You are here: Home / Archives for pastors

THANK YOU MINE ENEMIES

by

HOW ENEMIES BENEFIT THE PASTOR

EnemiesBy Ken Blue

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44.

In the early days of my ministry it never occurred to me that there would be pastors and church members who would hate me. Because I loved the Lord, the ministry, and the members of my church, I assumed everyone loved me too. It didn’t take long for that illusion to disappear.

After five years in the ministry, my wife and I took our first vacation. While we were away a staff member called to tell me of a member who had gathered a group together, and they were going to another part of the city and start a church. I was hurt, angry, and ready to resign. I could not believe an ex-pastor and the members whom I loved would be so deceitful. I thought these were my friends, but I was wrong.

Over a period of years a man in the church, I thought loved me, gathered the addresses of our members and wrote numerous anonymous letters attacking my family and me. These letters were designed to turn the church against me. By God’s grace, it did not happen. This person was in an important ministry in the church and acted as a friend.

The list is not limited to church members. I have also discovered that pastors are also among those who are enemies and have sought to hurt the ministry at Open Door.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]…as I look back on their evil intent, I learned from my enemies was how wicked my own heart was.[/perfectpullquote]

However, as I look back on their evil intent, I can see things that I could not see before. One of the things I learned from my enemies was how wicked my own heart was. My response was one of hurt, anger, and resentment. Had it not been for my enemies, I would never discover this about myself, and by God’s grace correct it. So, thank you, my enemies.

Another truth learned from my enemies was just how difficult it is to love them and pray for them. Only God can make it possible for us to do that. It forces us to become completely transparent before the Lord. We must love them, pray for them, do good to them, and bless them.

One other benefit we get from our enemies once they are exposed; we discover who our true friends are. They stand by you, defend you, and love you. So, thank God for your enemies, God uses them to teach us how to be like Him. Thank you mine enemies.

COLOR BLIND

by

COLOR BLIND OR GREY AREA?

By Ken Blue

“Most color vision problems are inherited. People usually have three types of cone cells in the eye. Each type senses either red, green, or blue light. You see color when your cone cells sense different amounts of these three basic colors. Inherited color blindness happens when you don’t have one of these types of cone cells or they don’t work right. You may not see one of these three basic colors, or you may see a different shade of that color or a different color.” (http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/tc/color-blindness-topic-overview.)

Years ago I purchased a 1947 Lincoln sedan. It had velvet interior, power windows, power seats, push button doors, and twelve cylinders! It was a collectors dream. One day I was telling a friend all about it, and that it’s color was black. My wife overheard the conversation and quickly came in to correct me. “The car in not black, it is maroon,” The full impact of my color blindness hit me when I applied for a job that required a color test. I am as color blind as a bat. I know there is a number in the circle, but I cannot see it!

However, when it comes to the ministry, there is another area where we are to assume no real color exists; that is called the “gray” area. The idea is, since the Bible is silent on this issue, we will call it “gray.” The problem is, before any pastor gets through the gray area, he has found the issue to be black and white.

There are several of these areas in Scripture. They usually fall in the area of music, instruments, methods, hair, and entertainment. For example, I heard an evangelist say, “There’s nothing in the Bible about music being used to reach the lost.” Then he went to the piano and led us in “There’s Room At The Cross For You.” Another preacher chimed in, saying the same thing in another meeting, and then gave the invitation, having us sing, “Just As I Am.” Why would a pastor or evangelist use music to get sinners down the aisle, and then in the same sermon make negative comments about reaching the lost with music? Usually, we give little thought to what we are saying. We just quote others because we think it is true. Isn’t it amazing that some preachers think Bluegrass gospel is ok, and that classical music that people dance to is acceptable, and yet they can clearly see the music that is wrong, while in their “gray” area?

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]There is no such area as a “gray” zone for the preacher.[/perfectpullquote]

Our predecessors did not see any musical instrument as a gray area. To them, it was black and white. Note: Spurgeon said, “… What a degradation to supplant the intelligent … by the theatrical prettiness of a quartet, bellows, and pipes. We might as well pray by machinery as praise by …strings and pipes… We do not need them. That would hinder rather than help our praise…” (Charles Spurgeon, Commentary on Psalm 42.)

