Loose Lips

Did you hear what Brother Sam said Ms. Sue was sayin' about Mrs. Helen? Or, have you heard what Pastor Jeff was doin' Friday night? Ever been involved in a conversation like that with a church member? Guess what, you're a gossip! What do you mean I'm a gossip? I didn't repeat what they said. Doesn't matter. A gossip cannot be a gossip without someone who is willing to listen.

The old navy saying is, "loose lips sink ships." I have lived in many places. I've lived in good sized cities, smaller cities and as out in the country as you can get. 2 1/2 years ago I moved to my first small town, Chesterfield, SC, population 1500. I've found many things about small town living I truly treasure. I love the easy going pace. I enjoy the intimate atmosphere. But shortly after I moved here I found out one of the real drawbacks to living in a town where everyone knows everyone, and most are related in some way or another. Word of things get around town, and many times that word has a way of becoming something very distant from the truth. I myself was a victim of the rumor and gossip mill and learned a valuable lesson about life in a small town. According to some, and I do not exaggerate here: My wife had children that we were not telling anyone about; I exposed myself to an old lady in the church; I didn't want certain people in the church; I was stealing from a fund in the church; my wife was having an affair; their were many more, but you get the picture.

In many ways a church is like a small town. It is a community of people and for the most part, the regulars all know each other and many times are related in some way. Sadly, in spite of stern warnings from scripture regarding the evil of gossip, some church people can be among the worst about spreading rumors, half truths or propagating outright lies. Their is an old preachers saying about gossip: Their is a reason the bible talks more of gossip than about drinking, it's because gossip is a bigger problem in the church. So just what does the bible say about gossip? Proverbs gives us some straight talk about this sin.

Proverbs 11:13, "A gossip reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter."

Proverbs 18:8, "The words of a gossip are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the most inmost body."

Proverbs 20:19, "He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips."

Proverbs 26:20, "Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no gossip, strife ceases."

Gossip is a cancer in the body of Christ. While we all have an innate human curiosity to know things, when it comes to things involving other people, people we claim to love, we should be sure of the truth. In a small town a piece of information can change 3-4 times before it traverses one end of main street to the other. In a church, what's said on one end of a pew is often far different than what is heard on the other end. Gossip does nothing more than reveal a true spiritual immaturity. He who spreads it has a desire for attention and to stir things up. He who listens is just as guilty.

I'm reminded of an old episode of the Andy Griffith Show, one of those great old shows which taught us moral lessons, and was not ashamed of Christian values. In it, Andy and Barney are tickled at how a piece of information, after it has passed from Clara, to Aunt Bea to another woman, has grown from a simple thing to a dramatic event. Barney has cut his finger, but when this information made it's way through town, Barney was on his deathbed. The women took offense and decided to show the men that they were as big of gossips as they believed the women were. So they plant a seed about a shoe salesman in town, that he's not what he appears to be. By the time the tale works it's way through the men, the gentleman is a talent scout from New York City. The point being, gossip is not gender specific, and even good people can fall prey to it. So what should one do if confronted with information regarding someone else? Here are a few recommendations:

1) If you do hear something about someone, go to the person. If you are not willing to speak with someone about something, you should not speak with anyone else about it.

2) If someone says, "don't tell anyone else about this." DO NOT LISTEN!!!

3) A word of prayer is far better than a word to the neighbor. God is someone we can talk to who we know will not repeat things.

4) Avoid people who are consistently talking about other people.

5) Love thy neighbor as thyself! How would you feel if people were talking about you. The best way to not gossip is not to repeat things.

Gossip is a sin. If you repeat something that is not true, you have lied, whether you know it or not. More strife is brought about in peoples lives and the church from "loose lips" than most other things. And the thing about gossip is, we are inherently in control of it. If we do not listen, we cannot repeat. If we do here something inadvertently, we should always consider the source and respect the person being spoken of by dealing only with them. Feel free to add to my list of recommendations. And remember, as Harry Truman said, "the buck stops here."

The Reality of Hell

Tomorrow at Oakland as we continue our expository journey through the gospel of Luke, I'll be preaching from Luke 16:19-31. Here we have what some call a parable, and others a true account of a certain rich man and a poor beggar named Lazarus. Regardless of whether Jesus gives us a parable or a factual account here, few can argue that this scripture details one of the most terrifying views of hell in the bible. Hell is indeed a real place. Jesus mentions hell 3 times for every 1 time He mentions heaven. So what can we discern about hell from this scripture in Luke?

1) Luke 16:19-22-Our status here on earth has no bearing on our eternal destination: The rich man here was clearly well thought of, respected in town and a prominent person. Lazarus was an overlooked and disregarded beggar. On earth the rich man enjoyed status and prominence, while Lazarus was an outcast left for the dogs. But in eternity it is Lazarus who was carried by angels to Abraham's bosom(paradise), while the rich man was simply buried. The bible teaches us in 2 Samuel 16:7 that God does not regard the outward appearance as man does, but rather, the heart. This scripture verifies that.

2) Luke 16:23-Hell is indeed a place of torment. In the English language 3 Greek words are translated as the word hell, but each has a distinct meaning. The Greek word Sheol, simply means grave. The word hades speaks of a place of torment. The Greek word Gehenna, speaks of the true hell, the "lake of fire" spoken of in Revelation 20, that is the eternal dwelling of all of those who died without faith in God covered by the blood of Christ. As this scripture was spoken by Christ, the word for hell would be hades. Here, life after death, was one of 2 places. "Abraham's bosom" spoke of the place where Old Testament saints saved by grace, through faith dwelt. It was a place of comfort and peace, that is now empty. Christ took the Old Testament saints with Him to what we now call paradise(Ephesians 4:8-10), which is where we also go as saved believers now. When we teach that to be "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord," this is what is defined as paradise. It is not yet the eternal heaven(The New Jerusalem) for the church. The place of torment, where we find this rich man, is still present. This rich man is still there. He will spend eternity in Gehenna, the "lake of fire," but that will not come until the "Great White Throne Judgment" of Revelation 20.

