Coming this Sunday

This Sunday, November 1st, we will begin a new series about practical atheism. Practical atheism is simply saying that you believe in God but living as if He doesn't exist. I would say that describes the majority of folks in the church today. It also describes a lot of folks outside the church who feel that it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you believe in something. I believe the next four weeks will be an eye opener for all of us. And it will also be a series you will want to invite your friends to experience.

SO, WHO ARE YOU BRINGING WITH YOU?

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Greater Things Are Yet To Come

I was reading a blog the other day from one of my favorite pastors where he was saying why he believes the best days are yet to come for the church. As we look around the country, many people think the opposite is true. Churches are closing down every day. About 1000 minister a week leave the ministry. More than 90% of people who begin in ministry do not retire from ministry. Giving has declined in light of this present recession, etc... Pastor Perry, however, states that he is seeing huge positive signs behind the façade of the obvious. Here is my take on a few of those signs:

• More and more people are stepping up to the plate and going “all in” for Jesus.
• Leaders are leading with conviction and passion. And they’re not asking committees for approval, they’re begging God for His permission.
• The Gospel has taken center stage to the eternal agendas of the past.
• People are responding to the unadulterated truth of the Gospel.
• The use of the internet and video exponentially increases the maximum redemptive potential of the church.
• The church is finally more interested in seeing birth given to new babies (new churches and new believers) than in trying to resurrect the dead.
• The effective churches are those who are not afraid to take risks and be different in order to reach the world with the life changing message of God’s grace.
• The church’s “return on investment” is measured in souls rather than in dollars.
• The church is reaching outside the walls of denominationalism and religious institutionalism to be a presence and make a difference in the community.
• People are inviting their friends to church because they know they won’t have to apologize for taking them to a “dog and pony” show that has little relevance in their lives.
• Religion is being rejected and relationship is being embraces. Relationship with God and relationship with others.
• Formality is not required! Come as you are. We accept you right where you are in life, regardless of what you wear to church.

You see, the emphasis of the church is returning to the emphasis of Jesus. He wasn’t into building denominational facts and figures or huge selfish agendas. Jesus simply conveyed the message that God has a plan for your life and you can know Him personally. That’s why I too believe that our best days are ahead. Greater things are yet to come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Are You A Practical Atheist?

So many of us are like Craig Groeschel said at the 2007 Catalyst conference, “We say we believe in God but we live as though He doesn’t exist.” That’s the definition of a Practical Atheist. And I’m not necessarily talking about folks that consider themselves to be on the fringe – just dabbling with Christianity and faith. I’m talking about people that are in the church who have stated that they believe in God and actually participate every now and then. But because of our misunderstandings about who God really is, the way we are “doing” the work of God very well could be destroying the work of God within us. Some of the characteristics of being a Practical Atheist are:

• You say you believe in God but you’re not living in awe of His presence in your life. His existence doesn’t affect how you live.
• You believe in God but you don’t want Him to change your lifestyle.
• You believe in God but you trust money more than you trust Him.
• You believe in God but you really don’t know Him – you don’t have a vibrant, ongoing, growing, intimate relationship with Jesus.
• You say you believe in God but you think your efforts are better than His power.
• You say you believe in God but you begrudgingly serve out of necessity instead out of the joy of your relationship with Him.
• You believe in God but you live as though pleasing people is more important than pleasing Him.
• You say you believe in God, but you don’t think your private life affects your life as a Christian.

And there are numerous other characteristics that could be added to that list. The important thing, however, is this: Are you living like a Practical Atheist? Most Christians would say, “I’m not an atheist! I believe in God!!!” But do you say that you believe in Him and then live as though He doesn’t exist?

Maybe there was once a time when your relationship with Christ was alive and the centerpiece of your life. Then something happened along the way – you got burned or let down a few times so you started relying on your own strength. Like Peter, you started to see the storm and took your eyes off of Jesus. Did you start living by sight and not by faith in God? I believe so many of us have either forgotten or we don’t understand who God really is. If we did, it would dramatically change our lives. Maybe the reason we don’t see any miracles in our life is because we say we believe but it’s only in our head and does not come from a deep, abiding faith in God Almighty. Folks, it’s time to say, “No more”. It’s time to stop trying to control life’s circumstances and situations and allow God to take over... It’s time to see God for who He really is and live as though He’s right beside us, walking with us, holding us up when we can’t stand, and giving us strength to carry on. Because the truth is – that’s what He’s doing! I believe the new sermon series we’re beginning this Sunday is going to be another exciting ride as we travel the road of faith together! Buckle your seatbelts!

