Leading in Circles

What do Hitler, many leaders, and even some pastors have in common? They all lead in circles.

Most have heard the phrase, “talking in circles”. This phrase describes when a proponent of an argument bases portions of his argument on other parts of his own argument. Eventually, he just goes in circles. This is detrimental because he is trying to prove his argument with the same argument that hasn’t been proven yet. Not only detrimental, but confusing I know.

Well, I am reading the biography of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and I came across an instance where a pastor was doing something worse than talking in circles; he was leading in circles. (pp.271-273)

Thomas Todhunter Shields was a pastor in Toronto, Canada. He used to be a very gospel centered preacher. He was even called, The Canadian Spurgeon”. However, he became extremely negative and derogatory towards other churches and pastors. He would verbally assault them and denounce them. Then Dr. Lloyd-Jones confronted him.

Shields tried to reference Paul exposing Peter in Galatians 2. The doctor’s response was that Paul was trying to win Peter so that Peter could call Paul, “our beloved brother Paul”. The doctor explained how this was NOT the objective with Shields.

Shields broke down and cried. A fifty year old loud mouth broken and crying at the conviction of his sin. His response? He told the doctor that he would discuss with his elder board all that they had talked about and he would submit to their direction.

Now here is where Leading in Circles completed the destruction of Shields. His elder board told him NOT to follow the advice of Lloyd-Jones and so Shields continued as he had before. He was ultimately driven away from his church, and finished (using this term lightly) with a much reduced congregation.  So what happened?

Shields’ elder board worshiped, followed, and submitted to Shields instead of the Holy Spirit pointing to Jesus.

Shields was leading in circles. He multiplied himself across his elder board – even his unrepentant pride and sin.

I am called to be a missionary doctor in a medical city here in the United States. It will be paramount, as I surround myself with Godly men, that they point me to Jesus and not direct me back to my sinful self. How sinful and helpless I truly am. How sinful and helpless we truly are. We need Jesus.

Questions:

Who does your team worship?

Are they knowledgeable and willing to confront you when sin is in your life?

Does Jesus preach to them through His word during their personal time better than you do?

I said, DOES JESUS, THE AUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF THEIR FAITH, THE VERY WORD OF GOD, THE MAN IN WHOM THE FULLNESS OF GOD WAS PLEASED TO DWELL, THE MAN ON WHOM THE SPIRIT RESTS, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS, JESUS, PREACH BETTER TO THEM THAN YOU DO!? If not, then you need to lead them in repentance.

New Design

We’re getting a new design in July. It’s going to be quite different and quite spectacular. Stay tuned….it’ll be worth it.

When Grace hurts: Virgin Mary

Usually, at least in the south, whenever something good happens to us we are quick to exclaim, “By the grace of God I got this job!” or, “By the grace of God I got accepted into school!”. But what about when not-so-great things happen? Is it still grace?

How cruel must God be? In Mary, we see a young teenage Jewish girl who has found favor with God. And what is the immediate result of God’s grace in Mary’s life? Well, she would not only be poor, but now she would have a baby to support. She would not only be engaged, but now she would be pregnant out of wedlock. Her reputation among town would no longer be servant of the Lord, but a whore. She would not only raise a son whom she loves, but would watch him be stripped, humiliated, beaten beyond recognition, and crucified as his blood would cover her hands as they grasped the foot of the cross.  And why? Because of God’s grace?

Yes.

What is Mary’s response to these upcoming trials? In Luke 1 Mary runs to her sister’s house singing and worshiping by beginning with, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…”

Check out Hebrews 2:9:

But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

We see the grace of God resulting in suffering even in the life of Jesus himself!

So what kept these two going? Hebrews 12 tells us that for Jesus it was, “..the joy set before Him”. In Mary’s song, we see that it was simply who God is that kept Mary going.

So, if God is only good and not evil, how is it that His grace results in good and bad happening to us?

This is because the grace of God is extended to us at the cross of Christ. The grace of God is that he reveals himself and redeems an undeserving lost and broken people. And whatever it takes (good or bad) to let us realize this glorious truth, God is both gracious and good to let us go through it to see Him.

Merry Christmas.

Glory to God on the highest! Peace on earth and good will to men (all at the cross)

How do you wanna die?

I wanna go out swinging.

