The Rest of the Story

Before you read this article, read the posted before it (most likely just below) entitled, "How do I become a 'Baptism'?"

Upon arriving at church last night for our weekly youth outreach service I was met by the same girl who had asked this question. "Guess what!" sprang out of her mouth. "What?!" I exclaimed in a way that somewhat exaggerated her youthful enthusiasm. "I got saved! ... Sunday night after church I was sitting outside and I started to pray; I cried out to God and asked Him to open His arms and come into my life. After that it was amazing, I just started to cry for like 10 minutes."

I couldn't believe it! What a blessing! I never cease to be amazed at how the Holy Spirit will work in people to bring them to Christ. This young lady has been coming to our youth services for nearly 6 months and now heard dozens of calls for salvation and now, all on her own she cries out to God asking him to come into her life. Rarely to you ever hear of someone getting saved without someone walking them through the "Romans Road", but I just had.

In further talk I asked her what made her decide to get saved then. She said that she knew she needed to, and during our Sunday night song service she kept feeling more and more like it was something she needed to do. Little did she know that it was the Holy Spirit working in her, convicting her or her need of salvation. Whether she knew it or not the results are now eternal history.

But there is more. Last night after the youth service SHE approached ME with the question, "So, when can I get baptized? Maybe this Sunday or next?" Wow, how amazing! She was so excited that she wanted to announce it in person in the service. She did, and all of the other teens erupted in applause!

This was such a great praise I knew I just had to share with you the rest of the story after having posted the question, "How do I become a 'Baptism'?" And there you have it.

"How do I become a 'Baptism'?"

Sunday night as I finished up a few last minute things a teenage approached me with the question, "How do I become a 'Baptism'?" I knew what she meant... baptist, and I knew why she was asking it. She has been attending a different church her entire life with her mother and as felt... less than Spirit led at that church; things seem to be more steeped in religion and tradition that relationship and grace. Having come for nearly 6 months to our Wednesday youth outreach, she has realized that we are not interested in someone merely doing motions in a service nor anyone attending a church based upon the title on the sign. During her attendance here she has urged her mother to come and see our church and experience the difference of relationship over religion... with no avail. Well, Sunday might have changed things. Apparently at the "other church" the sermon was all about how their church and every one of it methods were far superior to any other church in the world, regardless if their practices had any Biblical backing. So, what did I say in regards to the question, "How do I become a 'Baptism'?" The same thing Paul and Silas told the jailer when he asked them a similar question: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." Acts 16.30

The first thing out of my mouth (after, "You mean 'Baptist'" was;) "It isn't about being a Baptist, or a Lutheran, or a Methodist, or a Catholic, or... it is about knowing Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior. Anyone is welcome to come, participate, and attend our church; if you want to know what it takes to become a member, however, you must profess the name of Jesus Christ having placed your faith in Him and asked him to forgive you. AFTER that you need to be Biblically baptized, and attest that you believe the basic Bible doctrines as we do. It's that simple; Have faith in Jesus Christ, believe the Bible, and follow the Bible."

Immediately there was a relief in her eyes. "So I don't have to do _____, or _____ like at my other church?" she asked. "No, those may be nice things to do, and you may choose to do those to help you reverence God, but the most important things is to live by the Bible." With a smile on her face she said, "I think it would be great to be a 'Baptism'!" I reminder her, "It isn't about being a 'Baptist', it is about being a 'Bible Believing, Christ following Christian' that matters. We have 'Baptist' in our church name, but we have 'Christ' upon our hearts. Worry about being a good 'Christian', not a good 'Baptist'."

As she ran turn to leave the smile was still on her face as she exclaimed, "I'll tell my mom, I hope we can start coming."

There are some who will disagree with me and you are welcome to. However, if you claim that there is something more that a believer should do than what the Bible says, or less that a believer should do than what the Bible says I believe you should read Revelation 22.18-19 "For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." We need stop worrying about the title on the church sign, and start worrying about the title of Christ upon your heart.

Is Christianity a Religion?

The question came to be from one of our church members, "I believe Jesus is the only way to heaven… but even so does all the religion really matter? And isn’t religion just another meaning for tradition?" I could see where the conversation was soon heading as there has been a big misrepresentation of Christianity in the minds of our nation as being a "religion", or something that does something for the sake that "it has always been done that way before" and "since God doesn't care about all the 'religion' stuff aren't we wasting our time with all the 'religious stuff'?" This is a great point and good thought.