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About Sunday

Sunday was another wonderful day on the mountain. Communion was beautiful and Janelle's song really rocked. A few thoughts about the service...

1 - I was surprised - well maybe not really - at the number of folks who believe their pets will be in heaven. I didn't hear from anyone who believed their pets would be in hell.

2 - I wasn't kidding about contacting the dead or playing around with spells, psychics, tarot cards, etc... that stuff is dangerous and we all need to steer clear of it.

3 - The topic on cremation wasn't contested by anyone that talked with me. BTW - I've told Lynn that when I die she can have me cremated and flushed down the toilet. She said, "There's no way! Your family wouldn't fit in the bathroom!" I feel the love - lol.

4 - Many of you were encouraged by the point about suicide. Most of the rhetoric we hear about topics like this is pure opinion and conjured up theory. We need to spend more time reading the Bible and less time making things up.

5 - We had several saved again on Sunday. I never get tired of that! I just wish more of you would believe in hell enough to invite you lost friends to church... I know you don't want them to die without knowing Jesus.

6 - The New Member's Lunch was great. We look forward to welcoming some new folks into the faith family in two weeks!

7 - I'm pumped about the upcoming series and the LifeGroup curriculum that we'll be studying. It will be challenging, uncomfortable, in your face, and life-changing. I urge you to open your heart to the work of the Holy Spirit during the next few weeks and allow Him to do a work in your life that will leave you forever different.

8 - Fall Festival this Saturday is going to be a great time with the kiddies! We need candy! Pray that the rain will hold off!

Hey Mountain View... I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! I CARE ABOUT YOU IMMENSELY!!! I stand amazed when I look at where God has brought us from and I can't wait to see where He is taking us next!!!!!

We will never be the perfect church that has it all together. That's primarily because I'm your pastor and I am far from perfect.

But as long as I am here, the Holy Spirit will always be welcomed and we will seek His heart and His will above our wants and our desires.

Keep looking up! Jesus is coming soon!!!!

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Seeing Your Critics With The Right Perspective

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to lurk under the eaves, waiting for an opportunity to criticize your every move? Well, I have – numerous times. It seems that no matter what you do, if you’re in a position of leadership there are self-proclaimed experts who are hiding in wait to try and tear you down. So why do these people do what they do? Are they demon possessed puppets that do not act of their own free will but of the will of their father? I’ve thought about this issue a lot over the past 9 years I’ve been the pastor of MVC. And I’ve had quite a few folks come against me – from the folks that tried to get a petition started to throw me out of MVC, to the folks that pass around pamphlets declaring that I was an apostate pastor of an apostate church – to be avoided at all costs. So what are we to make of people like this? How can we face their opposition and continue? First of all, we have to break down their motives.

I’ve unashamedly stolen these thoughts from a friend of mine, Perry Noble, Sr. Pastor of Newspring church – a man I respect and look to for advice & guidance...

Please understand this…most people do not have the guts to share their core convictions about what they believe. That is one of the things that bothers me the most about the “Christian” watchdog sites, they never spend any time developing their own ideas–nope–all they do is spend all of their time attacking others.

Look around and you will discover that a leader with a backbone to declare “thus saith the Lord” is ALWAYS a target of those who are surrounded by a cloud of ambiguity when it comes to their own belief system.

One of the BIGGEST problems in Christian circles today is, “If you don’t believe the EXACT same way that I do about every issue then I must attack you and tear you down through blogs and anonymous e-mails until you see it my way.” The reason for this–insecurity.

I came to the conclusion several years ago that there are some godly men and women on this planet who I do not share every core conviction with–but I still love and respect them and believe with all my heart that they love Jesus.

Something that pastors of growing churches have all told me is that a lot of criticism comes from other pastors in their own town. Think about it–that is insecurity to the max–AND, also think about the fact that if God were doing something significant in their church then they would not have the time to be focused on yours.