3) Luke 16:24-26-Their is no escape or comfort available for those who die apart from God. It is an eternal place of torment. The rich man looks toward paradise, and asks for just a drop of water. Why does he ask for just a drop? Because, if he can get one drop, he can get more. But even one drop is unavailable. If we die apart from God, their is no escape from a life of eternal torment. A gulf is fixed that cannot be crossed from either side. Hebrews 9:27 tells us, "that man is appointed to die once, and then the judgment." We are judged for this single life on earth. Here, we either accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, inheriting paradise and eventually eternity in heaven with God; or we are sentenced to a life of eternal torment with no hope of parole, no change of address, no relief, no comfort.

4) Luke 16:27-31-In hades, and probably Gehenna, eternal hell, we will be keenly aware of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It may not have mattered to us here on earth, but it will in hell. We will live for eternity knowing all we had to do to be in heaven, the place of love, peace, comfort, joy; the place of God. All we had to do was accept Christ, and our eternity would be glorious instead of, well, hell. While we had no concern for our loved ones souls on earth, we will be in anguish over them in hell, but powerless to affect any truth or wisdom to them. This is part of our eternal torment. Basically we realize for eternity, we blew it.

Today, hell is still a much discussed place. Many, even some professing Christians, question the reality of hell. They ask why would a God who claims to be a God of love, banish people to such an awful place. Many simply refuse to accept the clear teachings of Jesus and the bible. They want the good, heaven, but ignore the horrific, hell. Hell is not a popular message to be preached. It's offensive to many, and as thus is ignored in many pulpits more interested in pleasing people instead of pleasing God.

Friends, their is an eternal heaven and an eternal hell. You will wind up in one place or the other. To assure yourself of an eternity with God in heaven, you need to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You need to confess to Him you are a sinner in need of forgiveness and that only He, as God, can forgive your sins. You need to believe that on the cross, through His blood and death, your sins are forgiven. You need to believe He was buried and rose again from death to eternal life on the third day. You need to confess Jesus with your mouth and believe in Him in your heart. If you do this, you will be filled by the Holy Spirit. You will repent of your sins, and begin a walk of following God and conforming to the image of Christ. You will stumble and you will fall, but you will continue to move forward toward God, denying yourself, and following Him.

Sadly. many here on earth are just like the rich man in Luke 16. They look at things from the outside, instead of examining their hearts. They trust that somehow their accomplishments here on earth will be enough to please God. These people need to hear of hell. For those who disregard the message of hell, all they need do is listen to Jesus. While Jesus clearly taught of the "good news," the gospel. He also regularly warned of the consequences of rejecting His message. The consequence, is hell. For those who have an ear, let them hear.

Lost in the Church

I've been involved in an interesting conversation on Facebook the last few days. In this conversation the topic has been how many of those who are church members are actually regenerate, saved people. Many including myself have quoted Billy Graham regarding a percentage, and the quotes range from 50% of church members up to 85% of church members being lost. Problem is, no one can find a source for Billy Graham saying anything like this. However, people like George Barna, Bill Bright, George Truett, W.A. Criswell and R.G. Lee have all been cited of believing at least 50% of those who hold church membership in protestant denominations are indeed lost. So, is their any way to accurately determine how many in our pews are lost and how many are saved? Well, the simple answer is no.

Their is no doubt we have a huge problem in the church. The problem is that many if not most church members look nothing like what the bible says a Christian will look like. Far too many Christians who profess faith in Christ show little or no evidence of a true conversion from unregenerate to regenerate. They exhibit little or no fruit in their lives leaving open the question; Are they really saved? One thing is for sure, they are either carnal or backslidden in their faith, or they are lost. Can we make a certain determination of which though?

The fact is only God knows our hearts. But, I believe we must be sensitive to the fruit which professing Christians will bear. Jesus Himself tells us we will know those that are His "by their fruit." He also tells us we will know those of the world "by their fruit." I guess the question is, will a person who has truly been converted remain in a carnal, backslidden state, or will they eventually, under conviction of the Holy Spirit which indwells all believers turn from their worldly ways and sin to God and His ways?

One thing I do know about God, is He is patient with sinners, even those who are His who are currently living in a carnal, sinful manner. But the bible also teaches us in Hebrews chapter 12 that if we are a true child of God, God will discipline us to bring our hearts back to a right relationship with Him. As one who has been taken to God's woodshed many times in my life, I can vouch for God's loving, albeit many times, tough discipline.

Hebrews 12:7-8 to me are the key verses in this text. It reads, "If you endure chastening(discipline), God deals with you as sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten. But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons." This is strong teaching, for it tells us that if we are indeed saved God will convict us of our sin and we will return to Him. But if we are not saved, then the chastening of the Lord will not be present as the Holy Spirit is not present in us. So who can judge this?

Well, we know God can. But Paul exhorts us in 2 Corinthians 13:5 to also examine ourselves. He writes, "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless indeed you are disqualified." Are we willing to do this, or simply believe we are saved?

To examine ourselves, I recommend we read Galatians 5:16-26. Here we see Paul through the Holy Spirit give us the characteristics of what an unsaved, carnal person will look like, and what a saved person under control of the Holy Spirit will look like. As we look at these characteristics, will we be honest with ourselves as to which "list" here we truly resemble? If we do bare more similarity to the works of the flesh, rather than the "fruit" of the Spirit, will we ask the eternal question am I truly saved? At the very least we must confess we are backslidden and apart from the will of God.

