I’m less interested in whether your Biblical proof texts affirm your theological position …
Then whether your theological position equally affirms the Biblical proof texts of those with contrary views.
Category: Simple Discipleship
Those who refuse to exceed their comfort zones …
Often lack Godly joy.
Maybe that’s why Scripture says that “the joy of the Lord is your strength” —
Because lethargy brings despair …
But overcoming brings authentic joy.
Jesus says He will build His Church as we go to unreached communities and make disciples …
And His Kingdom then advances.
Instead, we build our churches and hope unreached people will come, form community, and possibly become disciples …
But His Kingdom seldom advances.
Maybe we should do what Jesus says once again …
Not just overseas, but in our hometowns too.
One of the many problems with making a “church” all about “the Pastor” …
Is that if “the Pastor” goes off track, burns out, hits his own personal limits, or whatever, so typically also goes the church.
Perhaps that’s why the concept of “the Pastor” who primarily runs or is the lynchpin of a church simply doesn’t exist in the New Testament.
When we instead adopt the New Testament’s approach to ministry and leadership, there is greater balance and stability with broader discipleship.
Church then becomes a gathering of believers with ministry by one another to one another through the many gifts and callings God bestows between us …
And “pastor” is simply one of the functions performed by elders who emerge among us to lead and minister beside us.
Maybe that’s why God designed US to be HIS church …
Rather than primarily being about one man with a platform.
The full meaning of the Greek word translated as “faith” in the New Testament …
Presumes obedience.
Unless we want cheap grace …
We should do the same.
Repentance is not how we become perfect…
But how we deal with our imperfections.
Over the years, I have taken a very public stand against the proliferation of for-profit non-prophets who peddle their wares to gullible believers.
In response, I’m often asked if I believe there are prophets today. I think that’s the wrong question, because “prophet” in the original language of the New Testament is not a title but a function.
It applies to anyone who faithfully says – while they are saying it – what God has led them to say. Nothing more, nothing less.
And yes, God still speaks through people today – subject to Scripture and the sound judgement of others.
But that does not convey some elevated position to anyone over anyone.
Using that criteria, my observation and experience is that authentically prophetic ministry is alive and well within healthy, functional, local communities of believers who humbly submit one to another.
Such people have no need, or tolerance, for self-appointed “prophets” who go around peddling so-called “words” for self enrichment and notoriety.
So permit me to pass along some things I’ve learned over the years:
If someone needs to add “Prophet” in front of their name, they ain’t one.
If someone needs to name a ministry after themselves to help sell their “prophetic words,” they have gone off track.
If they are not presently rooted in, submitted to, and humbly accountable to a local, functional community of believers in their own home town, they have no business “prophesying” in anyone else’s home town.
If they need to preface everything with “God told me” to lend it credibility, then it likely has none.
It they routinely play to your fears or tickle your ears, instead of being willing to say what you don’t want to hear, they’re building their own kingdom and not God’s.
Finally, we need to return to wisdom and discernment, and stop listening to those who turn the authentic into freak shows.
And that, my friends, is likely the most authentically prophetic thing you’ll hear me say all day.
😎
How do abusive “spiritual” movements happen?
The spiritually broke, in search of intensity …
Are manipulated by spiritual narcissists, who give them what they seek and call it “God” …
Thus trapping them in tangled webs of dependency, ego and deception.
A gospel of no offense …
Is not the Gospel of Christ or His Kingdom.
Biblical discipleship is about folks submitting to Christ’s authority …
Not your’s.
Many “Christians” define God – and judge Scripture – by their notions of love …
Rather than submitting their notions of love to God and His Word.
They are pseudo Christians …
Who worship themselves rather than the sovereign God of all.
Sometimes it takes grace and wisdom to distinguish between God using a flawed person …
And a flawed person using God.
Effective prayer is more about us hearing and doing what God wants …
Than Him hearing and doing what we want.
We can’t surrender to God …
What we refuse to acknowledge.
Faith presumes obedience …
Because without obedience, there is no faith.
CHURCH “SERVICE”
“Church” is not a meeting or a “service” …
But a local community of people in service to God and one another under Christ’s Lordship, which also happens to sometimes meet.
TRUE WORSHIP
“Worship” today …
Has become an industry that exploits, for fame and fortune, the pursuit of fleeting intensity among a broken generation.
It is the new addiction.
The sole antidote is true worship, which is a life of humble submission and faithful obedience to God’s sovereignty, on His terms.
Only there can we find real joy and authentic wholeness.
Congregational singing and music are important for our gatherings, but the New Testament doesn’t call that “worship.”
Rather, the New Testament says that living lives of reverent submission and faithful obedience to God …
Is true worship.
When we say that singing and music are “worship,” however, rather than teach what worship truly is under the New Covenant …
We end up with carnal churches and carnal people who focus on some Sunday morning “worship band” rather than serving God 24/7.
So let’s encourage one another by congregationally singing God’s praises joyfully together when we gather, as the New Testament commands …
While also learning to walk in true worship the rest of the week through humble submission and steadfast fidelity to Him.
GOD OR EXISTENTIALISM?
The prevailing characteristics of postmodern existentialism are relativism and narcissism, rooted in individual autonomy.
Is it any wonder, then, that we see an emphasis on new “doctrines” which:
Define Christ and our relationship to Him by our own subjective perceptions;
Redefine grace to destroy all concepts of objective standards; and
Dismiss the plenary authority of Scripture?
Yet God is raising up a people who want to truly know Him on His terms …
And to worship Him once again in spirit and in truth.
MORE THAN A FEELING
Many know God as only a feeling …
And love the feeling more than God.
Which is unfortunate.
Although the authentic knowledge and love of God often invoke feelings …
They don’t depend on how we feel.
STANDING STRONG
Freedom is not the right to choose evil …
But the right to resist it.
Many desire the forgiveness of the Cross …
Without the transformation of the Resurrection.
It will not go well for them, either in the here and now …
Or on that final, fateful day.
Do you want Jesus for what He wants …
Or what you want?
Ultimately, you can’t help people …
Who only want you for your help.
Eventually, you must let them go,
Because without real community …
You’re not helping, but enabling.
What’s the ultimate standard for truth, reality and morality?
Our perceptions and sensibilities …
Or God’s written revelation and sovereign will?
Herein lies the difference between popular existential ideologies that have deceived many “Christians” …
And authentic Biblical Christianity as God Himself defines it.