FOCUS

I love Norman Rockwell paintings. They are classic Americana and define who our nation was at one time. Past tense. Back when. The good-old days. Life is different now. Divorce, low morality, lack of respect for self and others, not to leave out the corruption of the financial institute in our country has brought about a change in culture. We have noticed a rise in benevolence requests, in teens in need of a mother or father to care, in homes falling apart because of broken relationships and broken spirits, and an all time low of morality here in the United States. People need help.

So what is the solution? To find the answer, we must first look at the two-fold problem. First, the need is not financial. It is not even hunger. The need is focus. Overall, we have taken our eyes off of Christ and looked either at the world or in a mirror. We must realize that people need more than the simple fix in life. Get focused or refocused on the cross, looking to Christ as our source of life and light. The second problem is within the church. We, the church, are not getting passionate about our ministry as mandated in Matthew 28 and Acts 1:8. We are called, and should be abundantly passionate about, meeting people’s needs at the core, then finding ways to fix from the inside out. We must offer Christ as the initial, foundational, anchor solution. When that is settled and set, then the building process takes place. If Christ is our foundation, our house will not fail. When a quick fix of groceries or a light bill is all that is needed, then we set those things on a sand foundation. The person then moves to another solution or returns for help again.

We as the church must get passionate about God’s work for us. We must take our talents and gifts and bring them to the storehouse. Those good in accounting can help those who are failing in setting a budget. Those good with people skills can be an ear to listen and a gentle voice to pray with. Those who have discernment to counsel can help bridge gaps within broken families. When we, the church, can get to the root of our problem, that of lack of focus, then we can help bring others to help with their problem, which is a lack of focus. This process may take us to a different place in the life of the church. It is a new day. We are not the church of the fifties and sixties. We are the church of 2013. The message has not changed, nor will it ever, but we must look at our methods of delivery to see how we can be most effective in relaying the message of Jesus Christ. That means breaking down a few walls.

When will people come for help when in need? When they know you are there. People in need of benevolence will not show up at 6:30 p.m. on a Tuesday night, but at 9:00 a.m. on a Monday morning. Naturally, this is when the church should be helping them. Look at when Christ did many of His healings. There were many done on the Sabbath. (John 5:6, Luke 13:10-17, etc.) Why? They knew there would be religious people there who would take pity on them. Jesus healed them, against religious tradition and regulations. Matthew 12:1-8 declares the Sabbath as a time to meet man’s needs, not burden them with legalistic rhetoric. Jesus healed them anyway. There were many (Pharisees and Pharisaical sympathizers) who saw this as a negative act. It went against what they knew and how they were comfortable. It turned their spiritual world on its ear. There were upset people, people claiming this was wrong, and statements such as, “How can this man do such a thing as this on the Sabbath? Doesn’t he know the rules?”

We as a church must become relevant. Listen closely… THE MESSAGE MUST NEVER CHANGE. However, THE METHOD OF MINISTRY MUST CHANGE OR DIE! That is it. If the church does not adapt to the culture, then the church is as good as an empty building. This is why there are so many churches with many, many empty seats. In all honesty, no two churches should look alike, simply because the surrounding culture demands a difference in the church’s personality. For example, the church I serve in rural Kentucky would not survive long if transplanted from here to a Caribbean island. The culture is different. The needs are different, or maybe they are similar, but the personality of that church will differ greatly from this church.

The scariest ideology is when the church expects the people to come in and immediately completely adapt to the church traditions and regulations… eerily similar to the expectations of the Pharisees. A church on mission for Christ, living out the Matthew 28/Acts 1:8 calling cannot be a Pharisaical church.

So why should the church be culturally relevant? To let the community around us know that we are ready with open arms to show them the Christ, no matter what our traditions or regulations have been in the past. We are willing to be an open door with a message of hope that will change you to the core, then build on that foundation within you of Jesus Christ.

The Norman Rockwell collection reminds us of a peaceful time, when hard working men and women made a way for their children to live happy lives. A look into the church’s past should remind us of the hard work, sacrifice, and even martyrdom that took place to make a way for us to stand firm and deliver a message of saving grace to a lost and dying community. Let’s take our communities back for Christ, our neighborhoods for the sake of the cross, and by all means, reclaim our families in the grace of God.

A Volleyball Player's Prayer

As a volleyball player who wants to succeed as an individual and team, I must go beyond the game, the score, the fans, the colors on my jersey, and beyond myself.

I must be…

Patient. When others stumble, lend a hand and encourage, as I hope they do for me.