If the Holy Spirit does indwell us, we will not be comfortable in our sin. We may stay there awhile, but not forever. With God inside of us their cannot help but be radical change in how we view the sinful things of the world, and the holy ways of God. If we surrender to the Holy Spirit we will grow in our walk with Christ and separate ourselves from the ways of the world. Are we willing to take the test of faith, and be honest with ourselves regarding the answer? We need to truly reflect upon the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23. Jesus says here, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"

Are you sure Jesus knows you, and that you truly know Him? The answer to this question holds your eternal fate. Are you destined for heaven and eternity with God, or destined for Hell eternally separated from God?

Getting Men in to Church

With Father's Day just having passed, I was interested in some of the "methods" some churches utilized to draw men tho their church. Their is definitely a gap in the number of men and women in the church today. Women outnumber men in most churches, and many wives attend services regularly while their husbands do not. The question is, if we draw men with worldly things; 1) Are they in church for the right reason? 2) If these are the things that are used to draw men, will they stay if sound doctrine is practiced, preached and promoted.

From the "Faith and Values" section of the Charlotte Observer on Saturday, June 19, we read about the efforts of the Next Level Church in Matthews, NC. On Father's Day they had recliners in the sanctuary. a motorcycle and car show in the parking lot, ESPN highlights on the monitors leading into the sanctuary, a grill going with chicken wings and turkey legs, they were giving out free cigars, and the service was intentionally shortened so as not to impose on the mens time. Wow, sounds like quite a little party was going on there. But my question for men is, if this is what it takes to get you to church, is your heart in a place where it can truly worship God?

Now I know many would consider me old fashioned here, but, how can any church say that they are not appealing to the flesh when such stunts are used to draw a crowd. I realize Paul says we should be "all things to all people," but does he mean we are to be like the world to draw the world? Absolutely not! The bible teaches that we are to be "in the world" but not "of the world." We seem to have lost that important doctrine in many churches.

In fact Jesus tells us He has called us out of the world and it's ways. In John 15:18-19, Jesus says, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love it's own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." Yet in spite of Jesus's clear teaching here, many churches use the world to draw worldly people, believing getting them into church is the answer. Church is not the answer for these people, the Holy Spirit is.

Friends, bringing the world and it's ways in to the church is not what church is supposed to be about. Did Paul, or Peter, or John, or Jesus use this method to win the lost? I can find no where in scripture where any of the early church invited worldly people to church. Instead, they went into the world, won the lost, and then the formerly lost had a sincere desire to come in to church. Today, the exact opposite is going on.

We may grow our numbers using worldly methods to appeal to worldly people, but we will never truly grow Christ's church. Growing the church is about far more than increased attendance and getting people through our doors. Growing the church is first and foremost a spiritual matter, as without spiritual growth, the church may be busting at the seams numbers wise, but stagnant and fleshly from a spiritual standpoint.

Jesus says in John 12:32, "And I, if I am high and lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." When we offer cigars, ESPN highlights and turkey legs, is that Jesus drawing people, or us by looking like the world? Jesus tells us that no one can come to Him unless the "Father first draws" them. If it is not God drawing us to church, we are there for the wrong reason. In this day and age though we seem far more concerned with drawing a crowd in the flesh than allowing God to draw people in the Spirit. In Galatians 5:17 Paul writes, "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish." When the flesh is used to appeal to the flesh, how can the Spirit be present if they are contrary to one another?

Call me old fashioned if you like, but I cannot see from scripture how methods such as this are in any way biblical. We are told by scripture to resist the temptations of the flesh, not use them to draw a crowd. Until it is Jesus who is drawing men unto Himself, all we are doing is bringing more of the world in to the church. And quite frankly, we already have enough of the world and it's ways in the body of Christ. Christ's church continues it's slide into apostasy when it uses ploys such as this. We seem to think we can do a better job than Jesus at drawing people. Remember, Jesus says he has chosen us "out of the world," and it's ways. so if you attended church this past Sunday because of free cigars and turkey legs, ask yourself this question. Was God drawing me there, or my appetites of the flesh? The answer to that question has eternal consequences.

The Sinners Prayer

John 3:3, "Jesus answered and said to him, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'"

Last night at Oakland's VBS I had the privilege of sharing the gospel with many children, youth and adults. At the end of the gospel presentation, all were asked if they would receive Christ as their Savior, and they were led in a prayer by me to confess and ask forgiveness of their sin, and to confess with their mouths that they believe from their hearts that Jesus is the only One who can forgive sin; that by His death on the cross and the shedding of His blood their sin is forgiven and no longer held against them by God; that they believed that Jesus rose again on the 3rd day and that His resurrection is our guarantee of our future resurrection and a life in eternity with God in heaven. Many responded to the invitation to receive Christ. So, are these people now saved?

The sinners prayer has become the most popular way to lead someone to pray to receive Christ. But does simply saying this prayer automatically mean a person has now passed from lost to a child of God? The answer, quite simply, is no. True salvation rests upon far more than simply saying a prayer, undergoing baptism, or answering a call in the invitation. True salvation is a matter of the heart. Have we, in our hearts, truly turned to God and received His blessed Son into our hearts. Have we been what the Jesus calls "born again." If we have, a radical change will occur in our lives.

You see, being "born again" means that we have experienced a new birth in the Holy Spirit. If this has occurred, the Holy Spirit now indwells us, and we have the power of God living inside of us for the rest of our lives. This is a remarkable and transforming thing, for if God now lives within us, we cannot be the same as we were. If we have been "born again" in the Spirit, we now have the conviction and instruction of God that will not allow us to exist as we once did. Oh yes, we will still commit sins, but when we do, we'll know it and acknowledge it before God. Our heartfelt desire will be to depend upon the new found power of God within us to turn from the sins we commit and live a life of faithfulness, obedience and sacrifice for Him. So why do so many who have claimed to receive Christ, have prayed a prayer and been baptized; why do so many who claim to know the truth about Jesus seem to exhibit so little change in their lives?