Wesley said, “I have no objection to instruments of music in our worship, provided they are neither seen nor heard.” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Vol. 4, p. 685)

Luther said, “The organ in the worship Is the insignia of Baal… The Roman Catholics borrowed it from the Jews.” (Martin Luther, Mcclintock & Strong’s Encyclopedia Volume VI, page 762)

Adam Clarke said, “… Music as a science I esteem and admire, but instrumental music in the house of God I abominate and abhor.”

Pastors have criticized us for years because we make much of special days in order to attract the lost. They would rather let a kid go to hell than give him a piece of bubblegum.

The Bible College I attended would not allow sideburns below the ear. A coat and tie must be worn to all classes. Most colleges maintain those standards today. I have no issue with that. However, many Christians have decided that if a man has a beard, mustache, or long sideburns, he must be unsaved, or backslidden at least. Did you know that in the Bible you could not mar your beard or have a rounded haircut? “Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.” Leviticus 19:27. “But,” you say, “Pastor Blue, that is Old Testament and for the Jews.” Well, I am so glad you noticed that. Perhaps others will notice that same truth when they try to impose other Old Testament teachings on the church.

No, there is no such area as a “gray” zone for the preacher. He only wants you to think there is, so he can lead you into it, through it and bring you out seeing things black and white, as he sees them.

My color blindness was inherited and I can do nothing about it, but watch out for those who want to help you through the “gray” zone. The very idea of saying music should not be used to reach the lost is the epitome of stupidity and is violated by every Baptist church, every Sunday. If you really believe that, you should be a man and cut all the songs from your hymnal written to reach sinners. These birds need to will their brain to the canary farm.

WHAT IS A BAPTIST?

by

MARKS OF A BAPTIST

By Ken Blue

Some time ago I was invited to join another pastor and one of his church members for breakfast at a nearby cafe. We had a pleasant visit. We discussed various subjects, the nature of which I cannot remember. However, as we were finishing our meal, the pastor asked me a question that caught me off guard, and I am convinced he was not impressed with my answer.

The question was, “What is a Baptist?” My answer was, “one who holds to Baptist beliefs.” I proceeded to tell him of the acrostic used to explain what Baptist believe. B-Born again membership. A-Autonomy of the local church. P-Preservation of the saints. T-Total depravity of the lost. I-Inspiration of the Scriptures. S-Separation of church and state. T-Two ordinances.

However, although I agree with the above, I do not think that was the answer he was after. If a Lutheran is a follower of Martin Luther, one might assume a Baptist would be a follower of John the Baptist. I am aware that there are a few Baptist who believe just that.

The facts will demonstrate that Baptist do not, nor can they follow the Baptist.

1. John was sent to Israel only to prepare them for their Messiah. No Baptist today does that.

2. John’s baptism was accompanied with repentance and confession of sins. No Baptist makes that a requirement.

3. John’s ministry was to prepare a people for their King and earthly Kingdom. That is not the goal of any Baptist today.

4. John’s gospel (good news) was that the King was coming to establish His Kingdom, and repentance and baptism were a requirement to enter it. No Baptist preaches that.

5. John’s ministry and message never contained one word about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. That is the central theme of Baptist today.

6. Since John knew nothing about the upcoming death of Christ, his gospel must have contained a different message than that of Baptist today.

7. Since John knew nothing of Jesus’ coming death, his baptism must have served a different purpose, and possibly a different mode, then the baptism practiced today,

8. Since John was sent to baptize and Paul was not sent to baptize, there must have been light years between their two ministries.

9. No one claimed to be a follower of John the Baptist, “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:12, isn’t it strange that no one claimed to be a follower of John the Baptist?

So, the best I can do is stick with the acrostic and follow Christ, since it is impossible, and unscriptural to follow John the Baptist.

