Elders and Deacons Flowchart on the question of the "one wife" requirement

This flowchart and accompanying comments are intended to provide guidance around the common confusion in the western church regarding qualifications for the office of Elder and Deacon.

Elders and deacons "one wife" flowchart created by Toward the Goal. As always, you are welcome to share it (referencing this site), download it and/or improve it for your personal use.

Ordinals and Cardinals

My previous post 'Charting 1 Peter and 2 Peter' inspired this one, 'Ordinals and Cardinals' due to the widespread confusion within the church regarding the proper pronunciation of multi-volume book titles in the Bible. 

However, this explanation clarifies that it doesn't have to be confusing:

Numbers are cardinal.

Order is ordinal, ironically enough.

Consider three birds on a podium, each in position numbers one, two and three. 

The birds are in finishing order as first, second and third. 

The red bird, in position one came first. 

The blue bird, in position two claimed second. 

The yellow bird in position three finished third.

First is the ordinal form of the cardinal number one.

Second is the ordinal form of the cardinal number two. 

1 Peter was the first letter written by Peter to the church and is pronounced as "First Peter", while 2 Peter is pronounced "Second Peter".

The same applies for 1, 2 and 3 John (that is, First, Second and Third John), and all other multi-volume books in both the Old and New Testaments:

1 Samuel and 2 Samuel

1 Kings and 2 Kings

1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles

1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians

1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy and 2 Timothy

1 Peter and 2 Peter

1 John, 2 John, and 3 John 

The term ordinal refers to the position or order of sequential numbers, such as first, second, and third. Images like the birds on a podium, where each position reflects an order or specific placing, help us remember which are ordinal numbers. Cardinal numbers simply tell us how many or what number. The number of multi-volume books in the Bible are cardinal, but their order of writing is ordinal. 

Charting 1 Peter and 2 Peter

Charting 1 Peter and 2 Peter created by Toward the Goal. As always, you are welcome to share it (referencing this site), download it and/or improve it for your personal use.

Colossians 2 Chiasm

A chiasm or chiastic structure is a literary form used in scripture to point to a key verse or theme of a passage and uses a reflective structure in which concepts seen in the passage form pairs. These pairs are recorded below as A and A' through to I which is the key theme of the section. 

A chiasm is helpful for drawing out specific points or making an outline for teaching or preaching. Developing a chiasm generally occurs by following an expositional process and noting repeated, recurring, or reflected themes, and may not be limited to just a chapter of scripture. A chiasm may cross from one chapter to another, or be restricted to only a section of a chapter. When identifying and recording a chiasm, it is helpful to first study the chapter (asking the Holy Spirit for guidance and teaching) by recording observations and concepts. Refine the concepts of each verse, and create a statement for each concept.

Just like any dedicated study of scripture, identifying a chiasm is a slow and intentional process. The following chiasm from Colossians 2:4-23 took 3 weeks of study and numerous iterations. It points to the saving work of Christ, possible only through His preeminence (the big picture of Colossians; 1:15-20, 2:9) and His power and authority (key theme of chapter 2).

 

Colossians 2:4-23

 

A    v4                Take warning against deceptive teaching

    B    v5                Faith in Christ is a firm foundation

        C    vv6-7            Behave according to the faith you have been taught

            D    v8                Beware of humanistic philosophy leading you away from Christ

                E    v9                All truth is found in Christ Who is God Himself

                    F    v10            You have been made complete by Christ's authority

                        G    v11            The sin nature has been defeated through Christ by circumcision of the heart

                            H    v12            God's resurrection power reconciles us

                                I    v13                God made you alive, by grace, forgiving your sins

                            H'    v14            Our debt was removed by the cross

                        G'    v15            Spiritual opposition has been defeated through Christ's victory at the cross

                    F'    v16            New life in Christ brings new rules

                E'    v17            The old rules point to Christ, to whom the body belongs

            D'    v18            Beware deceptive philosophies imposing man's judgment

        C'    v19            Stop ignoring Christ who is the Head of the Church and the true growth source

    B'    v20            Humanistic decrees are worldly

A'    vv21-23    Manmade rules are worthless religion and pointless for Christian living

I trust that this small study in Colossians will help and encourage you in your Christian walk.

Jewish Feasts: Shadows into Sharpness

 

When you look closely, the Jewish Feasts have ongoing relevance for the future and are far more than simple tradition alone; they are feasts appointed by God Himself (Lev. 23:2, Ezek. 44:24). They all point to Jesus as Messiah in some context.

Hebrews to Revelation Key Themes

There are a number of overlapping themes from Hebrews to Revelation. I have charted them here as a study tool. I pray and trust it will be beneficial to you as you intently and intentionally study God's Word.

Each book presents a special theme of Christ. This painting represents Jesus speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) when she acknowledges the Christ is coming, and Jesus declared Himself to be He (Jn. 4:25-26).

Photo credit: "The Samaritan Woman Speaking with Christ at the Well" by Professor He Qi, One Gospel - Many Cultures, Radopi B. V., Amsterdam - New York, NY 2003.

Hebrews to Revelation chart created by Toward the Goal. You are welcome to share it (referencing this site), download it and/or improve it for your personal use.

Esther - Book Analysis Chart

Crazy Love and Crazy People: What I'm Reading and Listening To

Crazy Love

When I told my wife that I was reading Francis Chan's Crazy Love, she was excited because she thought it was a book about marriage.  Her and me.  But in a way, it is a book about marriage (and her and me too), because it's about how we should live excitedly for Jesus and His Bride, the church.  

