“Firing the Canon Straight”

As Christians, our standard is the Canon of Scripture, the “measuring rod” of our faith; otherwise known as the Bible. It is the Bible that directs and dictates who we are, how we live, and how we point others to life. But sadly, and often we tend to think, at least per our actions, that we have a better way of accomplishing this. This is sometimes seen in the way we strive to reach the culture with the gospel. Sadly, there are times when we strive to win the world with our winsomeness instead of truth; slowly, yet systematically accepting things that are contrary to the “measuring rod”. This never works…never.

Truth never drifts nor shifts.

Like weeds in a garden, the incessant drift in and towards cultural deprivation is a constant battle. This is truth, the culture ALWAYS drifts farther and farther, deeper, and deeper into who and what they are (Jer. 17:9). The human nature NEVER drifts towards God, but always away. They live in a 1 John 2:16 state, “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” It’s not only how they think, but who they are. Outside of Christ this is all of humanity. We must understand this and know how to respond well.

If you were to study the paradigm shifts in America since its inception you would most likely be shocked. What was considered by all to be blatantly wrong decades ago is not only accepted in the contemporary culture but celebrated. Actually, it’s gone beyond accepted and celebrated; now it’s mandated.

But hear this true statement… truth neither drifts nor shifts.

We know this is true. We know it, whether we come to terms with it or not, whether we accept it or not. The truth that truth is true and unchanging is not dependent on your acceptance of it. Regardless of how the culture contends, counters, or caterwauls, truth will not and cannot change. It is what it is.

Typically, Christians adhere to this fact theologically and literally; but often we don’t adhere to it practically. We’ll proclaim it from our pulpits but pass it by when it we intersect with it in life. This is an exercise in futility. Acting in situations as if truth is pliable, in order to “win” people is like a diabetic living on sugar cubes. In all actuality he’s dying on sugar cubes. It’s a recipe for death. We must not only acknowledge that truth is not relative, but we must live like it.

Compassion or pride?

Why, at times, do we treat truth as if it’s relative? We often claim it’s manifested compassion, but I can’t help but think it’s a pride issue. The natural inclination of depraved human flesh is to be liked, even adored by the masses. So, often, even when we know that truth is truth and will not change, because of our desire to be liked, we will side step truth, ever so slightly at first, to be seen as kind, understanding, compassionate, and even virtuous. But kindness minus truth is not kindness at all. When our desire to be liked and accepted is demonstrated in a truthless kindness, it’s nothing short of pride. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me…” How can we ignore this “truth”?!? If we are genuinely compassionate towards people, and we long for their salvation, we will compassionately give them truth. If we are truly “kind” to people, we will kindly give them “truth”. The apostle Paul told the church at Ephesus, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Eph. 4:32). Kindness derives from and is centered in Christ. There is no kindness without Jesus. Any other supposed compassion and kindness is misguided.

The most compassionate and kind thing to do for people is to point them to truth…point them to Jesus. We must not be kind merely for the sake of people liking us. But we must also keep in mind that pointing people to truth/Jesus may cause us to be criticized, reprimanded, and even shunned by many. We may have to make that choice… But what happens if we don’t?

Misguided compassion always bites the hand that feeds it.

Know this… displaying misguided “compassion” and “Kindness” to people without truth will ALWAYS come back to bite you! The culture will love you as long as you are on their sled to Hell, but the moment you put the brakes on to any degree, they will turn on you. As long as you give them leeway in their sin they will tolerate you; as long as you let them live in the alternate reality of “their truth” you will be “liked”. But when you don’t the toleration ceases. This always happens. This is true in the Christian’s individual life, the local church, and any Christian denomination/convention. Winsomeness will never truly win some. Sure, you should be winsome; a winsomeness that grows out of genuine, Christ-centered compassion and kindness, but it must always and ultimately point them to Jesus.

As believers in Christ, living in a Christless culture, we should remember and practice these things:

• A Christian will be persecuted. John 15:18-20
• Only the kindness of Christ will genuinely change people. John 14:6
• Your reward is in heaven, not here. Matthew 25:21
• Look to Jesus, point to Jesus!

