The Gospel is Powerful and Spreading

I don't fear Islam. I don't fear governments. I don't fear the economy. I don't fear plagues. I don't fear terrorism. I don't fear men and their blustering.

I fear God.

His powerful Gospel is spreading life-fire and re-shaping the world so quickly that the story-tellers of the lost cannot even see the progress. The Gospel, the good news that God sent His Son as the greatest act of love in the universe to save those who are lost, this Gospel must triumph. Only the fame of Jesus will remain, when all the glory of men and their plans falls.

Jesus said, "Don't be afraid, little children. It is your Father's pleasure to give you the Kingdom."

Check This Out

For some holy hip hop, click here, here

Economic Mess --What should we do?

I believe we will see double digit inflation very soon. I'm no economist nor a prophet, but it doesn't take that to see that devaluing currency will cause it to buy less, and that equals inflation.

I'm old enough to remember the Carter years and remember how the prices can fly up on everything. I also can remember the double digit interest rates on everything. Jobs might get scarce for some, and raises hard to come by for most.

So, what should we Christians do? I'm not here to give the advice of an investor. But here is the advice of a pastor:

1. Be prepared to be generous. In a time when people are frightened, they want to hold tighter to what they have. At the same time, we are more likely to meet friends, neighbors, and families in need. God would have us share what He gives us with one another, and be all the more open-handed with what we have. This is an opportunity to relieve some stress and fear by the simple act of sharing. Neighbor to neighbor, friend to friend, if we have two, let us give to the one who has none.

2. Plant a big garden if you have the room. Many of us are blessed with room for a garden. Plant foods that you like eat. Can them. Share them with one another. We are not yet to the point where we must live off of our gardens, but we might find that relief in our food budgets goes a long way. It also allows us to minister to others.

3. Do not fear. Search out God's advice on how to handle what you own, be generous, trust Him. He has a future in His hands. Remember, He said that if we have food and clothing we can be content. And we can, even if we have never tested this personally.

4. Don't trust in Egypt. Every time Israel got themselves in trouble with other nations, God's solution was to turn back to Him in repentance, trust in Him, call on Him, and wait for Him to save them, no matter how bad the situation looked. Instead of this, on several occasions they would run to Egypt where there were promises of wealth, and armies to give safety. This never worked. Don't believe the promises of politicians and governments that salvation from the dangers in our financial world will be given to you cheaply and by government. The opposite is true. The promises will fail, and slavery in varied and subtle forms, will be the result.

5. Pray, rejoice, and preach the gospel to the lost. Our God is indeed mighty to save. He has a plan bigger than this world. When He returns and sets up His government, all these other troubles will be gone. Tell the world this. Invite people to come to Him so that they can escape this grind one day too.

finally

Okay, the MDA link that works (crossing my fingers!)

A Little Help?

Each year the Muscular Distrophy Association raises money to help cure MD and also to send kids with MD to camp. Kids with MD don't generally live real long and any joy we can add to their lives is a good thing. Also, a cure would be great!

Two years ago, with your help and only using this blog, we raised more money for MDA than anyone else participating in this event. That is not only good for the kids, it shines the light of Jesus to everyone in the organization when they see that the people of Harvest will step up to help those in great need.

So, if you have a heart for it, click here and help make a difference. I gave $50. It's not much, I know, but it helps.

What About Preaching?

And now, my own answer to the question I raised several posts ago regarding the importance of preaching, the role of the preacher, etc.

First, I noticed from the comments of many that a distinction must be made between preaching as personal evangelism and preaching in the vocational sense. As for the former, I agree with those who say that all are responsible to share the love of Jesus with those around them by any ethical means available. I did not intend to discuss that aspect of preaching, but thanks to those who took my question that way for your thoughts. It shows the need for clarifying in our thinking the role of preaching within a church context.

I'll continue on by asking and answering questions like those raised by myself and by your comments.

What is preaching?
Jesus went about preaching, says the Bible. He was no alone. So did the apostles. So did the prophets. So did John the Baptist. What is it? How does it differ from other forms of teaching?

There are books on this subject, so I will not be so lengthy. In short, preaching has it's own Greek word (sounds like "karuxo") that is different from teaching. It has a teaching component, but it is more heralding or announcing or declaring.

What is the value of the pulpit?
The pulpit, in Christian tradition, represents that place where specific men, called by God to a specific office (that of Elder "who works hard a preaching and teaching, a.k.a. the pastor). The pulpit preaching carries on the teachings of the apostles. What did the apostles teach? The meaning of the Old Testament in light of the New. In other words, they took the old Testament and added what they personally knew by their knowledge of Jesus and by the Spirit. This teaching is captured by the New Testament.

