Category Archives: Devotional

When Your Church Becomes A Fortress

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The reformer Martin Luther was known for many things, not the least of which is being a hymn writer.  One of his most noteworthy efforts is the classic “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”  The first stanza says:

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.  For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.

I thought of this hymn when contemplating the statistics about the number of churches that have closed their doors or are in danger of closing due to dwindling attendance.

In a spiritual climate awash with spiritual seekers how can this happen?  I am convinced that the primary reason so many once thriving Christian churches have closed is because they confused their faith as a fortress with their church as a fortress.  What do I mean by this?

Simply this – our faith is a fortress that enables us to withstand the most difficult of circumstances without being defeated.  However, our faith is in our great God and not in our own abilities. When Christians believe that their church must be a fortress that stands against a culture in decline then they have made the fatal misstep of substituting the biblical mandate to be salt and light with a theology of self-preservation.

Churches that cease to look at their communities as opportunities to demonstrate the love of God in practical, meaningful ways have sentenced themselves to first irrelevance for the Kingdom, and secondly to slow, painful deaths.

Remember friends, our strength is in God and He has willed that His people will triumph in His Kingdom affairs.  That is a transforming truth!

Are You Making Disciples?

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“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

This well-know passage from the gospel of Matthew is often used to teach that churches should be involved in missionary work.  While that is certainly true, a larger truth is missed when Christians go no further than that. That larger truth is this: making disciples is an individual responsibility of every believer.

We know that the disciples took this charge seriously because history tells us that they did indeed go into many different countries, some traveling great distances.  Thomas for example, traveled to India to make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does this admonition of Jesus mean for us today?  While you may never be called by God to travel to a foreign land, you are charged with making disciples wherever you are.  Are you doing that?  Do you know how to do that? Do you understand the dynamics of what happens when Christians take seriously the call to be disciple makers?

Let me give you four major reasons why disciple-making is both strategic and foundational for the individual Christian and the Church.  These principles apply across the board regardless of gender or age.

First, making disciples points people to God and makes their existing relationship with Him stronger.  Who doesn’t need all the help they can get in this fast-paced hurry-up world when it comes to taking time to know and love God more? This is the vertical dimension of discipleship.

Second, discipling people improves their relationships in marriage, in the home, in the school, and at work.  In short, relationships on the horizontal are improved through a commitment to be a disciple of Jesus.

Third, discipling people equips them to be a functioning part of the local church body.  The apostle Paul compared the local church to the human body and stated that it functions best when every individual person fulfills their complementary function.

Finally, making disciples helps people see the role they are meant to play in the communities in which they live. Being salt and light means being involved in communicating and displaying the love of Jesus to all people.

Friends, disciple making helps believers grow in their relationship with God, in their relationships with others in their home environments, with others in their church body, and then as a witness to Jesus Christ in the communities in which they live.

Begin today to find ways to disciple someone else and watch the transformation that takes place in their life and yours.

Are You Heavenly Minded?

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For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven.  2 Corinthians 5:1-2

There is a saying that has been around in the church for many years. It goes something like this – “Don’t be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good.”

I think the point of this adage is that as believers in Jesus Christ we are called to be a part of the rhythm of life, living and ministering in our communities for the benefit of all people.  Leading a cloistered life is antithetical to the biblical mandate to be salt and light.

As with many other things this principle can be carried too far though.  The apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthian believers reminded them that life on earth would be followed by life with God in eternity.  The bodies we now have, what Paul refers to as our earthly tents, will one day pass away and we will receive new bodies, “a building” perfected by God for all eternity.

A larger point is missed however, when we think that being salt and light and being heavenly minded are mutually exclusive. Consider for example the Apostle Paul’s great exhortation to the believers in Rome in chapter 8 of his letter to that congregation.  There we find Paul exhorting the believers to live a spirit-filled life in the here and now always keeping eternity in view.

This truth is exemplified in statements such as “If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” What are these “all things” Paul describes? They include most importantly the truth that we will all receive redeemed, glorified bodies for all eternity. The Bible says that believers are to wait “eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.”

When we view life from this perspective it makes sense to be constantly heavenly-minded as a reminder that this life does not define who we are or who we will become.  God has already declared us righteous, holy, and redeemed.

Brothers and sisters – that is a transforming truth.

Apologetics? Yes!

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“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”  1 Peter 3:15

This verse from Peter’s first epistle is often cited as a basis for the work and ministry of apologetics.  Rightly understood, we are exhorted by the apostle to be prepared at a moment’s notice to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This assumes a number of things.

First, that we recognize that all disciples of Jesus are expected to share the news of God’s forgiveness through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Contrary to the thinking of many Christians, evangelism is not limited to those believers with the spiritual gift of evangelism.

