A Borderless World

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Most of Old Testament history is about a specific place in the world: Israel, a specific people: Jews, and one city: Jerusalem. Now for the first time in Biblical history this focus, led by the Spirit of God, was radically changing.

The earthly government of God would be moved from a central government with a single location to a worldwide mission without any boundaries or capital. It was mobile and led directly by Jesus through His Holy Spirit.

Jesus' ministry moved from a nation with borders to no borders. His government on earth remains border-less today. His ministry moved from a specific race of people who depended heavily on their lineage, to every race regardless of their heredity. There is now no racial identity to the Government of Christ, and no multi-generational structure or dynasty. And its language is every language, God’s truth in every language… wow...

Throughout history since this radical change there have been multiple regular attempts to centralize the government of Christ or place its identity on a particular nation, government, party, or system. When radical nationalism creeps into the vocabulary and thinking of professing Christians it is always a corruption. Those who use the identity of Christ's government to attempt to heal the ills of their national government will always find they have only deepened the corruption by producing a poisonous hybrid. Christ's earthly government will remain free... no borders, no earthly capital, no single language, no exclusive race, and no dynastic structure.

Participation In A Traditional Church May Save Your Life

2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

The people this verse was written to had just been reminded of the saving plan and labor of God who had, by His Gospel work, secured their place in the everlasting glory to come. But those verses were nested in foreboding darkness... the darkness of the end-times. What will keep that end-time generation anchored in light through those dark times? Paul says it is the truth they have been taught and have believed. Paul called this saving light “the traditions”. The word tradition literally means “the content of instruction that has been handed down.” BDAG

Paul knew the importance of each generation holding to the truth of God’s Word. All it takes is the defection of one generation for the comfort of truth gained by faithful Christians to be lost, and generations can then be left with no light for their path… even when the darkness of the end-time apostasy comes.

A church should work hard at building an enduring tradition of truth which can be handed down from generation to generation. Noah consistently labored over decades to build an ark that would carry his family through dark days of judgment. A traditional church is constantly building an ark of truth for each successive generation.

A traditional church is easily recognized. I'm not talking about architecture, music, or whether they sit on pews or chairs. A traditional church is one where the Bible is actually taught, whether the people sit on pews, floors, or on rough wooden planks, or use 50 gallon drums to keep rhythm as they sing. A solid tradition of opening the words of the Book is the norm not the exception. In each worship service and class the real meaning of the verses in the Bible is the focus, not the traditions of men about those verses, or religious rituals. There can be no greater legacy than Truth. And those who find themselves in the darkness will see this beacon of light as their family's ark of safety.

The generation who will be here to endure the end-time apostasy, and the worldwide judgment mentioned by the Apostle Paul, must follow Paul’s admonition in this verse. They must “stand fast” and “hold” to the Word of God. This must be their demand: give us the Scriptures, for in them we have eternal life and enduring strength. That generation will be standing on the shoulders of generations before who also faithfully held to “the traditions”. A church which stands on “the traditions” is a church built on solid ground.

Tradition, A Nonconformist's Word

2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

When it comes to church life the word “tradition” can bring strong emotions. For some people the word is a cruel jailer keeping creativity chained to a cold wall in the dungeon of conformity. To others tradition is grandmother's overstuffed chair sitting by the warm fireplace of yesterday. It seems to keep the instability that comes with change always below the safe horizon of sameness.

Paul was a teacher of truth, and he was writing to people who were frightened and under stress. Change had come to their lives in the form of persecution. Persecution for simply believing a different tradition from those around them. The word tradition literally means “the content of instruction that has been handed down.” BDAG To the persecutors, the Christian beliefs were new... revolutionary... threatening. To the Christians they were old, solid, and comforting. Could it be that there are really no new ideas, only ideas that are new to us? New and old, at least in this instance, was a matter of perspective.

