"We're In This Boat Together"

Just the other day, I was working with my three boys to get the house cleaned up, as I do every day when they get home from school.

Each son cleans his own room, along with a couple of other jobs, like sweeping the kitchen or vacuuming upstairs. I have chores of my own as well.

I find it interesting that every day millions of Christians spend life in a vacuum; many of us living as if no one else exists in the world, doing my job, driving my car, buying my food.

The chores that my sons and I do in our house help us to live in a more comfortable and sanitary home. And with six of us, it’s easy to come home to a wreck, when we don’t all do our part.

So, I realized as we were well into our chores that two of the boys were sitting in the living room playing video games, because they were finished. And while they were having fun, one of my sons, with a slightly more demanding chore, was busy finishing up. For some reason I suddenly realized, after sixteen years of raising children, that my children are learning to do “his” part—and that’s all. I walked into the den, with a smile, and told the two virtual “Tony Hawks” to get up and go upstairs with me to help their brother get finished, so that he can play too.

Jesus taught us to be unified. And somehow we have managed to live alone, no matter how many people we are near. Our Messiah taught us all that we are part of a family—a community.

Paul teaches us in his first letter to the Corinthian believers that we are all one body (1 Cor. 12:13).

And before Paul, the ancient Jewish teachers taught that everyone is his brother’s keeper (Genesis 4:9). The sages of Jerusalem also believed that when a person destroyed a single life, it is as if he has destroyed the whole world.

My children need me to teach them that we serve a God who believes that we belong to each other and that everything we do has an affect on all of us.

There’s an old story, which is at least 1900 years old that brings this point home clearly.

“The story is about three men in a boat. Suddenly one of the men begins to drill a hole beneath his seat. When his friends immediately plead with him to stop, he replies, ‘What are you worrying about? I’m only drilling under my seat.’ The moral drawn by the rabbis has been repeated again and again: “We’re all in the same boat.” –Marvin R. Wilson, Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith, Pages 188-189

I pray that today, we will all learn that none of us is a community of one. I pray that we will all work together until our jobs as followers of Jesus are done. I pray that none of us will ever trust in the doctrine of self-sufficiency , which has been passed down along with the doctrine of “private confessions,” “personal Saviors,” and “individual Scripture interpreters.”

I pray that you will be my keeper and that I will be yours as long as we are in this boat together.

Forever learning,
Johnny

"What's for Dinner?"

“A body of Christian believers is only as strong as the sum of its individual members, for the Church, like Israel, functions as a corporate personality. The lives of its members are intertwined and find their truest meaning in a network of relationships within this body. As a Jewish sage once observed, ‘There is no room for God in him who is full of himself.’” –Marvin R. Wilson, Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith

As a person who believes in ripping the guts out of the status quo with deadly force, figuratively speaking, there have been plenty of opportunities for me to experience criticism.

Usually the criticism is focused on where the idea for ministry strategies and techniques are gleaned. A common response to informing a congregation of an effective ministry done by such and such a church leader would be, “Why do we always have to do what “other” churches are doing?”

Let’s never forget that there is only one church. Within the Christian world, we are all members of the same family.

I like to think of other bodies of Christ as my brothers and sisters who live in a different house. They don’t want me lying in their bed, but they are more than willing to let me hang out in their kitchen to experience their menu.

The wonderful thing about us all being one family is that there are parts of our family that have learned, experienced, and perfected healthier ways to prepare food. Why should one of our family members be kept from that wealth of health?

So, when someone in another city, state, or country has figured out a ministry method that is effective for feeding “His” sheep, we should not say that the method belongs to another church, but it is the food that Christ is using to nourish his sheep.

There are still restaurants that refuse to update their menus, continuing to serve foods that are loaded in sugars and saturated fats. There are also plenty of people who still eat those foods. Look closely and you will identify selfishness, arrogance, and/or ignorance as the reason for the unwillingness to serve and eat healthier.

We should all be privy to the details, preparation, and serving methods of the effective recipes that are feeding the sheep.

It is not our responsibility to have “our own” menu, but to find out what God is serving.

"The third time he said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, 'Do you love me?' He said, 'Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my sheep'" (John 21:17 New International Version).

Forever learning,
Johnny

Why Should We Be So Afraid to Say Good-Bye?