Kind. Understand that a kind word goes farther with my team than a harsh word.

I will not be…

Envying. When my team does well, I will be glad that we are one as a team and rejoice.

Boastful and Proud. When I do well, I did so because of those around me.

I will never…

Dishonor Others. The other team put in hours of sweat and heart, like we did.

Be Self-Seeking. We are together. Not me, but we.

Be Easily Angered. Stay calm and know our goal is greater than the score.

Keep Record of Other’s Wrongs. The past is behind and the future is yet to be written.

I will not…

Delight in Evil. There is no reason to give into the darkness.

But I will…

Rejoice in Truth. See the good in everything and everyone and celebrate the victories.

I will always…

Protect. One Team, One Family.

Trust. My Team, My Family.

Hope. My goal is not the score, but the challenge of becoming who I need to be.

Persevere. I will not give up, ever.

The Greatest of All of These… I will LOVE… my Team, my School, my Family, my God!

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13

10%+

10%+

I believe that there are way too many people living their Christian lives much like America runs their cars these days… put enough gas in to get through until payday. And why? I understand today’s economy and I, myself, have put $15 in hoping it would last until the week’s end. But that is physical stuff. Spiritually, our father owns the cattle on a thousand hills! Why do we live on the bare minimum?

I believe in the 10%. It is more than your monetary offering. Are you giving at least 10% of YOU? Look at your time. There are 168 hours in a week. 10% is 16 hours and 48 minutes. Are you giving God that much? Add up your service time, your prayer time, and your study time. Maybe you are giving that and more. Maybe you are trying to stretch that prayer time to cover. Some of you are not even close!

Think about it… our relationship to God is a picture of a marriage (Matthew 25). Jesus calls us, “the bride,” to a relationship with Him, “the bridegroom.” How many marriages would survive on less than 10% of a relationship? What if less than 10% of your time was spent with that person? That is not a relationship… it is barely an acquaintance!

So why do we struggle? Look at the illustration I made earlier of the fuel. We decide not to fill up hoping to make more money to fill up later, yet what we don’t realize is the better half of this relationship owns the fuel company! Spiritually, we hold out. We struggle with the little things of the world, all of those things that wear us down and leave us feeling beaten. We go to church, but not get totally committed because that time is “OUR” time with work, or family, or the long list of other things we put in front of church. So why do we struggle? When we realize that God created us, gives us His time and His love, but we only pay attention when it is convenient.

It is like the monetary tithe… All wealth is God’s, he just allows us to borrow it, giving us a chance to bless Him by giving it back to Him and all He asks for is 10%. That is the “tithe.” An “offering” is over and above that 10%, and still we are called to “sacrifice,” which means give until it hurts. Apply that to your time, realizing some are sacrificing, some give an offering of praise… yet, there are some who come up short on what is required in their tithe.

You might be thinking, “oh, another money sermon.” It’s not about the money! Like I said, God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), he doesn’t need your money. It is about obedient life in Christ. Israel robbed God of the tithes and offerings, as is mentioned in Malachi 3:8-10. When you ask “why” in so many things, check your spiritual check registry. Are you fully committed to Christ and are you giving of yourself to Him in service, prayer, study, worship, and fellowship? Those who rob God of what is His, He will curse. For those who bring their whole tithe into the storehouse, God will open up the windows of heaven and pour out His blessings. The blessings may not be financial. It may be understanding, or compassion, or something unique for your situation. This is not a message of the “prosperity gospel.” Don’t misunderstand… good people still experience tough times. That is called God’s providence. Read the book of Ruth.

If you truly are committed to Him, you won’t ask “why” as much, and you’ll understand Jesus’ words in the garden of Gethsemane, “Not my will, but Your will be done” (Luke 22:42).

Pastor Jamie Lawrence

Associate Pastor

Pleasant View Baptist Church

Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies

Mid-Continent University 

In Spirit and in Truth...

Pastor Jamie Lawrence
Associate Pastor of Worship and Education Pleasant View Baptist Church, Waynesburg, KY

There is a lot of talk about worship in today’s society and churches all across this land. It is something that has been on my heart for a long while. As a musician, worship is something that is near to my heart. But, instead of interpreting it as simply music, I wanted to seek a real biblical understanding to take my worship to the next level. This is not about exalting me. This is about realizing who should be on the pedestal and who should be seated at the feet of the Master listening intently.

John 4 sets the stage for what worship really is. There at the well, Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman whose life was less than desired. She came in the heat of day to avoid confrontation with others. Yet when she met this man at the well, He called her out.