Going back to the question; it stated that religion is another word for tradition. If you look up "Religion" in any dictionary you will find multiple definitions for it, but one will mention something to doing certain things "religiously" or out of ritual... tradition. Along with the long list of definitions you will see one that says something to the order of "a faith based system." Looking at these two definitions I find that Christianity fits one definition perfectly, and not so much the other. Biblical Christianity is certainly a faith based system as it is centered around the faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of all, but it is not something that should be believed or practiced simply out of ritual reasons. Thus, yes, you could accurately says Christianity is a "religion" but it may not be the best word to describe it.

There is a common saying amongst Biblical Christians: "Christianity is a relationship, not a religion." This is a true saying. Though Biblical Christianity does fit a portion of the dictionary's definition for religion it does not cover all of them. Relationship however, describes the very basis of Christianity; it is a relationship with Jesus Christ.

In a discussion over this same question it was brought up that we do practice things that may appear to be done in tradition, thus making Christianity appear to be a religion: communion, baptism, modest dress, sexual purity, prohibition of alcohol, support Christian music, etc... "What about these things... aren't we making Christianity a religion? Why are we wasting our time doing them?" was a legitimate question that came up. To answer this question you have to consider a relationship. A relationship, any relationship has expectation within it, and expectation are not all bad. In fact, lets consider some relationship that have no spiritual relevance. In your relationship to a cashier you expect them to give you the correct change and they expect you to put all your items on the belt the be paid for. In your relationship to your mailman you expect him to give you your mail without reading it first, and he expects you to have your mail in your box by the time he comes with the correct postage on it. In your relationship to your boss she expects you to be to work on time and be on task while you expect her to provide the proper wages and a healthy work environment. So far there are no complaints in any of these areas in the expectations we live with every day. Expectations actually create a health relationship. Now, in our relationship to Christ we are equated as being a bride for her husband so, what are some reasonable expectations a husband has for his bride? He expects her to be faithful to him in her love, he expects her to dress in a way that doesn't attract attention from others, he expects her to talk well of him, he expects her to spend time with others in his family, he expects her to read his love letters, he expects her to keep open communication. Etc... All of these are things that are done in a health relationship of a husband and wife and our world is filled with examples of consequence when these things are neglected in a husband wife relationship.

So, does having expectations on a Biblical Christian make it a religion? NO! In fact, it makes it a healthy relationship. In Matthew 15.2-4 the religious leaders were upset at Jesus because they didn't wash their hands so Jesus points out that they are focusing on the entirely wrong thing because they are breaking the Law of God in several areas. It is true, God is concerned about our heart and its intent. The Pharisees were worried about the disciples hands more than they were their own hearts. Yes, we should seek good hygiene, but we can't neglect our heart's condition. Romans 12.1-2 tells us we are to present our bodies a sacrifice to God and that it is our reasonable service. God is concerned our hearts first, but he does have expectations of how we handle our body, dress our body, and conduct our body. Satan will tell us that it is OUR body but God says that it is for his work. This is another healthy expectation; what groom wants a bride that has neglected and abused her body and only wants to give him what is left after she and everyone else is done with it. Preserving our body and living a sanctified life is not a call of religion; it is a dedication of a deep relationship.

I'll close with this. Last week in counseling a man who claims he "believes in God but doesn't care about what God cares about or thinks about him" he said, "I'm not coming to church anymore because I will be a fake a be just one of the 'religious' people who don't believe in their hearts." My response was in two parts: "So why don't you give your life to Christ and make it so you're not a 'fake'," and "Who is more likely to get an understanding of God and become a genuine Christian, the person who believes in God but stays home because they are a fake, or the person who continues attending church and being fed the Word of God?" He admitted that I was right, but still walked away from God.

Religion carries a set of rules that are kept because they have always been kept. A relationship carries a moral code that is kept in order to get to know each other better.

David: All Action, No Drama

David is loved by all but what makes him so special. Sure, we say "David, a man after God's own heart" and give him a lot of credit for being a really great warrior and king, but David was a failure in so many accounts it isn't even funny. David failed at his marriage. David failed in his family. David failed in humility. David was selfish. In the midst of all David failed at we sit back and give him some of the highest praise of all the people in scripture. Is this all for no reason or just because we like to hear stories of a hero that can take down a giant? Are we putting this guy on some pedestal that needs to be knocked down a few notches? What makes this guy so special? Does playing a harp and having the kings son as a childhood friend make you such a special person that people think you are cool? The answer to all of these questions: No.