Discussing the subject of covenant among some circles can raise some highly sensitive emotions. Noticing that people are particularly aware of their opinions about covenants does not require much more than an ear. So, it is with a keen sense of consciousness that I approach this topic.

More and more, the subject of covenant comes up, especially as people are questioning the methods and traditions of some organizations such as The Salvation Army. I would like the opportunity to give my opinion and ask some questions as an attempt to relieve any pressure based solely on misinformation, ignorance, propaganda, or any other form of misunderstanding.

When we speak of covenant, most people, especially in religious circles, think of promises made to God, which are to be kept for life. The Salvation Army also asks its soldiers and officers to sign a covenant between The Salvation Army and the individual, with the understanding that this covenant is made in the presence of God. Some also suggest that the covenant is made between three participants—The Salvation Army, the individual, and God himself.

In biblical times a covenant was made between two participants, usually nations. The smaller nation was known as the vassal. The stronger nation was known as the suzerain. The vassal would go to the suzerain and propose a covenant, whereby the vassal would pay taxes and serve as a subordinate to the suzerain in exchange for military protection. Should the vassal break the covenant; there would be a penalty, which would include loss of the promised military protection. It was during the time that the covenant was being made that the penalties were set.

In the cases where people made covenants with God, they may lose their lives, such as the 3000 who died at Mount Sinai after making golden idols, or they may lose opportunities, such as Moses’ losing the privilege to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land.

In any covenant, the stipulations and penalties are preset, even in a denominational covenant. In the case of the covenant made with The Salvation Army for a soldier or officer, the covenants vary, but the penalty is somewhat similar. The covenant is a life-promise, with the expectation that a soldier or officer will remain faithful to The Army until death. Here is where things get confusing.

My question falls in the category of why we get so uptight when someone breaks this covenant. The covenant is a life-promise of which the covenantal terms state that the vassal will remain a soldier or officer of The Salvation Army until death. If the vassal breaks the covenant, then what happens to the vassal? Does he or she go to hell? Does he or she become separated eternally from God? What is so awful about breaking a covenant that has the penalty set at losing one’s officership or soldiership? That’s what it boils down to.
There was no agreement that, upon covenantal severance, the vassal would be giving up salvation or anything more than a formal denominational affiliation. I’d really like to know what all the fuss is about. When did the covenant with a denomination become this unbreakable, except by pain of shame equal to giving up salvation from God, get added to the penalty clause?

Before anyone goes off half-cocked, allow me to explain that I don’t ask these questions with a tone of arrogance, but with a genuine desire to find out why there is so much danger in saying, “I can no longer pay tribute to the suzerain.”

Lastly, I want to make sure that everyone is aware of my intentions in raising this sensitive issue. My intention is “not” to justify my own desires to depart from the protection of my suzerain, but to glean some truly insightful answers that I may be able to share with those who struggle with the guilt of departure, those who may be considering departure, and those may may consider covenantal severance with thier denomination in the future.

Again, I am safe and sound, satisfied and settled, and proud and positive to be the vassal of God and the suzerain, that is The Salvation Army.

Forever learning,Johnny

"Hell, Fire, Brimstone, and...Polyester?"

It's always good to remember the quote, of which I am unable to remember the author, "Before taking down the fence, find out why it was put up."

The reason I quote that contemporary proverb is because I try to remember that William Booth started with a plan, which was to never get stuck in a plan.

Booth wanted The Army to be continually transitioning into a movement that was ahead of its time. Right now many would say that we are falling behind the times.

I also keep in mind that being a Zealot for Christ is not synonymous with being a staunch Salvationist, especially when the staunch becomes a stench. And for many, we stink to high heaven in the areas of speaking a language that people can understand.

Sometimes a tradition can have the same affect that the KJV of the Bible has on the ears of a ten-year-old. If we have to explain everything we say and do, are we really sending a clear message or an apology for being outdated?

Ready or not, I'm moving forward! Christ is leading His children to reach the world for Him, not to reach the few who are willing to wear uniforms or say "Fire a volley!"

When we revue the history of The Salvation Army, we will find that The Army grew as it changed and stagnancy came when The Army began to claim traditions. The only true tradition of The Salvation Army is its refusal to settle down.

Today there is a new push for spiritual development, which is revealing that the church culture of the twentieth century was missing a few screws. It’s not traditions and garb that make Christ’s Kingdom great; it is the effectiveness of His people, regardless of any classical habits.

