But God…

The next time I preach yesterday’s message text I will use the following outline:

YOU WERE…

2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2  in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Ephesians 2:1-3

BUT GOD…

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4-7

BY GRACE…

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9  not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-10

Then, I will conclude the message with the following illustration from C. J. Mahaney’s book, The Cross-Centered Life (pp. 19 – 20).  Mahaney received the following email from a woman in his church after preaching about man’s condition and God’s salvation:

…I was learning about the sin in my heart and the motives at the root…I vividly remember driving down the road one day, and God opening my eyes to see that I’m a wretched sinner to the very core of my being.  In that second I thought, “What am I to do?!”  Instantly I was clearly aware that this is why Jesus Christ came and died on the cross—for me….I laughed out loud, and said, “My God, only You could show me what a wretched sinner I am and make it the greatest news I’ve ever heard!” The truth of Jesus’ sacrifice became more real to me than ever before.

Don’t ever forget the Gospel message in two words:  BUT GOD!

God’s Comfort in the Midst of Sorrow

I apologize in advance for concluding this week with this particular video. However, I had to await permission before I could post it. Prepare yourself. This is something that will touch your heart.

The mother and father of Elijah produced this video slideshow to honor the birth and death of their stillborn son. I am astounded by the images. It is impossible to imagine the heartache unless you have been there.

I share this with you because God has appointed a small group of women at CrossPoint who meet each Wednesday night to pray, talk and console one another. More than that, these women are on a mission.

They want to help other women find Christ in the midst of their heartache and loss.

Each woman has her own story of how God brought her to this position in life. And now, as only the Holy Spirit of God can do, these women are being interconnected with one another with their common need.

Again, prepare yourself. This is a powerfully moving testimony in pictures.

Video – Elijah Patrick Cropp

Steve Parr Leads Staff Meeting

I thought some of you would enjoy a “behind-the-scenes-look” at the way Steve Parr, our Executive Pastor, leads staff meeting. Not all of us were present that day. I am standing in the background attempting to interrupt Steve. As you can see, however, I decide to let the mastermind coach the staff. Jason Motte is Officer #3, Chris Howell is Officer #2, and Brian Harris is in the middle. B. Haskins, Beth Howe and Cathy Owen were out of town that day. Enjoy!

Oprah Exposed

In keeping with my theme of video blogs for the week, I have prayerfully decided to present the following video. At first I was apprehensive about placing this on my blog. However, the more I watched it, the more I realize you needed to see it. The youtube counter as of today, April 9, recorded 2,348,746 hits.

I encourage you also to check out the www.csteeleonline.com webpage. From what I can discern the ministry is very biblically centered in its belief.

I know I am sounding like a broken record, yet this proves, once again, why we should not be watching the junk spilling out across the television airwaves. Additionally, this verifies why I continue to preach doctrine, truth and biblical beliefs. If one does not know what they believe and why they believe it they will believe anything.

Sing, Zoei Toh, Sing

This guy has a ton of free time

Not Thinking Enough

On this final installment of the “Not Enough” series let’s discuss the need to THINK more. Again, my time away from the television revealed I was not devoting enough time to thinking.

There are two broad categories of thinking—WORLDLY or BIBLICALLY. The category of THINKING to which I refer is biblically.

Every pattern of thought is based on presuppositions. Each presupposition leads to specific results. Allow me to list some results of the contrasting presuppositions of worldly and biblically thinking:

• Worldly thinking makes me the Lord of my universe; biblically thinking makes God the Lord of my universe.
• Worldly thinking is performance-oriented; biblically thinking is grace-based.
• Worldly thinking is driven by the approval and acceptance of others; biblically thinking is driven by the approval and acceptance.
• Worldly thinking takes the short view; biblically thinking takes the long view.
• Worldly thinking is driven by results; biblically thinking is driven by means.
• Worldly thinking is pleasure-seeking, greedy and prideful; biblically thinking is self-denying, generous and humble.