Yes, David failed in many areas just like we do, but there is something about David that is reflected the most in the first verse of the vast majority of the Psalms. Take a moment and skim through the first verse of nearly every Psalm and you find something in common; David is calling out to God. David wants to be heard by God. David wants to hear from God. David is wanting to further his relationship with God. Can all of these things be said of us? It can be said of David and that is some of what makes this guy special.

In Psalm 15 David proposes the question of how he can ABIDE in the tabernacle; the place where God was dwelling at the time. He wanted to know how he could DWELL in the holy hill. David is not wanting to visit the presence of God, he is wanted to stay in the presence of God. From verse 2 through the end of the chapter he is answering his own question under inspiration of God. He spells out a lifestyle that conveys the holy character of God. A lifestyle that is needed by each of us and if each of us lived this character we would see the world change a record speeds for Christ. Now, notice that the question is not "how do I get saved?" rather, (paraphrased) "How do I stay in the active presence of God?" and the answer had to do with how we live. This is not legalism for it is not adding anything to salvation, but it is promoting a lifestyle that reflects integrity and character for a greater reason than "because it is nice". We must live a life of integrity for the fact that it will help us remain in the active presence of God.

David demonstrates this type of integrity in Psalm 38. It seems that everyone is coming down on David and he feels that the heat is on. As you enter verse 12 the skeptics are breathing down his neck and he would have every reason to start lashing out and backbiting but he doesn't. What does he do? He becomes as a deaf mute who refuses to listen to the scrutiny of his critics or shoot off his mouth in retaliation. Instead he turns his focus from being on the prosecution to being on the Lord. When it would be easy to play childish name calling games or a bar-room brawl, David chooses to please God over scuffling with men. David chose to live the life of integrity in the active presence of God over a life of superficial conflict.

What will we choose? In chapter 15 we have a clear lifestyle integrity spelled out for us. Now the question shifts to us, "Are you willing to live lifestyle godly character and integrity so you can dwell in the active presence of God?"

Calling All Heros

Last week was Vacation Bible School and what a blessing it was. The theme this year was from The Pirate's Who Don't Do Anything and we gave a challenge of "Calling All Heroes" for our kids to be a hero for God; first, to accept his salvation, second, to stand up for what is right and witness.

Each night the kids were welcomed by staff who were adorned like pirates, complete with pirate names. Each learning station was decorated like a fun tropical location with really helped to set the mood for fun and learning. The staff and kids all went by their "pirate names" all week and this added an extra fun atmosphere for learning.

Something new we did this year was the concept that "Every station was learning station". Most VBS programs simply have the story time the move on to an irrelevant game, craft, and snack; not so here. We had an 2 hour long VBS program and to use on 20 minutes to convey the truth of Jesus Christ would be a waste of every one's time. Each craft, game, and snack went along with the Bible story of the day. The verses too were specifically chosen. In the end, each child had a full 2 hours of Biblical learning and Spiritual growth. The fruit of it was great!

On Thursday we gave the heaviest emphasis on salvation and 4 responded. No one was pushed to make a decision for Christ; rather, they made the decision to repent of their sin themselves. Following their salvation they all burst into tears of joy as they had been set free from what would weigh them down and keep them from God.

VBS is a lot of work and will undeniably wear one out by the end of week, but it is worth it. Our staff enjoyed it the most I think. It is a bit sad to now say that it is over for another year, but we are looking forward to next year when we can serve God in this capacity again.

What Will It Take

Wouldn't it be neat if you could push a magic button and take the place of one of the disciples for a moment, or even a few moments? In the back our minds we believe that if we could just see Jesus and sit by his side that our doubts would melt away and we could follow him the way he intends us to. Which disciple would you like to be for you moment? Personally I would rather not be Judas Iscariot. John would be neat but I don't need to be Thomas or Peter; I already struggle with doubt from time to time and put my foot in my mouth. Which would you choose.

This would undoubtedly be a neat experience if it could be done, but would it melt away any spiritual struggles? Unfortunately, no. In John 21 it records Jesus appearing the disciples as they are out fishing. They have been out all night and caught nothing; we probably all know the story, but do you know the background and setting? Jesus has recently resurrected and the disciples have seen him twice already (which you likely think would solve all of your spiritual doubts and shame to have seen this account first hand) but the disciples continue in fear. Before Jesus had been crucified we have accounts of them being very busy in ministry and serving along side Jesus. After Jesus' resurrection we find them in their popular hideout... huddled in an attic in fear of death. Time seems to be stacking atop itself and they have time to burn as they cower. Finally as John 21.3 records, Peter says, "Guys, I'm going out fishing" and almost instinctively some of the others say, "Hey, I'll come too. Wait up." They are doing this under the cover of nightfall. Ask yourself this, aren't these God's chosen people who he trained to carry the torch after the resurrection? Now they are just going fishing when no one is looking, and doing nothing when people are?

