One Big Story

Posted by Chris on June 22, 2008 under Sermons

Can I tell you what I did during my summer vacation? Our family went to Disney World and our favorite park was EPCOT. We rode Spaceship Earth at least four times. The line wasn’t very long, the boys thought it was fun, it wasn’t scary, and most of all it was air conditioned.

You begin the ride by boarding a “time machine” which takes you through the history of human communication. It begins with cave paintings and the communications of cave men so that they can be more efficient while hunting. Then the Egyptians invent writing. The Phoenicians and Greeks work on universal alphabets. Monasteries copy writings. The printing press makes books available. Technology develops to make communication more immediate and then of course we end with computers. On the way down, the riders get to use communication to write their future. This is what my kids liked. They got to make goofy faces that are put into a cartoon.

About the fourth time through I began to grasp what it was all about … This narrative about communication was itself a narrative. More than that, it was a meta-narrative. A meta-narrative is simply the one big story that makes sense of everything. As a narrative, it told stories in a creative way.

But if it was going to be a META-narrative (the one big story), then something was missing … here’s what I thought was missing …

John 1:1-14

The gospel and the communication of it in Jesus Christ is a critical moment in human existence. The word becoming flesh has implications for past, present, and future.

What I like about the Epcot ride is that it emphasizes the importance of communication. Communication is important – consider our words – communion, community, commune. These all are related to communication. Communication is critical to forming community.

Communication and words are important to God also. God is a communicating God. He speaks, he writes, he reveals. But finally he communicates in a most extraordinary way through Jesus Christ.

Greek lesson: The meaning of “logos” (“Word” in John 1) is a concept, an idea, a logic. It is a message that is communicated. Not limited to saying and speaking. When God wants to communicate the one big story that makes sense of past, present, and future, he doesn’t just speak, rather he sends …

The alphabet that God used to send the one big story of the gospel was flesh and blood.

The syntax that God used to construct the one big story of the gospel was bone and sinew.

The grammar that God used to tell the one big story of the gospel was the breath and spirit of Jesus Christ.

The one big story of the gospel was not limited to a voice, a note, or a signal. It was told in the flesh. The man was the message …

The message is preached and practiced.
The message is broadcast and embodied.

Implication:

1. We ought to pay attention to communication and work at it.
2. We ought to have some concern for maintaining community.
3. But the One Big Implication is this: If God became the message, then we also must BE the message.

This is what our baptism was about. We are conformed to the likeness of Christ. May God send us from here as an embodiment of the one big message.

God Is One

Posted by Chris on June 15, 2008 under Sermons

Floating the Mainstream

Posted by Chris on May 25, 2008 under Sermons

Strengths and Weaknesses

• A people of the Book.
• More concerned about what the Bible said than those around us.
• Not pursuing the American dream but seeking the kingdom.
• Evangelistic and growing numerically.
• Cared for the poor and hungry.
• Race relations – still too much a part of Southern culture.
• The reputation that: “They think they’re the only ones going to heaven.”
• Many disputed more, prayed less, and forced conformity to a narrow view of doctrinal correctness.

The Impact of World War 2

• Post-WW2 decades push church into the mainstream
• Three factors:
  – Education
  – World Missions
  – Middle-class acculturation

Missions

• In 1946 the Broadway church called a national meeting to discuss missions cooperation.
• The “Sponsoring Congregation” Plan
  – Broadway in Lubbock, Texas, for Germany
  – Union Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee, for Japan
  – Crescent Hill in Brownfield, Texas, for Italy

Women in Missions

• Sarah Andrews, Japan, 1916 – 1961
• Hettie Lee Ewing, Japan, 1926
• Elizabeth Bernard, China, Hong Kong, 1933-1971
• Irene Johnson-Gatewood, Germany, post-WW2

Education

• Impact of G.I. Bill
  – Abilene Christian College, Harding College, David Lipscomb College, Freed-Hardeman College, and Pepperdine College attendance increased.
• Between 1942-1964 eleven new Christian colleges are formed in the U.S.
• Funding came from churches, members, and business leaders.