THE TRADITION TEST

by

TRADITION IN YOUR MINISTRY
tradition

By Ken Blue

“Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.” Acts 16:3.

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.  To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 .

It is possible, like the Jews, we too have allowed tradition to hinder our outreach and the Word of God. A good question is what would we give up or add in order to win more souls for Christ. I believe our answer may reveal just how strongly we are bound to tradition.

1.         Would you be willing to have services on another day instead of Sunday, if it meant you would reach more people?

2.         Would you be willing to change the order of your Sunday service, if it meant you would reach more people?

3.         Would you be willing to change the time of your service on Sunday, if it meant you would reach more people?

4.         Would you be willing to change the style of your preaching, if it meant you would reach more people?

5.         Would you be willing to change the decor and arrangement of your building, if it meant you would reach more people?

6.         Would you be willing to have your choir wear robes, if it meant you would reach more people?

7.         Are there musical instruments you would not use, even if using them meant you would reach more people?

8.         Would you be willing to change your music, if it meant you would reach more people?

9.         Would you be willing to use background music, if it meant you would reach more people?

10.       Would you be willing to face the wrath of the brethren, if it meant you would reach more people?

Now, there is no guarantee that any of the changes would lead to reaching more souls for Christ. The point is, would you be willing to change if you knew it would? Your answer will reveal your value of souls and the ruts of tradition in your ministry.

DON’T FOLLOW THE AUTHORITY OF ABUSIVE PASTORS; BUY MY BOOKS

by

DOES YOUR PASTOR HAVE AUTHORITY?

authorityBy Ken Blue

There is a popular teaching that if you are unhappy with your pastor, you are probably being abused and should leave your church. Granted, if a leader is immoral, dishonest, or teaches false doctrine, he should be removed from leadership or you should remove yourself.

However, many Christians are being led to believe that the pastor has no authority, and if he exercises authority he is being abusive. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is impossible to have responsibility without authority.

The Pauline Epistles are doctrine for the church of this dispensation; and the Pastoral Epistles are written for pastors regarding their character and duties. These are 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. In the first four verses of I Timothy, Paul instructs Timothy to “charge” preachers to teach no other doctrines than that which he had received. The word “charge” is the same as to command. You cannot command without authority. This same “command” is given again in verse 18. The reader will also see the impossibility of obeying the Bible without some pastoral authority.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Christians are being led to believe that the pastor has no authority, and if he exercises authority he is being abusive or controlling.[/perfectpullquote]

Chapter three gives the moral requirements for pastors and deacons. Without pastoral authority, it would be impossible to make any decisions on these matters. In chapter 4:11, he says, “These things command and teach.” 1 Timothy 4:11. This command cannot be obeyed if the pastor is stripped of his pastoral authority.

In chapter five Paul tells Timothy who should not be cared for by the church. The young women should not become dependent on the church for material needs. See verses 3-16. Concerning elders, and their salaries, Timothy must exercise discernment.

“Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.” 1 Timothy 5:21. The pastor must exercise authority to do his ministry. The Devil would love to strip him of it, and make you believe you are being abused. Your real problem may be that you are simply rebellious against the Scriptures, and justifying it by calling it abuse.

Some people are so thin-skinned that when they are rebuked, they think you are abusing them. Thus, these writers and speakers who attack pastoral authority and responsibility want you to believe you are a victim. That way they can rescue you from these mean old pastors. Something is rotten in Denmark.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]…writers and speakers who attack pastoral authority and responsibility want you to believe you are a victim.[/perfectpullquote]

We need not continue through the Pastoral Epistles; they only confirm what has already been established. You expect your pastor to be responsible for the direction, teaching, and leadership of the church. He cannot do this without authority.

Some writers seek to exclude you from your pastor and church that you might court and follow them. They seek your support through the sale of books. The goal is to remove you from your church so you will become their followers. Unless your pastor is in the category mentioned in the first paragraph, you should settle down, go to work, follow, and support your pastor. If you cannot take correction or rebuke from the Word of God, you will never mature as a Christian.