"Jonadab son of Recab ordered his sons not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather's command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me" (Jeremiah 35:14 NIV).

I honestly believe that there will be Salvationists on Judgment Day who will, upon a guilty verdict, turn to Jesus and smugly say, "I might be going to hell, but I'll be going to hell wearing polyester!"

Forever changing,
Johnny

Who Is Grading Me?

“Relationships cause people to want to be with you, but respect causes them to want to be empowered by you. Mutual respect is essential to the empowerment process…When you believe in people, care about them, and trust them, they know it. And that respect inspires them to want to follow where you lead.” John C. Maxwell, Becoming a Person of Influence (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1997), 186.

Some places are filled with advisors. In these places, there are people who come solely for the purpose of critique.

Where they receive their authority to share is a mystery. One could search a lifetime and never locate the legacy that is the evidence of their wisdom, and yet they share it as if a throng of pupils is following behind them.

It is good to be careful about who a person allows to teach him or her. It is even more important to be careful about who we allow to grade us. Often the person with the red ink pen is like a boy with a hammer…everything looks like a nail.

Forever learning, sometimes by force from poor teachers with red ink pens,
Johnny

Christian is a Synonym for Team

As I studied this week to prepare a teaching on the subject of marriage, I learned a very valuable truth, which I shared in the message on Sunday. One part of a Jewish wedding ceremony, during, before, and after the time of Jesus, consists of an ancient custom which is the sharing of two cups of wine by the marrying couple. The first cup is called the “cup of joy.” The “cup of joy” is a reminder that when a person shares joy with another person, the joy is doubled. The second cup is called the “cup of sacrifice.” The “cup of sacrifice” is a reminder that when a person shares a burden with another, the burden is halved. The marrying couple drink from the same cups as a symbol that they are sharing in the promises of their covenant. Another interesting point is that during the wedding feast, the word “companion” was used, which literally meant, “those who break bread together.” Though those are very interesting facts about the important traditions of a Jewish wedding, the real interest I found is in the way the tradition is performed and what it has to do with you and me today. A cup of wine shared by two or more people in Jesus day was the common act of strengthening an alliance. This was not only done in weddings, but among all people who were promising to stick together as a team. The custom of sharing a cup of wine was the equivalent of today’s Western handshake, when done as a pact between two partnering businesspeople. All of this teaches us that when Jesus shared a cup of wine and a loaf of bread with the disciples in the upper room, the act was a common way of saying, “Those of you who choose to stick together with me and each other through the joy and suffering of following your Messiah, drink from one cup and eat from one loaf as a promise to do so.” Those who find it easy to be faithful to each other during the joyful times and hard to stick together through the tough times have chosen to share the "cup of joy," yet choose not to share the "cup of sacrifice." The next time you and I share a cup or eat from the same loaf, let’s do it as a reminder that we are promising to stick together in joy and in suffering. Forever learning, Johnny

Leading Change With Diplomacy

The following is an article, quoting the words of Andy Stanley in Ministry Today Magazine:

"Many talented leaders have 'led' themselves right out of a job because their desire to challenge the process was misunderstood, or perhaps even threatening, to those in charge. While on the other side of the spectrum, many skilled leaders have resigned themselves to conform to the status quo, squelching and squashing their natural instincts because there's no obvious opportunity to be who God made them to be.

As leaders, we must keep a sense of diplomacy without shrinking from our scrutinizing nature. When you stop challenging the process, you cease to be a leader and you become a manager.

Not that there's anything wrong with managers. The world needs those too. But it's a different job description from the leader's. And if you cease to challenge, then you have abdicated your true calling and giftedness in the world.

Successful leaders must learn how to alienate the process without alienating the people who created it, or the people who work it faithfully every day."

Harem Husbands, There is Hope

Covenant is a serious matter. I believe in covenants, because they remind us of the value of commitment. Without commitment, we would have no reason to believe anything anyone tells us.

An example of a covenant is marriage. I promise to her and she promises to me to be faithful and grow together with mutual goals as one in this life.

Another example of covenant is the covenant made to a denomination as a leader who promises to commit his or herself to that denomination and spend life together as one.

Now, let’s say that we make this promise to be faithful to one another as we are joined by a covenant. And on the honeymoon we find that our covenant partner is already married to something else.