This week we have been reading through the book of Judges. Did any of you catch the description of worldly thinking in chapter 21? The bible records,

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Judges 21:25

Everyone doing what is right in his own eyes is Exhibit A in worldly thinking. As we have learned from our study of Judges, Israel’s worldly thinking was devastating. Their worldly thinking created a pattern of consequences: sin, discipline, repentance, deliverance and security followed by sin, discipline, repentance, deliverance and security and so on.

Paul states clearly what is needed to develop biblical thinking:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2

Worldly thinking requires us to “conform” to its pattern of thinking. The word “conform” can literally mean to “squeeze into its own image.” The world wants to squeeze us into its own image. In contrast, God wants us to be “transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Transforming is about change not conformity. Transforming is about conversion. Transforming is a process. The transforming process takes place when a born again individual places themselves consistently in the presence of the Almighty.

An excellent case for the transformational process Paul describes is found in Psalm 1:1-3:

Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.

Psalm 1:1-3

The biblically thinking man does not walk, stand or sit with worldly thinking people. The biblically thinking man delights in the law of the Lord, 24-hours-a-day every day of the week. Biblically thinking results in stability. Biblically thinking results in fruitfulness. Biblically thinking results in consistency.

The Bible says so much more about biblically thinking. Consider these few sentences:

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:16-17

Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:20-22

I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11

Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!

Psalm 119:36

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Revelation 1:3

You will notice my final assessment of not thinking enough comes at the conclusion of this four-part series. There is a reason. Biblically thinking, I am convinced, is the result of praying more, studying more, and reading more. I believe each discipline is interconnected. However, it is the discipline of thinking more that is most dependent on the others.

So, how do I conclude my week of transparent blogs? Here is a novel thought: why not switch off your television set and see what God says to you. I warn you. Be prepared to hear Him in stereophonic surround sound.

Not Enough Reading

Fasting television revealed a third personal assessment: I do not read enough.

Reading has always been a part of my DNA.  I still own most of the books I was required to read in high school.  In addition to books I was required to read, I also purchased many books from the annual book sale. The Hound of Baskervilles by Sir Conan Doyle, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne as well as many others sit on a shelf in my study today.

Something short-circuited that desire when I entered college.  The evil culprit was laziness.  Thankfully I outgrew that stage soon after entering seminary.  One must be a constant reader in order to graduate from seminary.

Some of you might be asking, since reading is a part of your DNA, then why do you assess that you do not read enough?

Here is my answer.

A day or two after giving up television, I found more disposable hours in my week for other activities.  Instead of filling that time with meaningless pursuits, I increased my reading schedule. The more I read, the more I realized how little I was actually reading.

The first week of free time I read three books.  The only time I ever read more than one book in a week is while I am on vacation.  The next week I read four books.  The passion was increasing.  For the last six weeks I have averaged two books a week.  One Saturday I read a novel in less than six hours.

And what does all that reading produce?

First, reading gives me an insatiable desire to read.  After a quick run to Barnes and Nobles the other day, I now have a stack of “To Read” books that will carry me through April.  The more I read, the more I desire to read.

Also, reading pushes my learning curve beyond its usual limits.  The more I read the more I comprehend.  My old pattern of reading in front of the television included reading and then forgetting.  My new pattern of reading apart from the television includes reading and remembering.

Additionally, reading stirs my creativity.  Reading forces me to think outside of my usual paradigm.  When I read, I get creative.  Reading adds to my imaginative potential.

Also, reading increases my capacity to learn.  I learn more from reading for two or three hours than I can from watching a year’s worth of television.  If someone is willing to spend time researching and writing a book for me to read, then I am more than happy to give them $20 – 25 to learn from their experience or research.

Finally, reading keeps me growing.  When I read I grow.  When I do not read I become stagnant.  We are called to grow, don’t you know?  Peter instructs us,

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:18

Reading enables me to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Reading enables me to grow in other areas as well.

One final thought, and I am done.

I have a good friend who often says he is “dumber than a sack of hammers.”

Other than being novel, what makes his statement so shocking is that this friend is really, really, really smart.  So, if he is dumber than a sack of hammers, how dumb am I?

Please, do not answer that inquiry.