The internet has made the second part of Proverbs 6:19, something that God HATES according to the verses preceding, a very easy thing to do because people can hide behind a computer screen and never be taken to task in a face to face conversation because of what they have said.

I have seen people say things on websites and send things through fake e-mail addresses that they would never say to my face–ever. I once heard Rob Bell say, “The internet is a place for cowards,” and I have discovered that to be true.

It is VERY easy to lob accusations and point out problems when you are sitting in your underwear in your mothers basement behind a computer screen…it is a much different thing to actually go to someone face to face, IN LOVE, and have an actual conversation about the issue at hand.

Finally–the ONLY reason a person would criticize our church without knowing us OR our situation is because, for some reason, they feel somewhat superior to you. Uh…the last time I checked that is pride, which, as Mark Driscoll says got Satan kicked out of heaven and will earn you a cut in the line to hell! (I love Driscoll!)

I have heard people say that all criticism should be listened to because there is an element of truth in it–but I disagree. If I had listened to my critics we would still be a church of about 50, all Christians, who really could care less about the people around us that are a heartbeat away from hell.

The Bible says that Proverbs 27:6 that wounds from a friend CAN BE TRUSTED! So who do I listen to? Those who know and love me…and those I respect and admire. But when some random person who has a blog that 17 of his buddies read decides to tell me that I am a stupid moron who is going to hell…uh…for some reason I just do not feel compelled to listen to him. He is not a friend and therefore cannot be trusted.

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For a little while

First of all, I want to thank all of you for your prayers this week. I was pretty sick for a little while, but I am doing much better. Hopefully this weekend will be a great time of rest as we gear up for Sunday. I hope to see you there! And bring somebody with you this week... With that, here's today's post.

The Tennessee Titans football team is having one of those seasons they’d rather forget. They’re 0-6 right now, having lost their last game to the New England Patriots by a whopping 59-0. Last year, during the 2008 season, they were on fire. They finished the season with a record of 13-3 and made it into the divisional playoffs. It’s amazing how things can turn around in such a short amount of time, isn’t it? And I’m sure the slump they’re in currently will soon pass as well.

Writer Steve May once said, "Personally and professionally we all endure losing seasons from time to time. A losing season may tell us that it's time to start over, but it doesn't tell us it's time to quit. If you've suffered some setbacks in life—and we all have or we all will—it doesn't mean that your best days are forever behind you. There's another, better season right around the corner.

Peter reminded his readers of the great rewards to come, and said, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." (1 Peter 1:6) He reminded his readers that trials and troubles will come and go, but the promises of God are permanent.

Remember Peter's words: "for a little while..." You may be struggling in certain areas now, but those struggles are just "for a little while..." You'll experience a turn around, because God's promises are forever. Remain obedient to the Lord. It will bless others, please God, and work out for your benefit. God rewards those who are faithfully obedient to His word.

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Nobody Has A Personal Savior

I totally ripped this post off from Laura LaRocque's cousin, who is a pastor in Massachusetts. I couldn't find his name on the post or I would have put it at the end. I didn't write this, but I think it is right on... Amen bro.

I often hear this in my circles, “have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord & Savior?” I know the intent – “do you have an intimate relationship with Jesus?” Or maybe, “have you yourself made the decision to become a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ?” These are both good questions. So why don’t we ask it that way? I would be interested to know when the terminology “personal” entered the equation. While I think it has been helpful to use “personal Lord & Savior” to emphasize the fact that one must take personal responsibility to be right with God, I also think that over the years it has actually hurt the American church.

We use the phrase so much that when we pray with people to become dedicated followers of Jesus Christ, we unintentionally (or intentionally) tell them that their salvation is all about “me, myself and I.” Most Christians I know think their faith walk is only a personal matter, a private matter, and most damaging of all, a preventative matter (meaning, “well at least I’m saved and I’m not going to hell.”)

Salvation that is presented as merely ”fire insurance” or “a means to ease one’s conscience” is not real, vintage, or I would argue, Biblical salvation. We cannot let salvation simply be a way for individuals to get to heaven. This promotes selfish, lazy and “consumer christianity.” It’s no wonder churches have such a difficult time getting volunteers. Why bother volunteering if one’s salvation is “personal?” After all, I’m not obligated to actively live out my faith if all my faith is about is ME getting to heaven.