We walk into the bedroom (metaphorically speaking) and there on the bed, spread out for all to see, is the covenant partner’s first love—Traditions!

This is not unlike getting married and finding your new bride’s other husband and children have joined you for the honeymoon.

So, you learn that she doesn’t actually have any interest in what you bring to the marriage. She married you because her family has outgrown her ability to care for it and she needs you to help baby-sit her 50-year-old kids.

So, do we stay married? Nope! Not in a real marriage.

Is a denominational covenant any different? Perhaps...but survival will require some new ground rules for realizing, appreciating, and using the gifts and abilities that the “Harem Husband” brings into the marriage. Unless this happens, the new husband will feel used and worthless.

Forever learning,
Johnny

How Do I See Others?

"A traveler nearing a great city asked an old man seated by the road, 'What are the people like in this city?'

'What were they like where you came from?' the man asked.
'Horrible,' the traveler reported. 'Mean, untrustworthy, detestable in all respects.'
'Ah,' said the old man, 'you will find them the same in the city ahead.'

Scarcely had the first traveler gone on his way when another stopped to inquire about the people in the city before him. Again the old man asked about the people in the place the traveler has just left.

'They were fine people: honest, industrious, and generous to a fault,' declared the second traveler. 'I was sorry to leave.'

The old man responded, 'That's exactly how you’ll find the people here.'

The way people see others is a reflection of themselves…Your personality comes through when you talk about others and interact with them. Someone who doesn’t know you would be able to tell a lot about who you are based on simple observation."

John Maxwell, "Winning With People" (Nashville: Thomas Nelson , 2004), 7-8.

Every day is a test. We can choose to pass or fail by our choice to encourage or discourage the people around us. Let’s see others in a positive light, thereby casting light on ourselves. Let's see ourselves in a positive light, thereby casting light on others.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Confessing to a Priest (Response to a question from the last blog.)

Priests, in Jesus day, were decedents of Aaron, just as they had been since the time of Aaron who, with Miriam and Moses, led God's people out of Egypt.

Priests were to bring the sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people to the altar. From this practice evolved the modern form of confessing sins to the priest.

After the death of the Messiah, Jesus, the Most High Priest, became the atoning sacrifice for the sins of all people for all time. We are now able to confess our sins directly to our Savior without mediation between a priest and God. As Paul stated in his first letter to Timothy: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (2:5 NIV)

The priests of today are a mixture between rabbi and priest (teacher and atoner), but this is not a biblical model due to the fact that we are to confess our sins to Jesus who is our holy representative to the throne of God's grace and forgiveness.

Still, it is biblical to confess our sins to one another (James 5:16), as we are all members of the priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).

Yet, beyond our responsibility to confess daily, there is a very crucial element that must not be overlooked in our desire for God's forgiveness.

In the Talmud, Rabbi Gamaliel Berabbi taught: He who shows mercy to others, mercy is shown to him by Heaven. But he who does not show mercy to others, mercy is not shown to him by Heaven. (Shabbat 151b)

The fact that we are required to offer forgiveness before asking for it is also represented throughout the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Jewish Wesleyans

Based on this ancient "King Parable" taught by first century sages, like Jesus, there is evidence for the legitimacy of Wesleyanism, among the Jews.

From Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus, New Insights From a Hebraic Perspective, written by David Bivin and Roy Blizzard, Jr.

"Rabbi Eliezer said, 'Repent one day before your death.' His disciples asked him, 'But can a man know on what day he will die?' He said, 'So much the more must he repent today. Perhaps he will die tomorrow. It follows that a man should repent every day. Thus in his wisdom Solomon said: 'Let your garments always be white, and let not oil be lacking on your head' [Ecclesiastes 9:8].'"

Forever learning,
Johnny

Blogging Etiquette (It's worth a read)

I thought it would be helpful to share some basic rules of posting onto the Forum of a very popular website called Jerusalemperspective.com. They post these rules as a guideline to help keep the Forum from becoming a place to vent.

I have posted those which I feel are appropriate to blogging for me and those who respond.

Beginning with rule #2:
2. Do not be confrontational. Be polite. Be tactful. Adhere to the Golden Rule.

3. No "flames" (heated messages). Your posts should be constructive. Resist the temptation to "flame" (respond emotionally). If you disagree with something a group member has written, disagree respectfully.