Well, now neither you nor I can truly judge anothers heart, but the answer for many is that they have gone through the motions of becoming a Christian, but never experienced the new birth Jesus says must occur to truly become a follower of Christ. And through a lack of follow up and discipling we in Christendom have allowed many who have never been "born again" to go through their lives believing they are saved, when really they are not. We are so interested in claiming numbers about how many were saved in a particular meeting, we leave someone lacking the understanding of what it truly means to be saved. We wind up with church members who believe they are right with God, not comprehending the change that will occur when one gets right with God, is indwelt by the spirit, repents of their sin and begins walking with Christ. We are left with people who have not been truly converted, and are misled by Satan that by participating in one of these sacraments, they are saved.

Satan is never happier than when he has one who believes they are saved yet have not been born again. His battle is won here as the person dies believing they are going to heaven only to find themselves in an eternal hell wondering what happened. They never became a "new creation" in Christ. They believed and acknowledged the truth about Jesus with their minds, but never surrendered to Him with their hearts. And friends, when this happens, we as pastors, parents, family members, and friends bear part of the blame.

Jesus tells us that if we are His, the fruit we produce will bear that out. We will grow in Him, and become more like Him, as we grow closer to Him. Yes we will stumble, but we will return to the path of righteousness before God. If the Holy Spirit indeed is within us, He will not allow us to remain separated from God by our sin without searing our conscience with guilt. If we are a child of God, we will be miserable in sin, not comfortable.

Salvation is the work of God. Our work on earth is to present the truth of the life saving gospel of Jesus Christ and to instruct someone in how they can obtain His salvation. Our job is to also remain close to those who have professed Jesus with their mouths and teach them exactly what a "born again" believer in Jesus Christ will look and behave like. This is where we have fallen so short as the church. Our follow up has been dearly lacking, and so far too many have lived their lives believing they are saved, yet experiencing no appreciable change in how they live. We cannot make someone change, but we can teach them of the change sure to occur if their faith is genuine.

My challenge is not presenting the gospel, that is a joyous pleasure for Jesus. My challenge is the follow up to insure these dear people who confessed Jesus last night understand clearly what has and will happen in their lives. Then it's up to them. If they have been "born again," their lives will never be the same. If they have not, I pray one day the light will truly appear to them and they will embrace it. Only God knows for sure, but I must fulfill my responsibility to insure understanding. Father in heaven, don't let me fall short!

Title Deed to Israel

Genesis 13:15, "for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever."

As we are introduced to Abraham(Abram) in Genesis chapter 12, we see the initial promise given to this friend of God, and it involves a land which he and his descendants will possess(Genesis 12:1). Later in scripture we learn that the promise of the land is limited to Abraham's descendants through Issac and Jacob(the Jewish people) and that this is a covenant that is in effect, "forever." It is an "everlasting" covenant.(Genesis 13:14-17,15:18, 17:8, 35:12, 48:4, Exodus 6:8, 2 Chronicles 20:7, Acts 7:5) So, how long is "forever?" How long is "everlasting?"

According to most today "forever" and "everlasting" ended at some point in the last 60 years. When Israel was re-established as a nation in 1948, they returned to the land God had given to them. But today, even as the conflict in Israel has slipped to the back pages overshadowed by oil spills and college football realignment, the battle rages over whose land this really is.

The world today says it's the Palestinian peoples land. They were the one's displaced by Israel's return 62 years ago. But 62 years ago, their were no Palestinians. In 1948, they were Jordanians, Syrians, Egyptians and Lebanese. Only when the world re-established the Jewish people in their traditional homeland in 1948 after the horror of the holocaust did the debate over whose land this is erupt. You see, in 1948, it was not a question in most of the world where the Jewish people's traditional home was. The world did not choose Germany, Poland, Russia or the United States as the Jewish homeland as disgraced former White House correspondent Helen Thomas suggested was where these descendants of Abraham were from. They chose the land of Canaan, where the bible says God established His people.

But today, the bible, which has been shown to be extraordinarily accurate historically, is no basis for establishing whose land this is. Today, squatters rights prevail. So the question is, who holds the original title deed to this land. Well, common sense dictates that the one who originally gave the land is the actual possessor of the land. And that would be Jehovah God. In Genesis 13:14-17 we read it was God who gave the land to Abraham and his descendants through Issac and Jacob. The original owner determined long ago whose land this is, and He said it was theirs "forever."

Now clearly Israel has been in and out of their land over thousands of years. They were scattered by God in the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities between 600-500 BC, but they returned. They were scattered again by God in 70 AD when Titus of Rome destroyed Jerusalem, yet again God had them back in the land in 1948. But this land covenant made between God and Israel has no statute of limitations. God said it was "everlasting," that it was "forever." Nothing that happens here on earth, whether now or in the future will prevent God's word from being fulfilled. This promise of an "everlasting" dwelling place for Israel had no preconditions placed upon it when originally given to Abraham. To bad, the bible, the word of God, is not good enough for the world anymore to determine whose land this really is.

Amended GCR Report Passes Easily

An amended Great Commission Resurgence report passed easily yesterday at the annual Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, FL. With the passing of this report the SBC begins a season of change and prayerfully progress in strengthening our denomination. The amendment was to article 3, the most controversial article in the report. This is where the giving as accounted to SBC churches was to be changed from Cooperative Program giving to Great Commission giving, giving many concern that designated giving would weaken Cooperative Program giving. The amendment added language to strengthen the position of the Cooperative Program and satisfied many concerns.

So now what. Well, now comes the actual implementation of the report. In other words, now comes the difficult part. The GCR Task Force was challenged with making recommendations to re-focus the convention toward us more effectively fulfilling the Great Commission. This task force, whom I respect for the challenge they undertook, was not tasked with working out the details. That will fall the the Executive Committee, NAMB, IMB and other SBC entities. These folks are now the ones who are faced with the real challenge of seeing this vision work.

