DO NOT BE UNEQUALLY YOKED WITH NONBELIEVERS...what it means and how its truth impacts and shapes our ministry partnerships and alliances

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.
For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?
Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
What accord has Christ with Belial?
Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
-Paul, 2 Corinthians 6:14-15

The Apostle Paul above gives us one of the key principles in all of the NT concerning our role in the society in which we live: “do not be unequally yoked with nonbelievers.” It is echoing the imperative of the Apostle John we he says, “be in the world and not of the world.” Rightly understanding its truth has a profound impact in how we live, engage culture, and most importantly with whom we partner with in ministry.

At the outset, when dealing with controversial and potentially divisive passages like this one, there can be ungodly attitudes expressed by name calling, cheap shot invectives, and attacking the person without ever having to wrestle with the actual text of Scripture pertaining to the matter at hand. I have sadly witnessed this as of late when a nugatory blogger took it on himself to point his sharp, unbridled tongue towards a pastor and a woman commenting on his blog about this issue for simply voicing a different view. Let me assure you, that will not be happening here in this article and will not be tolerated in the meta either. As you know, I am not shy when it comes to taking on issues and engaging in profitable, vigorous, even sometimes heated discussion. But careless venting and ranting designed to attack the person rather than biblically deal with the issue will not be allowed here (please read my blog rules if you are unclear of those guidelines).

Therefore, due to the recent confusion that some have made concerning this text, let me begin by stating what this passage is not teaching with the hopes of producing clarity on this important subject.

1. It is not a call to isolationism. This is not Paul’s call for all Christians to create an alternative society whereby we only by gas from Christian gas companies; pay taxes to Christian governments; drive cars made by Ichthus Motors; or purchase groceries from Galilean Grocers. Christians working for nonbelievers in an employee/employer relationship is not prohibited by Scripture. Doing business and trade with nonbelievers is not prohibited by Scripture. Being involved in community projects and events with nonbelievers is not prohibited by Scripture. But what is prohibited, is any kind of partnership in a spiritual enterprise or ministry involving making Christ known, preaching of the Word, evangelism, worship, the furtherance of the local church, etc. I will unfold that in just a minute.

2. It is not a call to divorce your unsaved spouse. This passage isn’t specifically addressing the marriage issue (though it would apply) for the Apostle Paul has already given the command in 1 Corinthians 7:39 to “marry only in the Lord.” Considering marriage is the most intimate and binding of all human relationships, it would go without saying that it should be reserved for only believers to marry other believers. BUT, if you are married to a nonbeliever, the Apostle is not giving you an automatic out here. You are not to divorce your unbelieving spouse, but remain in that union praying for their regeneration.

3. And, it is not a call to avoid contact with nor having fellowship with nonbelievers. Paul again tells us for that to happen we would have to go “out of this world” (1 Cor. 5:9-10). How are we to love our neighbor if we don’t have contact with them? How can we serve them and do good works to them if we are not involved with their lives?

So those are three things that the Apostle is not meaning by the command: “do not be unequally yoked with nonbelievers.”

Paul using the Greek word: heterozugounten (bound together or unequally yoked) draws this analogy, however, not from the usage of the Greek term but from a concept back in Deuteronomy 22:10. When God was laying out prescriptions for the conduct of His people, He gave them a lot of prescriptions that on the surface are not particularly spiritual, they had to do with the uniqueness of Israel's life. But some of them were very practical and wise and one of the things that He instructed them, recorded in Deuteronomy 22:10 is that they were not to plow with an ox and an ass yoked together. And the reasons for that are obvious. Those two animals have two different natures. They don't have the same gait, they don't have the same disposition, they don't have the same strength. They don't have the same kind of instincts, completely different natures. You can't yoke them up and expect to plow a straight furrow.

To then “yoke” with a nonbeliever in a spiritual enterprise or ministry of any kind would be counterproductive wouldn’t it? Christians are new creations; walk in a newness of life; have different goals and purposes in living as born again followers of Jesus Christ. We live to please Him in all things and not ourselves. We see this world as not our home, but the land of our sojourning. Our lives have been separated from this world and unto Christ to now do His will, according to His Word, by His Spirit, in living out His gospel. It is undeniable - we are a new people. Therefore, Paul is giving a basic tenant for Christian living in whatever we do for the Lord; it cannot be in partnership with nonbelievers.

Now just in saying that, I am certain it opens up all kinds of questions and pragmatic considerations. Let’s begin to deal with them.

In the 107 THESES that I penned ten years ago inspired by the wholesale buyout of Christian record companies in CCM (and publishers, bookstore chains, and greeting card companies have joined their ranks) I specifically addressed this issue in section six of that document. Here are some of those theses for your consideration:

75. We cannot partner with the unbelieving world in a common spiritual enterprise or ministry. To harness unbelievers and believers in a Christ-centered endeavor is to be unequally yoked. (2 Corinthians 6:14-16)

76. We must be separate from non-Christians in positions of ownership, authority or influence in the advancement of the gospel. (Ibid.)

77. The kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness are two mutually exclusive worlds; two opposing societies; two converse communities that are incompatible and incongruous with each other in regards to the faith. (Ibid.)

78. One is characterized by righteousness, light, Christ, believers and the temple of God. Lawlessness, darkness, Belial, unbelievers and the temple of idols distinguish the other. One is based on God's truth-the other on Lucifer's lies. In matters of Christian faith and belief no partnership does or really can exist between these two realms. (Ibid.)

79. "To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work." (Titus 1:15-16)

80. God is our Father and we, as His children, must disavow all praetorian religious and spiritual alliances with nonbelievers or we will forfeit the joy and blessing that flow from obedient fellowship in the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 6:17-18)

81. Satan's number one assault on the church is to infiltrate with error. He doesn't want to fight the church - he wants to join it. (John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:12-15; 1 Timothy 4:1)

82. Undiscerning believers think it a profound ministry strategy to join forces with unregenerate people in forwarding the gospel. Unwittingly, they harness Jesus Christ, the Worthy One, with Belial or Satan, the worthless one, in an unholy alliance - the very essence of being unequally yoked. (2 Corinthians 6:15)

83. "Ephraim is joined to idols. Let him alone." (Hosea 4:17)

84. We are not, however, called to isolationism. We are called to be salt and light in the world. We are to be faithful witnesses of God's mercy, love and grace to the lost and dying. We are to cultivate personal relationships with unbelievers, love our neighbor and our enemy, serve them and share our faith with them. (Matthew 5:13-16; 40-44)

85. We are to be in the world…but not of it - and this is our greatest challenge. Separation is not being divorced from contact with the world, but from complicity with and conformity to it. (1 John 2:15-17)

86. For instance, it is not unbiblical to consult non-Christian experts in matters of business, craft or trade (though whenever possible, Christian experts respected in these fields are preferable because of a shared integrity), but we can never engage in intimate binding, indissoluble relationships, alliances or partnerships that result in shared responsibility or authority for ministry purposes. (Deuteronomy 22:9-11; Philippians 2:14-15)

87. The promise of increased financial resources, wider distribution and a larger audience is not a justification for the surrender of our spiritual autonomy. (Luke 4:4-12; Ephesians 5:8-12)

This is what Paul is essentially saying in this passage: there can be absolutely no partnership with nonbelievers in a spiritual enterprise or ministry - none. That would include trying to meld other faiths with the Christian faith for the sake of an ecumenical unity (syncretism). This would also include secular businesses who want to purchase Christian ministries or entities.