After thinking about his personal assessment, I decided I was not going to be dumber than a sack of hammers any longer.  And what is it that makes my friend so smart?  He is a copious reader.  If by reading as much as he does he is dumber than a sack of hammers, then I better get busy reading just to catch up.

So, now you know why I have decided to read more.

Not Enough Study & the Doctrine of Election

For those of you present last Sunday at CrossPoint you heard me deliver my minor understanding of the doctrine of election.  In just a few paragraphs I will provide that understanding for you below.

I share this information with you for two reasons.  One, because someone requested I place it on my blog for others to peruse.  Two, in order to show you what the result of personal study will do for you.

The doctrine of election became an enthrallment to me years ago.  The author of a particular book I was reading made substantial biblical arguments for the doctrine.  My theology was challenged.  I struggled because much of my knowledge was based on individual bias and not scriptural study.  The more I studied the stupendous doctrine, the more I developed scriptural convictions.

Some of you will not agree with what I write.  That’s okay with me, just as long as you can substantiate your disagreement with Scripture.  Otherwise, you may not have studied enough.

This is what I read to you Sunday morning:

THE DOCTRINE OF ELECTION

Now let’s take a moment to go back and talk about God’s choosing us. It is called the Doctrine of Election or the Doctrine of Predestination.

In the history of the Christian church, few doctrines have been as hotly debated as the doctrine of election or predestination. Some have called it the damnable doctrine. Others have called it the sweetest truth in all of God’s word. Whole books have been written to disprove it. Volumes have been written to say it must be true. Surely, what I am going to say in the next few minutes will not solve this debate. However, it is my intention to help us move forward in this most blessed and mysterious of doctrines.

The Southern Baptist Convention’s Baptist Faith and Message says this about the doctrine of election:

Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.
All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

(50 references) Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-8; 1 Samuel 8:4-7,19-22; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 31:31ff.; Matthew 16:18-19; 21:28-45; 24:22,31; 25:34; Luke 1:68-79; 2:29-32; 19:41-44; 24:44-48; John 1:12-14; 3:16; 5:24; 6:44-45,65; 10:27-29; 15:16; 17:6,12,17-18; Acts 20:32; Romans 5:9-10; 8:28-39; 10:12-15; 11:5-7,26-36; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 15:24-28; Ephesians 1:4-23; 2:1-10; 3:1-11; Colossians 1:12-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:10,19; Hebrews 11:39–12:2; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:2-5,13; 2:4-10; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:19; 3:2.

Former Southern Baptist Seminary President E.Y. Mullins said:

God’s choice of a person is prior to that person’s choice of God, since God is infinite in wisdom and knowledge and will not make the success of the divine kingdom dependent on the contingent choices of people.

With regard to the Doctrine of Election, let’s nail down several things we as a church believe:

• We believe whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved—Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, rich or poor, young or old, educated or illiterate, healthy or sick. Romans 10:13 says, “For, ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
• We believe no one should be written off for salvation. Since we are not involved in the selection process we cannot include or exclude anyone from hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
• We believe God never chooses a man to be lost; neither doe we believe God saves someone against their will. Everyone is lost. Everyone deserves the punishment of hell for their sins. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death.” Every believer in this room, before God intervened, was going to hell. Thanks be to God He convicted us of our sin and gave us the faith to believe unto salvation.
• We believe everyone will be held accountable for their sin. Hebrews 9:27 says, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”
• We believe a person must repent of their sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. Jesus said in Mark 1:14-15, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
• We believe there is no one in Heaven, who wants to be in Hell.
• We believe there is no one in Hell, who wants to be in Heaven. They may want out of Hell, but they have no desire to be in heaven or under God’s authority.

I like what my friend Ray Pritchard uses to describe this mysterious doctrine. He says,

God is in charge of what happens, When it happens, how it happens, why it happens, and even what happens after it happens.
This is true of all events in every place from the beginning of time.
God does this for our good and for his glory.
He is not the author of sin, yet evil serves his purposes.
He does not violate our free will, yet free will serves his purposes.
We are not supposed to understand all this.
We are simply supposed to believe it.