Popularity has slain more prophets of God than persecution ever did.
Vance Havner

I asked Chris Canuel, our Family Pastor at Hampstead Baptist to share some thoughts about how we can pray for our Sunday Worship Services. I’m blessed and encouraged with what he has shared. I think you will be too…

Corporate worship is an awesome privilege that God has gifted His people. To gather with fellow saints, to lift up the name of Jesus, to sing songs of praise to our God, to cry out our petitions in prayer to our creator and sustainer – is not a small thing. To fellowship with fellow believers, and to encourage and build them up, and to share the worship experience with our brothers and sisters in Christ – is not something we should take lightly. For this reason, let’s look at some ways we can be praying for our corporate gathering this week and seek the Lord’s blessings on our gathering.

First, let’s pray that God would give each of us a heart ready and prepared to worship. Pray that we would not be hindered in our worship by either our external circumstances, our internal struggles or the difficulties of life, or even things that may take place during the service. Worship is first and foremost about God and giving Him the glory that He deserves, so let us pray that we are able to keep HIM at the forefront of our minds and the center of our hearts. 

Secondly, pray for your leaders and staff and everyone that will be taking part in the service. Pray that leaders will have wisdom. Pray they will be prepared. Pray that everyone involved in the service will understand what an awesome task is before them as God’s people are being lead to worship the God of the universe. 

Thirdly, pray for your pastor. A pastor has many burdens, and chances are he has had a difficult week. Pray that in the midst of all that he has been dealing with throughout the week that his study time and his preparation has been productive and as unhindered as possible. Pray that the message God has laid on his heart will be internalized and made alive to him before he delivers it to God’s people. Pray that the Gospel may be proclaimed boldly and clearly. The Apostle Paul asked the Ephesian church to pray for him that, “words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly as I ought to speak.” May this be our prayer for our own pastor as he enters the pulpit this week. 

Fourth, as the Gospel is boldly being preached, pray that we might receive the message that God gives us this week in worship. Pray that we as believers would have ears to hear. Pray that the Spirit would move in our hearts and change us, and that we would be given a burning desire to live out the truths of God’s Word. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 says, “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” May this be true of each of us. 

Fifth, as the Gospel is being preached, pray that hearts would be made alive in Christ and that lost people will be saved. Romans 1:16 tells us that the gospel is the “power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” thus, let us ask God to use His Word to draw folks to Himself through His Gospel, that they might believe on Jesus and the salvation that He alone can give. 

And finally, above all pray that God would be glorified in our services. As Psalm 95 encourages us to come into the presence of the LORD to worship Him, it reminds us of the reason, “For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” Our great God is worthy of worship, and glorious above all. Pray that we can ascribe to Him the glory that He so richly deserves as we come together this Sunday.

“Pet Peeve”. A quick Google search will find this definition, “something that a particular person finds especially annoying.” We all have them; some more bothersome than others. One of my most bothersome Pet Peeve’s is when people drive unnecessarily in the left lane, or the “passing lane”. This drives me nuts! For the life of me I can’t understand why some people seem to have some sort of innate desire to cruise in the left lane; most often under the speed limit, with a line of vehicles behind, with no opportunity to pass, seemingly completely unaware of what is happening around them.

What confounds me most is the fact that the right lane is perfectly capable of taking them where they want to go, in a safe manner, at the speed they desire to travel; yet they still give into the apparent mystical lure of the left lane! The result of this can be frustrating at best, and chaotic at worst.

Cue the explanatory point…

In one sense the same attraction to another lane mindset is transpiring in Christian circles. Our commission is to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations”. This simply means to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. This is the lane, “The Way” we are to travel in. The gospel is sufficient in every way for this journey, we need not travel in any other lane. But humans are going to do what humans do. We often think we can find a better way, a more winsome way, a more “loving” way to share the gospel. Sadly, this may mean lessoning or toning down aspects of the gospel in order to attract a certain culture, socio/economic group, etc. While intentions may (or may not) be good, traveling in any other lane ultimately causes confusion, frustration, and even chaos; and at times even appears to be pandering or appeasing.

May this serve as a reminder to me first… the gospel is sufficient. Lovingly, graciously, and prayerfully share it, and let God do His work.