When it is fashionable for unsaved people representing multi-national conglomerates, to buy up Christian based companies founded as ministries for the furtherance of the gospel and the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that have functioned in music, book publishing ministry, etc. - then we as a church today need to take a step back and evaluate this trend carefully through the lens of Scripture.

We must remember Paul's words in 2 Cor. 2:17,"we are not like many who peddle the Word of God for profit."
IOW, we are not like those who want to wholesale
the truth of God's Word as bargain bin merchandise
for the purpose and motive of financial gain.

There has never been a time where the gospel has been a popular thing in the world in which we live. There is an inherent offense to the cross beloved.  It is not an acceptable nor enticing message to say to a lost world:

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. -Luke 14:26-27

Let's see someone put that on a greeting card.

The gospel has never been profitable for the world to own for its own profitability - until now. What does it say then about the content of the gospel that is being presented today so that unsaved people find it so attractive rather than offensive that they want to own the very ministry who is supposed to represent faithfully that same gospel? Could you imagine Nero ever wanting to meet with Paul to buy his ministry? Could you imagine Peter cutting a deal with the Judaizers to expand his market platform? Never!

The servant is not greater than the Master beloved;

and the Master suffered greatly because the world hated Him.

Now if the world hated Him, they will hate us;

and even demand our blood for knowing Christ and making Him known.

All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

I think it is not unlikely conclusion to assert that when the world around us finds the gospel we proclaim as an invitation for building up their bottom line, then the gospel that they are hearing is not the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ at all.  Just a watered-down substitute; a diluted glass of cheap grace masquerading as the genuine article.

My dear friend, Dr. John MacArthur, offers the following wisdom on this issue when saying:

”It's very much like modern Christianity today, by the way, that seeks to blend Christianity with popular culture, wants to make Christianity more popular, less different, more palatable, less offensive, less narrow, less exclusive. And the result of it is that true Christianity in the purity of God's Word gets corrupted by compromise and the church can become useless and shameful and blasphemous in mocking the truth. For believers there can be no compromise. We cannot engage ourselves with unbelievers in any spiritual enterprise. That's the issue. "Do not be bound together with unbelievers," that is what he commands that sets this text in motion. And it is an unmistakable call to believers to separate from unbelievers. No one could miss that that's what it's saying. The question is, what does it mean?

And as I said last time, it is essential to understand what it means but first of all what it does not mean. Paul is not saying, cut off all contact with non-Christians. He's not saying that because we have to reach them with the gospel. That is not the issue. He's not saying don't evangelize the unconverted, don't confront people in false religions. He's not saying that. We must do that.

The issue then is religious cooperation...

He is also not saying that you can't work or play or do business or be engaged in common earthly enterprise with unbelievers. He's not saying that, of course you can. What he is saying is you cannot link up with unbelievers in religious causes...or religious enterprises... You can't engage them in anything that involves ministry, teaching, or worship. Where there is ministry, teaching and worship there has to be absolute separation.

So he's referring in actuality to harnessing up believers and unbelievers in any common religious, spiritual enterprise. The two cannot be yoked together anymore than an ox and an ass can pull a straight furrow when under the same yoke, as Deuteronomy 22:10 forbids. But that is precisely what the Corinthians were doing.”

This is the issue before us. When secular companies see Christian companies, designed for ministry in making Christ known, grow to a place where they are generating a lot of money, it is understandable why they would want to buy them up; expand that marketplace; and profit financially from that acquisition. I do not fault the world for that; I do fault, however, the believers for selling it to them - they should know better.

There will always be a “Simon the Sorcerer” who sees the crowds and the effects of the gospel and wants to “purchase with money the gift of the Holy Spirit.” But genuine ministry cannot surrender its spiritual autonomy and authority to nonbelievers - never.

This is what I told several CCM executives ten years ago when the Christian music industry was being bought out in accelerated rates. It is why I left the industry. I would be unequally yoked with nonbelievers in a spiritual enterprise or ministry if I would have stayed. Now I realize that the standard pragmatic, Arminian argument is: "but think of how many more CD’s or books or greeting cards we could sell? I mean, if EMI or Sony or Rupert Murdoch hadn’t bought us out, our Christ-centered products wouldn’t have made it into mainstream stores and think of how many wouldn’t have been reached if we didn’t do this?”  Blah, blah, blah.

The world cannot own, operate, control, or manage Christian ministry designed to further the gospel; preach the Word; encourage worship; evangelism; discipleship, etc. It is forbidden. Those would seek to justify their alliances with nonbelievers in a spiritual enterprise or ministry are violating the clear command of God’s Word.

Be in the world; be doctors, and lawyers, and factory workers; bankers; and politicians; and salesmen; and educators; and stock brokers; and models; and actors, musicians, and entertainers; and auto-workers; etc. that are honoring the Lord as faithful witnesses of the gospel to your employers and co-workers. BUT, if IBM, AT&T, General Motors, etc. wanted to own a Christian ministry it would be prohibited by God’s Word.

But don't be of the world: why would any Christian involved in ministry go to nonbelievers to solicit their financial support to further their spiritual enterprise or ministry anyway? Can you imagine Paul appealing to Nero to bank roll through corporate acquisition the ministry? Unfathomable. That is for individual believers and the local church to fund (1 Cor. 9:1-18; 3 John 5-9). What the world needs to hear is not a business plan by Christian publishers, music companies, greeting card companies and the like to expand their bottom line, shelf space, and market Q; what they need to hear is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ - to repent of their sins, forsaking all to follow Him.

Be in the world; be involved in your communities; love your neighbors; do good work at your place of employ; honor the Lord with excellence in those things. 

But don’t be of the world. If a nonbeliever is touched by the young people being changed in your area, don’t seek to approach them for co-ownership of your work, approach them with the life-giving truths of the gospel.

Amen?

The combox is yours.

LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD SAY SO!...rekindling the fires of biblical evangelism

"But I do not account my life of any value

nor as precious to myself,

if only I may finish my course and the ministry

that I received from the Lord Jesus,

to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."

-Acts 20:24

Do we have a passion for lost souls? Do we go "where Christ is not yet named" to proclaim the life giving truth of sola fide to people who need the Savior? Do we identify with the profound self-condemning burden of the Apostle Paul for others to know the Lord when he says, "For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh... to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises" -Romans 9:3-4. Or has apathy about the things for eternity numbed our hearts to the cries of those dying without Jesus Christ? Though God has chosen His elect in Christ before the foundations of the world (Eph. 1:3-5), He still commands us to go into all the world and preach the gospel; to call all men everywhere to repentance; and to be ambassadors for Christ (cp, Rom. 1:16, Acts 17, Phil. 1:29). "Hell is burning while the church sleeps" beloved. When will we wake up from the slumber of our souls, loosen our tongues and proclaim the cross of Christ without apology, without hesitation, and without fear?

In most gospel calls today, there is little talk about sin; repentance; justification by faith; the Law; Lordship; propitiation; loving Him more than all other loves; denying yourself, taking up your cross and following Him, etc. One might legitimately wonder in the absence of those things, what do people actually respond to when we see public calls to follow the Lord Jesus Christ? No where in the gospels did the Lord ever invite someone to simply accept Him and pray a sinners prayer. The gospel is not just an offer of salvation; the gospel is a call to follow the Lord; a command to repent of our sin; and a compelling to be reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:14-21). Amen?

Correct Theology Should Not Make us Silent
As one who believes passionately in the doctrines of grace; the five solas; historic reformed biblical Christianity; and God's sovereign election of His own from all eternity in Christ; I deeply fear that "correct sound theology" has made some of us silent, proud, lax rather than bold, dispassionate, and to abandon the proclamation of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in the marketplace. Where are the Whitefields, the Edwards, the Baxters, the Watsons today; in short, where are the sovereign-grace evangelists of our day willing to do "all things for the sake of the elect?" (2 Tim. 2:10).

We need to come out from under the safety of our comfort zone and step away from the ease of our carefully, crafted, cultivated world, and go "where Christ is not yet named" (Roms. 15:20). Whether across the street or around the world; we all need to be faithful witnesses for Christ Jesus our Lord (Acts 1:8).

It is good news we have to proclaim beloved (Rom. 1:16): how can a sinful man or woman have peace with a holy God for eternity? (Rom. 5:1-2). We must come to the cross where the perfect "righteousness of God was put on display as a propitiation for our sins." Let's live it, defend it, proclaim it, and share it; and "not loving our lives as unto death." (Acts 20:24).

I hope these two biblical and practical lists below of "The Gospel Proclaimed: and "The Gospel Obeyed" will encourage you and strengthen you to go into all world and preach the gospel. Evangelism is not just for a few professionals in the body of Christ--we are all to be witnesses of His transforming grace right where the Lord has placed each of us in the world.

THE GOSPEL PROCLAIMED:
Any clear presentation of the gospel of grace would include the following in some measure:

1. The Law - Romans 3-4; Galatians 3-4

2. Man's Inability to Save himself - Total Depravity - Romans 3:10-18; Ephesians 2:1-3

3. Justification by Faith Alone (the heart and soul of the gospel) - Romans 3-5; Galatians 3-4

4. Unmerited, Undeserved Grace - Ephesians 1-2

5. The Incarnation and Sinless Life of the Lord Jesus Christ - John 1:1-14; Hebrews 2:9, 14-17

6. The once for all Vicarious Penal Substitutionary Death of Christ on the Cross - Hebrews 2:9, 17-18; 9:14

7. Atonement, Expiation, and Propitiation in Christ - Romans 3:24-26; 1 John 2:2; Hebrews 2:17

8. The Triumphant Bodily Resurrection of Jesus from the Dead - Philippians 2:5-12

9. Jesus Christ proclaimed as Lord - Romans 10:9-10; Phil. 2:11

10. The Call of the ungodly to Repentance from Sin - Luke 24:46-49; Acts 2:36-42; 17:24-31; Romans 1-2

11. The Prayer for God to grant Saving Faith to the Unregenerate - Ephesians 2:8-9;

12. The Call to Follow Christ as Lord - Matthew 7:21-23; 16:24-28; Luke 14:24:25-35; Romans 10; 2 Cor. 5:14-21

THE GOSPEL OBEYED:
What must one do to be saved? Man cannot do anything to be saved--he is hopelessly dead in trespass and sin. Man is completely impotent to save himself--there is no hope for him apart from Christ (Eph. 2:1-3; Roms. 3:10-18). Salvation is all of grace; all of faith; all of Christ; all of the kindness of God; all of the sanctifying and regenerative work of the Holy Spirit; and all based upon the Word of God--the gospel (Titus 3:4-7; Eph. 1:3-14). However, in saying that, the visible fruit of repentance by the internal work of grace will bear the following:

1. Conviction, contrition and confession of sin

2. Forsaking of all idols, loves, and all others--even self to follow Christ

3. Forsaking of all other means of salvation except through Christ alone - Jesus Christ plus or minus nothing

4. Forsaking of all religious practices, ceremonies, sacraments, and/or works righteousness

5. Repentance from sin

6. To deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him

7. Confession of Christ as Lord and belief in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead

8. To trust solely in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved: that He is Lord-Sovereign over all; the only Savior; and the complete, once for all sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin

9. In short: Turn to God; Trust in Christ; Take the Gift of the Holy Spirit

Nothing is more important than the preservation and proclamation of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We live in a very pragmatic time where what works has taken precedence over what is true, holy, reverent and what pleases God. May we never water-down the life giving truth of the gospel of grace for the sake of numbers, comfort of the sinner over conviction of sin, or to pave a more smoother path for ourselves, rather than preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2; Gal. 6:14).

And as we go into all the world, may we not charge people to hear the gospel message. Let us not demand a single penny for proclaiming its truth. It is His gospel; and we have no right to make money a prerequisite for ministry when that ministry is about the heralding of the Good News. Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could go to any Christian concert, conference, evangelistic or worship gathering for whatever you could afford to give and never have to pay a ticket price again? Could you imagine the Apostle Paul charging tickets for people to hear him preach? Could you imagine the Lord demanding a fee before He gave the Sermon on the Mount? Could you imagine Peter asking for royalties to be paid before circulating one of his epistles?