In this case the persecutors were trying to use force to bring about conformity to their traditions. Paul's nonconformist argument in the face of this force was conformity to his and the Bible's traditions. There is a great comfort that comes from knowing the truth in times like these, and knowing that this tradition has stood the test of time, it has been handed down to us beaten, bloody, and bruised by the bullying forces of conformity, but intact, as alive today as it was in the Garden of Eden. Tradition delivered by the Creator and then hardened and refined on the human anvil of ignorance, fear, prejudice, superstition, and the violent need for conformity is the strongest material in this unstable world.

The Apostle Paul's traditions, and the rest of the Bible's teachings, are at once solid, unchanging, stable... and nonconforming, revolutionary, and explosively unstable. When we stand there... solid in those traditions, everything seems to stand still, its as if we are already in the eternal day, but the world is still churning around us. It's like living in the eye of a hurricane. There's no place on earth like it. Lord keep me solidly conformed to Your nonconforming traditions... this is where I want... no... where I must remain.

Christian Target Practice

A number of years ago I was showing a pastor, who had just dropped by, our newly remodeled church auditorium. Our members where thankful for it, and did most the work inside that ordinary metal shell of a building themselves. They could never afford to pay for the work, but there was a special joy in using their own hands in this remodeling project. He said, “What this church needs is some people with money, once you get those kind of people in here you will then have the assets to do other things. This church has always been populated by lower middle class people, and it will never grow that way.”

I was so shocked I was speechless... Yet, as I thought about it, I should not have been shocked since this seems to be a prevailing behind the scenes ministry philosophy in our day. This ministry “targeting” is simply profane religious institutional classism, which is a form of classism that occurs when ministry practices are structured in such a way as to effectively marginalize people from lower socioeconomic classes.

In this sort of classism a ministry team uses demographic models to identify and describe the specific type of person they will deliberately plan to target for evangelism and church membership. In the visiting pastor's case he was not the least bit bashful about this ministry philosophy. He was recommending that I target people based on their economic status. To be clear: I would rather not be associated or identified with that sort of dead bigoted classism, no matter what it is called... classism has no place in the Christianity I find in the New Testament. In fact, classism is soundly condemned in the Bible. Read James 2:1-17.

One of the overriding truths of James 2 is that gospel faith produces spiritual life, and spiritual life has certain characteristics which do not include classism. James was scolding churches who targeted anyone less than everyone for evangelism and church membership, or gave special attention or respect to people who had an abundance of material assets and/or status, while marginalizing the poor.

Actually Christians with a living faith are inclined to give special attention to those who have glaring needs, not those who don't. Jesus is a physician to the ill not the well. When you see a Christianity that is deliberately “targeting” specific areas and people who have abundant assets, as mentioned here in James, you are seeing a twisted form of Christianity soundly and repeatedly condemned in the New Testament.

Jesus Never Built A Building

Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

This may seem unimportant, but actually it is one of the most revolutionary truths of the New Testament. Religion in the world of Jesus was all about buildings: Temples, and their location: sacred ground. A large part of the first 5 books of the Old Testament was dedicated to details about the construction of the Tabernacle and instructions about what would take place in it. 1 Kings 6:38 says it took Solomon 7 years to build the first Temple. John 2:20 informs us that Herod’s temple took 46 years to finish.

The religions of the world were rooted in the size and opulence of their temples, but Jesus never gave any instruction or revealed any plan to build a temple. He never declared any ground to be sacred to His Church.

In this passage John’s baptism, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are tied together. John baptized outdoors apart from any structure. There were pools at the temple, but, as far as we know, John didn’t baptize there. The Baptism of the Spirit took place in someone’s home, not a sacred temple, or even a church building. In fact, there is no church building mentioned in the New Testament.

This is one of the most radical ideas in the teachings of Jesus. Jesus taught that the true Temple of God was His body. John 2:19-21 This is the reality of the Incarnation. With the coming of the Christ our gathering place for worship became the person of the Christ secured by the ministry of His Spirit. He is “God with us.” We go to Him as the center of our worship. Even the poorest of the poor can worship at this temple. The most humble structure can become the grandest temple... if Jesus is worshiped there.

I'm all for buildings... but a place of wood and brick can never replace the Christ. A building only shelters us so we can focus our worship on Him... if His Spirit is not present the grandest building is desolate. Jesus is revealed in His Word by His Spirit, there is no other direct revelation of the Christ on this earth. Read Him… Worship Him.

