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GOT ANY ADULATORS IN YOUR CHURCH?

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CAN ADULATORS JOIN THE CHURCH?

Two Wedding Rings Resting On A Bible PageBy Ken Blue

“And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.” Mark 10:11-12.

Since this verse is the final answer on the matter of divorce and remarriage to most pastors, it might be a good time to do a check up to see if their actions match their theology. If you believe these verses settle the matter, then the conclusion is simple.

One question we should ask is, if a couple is “shacking up” would you let these adulators become members of your church? My guess is that 90% will answer no, and we agree with that decision.

However, if a married couple seeks membership and either one of them was previously married would you let them become members? If you take the Mark 10 position, how do you justify their membership? Does the second marriage license remove their adultery status? What if they claim they were saved after the second marriage, does that settle the matter?

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Can you justify making adulators second-rate or inferior members?[/pullquote]

Another way some skirt the issue is to allow the remarried membership, but withhold certain privileges from them. You will hear some pastors’ say, “We let them join, but they can’t teach, lead, or hold any office.” Of course they will let them serve as janitors, bring in new members, and tithe. Something is rotten in Denmark!

If you really believe they are living in adultery, how do you justify their membership in the first place? If you allow them membership, how can you justify making them second-rate and inferior members? It looks like you have allowed tradition and faulty hermeneutics to paint you into the proverbial corner.

I have a pastor friend who will not allow the remarried to join his church. He has about ten members. I completely disagree with his understanding of this issue, but he is true to his convictions, and we must respect him for that. Are you really true to yours?

1, 2, 3 OR A, B, C?

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IT’S AS SIMPLE AS A, B, C.

A, B, CBy Ken Blue

Some of the brethren, having run out of things to criticize others about, have now resorted to finding fault with how one gives an invitation to salvation or how one leads a soul to accept Christ. This is done with a cute little saying called the “1, 2, 3 repeat after me” method.

All of us are guilty of picking up some little tidbits or scraps thrown out by others and then regurgitating them to the pups when we get back to the den. Cute, may sound pleasing and stroke our pride, but there is a world of difference between cute and accuracy.

Most of us are familiar with a small gospel tract that says salvation is as “simple as A, B, C.” I’ve yet to hear any complaints about its presentation. It goes something like this:

A- All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

B- Believe Jesus died to pay for your sins.

C- Call upon him now and ask Him to save you. The tract continues with a simple prayer for the sinner to repeat. This is called the A B C method.

The 1, 2, 3, method, however is not received with as much grace. We think we know why and will explain later.

This method obviously begins with the number, one.

1. All have sinned and come short of God’s glory.

2. Believe Jesus died to pay for your sins.

3. Call upon Him and ask Him to save you. The sinner is then led in a verbal prayer of salvation.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Only the Devil would complicate such a simple method of salvation as A, B, C.[/pullquote]

Now, anyone with an ounce of spiritual discernment can see the vast difference between the two methods. You may have to study them for a while before the dissimilarity becomes evident.

Still having trouble? Here it is. One is A, B, C and the other is 1, 2, 3.

We are not naive. Not every sinner who prays, any sinner’s prayer, is saved. It is not the method or words a man or woman mouths that merits them salvation. Salvation is an absolutely free gift to any man or woman who accepts it by faith. No other conditions are required.

Only the Devil would complicate such a simple method of salvation as A, B, C. Lost Pastors teach you must work to get it, and some saved pastors teach that you must ask a certain way or you don’t get it.

Now what is behind all this cute little saying we hear now and then? The answer is control. Another reason for the criticism is that the critic is not getting sinners saved with any method. He doesn’t have one.

Some pastors and evangelist are so desperate to secure a following that they create one more schism in the body of Christ in order to secure a following. We all enjoy a little comedy now and then, but don’t be too hasty to rush back to the den with those little tidbits to regurgitate them.

ISRAEL, GET READY!

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MUSLIM NATIONS DETERMINED TO DESTROY ISRAEL

Israel

By Ken Blue

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. 3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. 4 In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness… In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. 9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.” Zechariah 12:1-9.

“Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. 2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.” Zechariah 14:1-3.

Anyone who follows the Middle East news is aware that all Muslim nations are determined to destroy Israel. In fact, they must destroy Israel for their objectives for world dominion to be realized. Some non-Muslim nations may join them for a share in the riches of the land.

One of the greatest proofs that the Bible is true is the prophecies of this coming event and its outcome. God will allow the anti-Jewish nations to come together for the “final solution.” However, this will be their final act against Israel and God’s purpose will be fulfilled through Israel.

The following article from the Associated Press is the Ayatollahs most recent reminder of their determination to unwittingly fulfill this prophecy.

     Jan 27 01:31 PM US/Eastern   ayatollahalikhamenei

“TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iran’s supreme leader predicted the destruction of Israel in comments posted on his Web site on Wednesday, in some of his strongest remarks in years about the Jewish state.

In the past, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called Israel a “cancerous tumor” that must be wiped from the map, but the new comments mark the first time in years he has openly speculated about Israel’s demise.

“Definitely, the day will come when nations of the region will witness the destruction of the Zionist regime,” Khamenei was quoted as saying. “How soon or late (Israel’s demise) will happen depends on how Islamic countries and Muslim nations approach the issue.” He did not elaborate.”

