Can I Go With You?

“Can I go with you?” It was the most reasonable of requests. In fact, anyone with his experience would feel exactly the same way. Even though he shattered the physical chains used to restrain him, his situation created chains which would torment and destroy his hope. Jesus freed him from the demons and healed him. Only Jesus gave him hope.

In Mark 5, we see a real life portrait of how powerfully Jesus changes a life. This man who was possessed by a legion of demons learned that “if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation.” That is why he wanted to go with Jesus.

As a new believer, he had to learn the same lesson that everyone must learn. We are not only saved FROM the shackles of sin. We are saved TO something more profound. We are saved to a personal role in God’s plan of redemption. Jesus told him to share his testimony of God’s compassion and “what great things the Lord” did for him. Jesus turns the circumstances of our sinful life into a tool for evangelism. It is called a testimony.

We all must learn the same lesson. While most are glad to avoid hell, too many are not obedient to the greater truth of salvation. When you were saved, you were given a testimony. Jesus expects you- before your circle of influence- to share how God made you a new creation. Every testimony is precious because it was purchased by Jesus’ blood. It is too valuable to be wasted. It is too powerful to be ignored. “Go home to your friends and tell then what great things the Lord has done for you.”

Esther - Recognizing Godly Counsel

Recognizing Godly Counsel - Esther 4

Mordecai loved her enough to tell her the truth:

•         Situation – “told him all that happened” v. 7

•         How bad it was – “do not think you will escape” v.13

An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. Proverbs 24:26

Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble. Proverbs 25:19

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Proverbs 27:5

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17

Mordecai loved her enough to challenge her:

•         Confronted any desire for comfort

•         Confronted her fear

Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.  Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding. Proverbs 15:31-32

Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise. Proverbs 15:12

A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. Proverbs 15:5

A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes. Proverbs 13:1

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. Proverbs 12:1

The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29

The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. Proverbs 15:8

Proverbs 30:1-5

Mordecai pointed her to her role in God’s plans:

•         “Whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? Proverbs 20:24

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

A Pastor's Perspective of Commonly Faced Legal Issues

A Pastor’s Perspective of Commonly Faced Legal Issues

3 prevalent, oft-recurring,
always-potentially-SCARY, the-complaints-NEVER-stop issues…

•          Complaints of inappropriate contact by an employee or childcare worker

•          Preaching during an election year

•          Raising pastors’ awareness of the importance of using legal advice

Investigating Complaints of Inappropriate Touching

Many situations are “botched” at 3 key moments:

•          Worker/staff preparation

•          Receiving the complaint

•          Conducting the investigation

Worker/Staff preparation:

Clear lines of responsibility/authority – a must!

Proper training of all workers – handbooks, written policies, training procedures

What to do when a complaint is made

Receiving the Complaint:

Sample policy from the

Alabama State Convention

Conducting the Investigation:

•          Clarify and control the situation

•          Status of  those involved

•          Witness list

•          Determination re: legal counsel before proceeding

Conducting the Investigation:

•          Do it right

•          Make no assumptions

•          Interview everyone!

•          Take notes

•          Review with counsel

•          Report to appropriate committee/elder structure

Preaching during an Election Year

Know the law

Tax exempt organizations cannot “Participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.”

Preaching during an Election Year

Know the Law

Clarify with church leadership any risk

Establish a set theology/philosophy- a matter of integrity

                        My parameters:

                                    Definition of life

                                    Definition of Marriage

                                    Responsibility to be “salt & light”

Speakupmovement.org – Pulpit Freedom Sunday

Raising Pastors’ Awareness of Legal Issues 

•          mandatory sexual abuse reporting

•          insurance provisions mandating actions if sex offender visits

•          forced terminations – releases, etc.

•          handbooks, personnel policies

•          tax laws

Raising Pastors’ Awareness of Legal Issues

•          Zoning requirements, e.g. renovations that require upgrades to code, sign ordinances, asbestos abatement requirements, when is a permit required?

•          Counseling- limitations and potential liability, releases, disclosure agreements with professional counselors, etc

•          Licensing for use of videos, music, etc

•          Property hazards and liabilities

Raising Pastors’ Awareness of Legal Issues

•          Speak about it, blog, newsletters, etc.

•          Pass on lessons learned by sister churches

•          Encourage review of resources (monthly review)

•          Encourage relationship with local attorneys

•          Take advantage of resources such as state conventions –seminars, invite speakers to fellowship lunch/breakfast

Haman's Judgment

Haman’s Judgment: an invitation to Salvation

Why must he die?

Why is death always so prevalent?