"Freely we have received; freely we must give." Years ago, the Lord convicted me of this very thing and is why I stopped charging for my concerts, seminars, CD's... anything to do with the ministry. God broke my heart and I needed it to be crushed. I needed to repent of making money a precondition in providing ministry. Think about this beloved, I used to charge people to come to a church to worship the Lord. I used to charge people to have them hear about the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. O wretched man am I. I am so grateful that the Lord, in any small measure, by His sanctifying grace alone, allows me to continue in ministry--for I certainly don't deserve to.

I thank the Lord for the faithful men and women that shared the whole gospel and not a watered-down substitute when I was young. How thankful I am the Lord in His sovereignty saved this wretched man from his sin and brought me into eternal life by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone, on the Word alone, to the glory of God alone. In the words of A.W. Tozer, "The cross is a radical thing."

His Unworthy Servant in His Unfailing Love,
Steve

Titus 3:4-7

THE CROSS CHURCH WEBSITE IS ONLINE!...joining the conversation of faith

The Cross Church website is online! 

I have been pastoring this wonderful church since last October and am so excited to help them launch its first website. Many thanks to Les Lanphere who developed this site. Great job!

So many of us are used to tweeting, facebooking, texting, and blogging that it is second nature by now. But to some it is a brand new way to do ministry and communicate with each other. Our church is brand new at this - but so eager and thrilled to be ministering through the web.

We have several articles already up, some audio messages (with more and some video to come soon), featured issues, and some of the ministries that we are involved with at The Cross.

I hope you will stop by and check us out! And as we like to say at our church: Jesus is a far greater Savior than you are a sinner! Amen?

Grace to you and peace,

Steve
2 Cor. 4:5-7

WHY I LOVE THECHURCH...strengthening our commitment to the household of faith

"The church is the community of all true believers for all time. This definition understands the church to be made of all those who are truly saved. Paul says, "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Eph 2:25). Here the term "the church" is used to apply to all those whom Christ died to redeem, all those who are saved by the death of Christ. But that must include all true believers for all time, both believers in the New Testament age and believers in the Old Testament age as well"  -Wayne Grudem

The Apostle John tells us, that one of the most visible and convincing evidences that we have passed from death until life, is "... because we love the brethren..." (1 John 3:14). Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that you are My disciples; that you love one another" (John 13:35). We are also "not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:25).

The closest fellowship, as Christians, that we can ever enjoy on earth is within the body of Christ. "Brethren" is an endearing word for the intimacy of our union with Christ and, therefore, with each other. It was used by our Lord immediately following His bodily resurrection from the dead to portray His deep affection and love for those He came to save (John 20:17; cp, Heb. 2:11).

There are close to fifty "one anothers" in the New Testament that describe in wonderful detail how our lives are to be woven and lived together within the body of Christ. The world may not know of Paul, Stephen, Luke, Peter, even Moses or David, etc.; but they do know you and me and they are watching. What a joy to give up all rights to self and serve without reservation each other in the body of Christ as a witness and testimony of His life-changing grace. We should not come to church seeking what we can get, but more importantly, asking how we can give (1 Peter 4:10).

I have defined ministry as:

service to God and His creatures as we employ our Spirit-given giftedness, according to the instruction of Scripture as good stewards of the manifold grace of God for the advancement of His kingdom; that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. (cp, 1 Peter 4:10-12)

God has designed genuine ministry to be inseparable from the life, fellowship, and leadership of the local church. Any ministry that does not strengthen one's commitment to the local church is inconsistent with the purposes of Christ (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:23-25).

Five Biblical Reasons 

Why We Should Love and Serve the Church: 

Committed to the Lord of the Church
Firstly, Jesus Christ promised to build the Church-therefore, my commitment should be to it (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:39-47).

Committed to Love the Church
Secondly, He purchased the Church with His own precious blood-therefore, I love those for whom He died (1 Peter 1:19; 1 John 3:14-16).

Committed to Labor and Serve with the Church
Thirdly, the Church is the predominate agency through which God's will is manifested on earth-therefore, it is the community with whom I labor (Ephesians 1:9-10; Colossians 1:28-29).

Committed to the Life of One Another in the Church
Fourthly, the Church is the only earthly expression of heaven-therefore, we must daily grow together in conformity to the fullness of Christ (2 Peter 3:10-14; Revelation 4:4-11; Ephesians 4:12-13).

Committed to Lasting Victory for the Church
Fifthly, the gates of Hades will not prevail against the Church-therefore, in light of the assured victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, our worship and toil is not in vain (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58).

For further study, see Ligon Duncan's excellent article on 

The Marks of a Healthy Church

BAPTIST 21 PANEL DISCUSSION - THE TRAJECTORY FOR YOUNG PASTORS WITHIN THE SBC...Montgomery; Akin; Stetzer; Mohler; Dever; Platt - must see

B21 Panel From 2009 SBC Annual Meeting from Sojourn Community Church on Vimeo.

THE BIBLICAL CHURCH THAT GLORIFIES GOD...which one are we known for in America today?

updated

Taking some license by illustration with Stephen Covey's best selling tome, "Seven Habits of Higly Effective People." Here are three very different, but apt discriptions of church models that exist today. These lists are not exhaustive... and they were written with broad brush strokes, intentionally, to include a wide variety of church "experiences" in each category. 

I would like to know what would your lists comprise of? Read Ephesians 4:11-16 to get a glimpse into the church that glorifies God. As a complimentary piece, Pastor Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill Church has written an excellent taxonomy of Christianity in America called "Has Christian America Come To An End?" for FOXNEWS. It is his response to the recent controversial Newsweek cover story by Jon Meacham, "The End of Christian America." Driscoll insightfully compares Christian America and Christendom America from a biblical worldview. 

This is a must read.


Seven highly effective habits of the Contemporary Church that almost always guarantee church growth with very little spiritual impact:
1. Go political, not biblical
2. Go pragmatic, not theological
3. Go psychology, not discipleship
4. Go anthropocentric, not Christocentric
5. Go postmodern, not transcendent
6. Go “share your story”, not preach faithfully His Word
7. Go calling sin sickness and disobedience disease


Seven highly effective habits of the Traditional Church that almost always guarantee church stagnation with very little spiritual impact:
1. Go traditional, not spiritual
2. Go legalistic, not grace
3. Go corporate, not community
4. Go “count converts”, not “make disciples”
5. Go pastoral/elder ruler, not shepherd/servant leader
6. Go moralism, not Christlikeness
7. Go programs, not prayer


Seven highly effective habits of the Biblical Church that glorifies God:
1. Go supremacy of God, glory in Christ Jesus and worship by the Holy Spirit 
2. Go sola fide, sola scriptura, sola gratia, solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria
3. Go The Great Commission and the Two Great Commandments
4. Go take care of the poor, the widow and the orphan
5. Go preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord and ourselves as a slave to others
6. Go pray without ceasing
7. Go equip the saints for the work of the ministry

Some very good input from one contributor in the meta on this theme
1. Go simple, not complex 

(An authentic church displays their priorities by their financial expenses and by the way they want to appear to the world. In short, they are frugal on non-essentials, but always rich on truth, worship, discipleship and fellowship.)

