All posts by Philip

Morning Thoughts (Dealing with Church Problems)

Morning Thoughts

This morning, there is no question that we live in perilous times.  Some of the modern thoughts and pushes of man that seem to be gaining more and more traction seem absolutely incomprehensible to my mind.  The underpinnings of morality and common decency are quickly fading in the rearview mirror to a large degree.  Doubtless our forefathers in this country would be shocked beyond degree to see the current status of things in this country.  Equally so, I believe many of the forefathers in the faith would be shocked to look at the state of things in many churches today.  A while back, I remember reading an account of one of Elder C.H. Cayce's extended preaching trips that lasted close to a month in three different states.  He lamented the coldness that had gripped Zion in many areas, and yet all historical evidence indicates that there were more churches and more congregants then than now.  If he lamented then (less than 100 years ago), what sorrow would accompany today's state!  However, one of the tragic things that can often coincide with these sorrowful circumstances is when misguided people zealously try to "fix" things in the wrong way.  The "fix" ends up destructive, with the original problem all the while still remaining.

How many times today have you heard someone lament and proclaim something to the effect, "Our churches are declining.  We are losing our children, and spirituality seems to be greatly lacking."?  Personally, I have heard it quite a lot in the last few years, and certainly there is a plethora of data to indicate that in many places this trend is the case.  To a Bible student, this should be unsurprising though still sorrowful. (II Thessalonians 2:3) Still, though the Bible talks of this falling away, that does not grant permission to sit back and say "oh well," but neither does it grant liberty to implement things that we "feel" that He has not commanded.  Interestingly, it is my experience and observation that many of these well-meaning people not only follow a pattern for course correction in a church sense that is non-Biblical, but they also miss the mark on the truly biggest problems.

Before we launch into the pattern of dealing with church problems, I would like to solidify two points that could easily get overlooked after the previous two paragraphs.  Point #1 is that the Lord's church will remain here in the earth according to God's promise as long as the world stands. (Matthew 16:18) Though there are declines and periods of languishing, one should never, ever get the idea that the light of the truth shall ever finally be extinguished from the earth.  Somewhere there will always be a people worshipping God in spirit and in truth.  Point #2 is that the Lord's church was set up in perfection, and that prescription laid out in God's word has remained perfect throughout the ages.  Though ministers talk about correction coupled with rebuke, it is not a slap on how the Lord set it up.  It is rather a declaration of how poorly we sometimes follow the prescription.  Therefore, knowing that the Lord's church will not finally and completely die and that He set up a perfect order, how do we deal with the problems that so often penetrate our worship and disturb our peace and fellowship with the Master?

A good Biblical example of dealing with church troubles is to examine Paul's epistles to the church at Corinth, particularly the first one.  No church that I have ever encountered had the level of trouble that Corinth did.  They had morality problems, doctrinal problems, priority problems, church order problems, and a rash of improper attitudes.  If you encountered a church that had their laundry list of issues, what would you do?  Where would you start?  Would you begin with the doctrinal issue of non-resurrectionism?  Would you begin with the moral issues of a man having his father's wife?  Paul did not address either of these problems until the 15th and 5th chapters respectively.  However, his pattern for this troubled church in his early thoughts serves as a good example and guidepost for a proper course for us today.

In the opening chapters – 1st through 3rd – Paul addresses two main points that serve as the foundation points that should guide our decisions and proper order today.  Without firmly establishing these two things, the other issues will never get sorted out.  Strangely, these two points are either ignored or denigrated by those that attempt to "fix" things today.  The first point is a well-grounded and firm conviction of the Personage and work of Jesus Christ.  The second point is the uprooting and weeding out of idolatry in whatever form it takes.  Unless we firmly grasp the foundation of Jesus Christ and exclude all other idols in our lives and churches, the other problems will continue.

