospel.  

On the other hand, we have been strengthened by God’s grace in the past, and as a result we are often stronger than we think. We most likely have become even more sanctified than we realize or feel. 

The classic virtues contrasting with the seven deadly sins are these:  humility, kindness, temperance, chastity, patience, generosity, diligence. The Scriptures teach us to pursue them by faith in Christ and prayerful reliance upon the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 3:1–4,17 ESV “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. . . . [The Apostle Paul next lists vices to “put off” and virtues to “put on” and then concludes with verse 17.] . . . And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” 

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control . . .” 

Romans 8:1–6 ESV “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

My guess is that O’Donovan’s statement about the age of fifty applies at each of the following decades, as well. Our lives in this world and our journeys of faith in Christ are fascinating! I’ll have to revisit this topic in another 25 years.

What it Takes to Get in, and Why You Might Want to Stay Out

A pastor I know was eager to get involved in mission work in a particular country and had started educating himself and his congregation and taking trips. The pastor contacted his denomination about partnering in the mission.

He was told over and over how great that would be, but was never given the names and contact information of the mission leaders. So, he and his church just went ahead working on their own, with other grass-roots partnerships developing along the way.

For five years they labored successfully in the field, all the while trusting their denomination to make good on their promises for partnership. He eagerly wanted to get in on what they were doing and share in the larger work together. He kept receiving polite affirmation, but never trust and partnership.

Eventually, he was allowed to look inside the tent and meet a few of the leaders, probably because they saw that he was doing good things. They started listening to his strategic thinking and observing his results, which were much better than their own. This denomination’s cautious treatment of one of its own pastors is not uncommon and is sadly revealing.

Getting In

In order to get in one has to fit in with the existing structures and prevailing theories. One has to follow along with the established goals and strategies and manner of doing things. One has to be a follower for a long time before being considered worthy of making original contributions.

However, depending on your goals, this may not always be the worst option. If all that is desired is to support the current mission, then things are usually setup for just this kind of involvement. But, don’t expect to be allowed to contribute leadership gifts or even input from pastoral experience over the years. It can be perceived as too threatening.

Staying Out

By staying on the outside one is free to create new things and start new works. One can be active in setting goals and developing strategies. And then, developing relationships with those on the inside can be very helpful, once one is seen as reasonably legitimate.

Staying on the outside allows one to be a leader. Leadership by pastors within the organization is not often appreciated. After joining up, don’t expect to be called upon for expertise in preaching, biblical knowledge, leading people, starting churches or even caring for people. This, and a whole lot more, is what often has to be sacrificed to get in, and so one might want to consider staying out, and so being able to do what we do best and what we are called and gifted to do.

A Better Result

In reality, it might actually be better for the mission overall to have these pastors leading outside the existing structures and mission works. They are usually very good at forming new partnerships and forging ahead to multiply the ministry. Then, with mutual appreciation and respect, partnerships can be formed that have great potential for a much better result.

(See related blog entry, “We Are Just Pastors After All”)

What Do They Pay This Guy For, Anyway?!

Even I knew at the time that the Bible would transform people’s lives. It already had transformed mine!

I can still remember my first years as a Christian, and the feelings easily return. It was so exciting to know God personally! It seemed like I couldn’t get enough of the Bible, and meeting with other Christians to worship and pray about everything in life! One of the best parts, though scary at times, was learning to tell others about Jesus Christ!

Finding a Church was Exhausting

Trying to find a church was much harder than I had expected.  The town I was living in at the time was saturated with evangelical churches. The problem in many of them was the preaching.

I didn’t know anything about preaching at the time, having only been a Christian for three years. I thought preaching was about teaching people the Bible, so they could become Christians and know God in Christ more truly and deeply. But I was in for a surprise.

They were Preaching Many Other Things

In many churches I visited, one didn’t even need a Bible. This was not because they provided them, or published the verses in a bulletin or projected them on the screen, but because Bibles weren’t even used. Go figure!