The second thing this verse assumes is that we have taken the time to memorize Scripture and especially relevant passages that speak of the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ upon Calvary’s cross.  Chances are you don’t carry a Bible with you 24/7, so having Scripture memorized will enable you to always be ready.

Third, the exhortation assumes that we have taken the time to understand the thinking that characterizes the days in which we live.  Would you know how to respond to someone who says “Well, this gospel of Jesus stuff works for you but it doesn’t do anything for me.”? What would you say to someone who says, “Christianity is nothing more than a crutch for the weak-minded.”?

Finally, Peter’s admonition in this verse to make a defense or presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, instructs us to view the apologetic task as one that is done with gentleness and reverence.  This is one aspect of the apologetic mandate often overlooked.  We will never win anyone to Christ through argumentation or heated exchange.  Only when we have prepared ourselves for the harsh reality that many will ignore and even attempt to shut us up, will we be mentally and emotionally prepared to love them anyway.

The basis for the apologetic task is the gospel itself. When we have made Christ the priority of our lives – Peter says “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts” – we will seek opportunities to share Christ and we will be ready when opportunities find us.

Brothers and sisters, that is a transforming truth.

Comforting Those Who Mourn

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The media’s infatuation with and celebration of the life of Hollywood stars who die suddenly and unexpectedly is interesting on many levels.  My primary thoughts in the midst of the current misplaced angst has focused on eternity.  I have been reminded again of the unique comfort and peace that Christians have and the assurance of eternal life with God.

Wonderful and comforting are the truths for all who have trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  For Christ promises us life with Him for eternity. In light of this I want to remind all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ of some simple truths.

The first thing I want you to know today is Jesus promises that every believer will experience a reception into the glory of God.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 says: “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who have fallen asleep, that you may not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.”

The Apostle Paul wrote these words to comfort Christians who had lost loved ones.  He wanted them to know that when believers die they go to be with God.

Other passages of Scripture confirm this truth.  For example, in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 we read that to be “absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”

In Philippians 1:23 Paul tells us that when we depart this life we are with Christ.

The point is this – we need not sorrow like those who have no hope because the authoritative Word of God promises the believer an immediate reception in glory.

Now, a 2nd thing that I want you to know today is that God promises every believer a Resurrection body.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 says: “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first.”

These verses promise us that our Christian loved ones will receive brand new bodies when Jesus comes back to earth for all His children.  Revelation 21:3-4 describes this new body as:

  • free from pain
  • free from sorrow, crying, or tears
  • free from sin
  • free from death

So, when Christians leave this earth they go to be with the Lord.  And when Jesus comes back for His church they will receive brand new bodies fit for heaven.

Finally, the Bible promises us a reunion with Christ and with loved ones who have died before.  The Christian has a “homecoming” of sorts.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says: “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

So then, the Christian who dies has at least 3 very significant promises.

  • Of an immediate reception into God’s presence.
  • Of a resurrected body.
  • Of a reunion w/ Christian loved ones who have died before.

The reality of death is that it touches us all.  We cannot change that fact.  But, we can do something about eternity.  The promises of God are for all those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ.

There are several things I want you to be certain of today .… three absolutes from the word of God that provide great comfort in times of sorrow to those who have trusted in Him.

These three absolutes make up the cornerstone of an unshakable foundation that is found only in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

This relationship, what the believer refers to as his or her “salvation,” is a relationship that carries with it eternal benefits, and allows us to face death in a way we cannot understand apart from Jesus.

1) There is only one way to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

  • John 14:6 – Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.”

Jesus Christ is our mediator; He speaks on our behalf before the Father, to bring us into a right relationship with God. Jesus died on a cross that the sins of all those who will trust in Him would be forgiven, past, present and future. He was laid in a tomb, and after three days rose from the dead!

Because He conquered death, everyone who trusts Him as Lord and Savior conquers it too! This leads us to the second absolute we can be confident in:

2) We can face death without fear.

  • 23:4 – Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

What is there to fear when death has been conquered? Jesus walks with us through the darkest hours of our lives, and promises to stay with us, comfort us and bring us peace.

This is a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4: 7). It’s beyond our comprehension, waiting for us when we become part of the family of God.

3) Nothing, not even death, can separate us from the love of God.

  • 8:38-39 – For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Our relationship with Jesus can weather any storm because it is not dependent on our strength, ability, craftiness, worthiness or any other attribute we may think we can offer. It is Jesus and Jesus alone.

When Christ returns to earth, as He has promised to do, to gather to Himself those who have trusted in Him, where will you be? Will you be drawn up into the sky to meet him?

I close with this instruction from the book of Romans:

…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

God bless you my friends.