Christian Healthcare Ministries

This post is from a brother in Christ in Greenville. Check out his blog at: http://worshiplikejesus.blogspot.com/

I have not had health insurance since I quit my job in September of 2007 to pursue full-time ministry. A few months later, I passed out after donating blood plasma, broke my eye socket and ended up with thousands of dollars in medical debt that I am still paying.

Other than Shiloh’s birth (which was funded by government assistance), we have not really had any need for health insurance. However, in the event of another unexpected accident or another pregnancy, I have wanted to have our family covered. Now we are just getting to the place we can afford to do something. Rather than dealing with a typical insurance company, we’ve opted to join a Christian bill-sharing organization called Christian Healthcare Ministries.

The premise is that you make a monthly giving commitment to the organization. This goes into a “pot” that is used to pay medical bills submitted by the members. Depending on how much you give each month (there are three levels), each member has a level of “personal responsibility” that they are required to pay before you can ask for help.

Here is why I like this idea…

• Money is not wasted. Insurance companies make loads of money because most people do not ever have bills that are as much as what they pay to the insurance company. With Christian health care sharing, all of my money (minus about 15-20% administrative costs) goes to help other believers cover their needs! This is biblical, charitable and just plain good stewardship.
• It requires faith. There is no guarantee that the “pot” will not run out and there will be no funds to cover the needs (although that has not happened yet). So ultimately we still have to trust God to provide, not a company or the government. Also ,we have to trust God to provide the initial costs (for us $1000) before we start getting assistance.
• Personal responsibility. The program emphasizes that health care costs are ultimately a personal responsibility (in contrast to our federal government’s recent health care legislation), and that as Christians we are supposed to help one another when there is legitimate need. Health care is not a right, it is a responsibility.
• Sharing and giving. It simply promotes and encourages giving and sharing among the body of Christ – bearing our burdens for each other. Members are encouraged to give above their required gift. Medical needs that are not covered by CHM are posted in a monthly newsletter and members can pray and voluntarily give directly to other believers who have additional medical needs.

Gunmen attack hospital in Pakistan, kill 6 people

Gunmen attack hospital in Pakistan, kill 6 people

As I read this story, I couldn’t help but think about how the patients must have felt. I know I would feel helpless. Well, I felt helpless going to the hospital (that’s why I went in the first place). But once a gunman enters, I would feel hopeless.

This article brings to mind this verses:

Jesus: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Mt. 7:15

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Mt. 10:16

Paul: “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; ³⁰and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” Acts 20: 29 – 30

Numbers 35 talks about Cities of Refuge. These were cities where convicts could flee to escape judgment.

So here’s the point:

We, as the church, are called to be a counter cultural city within our City. We redeem the culture in our City through production of Gospel Culture emerging from our, “city”.

But more importantly, we are called to be cities of refuge for our city of lost; representing the Refuge we have in Christ at the cross.

But, as leaders, we must defend with the same hearts and hands with which we welcome.

This article about the gunman entering the hospital should spark a reminder in our hearts that we are called to protect as much as we are called to preach. That a shepard’s staff serves two purposes: to herd the flock and beat off the wolves.

Questions:

Men ask the men around you and the Word of God in front of you what your Refuge is. Is it Jesus at the cross? Or do you run to porn, sex, money, success, power, pride, strength, drugs, pills, or alcohol for your safety. If you are fleeing to these idols, although you’re running from the wolf, he is chasing you into his cave. BEWARE! Stop idol-hopping!

Husbands ask your wives how well you are serving as  a Refuge for her and your kids. What areas in your relationship and parenthood are prone to attack? Are there any, “wolves” currently stalking/attacking your household? How are you and your wife dealing with this danger?

Pastors ask your elders how well your leadership team is serving your congregation as a Refuge. Is your discipleship growing lambs into sheep or into wolves? What wolves are currently stalking/attacking/living in your church? How are you, as a leadership team, going to deal with these wolves?

Ladies…sorry, I have no connection to y’all : / (Seek Jesus along side a local church. Maybe some women can comment.)