2. Go theologically passionate, not piously stoic

(An authentic church loves God with their minds by exhibiting careful and deep thinking on the great truths of the Bible and its relation to contemporary life & An authentic church loves God with their affections by displaying the full range of emotions which are in proportion with Biblical truths and which glorify God.)

3. Go 24/7, not just one-day a week

(An authentic church is much more than a Sunday operation. It extends throughout the week as the leadership provides avenues for the ongoing maturity of the people.)

4. Go reverent, not light-hearted or cavalier

(An authentic church is very serious about pursuing maximum satisfaction in Jesus Christ and is very serious about killing sin that blocks true affection for Christ. This reverence is marked as well by a joy in the Lord and His Word.)

5. Go outward missions-minded just as equally as being inward focused

(An authentic church has a global vision of the spread of the Gospel by highlighting God’s triumphant global purposes and by actively sending risk-taking missionaries.)

6. Go risk-taking, not safe haven

(An authentic church will take the necessary safety and financial risks in the spread of the Gospel and thus show the infinite value of Christ to our God-belittling world.) 

7. Go richly Christ-centered, not earthly-dieted 

(An authentic church is permeated with the greatness and glory of Jesus Christ in all things by displaying Him and delighting in Him in all their ministries and gatherings

I thought that these things were well stated in the meta here and I wanted to feature them for your encouragement as well. 

Thank you Elizabeth Davis for posting these things here.

this has been an updated encore presentation

THE IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS...by John MacArthur

Jesus has made it clear that we who know God are salt and light in the world (Mt. 5:13-14). The Scripture also calls us ambassadors to the world (2 Cor. 5:20) and pilgrims in the world (1 Pet. 2:11). Paul told the Philippians that our citizenship is not here but in heaven (Phil. 3:20). And, we are sojourners in the world (1 Pet. 1:17). So, there is a purpose for our individual existence as believers in the society in which we live -- to turn men to God through Christ. We are a witnessing community -- a group of people placed in the world to draw the attention of the world to God.

The Consideration of Christlikeness

1. THE PURPOSE
Perhaps the most thrilling concept of all regarding our identity is found in Ephesians 4:13: "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." The design of the church is to be brought into Christlikeness -- till we all come to the full stature of Christ. God has given apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teaching pastors for the perfecting and the maturing of the saints for the work of the ministry that the body might be built up. The ultimate goal of the building up is that we might come to a fullness of Christlikeness.

Not only are we to be salt and light, ambassadors, and pilgrims in the world, but we are to be Christ in the world. This is a vital concept. The church is to be Christ in the world. I have chosen to call the church "Body II," and the incarnation "Body I" -- Christ in a human body. We are "Body II" -- Christ alive in the world in the church. This is a vital reality that we have to understand. The Lord Jesus wanted to remain in the world after the ascension by reproducing in us His very essence, life, personality, and character so that we might manifest Christ to the world.

2. THE PLAN
How has God designed us to be Christ in the world? How can we literally represent Him and manifest His character to this world?

a. Indwelling the Individual

The Bible says that He has planted within us the Spirit of Christ. Romans 8:9b says, "...Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." But we have received the Spirit of Christ; therefore, Paul says, "The life I live is not my own, but it is Christ living in me" (Gal. 2:20). So Christ reproduces Himself in the world by living in the individual believer.

b. Indwelling the Church

Now, Christ not only indwells every individual believer, but He indwells the corporate church. Ephesians 2:22 says that the entire church is built together as a habitation for the Spirit of Christ. Christ exists, not only in the individual life of a Christian, but in the corporate life of the community of believers known as the body of Christ. He produces His character in us first by dwelling in us.

3. THE PROCESS
Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-13 contains the simplest explanation of how Christ reproduces Himself in the church. His presence is there, but His character becomes manifested in this way:

a. The Spiritual Endowment

"But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ" (Eph. 4:7). By grace Christ has given the believer certain gifts -- certain divine enablements. Not one Christian is excluded. We don't deserve it, we can't earn it, but these gifts of Christ are measured out individually and uniquely for every Christian. You say, "Why is `gift' singular if some of us have more than one?" I think the plurality of our gifts can be expressed as our single gift. My gift from God may be the gifts of preaching, teaching, and administration all combined into one gift. Sometimes you have opened one package and received three things in one box. But the design of the gift is to manifest His character. He gives us an aspect of His character.

b. The Spoils of the Cross

Verse 8 says, "Wherefore, He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." When Christ died on the cross He gathered some spoils -- the spoils of the souls of the men and women that He won at the cross. He then gave them back to the church as gifts.

c. The Special Men

1) The Positive Result
According to verse 11 He gave the gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teaching pastors. They are the gifted men given to the church. Verse 7 says that He has already given individual gifts to the believer and it is the role of the gifted man to equip the gifted believers to use their gift. Verse 12 says that the gifted men are given for the maturing of the saints for the work of the ministry.

The Lord Jesus Christ has given every believer a gift for the purpose of manifesting Christ in the church and ultimately in the world. In order to allow us the fullest use of those gifts and to bring them to maturity, God has also given to the church the gifted men. The result is in verses 12b-13 -- the edifying of the body of Christ until the church together manifests the stature of the fullness of Christ. That is a great concept and very basic in identifying the church.

2) The Negative Response
Now, if the gifted men do not perfect the saints or the saints do not minister their gifts, the body will not be built up or manifest Christ. One of the difficulties in the church today is the fact that it is so fractured -- Christians are disobedient in the area of gifts and leaders are failing in perfecting the saints. The entire body of Christ is crippled, distorted, and confused. The world cannot see the true manifestation of Jesus Christ. The gifts are given to the church to the ultimate end that the church is built up into the fullness of the stature of Jesus Christ. Individually and corporately we should represent Christ.

The Characteristics of Christ

Now, all of the spiritual gifts in their fullest sense are complete in Christ. For example:

1. HIS EXAMPLE
There is the gift of prophecy, or preaching. Did Christ preach? Yes, He was the best. There is the gift of teaching. Did Christ teach? Yes, He was the best teacher. There is the gift of showing mercy. Did Christ show mercy? Yes, magnanimously, like no other person that ever lived. There are the gifts of ruling, helps, giving, and faith, each of which has its perfect example in Jesus Christ. He gave like nobody ever gave, ruled like nobody ever ruled, and had faith in the Father like nobody has ever displayed. In other words, the spiritual gifts are characteristics of Christ that will be manifest through the body corporate as they were manifest through the body incarnate. That is the purpose of spiritual gifts.