Read through the first half of chapter 1 and count the number of references to Jesus Christ and His work.  Without even a hint of the troubles at Corinth that Paul will later address, Paul firmly establishes the point that Jesus Christ should be the focus.  Period.  By the opening of chapter 2, Paul further establishes that this knowledge was all that he wanted to know and the only perspective he wanted to preach from.  By the time he discusses foundations and buildings later in chapter 3, he has concluded beyond any question that no other foundation can be possibly considered as the base of the church's right course. (I Corinthians 3:11)

Have you ever heard people accuse the household of faith for preaching too much grace?  Have you ever heard a preacher foolishly declare that we "have been rocked to sleep in the cradle of grace?"  Friends, Paul was content that grace through Jesus Christ must be first and foremost in the minds of the members of our body.  Truly, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is not that which causes us to slumber, but a right placement of that work energizes the heart of a child of God that no amount of bribery or extortion could possibly accomplish.  By bribing people with functions, programs, and other activities, the members of the body are lulled into a sense of progress that distracts from Christ rather than focuses on Him the way the gospel does in power and demonstration of the Spirit.  Scare tactics serve to torture the soul of the child of God rather than build up and edify the spiritual man as the gospel most assuredly does.

Mingled throughout Paul's opening remarks on the foundation of Jesus Christ is a sprinkling of a discussion about preacher worship.  The Corinthians had bought into the idea that the messenger could be more important than the message. (I Corinthians 1:10-16) Paul furthers the point that real preaching (the power of God) should not stand in man's wisdom or man's knowledge. (I Corinthians 2:1-4) Finally, he concludes that the men who preach are just men who have functions and jobs they attempt to fulfill, but it is always God that prospers if there is a blessed outcome. (I Corinthians 3:3-6) What do these two opening points have to do with each other, and why are they the most important to set the stage for cleaning up the rest of the mess?

Many people today give honour and glory to Christ with their lips, and they may even heartily believe and support the message of Christ's finished work.  However, where does the honour go in their steps, time, and service?  Do they thank God more for the message or the messenger more for delivering it?  Do they devote their time to adhering to the blessed gospel of grace through adoring service or do they seek the pleasures and pursuits of men?  Paul's real-world example of preacher worship is something that still occurs today, but the heart of the point is more insidious than most people consider at first glance.  Preacher worship is one of many forms of idolatry.

Many years ago, I heard a minister preach and say these words, "People talk about what the greatest threat is to the church today.  Some say it is this doctrinal ism or that doctrinal ism.  Some say it is morality.  Others say it is a lack of attendance to the youth, and therefore we jeopardize the future of the church.  The biggest problem in the church today is the same one it's always been: idolatry."  The wise minister's words coincide beautifully with Paul's outlook.  Paul understood that preacher worship was a jangling form of idolatry that served to esteem someone or something above Christ.

What about the moral question that plagued the church in chapter 5?  Resolution of moral issues will never be fully realized unless someone has Christ first and everything else in its place.  Paul says that the reason this problem continued was due to a puffed up attitude about it.  Where does that stem from?  Idolatry: putting our feelings above that which is right, without seeing Christ as the most important thing.  What about misuse of the ordinances in chapter 11?  Misuse of the table will not happen when someone keeps that noble sacrifice in the right frame and does not, in idolatrous fashion, put his own flesh above the noble remembrance of that sacrifice.  What about doctrinal errors like non-resurrectionism?  Doctrinal errors always stem from one or both of the following: 1. thinking too little of God, 2. thinking too highly of man.  The idea of clearing out idols and elevating Christ above all will dispel the foolishness of vain jangling through heresy.

So what is the answer to dealing with church troubles today?  How do these two main points that Paul uses set the stage for dealing with any circumstance?  When people talk about declining numbers or spiritual stagnation today, how do we as ministers approach these dark days?  First and foremost, we proclaim with fervor and passion that Christ is still on His throne.  His hand is not slack, nor has He gone to sleep on His people.  That grounding cannot be overly stressed as we mortals forget it so often in our daily slogs through the trenches.  Secondly, we remind ourselves first and then those that we minister to that we are not our own, and He deserves our all.  For example, when someone fails to attend service these days, how is it generally regarded?  Most today simply shrug their shoulders or protest that they "had" to be somewhere like vacation, reunion, sporting event, etc.  To the casual observer, this common practice is a "lesser sin."  How does God view it?  God sees it as nothing short of idolatry in putting self above the sacrifice of His Son. (Hebrews 10:25-29)

Most of our problems today boil down to idolatry, and idolatry creeps up on us when we esteem something through our thoughts, time, and energy more than the work of Jesus Christ.  The thoughts of esteeming Christ and weeding out idolatry are so inextricable that one cannot fully have one without the exclusion of the other.  The best way to deal with problems in the church is proper grounding of the work of Christ and casting down of all imaginations and idols in every form.  Is it preacher worship, worldly pleasures, etc.?  The "what" might change forms, but the root cause is the same.  Why do people spend time trying to "save" the children through programs?  They will tell you, "We're trying to save the future of the church."  Friends, Jesus Christ is the past, present, and future of the church.  My prayer and labour is that the children will be part of the church's future, but I should not idolize them by placing their importance higher than anyone else's welfare in the church. 