 Now, because Samaria was a part of the remnant of Israel during the exile, these people felt they were the true, law-abiding, servants of the Most High God. They felt that the Jews were bringing back a distorted religion, those that returned from exile in other lands. Naturally, there was tension between the Samaritans and the Jews. The Samaritan woman, in defense of herself, went to the root of her heritage and began talking religion with this man.

The Samaritan woman felt this was her strong hold in the conversation, so she spoke of how their fathers believed they were to worship on the mountain, but the Jews believed in Jerusalem was the place to worship. Jesus answered framing up the problem altogether. It is not about religion and where you should carry out the motions of your religion, but it is about a relationship with the Father and living as though one is in community with Him, serving, loving, caring, working, and fighting for the one, true God.

 Like the Samaritan woman, so many worship what they do not know. Jesus gave us two ways we are to worship: in spirit and in truth. Now, worshiping in spirit is one thing we know. We live in the emotions. We get carried away in the song. We allow the moment to flow through us, and allow the tears, the shouts, and the joy to flow from us. But the key is worshiping in TRUTH. We need to KNOW the one we worship and the only way to do such is in growing closer to Him in personal study, preaching, small group studies, prayer, meditation, in hearing and receiving the Word of God! From the TRUTH pours out a river of the SPIRIT.

When our foundation is built on the actions of our faith and not the truth of our faith, we miss the steady structure of the relationship we build with God! A marriage is built on truth, which is trust, learning about each other, growing together, and strengthening the love bond that exists. I love my wife more today than I did when we married because of that growth! We read in Isaiah 6 that Isaiah had known the Lord for a while, but in the year when King Uzziah died, he SAW the Lord, high and lifted up! His eyes were opened to see God in a new light, so much so that what he knew of the Lord before was blown away by seeing that only God’s train could fill the temple! In amazement, he looked upon the one he thought he knew, but discovered he had barely scratched the surface!

 Spirit without truth is a cheap emotional high that lasts for a moment, then you are right back in the same shape you were in before the spiritual lift. Knowing the truth involves a changed life and a new sense of understanding about the real relationship between you and the Father. The question then must be: “Is it real or is it relative?” If it is relative, it is emotions and actions due to your surroundings. If it is real, it is reactive to the will of the Father, His movement in your life, and your obedience to His Word. On the human end, relativity means it is easy to get lost in the crowd and go with the flow, but the end result is a return to square one. From God’s perspective it is impossible to get lost in the crowd. He knows you and has known you from the moment He knitted you in your mother’s womb, therefore your reaction to His will and ways in your life would be real.

Once the moment of salvation has been introduced, it is essential for it to continue to grow. This is found in scripture: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ,” Philippians 1:6 ESV. It is essential to build that relationship.

Everything should be built on strengthening the relationship with God the Father, NOT our own feel good emotions. Everything we do from singing, to praise, to testimony, all of the way to the mission field around the world should be an offspring of this foundational core of worship.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves,” Matthew 7:15 ESV. There are pastors, evangelists, and teachers who will tell you that positive thinking, positive attitude, and good standing with others are all you need to have a great life here on earth. God never promised us a great life here. He would have never bought into the idea of feeding our selfish and lustful desires. Our aim is higher ground. Our hope is in Him who died for our sins and was raised up to prepare a place for us in eternity. Our sights must be set on the prize that is Christ Jesus, our maker and defender, our provider, protector, and coming, conquering King! When our eyes are set on things above, when our hearts are set on growing our relationship with the Father, when our roots are firmly planted in the Word of God, THEN and only THEN can we find real worship!

Faithful Servant...