Jesus, we thank You with grieved hearts for the reminder of wolves among us through the shooting at the Pakistan Hospital. Lord, let us rest in Your Comfort with an alertness of our surroundings. For Jesus, You even send us out among wolves. Equip us to lead like with a strong and compassionate heart. Open our eyes to the wolves around us and give us the courage to protect the sheep You trust to our care. Let us be ever strong and courageous in You. – Amen

Church planting

So I wanted to take a few moments to compare church planting to a pregnancy.

Conception

Okay, we all know what conception is. Giggle giggle. Anyway, the point is that planting a church is not something we just think about doing. JD Greear talked last Sunday about how if a man and women got together and simply thought about having a baby, no baby would come. You see a church plant is NOT the product of diligent thought, but is the natural result of the seed of the Gospel implanted in the hearts of the church planting team.

9 months

This was the main thought leading up to this post. Between conception and birth is a long and strenuous 9 month period. There is a mix of excitement, nervousness, and a HUGE to-do list. What if church planting follows suite?

In John, Jesus gives the disciples the Holy Spirit with the command to Go. Sounds like the calling of a church plant right? But then they continue to obey Jesus as they go to Jerusalem into a locked upper room by themselves and simply await the Power for their church.

During the 9 months of pregnancy, there is a desperate effort of the couple to do many things. Along with making all the preparations for the baby, it seems that there is an urgency for the couple to get as close and intimate as possible.

Paul’s introduction to one of his greatest sermons begins with him telling the men of Athens about their city. Paul wasn’t even intending on visiting or planting a church, yet he loved the city. This love led to an interest followed by a broken heart for Athens. What if our church had a love that led to an interest and broken heart for our city or among the people group we are called to? I have seen this wait in Summit Church as they announced plans to plant a campus in Raleigh in October. They made the announcement back in February…9 months.

What if, during this 9 months, the plant team spent growing intimate with one another while living in the city? That, yes they would plan, organize, and develop ideas about the church, but that there would be an urgency in becoming close to each other and thus a strong sense of gospel community on mission.

*See FIRETEAM series.

Coming out party

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Yes, this is the glorious day when the baby comes out head first. But this is also the day when the real work begins. And it has been a long time coming. But preparation is everything; right?

CAUTION: Babies don’t cry until they’re out of the womb.

Feedback

So I am heavily considering and praying about joining a great friend in planting a church in D.C. This is a bold idea, waiting 9 months, and I would love your feedback and input.

Look forward to hearing from ya!

Instant Karma

So I watch House on a regular basis.

Karma is the belief that when you do good, you cause good to be done to you and when you do bad, you cause bad to be done to you. This was one of the major themes in House last week.

In this episode, the patient is a young boy who is dying of an unknown cause (until 8:50). While watching his son suffer, the father blames himself. The father told Dr. House of how he has been involved in many billion dollar deals and has become very wealthy. The father says, “Everything I touch turns to gold. Except my family. First my wife, and now my son. It’s Karma.” The father was so set on this belief of Karma that he bankrupted his business in the belief that this would make his son well.

The religion is karma and its god is self

Folks, this is why Karma is so attractive. Because you are the god! Notice that it is you who controls the world through your actions. By you being good, you have caused circumstance and fortune to worship you as they, in turn, do good to you.

The Holy Spirit revealed this to me when the father blamed his son’s approaching death and only possible healing through his own actions. I immediately thought, “How in the world could you be thinking of yourself when your son is dying in your arms!?”. And the answer is that no matter what goes on around us in life, we will immediately turn to our god.

So who/what do you turn to?

Non-christian: You could easily turn to yourself through Karma. However, you suck as god. If you die, then your god is dead and all will proclaim, “How great is your god!”. You will never be, “good”. Jesus tells the religious people that, “No one is good except God alone.” This means that only, “bad” things are in store for you according to Karma.

But I have great news! That it is by grace that we have been saved. And that Jesus loved us and died for us while we were sinners. That although we all deserve, “bad” from the One True God, He gives us, “good” (Jesus). Repent of your sins and He is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you of all unrighteousness.

Christian: Don’t confuse Karma with Justice. Karma says that when we do bad, we cause bad “things” to happen to us. Justice says that when we do bad and sin, a Holy God punishes us.

But remember that the Gospel says,

“But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.”

Be encouraged that Jesus was punished by a Holy God for our sinfulness. We rejoice this weekend because Jesus was man enough to endure God’s wrath and walk away from it with battle scars. This is the God we worship!

