CHART AND COMPASS

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By Ken Blue

Paul compares the church to our human bodies. In fact, the believers are the body of Christ. Just as the body must have several vital areas function simultaneously for the whole man to be healthy; so must the church.
The human body has 1. a nerve system, 2. a circulatory system, 3. a respiratory system, 4. a digestive system, and 5. a skeletal system. Each of these exists to serve the rest of the body.
A church must be conscious of each of these and understand their importance to the local church.

The nerve system is rooted in the head, and the rest of the body receives its signals from it. The Lord Jesus is the head of the church and a church must seek direction from Him.
The circulatory system carries new blood to the rest of the body for vitality and life. The life of the flesh is in the blood. A body dies when the body stops producing fresh blood. And so it is with the church. New blood must be added constantly. This is done by adding new converts daily. The outcome is simple; add new blood or die.
The respiratory system breaths fresh oxygen to the body and is vital for its life. Such is the prayer and worship. These bring the breath of life into a dying church. Worship and prayer are its life.
A healthy digestive system is imperative for food to nourish the body. We must be more than hearers of the Word, we must know how to divide it, digest it and dispense it. A church must be a Bible church. God’s preachers are to feed the sheep.
Finally, the skeletal system gives form and stability to the whole man. The skeleton need not be seen, but it must be strong for the body to be held together, and function as a whole. Many failures of the church are the result of its lack of a proper organization. The church must be organized for the work of the ministry to avoid confusion.
These five provide a chart and compass for the pastor to stay on course. When you feel you have lost your way, go back to the chart, and compass; they will reorient you.

AN OLD MULE

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            By Ken Blue

        

I saw an old mule standing right there, always in the same old place.

I’m no authority, but the story was clearly on his face.

So I stopped the car and climbed the fence to the place where he was at.

I can tell by the look on your face that we need to have a chat.

He didn’t acknowledge I was there, by movement of eye or ear.

So, I moved closer, and said some things I thought he needed to hear.

You need to remember when you were young; secure at mother’s side.

You ran and played the games young mules play, being filled with youthful pride.

Then one day a farmer came by, choosing you to work in his field.

You shared the news with other mules, and your excitement they too did feel.

You pulled the plow straight, leaving a furrow in each purposeful track.

Your eyes were fixed on the goal ahead; you never, ever looked back.  

Think of the millions who have been fed because you pulled that old plow.

And as we talk, every last grain is producing somewhere right now.

A neighbor drove by and he slowed down; saw me talking to that mule.

He turned to his wife and he said, I always thought Blue was a fool.

As we finished, his chin quivered; a twinkle was in his eye.

I felt I had helped a little bit; it was time to say goodbye.

So, don’t despair over years gone by, if you can no longer plow.

Be thankful for those fruitful days and God’s abundant grace right now.

STRIVING ABOUT WORDS

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STRIVING INSTEAD OF GETTING OUT THE GOSPEL

By Ken Blue

 

“Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 2 Timothy 2:14.

 One way to discredit an individual is to give a word an alternate meaning from its intended context. There are several such words; and the brethren who use them have been segregated into a class of their own. I am reminded of the man who said, “Thou art stubborn; he is obstinate, and I am persistent.” Each word has much in common, but who wants to be thought of as stubborn or obstinate? “Persistent” always sounds more acceptable.

One word that has fallen into ill repute among the brethren is the word fundamentalist. The reason is its connotation and use. Fundamentalist have been associated with terrorist, fanatics and Kooks. This is unfair and unfortunate, but it is the way it is. Thus, many Bible believers, who embrace the fundamentals of the faith, are reluctant to be associated with some who call themselves fundamentalist. The fundamentals must be embraced, some fundamentalist need the boot.

Another word is the word share. One argument is that it isn’t a Bible word. Are we going to confine our vocabulary to words found only in Scripture? I don’t think so. We know the words rapture and trinity are not found in the Bible, yet we use them constantly because we know those truths are taught. The same principle is found in the word share. This truth and example is found from Genesis to Revelation. Perhaps a dictionary definition will help some. “share: A part or portion belonging to, distributed to, contributed by, or owed by a person or group. To accord a share in (something) to another or others: shared her chocolate bar with a friend. To have a share or part: shared in the profits.” This attack is another nail in the coffin of unity between believers.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Be careful when preaching to the Pharisees! To stay out of trouble, you must be political![/pullquote]

A young college student criticized his pastor because he used the word Philosophy. The pastor had pastored for about 15 years; the student had been out of college about six months. Below is a list of synonyms from the American Heritage Dictionary on the word, philosophy: “A system of belief, principles, or opinions:  • creed • dogma • faith • religion • doctrine • credo • canons • gospel.” All these words are used by pastors and no one complains. But if you say the word philosophy, you are related to the Antichrist. This is nonsense. It is the world’s philosophy one must reject, not the word!

The word Liberal is anathema among Bible believers. However, the word does not always have a negative connotation.  “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” Proverbs 11:25. “Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;” 2 Corinthians 9:13. Wouldn’t you like to have these liberals in your church? Our objection should be against those who take liberty with the Word of God and deny its teachings and Truth. Again, the word liberal is not a negative word, like all words, it depends on how it is used.