4. Do not troll, that is, attempt to provoke or "get a rise out of" another member.

5. No advertisements.

6. Do not "shout," that is, type in all caps. (even in the subject line). Type in mixed case. Studies have shown that material typed in all caps is more difficult to read.

7. Offensive language will not be tolerated. Posts that contain such language will be deleted. A group member who uses abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, or sexually oriented language will be permanently banned.

8. As a courtesy to other Forum participants, before submitting your post please reread its contents and correct grammatical and spelling mistakes.

9. You can utilize emoticons (smilies) to indicate tone of voice, but use them sparingly. Do not assume that the inclusion of a smiley will wipe out an otherwise insulting comment.

10. If a group member writes to you privately, be careful not to inadvertently post his message to other members of the group.

11. If, in your opinion, a group member has posted something inappropriate, please ask the moderator to remove it. Do not express your reservations to the discussion group. This will only draw more attention to the post in question.

Equally Powerful

From the reading of an incredible book by Marvin R. Wilson, Our Father Abraham, Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith, I have learned a powerful truth about God's magnificent creation, which we call "woman."

"The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'...So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found." (Genesis 2:18, 20 NIV)

The word "helper", found in this passage of Scripture comes from the original Hebrew word ezer. Ezer is often translated "helper." But according to Hebrew scholars the word actually means "power" or "strength," just as it is used elsewhere in the Hebrew Scriptures.

The phrase "make a helper suitable" in the original Hebrew is, "ezer kenegdo," meaning "a power equal to him," which is found in other ancient Hebrew writings.

This tells us that the woman was not merely created to be the man's "helper," but to be a "powerful partner" with him. She is neither less nor more than he; they are "One Equally Powerful Flesh."

Forever learning,
Johnny

Answering questions concerning the "Building Tax"

As to how much should we give:
That would be based on how many your congregation starts with, assuming you don't yet have a building. With established churches, this practice will take some time to develop. It's like convincing Americans to stop eating cheeseburgers.

The practice of tithing was advocated by the Council of Tours in 567 and the second Council of Macon in 585, and it became obligatory (by law) in the Carolingian empire (in 765). So we've been doing this for a long time.

Implementing this idea would be best for a "NEW" congregation.

You would start by having a house group who would bring 5 or 10 dollars per week to support the ministry. John Wesley started this idea in the early 1700’s, when he required a penny and would pay the penny for anyone who literally couldn’t.

As the small groups grow, you would need to make a decision as to where you will worship corporately.

A group of 1000 people giving $10 each per week would raise $520,000.00 per year. This would be enough to build a chapel and maintain salaries and the building every year, with some left over. My church costs around $200,000 with building and cost of leadership. We could minister to 1000 people on Sunday with 3 services, which is quite common.

Also, it is not uncommon for a "small group" based ministry to grow to 1000 in the course of 3 to 5 years. Patience is required.

With the biblical model of giving, an individual in a church of 1000 could give no more than $15.00 per week to his or her “church” and with all of those people giving the same $15.00 the church would raise over $750,000.00 per year. Therefore, if someone were to ask, “How much do I need to give?” my answer would be, “$15.00 to maintain the place of worship, which will also allow for a $250,000.00 per year “help the poor” fund. Then any giving after that would be up to the giver for helping people in the community and oversees.

There is no reason why a church should require its people to give 10% of their income just to the “church.” There is no biblical justification for a building any longer, but if we choose to have one, then we should be willing to pay a “Building tax.” The Building tax should be something that everyone can pay, just as it was done in biblical times. $10 or $15 is a fair cost in today's economy.

Forever learning,
Johnny

10% Temple Tax

A few weeks ago I posted some info about the fact that tithing was an instruction for farmers and Levites. Farmers/shepherds were to tithe a tenth of their produce and flocks to take care of the Levites who weren't allowed to own land or do other work. The Levites tithed to the priests.

Every male over 20-years-old paid the Temple tax, and everyone was to give to the poor.

With this (VERY BIBLICAL) model it would cost a congregation of 300 people less than $12 dollars a week per person to finance a worship building and leadership with a budget of $200,000.00 per year.

Imagine being a part of a ministry where the leaders say, "Bring $12.00 a week for upkeep and leadership costs. Anything beyond that will be an offering to the poor. We, as a body, can decide where it will go."

With this biblical model, a church of 300 could have a major impact on its community that would never be a burden on the Christians who supported it.