Before this meeting I predicted there would be division, and there was. I'd like to commend my brothers and sisters in Orlando on how they handled this division however, as from what I could tell from watching, although passions were great the debate remained very civil. I said that a spirit of compromise would be needed, and we saw that on the amendment of article 3. But the possibility as the reality of this report takes hold for more division is still present. Many still have legitimate concerns on how state and local associations will be affected by a shift in monies away from existing SBC strongholds and to areas of the nation where the SBC is not a real presence through NAMB. Many are concerned about increased bureaucratic redundancy. Many are still concerned about decreased Cooperative Program giving.

But now is the time to give this report, and the people challenged with implementing it a chance. Will there be some glitches, obstacles and unintended consequences, absolutely. But we as a convention need to unite behind this vision and allow the people empowered with implementation to work through these problems sure to arise. To continue to debate and question what is now SBC policy will not be productive.

This does not mean we should shy away from input, and raising questions. They just need to be raised in the right way. This is still a very challenging time for us as Southern Baptists as the hard work has only begun. There will be some fundamental changes in how we approach things from here on out and anytime there is change, frustrations can mount and tempers can flare. The old saying goes, "the devil is in the details." Well, plenty of details now need to be worked out. It could be painful for many, but, this is now our convention, and we now need to work together to make this work.

One thing is for sure: as a denomination, we needed a little shaking up. The way we were doing things was not working as we'd have liked. In my heart I still believe that it is our hearts that need change far more than our organizational structure, but that is up to each of us individually. This report sets an aggressive path to reach people for Jesus. If our hearts are right with God, it will work. If they are not, we'll be back at the drawing table some years down the road, still searching for the answers. As much as we prayed for GCR, we need to double that effort now as the implementation begins. We still have a long way to go, and unity will be a large part in reaching where we all desire to go; reaching the world in a more effective way.

Show Me the Money? SBC Convention Day 1

As the Southern Baptist Convention officially kicks off today, there will be a great deal of talk about money. In fact, money is one of the prime points of many facets of the proposed Great Commission Resurgence recommendation. Is money an important topic for Christians, of course. The bible and especially Jesus deals at length with good stewardship regarding our finances. Buy what we may see beginning today is a battle over money, which is not a good thing.

Much of the first part of the GCR(Great Commission Resurgence) Task Force report deals with this stewardship issue. The report tells us of what is a well known fact, that giving as a percentage of income in SBC churches is abysmal. The average Southern Baptist gives just 2.5% of their personal income to the church. Personally, I find it hard to believe that most Southern Baptists are unfamiliar with the principle of the tithe, meaning a tenth. 10% is the biblical standard for giving established far before the Mosaic Law in Genesis 14. Yet the 2.5% average giving shows that the tithe is not a part of most Southern Baptists lives. Will a report endorsed by the convention urging all Southern Baptists to begin true biblical giving change this? Not a chance. Which brings me to a simple conclusion. It's not our methodology that needs a transformation, but our hearts.

Other monetary issues that will be broached will include the shift from Cooperative Program giving to Great Commission giving discussed in yesterday's blog; a major proposed shift in the dollars coming from NAMB(North American Missions Board) to areas where the SBC does not have a strong presence(major northeastern and mid western cities) and away from the south; and the defunding of state conventions to fund this shift. The proposal could see state budgets cut to the point that many state conventions would cease to exist due to lack of funding, many in states that are not predominantly Southern Baptist.

Now I'm not saying these changes are not needed, the fact is, these could be a good thing. However, my opinion is that none of this is going to matter much if our hearts are not fundamentally changed. Money is going to be a major topic, but if hearts are not changed, giving will not increase. The focus of the GCR Report is supposed to be evangelism, but we will not reach the world unless hearts are fundamentally changed. Discipleship was sorely lacking in this report, apart from recommendations that Lifeway(the SBC literature wing) develop new discipleship materials, many focused on giving. But the fact is you have to want to be a disciple, and that's a matter of an individuals heart.

What I am saying is that while reform may be needed, what is really needed is revival. And revival occurs when individuals get right with God, repent, and begin walking in obedience. Now the GCR Report did stress heavily the need for repentance for all Christians, and I applaud this. But a report will not bring revival. And a battle over money will certainly not bring revival, or a true fulfilling of the Great Commission. Where I believe we have missed the boat is this: We cannot fulfil the Great Commission until we first fulfil the Greatest Commandment, "To love the Lord with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind and with all of your strength; and to love your neighbor as yourself." Without this in place first, no human effort will amount to anything.

It is fulfilling the Greatest Commandment that will lead to revival, not a plan to reform our methods. I simply feel we are putting the cart before the horse. Unless hearts are changed and fully surrendered to God in our churches, our churches will always fall short in fulfilling the Great Commission. Until we go into the world in the power of the Holy Spirit, the best laid plans will fall short. If we truly loved the Lord and each other as we should, the Great Commission would not be a topic we'd need to be discussing. We'd be sending and going as we should. Until this happens we are simply treating a sick, dieing heart by trying to fix a broken leg. The reason we fall short in fulfilling the Great Commission is not dollars, organizational structure or methods. It's because our hearts are not right with God.

SBC Convention Begins Today

D-Day is here. Tuesday at 2:45 PM the most important debate within the Southern Baptist Convention in 26 years takes place in Orlando, FL. Tomorrow the much discussed, promoted and feared Great Commission Resurgence proposal will be debated and is supposed to be voted upon at some point this week. The future direction of the Southern Baptist Convention could be at stake.

The most controversial and discussed proposal is the change that could occur regarding how individual churches giving is counted to the convention. Since 1925 churches percentages as related to total giving in the church and the individual churches giving to the Cooperative Program has been the benchmark within the SBC. If a church had a total giving of say $100,000 and gave $10,000, or 10%, that was the stated goal of the convention. The only giving that counted was to the Cooperative Program.