In his introduction, Chan sets the scene with the words,

This book is written for those who want more Jesus. It is for those who are bored with what American Christianity offers. It is for those who don’t want to plateau, those who would rather die before their convictions do.

These words gave me hope that we are not the only people disappointed with the complacency of the Western Church.

Although Chan refers to the "American Church" frequently, I believe that we could interchange that term for "the Western Church".

I haven't always felt this way either.  I was a solid young Christian who did the Christian things and lived the Christian life, but some years ago, I was fortunate to have a pastor-friend who challenged me to read God's Word enthusiastically, listen to the Holy Spirit, and seek to glorify Jesus. Some years later, a "crazy" guy visited our church and talked about the Acts model. It triggered a lot of thinking and studying of Acts (and other New Testament books) before I understood the church-proper as Jesus intended it to be. Our visitor was not so "crazy" but biblically minded!

A few more years on, then I did some formal tertiary studies at Bible College and found other like-minded people. And you don't have to go to Bible College to find them!

Chan makes it clear that this is not a church-bashing book.  It's more about our personal accountability to obey.

The majority of believers on this earth find it laughable that we could reduce the call to follow Jesus and make disciples to an invitation to sit in [a] church service.  (p. 180)

Crazy People

Casting Crowns sing a song titled "Crazy People" highlighting the life of a Christian walking by faith, trusting God and talking to Jesus.  Spoiler alert: just a few of my favourite lyrics following...

Who builds a boat with no clouds in sight...

Who brings a bible into a public school...

Who’s not afraid to go against the flow...

Who talks to Jesus like he’s real...

(These lines don't rhyme because I've just picked some lines from random verses - you'll have to listen to the entire song for proper lyric context!)

The link to Casting Crowns' Crazy People Official Lyric Video is here: Official Lyric Video

And Lead Singer Mark Hall's short story behind the song here: Story behind the song 

It appears the band has not released an official music video, but I found a live rendition here and here.

Be encouraged: there are other men and women out there who are on fire for Jesus. People might think they are crazy too, but they are wholeheartedly pursuing the work of Jesus.  This is what Crazy Love and Crazy People are about.

 

References:


Chan, Francis. Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (p. 23). David C Cook. Kindle Edition.  (06/02/2020)

Casting Crowns YouTube Channel, Crazy People (Official Lyric Video), Provident Label Group LLC, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.

Essential Worship YouTube Channel, Casting Crowns - Crazy People: Song Session.

Huckabee's Jukebox YouTube Channel, Casting Crowns LIVE "Crazy People" | Jukebox | Huckabee.

 

 

Do you ever doubt? 4Q521

Do you ever have doubts about your faith?  It's only natural. Peter had doubt (Mt. 14:31). The disciples had doubts (Lk. 24:38). The father in Mark 9 had doubts, "I do believe; help my unbelief." (Verse 24).  Even John (ie. John the Baptiser) had doubts about Jesus.

When John was imprisoned, he sent a delegation to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah, or if they should expect another:

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”  (Mt. 11:2-3 NIV)

But Jesus was no stranger to John. John already knew who Jesus was as the Holy Spirit had previously revealed Him to John in the desert:

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.  And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’  I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”  (Jn. 1:29-34)

John baptised Jesus as the Messiah:

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.  But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.  (Matt. 3:13-15)

Immediately following His baptism, in John's presence, God declared that Jesus was His Son (Mt. 3:17).  

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:16-17)

 John was aware that Jesus was the Son of God, the long-awaited Messiah.  So when John sent the delegation to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah, or if they should expect another, he already knew the answer, but needed reassurance.

Jesus said, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see. The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." (Matt. 11:4-5). Jesus drew a comparison with Is. 42:7 in the context that He was the Messiah; the One Who would come, sent by God. The shadow of the One to come as described in Isaiah 35, 42 and 61 described Him as One, "to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." (42:7) But Jesus knew that John was not going to be released from prison, and in His lovingkindness, did not mention release of the prisoners to John that day. Nonetheless Jesus did have a very encouraging message for John as he did mention the raising of the dead. He reminded John of the hope of eternal life regardless of his release from prison!

Don't lose heart:  Jesus' response to John is just as relevant and encouraging for us today.

I have based this blogspot article on Dr. Mark Bailey's message, "An Ancient Manuscript and the Messiah" in which he focused on the similarities of the ancient parchment 4Q521 and Matthew 11:5.  4Q521 being document number 521 from the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in the 4th cave of Qumran.  I could not hope to present it as eloquently as Dr. Bailey; you can see and hear his message here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NOSUPdiKW4

 

God's Plan for Israel Chart

 

What I'm Listening To: Flawless

Flawless, by Mercy Me

Mercy Me's 2014 song "Flawless" is embedded with deep theology, the main message being that faith in Jesus makes you perfect.  

The lyrics are good, but it's the 2015 official music video imagery that adds so much impact.  The real people depicted in the video clip who are accompanied by silent words on the screen remind us that we are not alone in our struggles.

As the music video progresses and God's grace becomes more and more evident, vivid visual changes occur to the band.  No spoiler alerts, but watch it here:  Official Music Video

How faith in Jesus makes us perfect, and the sound theology of this song:

All salvation is achieved by Jesus, and Jesus alone.  Nothing that we can do or have done makes us worthy of God's grace.  Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."

John 3:16 tells us the magnitude of God's love for us:  "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  

Upon a person receiving salvation, a number of things occur simultaneously.  This list of the works of God toward a sinner who is saved may be the subject of a future blog, but for now these will suffice to demonstrate the theology of Flawless:

We are redeemed.  God cannot tolerate sin, and for Him to entertain a relationship with a sinner is inconceivable; but the work of redemption has already been done by Jesus who died in our place.  No longer does God see us as sinners; He sees us through the lens of Jesus' own sacrifice.  Jesus' blood redeemed us.  That is, His blood purchased us from death. We are perfect because we are redeemed.