Don't Stop

2 Thessalonians 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

In the history of the early church we read about resistance in every venture. There was resistance from spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12), from wicked people (II Thessalonians 3:2), from difficult circumstances (2 Corinthians 11:25-28), and, mentioned in the context of this verse, from those among the early Christians who drained resources without producing anything.

All resistance creates its own kind of frustration, but resistance from within, from those who are supposed to be working toward the same goals, seems to weigh heaviest on many people. And that is what Paul was writing about in this chapter.

A church that is doing the work of Christ on earth is involved in good things. It is not Jesus’ Gospel purpose to harm anyone, so, if we are involved in His church we are involved in helping people both spiritually and physically. But if we are not thinking about this correctly we can become easy prey for discouragement, frustration, and a weariness that can paralyze us. Here are some helpful guidelines:

Keep focused on the fact that the Church's work is God’s work and it is a good work. It is the work of Jesus.

If you labor for accolades and praise from people then people can easily discourage you. Lay up treasures in heaven.

If you are healthy and able, make sure you are contributing to the overall goals and being a help, not a drain on resources without contributing your share and then some.

Pace yourself, make it your goal to continue in this good work for a lifetime.

Push through the hard times and the resistance. Don’t let up, make your life count.

The Liberty To Be Different

Romans 14:5b Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

Differing beliefs and practices are present in all human relationships. Carol's grandfather used to say, “A monkey is a monkey no matter what tree it's in.” His point was that people will carry their humanity with all its complexity, frailties, and ever-changing limited knowledge into their group experiences. Moving from one group, church, or government to another doesn't change our basic humanity.

In this chapter Paul addressed the problem of differing beliefs and practices among Christians in the same church. That Christians do not agree on everything is a practical reality in any church, but how we handle those differences sends a message to the rest of the world about who we really are.

In this world the members of any organized group will never hold identical beliefs in all matters of life. For any group to function and fulfill its long-term purpose that purpose must be clearly stated, understood, and agreed to by all members. This agreement must be coupled with a well designed liberty to peacefully differ in non-essential matters. Non-essential matters are those matters which are not essential to the life and purpose of the group.

What a group cannot or will not prohibit it must allow. This allowance should not affect the liberty of another member if that member has the freedom to peacefully differ in non-essential belief and/or practice with fellow members. For true liberty to exist the right of peaceful dissent and non-participation must be vigorously protected by lawful authority and all members. Liberty is pierced when we are required to change or modify our beliefs, or to support or otherwise engage in behaviors that are against our conscience.

It is this liberty the Apostle Paul called for in this chapter. But this liberty becomes destructive error when it is the identity of a church. A true church is not defined by the freedom to believe and practice whatever any member wishes. A true church is defined by its unity in submission to Christ Jesus and His truth as revealed in the Scriptures. To believe everything is to believe nothing. A church is not the pillar and ground of the truth if it doesn't clearly state and believe the truth. Truth matters.

Balancing revealed truth with human frailties is one of the most difficult of Christian responsibilities, but, as difficult as it may be, balance must be maintained. Paul gives us the pattern to follow in this section of Romans.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones On The Christian Feast

Peter, in his Second Epistle, tells us that God “hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness”. That is what makes the position of the complaining Christian so groundless. We shall never be able to plead the excuse that there was not sufficient provision. The food is available, the 'heavenly manna' is provided; everything one can ever need is here in the Bible. Here is nourishment, concentrated, unadulterated.

The Lord is nourishing the church. The husband in his care for his wife works to provide food and all that she needs. Parents take care that their children have the right food, and plenty of it, and at the right time. The Lord is doing that for us in an infinitely greater way.

A part of His care is to provide acts of public worship. Believers should come because they realize that they cannot grow if they do not come. They come to be fed, to find food for the soul. The Lord has provided it.

Preaching is His way. He calls men, He separates them, He gives them the message, and the Spirit is present to give illumination. All this is a part of our Lord's way of nourishing His children.