If you need proof that the Bible is true, one word will do; that word is “Jew.” Keep reading the Book, keep looking up and keep your eye on what happens to Israel.

DIVISIONS AND CONTENTIONS

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NO DIVISIONS IN THE CHURCH

divisionBy Ken Blue

Although Paul would be the first to contend for the faith and tell his followers to withdraw from those who depart from sound doctrine, he was constantly striving for unity within the body of Christ. This truth is evident in each of his epistles.

The opening remarks of first Corinthians show two important things: One was the display of immaturity in these believers because of their division over personalities, and the other was the questioning of Paul’s authority and the gospel which he preached. 1 Corinthians 1:10-11 says, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.” Verses 12 shows the nature of their division; and if you think things have changed just allow your name to be associated with anyone outside “their camp.”

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Paul longed for unity between believers.[/pullquote]

Not only did Paul long for unity between believers, he found is necessary to spend much of his time defending his Apostleship and authority. This was needed because of the many false teachers attempted to bring believers under the law, as they questioned his teaching.

Much of chapter two shows that the gospel he preached was not, nor could it be received through his natural man. For, the natural man cannot receive these revelations. They were given to him by divine revelation. See 1 Corinthians 2:10, “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” The “us” in these verses is not speaking of believers in general, but of the Apostles to whom the mysteries of the gospel were revealed. (See v. 7).

Most believers think verse 9 is a reference to heaven, but no such luck. Paul is speaking of the things associated with Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection for sin. These are the things God prepared, in Christ, before the foundation of the world. (v. 7).

Paul shows the blindness of the Jewish and Gentile princes in their attitude and rejection of Christ. See 1 Corinthians 1:23 “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;” Their wisdom blinded them as to Christ and His mission. The things spoken by Paul and the other apostles were given by divine inspiration, not by natural wisdom. (v. 13-16).

It is pride and carnality, as shown in chapter one, that leads to division, personality worship and contention. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Romans 16:17.

THE STALLED CHURCH

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REASONS WHY CHURCHES BECOME STALLED

business man making a puzzle isolated over a white background
business man making a puzzle isolated over a white background

By Ken Blue

As Joyce and I traveled from Seattle to Phoenix, we noticed several cars stalled along the interstate. Some had flat tires and the drivers were in the process of installing their spare. On the Grapevine, we saw a car stalled with steam boiling from under the hood; perhaps a blown water hose or a bad water pump was the problem. Another car was being loaded on a wrecker to be hauled away. Of course, we had no way of knowing what all the issues were, but we couldn’t help but notice them as we passed by. For some, the problem was obvious; for others, further investigation would be needed. A few appeared ready for the junkyard.

Several years ago, I arrived at church were some men were working on one of the church buses. They had taken the fuel line and the fuel pump off because gas was not getting to the carburetor. I ask, “Has anyone checked the gas tank?” They looked at each other for a moment; then they inserted a broom handle down the neck of the tank. It came out dry as a bone. They had worked for hours, while overlooking the obvious.

It is not always apparent why churches get stalled, but like the autos along the interstate, you don’t have to travel far before you spot them. It is important that a diagnosis be performed before you start dismantling the fuel lines and or removing carburetors. The question is, what are we apt to find when we search for reasons some churches get stalled?

Some stalled churches can’t be fixed. If enough people become unemployed or a city dries up, the only solution is to dissolve the church and move on.

A church may get stalled because of a split and a number of people leave. In that case, the answer is to pray down God’s blessings, preach sermons that are uplifting, and encourage the remaining members with a new vision of outreach and growth.

If the pastor becomes satisfied with the “status quo,” so will the members. Some pastors are content to have just enough members to pay the bills, while they keep the church just small enough to be a wonderful little family. This is where many churches are stalled today, and it is the sin of complacency that keeps them there. The pastor ought to get fired up about bringing in the lost or he ought to be fired!

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]It is not always apparent why churches get stalled, but like the autos along the interstate, you don’t have to travel far before you spot them.[/pullquote]

Some pastors outstay their usefulness and the church begins to die with them. The pastor, who is up in years, must surround himself with a young staff if he expects the church to have new life and vitality. If the pastor is aged and all the members are senior citizens, the next step is the nursing home. Seniors must be pastored, but young adults should be evangelized. Once your church gets moving again, add a senior citizens ministry.

Sometimes the pastor simply needs to refocus and get a burning vision for outreach. Curtis Hutson said to his sectary, “I’m going to build another church.” She responded in surprise, “Where are you going to build it?” Curtis said he was going to build it right on top of the existing one.

One final cause for a stalled church may be attributed to an insufficient number of staff. Every pastor has a limit as to the number of people he can pastor. Some have suggested that there should be at least one pastoral staff for each 125 people. The pastor should take a serious look and see if a lack staff may be a cause for a lack of progress.

The owner of a stalled auto may not be a mechanic or know how to get the car moving again. but it is his responsibility to either fix it himself or find someone who can help him get it done. The pastor is responsible for the stalled church, and it is his duty to get it moving or find someone who can. There is no excuse to let a church remain in a stalled condition. If your church is stalled, you should set about to do everything you can to discover the problem, and then do everything you can to get it moving again.