“For the wages of sin is death”

 Romans 6:23

“without shedding of blood there is no remission”

  Hebrews 9:22

Haman is a sinner like us

•         Born under judgment – “the son of the Agagite” Esther 3:1

•         “through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” Romans 5:12

Haman is a sinner like us

•         Judged for his “sin”

•         Sin is “wrongdoing” and “falling short” Romans 3:23

Death:

spiritual and physical death

•         “hell” – fire, describing eternal torment

•         Luke 16: 19-26 died, buried, and in torment

•         Matthew 18: 8-9 “the everlasting fire”

•         Rev. 14: 11 “the smoke of their torment ascends forever”

 “So hell, when all is said and done, is the absence of God’s goodness and blessedness … the absence of anything we can think of that’s good, right, comforting, joyous, happy, and peaceful. It’s a pretty terrifying place.”   Matt Chandler – The Explicit Gospel

Jesus’ Death:  

a necessary substitute

“by grace” through “redemption in Christ Jesus” because of His “payment by His blood” 

Romans 3:24-25

“the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord”  Romans 6:23

Pride Goes Before a Fall

Pride goes before destruction…

Haman's Invitation to Repent  -  Esther 3

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.  Proverbs 16:18

Pride: an inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, or superiority. Root word means "to boil" or "to run over"

Pride makes you:

•         Unable to follow God or recognize His work around you

•         Self-interested to detriment of those around you

•         Unwise because you think you are smarter, better than all  Proverbs 11:2

•         Unable to listen to counsel, even from people close to you

•         Make financial decisions out of greed, selfish; not with a mind for greater purpose 

•         Ultimately unable to repent

Keys to avoiding the destruction of pride: 

•         Sense of who God is - see yourself in light of Him and not your condition or others around you

•         Willingness to repent

•         Listen to those who challenge your pride

•         Look for Godly influences around you

•         Live for something greater than yourself - God's plan

July Pastor's Pick: Forgotten God by Francis Chan

This month's Pastor's Pick is a study of the Holy Spirit. Francis Chan, the author, is a fascinating preacher and servant of God. His book Crazy Love was a hugely popular book and impacted many lives. Many of our members discussed this book with me and its impact in their lives.

Forgotten God is written in a very accessible style. He looks to give us a better understanding of hw God creates intimacy and works in our lives through the action and persence of the Holy Spirit. Too often churches such as baptist churces are afraid to talk about the Holy Spirit because we do not want to be considered too charismatic. Heaven forbid someone think we speak in tongues. And yet the word charismatic simply means power. The Bible clearly tells us the Holy Spirit is our source of power.

Part of my goal in presenting the Pastor's Pick each month is to encourage reading a variety of books. We have already been through books on parenting, the Gospel, how to grow in the Lord, and a theologically challenging book by Ravi Zacharias. This month I really wanted a book that focuses exclusively on the person of God - not just how to grow or help you kids grow. We do need to learn the disciplines of growing. But we also need to focus on the purpose of our growth. We are rowing to become more like God Himself. Therefore, we must look at Him and His person specifically. Here is a book from which we can learn more about the person of God through the Holy Spirit.

It is fun to select these books but a chore. I have perused a number of them and several on my "future" list. Just to name a few: Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman; The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler; biographies of Josh Hamilton and Deitrich Bonheoffer (how's that for variety?); Already Gone by Ken Hamm; Subversive Kingdom by Ed Stetzer. 

These are just a few I have been reviewing. Let me know if you have a recent selection you might suggest. I have already included one book - May's selection - by request from a church member. That was a good move because it was a powerful book.

The Importance of Character for National Leaders

1. A Commitment to Truth-based worldview of Right and Wrong

Xerxes’ self view as a god vs. belief in absolute truth

2. The Necessity of Supporting Families

•         Xerxes did not respect his own family

•         Made policy that harmed all families

•         Vile, queen search

2. The Necessity of Supporting Families

Family – building block and strength of any society

Married, heterosexual couples have:

•         11% less rate of poverty

•         Substantially higher income

•         Double the net worth on average

•         4 times household assets

•         Significantly higher savings rates

•         Both married men and married women have higher incomes

Marriage stability’s effect on children: 

•         30% or more fewer rates of child poverty

•         Far less likely to engage in pre-marital sex

•         Teen pregnancy rate drops significantly

•         Grades increase, education levels increased

•         Drug/alcohol use drops significantly

•         Kids in divorced family 38% or higher rate of divorce

3. The Responsibility to Protect individuals/groups who inherently cannot protect themselves. i.e. his decision based on advice to continue wrongful dominance of women

4. The Importance of Wise, Honest, Advisors

Xerxes’ advisors:

•         lewd

•         drunken

•         self-interested

•         evil

•         dishonest

4. The Importance of Wise, Honest, Advisors

Advisors:

•         reflect the character of the leader,

•         reveal the direction of the leader

•         magnify either the flaws or strengths of the leader

5.  The Strength of Character to Change Wrong Decision/Mistakes

Positively, Xerxes reverses his evil decision regarding the Jews. 

(Ch 8:7-12)