Jesus, thank You for taking our place at the cross. It truly should have been us hanging there; not taking the punishment of mere soldiers, but taking the wrath of a Holy God. Thank You that You loved us in our sin and have redeemed a people to worship and praise You. Let us never be ashamed. -Amen

Practical Gospel (part 2)

THE LOCAL CHURCH:

PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS!

So what does the Gospel look like practically? The local church. And more specifically, the local church on mission to reach their community with the Gospel. I recently preached at Harmony Church on how Hebrews 10 shows us that the Gospel leads to the local church, which in turn leads to local church on mission. The podcast and clips from that sermon should be up soon and I will post a link for those interested.

But I think a big question for Christians today is the role of the local church when we have parachurch organizations. To be clear, a parachurch organization is an organization that exists to reach a desired people group with a select people group. These include The Goodwill, campus ministries, CMA, and other organizations. And to flesh out the definition, look at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. It is a campus ministry (that I love and was a part of @ ECU) that exists to spread the Gospel through sports. Naturally, its members and participants are those who enjoy sports. But this isn’t a local church.

You see, throughout the new testament, the local church (body of Christ) is spoken of clearly and multiple times. Also notice that when the Holy Spirit (God) came to earth at Pentacost, the result was a local church. This is just how God has chosen to do things. So why don’t we stop ignoring it and become a part of it. Also, Titus 2 talks about how the old men and women are to teach the young men and women. This is difficult in a parachurch organization because most of it’s members are of the same age and people group.

Now, I will say this. Many christians today shamefully use parachurch organizations as an excuse not to give to the local church. The best truth in this was pointed out by JD Greear a few weeks ago. He pointed out that, in the old testament, God’s method of working on the earth was through the temple. This is where God lived and ministered to His people. And out of this, God commands His people over and over again to give their tithe and offering to the temple. Then JD went on to say that in the new testament, and still today, God’s method of working on the earth is through His local church. And therefore, we christians are commanded to give our tithe and offering to our local church. This was just made a lot of sense to me, so I’d thought I would include it.

Now, hear me. I am NOT preaching against parachurch organizations. They are great and have done great things. However, I am preaching FOR God’s local church. When a single mother is trapped in alcoholism and drugs with her kids rebelling like crazy, it will be the local church she runs to.

Christian: Let’s be the local church that meets the mother with the Gospel of Faith, Love, and Joy.

Non-christian: I know you love calling us christians out when we mess up. Well, we mess up often when it comes to our involvement with our local church. SO PLEASE!, CALL US OUT ON THIS! Thanks : )

(btw, you’re always welcome to come in)

Jesus, let us reach our communities for Your kingdom through our local churches. Empower Your Church to do just this. -Amen

'another notch on the belt' christianity

So the main question is how does the church keep from making new christians another, “notch on the belt”?

We are called in scripture to preach the Gospel. But one of a concerns I see in my life is that if somebody rejects the gospel, it is easy to just give up and move on to the next guy. And if somebody accepts the gospel, then it would be a moment of rejoicing; then back to work one person at a time.

But it can get easy to just treat people like those notches on the belt. Saying, “This is how many people I have presented the gospel to.” Or, “This is how many people have accepted the gospel”.

In writing this, I think the problem is that this mindset involves me holding up the belt. However we know that salvation is of the Lord; not us.

As much as it is about numbers (there is a whole book in the bible on this), it is truly about relationship.

First is our relationship with Jesus. Yes, He is the one who holds the belt, but it only has one notch: His Bride The Church. So as He adds to His kingdom, He isn’t making more proud notches, but just expanding the only one He has and cares about.

The great news is this: Jesus has included us in the beautification of His bride! Think about it; As Jesus saves people and clothes them in righteousness, it is He who is getting the glory.

So as we, the local church, worship Him and preach the gospel to those around us, Jesus uses us to adorn His bride; making her one more soul beautiful and making Him all the more glorious.

Jesus, thank You that we do nothing to save those around us. But instead, You place us where You want us to be so that You can be glorified all the more. Jesus I ask that You would show us the fruits of our labor. That we would see Your bride being made beautiful just as You see her every time another eternal soul calls upon Your name. Be our Rest, Motivation, and Energy. – Amen