Christian, stop lollygagging in the left lane… preach the gospel.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)

Hope. It’s a word like none other. The gulf between hopeless and hope is nothing short of supernatural. Hopelessness would rule and reign if salvation had not been accomplished. But it was accomplished. Hope is supernaturally potent because of the sacrifice of Jesus. It’s so powerful that the circumstances that cause unbelievers to become hopeless are the same things that cause hope to be manifested in believers. Let the following truth rest in your believing soul…

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (2) Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3) Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, (4) and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, (5) and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:1-5

These verses form a majestic mountain of supernatural joy, with faith at the base (v.1). Shaping the remainder of this mountain is peace (v.1), grace (v.2), rejoicing (vv. 2&3), endurance (v.4), character (v.4); and like a brilliant and bright star gloriously adorning the top of a Christmas tree, hope beams from the pinnacle. This mountain of joy is the life of a Christian.

Because Christ has made you spiritually alive, living hope is a reality. So, take heart; allow every circumstance, good or bad, to merely cause you to look to Jesus. The more you look to Jesus the more hope excels; the more hope excels the more God is glorified; and the more God is glorified the more the more we rest in hope.

  Hope can see heaven through the thickest clouds
–~Thomas Brooks

Photo by Lynnelle Richardson on Pexels.com

God is sovereign. God is sovereign. God is sovereign. These words are my constant comfort! There’s nothing that can comfort a human being like understanding the fact that God is utterly in control. It doesn’t matter if the circumstances are positive or negative; through it all there’s a deep-seated peace generated in the Christian’s soul by the truth that God is wholly in control. There’s a supernatural rest spawned by that marvelous fact! Charles Spurgeon put it this way, “When you go through a trial, the sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which you lay your head.” I love that!

That brings me to this thought… Politics. In my lifetime I’ve never seen a period where so many’s hope rest in human leaders and their political platforms more than now. I know this by the way they respond to people with opposing beliefs; how they sink to name calling to those who hold to differing opinions; how their social media is consumed with their favorite political leader, and how depression sets in when their man/woman loses an election. This scenario happens on a massive scale every election period, but politics merely sheds light on a problem that is profoundly perpetual, even in everyday life. A dead soul is at home in darkness, and a world who’s hope is in temporal things is as dark as can be. This saddens me.

My hope is not in politicians. They are fallible…Jesus is not.  My hope is built on nothing less   than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. Jesus did what fallible man could not do; He kept his Father’s standard of perfection (Matthew 5:48), Jesus was/is sinless (Hebrews 4:15), Jesus fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17), Jesus defeated death (Luke 24:6-7). When our faith is in Christ alone, He makes us alive spiritually. When we are made alive in Christ, we have a “living hope” (1 peter 1:3). No longer do we look to weak and frail humans for hope, but in and through Jesus we rest in an Eternal, Mighty, Splendid, Glorious, Omnipresent, Omniscient, Holy, Perfect, Sovereign God. This is a supernatural rest, regardless of who is in the White House, or the circumstances that surround us; whether we are suffering or experiencing prosperity. Therefore, this is why the following verses (and many more) are so precious to those alive in Christ:

Psalm 115:3 – Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.

Isaiah 40:23 – who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.

Romans 8:28 – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

2 Chronicles 20:6 – and said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.

Job 42:2 – “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

And the list goes on…

If the one for which I cast my vote does not win the presidency, I will still rest, I will still have peace, and joy…

I will lie down on the pillow of God’s sovereignty and rest. And… God will be glorified. Soli Deo Gloria

(I wrote this blog several years ago and decided to update it a bit)

Some time ago I did a series of blogs about men who had been/are my mentors.  These men were mentors in the area of Christianity, theology, and pastoral ministry, and were extremely influential in my life in many ways.  There are others who have been greatly influential in my life as well and I’ve been pondering their influence lately.  My parents, of course are at the top of the list; that goes without saying; but there are others outside of the ministry circles that I travel in that have made a major impression on me.  One of these is a man named Jack Stamp.  I think it will help you understand my relationship with this man and his impact on me if I share some background about myself first.