 Do you know what a fag is? Let me give you a dictionary definition. “1.a. A student at a British public school who is required to perform menial tasks for a student in a higher class. b. A drudge. 2. Chiefly British. Fatiguing or tedious work; drudgery. 1. To work to exhaustion; toil. 2. To function as the servant of another student in a British public school. –tr. To exhaust; weary: Four hours on the tennis court fagged me out.” American Heritage Dictionary.  Sodomy is the sickest sin on earth. So call it what it is, and stop trying to be “cute.”

The word Contemporary is another word that we must abhor. How contemporary are you? Some time ago I visited an Amish village in Illinois. All tools were of wood, carts were pulled by horses, and electricity was rejected. Are the Amish more in line with Scripture than you, since you are more contemporary? There was a time when all musical instruments were rejected by the church, and most of the music in your hymnal was rejected because it was contemporary at the time.  This is not a suggestion that you throw all caution to the wind. However, we need to stop acting like a donkey when it comes to words and methods.

The final word under fire is the word Entertainment. When used in relation to the church, it means that you must not have certain musical interments, Power Point, quartets, solos, songs under 100 years old, and more than one special.

Pastor, if you don’t entertain your congregation, you will lose it. All speakers and singers are trying to entertain and edify their listeners. That is why they use the style, words, and methods when presenting their message. I am aware that prayer, the power of God, the Word of God, the love of God, and the grace of God must be present. But, let’s stop hiding behind these, while pretending that the human element is not important. Many pastors need never worry about entertaining church members. Even the Devil would sleep through their service; everyone else is.

I have also discovered that you may quote certain leaders and get a course of “amen’s.” Just don’t mention the names of the men you quote. You may use their words, but you must know your crowd, or they will treat you like the Jews at Jerusalem treated Paul when he mentioned the word Gentile. So, be careful when preaching to the Pharisees! To stay out of trouble, you must be political!

RICK WARREN’S HEALTH PROGRAM

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By Ken Blue

 I am the last person in the world qualified to write about diets, health foods, and weight loss. I break all the rules and it is evident. I eat what I want. I don’t take vitamins and I don’t exercise. I am overweight; I have heartburn, and high cholesterol. So you see, you don’t want to follow my advice or example when it comes to healthy living.

However, when it comes to the brethren, I don’t need a stethoscope or a microscope to understand their health. Most of them love those who join them and despise those outside “their camp.”

Rick Warren has fallen under the wrath of some because of his new health objectives for his church members. Now, I have no interest or intent to defend Rick Warren. My objective is to point out the hypocrisy and inconsistency in our own “camp.”

Over the years I have been inundated by evangelist and preachers attempting to sell me, and our church members their diets, vitamins, supplements, and barleygreen, while “our camp” has been as quiet as a cemetery. Something is rotten in Denmark, and it ain’t the cheese.  

Some will purposefully distort my intent and accuse me of defending Rick Warren. I am not! He makes a big target, so go ahead, and shoot. However, don’t be a hypocrite and ignore the little foxes in your own backyard. You don’t get as much attention when you shoot them, but it should be done.

THE WEEPING SAVIOR

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By Ken Blue

 

“Jesus wept.” John 11:35.

And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Luke 19:41

“Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;” Hebrews 5:7.

The key to each account of our Lord’s weeping is found in the context. Each one revealed the human side of Jesus Christ.  

 In John 11, the Lord is in Bethany at the tomb of Lazarus. Our lord is not weeping for Lazarus. He is about to raise him from the dead. However, when he looks about and sees the sorrow and brokenness of those He loves, He cannot constrain Himself. His is not the loud wailing usually associated with funerals in that part of the world, but a silent weeping of a broken heart. Let us take comfort that He weeps with those who weep.

The second account of our Lord’s weeping is recorded in Luke 19:11. There we see him weeping over the city of Jerusalem. He is weeping for them because of the impending doom awaiting them, their city, and their temple. Their ignorance was willful, and thus they closed their eyes to their Scriptures and their visitation of salvation. This led to a blindness, which hides the future and present to them as a nation to this day. This passage reminds us of the lamentations of Jeremiah over Jerusalem. Our Lord’s vision of the destruction that was soon to be inflicted by Titus moved Him to great weeping and wailing.

The third account of His weeping is found in Hebrews 5:7. We are confident these three are not the only times our Lord wept. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. However, the Holy Spirit had His purpose for recording these.

The weeping in this account took place just prior to our Lord’s death on the cross. This entire passage must view Jesus from His human nature. He was made man that He might taste death for every man. He is not praying that He would not die. He came for that purpose and knew it. Jesus was praying that He would be resurrected out from among the dead. It is very difficult to reconcile His humanity with His deity, but both are true, and He must be seen in the capacity of a man. Again, we suggest that the entire chapter in Hebrews be read for fuller understanding of why our Lord wept and prayed in the garden.

Jesus did not do any miracles that could not be done by the Twelve, whom He had chosen. The Twelve were only men, yet they were empowered to perform mighty miracles. Jesus laid aside His deity and served the Father as a man, and always obeyed Him. This should help explain His prayers and weeping prior to His death.