You say, "What about the miraculous gifts?" Christ had miraculous ability as confirmation of His identity. These gifts were also given in the early years of the church to confirm the message of God. So, all of the gifts find their perfection in Christ.

2. HIS ENABLEMENT
Now, when we preach, teach, show mercy, help, lead, give, or have faith, we find that our gift is a supernatural activity endowed and enabled by the Spirit of God. It manifests an attribute of Christ to the building of the body. Thus Christ becomes real in the world. The gifts are not random, but they specifically find their source in God, their channel in the Spirit, and their pattern, their example, and their completeness in the person of Jesus Christ. They are essential because they manifest Christ and build up the church.

Pondering the Principles
1. Look up the following verses: Matthew 11:29; 20:28; John 13:34; Romans 8:29; 15:2-3; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 5:2; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 3:13; Hebrews 12:2-4; 1 Peter 1:15; 2:21-24; 3:17-18; 1 John 3:1-3, 16. According to these verses, how are you to be Christlike? On a scale of 1-10, rate yourself in each of these areas. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Which area do you want to improve in most? Ask God to give you the wisdom you need in applying His principles to this area of your life. Make it a goal this week to pursue changes in your life-style that might keep you from being Christlike. Remember, the Holy Spirit indwells you to give you the resources to accomplish this goal.

2. Meditate on the following verses: Ephesians 4:17-18; Titus 3:3; 1 Peter 4:3. Take this moment to thank God for saving you from such a life-style and bringing you into His glorious Kingdom.

3. Look up the following verses: John 16:7-14; Romans 8:1-17; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 1 John 4:2-3, 15. What is one name for the Holy Spirit according to John 16:13? Why is this significant in terms of distinguishing what is of the Spirit and what is not? According to these verses, how does the Holy Spirit manifest truth through the believer? How can you tell when someone is truly manifesting the Spirit of Christ? In order to solidify the importance of the Holy Spirit's ministry in your own life, memorize Romans 8:14: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

BECAUSE HE IS GOD...recovering a reverence for God in the church

Because He is God, He must be reckoned with. Because He is God, He must not be trifled with. Because He is God, we must love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength-and love our neighbor as ourselves. Because He is God, we ought to worship Him in spirit and truth. Because He is God, we esteem Him with an undivided heart as First Love. Because He is God, we must approach Him clothed in contrition and we tremble at His Word. Because He is God, we give Him the preeminence in all things.

Because He is God, he has given us His grace instead of His wrath; His love instead of His enmity; His mercy instead of His justice; joy unspeakable in glory instead of torment in hell for perpetuity. Because He is God, I have no right to myself. Because He is God, I must walk in love, and love others, as Christ loved me and gave Himself for me. Because He is God, I must be willing to forgive as God in Christ has forgiven me. Because He is God, we love the brethren. Because He is God, I cannot harbor anger, wrath, clamor, bitterness, and malice in my heart toward another. Because He is God, I must turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, and give someone my cloak if they want my coat too. Because He is God, I must be willing to suffer the loss of all things, to gain everything. Because He is God, I can rest in the surety that He is orchestrating all things for our good and His glory. Because He is God, I cannot repay evil for evil, wrong for wrong, hurt for hurt. Because He is God, we may rejoice when our hearts are breaking and our world has been shaken. Because He is God, our trials are blessings-invited guests and not strangers.

Because He is God, we keep our vows to our spouse even when he or she seems unlovable, unapproachable, unteachable, or uncaring. Because He is God, we train our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Because He is God, we cannot take another to court and sue for reparations. Because He is God, we have the right to be wronged. Because He is God, we love His Word more than daily food. Because He is God, pastors should preach the Word of God instead of being clever raconteurs. Because He is God, the church must discipline sin and not wink at it. Because He is God, I cannot cherish my sin, but must daily repent of it. Because He is God, I've made a covenant with my eyes. Because He is God, I must guard my heart. Because He is God, I must not be motivated by mans applause, but by His "well done." Because He is God, we cannot become unequally yoked with an unbeliever in any spiritual ministry or enterprise. Because He is God, all our possessions are for the Master's use-they are not ours; they belong to Him. Because He is God, we must deny ourselves, daily take up our cross and follow Him.

To do all to His glory, according to His divine purpose, under the authority of His Word, to seek His will more than earthly reward, to embrace the fellowship of His sufferings rather than the pleasures of this world even for a season, to live self-sacrificially in unreciprocated love and service to others-to do all this for no other reason than… because He is God!

BLOGGING, WATCHBLOGGING, AND MINISTRY...asking the right questions first can be more helpful than just debating the answer

Fellow blogger, Tim Challies, lit up the blogosphere yesterday with a controversial post of his called, "Evil as Entertainment." He was addressing the character and content of "watchbloggers" within evangelicalism. He states unequivocally that these are "blogs that specialize in sharing bad news" - and are doing so for entertainment.

Tim is a great writer. He is thoughtful, circumspect, kind and generous. He is obviously very well read, reformed, insightful, and we are all the better for his contribution on many issues he addresses in the blogosphere. But IMHO, I think that this recent article of his lacks some of those qualities he is most noted for. On one hand, he offered some fair and helpful analysis on the current state of watchblogging (code word for blogs that frequently take on doctrinal or pragmatic issues within evangelicalsim polemically). The money line: "filling our minds, our hearts, our computer screens, our blogs with all that is wrong in the church will do little to conform us into the image of the Savior." I agree... if that was all that watchbloggers were solely doing.

But on the other hand, I really don't know of anyone in the Christian blogosphere that only focuses on all that is wrong in evangelicalism. I know many of the watchbloggers personally and do not find that obsession in their person or character. What I do find is the need for more balance from us all as we "take on" difficult and doctrinal issues. It takes God's grace to balance outrage over the right things under the restraint of biblical truth.

Tim further explains his concern: "[they] offer a steady diet of negative content related to the church in general or perhaps related to just one person or one ministry." Again, balance is the key here beloved - not one extreme or the other. It takes grace and wisdom to weigh and discern things rightly and accurately, and ultimately for anothers spiritual growth and edification. As Paul says,

"until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,"

Tim's stinging conclusion?

"This is what I realized: these blogs are really little more than entertainment... They are really just a spiritualized form of YouTube or any other site that entertains by sharing what is gross and base and negative and that does so for the sake of entertainment. There is really no value in watching boys do stupid things on skateboards and laughing when they crack their ankle bones in half; there is really no value in watching the worst pastors in America preach to the worst churches in America. Such sites offer evil as entertainment."