To say I was shy would be a huge understatement.  Looking back, I’m amazed at how shy I actually was, and the things I would do to avoid being around people.  Don’t get me wrong, I loved people, but the overwhelming shyness caused me to avoid people. I would get tongue tied, nervous, and even stutter to a degree when I was forced to face anyone other than my family.  In elementary school I would find myself eating alone in the cafeteria so I wouldn’t have to talk to people. I would avoid looking people in the eye if I saw them in the hallway, simply so there would be no ensuing conversation. Many misread my lack of social interaction as being “snobby”, but it was simply the monster of shyness that constantly haunted me.

There are additional ingredients to the story that are important… I was raised differently than most of my fellow students. Most days after school I was difficult to find because I’d come home, saddle one of our horses, and ride for the rest of the day. If I wasn’t in the riding mood I would, with my best friend Randy Jacobson, grab a cast net, rubber boots, and spend the evening in the waterway at Myrtle Grove, or even paddle to Masonboro Island and surf fish until dark forced us home. My point is this, homework was not even on my radar! I simply was not interested in school…not even in the least.  I went to school because I was forced to go to school.  School had never been a big deal in my family, with neither my Mom nor Dad graduating from High School, although both were very smart. I really knew very little about education; it was a different, even foreign world to me. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t change my childhood for anything! I experienced things that most never will; nevertheless, I was equally ignorant of others.

I had developed a love for music at a young age. As a little boy I would stand in front of our old stereo console and act as if I were directing the “1812 Overture” by Tchaikovsky; it was a sight to behold. I clearly remember, as a student at Bradley Creek Elementary, during a music introduction/appreciation assembly, a man playing a Trombone and Trumpet in the school auditorium…I was hooked! From that day on I wanted to play music of some form and genre. My family was not wealthy, to say the least, nor were we able to purchase top of the line musical instruments, but my Dad somehow managed to buy me a Bundy Cornet in the fifth grade while I was attending Tileston School.  I played that cornet throughout my entire scholastic band experience! It held up pretty well but towards my junior year age and use started to get the best of it.  A couple of the tuning slides were stuck, the valves were starting to stick as well, the lacquer had worn off in several places and the case had a large hole in it from getting placed too near to a campfire (another story for another time); not to mention it was a cornet! How could anyone be cool playing a cornet, not a trumpet, in High School?!? I would often watch as other students brought new, fanciful trumpets to school, especially the Bach Strads!  I dreamed of playing one; they were so awesome; even the cases were cool! Regardless, I had an instrument to play and I was super grateful for it and to simply to be playing music.

Setting the tone a bit more… Jack Pindell was the longtime Director of Bands at Hoggard High School…he was legendary. I had heard about him my entire school band career and had always looked forward to one day being in his band. This was especially true after I took “Summer Band” with Jack Pindell as director while I was still in Junior High School. As silly as it may sound, it was fairy-tale material! At least it was to me. That Summer Band experience only whet my appetite for the “real band” that was awaiting me at Hoggard High School. I was in another wonderful director’s band, Bob Hood at the time at Lake Forest Junior High School. He had prepared me well and built great expectation and anticipation in me of how incredible my High School band experience would be with Jack Pindell; I could hardly wait. But then, while I was at a music clinic at East Carolina University I got the gloomy news… news that no Pindell fan ever wanted to hear… “Jack Pindell is retiring!” My response to this news was akin to panic, “But I was finally in line to have him as a director and he’s retiring?!? This can’t be!!!” But it was true. My next thought was, “Who on earth could fill his shoes?”

Here’s the picture, a shy, discouraged, scholastically disengaged kid; now even more let down because I would never sit under the baton of Jack Pindell. I began to wonder if I should give the new guy a chance or if I should simply drop band and music altogether… I ultimately decided to continue.

I left Junior High School as a rotten student in everything but band!  I hated school and had no intention of ever going to college. College was for other people, as a matter of fact the whole college idea was an enigma to me, and I actually knew nothing about it. But what I did know is that it was an extension of school and I wanted nothing to do with it…but I LOVED band! I was actually pretty good at this band thing and Bob Hood recommended me for the Symphonic Band at Hoggard, which was a big deal! Most sophomores entered the band program at Hoggard through the Concert Band, so I felt blessed and a bit privileged.  There was also Marching Band, which was my first taste of band in this storied program. So, there I was, brand new at Hoggard, nervous, still extremely shy even as an official High School student, trying my best to sort through the things new High School students have to sort through, and wondering what would happen from here… enter Jack Stamp.

