Applying The Bible to Our Culture and World

These are the opinions of Jeff Phillips, pastor of an inner city Southern Baptist church in the heart of the bible belt. These views do not represent Woodfield Park Baptist Church, Ashley my wife, our 3 dogs or 3 cats.







Tuesday, August 14, 2012

The Plight of Jeremiah(A message for the preacher)

Jeremiah 1:17-19, "Therefore prepare yourself and arise, and speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed before there faces, lest I dismay you before them. For behold, I have made you this day a fortified city and an iron pillar, and a bronze wall against the whole land-against the kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you."

You ever wonder what preachers talk about when they get together? Sure, we talk about family, football, our golf game, the fish we caught. But in my seven years in the ministry, what I've found most preachers talk about when they get together, is church. And sadly, many if not most of these conversations revolve around problems in their particular church. I myself have engaged in many such discussions.

A preacher will say: Why are my people not engaged in evangelism? Another will answer, neither are mine. One will lament the lack of servants in the church? Another will chime in about conflict with church members. The next will wonder why no one responds to his preaching. Yet another will be wondering if he'll still be pastor next month. The list of topics in honestly endless, and discouragement runs high in the work of the ministry.

The prophet Jeremiah knew of this feeling. Jeremiah was a reluctant prophet. Like many he did not feel qualified. Called to preach to Judah, the southern kingdom, Jeremiah was asked by God to deliver blistering message after blistering message to God's people and also the people of the surrounding nations. In my opinion, the book of Jeremiah is one of the more difficult reads in the bible, as it is almost without exception, 52 chapters of a pending judgment.

Jeremiah was discouraged many times in his ministry, once to the point of wishing himself dead, instead of having to continue. He was attacked by his Jewish brethren continuously for declaring what God had told him to say. He preached to a stiff necked people who did not want to hear what God had to say through his man. In the 46 years of Jeremiah's recorded ministry, the biblical record contains not one convert who had an "ear to hear," repented and returned to God. Not one.

I know many a pastor who has felt as though they are experiencing the same thing. They declare the word of God, and instead of hearing what God has to say, the church responds with apathy. Conflicts arise, contentions increase, gossip begins to spread through the church. And by and large the pastor is the one who feels the heat. If he were doing his job, these things wouldn't be happening. Every small matter is magnified in to a huge issue, and people look for reasons to criticize and attack. Much if not most of this occurs behind the scenes until a spirit of bondage exits. I've been there, and believe me, it is no fun. A pastor's family is the one's who really feel this, and that adds to his dismay as to what is occurring.

What was true in Jeremiah's time is still true now. Jesus Himself experienced such ridicule, as He was not even welcome in His own hometown. But today as much as any time in history, we are in need of Jeremiah's to fill our pulpits. The cry of the prophet has never been a welcome one, but this world needs men of persistence and courage who will say "thus sayeth the Lord" in the face of critics and attacks.

The above scripture is an encouragement to the multitudes of men of God who fight the spiritual battles that exist in most churches today. God tells Jeremiah if he speaks what the Lord commands, he will suffer through attacks, but they will not prevail, as He is with Jeremiah and will deliver him. Every preacher needs to heed these words, and surrender to the particular call God has them serving in at the moment. You have been called to your particular ministry for a reason. God felt you were needed there.

In this age of apathy and comfort, the message of the prophets is much needed. If a spiritual awakening is to occur in our nation, the church must first be revived. That will not happen unless conviction and repentance occurs first among God's people. And it is the Holy Spirit working through heartfelt prayer and the word that will bring God to the point that He grants it.

God's promises to Jeremiah apply to the pastor of today as well. If we are faithful in declaring God's word, and leading and shepherding the flock to obey, then God will have our backs. This may mean laying your income on the line, takings stands that will certainly bring dissent, persecution and attacks over seemingly every little thing. But don't be discouraged. Stand tall and speak with the confidence that you are declaring God's will. Not one may hear, as was the case with Jeremiah, but you will be judged faithful by the only One who counts. And most important, He will be with you and deliver you.