We are reconciled.  Our previous broken relationship with God has been restored to a perfect relationship.  That is, we have been made righteous and suitable to be in relationship with God because of what Jesus has done.  Imputed righteousness is found in 2 Cor. 5:20, "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."  Just as you may reconcile your accounts with your budget at the end of the month, we have been reconciled to come into line with God's standards.  We are perfect because we are reconciled.

We are forgiven.  God's forgiveness is not temporary, requiring ongoing sacrifices like in the Old Testament, but it is permanent and once-for-all.  Romans 8:1 teaches us that we are no longer condemned, and we are reminded at the end of the chapter that nothing can separate us from God's love (vv. 38-39).  We are perfect because we are forgiven by God.

Lyrics

There's got to be more
Than going back and forth
From doing right to doing wrong
'Cause we were taught that's who we are
Come on get in line right behind me
You along with everybody
Thinking there's worth in what you do

 

Then like a hero who takes the stage when
We're on the edge of our seats saying it's too late
Well let me introduce you to amazing grace

 

No matter the bumps
No matter the bruises
No matter the scars
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
No matter the hurt
Or how deep the wound is
No matter the pain
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless

 

Could it possibly be
That we simply can't believe
That this unconditional
Kind of love would be enough
To take a filthy wretch like this
And wrap him up in righteousness
But that's exactly what He did

 

No matter the bumps
No matter the bruises
No matter the scars
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
No matter the hurt
Or how deep the wound is
No matter the pain
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless

 

Take a breath smile and say
Right here right now I'm ok
Because the cross was enough

Then Like a hero who takes the stage when
We're on the edge of our seats saying it's too late
Well let me introduce you to grace grace
God's grace

 

No matter the bumps
No matter the bruises
No matter the scars
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
No matter the hurt
Or how deep the wound is
No matter the pain
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless

 

No matter what they say
Or what you think you are
The day you called His name
He made you flawless
He made you flawless
 

No matter the bumps
No matter the bruises
No matter the scars
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless

 

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Ben Glover / Robby Shaffer / Nathan Cochran / Mike Scheuchzer / Barry Graul / Solomon Olds / Bart Marshall Millard / David Garcia Arthur

Flawless lyrics © Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publ., Spirit Catalogue Holdings S.a.r.l., D Soul Music, 9 T One Songs, Spirit Two Nashville, Ariose Music Group Inc.

What I'm Listening To: Start Right Here by Casting Crowns

Every now and then a new song comes along with lyrics that strike the heart and share a profound message.  

Casting Crown's new song, Start Right Here is one such song, premiered on YouTube July 25, 2020.   

The message in this music video has a close link with my previous blog, The Missing Link (February 2018), which I encourage you to review, or read for the first time.

Both Casting Crowns' song, and The Missing Link blog encourage us to check our hearts.  What do we genuinely want to do, and are we trying to do that?   Putting our ministry desires into action has to start with our hearts, and that's what Casting Crowns are reminding us; it has to "start right here" in the heart.

Official Lyric Video 

We want our coffee in the lobby
We watch our worship on a screen
We got a Rockstar preacher
Who won't wake us from our dreams
We want out blessings in our pocket
We keep our missions overseas
But for the hurting in our cities
Would we even cross the street?

 

Huh but we wanna see the heart set free and the tyrants kneel
The walls fall down and our land be healed
But church if we want to see a change in the world out there

 

 

It's got to start right here
It's got to start right now
Lord, I'm starting right here
Lord, I'm starting right now

 

I'm like the brother of the prodigal
Who turned his nose and puffed his chest
He didn't run off like his brother
But his soul was just as dead
What if the church on Sunday
Was still the church on Monday too?
What if we came down from our towers
And walked a mile in someone's shoes?

 

Hmm 'cause we wanna see the heart set free and the tyrants kneel
The walls fall down and our land be healed
But church if we want to see a change in the world out there

 

It's got to start right here
It's got to start right now
Lord, I'm starting right here
Lord, I'm starting right now

 

We're the people who are called by His name
If we'll surrender all our pride and turn from our ways
He will hear from Heaven and forgive our sin
He will heal our land but it starts right here
We're the people who are called by His name
If we'll surrender all our pride and turn from our ways
He will hear from Heaven and forgive our sin
He will heal our land

 

It's got to start right here
It's got to start right now
Lord, I'm starting right here
Lord, I'm starting right now
 

It's got to start right here
It's got to start right now
Lord, I'm starting right here
Lord, I'm starting right now

 

 

 

Sources: 

The Missing Link, Toward the Goal, https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7451863498628410974/7019368323690577701 (26/2/2018)

Official Lyric Video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGvfagBOHJE&list=PLo5XSz_h3T2jjL7AEJ9Iuvuwha96mTDoB&index=19 (19/10/2020)

LyricFind https://www.lyricfind.com/ (19/10/2020)

Songwriters: Mark John Hall / Bernie Herms / Seth David Mosley / Matthew Joseph West

Start Right Here lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group

Missional Health Assessment: Reposting Todd Morr

Todd Morr's Missional Made Simple site has a number of helpful and handy tools for establishing and maintaining a Missional Community.  See https://www.missionalmadesimple.com/

This week, Todd has released a new tool, the MC Missional Health Assessment.

One thing I like about this new assessment tool is its simplicity.  The dot-points are down-to-earth.   Anyone can use it, no training required.