When I first met this man, he was barely even a man. To the best of my recollection he was only about ten years older than I was, at best; although the mustache he grew seemed to make him look more mature and even gave him a degree of authority. Despite his relatively young age, he always seemed older than he actually was. Looking back, I understand it was his wisdom that gave him a seasoned countenance. He knew he had to emanate maturity, not only with his students but with the entire faculty and beyond. That attribute served him well during his tenure there.

As strange as it may sound, I remember his walk; he had a distinctive walk; as a fellow student described it, “he would shuffle as he walked”. To me his walk sounded like a seasoned drummer in a small Jazz combo using brushes on a snare drum while keeping time to “Begin the Beguine”. I actually think he was a walking metronome, or maybe it was just the percussionist in him. Regardless, his timing was impeccable, in many ways.

“Mr. Stamp”, as we called him, had a gift of pulling the best out of you. At times it was done in what could be called unorthodox ways, nevertheless it worked. Case in point, I was Third Chair, last seat trumpet in the Symphonic band my sophomore year and we were practicing a piece that had an important third trumpet part. The two guys that were in the chairs ahead of me were goofing around a lot that day and could never play the part correctly. He finally got very perturbed by their constant shenanigans and tomfoolery and sent them packing for the remainder of the practice. At that point I was the only third chair trumpet, but using my gift of blending into the woodwork it was as if there were no third trumpets at all when the other two walked out the door. We resumed practice and when we got to that significant third trumpet part I played it; rather well actually! Suddenly he stops the band, looks at me with a “what was that?” look on his face, and throws his baton towards me!! Obviously, I in return looked at him with a “what was that?” look on my face also! He then says something like, “Why haven’t you been doing that???”, basically saying, “you’ve been sitting there, not playing to your ability and not being the best you can be”, and he would have no part of that. It was a defining moment for me. As silly as that may sound to some, that one incident (which he says he doesn’t even remember) changed me.  Through that one act I was given confidence that was long overdue and greatly needed. That is what Jack Stamp did well, and often.

It was after that incident that Mr. Stamp called me in his office and had a “heart to heart” talk with me. I don’t recall the exact words, but it went something like this, “Once in a while, in a setting like this, someone will rise up from seemingly nowhere. They will be someone that no one expects, someone that most people overlook; and they will excel. You are like that Joey, you have the ability… you just need to do it…” Jack Stamp probably doesn’t remember that moment either, but I will never forget it. By my senior year, I found myself playing First Trumpet to grade six music in the Hoggard Band! That may not mean much to many, but to me it was far above what I ever thought I could accomplish and was a testament to Jack Stamp’s investment in me and compassion toward me.

Through those 3 years of band at Hoggard High School I leaned things from Jack Stamp that remain with me to this day; things like do what you do with passion and excellence, be kind while you do it, be classy, love your fellow students and treat them well, be a gentleman, love your country, have fun but get the job done, enjoy music, genuinely feel the music, dream big, leave a legacy, and the list goes on and on… I strive to do those things today. He showed me that a shy, insignificant, overlooked kid could do major things and do them well.

I am now a pastor; I don’t play my trumpet much, other than a time or two per year at church, but I constantly use the other things Jack Stamp taught me. His footprint is all over my life, as well as many, many others that have had the privilege of sitting under his baton, wisdom, and care.

Fast forward to the early 90’s… I had not heard from or much about Mr. Stamp for many years. When the internet became accessible, I jumped on the bandwagon and thought I would take a shot in the dark and do an online search for Jack Stamp. Low and behold there he was!! He was everywhere!!  The man that I knew as my High School band director was a world-renowned composer and director! I discovered that his music is played by bands all over the world! Needless to say, I was amazed and strangely proud. I found his e-mail, (he was teaching at Indiana University of PA at the time) and sent him a message. It was wonderful to reconnect! Our reconnection turned into a couple of fantastic reunions, with the now “Dr.” Stamp joining many of his former Hoggard High School students.  I think everyone involved would say it was an incredible time. Jack Stamp was only at Hoggard four years but did more in those four years than many do in a lifetime!

Fast forward yet again to the middle 2000’s. As you can imagine I was shocked, overwhelmed, and excited when he called me one day and told me he was getting married and asked me to help officiate the wedding! What an honor to be part of that major event in his life! It was a surreal event and yet another reminder of the huge impact he has had on me.