I think a lot about the people who met Jesus in the days that He walked the face of this earth. I believe only a handful truly understood who He was and possibly looked upon Him with that distinction. This was the Son of God, the second part of the Trinity, the Word made flesh, walking among the people he helped create. Did they realize just who this was that spoke without hinderance of the government of the day? Did they see the heart of the man-God who acted without regret in the face of the religious hierarchy and led with a passion unmatched to this day? There were many nay-sayers in His day, many who didn't like Him and who said He wasn't who He claimed to be. There were those who were in attendance when He spoke and never truly listened. Some refused to listen because they didn't want to be told they were wrong. There were those following for the acclaim they would receive. Many wondered what they would receive for following, even what their status would be when He set up His kingdom. They didn't quite understand why He came, though several thought they had it all figured out. When He ascended, they finally saw and followed through with His commands of "go and tell."
I also think a lot about those who hear of Jesus today. There are only a handful who truly understand who He is and possibly look upon Him with this distinction. He is the Prince of Peace, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, and Savior of the world! Do we realize when He speaks, that His Word is absolute truth that even the government cannot shut down? Do the high and mighty religious leaders of today listen to His words and act as passionately as He did when His feet touched the dirty streets of Israel? There are many nay-sayers today who do not like Him or even believe He was who He said He was. There are those who attend church regularly, who hear the Word of God, but they never truly listen. Some do not want to be told they are wrong, therefore tune out. Some attend and even serve for the acclaim they receive. Some are wanting status within the kingdom of the church, but not the actual kingdom of God. Not only do they not truly grasp why He came to begin with, they also are not watching the eastern sky because in the depths of the heart and conscience, they don't expect Him to return. Some think they have it all figured out. When He returns they will finally see, and some will be really surprised where he tells them to go, but it will be too late to tell.
Our mission: serve Him whole-heartedly, believing with a faith that has one eye on the job at hand and the other on the clouds, watching and waiting. Until He returns be found faithfully sharing the Word of TRUTH and adding to the numbers of those for whom He will come to get. "Well done my good and faithful servant!"

But I'd Be Wrong (said with sarcasm!)

I just read an opinion article on “Five Words to Save the Church” by Ian Morgan Cron found on Foxnews.com. I felt compelled to leave a comment, but the random bantering of back and forth badgering of readers seemed a useless battle ground of outspoken people mistakenly thinking they were authorities on the subject. The article itself was quite exasperating and confused. My question is this:

When did the mainstream media feel that they needed to take “religion” into their own hands as authorities and become the demoralizing moral police of the universe?

The idea of this article is to keep down “public brawls” over differing opinions and theologies by using five little words at the end of every theological statement… “But I might be wrong.” If our goal in life was to “get along” or to have warm fuzzy moments in life, making sure we send each other Christmas… excuse me… HOLIDAY cards (because, I might be wrong… oh, sarcasm!), if this was our ultimate goal in the universe then I would say, “Cheerio! Way to go!” BUT, then I would definitely be WRONG!

The point I would like to make is that for me, it is not simply an opinion. I feel like I am an authority on the subject of Christianity. I feel like I have studied what I believe alongside what others believe and I feel very strongly that I believe the TRUTH over other practices and beliefs. I have listened and heard their cases. The evidence does not add up to a saving reality that is found in the works of the cross and sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Why is it that Christians are seen as this group of spiritual bullies? Is it based on radical groups such as those who picket soldier funerals and wave their HATE banners? I cannot speak for those people. I believe their convictions are strongly based on a misunderstanding of the scriptures and the work we as Christians are called to. True Christians do not beat up others religiously, but should be offering a life changing message of Jesus Christ. Once that person has heard the message of Jesus Christ, they are responsible for what they do with it: believe and accept it, making Christ the Lord and Savior of their life, repenting of all sins and being forgiven… or rejecting it and living according to their own life standard and choosing for themselves an eternity in hell at the close of this life. Christians do not condemn others to hell, it is not our place. Those who reject the gospel condemn themselves to hell by their personal choice.

Even within the Christian faith, I have found my beliefs align with a certain denomination that I think is the closest to being right on with the teachings and ways of Jesus Christ. As far as getting along across denominational lines, explain to me exactly what denominations are Christian. You see, there are those who believe they belong to a Christian denomination or group, but in actuality they are nowhere near the faith. As for the denominations that are Christian, the main differences are usually miniscule. We make a mountain out of a mole hill by nit picking many things. I am the denomination I am because my beliefs align most closely with it. I went through a time of searching to truly see if this is where I belong and feel confident that this is it. As long as the main focus of different denominations is spreading the gospel, seeing lives changed because of the gospel, and accepting the work of the cross, they should be able to co-exist and even minister together on occasions without very much distraction.

Christianity is not the local bully. I can NOT in any good conscience ever say I might be wrong within a belief that stands to be the truth, the way, and the life! This is deconstructionism at its best. The main stream media has become very good at trying to numb society when it comes to religion. The “Why can’t we just all get along?” idea is not an option on the idea of dumbing down beliefs and rounding off the edges so we can all sing Kumbaya and hold hands around the earth. That is not a realistic way of thinking. Though Christianity has similar orientation to Judaism and some with Islam, Christianity and Islam are will not agree on anything in religion except the fact that they won’t agree. I have friends that are Islamic. We laugh and get along fine. We do not agree on religion and know where each other stand on that, but does that mean that we cannot get along? I have a strong Christian stance, yet my Islamic friend is just that… a friend. He has no influence on me or my family spiritually, except that we pray for him as we do for many people.