I appreciate the sincere transparency of one commentator when he said this about the tension between election and free will:

How can election and personal faith both exist at the same time? I don’t know. Throughout Scripture there is tension between God’s sovereignty and man’s will. And it is a tension we are incapable of reconciling completely. But it is our responsibility to believe both truths without reservation, just as they are revealed. We know these truths are in perfect harmony in God’s mind, and that should satisfy us.

This same commentator added:

Someone pictured the divine and human side of salvation this way: When you look up to heaven you see a sign that reads, “Whosoever will, may come.” But as soon as you enter heaven and pass by the sign, the back of it reads, “Chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.”

Then he concludes:

We need not try to solve such seemingly irreconcilable truths, just thank and praise God for them. Our responsibility is to respond in faith, knowing that they are harmonized in God’s mind.

Tomorrow, we follow up our “Not Enough” series with not enough reading. Until then, read more.

Not Enough Study

My break from television revealed to me a second serious assessment: I do not study enough.

The kind of study to which I am referring is that of God’s word for my personal development. We preachers have a tendency to study only what we are preaching the next weekend. The conviction of not enough study comes at a much more intimate level. I am speaking of individual study of God’s word.

It is one thing to study for a message, Bible study lesson or personal devotion. It is quite another to study the Bible for personal growth and spiritual development.

One of my favorite books of the Bible says this about the importance of personal study:

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

Ezra 7:10

A man after God’s own heart must “set his heart to study the Law of the Lord.” And note why we study it: “to do it and to teach his statutes.” We do not study God’s Word to impress others or ourselves. We do not study God’s Word to grow in knowledge. We study God’s Word to do what it says, and to teach others what His Word says.

In the next chapter, we read were the nation of Israel followed Ezra’s example is studying the Word of God:

On the second day the heads of fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law.

Ezra 8:13

The people saw the by-product of Ezra’s study, and they wanted the same for themselves.

Our goal in studying should be the same as the goal Paul set for Timothy, when he said,

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

This is where God nailed me on not studying enough: I studied for my messages but I was not studying for my own personal spiritual growth.

Ouch! Again, the conviction was so strong. I trust you will use my candidness for your personal benefit.

I work hard preparing my messages each week, but as for personal study I was neglecting to do my “best to present myself to God as one approved”. I was devoting myself to the public result of learning without giving myself to the private effort of individual research.

Don’t get me wrong. I study, and I study diligently each week. But most of my preparation is devoted to what I say on Sunday morning. God wanted me to start examining what I was learning for Monday through Saturday morning.

You may not know it, but this was a defining moment for me when I realized I was not studying enough.

Athletes would call a preacher with this mindset a “gamer”. “Gamers” are individuals who show up and exert effort only in game-time situations. They take it easy during practice. When the whistle sounds and the crowd cheers, “gamers” play hard. When it is practice-time, however, they get lazy. I was being lazy with regard to personal study habits. I was a “gamer”.

For me, game time was studying for and presenting my weekly message. Practice time was the alone moments I spent in my own personal devotion. Thanks to giving up the tube, the Lord let me know clearly I was not studying enough.

On a positive note, I would like for you to see the benefit of personal study time.

In my message Sunday morning I presented my views on the doctrine of election. Some of you might think I developed my thoughts earlier in my week. However, what you don’t know is that it took me years of study to arrive at what I delivered to you. My thoughts on election were not something I generated last week. These thoughts were a conclusion of years of study and reflection.

Thank the Lord I have not been negligent in all my private devotions. There are seasons where I have studied more than usual. Thankfully that came true for me this weekend as we entered into our study on Ephesians. When I was wrestling with what to teach you last weekend, I fell back on my years of study devoted to the mysterious doctrine of predestination.

Before leaving Sunday morning a CrossPointer asked me to include my written thoughts on election in my daily blog. Since it has something to do with studying enough I thought I would include my thoughts for those interested. I will do that in tomorrow’s blog. Then on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, I want to conclude the Not Enough series I have developed from television fast.

Until the, continue to study.