Obviously, I could go on and on in an attempt to describe how much this “mentor” has meant to me, but hopefully you get the idea. There’s really no possible way to sum up the influence he has had in my life and the lives of countless others. God’s grace is evident in my life in so many ways; allowing Jack Stamp to be in my life is certainly part of that evidence. I simply wanted to thank him publicly for seeing something in me that very few others saw, and for taking the time and energy to invest in me.

I can never repay you for that investment, it’s genuinely impossible, but for now I will simply say a very heartfelt thank you “Mr. Stamp”!

My parents raised three boys in a culture that was quite different than today. My brothers and I had no “devices” to contend for our time; rather we would spend the majority of the day outside running, riding bicycles or horses, shooting BB guns, playing army, etc. We ruled not only our neighborhood, but the entire community, which we considered our kingdom. Very rarely did a day go by that we didn’t make our rounds throughout our kingdom, making sure there were no potential threats to our regime. But this type of activity was exhausting and as the active hours went by, surely made young fellows awfully hungry!

By the end of the day my brothers and I always expected to hear my Mom’s sweet, but authoritative voice calling loudly from our front porch, “Timmy, Joey, Randy…SUPPERTIME!!” It seemed to us that the entire world could hear her calling. Immediately we would stop what we were doing and run toward home, like horses headed back to the barn! We knew that our Mom had been working diligently, selecting a recipe, preparing, setting the table, and anxious to serve what she had prepared. Even as we ran home we could almost taste what she had cooked. She always had the tastiest meals. Sundays were exceptionally good! Her Sunday specialty was Fried Chicken. I can’t tell you how many Drumsticks were secretly swiped from the kitchen before she had finished the rest of the meal! We just couldn’t wait!! Another favorite of mine was my Mom’s “Chicken and Rice”. She would steam the chicken, cook white rice, and pour the grease from the chicken over the rice… my mouth is watering just thinking about it!!

Not only did her meals taste incredibly good to us, they were good for us. They helped us grow properly, and helped us to face the strenuous activities that faced us each day. Also, she LOVED preparing and serving these meals to her children! We were her children, she was responsible for us, she loved us, she knew eating well was good for us, and she  worked skillfully and diligently to develop a desire in us for good, healthy food. She was super satisfied to see us running to the table and consuming the meal she’d prepared, then watching us grow into men, in part because of those meals. The same holds true for my wife, and I’m sure for anyone else that regularly prepares meals.

She also got very frustrated and even upset when we showed a lack of interest in her meals. If we were late to the table, showed a lack of desire for her food, didn’t eat well, etc., it would make her visibly dejected and obviously sad. In her wise mind if we didn’t eat well, and have a healthy desire for her meals something was wrong.

I’m a pastor now. A huge part of my responsibilities as a pastor is preaching and teaching God’s Word. I often think of the similarities in my Mom’s meals and the sermons I prepare and preach and lessons I teach. As a shepherd to my flock it does my heart good to see the sheep I am responsible for desire the Bread of Life that is served to them. When they come to the table on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings desiring God’s Word with great anticipation, I could not be more happy…and happy for them, because my “children” are eating well.

I know, just like my Mom knew, that when my children eat well they will grow well. They will be able to live this life well, in the good times and the bad. They will be able to face the strenuous days, months, and years ahead of them . When I see my sheep excited about the meals that have been prepared I am extremely satisfied, knowing the result will always be positive.

On the other hand, when my “children” show little interest in the meals I prepare, my heart is broken. My heart is broken because I know they need to eat, and eat well in order to give God glory and, “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

Here are some things we all should do as Christians in regards to the preaching and teaching of God’s Word:

• Pray for a strong desire for God’s Word
• Make every effort to feed on God’s Word regularly
• Refuse for anything to keep you from Sunday Morning an midweek Scripture meals
• Read God’s Word regularly… the more you read the more you will desire to be fed

When the preacher serves up God’s Word this week, show up, listen up, eat up, and grow up in God’s Word!