But is that all it’s about? I would say – NO! We have often heard it said, “If you were the only person on earth, Jesus would have died for you.” But the fact is that you are NOT the only person on earth and Jesus did not just die for you. He died for everybody and He is Savior of the world and the Lord of all of creation. His church is not a collection of individuals, it’s a body. Instead of ushering people into a “personal faith,” we should be directing people towards a “community-orientated faith. “

As a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ, you are expected to contribute your resources to the Body of Christ. You are expected to serve, worship, pray and get along with fellow believers. You are joining a “great cloud of witnesses,” not running a “one man show.” Jesus is my Savior, but He’s your savior too. As such, we are connected spiritually. That’s why the bIble says that “when one part of the body hurts, we all hurt.” This makes no sense at all when we all have a “personal” Savior.

So, maybe we all need to re-think what our salvation is all about. If we’re to make an impact on our community, our salvation MUST be more than a “get out of hell free card.”

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Facebook.com Classmates.com MySpace.com

As many of you are aware, I have a Facebook page. MVC also has a Facebook page. And from my friend list, I know that a great number of you have Facebook pages as well. I’ve found it to be a useful tool in keeping up with friends and family as well as sharing information about things that are going on in the church. However, along with the good is potential danger. I am becoming more and more aware of the inherent dangers of such a network. Dave Carder, who is a California pastor and psychologist has studied adultery prevention and recovery for more than 30 years. This is what he says about social networking in his book, Close Calls: What Adulterers Want You to Know About Protecting Your Marriage: "There's a new phenomenon—the idea that you can locate and recapture old romances, old flames, old boyfriends and girlfriends from adolescence…in (this) case, the infatuation is already stored in your brain. So if you get back in touch with a person like that—a person you dated, that you kissed, maybe a first-love experience—some 10, 15 years later … Well, the saying in my field is, 'Thirty days of regular contact with an old girlfriend/old boyfriend and you create an infatuation explosion. And in 30 more days, you will find a way to be with each other.' So it's 60 days from the start, because infatuation is a mood-altering experience. It's a huge drug of choice and will sweep you off your feet." Carder warns that, especially in times of unusual or sustained stress, a "surprise adultery" can occur where the affair is really an attempt to heal, distract or support yourself from the stressful situations. He encourages couples to watch for the danger signs and "risk factors—certain seasons of life, certain ages, certain life experiences, certain marital stages, personal histories you bring to the marriage—that can set you up for an affair. That doesn't mean you are going to do it, but like in the disease model, there are risk factors." *

I’m not saying that you should cancel your Facebook.com or Classmates.com or MySpace.com accounts, but be aware and on alert of the potential dangers. Satan is like a roaring lion. He is setting traps and doing anything he can do to trip up believers. Don’t fall prey to his attacks. Stand firm in the Lord and flee all appearances of evil. 

*The Washington Times 7/8/09

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Faith In Action

I learned of something new this week that took place last Sunday, October 11^th. It is called “Faith In Action Sunday”. Although the campaign is not known to MVC, the theme is very familiar. This year’s rallying cry was - "Don't Go to Church. Be The Church". Believers donned t-shirts printed with the saying, and instead of going to the church building, they blanketed their neighborhoods to show the love of Jesus in very tangible ways. The aim, according to Shelly Langley of Cloudbreak Church in San Diego, Californa was to show people “that we really do care about more than just what’s happening in our building.” The intent of the event was to challenge churchgoers to shift the focus from themselves to others. One report from Christian Post said: “Churches that have participated over the last years testify that the campaign has helped moved their "inactive" members to become active and involved. Rev. Todd Lackie of Kenwood Church of Christ in Livonia, Michigan said, "Our Faith in Action campaign is helping us transform our congregation into a church that is motivated to help our community and strive to grow in Jesus' image. A church that puts its faith into action focuses not on itself, but living out Christ's teaching and his divine example of compassion." Steve Haas, vice president for church relations at World Vision, says Faith in Action "is designed to be one step towards alleviating the complacency that is afflicting churches across the country, and an effective call to action to follow Christ’s example of compassion. Worship was never to be confined to a single time of a single day during the week, but a whole body experience of faithful obedience to a risen Christ.” Sounds like the same kind of theology we’ve been learning about at MVC doesn’t it? I never cease to be amazed how God unites the hearts of believers across the country with one central theme - even those of us who are not aware of a national or global campaign. God is moving us out of our comfort zones and getting us into the by-ways and the highways, to share the love of Jesus and the good news of His grace.