Sunday, August 12, 2012

Musings After a Long Hiatus

It's been nearly a year since I last wrote one of these. A friend recommended this blog to someone and I went back and re-read many of the old posts, and well, I felt it was time to begin this anew. A lot has happened in the last 11 months, here are a few thoughts on some of these:

Our new mission field in Columbia, SC is still ripe and awaiting the harvest. Our church, Woodfield Park Baptist Church, www.woodfieldparkbaptistchurch.com, is a work in progress. We face the same challenges as most churches these days, but the work is still a joy. The workers may be few, so we continue to pray to the Lord of the harvest for those workers. We've seen many wonderful things happen, including tremendous growth in our children's and youth ministries. We still believe "with God all things are possible."

Election time is nearing, and while I realize this won't be a popular stand among many of my conservative friends, I don't intend to vote for Mitt Romney, and I certainly won't be voting for Obama. Not sure who will be on the ballot I can vote for, but I refuse to vote for a candidate who openly follows and proclaims a false god or one who claims to be a Christian yet there is no real evidence that he is, other than a verbal profession. Just my opinion, but for me, it just shows how far our nation has drifted from God in that of the two perspective presidential candidates, neither stands for Jesus. Our economy may improve under Romney, but I see no way God blesses our nation with the election of an open idolator. We need a spiritual awakening in this land, and that begins for me, in refusing to vote for pagans regardless of party affiliation, but that's just my opinion.

Gay marriage continues to move to the forefront and I honestly see no way to stem the tide without a spiritual awakening in this land. And for those who say Jesus never dealt with gay marriage I suggest you read Matthew 19:4-6 to see who Jesus said marriage is between. Please remember that for these companies like Chic-fil-a, Jesus said that if the world hated "Him," it will hate us also. Once again the spiritual apostasy of our nation is on display as it is more than ever considered hate to support biblical teachings.

The Southern Baptist Convention has elected it's first black president in history, Dr. Fred Luter of New Orleans. I pray this is more than a symbolic move, and that this truly signals a true commitment to reaching minorities in our convention. I've encountered a lot of blatant racism in some baptist churches. I honestly cannot see how someone can claim to love Christ yet hate someone simply because of there skin color. Matthew 7:21-23 comes to mind every time I hear racist remarks from anyone who claims to be a Christian.

A progressing debate is occurring within the Southern Baptist Convention over which theological view is correct, Calvinism or Armenianism. If you want more details on either school of thought please google them and read up, but I want to say this. We all agree it is Jesus who alone can save. Whether He chose us from the beginning of time to be saved and others to be cast in to hell or whether we do have a choice in salvation, to believe, is irrelevant. It's still Jesus who alone saves. Let us focus on that instead of what is considered "traditional" SBC doctrine or whether "reformed" doctrine is correct. I personally fall in the middle of the 2, and will learn the absolute truth when I meet Jesus. Let us replace theological debate over a non-essential matter with evangelistic fervor to reach those far from God. A Calvinist can be saved and an Armenianist can be saved, but someone who does not know Jesus cannot. Let us put away childish things and "seek" the lost as Jesus said(Luke 19:10). Infighting over non-essentials only harms the cause of Christ.

And to close this relaunch out, I will add: The Indians still stink, and I have little hope for the Browns; I still hate the Yankees and Red Sox; I don't believe Tiger Woods will ever win another major tournament; Austin City Limits without country music is not Austin City Limits; giving up real food because of diabetes really blows; football season is not the same without Bob Fulton, Larry Munson and Jim Phillips; Christians are human too. Remember that the next time you leave a church because of a person or personal disagreement. It's supposed to be about God, not us, and you probably won't be improving the next church you join; there is not a "God shaped hole" in your heart, there is sin there. Seek out the One who can wash it away and help you overcome through His forgiveness; false teachings still abound, call them out! It is your duty to correct error with the word; you must know the word to do this, start studying your bible; and to quote Billy Sunday, "hell's hot, heaven's sweet, sin kills, and Jesus saves." Until next time, God bless and may the world see Jesus in you!