But he answered, “It is written,

News Flash! We live in a vastly different world than we used to.  Commiserate with me for a moment as I languish in my “good ol’ days” and” bygone days”. Old-timers would say “Joey, you’re still wet behind the ears!”, and I suppose in comparison I am. Despite their protests, I’ve seen a lot in my nearly 55 years; including the demise of many of the heroes the “Old-timers” had, which were my heroes as well! I think this was the classic era of heroes.

By-in-large, the heroes of the Old-timers were people of character, bravery, integrity, and an undying desire to “do the right thing”. Their mindset could be summed up in the cry of Superman, “Truth, Justice, and the American way!” They were heroes that parents wanted their children to look up to, mimic, and even pattern their lives after. They were movie stars, soldiers, musicians, teachers, Firemen, Astronauts, and so forth…

But…we have allowed those heroes to vanish. They’ve vanished into the annuls of history, much like the hero cowboy of an old Western movie that rides off into the sunset at the conclusion, followed by a “The End” written in the PT Barnum font, as majestic “Magnificent Seven” type outro music escorts the hero away.

With the exit of the classic era heroes, who do young people look up to? Who do they look to as their heroes?!? Unfortunately, many who are viewed as heroes today are on the bottom rung of the ethical and moral ladder. Our society has permitted those who once were recognized as unhealthy and even immoral to be the people we aspire to become. That is sad, unfortunate, and even dangerous.

I write primarily to Christians. A Christian is someone who has trusted in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus; someone who has been made alive spiritually by Jesus. When Jesus breathes life into you, He gives you a new nature; you desire differently, think differently, and act differently. A new nature seeks godly people to look up to and mimic. We need that! We need godly people to mimic, imitate, and pattern our lives after. The apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, understood this, and said it several times, including the following:

1 Cor. 11:1: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

Phil. 3:17: “Brothers, join in imitating me. . . .”

Phil 4:9: “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

In these verses, along with several others in the Bible, Paul instructs believers to watch him, and imitate what he does. Paul could confidently instruct us to imitate him because he was following Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit. In other words, he was pointing people to Jesus and he wanted others to do the same, so he shows them how!

This is what we should be mimicking! The apostle Paul was a warrior of the faith; a marvelous theologian, a passionate evangelist, and a compassionate minister. In every practical sense Paul was a hero of the faith. He is the type of hero we need! Paul, who’s life was surrendered to the Lord Jesus, modeled what our lives should look like, therefore, we should imitate him.

There are people you know, men and women who, much like Paul, genuinely and passionately love Jesus. They serve him faithfully, share him fervently, and enjoy him fully. These people may not be Hollywood famous or Wall Street wealthy, but they are heroes!

Watch them, spend time with them, follow them, mimic them, and pass down their legacy of loving Jesus!

These people may be a Janitor in a school or church; a teacher, a musician, a Doctor or Nurse, a Truck Driver, etc.…. They are around you; near you, and accessible to you. Take advantage of God’s gracious provision and imitate them. Make them your earthly heroes!! Do not invest your energy on creating earthly heroes that carry no eternal value, regardless of their fame or wealth. Find those Paul-like people who make much of Jesus and let them become your earthly heroes… it will pay eternal dividends!

“All heroes are shadows of Christ”

John Piper

Where should I go to church?  In generations past that question was clearer, mainly due to a population that was much less transient.  If you attended a church it was likely to be the church in your community. Most church-going folks would find the community church and get plugged in.  If there were things they didn’t agree with, they would talk about it from a biblical view, work through it, and continue to serve and glorify God through that local church. But that was yesteryear…

Today’s church search tends to be quite different. In 25 years of pastoral ministry, I’ve heard a plethora of reasons people attend church; and unfortunately many of them are very man-centered. It’s not uncommon for me to hear phrases like:

I want the music I like; I’m looking for a church where there’s a lot of activities for my children; I want a young pastor; I want an old pastor; I like how hip that church is; I like how traditional the dress is at that church; I want a pastor that tells good stories; I want a church that doesn’t judge; I like my church because they don’t ask much of me; I left that church because they didn’t offer enough… and the list goes on, ad nauseam; one man-centered thought after another…

These man-centered thoughts drive people to change churches like socks; using them until they’ve worn them out or until they desire a different style. If they’ve grown tired or bored with their church, they simply leave… Distance is not a deterrent in our transient society. Some folks will drive to the other end of the county for a good ear tickling.