As you enjoy your Christmas celebrations consider your commitment to feast at Jesus' table this coming year. Commit now to feast in a church where the Bible is preached and taught. In fact, His table will be spread tomorrow. Be there... His Spirit will be there too. If you don't know of a Bible preaching church in your area drop me a line and I'll try to find one for you. LJ

Jesus On Scandalizing Children

Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

The verb Jesus used in verse 6 translated “offend” or, as it is in some translations, “causes to sin” was translated from the Greek word skandalise. In English we get the transliteration “scandalize” from this word. It is always used metaphorically in the New Testament and is, therefore, dependent on the context. It literally means to cause someone to stumble by placing something in their way. A person unsuspectingly walking on the right path is caused to leave that path. The context provides the who, what, when, where, and how.

In this case Jesus used a child to teach His disciples about an essential characteristic possessed by citizens of His kingdom. He said, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” The disciples had been discussing who would become the greatest in Christ's kingdom. This was Jesus' response, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” So He said a person must become as a child to enter His Kingdom, and the greatest is the one who humbles himself "as this little child.”

Discussion about greatness among adults is really a discussion about power and control. Some of the most power hungry people I know are people who have been severely hurt in their lives. To them power and control are a seductive pathway to ensure the pain never comes back. Most adults dread the vulnerability of submission because it brings with it this possibility of pain. Much of today's bravado about controlling our lives is nothing more than saying, “I will not let you or anyone hurt me.”

The child Jesus spoke of was called by Him into a group of men, then Jesus set the child right in the middle of the group. The child trustingly submitted. He was innocent... trusting... and... vulnerable. Trust and vulnerability are Siamese twins. And Christ's Kingdom and Church are built on trust, and therefore must have open vulnerability to function properly. A citizen and the kingdom is scandalized when a person or another citizen takes advantage of this trust and vulnerability. Such scandal is a high crime in Christ's Kingdom.

Breach of trust is one reason we, as a people, are so hard on those who abuse children. A crime against the most vulnerable in our society is the fraying of the brightest thread in the fabric of our culture: trust. So Jesus turned his attention upon those who would take advantage of the vulnerability of children and child-likeness both in society at large and especially in His Kingdom. Read these verses and, for the vulnerable, take heart, for the offenders... fear.

Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Matthew 18:8 it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Doctrine Matters

I Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

The City of Corinth was one of the most culturally mixed cities in the world. It was strategically located on a major shipping lane between Spain & Italy to the west, and Turkey to the east. Its location gave rise to a complex, multicultural populous.

The church at Corinth mirrored the population, and this complexity spilled over into the church’s belief system. It seems the church was plagued by division. It may seem odd to say, but this division has been a blessing to every Christian since that time, because it gave us the Apostle Paul's response to doctrinal error. We have both the example of how to deal with error, and his clear statement of vital truth.

If it doesn't matter what a church believes then 1st and 2nd Corinthians would have never been written. And I am not speaking of the doctrinal confession of a church, even though that is of great importance, but the belief system of the people. Paul wrote these letters to the people not just the ordained leadership. The notion that professed Christ followers can believe anything and everything without accountability is invalided here. Belief systems matter.

In the case dealt with in this chapter, various groups in the Corinthian membership contended for the false notions that there is no resurrection of the dead, or the resurrection of Christ had not happened yet. So we are blessed with the Christian answer on this issue. Paul responded by stating that the resurrection:

• is a vital part of the Gospel, I Corinthians 15:1-4
• was testified to by witnesses, I Corinthians 15:5-10
• was preached and professed at the founding of the Church in Corinth, I Corinthians 15:11, 12
• was a required belief, I Corinthians 15:12-19, 31-34
• is vital to every other Christian doctrine, I Corinthians 15:16-18, 20-28
• is the hope and glory of all Christians. I Corinthians 15:51-58

Based on this chapter we know that faithful Christ followers must believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I affirm this truth... I believe, without any reservation, that Jesus has risen from the dead, and He is alive in a physical body at this very moment.