I currently give $70.00 per week. $12.00 of that would go to the upkeep of the church and I could give $58.00 directly to help the needs in my community and to people oversees. If all 300 people were to match that, we would meet the church budget and contribute an additional $904,800.00 to help people in our world.

Currently, with the imposed 10% (unbiblical) temple tax, which an estimated 20% of churchgoers actually contribute, most churches don't make their building and leadership budget and depend on gifts from outside to help the poor.

Imagine if all churches were to take on the biblical model of giving. There would be no need for government funding or community chest funds.

The church could do its job!

Forever learning,Johnny

A New Yoke Is Hard to Hear

Today I taught at the "Center of Hope" on Spratt Street in Charlotte. The people were wonderful. And I was able to share some insights with them that deepened their understanding of the Scriptures.

There was one lady who I noticed had a sense of anger about her the minute she walked in. I placed ten or twelve chairs in a circle and placed a laptop on the chair beside me to use in place of a printed manuscript. This particular woman walked into the room and didn't sit in the circle. Instead, she sat in one of the rows of chairs behind the circle.

I asked her to join us and she did, but immediately asked if she could get up to get something. She came back and sat down after a minute or so.

She was the only person of eleven who challenged me. (The sign of a choleric temperament.) I knew she'd bring on more, and I was prepared to be patient.

Her challenge was to tell me that not believing in ourselves to do what God asks us to do is not arrogance. So, I gently explained: "To tell God, who created me, that he doesn't know me as well as he thinks he does and shouldn't have called me, is to tell the one who made me that he doesn't know what he made." She concurred, but remained stoic.

She never smiled.

About 25 minutes into the teaching, and about 5 minutes before I was finished, she interrupted and said, "I am going to need to leave." Her body language and tone expressed frustration. She wanted everyone to know she had power by challenging, interrupting, sitting in a different place, and, finally, by leaving.

Her intent was to challenge me for control and I realized what was happening.

Shelters are filled with people whose lives are out of their control. Nothing is stable, nothing is predictable, and they have no ability to get a handle on anything. My teaching represented, for me, new insight, for her, one more thing that she was not used to and couldn't control. Her situation was so powerfully negative that she would do anything to have some control, if only to attempt control of everyone's mood.

I silently prayed for her as she left. She must be in tremendous pain.

I'm sure that Jesus must have dealt with a lot of people who were simply unable to listen to his words when he taught of his light yoke. Many people would have walked out on him for interpreting the Scriptures in a way they had never heard.

My experience today gave me a tiny glimpse of the disappointment that Jesus must have felt many times when people refused to see and listen to what he wanted them to understand.

"He who has ears, let him hear." (Matthew 11:15 NIV)

Forever learning,Johnny

Need Acceptance? Must be dirty. Apply within.

My oldest son is experiencing employment for the first time in his life. He also filled out his first job application. I helped him fill it out.

On an application for employment there are a lot of questions that pry into your life to make sure there is no "dirt."

Some questions include:
1. Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
2. Have you ever been convicted of a sex crime?

There is also the "Please list all prior employment." This is so they can check with former employees to get a good idea of your work ethic.

Most of this, mind you, is to find the "dirt." And if they find the dirt, you don't get the job. The employer is depending on you not having any dirt and you are depending on your ability to hide your dirt in order to get your foot in the door.

God uses a completely opposite entry criterion. He says, "Confess your 'dirt' and I'll gladly let you in. If your application is spotless, go back home."

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8 NIV). Have you ever met an employer, a Dad whose daughter you want to marry, or a lender who will say that?

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 NIV) Who lets us in their house, their employment, their lives, when we confess all our temptations and sins?

This, I believe, is the importance of community for Christians. If we are going to be Christ to the world, then it is important that we are able to let people in, not in spite of their confessions, but by expecting and encouraging confessions.

Hiding our 'dirt' only prolongs the inability to help or get help cleaning it up.

Remember, we all have dirt.

Some have learned to use makeup and pretend it isn't there, while others have been washed in the shower of forgiveness with support, encouragement, and guidance from God's community.

Isn't it strange that when we tell people our faults, most will keep us out, but God won't let us in until we tell Him our faults?

When we are able to accept people with all their "dirt", we are experiencing godliness.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8 NIV)

Stop Judging Me!