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15 Ways to Keep Your Marriage Strong

Today is a great day for me for 26 years ago in Abernathy Methodist Church I was married to the love of my life - Patricia Lynn Bryson Bennett. Over these past years, times have been great, times have been good, and some times have been bad. But I am truly blessed that we have been able to weather the storms and make it this far. My hope is that the next 26 years - if the Lord tarries - will be even more exciting and enjoyable. (You're the best thing that has ever happened to me sweetie - I love you.) With that in mind, I thought I would share 15 things that I believe can help keep your marriage strong. I confess that I have failed numerous times in all of these areas, however that doesn't lessen the importance of each one.

1. Pray with and for each other often.

2. Share a devotion daily.

3. Attend church together and take the kids with you.

4. Get away often - just the two of you - for dinner, a movie, a date night.

5. Be honest and transparent with each other.

6. Make big decisions as a team.

7. Say I love you a bunch of times, every day.

8. Leave little love notes and notes of encouragement for each other.

9. Share memories together by pulling out the old photo albums and remembering.

10. Listen - and I don't mean just hear - but listen actively and attentively.

11. Remember birthdays and anniversaries.

12. Cook together.

13. Hold hands and be affectionate with each other.

14. Take at least 15 minutes a day with your spouse to have a face-to-face discussion about something going on in your life.

15. Don't take each other for granted.

Most of us got married because we were great friends. Most divorces take place because couples have grown apart. When you spend time together, your friendship will grow, your communication will grow, and your love will grow.

There are probably hundreds of other things you can do to keep your marriage strong. These are just a few. Remember that your spouse is a gift from God. Treat him or her graciously and have fun together!

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Guatemala

Thought I would share a post with you from our missionaries in Guatemala - Dennis & Cindy McCutcheon...

"Hospital Shalom Matzatenango calls us for help – An Excel 210 anesthesia machine has a leak and a team of surgeons coming in 10 days to operate on cleft palates. Need parts, but no way to get them here in time. Welcome to mission medicine!

In the USA pull the machine out of the room and bring in one of many backups. NOT an option for our friends in this Christian Hospital. Pragmatism requires the machine to stay in service. Sooo, unplug the tube from exit port, drop it through a hole in the bottom of the case, find the heaviest hemostat and clamp it during the case. Drive 3 hours home, get on the phone to Jeff Rhinehart at Metropolitan Medical in Asheville NC (wish I had taken that picture of the problem part when I thought of it-too late). HELP!! He agrees to find a used part, God please bless this business that is so generous with us. Now find someone coming to Guatemala soon. Get info to Jeff, my daugters and the person coming. Arrange paperwork in case customs is a problem. Meet them at airport, pick up the part and 6 to 7 hours on the road to make the repair… yes it seems that things are never easy in Guatemala.

But who is complaining, the scenery, the people, tortillas, fried plantains, fresh bananas, flan… sharing Jesus. Where else would one want to be?"

Thanks for your generosity in supporting Dennis & Cindy...

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What are your identifying marks?

I grew up during a time when tattoos were taboo. They were usually done in the dark alleys or in prison cells, and bore little if any resemblance to the elaborate “ink art” we see today. I never really thought much about it until my children were grown and decided they were going to get tattoos. When I asked my son why he wanted to get “inked”, he said, “Dad, it’s no big deal. I just want it as an identity mark.” The tattoo he got was a nautical star with the words “I know the way” written underneath in Greek. As I think about his response to me that he just wanted the tattoo as an "identity mark”, I wonder how many of us have the identifying marks of followers of Jesus? When you read thru the scriptures, there are certain characteristics that we should have if we claim to be Christians. For example, 1 John 4:7-8 says, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Paul wrote numerous times in the epistles that we should love one another, pray for one another, honor and give preference to one another. Jesus said that we are to love our neighbor as ourself and if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. Do you have those identifying marks in your life? I’m not talking about being perfect. But are you growing in love, growing in faithfulness, growing in your prayer life, growing in sharing your faith? I’m also not talking about faking it. Anyone can put a Christian bumper sticker on his or her car, but that doesn’t make you a believer. The question is, “Does your bumper sticker really describe who you are or are you a faker?” Tough question for some of us...
And this applies to us as a church as well? Does MVC bear the marks of a Christ-following family of faith? If so, we will have certain characteristics. Paul wrote to the Colossian church, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14)
So ask yourself today – “Am I bearing the marks? Or am I trying to act like something I’m not whenever it benefits me? Is your life being changed daily? Is God growing you more and more into the likeness of His Son? Are you growing in love, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience?” These things are identifying marks of a disciple of Jesus Christ.