Upon reflection, this writing is rather lengthy, but in closing, I would like to note that no matter the troubles that lay before us, we should not get cast down and depressed.  Paul got firm with Corinth, but he never sounds wretchedly depressed.  The longer I live and the more I labour, the more I am convinced that one of Satan's biggest tools against the church in general and the minister in particular is worry sometimes coupled with depression.  Do we believe in the strength and Person of Christ or do we not?  Do we believe He is above all things or do we not?  If we do, then our mindset should be that of looking up to heaven for help rather than looking down on the discouragement of this cursed globe.  Looking down is a good way to fall into idolatry, but looking up is a good way to keep Christ in view.  May our services and churches look upward toward the source of all help and cast down anything that stands in the way.

In Hope,

Bro Philip

Morning Thoughts (James 5:11)

Morning Thoughts,

James 5:11, "Behold, we count them happy which endure, Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."

This morning, it helps people to know that others share similar experiences with them.  People who can empathize with you (relate to your sufferings) are generally more welcome than those who can only sympathize (feel sorry for the suffering but without any firsthand experience).  When I lost my father about 12 years ago, expressions of grief and compassion from others that had lost a parent – particularly a father – seemed to resonate the strongest with me.  As they described their feelings and emotions going through their loss, I could relate to the feeling as I had it too.  Part of the joy that comes with marriage is that two people living as one have mutual "high times" to share and experience together.  These joys seem doubled as the couple enjoys them together.  It is one of the trademarks of our makeup, and the Lord's infinite wisdom employs this characteristic when He inspired His Book.

The Bible is replete with examples – both good and bad – that we can easily relate to in many circumstances that we face in life.  Have you been tempted or succumbed to temptation lately?  If so, reading David's prayer in Psalm 51 can be more poignant and quite powerful during such a time.  Have you had a mountaintop experience with the Lord in recent days?  If so, then recounting Moses' experience seeing the hinder parts of God's glory can have special experiential significance.  In our study verse, James has been describing reactions to suffering in the context.  One of his primary points through the lesson is to exhort and encourage his readers to patience in the situations of life.  However, he does not stop short with just some intellectual discussion on the concept of reaction to suffering or the outcomes of suffering.  James affords us a real life example to not only show the experience of suffering but the correct way to endure it with a promised outcome on the other side of suffering.

James points us to Job, who endured as much – and possibly more – than any other person, save Jesus Christ Himself.  He had a "day" that I would suspect all of us find impossible to empathize with and probably even imagine.  In Job 1, he lost all of his children and his entire livelihood through possessions of livestock.  This day was followed by another hard day in chapter 2 when he loses his health as well, and in the midst of all of this suffering, his wife tells him to curse God and die, and 3 "friends" show up like an inquisition to beat a confession out of him, already judging him guilty.  What a complete tragedy of one's life circumstances!

James points us to Job as our example of how to endure sufferings.  He was patient (though not perfect) in his trial, and he is worthy of patterning to a point when we experience loss and tragedy in our own lives.  Too often, we like to play the "blame God" game when things go wrong, but Job did the opposite.  He blessed God in the midst of his toughest season.  He endured patiently, and as such, James holds him up as a shining example of patience even in the midst of life's sorest trials.  However, James also points us from Job to the Lord with a promise of the Lord's character in the outcomes of trials.