How many of us have quoted Scripture when we don’t want to be held accountable? “Don’t judge me!” we scream. The meaning of ”not judging” that is used in Scripture has little to do with looking the other way when someone sins.

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’” –Jesus (Luke 6:36-38) NIV.

Judging in the context used by Jesus is a reference to “giving people the benefit of the doubt when they hurt you.” It is a direct allusion to Leviticus 19:15, which says, “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”

Also keep in mind the Hebrew word for neighbor is “rea,” which means friend and enemy.

The Scripture of Leviticus 19:15 is an instruction from God to judge fairly, giving others the benefit of the doubt, such as when someone hurts you and you say, “He only did that because he was hurting or was angry” as apposed to, “He is a jerk! Hang him.”

The way we judge by giving the benefit of doubt is the way others will judge us. If I am quick to assume the worst in others, then others will be quick to assume the worst in me. However, if I am a person who is quick to assume the best, then others will assume the best in me when I hurt them.

Jesus lived by what he taught while being nailed to a cross, when he said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) NIV.

There is a rabbinic saying from the Oral Torah of the Jews, which states, “Judge every person in favorable terms.” (Mishnah, Avot 1:6).

Jesus is a fair judge who looks for a reason to pardon, rather than a reason to punish.

Judge the motives of others in the way you would appreciate being judged.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Sunday Sermons...Why?

By listening to the expressed frustration of many well-intentioned Christians, I have discovered that there are a few who wonder about the purpose of preaching in worship meetings.

Among the complaints, is the thought that preaching is wasted on those who attend worship when it could be used so much more productively in the streets or other venues where there are no Christians. Wasting words on altar calls comes up in these conversations as well.

Perhaps the assumption is that the Holy Spirit gifts people to preach as a means of evangelism only.

It's true that we are called to go and make disciples and preach the Word of God. This is a command to teach God's people and to invite non-Christians to enter the Kingdom.

There is no directive in Scripture for altar calls, but only an invitation to know God's Word and obey Christ through faithful service to Him and others. This is how people enter the Kingdom of God (Community of God).When people accept the “yoke” of the Kingdom, they have entered the Kingdom and are expected to learn from the teacher/preacher how to interpret and apply Christ's teaching.

Altar calls may not be necessary in some worship experiences, in fact they may serve as little more than an annoying, traditional formality, though effective teaching is always the goal when sharing the Word of God with others.

“Others” is not only the lost, but those who walk beside the leader, faithfully seeking knowledge and direction. It seems to me that the call to preach has been misinterpreted as only a call to evangelize.

Evangelism alone is not the intention for teaching or preaching. The model of teaching and preaching is given to us by Jesus and His disciples. They taught as a means of instruction and evangelism. That should be our intention as well, even when the altars aren't filled with the knees of repentance.

Forever learning,
Johnny

How Important is Having a Teacher (Preacher) for Christians?

The following is a response that I posted in somone else's blog and feel should be shared.

Many well-meaning Christians are continuing to experience confusion over the importance of having a teacher.

In the first century A.D., also known as the Second Temple Period, teaching was highly regarded. Sages who taught their interpretation of the Torah, or "yoke," were so appreciated and sought after that every Jew considered it an honor to have a teacher in his or her home.

The most honorable place to be was at the feet of the teacher. This is exactly where we find Mary, as Martha continues to work in Luke 10:39.

Open Airs weren't forced, because the value of hearing the teaching was so high that people would flock to the feet of the teacher. This is why you will often read of teachers of the Torah, Pharisees, et cetera being present when John the Baptist and others are teaching.

Jesus taught in synagogues (gatherings of Jews) and at the Temple just as all Jewish teachers of his time. He also taught in homes, because every home was open to the teachers in Palestine. (Those that weren't open belonged to pagan settlers and Gentiles.)

When preaching and teaching is not valued, it's because the people listening no longer see its relevance for life. The Torah was life for people in the first century. It wasn't religious instruction, but practical, utilitarian, and useful guidance for every aspect of life. Biblical teaching is still to be practical and relevant.

Flippant rants were never a part of Jesus teaching. As someone said to me recently, “In everything you do, reflect Jesus.” Teaching is a serious responsibility and one that requires constant preparation and hard work, along with fervent prayer and a loving presentation.

Preaching is not our privilege from God to bark at His people, but the responsibility and authority to guide them according to His Word.

Forever learning,
Johnny