This week all of that could change, as the GCR document now proposes that all giving to SBC causes should be included meaning that Cooperative Program giving becomes merely a part of what is counted, not the standard. This proposed change has caused an uproar among many Southern Baptists.

Since 1925 Southern Baptists have recognized that we can accomplish more together, pooling our money, than we can as individual churches. For small churches, which make up approximately 80% of the convention, it represents a way to be a part of worldwide missions when as an individual church, because of limited monetary capabilities, it would be a nearly impossible task. All of that could change this week.

What is proposed is to change the designation from Cooperative Program giving to Great Commission giving. Great Commission giving would entail all giving to any SBC organization, instead of just the Cooperative Program. Many fear this could cripple the Cooperative Program, and create a competition for dollars because of the change to designated giving. 4 years ago in Greensboro, NC at the annual SBC convention this was such an important topic that a virtually unknown pastor from Taylors, SC named Frank Page was elected on the first ballot as SBC President, namely because his church, Taylors First Baptist, was a faithful giver to the Cooperative Program, giving well over 10% of church donations. His opponent, Ronnie Floyd, who chairs the GCR Task Force which has submitted the Great Commission Resurgence document for consideration, pastored a church that gave less than one half of one percent to the Cooperative Program. 4 years ago the SBC seemed to take a stand on this issue. How far we have come in 4 years.

Other sure to be debated points will be a complete restructuring of NAMB(North American Missions Board) and new responsibilities for IMB(International Mission Board), but the change from Cooperative Program giving to Great Commission giving will be the most hotly contested recommendation.

As I've stated many times before, I expect a very heated and divisive convention. I believe we will see divides between the older SBC members and the younger; the small churches and the large and mega churches; and between local state conventions and the national convention. As members of SBC churches, we need to be in deep prayer for the Holy Spirit to be in control of these debates, and for our fleshly attitudes to be bound. A heated debate that divides us as a convention is the last thing we need at this point. That however, is what concerns me. I don't pretend to have all the answers to our problems in the SBC. I hope we will show Godly wisdom and consideration for each others views, and be willing to compromise on some of the sticking points. If both sides dig in, it could get ugly.

In 1984-85 the SBC confirmed the conservative resurgence which led to our convention regaining it's biblical focus, and returning to the authority of the bible. That debate was over biblical issues. This is a debate over methodology. Which makes it very different. To take a stand for the bible and have division, is well, biblical. To have a deep divide over methodology is not. Be in prayer with me for the leaders and messengers in Orlando this week, that however this debate turns out, that the will of God, and not the will of man, is what prevails. Otherwise, dark days could be ahead for the Southern Baptist Convention.

The Pastor's Pledge

I read an interesting post by Ken Silva at Apprising Ministries this morning, and I wanted to pass it on. In his post, Silva, who is an SBC pastor in New England and has an on-line ministry as well, posed this question. As a pastor, shepherd, and teacher; are we willing to pledge what a John the Baptist pledged in the past, his head for the sake of the kingdom of God?

John the Baptist had a very simple message: "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand." This of course was Jesus's message as well when His ministry began. This message, one extremely unpopular for anyone overtaken with hypocrisy and sin, cost John his head and Jesus His life on the cross.

Joseph Parker put it this way: "The man whose little sermon is 'repent' sets himself against his age, and will for the time be battered mercilessly by the age whose moral tone he challenges. There is but one end for such a man-'off with his head!' You had better not try to preach repentance until you have first pledged your head to heaven."

It is the role of the prophet, the one who declares the word of God, to preach the whole counsel of God. Any man who stands in the pulpit has this responsibility. If we are true to preaching God's whole counsel, repentance will be a regular message. In this day however, of self-help, psychobabble, ear tickling messages that please the masses and prop up the preacher, repentance is a sorely lacking message in many churches. The message of repentance will never be popular with lukewarm Christians or unrepentant lost people as it shows them their sin, and need to come home to the Father. In our culture we want to be told how good we are, not how debased. But repentance is a central doctrine of the bible.

You see, their is no salvation apart from repentance. In Acts 2:38 and 3:19 we see Peter confirm this. Repentance is in fact the truest sign that a person is saved. Their is no way we can be saved, having the Holy Spirit residing inside of us, and not experience dramatic change in our lives and behavior. Repentance, the act of turning to God and away from sin, is the first change that should occur when one is converted to faith in Jesus Christ.

So as Pastor Ken Silva asked, I also will ask my fellow pastors, preachers and teachers. Are we willing to pledge our head to heaven? Are we willing to face the consequences of being true to the bible and it's message, and the need for repentance. If we as those who instruct in the ways of the Lord are not, how can our congregations experience the true change that comes with a surrendered life to Jesus Christ. It may cost us church members; it may cost us donations; it may cost us our jobs. But the stakes are to high to be more concerned with pleasing the world than pleasing God. Is your head something you are willing to sacrifice for Jesus?

Life and Death

Job 1:20-22, "Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshipped. And he said: Naked I came from my mothers womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong."

In this first chapter of Job we see all of Job's possessions, wealth and children taken from him. Satan is the perpetrator, but God has allowed it. Many times when horrific tragedy strikes, we look for someone to blame, even God many times. We all have cried out "why me Lord" before, seeking understanding to a painful experience. Job here stands as an example to all of us in how we should respond to tragedy. In spite of his loss and pain, and in concert with his mourning(tearing his robe and shaving his head), Job still found it within him to worship God. He realized all he had was from God, and instead of cursing or blaming God, he sought comfort in the Almighty Lord of his life.

This past Sunday one of our church members was so excited. Her first great-grandchild was about to be born. She even joked with me how lucky I was she was there with this impending birth on the way. This woman is a strong person, but she was about to find her strength and her faith tested in a way she could never have imagined.