Not only is Job's case one to draw strength from with Job's patience in trials, we can glean even more consolation from an understanding of the Lord's character in how Job's case ended.  The Lord is described as being very pitiful and of tender mercy.  This means that the Lord grants compassion and has an infinite supply of pity for our sufferings and state.  So, how did Job's case end?  In the last chapter of Job, we read that the Lord has set the record straight.  He commends and rebukes Job.  He rebukes him for speaking on behalf of God (God can and does do that Himself), and He commended him when speaking in condemnation to Job's 3 "friends."  God said Job was upright, whereas they were not.  Finally, Job received twice as much at the end as he had at the beginning.

James points us to this end of the Lord for our consolation and strength for our trials, and the unchanging character of the Lord demands that we understand that the Lord's pity and mercy to Job will be to us as well.  Now the obvious question arises, "Does this mean that if we stay faithful and patient to the Lord that we can expect a pleasant end to our lives here?"  The obvious answer is "no."  The Bible is brimming with examples of people that died in tragedy and never attained any kind of "well off" status on earth.  A quick perusal of the prophets of the Old Testament shows that many of them lived and died in ignominy in the eyes of the people for standing for the word of God that they faithfully proclaimed.  Jeremiah is a good example of this very thing.  Hebrews 11 even tells us that one of the outcomes of living by faith is being able to do great things like stop lion's mouths, quench fire's violence, and wax valiant in fight. (Verses 33-34) However, it follows up that list of glory by saying that a life of faith can also yield torture, bonds, stoning, and being sawed asunder. (Verses 35-38)

So, which is it?  Does the life of faith and patience in trials yield desirable or undesirable outcomes?  Notice the verse says the "end of the Lord."  Though God showed in glorious fashion that Job's life was more blessed and desirable at the end, it is the principle that James is pointing us to that all of us can share in and enjoy.  I sincerely hope that I will not lose my children, possessions, and health to be followed by scorning from my wife and miserable accusation from my good friends.  If I do, perhaps I will endure and stand fast patiently.  However, I should not expect that before I die I will necessarily receive twofold from the Lord of all that I lost.  Job did literally receive those things, but consider the principle of the end of the Lord.  What was manifested to Job literally in the natural realm will be manifested literally to all of us in the better world to come.

The Bible tells us in many places that the Lord gives us abundantly more (twice as much) in goodness for our evil.  Isaiah 40 promises double blessing from the Lord for all of our iniquities, and Romans 5 promises that grace much more abounds in spite of abundance of sin.  However, when it comes to suffering and trial, what comfort yields the most precious strength and hope?  Job was not guilty but suffered anyway.  Though we do suffer for our sins, what grants the comfort and strength needed for the day when we suffer having done nothing that merits it?

Zechariah tells us that we need to turn to the stronghold as prisoners of hope. (Zechariah 9:12) Though we have battles and soreness of trial in this old world, there is a refuge and stronghold that we can lean on, latch onto, and draw strength from.  What is the root source of that strength?  The verse says that the promise upon which hope is anchored is the Lord turning to render double to us.  Just as Job received twice as much at the end as he had at the beginning, so we can faithfully say that the Lord will render double to us in the world to come.  This promise of double equates to many things, but consider that the Lord gives us a double inheritance (as joint-heirs with the firstborn in God's house), double security (being in both the Father and Son's hands), and double standing (we were taken from the throes of sin and depravity past the innocence of Adam to a position of pure holiness and righteousness).  The Lord lifting us soaring through the clouds to the gates of glory is something that this world is not worthy to be compared to.  And when the Lord blesses us with that rich experience, He will also set the record straight.  Though we may die at the hands of unjust men with our blood crying out to God, God will appear and have “His Day” when the mouths of the wicked are stopped and the righteous are exonerated before all. (Matthew 25:31-46)

What do you need to help you get through the trials of life?  James supplies the case of Job for many reasons.  One reason is that none of us will say, "I suffered more than he did."  Another is that none of us can say, "But how do I know that things will be better for me later?"  Because Job's case is our example, we can feel the closeness and association with others in trials, but because the Lord manifested His eternal promise through literal blessings to Job, we can look up and see by faith that those gone before us have entered into the great land of "double" where the presence of the Lord emanates throughout every soul in complete glory and majesty.  Dear fellow soldier, remember that others have gone before, and others are coming after: all to have similar experiences and afflictions.  More than anything remember the same Lord with immutable character is all in all with the promise of a pitiful and merciful outcome.

In Hope,

Bro Philip