Some sermons didn’t even mention Jesus, except maybe at the very end, believe it or not. So many focused on personal moral issues or current political issues, harping on them week after week. Way too many sermons were way too cute or clever to be true, at least I knew they couldn’t be from the Bible. A few talked about theological concepts at levels that were beyond me, and from looking around the room, beyond most people. Some preachers obviously enjoyed their illustrations too much, and some congregations did as well.

The list of unimpressive preaching examples could go on and on. But, honestly, for most of the sermons I heard, I could have stayed home and learned more from the Bible on my own, if that were the only reason to go to church. It was so depressing.

Why didn’t pastors preach the Word of God? This was so confusing to me. All I wanted was the Bible, nothing fancy.

What was so Hard about Just Doing the Job?!

I had a hard time figuring out what some of those pastors must do all week, if that was all they could come up with on a Sunday morning. I knew the pastor had to run the church and care for people in need. But, after sampling so many churches, I was beginning to wonder what they even paid this guy for? He was not even doing his main job, for crying out loud!

Maybe I was wrong, but if the primary responsibility of the pastor is preaching the Word of God, then it seemed to me that it should be given primary attention by the pastor. These were the verses I knew at the time, and maybe a few others:

Acts 20:27 ESV “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” 

Ephesians 4:11–14 ESV “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” 

2 Timothy 3:16–4:5 ESV “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Eventually, the Lord led me to a church that preached the Word very clearly, simply yet deeply. Over the next two years, I came to know God much better, love Him more and serve Him as a new believer under spiritual transformation in Christ.

That was what I was thinking in 1988, anyway. I have grown much since that time, but this adventure of mine as a young Christian trying to find a church that taught the Bible has forever shaped my view of preaching, and pastors.

Bring Out The Treasure

Jesus Christ’s parable of the converted scribe describes the role His disciples would play for the Church, and even extends to the ministry of all the members of the Kingdom of God.  

Matthew 13:51–52 ESV ““Have you understood all these things?” They said to him,“Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.””

A New Kind of Scribe

This new kind of scribe is a disciple-of-the-Kingdom kind of scribe. 

What does this mean? It is a statement declaring that a member of the Kingdom is like a teacher of the Law who has come to truly understand the Law in light of the Kingdom. It is a declaration that the members of the Kingdom understand the Kingdom’s mystery which has been hidden for ages and now revealed in Jesus the Messiah!

This new kind of scribe is also like a head of a household. He is able to and desires to bring out treasures from the storeroom. 

What does this mean? Because Jesus has given us understanding and we embrace Him and His teaching, we are able to extract from our heart’s treasure storerooms new and old truths of the Kingdom’s reality. 

Members of the Kingdom are able to speak of glories of the Kingdom from both the Old and New Testaments. “New” is mentioned first because it is the key to unlock the Old; the fulness of revelation and redemption provides fresh and glorious fulfilled insights into the Old! 

We can take the Kingdom perspective of Jesus the Messiah and then faithfully expound all the many fulfillments.

You Might be that Scribe

Jesus’ commission from this parable is clear: We are to enjoy the Kingdom and teach the Kingdom. This is what scribes and heads of wealthy households do, you know. They enjoy their knowledge and display their treasures for all to see and benefit!

As a believer in Jesus Christ indwelt by His Spirit, do you realize how blessed you are in knowing God and understanding His Word?!

If you are a disciple of the Kingdom, then you are a trained scribe and a head of household. You are able to enjoy closeness with God, through precious times in the Word and much prayer. By reliance upon the Holy Spirit, you are able to teach and display the glory of the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Especially this time of year, consider who you are in Christ, the amazing knowledge you have been given, and the depth of joy you experience. As this parable of the well-trained scribe teaches us, our valuing and enjoyment of the Kingdom prepares us for, and propels into, our Kingdom ministry to the world.

Spiritual Eloquence

Spiritual eloquence is not the same thing as being good at public speaking, being original with cultural insights, or being able to affect hearts with healing words.