Another advantage is that the tool can be used individually (personal MC health check), by a small group, or by a leadership team.

And the third thing I like is that the tool doesn't give me the answers.  It poses questions; questions that make me think, apply and accept responsibility for my own growth, and the growth of those around me.

The last page has some space for brainstorming, planning and moving forward with goal setting.  (A little tip:  remember goal setting guidelines - make all your goals SMART goals, that is, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely).  The "Assessing Growth" section on page 3 provides some definitions, and also a place for reflection and checking the type of growth you are seeing.

If you are in Missional Community, or researching, considering or planning same, I encourage you to look at this tool.   

In the famous words that Winston Churchill never said, "never give up", and in the more important and true words of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, "Behold, I am coming soon" (Rev. 22:12), keep pressing toward the goal...

Postscript and References:

I wasn't there,  but apparently Winston Churchill said, "Never give in", not "never give up."  I'll leave that for you to research further!

Morr, Todd, MC Missional Health Assessment, https://d3e4e1e4-7020-4ec4-a097-8efbd84b47af.filesusr.com/ugd/94c576_f929617db5d641778fcf6676c6d4aba4.pdf (26/09/2020)

Missional Made Simple, https://www.missionalmadesimple.com/ (26/09/2020)

Church Mutation?

A church for Pagans?

Pagans don't really like church that much - Todd Friel

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.   1 Cor. 1:18 NASB

So why do we ask non-believers what they want church to look like, and how they want to "do" church?  We should look to Jesus.

Can a church mutate?

the decline might be less showing a declining church and becoming something we have yet to imagine - Kristine Stache on the decline of the Episcopalian church organisation, quoted by Todd Friel.

Jesus defined the church Himself on the declaration that He is the Christ (Matt. 16:18), the church is His Bride (Rev. 21:9).  He gave us a snapshot of the Church (Matt. 28:19-20) so that we don't have to use our fallible imaginations to define it!

When I first visited India, I was shocked at the chaos of the place.  People were urinating in the carpark of the airport; cars were driving in any direction regardless of road configuration; traffic control signals were ignored; people pushed others in lines and out of lines for their own greed;  beggars harrassed people constantly.   There was no rule, no order.  I was soon met by my friend who put all of this chaos into a biblical worldview for me when he said, "God is a God of order.   The devil is a god of chaos."

God is indeed a God of order.   We see it through creation, and throughout His plan for the ages.  He does not change.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.   We see that He created beings according to their own kind, with their own DNA.

The church is a living organism with its own DNA.  It is therefore impossible for the Church to redefine itself at the whim of man as Jesus has already designed it with its own DNA.   DNA can mutate, but after mutation, it is no longer what it was.   The new organism is not the old organism.   So a local church that deliberately neglects or changes its very being so that it no longer meets its design is no longer part of the church.

There is only one Church, and that is the Body of Christ on earth, made up of many local church bodies all over the world.   We could break it down even into 3 levels:  the Church Universal (all believers past and present), the geographical church (for example, the church in Australia, or the church in London), and the local church (that is, meeting in homes and small local congregations).

1st level church (Universal)
Saul began to destroy the church ... Acts 8:3
The church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria ... Acts 9:31

2nd level church (Corporate)
In the church at Antioch ... Acts 13:1
The churches in the province of Asia ... 1 Cor. 16:19
The church at Ephesus ... Rev. 2:1

3rd level church (Local)
The church that meets in their home ... Romans 16:5, Phil. 1:2

Todd Friel of Wretched Radio is on fire this month with two excellent discussions (although Todd's work is always excellent because he looks to the Word of God as the ultimate authority).

The first leads to the second although his second was published first, if that makes sense.  In my opinion, and for the purpose of this blog, I think that's the way it flows!

Video 1:  "If you want to destroy your church, go liberal".   In this video, Todd Friel discusses the compromise of corporate church bodies to the way of the world.   He discusses the danger of liberalism and letting people do whatever they want.  As you listen to this video, I encourage you to remember this scripture:

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.  2 Tim. 4:3-4

Video 2:  "Why your Church Shouldn't Play Bethel and Hillsong Music".  Although the discussion in this video below between Todd Friel and Justin Peters certainly reflects the title, it is more about Shepherds protecting the flock from wolves, and being aware of some of the devil's schemes.  Context scripture:

"Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognise them."  Matt. 7:15-16a

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.  Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.   I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.   Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.  So be on your guard!  Acts 20:28-31

In light of these discussions, consider whether your church is seeking to follow Jesus, or to follow man.  Watch out for wolves and do not be shy to rely on the Word of God to confront them and the lies that come with them. 

God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.  1 Cor. 1:9

If we died with Him, 
We will also live with Him;

If we endure,
We will also reign with Him.
If we disown Him,
He will also disown us;

If we are faithless, 
He will remain faithful,
For He cannot disown Himself   2 Tim. 2:11b-13

References and links:

Friel, T., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhy55uwFOzw, Wretched (28/2/20)
Friel, T., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0uFSYHVSRk, Wretched (28/2/20)
Peters, J., Justin Peters Ministries, https://justinpeters.org/ (28/2/20)

What I'm Listening To: This I Know

Aaron Shust has made a beautiful new rendition of the classic children's chorus, "Jesus Loves Me", but you'd barely notice the resemblance.  In fact, my description is incorrect.  It is not even a new rendition - it is a new song with a few common words!  He wrote this song with his friends Matthew West and AJ Pruis, according to his Official Lyric Video where you can watch and listen.

Shust has cleverly merged other favourites too, effectively creating a medley that encourages believers and reminds us of the incomparable love of Jesus.   It's a song of praise and adoration, encouragement and thanksgiving.

