the reluctant leader

What is the Source of Corruption and Evil in Society?

Our modern victim culture teaches that people are corrupt because society is corrupt. In other words, people are products of their surroundings. Good societies produce good people. Evil societies produce evil people. We are not at fault. We are basically good people in bad environments. We are victims.

While that idea makes us feel good about ourselves, it is the polar opposite of what God's word teaches. Consider Genesis 6.

Verse 11 Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence (Why was the earth corrupt and violent? Read the next verse...)

Verse 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, FOR ALL THE PEOPLE on earth HAD CORRUPTED THEIR WAYS.

Did you get that? The earth became corrupt because the "people had corrupted their ways." Societies are corrupted by corrupt people, not the other way around. We are not victims of corruption; we are perpetrators of corruption. We are the root cause.

If God wanted to put an instant end to evil and corruption in the world all He would have to do is kill every man, woman, boy and girl. Get rid of the source and the corruption problem is solved.

We are the reason for all corruption.

We are also the reason He came to earth in human flesh, lived a sinless life, died a sacrificial death, rose from the grave and now offers the free gift of eternal life.

Thank God for the gospel that frees us from the temporal chains and eternal consequences of our own corruption.

7 Truths About the Gospel

After decades of being ignored and/or distorted, the gospel seems to be making a come-back in the Western Church, and that is a good trend. Pulpits that used to feature anemic man-centered self-help sermons are again aflame with powerful Christ-honoring gospel-centered preaching. This new generation of church planters, pastors and preachers are not ashamed of the gospel. Like Paul, they preach it over and over and over. They never get tired of it. Neither did Paul. He mentioned the word "gospel" six times in the first chapter of Romans, revealing seven truths about the gospel we are supposed to preach:

1. Paul was set apart for the gospel. (Rom 1:1) Paul was not primarily called to social justice, political reform or Christian education. While those are important, the gospel is central and essential. All the good that has been accomplished through our church in terms of social justice and helping the poor has been rooted in and empowered by the preaching of the gospel.

2. The gospel was promised beforehand by the prophets. (Rom 1:2) Paul did not create the gospel. His message was not new. He faithfully preached what the prophets of old had promised - a seamless continuity of God's message.  

3. Paul served God by preaching the gospel. (Rom 1:9) In some circles it is popular to question the validity of preaching the gospel unless it is rooted in relationship and preceded by improving social conditions. To Paul, preaching the gospel was serving God.

4. Paul was eager to preach the gospel. (Rom 1:15) Eager, enthusiastic, motivated, dedicated, committed. To the wise and the foolish, to the Greeks and non-Greeks, to those in Judea and in Rome. The gospel was central to Paul's calling and to his lifestyle. It was also the central cause of his persecution, but let's not dwell on that for now. 

5. Paul was not ashamed of the gospel. (Rom 1:16) Paul was ashamed of sin, but not the gospel. Today many Christians seem ashamed of the gospel, but comfortable with sin.

6. The gospel is the power of God for salvation. (Rom 1:16) Salvation requires the power of God, not the effort of man. Self-righteous good deeds are powerless. Life-changing power is only found in the gospel.

7. The gospel is about the righteousness of God. (Rom 1:17) God's righteousness is not earned or deserved. It is revealed, in the gospel.

Note to pastors and all believers who are making disciples in small groups: Be like Paul and PREACH THE GOSPEL, OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER.

 

Can I Get A Witness?

Can't get the idea of being a witness off my mind today. Here's why:

- At church yesterday (Bethel Franklin) the band played one of those "Can-I-Get-A-Witness-Shout-Amen" gospel songs.

- This morning I opened my Purple Book to page 113 and answered questions based on Acts 1:8 that asked, "What is a witness? What does it mean to be Christ's witness? Where were Christ's followers to be witnesses?"

- Then I clicked the sports page and read about Tim Tebow's latest football exploits and how his teammates admit he is a 24/7 witness.