The baby was slow in coming and the rest of the day Sunday went without the birth occurring. This woman spent the night at the house of her daughter(the future grandmother) while another daughter also stayed there that night. The following morning, this woman, tried to wake the daughter(not the future grandmother). She was always a hard sleeper so when she did not wake immediately, not much was thought of it. But after time this woman went in to stir her, and she did not respond. 911 was called and CPR was performed, but the daughter had passed in her sleep at age 43, leaving 3 teenage children.

I was called and went to the family. The situation was one like I'd never really encountered. On one hand, was the anticipatory joy for the expectation of this new baby. On the other was the horrific heartbreak over the loss of a beloved daughter, sister, mother and friend. The emotional pendulum was unlike any I'd ever experienced. My heart broke for this family. What do you say? How can you explain this? Why Lord, why? As family and friends mourned, I found myself being extremely blessed by this family. There was no one blaming God. Sure they wondered why God had chosen this time for their beloved, but what permeated the people here was a faith like Job's. They worshipped God in their trust for his will, and praised Him for the life of the this greatly loved lady. They responded with a faith that surely pleases God, as it rests upon trusting His perfect will, even if we don't understand it.

Later in the day after a visit to another church member in the hospital in Florence, I went by the hospital in Hartsville where the expectant mother was still in labor. Here once again family and friends showed a faith that inspires the soul. I found myself again blessed and praising God for His grace in sorrow, and His provision during a time of need. If ever there has been a more welcome baby on this earth, I do not know of it. From the despair of the morning and death, to the glory of the evening and new life, these people had ridden a roller coaster of emotions, never once flinching in their belief that God is in control and His will is perfect.

One of the things about God is we are not promised an answer to all of life's questions here on earth. I believe with all of my heart, that for the Christian, learning to fully trust God, especially during times we cannot understand, is the most difficult part of the Christian walk. Yesterday I witnessed that sort of trust. It's really a supernatural thing, as in our own power we are not capable of it. But through the power of God and His Holy Spirit, we can endure, worship and rejoice in Him, through good times and bad.

Difficult days are still ahead for these people, but so are joyous ones. I'm thankful I was able to share in their witness, for it was powerful. And while my heart breaks for them, I rejoice in the promises of our all powerful God, that this is but a temporary separation. The Lord sure took away, and He gave in a mighty way. Through it all, "Blessed be the name of the Lord" was the testimony of this family. Amen, and praise Him!

Hostility to the Gospel

A friend of mine named Ed is a true zealot for Jesus Christ. I use that word zealot, which has been demonized by our culture, as a compliment. Jesus Himself tells us we are to be zealous for Him in Revelation 3:19. I'd like to pass on what happened with Ed last night at an event in Pickens, SC.

I served for 3 years as an assistant pastor at East Pickens Baptist Church. Pickens is your typical small town in the upstate. Mostly good people rooted in traditional Christian and American values. Near the end of my tenure at EPBC, well known upstate radio personality Tony Beam, was the interim pastor. At a large annual 4th of July event sponsored by EPBC a few years ago Dr. Beam commented how Pickens was his kind of town, as you could still sing "Dixie" and talk about Jesus on Main Street, as this is where the festival was held.

But like many small towns located near our major cities here in the state, times are changing. An influx of transplants due to the job opportunities available in these areas of the state and not elsewhere has led to a gradual, but perceptible change in these formerly rural towns. South Carolina used to be known as part of the buckle of the bible belt, but as differing people groups have migrated here, there is no denying our culture has changed. I'm not saying these folks are not welcome, they most certainly are, but with different views come change. Change that is not all for the good.

Last night Ed and a few others attended a musical event in downtown Pickens. Ed is always looking for opportunities to share the gospel with others and an event such as this provides an opportunity to witness to many who may not know Jesus. Anytime we as Christians enter the world to witness for Christ, we know that their are those who will object. But we as Christians do have the constitutional right and are commanded by God to witness in public, if we are willing to tolerate the hostility of some.

But last night, in Pickens, SC, Ed was told by the promoter of the event he did not have the right to witness in the public square and hand out gospel oriented material. Now many may have just acquiesced to the promoters desires and left with their tails tucked between there legs, but that's not Ed. He challenged the promoter regarding his rights and the promoter backed down. Ed even managed to give this person a tract. Now my friend Ed is hardly perfect, and he'd be the first to tell you that. But no one could ever say that Ed lacks zeal, and friends, we as Christians can learn from people like Ed.

You see, as Christians, we must understand that Satan does not want the 'good news" of Jesus Christ to be spread in this world. Unfortunately, far too many of us are to timid or lukewarm to face the hostility that the bible tells us this world will have for us. We'd rather surround ourselves with fellow believers in the safety of the 4 walls of our churches than actively engage the world and risk persecution. The example of the apostles and the early church are anathema to most of us. They gloried in their sufferings and persecution for the cause of Christ, while we retreat to the comfort and security of our dead churches.

Ed has been a blessing and an inspiration to me many times during the course of our friendship, but never more than last night. We can all learn from his example. It makes me wonder, if all of us had his zeal for winning the lost, how different our state and nation could be. We live in a world, even here in South Carolina, that is increasingly hostile to Jesus Christ. Are we willing, like Ed, to suffer persecution for the furtherance of the kingdom of God? Are we willing to obey the commands of God and exercise our constitutional rights to proclaim His word? Most of us are not, which explains why even here, in the buckle of the bible belt, their are those who will do anything to prevent and intimidate us from declaring the gospel of Christ. Way to go Ed! Keep fighting the good fight!

The Hate of Israel

This past week the world witnessed an unfortunate event in the coastal waters off of Israel. Israeli commandos enforcing a legally declared blockade that has been in force for 4 years boarded 6 ships of self declared peaceful activists to inspect these ships for possible contraband materials en route to the internationally recognized terror group Hamas. So, was this an over-reaction on the part of Israel, or a well orchestrated political maneuver by those who hate Israel? The facts are becoming clear, but will that matter to the anti-semites who blame Israel for any altercation that occurs in the middle east today?