Peter and the others are starting to regress from the divine call; they are returning to the people they used to be: fishermen. After the fish all night they find that they have miserably failed at what they thought would be something they could always fall back on. About that time some crazy old loon calls from the shore and tells them to try fishing on the other side of the boat. What do they have to lose? They try it and it worked. They had more fish than they know what to do with and they recognize that the loon on the shore was really the very Son of God, Jesus Christ. He had come to visit them again. But, when did his visit begin? I believe that God had been with them all night. God was the one that didn't allow them to catch any fish to teach them a lesson: Whenever you chase your own plans, thought, ideas, or vocation instead of God's plan for your life you will only come up disappointed at best. God had moved his hand on them to fail in order to direct them back into his will and call for their life. Jesus essentially saw the recovering drunks car and the bar and went in to drag them out.

Back on the sea shore Jesus feed their belly then heads straight for the heart. Talking to Peter, the ringleader of the fishing trip, Jesus tells him to "Feed my lambs" and to "Feed my sheep" (v15-17). Jesus was reminding Peter of his divine call while Peter was sneaking out at night to do his own thing.

Peter knew what his divine call was. Peter knew that he had influence on others. Peter chose to use his power of influence to reject his call from God and get others to do the same. Jesus had to bring failure in the life of Peter so he could see that true success came from listening to the voice of God.

Where are you? Have you sneaked out at night to follow your own direction and areas but finding that all you continue to do is fail? Maybe it is time to start listening to the voice of God and returning to what he has called you to do in your life. When Peter listened to the voice of God he found that he life suddenly became so bountiful that he couldn't hardly contain it.

Leading Like Jesus

Today God revealed to me a great nugget of information that is nestled into a Psalm of David. Psalm 28.1 says "Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my Rock; be not silent to me, lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit." Did you catch it? Let me show it to you.

David begins by saying this: "I am crying out to God, now it is your turn to talk to me. God, if I don't hear from you then I am as good as being in hell". That is a loose paraphrase with emphasis added, but look back to the actual verse and you will see it there along with the state that David might as well be in if he doesn't hear from God. Here is a bit of what brought to my heart as I saw the verse in this light.

First, David is listening to hear from God. You say, "Yeah, so?" This is possibly the most important part of the verse because God could be speaking loudly, opposed to the "still small voice" and if David wasn't listening to God it wouldn't make any difference. David, being a believer if the triune God, is taking the time to recognize that God is wanting to say something and he wants to listen because to him God is his "Rock". If God was not the "Rock" of David's life then he likely wouldn't have cared if he heard God or not. We must make God the Rock of our life and listen for God; He is talking to you and wanting to be heard.

Secondly, David realizes that if he does not hear from God his life is useless and he may as well just go to hell now and save the waste of his earthly breaths. Without the voice of God, David could not write the 23rd Psalm which portrays God as being the Shepherd that leads to the lush great pastures and the calm waters nor prepare the feast before him. David knows that it is imperative that he stay in tune with the voice of God for his life to have meaning and purpose. David knows that as soon as he stops hearing the voice of God his life is over, spiritually speaking. What about you, are you too far from God to hear him speaking? Are you the same as the sinner still bound for hell? Your life has a greater purpose than to be a spiritual couch potato. It is time that we all make God our Rock and stay close enough to Him to hear Him and stay fresh, not stagnate.

Lastly, I was struck with a great truth of a parallel truth of this passage and a series we are currently going through with our 11 am worship services called Follow the Leader where we are learning to not only follow Jesus but to lead like Jesus as well. It has been said that the average person will influence over 200,000 people in their lifetime. If that is the case we have the opportunity to influence A LOT of people with the love of Christ, but if they don't hear from us they are as good as being in hell already. David is crying out to his leader and wanting to hear from them. God was also the mentor and advisor to David and greatly relied upon. If you are believer in Jesus Christ then you are leading someone too and are their spiritual mentor and advisor. No, you should not be their god but you should be the voice of God in their life. If you are someones "spiritual mother or father" they need to hear from you God's voice, and see God's character in you. Are we answering the cry of people who are looking up to us?

God has established the church to be His body in this New Testament church age. We are the ones people are looking to and crying out to for help as they cry out to God. It is time for you to stand up and answer that cry. Live the love of Jesus and lead someone like Jesus would.