Jesus' Kingdom Immigration Policy

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

The qualifications to enter the U.S. have been a hot button of controversy in recent years. Most citizens understand there must be some preconditions for entry, but what qualifies someone for entry is where the battle rages.

In this verse Jesus was talking with Nicodemus, a Jew of Jews, about His kingdom's immigration policy. He used terms that must have been difficult to hear for a member of Israel's ruling body, the Sanhedrin. But Jesus said it anyway.

Jesus informed Nicodemus that His kingdom has preconditions for entry. It was the wording of the precondition that would have jolted Nicodemus: “born again.” If anyone considered himself fully prepared for the coming Messiah's kingdom it would have been Nicodemus. With the expectation of the Messiah's coming, Nicodemus may have, in his mind, already perched himself on a seat in the Messiah's government. Now this...

“Born again” meant his first birth had no influence in this Messiah's new government. He must start all over again... Perhaps he remembered the stinging words of John the Baptist, “and think not to say withing yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” Matthew 3:9 Could it be that this Messiah was rejecting their religious order which was set up and accepted by multiple generations? Born again?

It must be difficult for many of us to find out that who we are, or think we are, has no value when it comes to entering Christ's Kingdom. We must first have a new beginning... we must be born again. If you have questions about being born again, please e-mail me.

Does Being A Christian Hurt?

And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend… Matthew 26:49, 50a

If you stay around a church or Christians very long you will feel some pain. There will be someone who will betray your trust, treat you with disdain, explode in anger during a meeting, or hurt you in some other way. There are many Christians who no longer attend church for just this reason. They don’t want to be hurt anymore. Believe me, I understand. I mean it... I do understand, I've been hurt too.

Those who continue to attend and serve, but have not dealt with their pain, often fear the vulnerability that close relationships bring. This contributes to the pseudo-friendliness that plagues so many churches. We smile and greet, but go no deeper in our fellowship.

I think this struggle in the Christian life is one of the main purposes for the recorded history of Judas Iscariot. He was on the team, in the group closest to Jesus, and he betrayed him with a kiss. Only a friend, someone you’ve let near you, can betray with a kiss.


But Jesus knew what Judas would do to Him… yet He let him near, and treated him like the rest of His inner circle. We are taught by this that mercy is always scandalous, risky, and unthinkable to most the world. But mercy is what Christianity is all about. If Jesus had dropped out after being betrayed we would have no salvation.

Jesus was betrayed, and His followers shall experience betrayal too. But we must not stop loving. We must trust Him, and be merciful, which makes us vulnerable. He was betrayed for (and by) us. If you've been hurt, think of Jesus and keep going. If you've dropped out of church, and fear being hurt again, why not ask God to help you, try to forgive and forget, and head to church this Sunday.

Sacrificing Ourselves Together

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

In the expression “your bodies a living sacrifice,” there is a plural: “bodies”, and a singular: “a living sacrifice”. This language usage sometimes implies a group doing a singular action together. This could certainly be the usage Paul intended in this verse. Such language would fit what I know of committed Christians, and also seems to be the common case in the New Testament. Christian history is filled with accounts of Christians sacrificially serving Christ together as one entity.

This interpretation rests well with the context. Previous chapters presented believers as a multiracial family of adopted children. The following verses, 3-8, illuminate this collective sacrifice by the illustrative use of a functioning human body.

“Our reasonable service” then, is not an independent venture. This service is given by an ordered group of followers which Jesus called His church. Each follower of Christ has personal gifts which are intended for use in a “body,” and are of little value alone. Make sure you are part of team of committed servants of Christ. Long-term group sacrifice creates a bond that is rare in this world. If you are looking for a church to serve in, feel free to write, and I'll try to help.

It has been my privilege in Christian service to work with committed, faithful men and women who are ready and willing to sacrifice themselves for the Savior as an effective, mobile group. To my family, our church staff, and our wonderful church family: I am privileged to serve with you. I am constantly strengthened by the knowledge of your sacrifice and love for our Savior.

New Wine

Mark 2:22 And no man puts new wine into old bottles… but new wine must be put into new bottles.