In his song, Aaron Shust shares from his personal story - this is a heartfelt worship song.   But, it's not just Aaron's story.   We can relate to it too.   Despite what circumstances we find ourselves in life, we can be secure in the knowlegde that we have hope in Jesus, and He is the Solid Rock on Whom we stand.  This song can be your story.

I trust you will listen and worship too.  Consider your own story, past and present.  What has God done for you that you want to shout and sing and share with the world? 

If you are interested, Shust has other great material on his YouTube channel.  Checkout "Death Was Arrested (Live)" and Michael's Story.



Lyrics:

"This I Know"

When I'm surrounded by uncertainty
And my fear tries to steal control
There's one thing that is no mystery
Jesus loves me this I know

When I'm flooded with anxiety
Waves of doubt won't drown my soul
There's a peace that rests inside of me
Jesus loves me this I know

Praise the One Who walks beside me through
Mountain high and valley low
My hope is found in this forever Truth
Jesus loves me this I know
Jesus loves me this I know

When my sin says I'm unreachable
Past the point where grace can go
When I feel anything but loveable
Jesus loves me this I know

Praise the One Who walks beside me through
Mountain high and valley low
My hope is found in this forever Truth
Jesus loves me this I know
Jesus loves me this I know

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
My Saving Grace My only hope
My Jesus loves me this I know

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
My Saving Grace My only hope
My Jesus loves me this I know

Praise the One Who walks beside me through
Mountain high and valley low
My hope is found in this forever Truth
Jesus loves me this I know
Jesus loves me this I know

Praise the One Who walks beside me through
Mountain high and valley low
My hope is found in this forever Truth
Jesus loves me this I know
Jesus loves me this I know
Jesus loves me this I know

References:
Shust, A., Official Music Video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-obUte-0qDQ&list=WL&index=1 (12/2/20)
AZLyrics, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/aaronshust/thisiknow.html (12/2/20)

Is Discipleship Parenting?

Is discipleship parenting?  I'm not asking, "Is parenting discipleship", because the clear answer to that is a loud and resounding "Yes!"  Maybe I could ask the question more like this,

"Is discipleship akin to parenting?"

There are some similarities between discipling and parenting when it comes to guiding and teaching, mentoring and coaching, correcting and rebuking, and being a friend who also has a position of God-given responsibility.

But does the discipling relationship include a level of authority akin to parenting? 

I have previously talked about elements of discipleship in the 2016 Toward the Goal blogspot 04/06/2016: 5 Dimensions of Discipleship.   A review of that blog might be helpful as we move forward with a discussion about the relationship between "discipler" and "disciplee".  Note that the external links in the original blog have changed.  Discipleship Dynamics is now at https://discipleshipdynamics.us/

Firstly, let's review the scriptural basis for biblical discipleship.

Recognise the inerrancy of God's Word and apply it as a guide-book to life:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  2 Tim. 3:16-17

Pass on the mantle to others who will also pass it on:

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.  2 Tim. 2:2

And remember that God treats us as His children! 

My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in.  Pr. 3:11-12

... so we see that love and discipline can have a positive relationship.

Focus on the Family has a discussion by Chip Ingram on the 4 parenting styles and Tim Lundy of Venture Christian Church in Los Gatos, CA has a slightly different version, but I'm going to apply these to discipleship generally.

I've made a graphical depiction of the 4 parenting styles below.   Clearly, a low-love discipling relationship will not be productive regardless of the level of discipline, resulting in a neglective or an authoritarian relationship, and the best quadrant for parenting is the way that God loves and disciplines us - Authoritative (Note the difference with Authoritarian in which self esteem is crushed through low-love.)   But what about permissive?

In parenting, a permissive (high love, low discipline) relationship does too much damage to the child.   But does this apply in discipleship?   Consider the risk of damage if there is lots of love but no accountability, and anything is permitted.

On the other hand, does a discipling relationship allow a level of discipline and accountability for both parties?   Can we always ensure that a discipling relationship is authoritative?   Can a discipler hold a disciplee to account in biblical discipline?

Let's add one more level of complication to this question by asking if the relationship can work both ways.  That is, can discipling move beyond a "discipler/disciplee" relationship to a mutual discipling relationship?

I have deliberately posed more questions than answers in this blog because the reader needs to study this for him/herself as personal experience, application and study will add one's own perspective.  Personally, however, I believe that there is a clear answer to the question, "Is discipleship akin to parenting?"



References and notes:

Discipleship Dynamics:  5 Dimensions, https://discipleshipdynamics.us/images/frame/infogrfx_535.jpg (5/2/2020)

Parenting styles:  (https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/4-parenting-styles-and-effective-child-discipline/) (5/2/2020)

Lundy, Tim:  https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/dts-chapel-teach-truth-love-well/id90696516?i=
https://youtu.be/V1OudOk4IO0

What I'm Reading: Why Men Hate Going to Church

What I'm Reading:  Why Men Hate Going to Church by David Murrow.

I have hesitated to publish this blogspot, because the church is extremely important, and I don't like the word "hate" in this book title.  Hate is a strong word, but it's not an unknown word to the church.  A quick search of the NIV bible shows that it's used 127 times in the Old and New Testament.   I also don't want people to have an excuse not to be involved in their local church body. 

But I guess if Murrow made the title, "Why Men Really Really Don't Like Going to Church", it might not have the same impact!  So let's move on...

Jesus really, really likes the church.   Actually, that's an understatement.   And it's a mis-quote.   Jesus LOVES the church.   Jesus DIED for the church.   The church is a living organism, and the church is the BRIDE of Christ.