It might include such things, but these are not necessary for spiritual eloquence and should not be confused as such, as often as they are.

Apollos: Better Than Most

God has given especially gifted individuals to His Church and for this we are especially thankful and blessed. But, there are only a few like Apollos. However, all of us are needed not just the giants.

Acts 18:24–28 ESV “Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.”

Some of us might hesitate to speak because we are not as gifted, or mimic the greats hoping to be somebody someday.  Apollos is a good example for those extra-gifted and those who look up to them. His humility stands out in being willing to be corrected by those less gifted, ordinarily gifted, and see himself as just one of the group, not really any better a Christian. Many mighty would-be Apollos types have fallen in recent years because of arrogance.

Apollos shows us the way to spiritual eloquence by his example of becoming competent and well-taught in the Scriptures and then speaking boldly out of a faith-filled fervent spirit.

Jesus: The Spirit for All of Us

But, many protest they don’t know what to say or how to say it, that they don’t know enough, and that they fear arguments they cannot answer. These reasonings reveal a decided identification with human preparations and standards of eloquence. It is not spiritual thinking.

Luke 21:13–15 ESV “This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” 

Acts 4:13 ESV “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

Acts 6:10 ESV “But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.”

Jesus Himself provides His followers with the wisdom needed at the time it is needed through His Spirit that indwells them. Spending time with Jesus Christ is what fills up our minds with wisdom and grants a fuller measure of His Spirit. 

Spiritual eloquence comes from Jesus Christ. Be with Jesus a lot, even more than that. And then get out and try it. Rely on the Spirit of Jesus and prove His promise true.

Paul: Not Often Out of His League

We might still find ourselves in situations that way beyond our abilities, humanly speaking. The level of sophistication from the opposition is intimidating, and so even going in the Spirit we tremble. 

1 Corinthians 2:1–5 ESV “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

This is all the more reason to stay close to the clear message of Christ, and rely on His strength, His Spirit and His purposes with that audience. This is spiritual eloquence.

Besides, who and what are we really going after? Isn’t it the salvation and maturity of those He has prepared, not trying to conquer the fierce opposition with our intellect or creativity?

Being afraid to speak for Christ and the Gospel is a matter of spiritual warfare, the evil one assaulting the spiritual gifts Christ has given to the Church. The devil and our flesh induce us to measure with human standards and encourage our rising doubts and fears. 

Spiritual eloquence is not about speaking exceptionally well, impressing others or moving people emotionally. It is simply speaking in the power of the Holy Spirit, which comes from time spent with Christ and in His Word.

Maybe you just need to speak and see what happens.

The Main Thing Is Not The Only Thing

It is popular to promote the main thing, to unify and rally people around recovering the main thing, and then to speak passionately about the main thing. Good so far, in fact great, because the main thing is awesome!

However there are dangers in taking too strong a stand on the main thing.  It is easy and ever appealing to stay simple and general.  And it feels good, maybe even morally superior at times. Lots of people are tired of arguing, lots more, alas, are ignorant and many just want to get along and settle for peace in the big truths.

But, we are not faithful to God and His Gospel when we make the main thing the only thing, because He Himself didn’t.

The Main Thing is the Best Thing

The main thing we are talking about is Jesus Christ, who He is as God and Man, what He accomplished on the Cross and in His Resurrection, and how we benefit from this.

Most pastors, scholars and all Christians who study the Bible would certainly agree. We don’t want to sharply divide over smaller matters though they may be important and we hold our own studied commitments to them.

Yet, we also are aware that not everyone who says they are talking about main thing is actually talking about the main thing. Many popular speakers simply attach Jesus to their motivational speeches, acronym-friendly guidance, discipleship programs and products for sale.

Assuming we want more than that from our Christian leaders (many don’t obviously), but assuming we do, such a situation is another reason we should be desiring deeper instruction and asking deeper questions about Jesus Christ and His relationship to the whole of Scriptural revelation. How does it all fit together, the whole story, from beginning to end?