Jesus used this illustration to answer the accusations of those who were watching for any departure from the normal behavior expected of all devout Jews.

This seems to be a key subject in this chapter. It began with some scribes raising an objection about Jesus forgiving sins. Then some of these self appointed judges didn’t like the company Jesus’ kept. Next they didn’t like their eating habits. Then they had a problem with Jesus allowing his disciple to break their Sabbath laws. Sadly… there is no shortage of these calloused critics in today's world.

It is clear that the metaphor of old wine and old bottles was intended to illustrate the Jewish traditions and their religious context. These traditions had grown over the centuries, tightly weaving themselves into Jewish religion… this was not God’s doing, but it had become a religious reality.

Jesus refused to be forced into their religious box… in fact He could not do His work and adhere to the teachings and cultural contexts which had created this corrupt religious system. So He placed His new wine (teachings) into a new bottle (His church). He is Lord of both His Word and His Church, and His servants must commit to that reality.

Jesus Receives Every Race & So Must His Church

Romans 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Every nation has a history of racial intolerance and struggle. In recent times we’ve seen war between people for no reason other than their racial or cultural differences. Sadly… even churches have become involved in racial politics to the point of twisting scripture to teach a separation of the races in the church that Jesus built.

Well… the Apostle Paul, in these verses, is deliberately addressing this subject again. And it is clear: if Jesus receives someone then His church must receive them too. This unity, in spite of racial difference, in a world of division and hatred, will glorify God.

In this verse we are commanded “to receive one another, as Christ also received us…” In verse 8 he reminds us that Jesus was a Jew, but in verses 9-12 he records various Old Testament passages which taught that Jesus didn’t come for Jews only… He came to die for non-Jews of every race too. These non-Jews were to be received into the church at Rome just as the Jews were received. There is to be no separation of the races, we are one in Christ!

Judging Your Brother

Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

In Romans 14 the Apostle Paul warns about certain Christian weaknesses which can cause destructive conflicts. One destructive weakness is the tendency to judge each other without the right to do so. Paul plainly tells us to not judge each other.

His logic hinges on the truth that Jesus Christ has jurisdiction over each of our lives. In the verses surrounding Romans 14:12 Paul makes it clear that we are each accountable to Christ Jesus for our behavior in this world.

This right of judgment is based on three basic principles. First, we are children in the same family. Romans 14:10, 13-19 Jesus Christ is very interested in our lives, how we treat each other, and how we are treated by those outside the family. Matthew 18

Second, Jesus is our Lord. 14:4,8,9,11 Lord means “master of.” Jesus is our master.

Third, Jesus is God our creator. 14:11-12 As created beings we owe our very existence to Him. Each moment of our lives is a gift of His creative power, so we are accountable to Him for how we use His creation.

If we have problems with judging, an understanding of jurisdiction is helpful. Jurisdiction is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted body, office, or person to interpret and apply the law. When someone has jurisdiction it means Jesus has granted them authority to judge in matters of His law.

If I am inclined to judge my fellow Christian I should simply ask myself if I hold such an office. If Jesus has not officially conveyed jurisdiction to me then I have no right to judge, and to judge without authority is to usurp the authority of the Lord Jesus. It is best to leave those matters with Jesus and His properly constituted Church authority. We should also be cautious in our judgment under that authority since New Testament church law limits jurisdictional power, and gives strict guidelines for judgment.

Is The Church Invisible?

Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. Mark 1:16-17

Over the years I have served in various offices in city government. I’ve never heard the word “invisible” used about city, state, or the federal government. People seem to automatically expect government to be visible. Imagine the usefulness of an “invisible” police department, city council, or court. All the issues we deal with in municipal government are visible: roads, sewers, services, staff, law enforcement, etc. The Bible teaches that civil government is rooted in the spiritual, but the spiritual roots of government are seen in physical realities. Romans 13:1-7

Does Jesus have a government on earth? Yes… While Jesus was here on earth He organized a visible government, and called it His church. In this Bible text He chose men who were to become some of His first governmental officers. He formed His government, then commissioned it with laws, authority, offices, and purpose. Through the years His power has kept His government alive and active in this world. A Church is a visible government tasked with physical responsibilities that are rooted in spiritual authority, power, and guidance. It is no more “invisible” than civil government. Its spiritual roots can be seen in physical realities. Matthew 28:18-20

If you want to make your life count for God in this world, be an active member of a sound, Bible teaching church. If you need help finding one drop me a note. You can also read some helpful posts on church life by selecting church in my subject index.