But the title of the book is not, "Why Men Hate the Church", but "Why Men Hate Going to Church." (my emphasis).

It is important to separate the church body as the living organism from "doing church".   We have developed a way to "do church" in the western world.  Doing church is following trends, chasing popularity and creating entertainment.  Doing church is doing harm to the body of Christ when it is not biblical.   This book is about doing church, and mostly about the western church doing church the wrong way in the 20th and 21st century.  Murrow's observations can help us identify and fix the problems.  Read in context, I've found it a very helpful book.

Murrow uses an axiom throughout the book:

Your system is designed to give you the results you are getting.

His axiom builds on the theory that modern-day western church services and ministry are based on "soft-skills" and appeal more to women and the effeminate.   So amongst other results, the church is getting low-level leadership and discipleship, and passive husbands and dads.
Murrow clarifies:

Men don’t hate God or Christ or the Bible or Christianity. They hate a system that’s perfectly designed to reach someone else. A system that makes them feel unneeded."... "As Albert Einstein once said, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”  (Loc. 369)

He says the problem stems from churches being timid, inwardly focused, amateurish and stuck in a system, and identifies three types of people who are missing:

1. High-achieving men
2. Young, single men
3. Highly masculine men

Murrow goes on to address these three areas in detail in subsequent chapters. 

Church meetings are inefficient, unproductive and focused on the wrong things.  The highly motivated men who love Jesus, their Saviour and Lord, want to serve and be intentional in mission.  Meetings don't achieve this.   Even my own most recent local church survey demonstrated that people want something more - an application from the Sunday morning sermon and a common commission to "go and make disciples" each week.  

Murrow also points the finger by contrasting meek, gentle Jesus with Jesus, the Lion of Judah:

When the Lion of Judah shows up in church, we do not recognize him. Instead, we condemn and declaw him.  (Loc. 984)

Mid-way through his book, Murrow compares the dynamics of a young (start-up) church with an established church.  It's a very clever comparison that demonstrates how and why men get so excited and engaged in church plants - because they can focus on using their gifting to get results; he describes a young church as an offensive church, and an established church as defensive.   Men understand sports terminology and practise!

We could compare Murrow's thoughts with Thom Rainer's research in his fantastic report-style book, Autopsy of a Deceased Church.  In it, Rainer defines nine indicators of a dying church:

1. Living in the past with no desire to change; 

Murrow:  "Members no longer go to church anticipating a life-altering encounter with God. Instead, they come to see friends and to participate in a comforting ritual that’s changed little since childhood."

2. Those in the church are more concerned about protecting the way they do church than reaching residents of the community;

Murrow says, "as churches become established, parishioners begin to shift from a kingdom of God mentality to a family of God mentality. They stop thinking of the church in terms of its mission and begin seeing it as an association of people who love each other. Kingdoms are about doing; families are about being." 

3. The church’s tendency to spend money on itself rather than outreach;

Eventually the church is no longer fishing for men. Instead, it’s creating a comfortable aquarium for the saints.   Murrow, Loc. 1955.

4. The loss of vision for evangelism;

Murrow gives his own example of one church year:

That year our church conducted 104 regularly scheduled worship services, 7 special services, some 250 adult classes, 600 committee meetings, and 1,000 small-group meetings and ran through a $750,000 budget to produce exactly 0 new adult followers of Jesus Christ. (Loc. 759)

Thanks for being brutally honest Mr. Murrow.  Sadly, Murrow's church is not alone - we also are not achieving our mission, and I'm guessing that neither is your church.

5. A church more concerned about their own preferences rather than thinking about others;

“I have been to church services, and you have too, where the only people who knew the songs were the band. I’m not edified. I’m just watching a show. And they’re not interested in teaching me the songs either. They just sing louder to make up for the fact that no one else is singing.”  (Chuck Swindoll quoted by Murrow, Loc. 1421)

6. A constant change as pastors come, try to change the church, are rejected, and then leave;

People who speak the truth too boldly are stifled because they might hurt someone’s feelings. Leaders who make bold moves are accused of being power hungry.  (Murrow, Loc. 984)

7. A lack of prayer;

If you want men to pray aloud, make prayer sound like genuine communication. When you pray in a group, speak to Jesus as if he’s a real person who actually exists, one who understands modern English. Don’t repeat his name over and over. Cut the excess verbiage and vain repetitions of Christianese.  (Murrow, Loc. 3284)

8. A church without a clear vision as to its reason for its being;

“Too many churches dream safe, easily attainable dreams. They don’t risk, they don’t require faith, they don’t need God in order to be accomplished.”  Adam Hamilton quoted by Murrow (Loc. 3433)

9. The Church Obsessed over the Facilities

Murrow:  "New churches are building dark, windowless auditoriums with lighting trusses and an elevated stage. Music pulsates from stacked speakers. Video cameras capture a rock show and project it back to us on big screens. Worship leaders dress exactly like their Christian music heroes. Even traditional churches are playing catch-up, by hanging projection systems in the sanctuary, and by investing in sophisticated sound and lighting gear."  (Loc. 1350)

What to do?  Like a good sermon, a blogspot is no good without application!   Men - take the lead.  Lead in your marriage, in your family, and in your church.  Get stuck into the Word of God and study it, then teach it to others.

Murrow asks,

What if we canceled the children’s ministry and put that effort into building up the men of the church? I firmly believe that such an approach would, in the long run, win more youth to Christ. It would also save more marriages and produce happier women.  (Loc. 3238).

Food for thought.


Why Men Hate Going to Church is a worthwhile read, but I don't agree with all his views - I'd recommend you read it yourself.   As always, have your bible open and filter everything you read in light of God's Word.  