Many Things are Big Parts of the Main Thing

There is much more to learn.  We weren’t only given the main thing, but many other things as well. This is highly significant and it should be obvious that it is of critical importance to God Himself and in His communication to us for our faith.

Matthew 5:17–19 ESV ““[Jesus said,] Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Surely all things point to the main thing, but will you point to the main thing from every thing in the Scriptures? Yes, it is about Jesus. But how is it about Him?

Do the hard work and serious thinking required.  Don’t waste the Bible stories by launching into moralizing instruction, or carelessly picking texts for political pontification, or crafting obscure analogies that aren’t really there, or embellishing the stories for a good show, or rearranging the structure to teach systematic theology, only to add a Jesus Gospel moment somewhere along the way. We want to hear about the main thing from the many things.

Will you preach and teach it profoundly? Do you skip passages? Do you avoid books?  If you do (and many do), why?  God considers them necessary for His people to fully learn about Him and completely mature in their faith.

We Should Make the Whole Thing the Main Thing

God didn’t make the main thing the only thing; therefore, the main thing is no longer the main thing if it is the only thing. The Apostle Paul made it his practice to talk insightfully about many things in Scripture.

Acts 20:27 ESV “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” 

2 Timothy 3:14–17 ESV “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

The whole thing (all Scripture) is really the main thing (revelation of Jesus Christ). Let us teach about God as He has given to us His self-revelation and His history of redemption in the Bible.

Our concern should go beyond skillful rhetoric that rallies and on to the realities that transform our minds and our souls and impact our core being, beliefs and behaviors. This will take more than talking about the main thing as if it is the only thing people need to know and be concerned about knowing.

Let us definitely keep talking about the main thing, but may we also talk perceptively about all the other things that are truly big parts of our comprehension of the main thing.

Encouragement Is Underrated

Leaders are lonely. Some leaders are more lonely than others. This is more true in more isolated and unreached areas of the world.

Travel to Encourage a Fellow Leader

As soon as you show up, encouragement begins. Simply start by spending time together. Talk about family, life and the struggles and joys that are attached. Take time to talk about deeper matters of the heart and share together about your walks with God in Christ.

See their places of ministry. Watch what is going well with excitement. Observe what is not going well and share in the concerns and humbly offer your ideas. Ask good questions. Stay long enough to discuss many times over each of your visions and dreams for ministry.

Gather your friend’s colleagues together for an informal leadership forum. Learn from one another. Talk leaders to leaders about what God might have next for everyone and pray.

In doing these things we experience more of what our Apostle Paul was discussing in Romans 1:9–12 ESV “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”

Encouragement Changes Everything

“Is that all you did?!” People might say this to you. Or, you might fear people are thinking it, or you are thinking it yourself.

But you did more than show you care. Encouragement is severely underrated. This is because of our overly pragmatic approach to ministry, and our out-of-control desire for immediate and reportable results. In reality, planning for a profound future took place.

Encouragement changes everything because it changes perspective and builds long term relationships. The lives of leaders and the future of ministries change simply by spending time together thinking bigger and thinking about it out loud together. There is no need to worry about action, because leaders by definition will take action.

The Apostle’s letter to the Romans ends like it began with anticipation of the blessings that come from mutual encouragement. Romans 15:29 ESV “I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.”

Leadership can be a lonely calling. So, just get on a plane and get over there and see how the Lord Christ brings about the fullness of His blessing to them and to you!

Three Problems With The Marriage Analogy

Is joining a church like getting married? 

If so, then is leaving and joining another church like getting a divorce and being remarried?  Are there only certain circumstances in which it is allowed?

The Wrong Fit

The analogy between marriage and church membership is a terrible one to make, adhere to or promote.  Marriage is a unique covenant relationship, and it is too strong a bond to compare with belonging to a particular church, or any Christian organization.

It persists in many people’s thinking and pastors’ teachings, bringing unnecessary guilt and shame on those who are looking for another church, or even just thinking about it.  Certainly, there are many good reasons, and likewise many poor reasons, for changing churches.  But, that is another topic for another day.