(Boy, that sounds like something I would have said...)

Take note of the irony here: what we just read was a blogger concerned about watchbloggers watchblogging, issuing a very pointed criticism against watchbloggers in general, but in point of fact was watchblogging about other watchbloggers on his own blog. (Say quickly three times). 

What Are Watchbloggers - Confession Time 

I am a watchblogger; and as we just saw, so is Tim. TeamPyro, Slice of Laodicea, Justin Taylor, Apprising Ministries, Al Mohler, T4G, Voice of the Sheep, Fide-O, Tom Ascol, James White, Timmy Brister, myself, etc. all watchblog. The motive? We all have a desire to guard the truth, champion fidelity, protect and proclaim the purity of the gospel, encourage other believers to honor God's Word in their lives to the glory of Jesus Christ, as well as to sound the alarm to the body of Christ about the error that is quickly finding inroads and acceptability within the reformed and evangelical church of today. That is a good, noble, worthy, excellent and necessary work to be about. I am honored to be numbered among them and thank the Lord for each of their respective ministries.

So by definition, anyone in the blogosphere speaking from a biblical worldview who challenges trends, fads, the doctrines of demons, and other issues facing the body of Christ with sound doctrine, biblical theological, and the truth of Scripture faithfully can and should be considered a watchblogger. Therefore, I submit to you that watchblogger is not really a bad title after all; in fact, I think it is a very good title. Aren't we all to be Bereans examining all things by the Scriptures to see if they are so? (Acts 17:11) Aren't we all to "test all things, hold fast to that which is good"? (1 Thess. 5:21). 

Its clear to me that it is not enough 

that we all share the same vocabulary, 

if we all are carrying around different dictionaries.

The Apostle Paul on Watchblogging

The Apostle Paul states the balance we all so desperately need in this area of Christian blogging. He issues a charge to pastors (but a principle we may all learn from and employ in our blogging) found in Titus 1:9b, "instruct in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict." One positive aspect, one negative aspect. One that instructs; the other that confronts. Both are quite necessary. Faithful instruction in sound doctrine will have to by its very nature confront and address that which is unsound according to Scripture if one is clearly teaching "the whole counsel of God." And by mentioning that which is unsound biblically, means that you must also instruct in that which is sound doctrine for addressing error without the clarification and context of Scriptural truth can push our righteous indignation buttons and be very motivational, but in the end unprofitable. And one that seeks only to state that which is positive biblically and fails to refute error, is more like Norman Vincent Peal than like the Apostle Paul, Peter, or our Lord Jesus Christ (cp, Matt. 23; 2 Peter 2; Jude; 2 Cor. 10). 

Both are important beloved: we should first champion sound doctrine; and when the ugly head of heterodoxy or heteropraxy finds its way in the church, it needs to be refuted.

With that in mind, I humbly submit to you below a few questions I have been thinking about on this issue of watchblogging and how we all function in the blogosphere as fellow believers in Jesus Christ who with right motives want to contend for the truth and His gospel of sola fide while striving to be clothed in the humility and grace of our Lord.

So may we consider asking the following questions of ourselves before we debate someone's proposed methods or answers... 

1. How does my post glorify God and exalt Christ? Or am I seeking to only expand my daily readership by addressing controversial issues just for controversy's sake? (1 Cor. 10:31)

2. How does it equip the body of Christ biblically to be better Bereans on any issue they face? (Acts 17:11)

3. How does it convict and challenge me in my own life before I turn its truths on another? IOW, what do I need to learn, model, obey and repent of first before calling others to do the same? (Psalm 119:10-17)

4. How does it bring truth and foster change to the one I am disagreeing with? (Eph. 4:13-16)

5. How does it edify and encourage - not just exhort? (Eph. 4:1-3; 26-32)

6. How does it communicate real biblical resolve? (Roms. 12:1-2)

7. How does it enable others to live more like Jesus as salt and light in their communities, ready to serve their church and world? (Matt. 5-7)

8. Am I filled with the Holy Spirit as I write and unfold God's Word, or am I only giving knee-jerk reactions to what is the hot potato of the moment? (Eph. 5:17-21) 

9. And lastly, in what I have just written and confronted caused me to focus more clearly on the person of our Lord Jesus Christ and something He would find pleasure, delight and honor in? (Heb. 12:1-3)

In light of those things, what can we learn about watchblogging in confronting error and standing for truth in the blogosphere: 

Firstly, posting by generalization creates more confusion than clarity. By not naming those we are writing about with specific examples from their own blogs can breed confusion, foster suspicions, and in the end produce hurt feelings, apprehension, and angst. As often he does, when Tim goes the extra mile in graciousness, as well as in specificity of the issues he is burdened to write about, I don't view it as an attack on anyone because it helps bring real teeth to what he is saying. I appreciate that about Tim's writing.

Secondly, failure to include or examine oneself as being equally vulnerable may end up communicating avoidance of responsibility rather than to humbly accept it. Clearly, Tim in his very well researched and thorough book reviews alone, has taken on issues in the past that we have benefited from and say amen too. His watchblogging in that arena has rightly challenged our thinking to be discerning, caused us to reevaluate how we do ministry, and even has opened the eyes of many to the more dangerous trends in evangelicalism today (see his amazing review of The Shack). I thank the Lord for that aspect of Tim's ministry.

Thirdly, including biblical content in context on any issue presented through Christian watchblogging helps us all to become more discerning, informed and therefore, honoring to the Lord. Tim on his blog has championed the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture faithfully. And as a reformed brother, he knows the importance of directing peoples hearts and minds to the truth of God's Word and not just to opinion.

Watchblogging is a necessary and unavoidable component of communicating in the blogosphere as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. May we all strive to do so with balance, instructing first in sound doctrine and then refuting when necessary those who contradict. And may we do so with the boldness, courage, love, grace and humility befitting our Lord Jesus Christ.

I personally want to say how much I appreciate the watchbloggers out there who are faithfully guarding the truth: Ingrid, Ken, Phil, Dan, JT, Tim, Tom, Carla, Jason, Scott, Al, Brian, James, etc. May we encourage each other to love and good works; and to champion truth and unashamedly refute error; and to do so clothed in the meekness and gentleness of Christ (2 Cor. 10:1-2).

And lastly, thank you to all here who watch this watchblogger and hold me accountable to what I write. You are important and cherished in my life.