References
Murrow, D., 2011, Why Men Hate Going to Church, Thomas Nelson, Nashville (Kindle eBook purchased 17/9/18 from https://www.amazon.com.au/Why-Men-Hate-Going-Church-ebook/dp/B005VHBQSM/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=why+men+hate+going+to+church&qid=1578102089&sr=8-1, $11.99 at time of blog going to press.)

Rainey, T., 2009, Autopsy of a Deceased Church, B&H Publishing Group, Nashville (Kindle eBook https://www.amazon.com.au/Autopsy-Deceased-Church-Yours-Alive-ebook/dp/B076HH6NS3/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?keywords=thom+rainey+autopsy&qid=1578110094&sr=8-1-fkmr1, $12.70 at time of blog going to press)

What is your Worldview?

Worldview is the way we look at the world.  That is, the glasses we are looking through; our perspective of the world.

Worldview is not the view from the space shuttle!  Very few people get to have that view, but everyone does have a worldview, whether they are aware of it or not.

"Worldview" is defined by Merriam-Webster as

a comprehensive conception or apprehension of the world especially from a specific standpoint.

So basically, worldview is a set of beliefs and relative positions from which a person analyses the world around him or herself.

There are many worldviews, and they are developed from a person's life experience, during which there are many influences.  Influences may include childhood and upbringing, education, life experiences and belief systems.

Christians have a specific worldview based on the bible and its teachings.   It's generally referred to as a "biblical worldview" as it shapes the way we look at life around us and it helps us understand why and how things occur. 

In Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis' chapter XXVII on the Historical Point of View, Uncle Screwtape writes about misleading Christians by leading them away from the question of truth.   He expands on many interesting categories to investigate (writer, comparisons, peers) and anything to steer the reader away from the truth itself.  

It's amazing how relevant Screwtape's theory is for the 21st Century.   We are in an age where it is considered politically incorrect to speak the truth; it is displaying intolerance to speak the truth; bad is the new good.   Our society considers it worse to confront sin than to commit sin.

English author George Orwell, socialist and writer of the famous 1984 and Animal Farm (and other futuristic and imaginative) novels, made the profound statement,

The further society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.

Ironic isn't it really, when 2000 years ago, Jesus had already told His disciples,

All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.  Mark 13:13

and Paul said,

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  2 Timothy 4:3

Christians, analyse world and local events in light of the bible, the Word of God.   Continue to speak the truth.  Stand firm.

Stand firm.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.  1 Cor. 16:13

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth, or by letter.  2 Thess. 2:15

Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.  James 5:8

References:

“Worldview.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worldview. Accessed 20 December 2019.

Photo:

https://onsizzle.com/i/the-further-a-society-drifts-from-truth-the-more-it-4241068 (20/12/19) 

Are you Listening?

Are you listening to the Holy Spirit?

How often have you heard that God has a wonderful plan for your life, and when you become a Christian everything will be right and good, and life will be just dandy?!  Yeah, right!   That might be the case if we walked in perfect harmony with God, but our fallen nature makes this a challenge.  It's not God's part that fails (in fact that's not even possible), but us.  Me.  What to do?

Ray Comfort even wrote a whole book on that very concept and called it, "God has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life" which is an interesting read.  But this blog is not about Ray's book, and it's not a book review today.  So here's a link if you want to read it (I'd recommend it)*:   http://store.livingwaters.com/god-has-a-wonderful-plan-for-your-life-free.html

As individual Christian believers, we each wonder how to discern the Holy Spirit in our lives, and this is a healthy question to ask, not once, not occasionally, but continually throughout our lives.

It's also a fact that we are weak in our spirits, except for the power of God which makes us strong and steadfast, so our nearness to the Holy Spirit fluctuates from time to time.   How can we focus on making those peaks and troughs in our spiritual lives more level?  I've been thinking about this, and the following 5 aspects of relating to the Holy Spirit have helped me to solve this problem.  Maybe it will help you too.  (I'm not saying that I've got it all perfect and I don't fluctuate in my relationship with the Holy Spirit - far from it; but this at least helps me to focus on it!)

It is a sound biblical principle that we must rely on God's power:

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. " Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.   2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV

1. Listen for Him

There are even 3 ways to read this sentence.  Watch the emphasis which I have capitalised: 
LISTEN for Him - the emphasis is on listening.  (That is, your activity.)
Listen FOR Him - with the emphasis on for.  (The focus is on what you're doing it for).
Listen for HIM - emphasising on whom you are focused (ie. the Holy Spirit).

We live in a noisy world.  There are many competing voices which we need to filter!   Some of these are natural sounds (like birdsongs, the breeze in the trees, footsteps, breathing, and heartbeats), man-made sounds (like traffic, appliances, activities, television, mobile phones and industry).   Then there's marketing!   How many times do you need to be told that the "Burgers are better at "..., or "... because you're worth it" (seriously??) But there are also spiritual voices competing with the Holy Spirit. 

Active listening is a good skill to apply here, but how do you apply active listening to the Holy Spirit's voice?   Remembering that conversing with God is somewhat similar to conversing with each other, so it's a two-way conversation. Check back with God with questions like, "Is this your voice, Lord?", or "Am I hearing you speaking to me in this?" or, "Am I being distracted?"  But we are jumping ahead.  For starters, have a listening attitude.



2. Hear His voice

You will only hear the Holy Spirit consistent with His Word, the Bible.  So develop a good bible-reading and prayer habit.

Only once you are reading the bible expectantly, and listening for Him are you likely to hear His voice.  But hearing isn't listening!

3. Recognise His voice

You've been listening for Him, and you've heard Him, now to recognise Him!