This preaching of the Word is the means NOT ONLY OF BRINGING SALVATION TO THE LOST, but is also the food for the church. It is a mistake to think that the main job of the church is to bring the message of salvation to the lost. That would be like saying that the main job of the family is finding more kids to adopt. The main job of the family, rather, is to run itself with love, be a healthy family, well run, that builds up and protects all it's members. Adopting more children is only one part. Likewise, the main job of the church is to become a healthy church, building up and strengthening it's members. Evangelism grows the number of the church and is a very important job of the church. However, if upon entering the church, the new convert does not find life, and love, and health, and a glorious organism that worships God and teaches them how to obey all the Jesus commands, then all is lost!

Jesus is clear that we are to learn to follow Him. The vast majority of the preaching in the life of a Christian happens once he has already received Christ, and that is how it should be. God gave "pastors and teachers" for the building up of the saints for service. The majority of the churches preaching is not to be specifically to the lost.

Preaching is the means of feeding the flock. The flock lives not on food, but on every word that falls from the mouth of God. God has ordained preaching for this purpose. Paul exhorts Timothy, telling him to "preach the word," because there will be many who don't want to hear it IN THE CHURCH. He tells him that the word is adequate to do the job of sanctification, for reproving, training, and all the rest. He tells him that he must teach faithful men who will teach others (2 Tim 2).

Now, if I may preach for a second, let me say that I despise short sermons and I despise felt needs sermons and all the trendy stuff. Why? because the Word of God is worthy of the time it takes to preach. so many sermons I hear are not of the word anyway, but the thoughts of the pastor combined with a proof text. It is time for feeding the sheep the word.

The steady declaration of the cross of Christ and the gospel will feed the sheep and the lost. The showing of the cross of Christ within the other areas of teaching will also feed the sheep.

Who can preach?
Again, I am not talking personal evangelism here (anyone and everyone can), but of that specific ministry within the church given to those known as "elders" who "work hard at preaching and teaching." Not anyone is to do this. It is a calling. Who is called? Well, that's an important question, but it is a different post. we can't answer it all here. I'll tell you who is not called though. No one is called simply because they feel called. 2 Timothy 3, Titus 1, both speak to the qualifications of Elders specifically. no one should assume the authoritative position of a preaching Elder if they do not fit those descriptions. Must one be an ordained elder to enter a pulpit? no. but they should be invited by an ordained elder and overseen in that manner. The preaching of the Word is given to those God calls. But He says, "Let not many of you become teachers..." (James), clearly pointing to the authoritative position within the church.

Should it be central or greater than other ministries? Why or why not?
Yes, of course it should central and even greater than other ministries. If you can either sing or preach, then preach. For it is in declaring the Word of God that the man is changed. Singing has it's place, but preaching is first. When we are in heaven, there will be no need for preaching. Then we shall sing forever. Till then, as we "see through a glass dimly" we must preach. We must declare Him until He arrives


I offer most of this by way of conclusions. In other words, much work must be done to prove and support each assertion. we can discuss those issues if you want to. Let me also clarify that I am not referring to the evangelist. This person is called to the public proclamation of the gospel in a unique ministry manner. Although every Christian should evangelize, not every Christian is an evangelist. As the Ephesians text says, "God gives some . . . as Evangeleists..." not all. They, like pastors and teachers, exist for the building up of the church. They not only add to its numbers, but they are the best teachers to all of us in methods of preaching the gospel ourselves (as we all must).

Been a Long Time

Since I have posted anything. However, look at this article. Thoughts?

We Are . . .

Heroes In Unlikely Places

It's hard to believe that a faith battle with world-wide implications is being waged right here in quiet Western, PA. But it is. At the center of the battle is the issue of biblical authority in the Episcopal Church in America and the Anglican Church worldwide.

The man in the picture is Robert Duncan. He presides as shepherd over the Pittsburgh Diocese which is soon to vote on seceding from the Episcopal Church in America to join with the Anglican confession in a region of Africa (for those who don't know, Episcopal and Anglican share the origin of the Church of England, although there is no one centralized place of leadership for all Anglicans worldwide --except Jesus of course).

They are doing this because of the left-ward drift of the Episcopal Church in America. For their courageous stand, Duncan, as the leader, has received both hatred from the world ("homophobe, narrow minded" etc) and persecution from his own church.

The latest is that the Episcopal Church in America is, by questionable tactics, seeking to remove him from his position before any vote of secession can take place.

Please read about this situation here. Pray for our brothers in the Pittsburgh Episcopal churches. God stands behind those who are standing for Him.

Let me add one quote from Bishop Roberts that I read in an interview that I believe all Christians of all traditions should be willing to agree with and even die for:

The battle is about the authority of Scripture. It's about the basics of Christian faith. It's about sin and redemption. It's just so fundamental. The issues have to do with sexuality and morality, but at the very heart of it is whether Scripture can be trusted. In my experience I learned the one person I could trust was Jesus Christ and the only testament that was reliable was what was in Scripture. And I cannot let the Church, of all bodies, challenge the notion that you can't trust the plain meaning of Scripture.