Compassionate, caring Christian people can make a difference in the world, and can be that without losing their convictions on the gospel and stand for the truth. My message to the mass media… you have a great outlet for positive change in the world, yet it seems that majority of the messages received are biased, negative, and often show no real depth of knowledge about religion except for stereotypes and hear say. Please, step up your game in this area and be the upstanding citizens who also show no prejudice towards religious groups and stop dumping all Christian groups together with the radical Christian groups. We are not the same. Finally, mass media, find out from authorities within the church who are worth talking to when interviewing people. There are so many well studied, well spoken pastors and professors within our Christian walk who would be glad to shed light on any topic for discussion with anyone across the table.

This is our faith, not our opinion. Get it right, please.

Moral Relativism and Our Culture

Romans 1:18-25
“…for they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature instead of the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
Rome was one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever known. It was creative in its approach to literature, towards construction, style, and technology. It was challenging with its thinkers, growing in its knowledge, and strong with its military. Rome stood longer than any other civilization known to man as of yet. However, even in Paul’s day he could see that Rome had “…exchanged the truth of God for a lie…”
The scary thing for a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ is to see the moral decline within the walls of our own country, then to look across the table at the other ministers of the gospel and see a wide array of reactions. Some are fighting the decline with both fists bloodied, some are passively quoting scripture and collecting a paycheck, all the while others are giving in to the sins of the world, hoping no one notices their own guilt. Whether we are fighting against it, living in it, or giving in to it, moral relativism is a spiritual wrecking ball with Satan at the controls.
So what is moral relativism? Well relativism simply states that everything is right some of the time, but nothing is right all of the time. There are no absolutes. Nothing is 100% for sure. By this standard, the door is opened to a wide range of chaotic and ungodly actions. The results of this mindset is visible throughout our culture and has become a standard with our younger generation. George Barna discovered that only one in ten teens who claim to be Christian believes in moral absolutes. Yes, 90% of Christian teens believe that everything is right some of the time, but nothing is right all of the time. Where do they get it? Barna also discovered that only 32% of all Christians believe in moral absolutes. They learn from their parents. Houston, we have a problem!
So how do we get from “One Nation Under God” to the moral decline we are in today? A better question is HOW DO WE FIX IT?
We were built on a foundation of Christianity whether the rest of the world would want to agree or not… yes, Mr. President, we are a Christian nation! The beginnings were humble, called of God, and filled with prayer, a necessity for survival in a new nation birthed in freedom through pain and loss. It was not and is not a crutch for the weak. As time moved on and life became more and more modern through transitions in lifestyles and technology, those holding to a moral standard felt threatened and put more pressure on the younger generation of their day to also hold strong to those same moral truths. That generation felt the pressure of their parents and, instead of holding more firmly to the standard set forth, many felt threatened and pushed against such strictness. What once was the standard quickly became the object of scrutiny. What was once looked upon as necessity for survival now was seen as the stumbling block keeping the next generation from real success. As this progression grew, ebbed, and flowed, the generations that followed found new paths altogether. Soon the moral fabric our country was pieced together with became torn and partly discarded.
This is the pattern of revolution that slowly has changed how religious fervor in our country is seen. We are still “One Nation Under God” but the view of God is mostly what has changed. Some see a relationship with Jesus Christ as a way of life, a necessity that carries them through every day. Some see it as a crutch, not something needed to live, but something to give an excuse by as to why life goes a certain way for them. Others are very passive. Sure, they go to church and talk the language, but it is a social atmosphere and a help to succeed in the “real world.”
It comes down to this… we who live by Christian principles and work to develop our relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ must be aware and clear with our message. We must be careful not to be arrogant with our religion, but to be loving and compassionate towards those who need to know and want to understand. We are to be ever seeking God’s face and learning from His Word to be instant in season and ready to give a steady defense of the Word of God. We are also to be steadfast in our beliefs, never giving up or backing down from the world’s push to abolish the truth about our origin, our heritage, and our lifestyle. We should be never wavering and willing to stand up for the cause of Christ, even if it means persecution unto death.
We serve a great God who deserves our faithfulness, not our style. He deserves our life, not our social network. He deserves our adoration and praise, not our lip-service. It is time to fight against moral relativism on a personal level, on a family level, and on a social level. It is time to be real with God!