Also, it can cause angst in pastors and deep pain in congregations when a pastor or staff member moves to another ministry.  This especially distressing because often it is God Himself who is moving His leader and servant to serve another congregation, or work elsewhere in advancing His Kingdom.

Three More Problems

As already alluded to, such an analogy creates burdensome expectations that are too heavy to carry.  Furthermore, because it is an overly intimate analogy it creates unhealthy and confused relationships.  

One problem is that separation is almost automatically seen as negative.  But the reality is that both people and congregations grow and change, and so do life situations.  Instead we should take delight in how God is uniquely at work in one another’s lives!

A second problem is that it can prevent healthy movement among Christians within the one universal Church.  Mobility should not be instinctively lamented or suspiciously evaluated.  Instead, we should prayerfully consider what great things God might be up to, and look joyfully to everyone’s future!

Another problem is that it often hinders the missional purpose of churches.  The analogy forces us toward an inward a focus.  We expect too much from one another in community, and spend a lot of time and resources managing our relating.  Instead, we should be more concerned about fulfilling our commission from Christ to go and make disciples among all the peoples of the world!

The Right Fit

In the end, unintentionally, the analogy cheapens the marriage covenant by suggesting it has an equal or near equal.  Each church is surely a covenant community, but not at the level of a marriage.  Let’s set people free with the realities of real life and biblical truth.

One more thing, this improper analogy denies the higher use of the analogy, the biblical and proper analogy is that the one universal Church is Christ’s bride.  The Lord Jesus would refer to Himself as the Bridegroom.  

The prophets made this comparison repeatedly, especially Hosea and Jeremiah.  The great mystery and parallels of God and His People, Christ and His Church and the husband and wife expounded in Ephesians 5.  

When Christ returns in glory, there will be the Marriage Supper of Lamb and His Bride in Revelation 19, and eternal joy and communion as mentioned in Revelation 21.

For The Thrill Of The Hunt

Each year a delight of many young children is an Easter egg hunt.  Finding each egg brings great excitement!

Similarly, God has hidden His elect, those chosen for salvation, all around the world for the Church to find by going out and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Election and Effort

It is popular today to think of the doctrine of election as contrary to evangelistic effort.  If God has already determined whom He will save, then why should we share the Gospel, what difference will it make?  Yet, at the beginning of the modern mission movement, it was those who cherished these doctrines of God’s sovereignty in salvation who so often led the way in pioneering mission.

The Apostle Paul spoke and wrote very strongly about God’s sovereignty in salvation in many places in Scripture.  At the same time he was the most zealous and successful of all missionaries.  Such ideas are often combined closely as a good fit.

For example, he summarized his life and ministry, and his motivation with these words in 2 Timothy 2:10, “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”

Guaranteed Success

We have a guaranteed success.  We know that God will save His chosen ones and that He will do it by means of the Gospel.  So, when we speak about Christ, people will get saved!

There is a great sense of freedom when we understand that our faithfulness extends to proclamation only.  God does the converting.  We should ask ourselves therefore, if we are preaching enough?

It is easy to become preoccupied with building comfortable Christian lives and churches.  And then, one day it dawns on us that when we talk about evangelistic efforts, our best stories are further in the past than we realized.

We need to regain the vision, the courage and the sacrifice.  We need to get out there and re-experience the thrill of the hunt.  This can be done any day we choose to do it—whether it is in our own communities, or in less reached communities nearby.  Better yet, just get on a plane and go to the places where no one has yet heard!

The thrill of the hunt can be experienced as pleasant and fun as children on an Easter egg hunt.  The thrill can also be experienced as wild as a safari hunting expedition filled with real dangers.  Which adventure would you like to try?

The Last Thing The World Needs Is Another Church Like Yours

Churches are expected to do certain things, church things.  But, one of the worst things a church can do is to just do church, in general terms.