"Be strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Tim. 2:1)

His unworthy servant in His unfailing love,

Steve

THE LOCAL CHURCH - SOCIAL CLUB OR SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY?...learning to practice the "one anothers"

What is the local church really to be like and how is it to function each day? Is it just a one hour a week performance for God led by a few professionals or is it something quite different then what contemporary evangelicalism has made it into? During this Easter season where we rightly refocus on the salvific ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, may we also take time to rethink what genuine ministry in the local church should be. In part one of this important "conversation of faith" I have compiled all of the "one anothers" found in Scripture. May they encourage you in your fellowship and service in the body of Christ. In taking these first steps, consider the words of the Apostle Paul instructing the church at Ephesus, "from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love" -Ephesians 4:16

MARK 9:50 "Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

JOHN 13:14 “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet..”

JOHN 13:34 “A new commandment I give to your, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

ACTS 7:26 "And on the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, 'Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?'

ROMANS 12:5 “so we being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”

ROMANS 12:10 “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”

ROMANS 12:16 “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”

ROMANS 14:13 “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.”

ROMANS 14:19 "So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another."

ROMANS 15:5,7 “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.”

ROMANS 15:14 “Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.”

ROMANS 16:16 “Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.”

1 CORINTHIANS 7:5 “Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”

1 CORINTHIANS 11:33 “Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.”

1 CORINTHIANS 12:25 “…that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.”

GALATIANS 5:13 “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

GALATIANS 5:15 “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another.”

GALATIANS 5:26 “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

GALATIANS 6:2b “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

EPHESIANS 4:2 “…with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,”

EPHESIANS 4:25 “Therefore, putting away lying, ‘LET EACH ONE OF YOU SPEAK TRUTH WITH HIS NEIGHBOR,’ for we are members of one another.”

EPHESIANS 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

EPHESIANS 5:19 “…speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,”

EPHESIANS 5:21 “…submitting to one another in the fear of God.”

COLOSSIANS 3:9 “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,”

COLOSSIANS 3:13 "bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you."

COLOSSIANS 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

1 THESSALONIANS 3:12 "and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also do for you;"

1 THESSALONIANS 4:18 “Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

1 THESSALONIANS 5:11 “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

TITUS 3:3 “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts, pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.”

HEBREWS 3:13 “but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘TODAY,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

HEBREWS 10:24-25 “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

JAMES 4:11 “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.”

JAMES 5:9,16 “Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

1 PETER 3:8 “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;”

1 PETER 4:9-10 “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

1 JOHN 1:7 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

GOSPEL FEAR...recovering a reverence for God in ministry

In light of the discussion from this past week... I humbly ask the readership here - where are the men of God who tremble at His Word; who preach it straightforwardly; who live it uncompromisingly; who walk circumspectly; who have a bold orthodoxy and a countenance clothed with humility; who worship in the Spirit of God, glory in Christ Jesus and place no confidence in the flesh; who pray with expectancy; who lead with servant-authority; who are strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; who will not play politics with God and man; who are not swayed by the promise of financial gain; who will not be enticed by the temporal contingencies of men; who strive not for prominence, power, position, praise, or promotion; who do not consider their lives of any account as dear to themselves, so that they may finish their course and the ministry which they received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God?

Here the Word of the Lord beloved:

-from the prophet Isaiah:
Is. 30:10 Who say to the seers, “You must not see visions”; And to the prophets, “You must not prophesy to us what is right, Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions.

Is. 66:2 “For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.

-from the prophet Jeremiah:
Jer. 5:22a ‘Do you not fear Me?’ declares the LORD. ‘Do you not tremble in My presence? 

Jer. 5:24 ‘They do not say in their heart, “Let us now fear the LORD our God, Who gives rain in its season, Both the autumn rain and the spring rain, Who keeps for us The appointed weeks of the harvest.” 

Jer. 5:25 ‘Your iniquities have turned these away, And your sins have withheld good from you. 

Jer. 5:28 ‘They are fat, they are sleek, They also excel in deeds of wickedness; They do not plead the cause, The cause of the orphan, that they may prosper; And they do not defend the rights of the poor. 

Jer. 5:30-31 ¶ “An appalling and horrible thing Has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule on their own authority; And My people love it so! But what will you do at the end of it?

-from the Apostle Paul:
2 Cor. 5:11 ¶ Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.

2 Tim. 4:1 ¶ I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2Tim. 4:2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

-from the Lord Jesus Christ:
Matt. 7:21-29 ¶ “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ ¶ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” ¶ When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

Jeremiah Burroughs from Gospel Fear

"If this is such a disposition that God so looks at, it should teach the ministers of God who have to deal with God's Word that when they speak it, they must speak it in such a manner that it may gain fear and trembling, that the hearts of people may be struck with fear and trembling. They must not come to dally and to play with men's fancies, nor with their own wit; but when they come to speak the Word of God, in God's name, they should labor to speak it so that the hearts of their listeners may be struck with fear and trembling. For, indeed, there is such a way of speaking the Word of God that will bring it with majesty to the hearts of the people to whom we speak.

In 1 Corinthians 2:4, the apostle says there, concerning the ministry of the Word, 'My speak and preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.' See here two sorts of preaching. There is preaching that is with enticing words of man's wisdom, upon which a preacher may be commended as being a brave man, a witty man, a curious man, or any of a hundred other such epithets. 'But', says Paul, 'we preach in the demonstration of the Spirit.' And look what follows: 'and of power.' So that the power of the Word follows upon the demonstration of the Spirit. When people apprehend a minister preaching only with his wits and his gifts, the heart of a man will condemn it. It may commend the man, but condemn the Word, for it has no power over the conscience; but when a minister of God comes in God's name, and preaches in the demonstration of the Spirit, then he preaches with power, such power as prevails with the consciences of men: the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. It is said of Christ in Matthew 7 that He did not preach as the Scribes and Pharisees, but as one who had authority, as one who spoke to the consciences of men. So the ministers of Christ ought to speak in the name of Christ as being backed with the authority of Christ, as men who have to deal with men's consciences and not with men's fancies. And certainly it is the best commendation of a sermon that the hearts of the people are struck with it.

Those who write of Basil and Chrysostom, those two famous preachers in their time, tell us that these men did not account their honors to be in the hums of people, in their applause, but in their crying out, 'What shall I do to be saved?' Here's the commendation of a minister. And ministers should labor that their ministry be such a ministry because the Lord has such a high esteem of a heart that trembles at His Word. There is matter enough in the Word of God to make any heart to tremble if it is delivered as the Word of God. What's the chaff to the wheat? 1 Peter 4:11: 'If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.' If any man undertakes to speak God's Word, it must be as the Word of God, the oracles of God."

This is what I pray for as I minister around the world, that the Lord would raise up men of God who will have a reverence for Him in all things concerning life and doctrine.