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About Sunday

Sunday was incredible again. I never get tired of worshipping with you all. You know, God has given us something really special up on the hill. I can’t wait to see what He is going to do in this next year.

• Tough subject to preach about today – Hell is always hard. But as believers we can celebrate about the fact that we will miss it.
• Great response at the end of the service. It was wonderful to see so many folks praying for their unbelieving friends.
• Had 5 salvations today. I never get tired of seeing that. Pretty awesome!
• I thought the band lifted the roof with the Revelation song this morning. Tyler was laying down some mean licks on the guitar... You go man!
• Yes we did consider opening with "Highway to Hell" this morning.
• Thanks again for the hosts of our LifeGroups. Lunch was a small token of thanks. God is using you all to change the hearts of MVC.
• I hope you will all take my challenge seriously about showing the love of Christ and inviting your friends, neighbors, relatives and associates to church. I want to see us joining together to make heaven a more crowded place.
• Thanks to those of you who showed your appreciation to me and Lynn today. We do feel greatly appreciated by you.
• Big week this week! Lynn and I will be celebrating our 26^th anniversary on the 14^th. I am a very, very, very blessed man to have such an incredible wife.
• Hope you all have a great week!

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Are There People In Hell?

This may come as a surprise to some of you, but I believe that there is no one in Hell, at least not yet. I'm not saying that I believe in some sort of soul sleep where the body rests in the grave until Judgment day. Nobody is in Hell at the present moment because Hell is the final place for those who have rejected Christ. It's the eternal place of torment to which Satan, his angels and unbelievers are sent after the Great White Throne Judgment.

“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:12-15

John says that Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. Hades is the proper place for those who die. There are apparently two compartments in Hades. One side is the place of torment, or what is usually called Hades. The other side is called Paradise. There is a great chasm that separates the two. We see this clearly illustrated in Jesus’ story in Luke 16 about the rich man and the beggar Lazarus.

At the final judgment, Hades and all the unbelievers, as well as Satan and his angels, will be thrown into limpur, the lake of fire. So at the present time, there is no one in Hell – limpur – The Lake of Fire – not yet anyways.

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The Judgment Seat of Christ

In our series entitled, "So You're Dead... Now What?" I will be speaking about judgment. When most Christians read that word in the scriptures, we incorrectly think it only pertains to nonbelievers. But that's not true. All believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, not to determine whether or not they will go to heaven, but to give an account for their deeds, both good and bad. Christ will reward those who have remained faithful and persevered in the faith until the end. In the Traditionalist “view, all who are Christians will be rewarded, and some more than others. What this has created is a false version of Christianity where complete commitment is optional. And if you barely make it into heaven, all that you will lose is a higher degree of blessedness. But all will be blessed. Could it be that this happy ending has lulled many into thinking they can continue their lukewarmness with no eternal consequences to pay?” (The Reign of the Servant Kings, pg 23).

I am aware of the traditional understandings of the kingdom ages to come that have all true Christians reigning with Jesus Christ and no real accountability for unfaithfulness. And I believe that such teaching is not only tragic, but leaves the believer with a false sense of security and a huge lack of understanding! Jesus didn't teach a loose, watered down, lukewarm form of faith. His emphasis was on living your faith fully, as a matter of lifestyle, not as a practice when it's convenient. And there was no deviation... the exhortation was to remain steadfast, to be faithful servants who share His love and grace in everything.

The writer of the book of Hebrews was addressing Christian Jews who were tempted to return to the old ways of Judaism. But doing so would be turning their backs on Christ and failing to remain steadfast until the end. Listen to this warning to these believers.

Hebrews 3:12-15
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers [companions] of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: "Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."