No Church Needs to be a Generic Church

Many churches spend all their time, energy and resources on only fundamental church activities.  These include preaching, teaching, praying, counseling, programming, worshipping, supporting missionaries, outreaching and fellowshipping to name a few.

A lot of pastors and people think church should just be about doing church and the basic things the Bible says.  This sounds noble and spiritual, but the more you think about it, it sounds lazy.

Even if it works, it could work so much better if we put serious effort into crafting a specific vision for the future.

For example, although the Bible teaches about marriage, no one wants to live out marriage in general terms, just doing marriage.  The same goes for our jobs and recreation.  We long for uniqueness, passion and purpose!

Push your leaders.  Leaders need to do the hard work of leading, not simply managing ministry.  No one should have to suffer a generic church.

Each Church is a Unique Church

It is so invigorating to discover God’s specific calling for your specific church!

Analyze your community and other locations where you are doing ministry or would like to be doing ministry, even globally.  What makes the society the way it is, and the people the way they are?  Do you need to do more research?  Make a long list.

Evaluate your currently available resources.  What knowledge, skills and ministry desires do people in the congregation have?  Who are your leaders?  What assets might you have that no other church nearby has?  Do you need to acquire anything?

Identify opportunities.  What does the community need that is not currently being addressed?  Who else cares about this that might be a potential partner?  Who has the connections?  Many amazing opportunities are hidden and it is going to require effort to search them out.  Create a team to do this, perhaps.

By now there should be a lot of ideas, almost too many.  Select a few and develop them into big broad goals to work on for 5-10 years.  Soon you will realize that these need to be broken down into 2-3 key strategic initiatives for each major goal.  And leaders are going to be needed for all these new initiatives.  You get the idea.

By a lot of serious prayer and strategic analysis, think about what God might accomplish through your church in ten years, if He directs and blesses all these plans of yours?

Embrace your context, resources, opportunities and think, pray and dream big!

Every Church Can be a Great Church

Some churches need to realize that they are not as great as they think they are, or as great as others say they are.

And even if it is true that they are great, it might not be the case given a different social and ministry context.  We shouldn’t cheat in doing ministry by copying one another.  The last thing a community needs is a ministry approach that doesn’t fit it well.

It is not that hard to craft a vision unique to your church and truly relevant to your ministry communities.  In fact, you might be the ones that know best how to make a significant Gospel impact!

We should be encouraging growth, creativity, and development of all sizes and all types of churches to fulfill their God designed potential and accomplish the goals put before them using the array of gifts granted to them at the present time.  And celebrate it all!

A Church With Two Clocks

Guest preachers would almost always do a double take, and some even wondered out loud, “why are there two clocks in the back of the sanctuary?”

The congregation would laugh.  “It is because we have an eccentric pastor,” I heard shouted a few times.  Although, after the worship service people would inform him of our vision for mission work in Asia.

Why Have Two Clocks?

Each clock was labeled by its time zone, but one of them was set for an Asia time zone. This clock corresponded to the country where our global mission focus was located.

The two clocks kept us on time with our vision.  It was a constant visual reminder of our unique calling to strive to advance the Gospel and plant churches among an unreached and unengaged people group far across the world.

As church members and even as a church, it is easy to forget our vision commitment, and sometimes even to forget the larger mission of the church in the world.  We get absorbed in our own lives and organizational concerns, among other things.

Why Not Have Two Clocks?

We would hold our World Christian Prayer Meetings in the same room.  The clocks helped us to pray better.  Not only was it motivational to see them, but we could picture what was going on at that specific time and date with our national ministry partners and friends.

It is true that many comments and jokes made it into many sermons over the years, but we liked it that way.  The pulpit comments from our guests helped us stay committed to our global mission focus and ready to articulate it.  In addition, a number of my preacher friends would re-tell the story of the church with two clocks and help spread the vision.

Every vision needs a little eccentricity to help move it forward.  It strengthens a group’s identity, commitment and fun together in fulfilling their calling.  I believe this congregation loved the strangeness of its pastor and his vision.