As Israeli forces did exactly what they had told the "Free Gaza" flotilla they would do, on 5 of the 6 ships that were boarded there were no altercations and no one was harmed. On the 6th ship as Israeli forces repelled onto the ship, they were greeted with beatings by metal pipes threatening the lives of the Israeli's enforcing a legal and internationally recognized blockade. They responded in self defense and 9 of the "peace activists" were killed. Funny how these "peace activists" responded to a legal search with extreme violence. Yet Israel is to blame.

Meanwhile, North Korea can torpedo a South Korean ship in a clear act of war then rattle its sabers in defiance and the world basically does nothing. Iran can continue to defy the words of world leaders in pursuit of nuclear weapons and face no consequences. Islamic governments worldwide can continue to oppress and brutalize their own citizens and somehow are viewed as victims. But Israel acts in a legal manner to defend itself from possible terrorist attack and the world is up in arms. How dare they act as any sane nation would who was constantly under threat from enemies that surround them!

The worldwide hypocrisy that consistently heckles Israel is reprehensible, but expected. The nations and people who surround Israel have all at one time or another threatened destruction and elimination of the Jewish state. 1 day after Israel was established as a nation again after nearly 2000 years in 1948, the newly sovereign country was invaded. The only thing that prevents more regular, coordinated attacks today is Israel's military superiority to it's enemies. So Israel's enemies work through proxy terror groups to harass the tiny country or through deceptive political maneuvers like this "freedom flotilla," knowing full well that the world will always rally behind anyone who opposes Israel.

In cities across America Israel's well organized enemies were protesting the very next day. Some of these shameful protesters actually carried signs that showed Israel represented by a swastika inside of a Star of David. That to me is personally sickening, as Israel has NEVER treated it's enemies as they themselves have been treated. When was the last time Jews inflicted genocide upon Arabs or Muslims as Germany did upon Jews? Israel in fact has many Arab and Muslim citizens that are afforded equal protection under their law and is the only true democracy in the middle east. Yet they are the evil presence, not those who swear to wipe them off the map.

This "flotilla" was organized and sponsored in large part by a growing fundamentalist Islamic government in Turkey and many of the self proclaimed "freedom" floaters had terrorist ties. But none of this matters. Israel and the Jewish people are hated by the world, because they are hated by Satan, the ruler of this world. You see, if Satan can destroy Israel and the Jewish people, he can disprove the bible and God, and then declare himself God. It has been the enemies goal since Pharaoh pursued the nation of Israel during the Exodus,; since Haman during the time of Esther; since Herod at the birth of Christ; since Titus of Rome in 70 AD and the destruction of Jerusalem; since Hitler and the Holocaust. It is still Satan's goal. The hatred of Israel will only continue to grow as Satan realizes his time is growing short and the return of the Jewish carpenter Jesus draws closer.

As for us, we have a choice to make. We can either join the worlds chorus and condemn Israel, or we can stand by the chosen people of God as His word instructs us too. We do not do this because Israel is right with God, and currently in His will. We do this as the bible says for the sake of the patriarchs, Abraham, Issac and Jacob to whom God has made irrevocable and unconditional promises for their offspring, the Jews. As Paul tells us of biblical Christianity; Israel is currently our enemy for the sake of the furtherence of the gospel, but our brothers for the sake of election. As we as Christians look forward to the coming of Christ and the future resurrection, we also acknowledge the plan of God and the future restoration of Israel to a right relationship with God through Christ. If we do this we can expect hatred, persecution, suffering and scorn here on earth, but an eternal reward in heaven. Where will the focus of our treasure reside?

It's Never too Late

Yesterday I accompanied my wife Ashley to Lincolnton, NC for the funeral of her father Gary Stamey. Gary was suffering with multiple illnesses and in His mercy God took him quickly. I never really had the chance to get too know my father-in-law as by the time I was part of the family he was already very ill and limited physically. But I did learn some things yesterday.

Gary Stamey was hardly a perfect man. None of us are. He lived the bulk of his life separated from God and and he bore the scars; physically, emotionally and spiritually of his lifestyle. It was a difficult day, especially for his children because of some of those scars. But it was clear yesterday that Gary was well liked, in fact loved by many people and had done many good and charitable things for many in the community.

Thing is, being a good person to many people is not good enough in God's economy. The bible tells us in Romans 3:10, that there "is none righteous, no not one." In fact, Jeremiah 17:9 declares that "the heart of man is deceitfully wicked..." God's word declares that good works done in our power apart from God are as "filthy rags" before Him. We cannot please Him apart from faith in Jesus Christ.

And that's what was so heartening yesterday as the services took place. Several of Gary's children and 2 pastors who officiated the services confirmed over and over that at the end of his life, Gary received Christ as his Savior and asked for forgiveness of his sins. While I know God would rather Gary have made this decision years earlier, so as to avoid many of the painful decisions he made throughout his life, the bible teaches us that whenever anyone comes to Christ for salvation, no matter how late in life, that there is "joy in heaven."

When Jesus was being crucified, on either side of Him were 2 thieves. Both were guilty men hanging there with the One in whom "no guilt" could be found. One of the thieves mocked Jesus and cried as the Pharisees had, for Him to save Himself if He really were God. But the other came to Jesus in faith, and now is in paradise with our Lord.

God's preference is for us to come to Him young so that we can live a lifetime that glorifies and exalts Him. But no matter old we are or how close to death, God will always accept and forgive the one who comes to Him in faith. In this life, there is only 1 sin that God cannot forgive: blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, rejection of Jesus Christ. All other sins, no matter how heinous we may consider them, can be washed away by the blood of Christ, if we come to Him in faith seeking forgiveness. In the bible and in life, the evidence is overwhelming that it is never too late to come to Christ. So where do you stand in your relationship with Jesus?