This mentality raises the question, “What criteria should be used to choose a church?” The Bible is replete with ecclesiological instruction, but I will build my brief argument on Acts 2:42,

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

The birth of the church was marked by several determining factors, including:

–The apostles doctrine: The message of the gospel was delivered to the church through the chosen men of God known as the apostles. They delivered truth, doctrine, instruction, etc., that was vital to the church. They taught the church Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, Pneumatology, etc.  They taught the church what the gospel was all about; the ins and outs of what the gospel is and why it is needed. To do this properly, they had to teach the Scriptures in a systematic manner. They were expositors of the Bible. Alistair Begg puts it like this,

“A good church is a Bible-centered church. Nothing is as important as this–not a large congregation, a witty pastor, or tangible experiences of the Holy Spirit.”

The early church had a steady diet of the meat of the Word of God. This was priority in the church. The church knew who Jesus was, what He did, how to know Him, etc., and the result was a church that was filled with passion, peace, and purpose! The early church knew how to live well and they knew how to die well, because they knew the Bible well! Calvin said,

“Wherever we see the Word of God purely preached and heard, there a church of God exists, even if it swarms with many faults.”

Proper preaching of the Bible is absolutely priority in choosing a church. If the church has everything you want, except exposition of Scripture, it’s the wrong place to be. Without a steady diet of Scripture, you will be a weak believer that’s “Tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine…” You’ll not know how to live as a Christian in a thoroughly secular world; you will be filled with angst and anxiety because of your lack of knowledge of the sovereign, almighty God; you’ll not know how to glorify God, which is your purpose in life; and you’ll not know how to deal with suffering when in manifests itself in your life.

The exposition of the Bible is an absolute priority in the church, and everything else should compliment the preaching of the Word. When the exposition of God’s Word is not priority, people quickly become weak, feeble, scrawny, and simply unhealthy Christians that are more concerned about their fleshly needs than the glory of God. Choose a church that makes exposition of Scripture a priority!

-Fellowship: This “fellowship” is living life with each other, centered in Christ.  It’s not simply getting together and talking about the game, or eating a potluck dinner, etc. It’s living in genuine Christ-centered community together, with the power of the Holy Spirit, for the glory of God.

David Paul Tripp rightly said,

Autonomous Christianity never works, because our spiritual life was designed by God to be a community project.

Our Christ-centered fellowship with each other pictures our fellowship with Christ Himself, brings glory to God, and encourages the church. Choose a church that practices and encourages genuine Christ-centered fellowship!

-Breaking of Bread: A biblical church will practice Communion, or what some call “The Lord’s Supper”. The apostles specifically instructed the early church to practice the breaking of bread and drinking the wine to show the gospel and to commune with Christ. This must be priority in the church. A good church will be gospel saturated and a gospel saturated church will practice Communion. Choose a church that understands and practices The Lord’s Supper!

-Prayer: The last thing mentioned in this Acts 2:42 is prayer. The church has the incredibly amazing privilege of prayer. The church is known as “The house of prayer” (Isaiah 56). The church doesn’t grow by the creative ability, charismatic personality, or oratory gymnastics of a pastor. God grows His church. Sure, you can draw a crowd through many ways, but that certainly is not a church. We desire to see large crowds, but only if God is genuinely making people alive through Jesus, not merely because it’s the “best show in town”. Tozer said,

“One hundred religious persons knit into a unity by careful organization do not constitute a church any more than eleven dead men make a football team. The first requisite is life, always.“

God’s people should consistently pray, acknowledge their dependence on Him, and rest in His sovereignty. When prayer is priority in the church, His people enjoy Him, He is glorified, and the church grows in a genuinely healthy manner. Choose a church where prayer of a priority!

Finally… Forgive me for my sense of frustration, even exasperation. I’ve grown weary of fair weathered worshippers. God grant us believers who love His church because it’s a manifestation of His grace; because it’s a picture of the god-head; because it’s the vehicle in which the gospel travels to all peoples; because it’s where believers are instructed in the things of the gospel…and so on…  May the day of “cafeteria church”, where people go to pick and choose whatever their favorite style is, be a thing of the past. Love the church for what God made it, not what the world has molded it to be.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9