You will recognise His voice because the Holy Spirit's voice will always align with scripture.   There is no extrabiblical revelation these days, so anything that is contrary to, conflicting with or extraneous to biblical teaching is not the Holy Spirit!

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his son..."  Heb. 1:1-2a

4. Listen to Him

Listening to someone is different to listening for someone.    Listening to someone is also different to simply hearing them.

Listening to the Holy Spirit means listening to what He says, absorbing it, remembering it, and meditating on it.   This should be a fundamental part of a daily quiet time - praying, reading the bible, listening and meditating on what has been read and heard.


5. Obey Him

The Holy Spirit indwells all believers, so it is important to obey Him and live as God demands.  Failing to obey has consequences - not losing God's indwelling presence, but grieving Him. 

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Ephesians 4:30

fulfilled in Acts 2 before the church was scattered to reach the whole world with the Good News of Jesus.

It's not like in Old Testament days when the Holy Spirit temporarily visited and empowered or inspired people.   Even David, a very Godly man and God's chosen leader of Israel, recognised the fact that he was not permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit when he prayed after grieving God through his personal sin,

Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

So there's an act of obedience required from each believer after listening for the Holy Spirit's voice, hearing His voice, recognising His voice, and listening to what He says!

...but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; 
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. 
Acts 1:8

Notes:
* Sorry about the lowercase G for God - it's the actual address set by the publisher, so if I change it the link won't work
Image from https://images.app.goo.gl/35X1e1GaqBqSRv2g6

Thoughts on Cross Cultural Mission

My Uncle is a Papua New Guinean National.   His Dad was the village chief.  My Uncle was trained to succeed as village chief too.  His firstborn son, my cousin, was destined to become the village chief one day.   They lived deep in the PNG highlands in a small village as warriors.  They had no clocks, no technology and no birth certificates.  They hunted pigs, bush fowl and deer, ate root vegetables and cooked in underground ovens called mumus.   They are tough men.   They lived in a dark spiritual world, but one day, a Western Christian Missionary told my Uncle about Jesus, and he believed.

His cousin believed too, and he was called to be an evangelist.   He walked over the mountains and highlands of PNG to spread the good news,  and he would often walk 2 days to preach and teach at remote villages.  Effectively, he took the mantle of local evangelism responsibility from the western missionary.

When I did my pilot training, I was fortunate to train with the first PNG national flight instructor who was planning to take the gospel to the far parts of Papua New Guinea by training more bush and mountain pilots in his own country, language and culture.

In Acts 1:8, we read Jesus words dispatching the church to reach the world as His witnesses:

"... and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

I have not focused on the start of the verse, although that too is relevant to our mission - here I want to focus on the context of Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the "ends of the earth" parts of His statement.

It's great to ask questions of the text!   Why did Jesus jump from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria, and why did He then jump straight to "the ends of the earth."?   There are a lot of places between Samaria and the ends of the earth that he could have mentioned!

There is a specific relevance in the order of place names that Jesus mentioned:  His disciples were familiar with Jerusalem.  It was their native habitat; they were comfortable there; they knew the language and the customs.   They had to cross a cultural boundary to enter Judea and Samaria though.   Notice that "Judea and Samaria" are grouped together as one.  Google it:  it's still grouped together 2000 years later as the "Judea and Samaria Region"!   The Samaritans were not liked by the Jews - the Jews looked down on them due to historical differences, and the Samaritans despised the Jews and their religion.   It was hostile.  Things were different in Judea and Samaria, but Jesus was sending His new church in that direction to be His witness!

"The ends of the earth" refers to places further away - this involved crossing into a new culture and a new language or languages.   It was two steps removed from Jerusalem:  culture and language.   How uncomfortable the disciples must have felt - and here's where the start of verse 8 becomes so relevant:

"but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses ..."

The church was not going in its own power.  The Holy Spirit provided and still provides the power for the church to go!

This brings me to my musings, and my purpose for this blog.  What happens when the sending culture doesn't fit in to the receiving culture?  What happens when the receiving culture doesn't see the sincerity of the missionary for various reasons, even though the missionary is very sincere?

In his book, "Revolution in World Missions", Dr. K.P Yohannan discusses the conflict between cultures, and the best way for the Western Church to help spread the Good News in a cross-cultural context.  Although he spends several chapters discussing this issue, one striking comment he makes is this:

"Have Asians rejected Christ?  Not really.  In most cases they have rejected only the trappings of Western culture that have fastened themselves onto the Good News."

Yohannan emphasises the great work of national workers (that is, Christians who have been called by God to minister in their own or nearby cultures) and how there are better ways in current times of church history for the Western Church to support them than actually trying to do the face-to-face evangelism.



If you've never watched this famous 6-minute video clip from New Tribes Mission (Ethnos360), entitled "Each Stick Had a Name", a story about Papua New Guinea Nationals, please follow this link.

But be warned, it may change your view of cross-cultural mission and unreached people groups. 

It's not a modern video, and it's not high-resolution, but the Message of the Good News of Jesus is timeless.




"... we don't have enough people."   But God does. 

How will you support cross-cultural mission?


References:
Photo 1: PNG PTA, https://www.papuanewguinea.travel/about-pngtpa, 16/10/2019
Ethnos360 videos  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiaWpULoxSAyuuUl2KBw9Kw 16/10/2019
Photo 2:  Each Stick Had a Name, Ethnos360, https://youtu.be/0K7CNF4ywDY, 16/10/2019
Revolution in World Missions, Dr. K.P Yohannan, 16/10/2019.  Download a free ebook here:  gfaau.org/freebook