A witness is someone who tells the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

1. THE TRUTH. A long time ago a powerful, but misguided political leader asked Jesus, "What is truth?" (John 18:38) Good question. Jesus pre-answered that question in John 14, "I am the way and the truth and the life." Do you talk about the Truth, not just the facts, but the Person? 

2. THE WHOLE TRUTH. It is common for pastors and church people to edit unpopular truth out of their sermons and conversations, but a true witness will un-apologetically tell the WHOLE truth, and...

3. NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. Nothing added. No matter how popular and relevant the ad-on might be. Even if Oprah's latest guru of the month endorses it. A witness tells nothing but the truth.

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be MY WITNESSES in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." --Jesus in Acts 1:8

Can HE get a witness - one who will tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

 

 

Why is Unity Such a Big Deal?

While reading my Bible this morning I got stuck on one verse. Here it is.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel (Phil1:27)

Here are my notes:

WHATEVER HAPPENS - Paul is in prison for preaching the gospel - he might die or he might be released - whether our leader is present or not we should live up to the standard...

CONDUCT YOURSELVES IN A MANNER WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL - There is a standard of conduct - not a religious dress code - not a legalistic/cultural moral code - the standard is the gospel

What does "gospel conduct" look like?

1. Unity - STAND FIRM IN ONE SPIRIT - the gospel demands unity - if we are not united we are not conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel 

2.  Purpose - CONTENDING AS ONE MAN FOR THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL - unity has a purpose - unity is a means to an end - the ultimate reason for unity is the advancement of the gospel

Question: Why does God want us together? Why did God connect me to this church/ministry?  Why is it important that we forgive each other? Why must we fight for unity?

Answer: FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL

How to Avoid Persecution, Even in the Middle East

I’m back in Manila after a week in the Middle East. I wish I could blog all the amazing stories I heard from our “underground church planters" but our security protocols forbid details. All I can say is that God continues to do miracles and the Gospel continues to transform lives even in "creative access" nations.

Some of our leaders in the region have suffered greatly for their Faith, fulfilling the promise (that no one “claims”) in 2 Timothy 3:12 that all who want to live godly lives “will be persecuted.”

In the Middle East stories of arrest, abuse, prison, death threats and rejection are told with a grace, peace and even a joy that only comes from God. While they may not have advanced theological degrees, these Middle Eastern leaders have a spiritual depth that goes way beyond Bible knowledge and correct pronunciation of ancient Greek words.  

Church leaders all over the world have much to learn from them, beginning with humility and spiritual hunger.

While persecution is a normal part of the Christian life in the Middle East, there is a way to avoid it – DON’T PREACH THE GOSPEL.

That’s right, if we just live good lives, help the poor, serve our communities, but never mention the name of Jesus or what he did on the cross, we will not be persecuted.

One of our leaders in the region told us that he formerly used a strategy of constantly “engaging” his culture and community, but he never seemed to get around to actually preaching the Gospel. The result was a lot of friends but few disciples. His current strategy is to preach the Gospel to everyone he meets within the first two weeks. As he has preached Christ, an amazing thing has started to happen: people are getting saved! And in this region, persecution can’t be far behind.

Engaging culture and community is the starting point of making disciples, but if we don’t establish biblical foundations (the Gospel, grace, faith, repentance…), we are simply making friends not disciples.

What about you: Are you making friends or disciples? Are you avoiding persecution by avoiding the Gospel?

Preaching the Gospel is Not That Complicated

Evangelism (preaching the gospel) is not complicated. The simplicity and power of preaching the gospel (GOOD NEWS) is captured in one verse in Exodus:

"when they heard that the Lord was cocncerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshipped" (Exodus 4:31)

Did you get that? When someone told them that God actually cared about them, that he was CONCERNED, then they bowed and worshipped. Before they knew he was concerned they complained. Once they realized he was concerned they worshipped.

Worship is a natural response to knowing WHO God is.

The more we know WHO he is, HOW he sees us and WHAT he did for us - the more we will want to bow down and worship.

Try it this week. Tell someone how much God cares about them and what he did on the cross for them.