Pointers For Peace In The Lord's Service

Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

The cause you are working in is good.

The people who are serving with you are working for the same cause.

Personalities are different… that’s the way God intended it.

Don’t resent differences… rejoice in them.

Don’t make judgments too quickly or too harshly.

Don’t read minds or hear what isn’t spoken.

Listen with care for expressions of weakness.

Avoid gossip.

Study the delicate art of forgiveness.

Study the bold art of reconciliation.

Practice forgetting the failures of others.

Commit yourself to long term goals and relationships.

Do what is necessary to maintain those relationships and reach those goals

Be quick to Say, “I’m sorry.”

Be quick to Hear, “I’m sorry.”

If your reaction in crisis is to quit… don’t.

Let each new relationship start fresh.

Avoid dragging yesterday’s offenses into today.

Prepare for conflict.

Pray to love like Jesus

Decide to love like Jesus

Honoring God's Authority On Earth

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor;

States in the U.S. are moving into another election cycle. Why shouldn’t one of the candidates simply declare him/herself to be governor? Because, in addition to such action being seditiously foolish, one can only become a governor by constitutional authority.

Jesus did not place himself into the office of Messiah/Christ. Such action would have treacherously bypassed divine order, and shown disrespect and contempt for God’s authority. Jesus was God manifest in the flesh, but it was the man Jesus who filled the office of Christ. He was placed into this office by God through a physical, visible ceremony. Matt 3:13-17

Jesus didn’t bypass God’s order on earth... neither should we. Jesus’ government on earth, the Church, has physical form, ordinances, ordained officers, and authority by divine right. No other organization on earth can rightfully make such a claim. In the New Testament God exclusively used His church to place called men into His offices and enforce accountability. He does the same today. Every believer should work in and through a sound bible-based church. If you are looking for one, e-mail me today and I'll try to help you find a church where the Word is honored and taught.

Jesus Opened The Gates To Let The Trash Blow In

John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

To fully understand verses 6, 7, and 8 it is important to keep the background of this discussion in focus. Jesus was speaking with Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin, the supreme court of Israel. Nicodemus, a Jew of Jews, was struggling with the new kingdom realities Jesus had introduced. Jesus was not the Messiah expected by Nicodemus and the Sanhedrin.

In Nicodemus’ world, religion was based in the physical. It was racial. It all began with birth from a pure lineage of ancestors. Position and privilege were given based on name, title, and obedience to covenant and cultural laws. It was so structured... so controllable. But Jesus came to change Nicodemus' world.

This verse is key to understanding the great change that was taking place. Jesus used the wind to illustrate entrance into His new Kingdom. A person can’t tell where it came from or where it’s going… it only matters that it is here.

The history of Christ's Kingdom can't be measured by physical patterns. Young Charles Spurgeon sought shelter from a snowstorm in a small church, heard and believed the Gospel, then became the “prince of preachers.” A slave ship master, John Newton, heard and believed the Gospel, and went on to write the great hymn Amazing Grace. Who could have predicted all that! But millions of realities like that, we now know, make up the history of Christ's kingdom.

In Christ's kingdom a person's past has no influence upon God in their present. The most profane or "low born" can be immediately born again, and have equal standing in His kingdom with a Jew of Jews. In Christ's new kingdom a boy born in a dusty north West Texas town to an unwed mother, beaten and abused to anger by his adoptive father*, and influenced by his atheist grandfather, can hear and believe the Gospel, then serve in this Messiah's kingdom all his days. No “rhyme or reason” to all of that, but I am thankful it is so... and on this day I offer my thanks and praise to my Redeemer for opening His kingdom gates to people like me.

*not to be confused with my step-father