These were true Christians. They had been born again and had received the Holy Spirit. But now it appears that they were in jeopardy of forfeiting their co-heirship with Christ! In this often neglected (even more so, highly misinterpreted) warning, we find that only those who persevere until the end are the companions with Jesus in the coming age.

Addressing "brethren," the writer to the Hebrews warns against hardening one's heart through sin and separating oneself from fellowship with God. To do so is to forfeit intimate companionship with Christ.

God has prepared a lavish wedding banquet for the son. In Him, God was fully pleased. Jesus, the Son, desires to share this glory with companions, as a bridegroom wishes to share the joy of his wedding with his guests. Israel was God’s chosen nation where the invitation to participate in this joy was first proclaimed by the prophets. These men of God were spitefully treated and many were put to death. So, in God’s wrath, Jerusalem and around one million of its Jewish inhabitants were destroyed in 70 A.D. by Roman armies. Then thru Peter and continuing thru Paul God further extended an invitation to the glories of co-heirship with Christ to the Gentiles.

In 2 Corinthians 5 we see one such person who responded to the invitation, however he appeared before Christ, the groom, unprepared. We see from this passage that only those who are prepared for privilege and glory at Christ’s coming will be invited to participate. For those who are not faithful, the privileges of Christ’s intimate companionship, and from co-ruling authorities and glory with Christ will be forfeited. And there will be great grief and regret among these people until eventually, all tears will be wiped away by God (Rev 21:4).

Notice also that the when man without a wedding garment is confronted with his lack of preparation for the joy of this feast that he has nothing to say. When the unfaithful Christian, now sinless, is met with the judgment for his actions, he will experience the shame of knowing that such consequence is merited. And he will not try to talk his way out of it. And Paul goes on to say that this man will “receive the things done in [his] body” which were “bad” (2 Cor 5:10).

Listen, living the life of a "sold out" disciple of Christ is not an easy walk. It takes hard work, consecration, discipline, and endurance. Walking with Jesus is the experience of intimate fellowship with Him. And being arrayed in white at the coming of the Groom (Jesus) is the exclusive glory He merited through His righteousness, faithfulness, and suffering. So do not neglect the personal responsibilities we have in our own spirituality.

Every Christian has the opportunity to share in Christ’s glory and rule over the universe in the coming ages. Likewise, every Christian also has the sober possibility of failure, resulting in undesirable punitive consequences. Christians are robbed of God’s greatest motivations unto consecration when they are told the anti-Scriptural pronouncement that all Christians will reign with Christ. That just ain't so.

(Much of this blog is from Antonio da Rosa's "Free Grace Theology".)

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So you're dead... Now what?

As we begin this new series I thought I might post a few illustrations and stories about death and dying.

1. In one of his books, A.M. Hunter, the New Testament scholar, relates the story of a dying man who asked his Christian doctor to tell him something about the place to which he was going. As the doctor fumbled for a reply, he heard a scratching at the door, and he had his answer. "Do you hear that?" he asked his patient. "It's my dog. I left him downstairs, but he has grown impatient, and has come up and hears my voice. He has no notion what is inside this door, but he knows that I am here. Isn't it the same with you? You don't know what lies beyond the Door, but you know that your Master is there." (Christian Theology in Plain Language)

2. Thursday, December 21, 1899, after cutting short a Kansas City crusade and returning home in ill health, D. L. Moody told his family, "I'm not discouraged. I want to live as long as I am useful, but when my work is done I want to be up and off." The next day Moody awakened after a restless night. In careful, measured words he said, "Earth recedes, Heaven opens before me!" His son, Will, concluded his father was dreaming. "No, this is no dream, Will. It is beautiful. It is like a trance. If this is death, it is sweet. There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go." (Moody)

3. The courage of Civil War leader Stonewall Jackson in the midst of conflict can be a lesson for the believer. Historian Mark Brinsley wrote: A battlefield is a deadly place, even for generals; and it would be naive to suppose Jackson never felt the animal fear of all beings exposed to wounds and death. But invariably he displayed extraordinary calm under fire, a calm too deep and masterful to be mere pretense. His apparent obliviousness to danger attracted notice, and after the first Manassas battle someone asked him how he managed it. "My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed." Jackson explained, "God (knows the) time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter where it may overtake me." He added pointedly, 'That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave." (Mark Brinsley)

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