If You Build it …

• Attractive buildings are tools for evangelism
• Special programs for all members of the family
  – Responded to “Baby Boom”
• New ministries
  – Multi-staff
  – Education, youth, campus

Madison Church of Christ

• “You Can March for the Master,” Ira North, 1959
• Madison’s explosive growth made it the model for church growth techniques in many congregations in the U.S.
• North emphasized one-to-one evangelism

Jule Miller Filmstrips

• A recorded narrative with pictures
• Provided ordinary church members with an attractively-packaged “plan of salvation”

Christian Broadcasting

• Herald of Truth began national broadcasting on radio in 1952. Television in 1954.
• Batsell Barrett Baxter joined in 1959 as the speaker.
• Rise of new journalism
  – 20th Century Christian
  – Power for Today
  – Christian Chronicle (1943)

In the Mainstream

• Periodicals, broadcasts, lectureships and workshops created a mainstream identity.
• National recognition and influenced accepted
  – Celebrities (such as Pat Boone)
  – 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair Exhibit

Innovation and Change

• Growth meant innovative methods
• Financial cooperation to support
  – missions
  – colleges
  – media evangelism
  – para-church institutions (children’s homes, etc.)
• Suspicion: new methods are based on a desire for worldly prestige or attempt to control.
• Individuals might support innovations but not churches.

The Gospel Guardian

• Fanning Yater Tant, editor of The Gospel Guardian:
  • Opposed “sponsoring congregations”
  • Used the argument from silence
  • Threatened autonomy and non-denominational Christianity

Advocate vs. Guardian

• The debate rhetoric was so strong on both sides that a split took place.
• In 1954, B.C. Goodpasture, editor of the Gospel Advocate, called for a “quarantine” of the “anti-cooperation” faction.
• 2,000 congregations (120,000 members) maintained the non-institutional position.

The Winds of Change

• The Church was no longer culturally alienated – it was now “mainstream.”
  – Members were generally more educated and affluent.
• Innovation generated amazing growth and opposition
  – A tension for the Restoration movement
  – Innovations of an earlier age forgotten
  – Innovation to come questioned

• Ambiguous relationship with politics
  – Opposed Catholic President (1960)
  – Uninvolved in Civil Rights (1964)
• Theology remained rational and issue-oriented (for both groups in split)
  – The ancient order of things
  – Three-part hermeneutic
  – Argument from silence

What do we do when the mainstream goes the wrong way?

God’s Politics

Posted by Chris on under Sermons

I cannot recall when so many preachers were involved in a political campaign. This week John McCain rejected the endorsement of two televangelists. A few weeks ago, Barack Obama denounced the words of his former preacher. Let’s not forget that Mike Huckabee, who may still be involved in this race in some way, was a once a preacher in Arkansas. Hilary Clinton hasn’t had any problems with preachers – not yet.

So with all of these others getting involved, I wanted to speak my piece and make my endorsements …

This first thing I would say though, is that if I were to endorse a particular candidate I don’t think it would do much good. You shouldn’t vote my way for that reason alone. Every citizen has to make an informed decision and there’s no point in all of us collectively checking out on our responsibility. I would rather endorse certain principles and let you decide …

As we reflect on what it means to be Christians in America, let’s reflect on God’s Politics. The prime political statement in Scripture is this: God is the Highest Authority. There are many ways that this is expressed. God is sovereign, God rules, God is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

The word of the Old Testament is clear. Kings, monarchs, nations will come and go, but God’s rule is eternal.

• Nebuchadnezzar learned this. God humbled the leader of that world super-power (Babylon) and Nebuchadnezzar left a letter to share with anyone what he learned. This letter calls on all authorities to acknowledge God’s superior authority (Daniel 4:34).

The word of the New Testament is clear: Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, and raised by God’s power and authority. God has exalted him. He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings (Revelation 19 and Philippians 2).

So I endorse this primary principle: God rules. He is in charge and that does not change regardless of who is in the White House, the Congress or the Supreme Court.

Now accepting this principle we ask, so what should Christians do then if God rules? We ought to pray …

• The prophet Jeremiah urged the exiles in Babylon to pray for the welfare of their captors. These people were being called upon to pray for a nation that wasn’t their home, a nation that did not share their values. But Jeremiah informs them that God wants them to seek to do good and build up that nation. If God’s people could pray for Babylon, then we can pray for our nation. We must pray for our nation (Jeremiah 29).
• 2 Chronicles 7:14 – Prayer is a humility that bows to God’s authority.
• 1 Timothy 2:1-4 – Praying for the leaders of our nation is a work of evangelism.

So I endorse prayer. Let us treat prayer as not only a privilege and responsibility but also as a mission.

If God is the supreme authority then let’s remember what issues matter to our Lord. What does the Lord require of us?

• Micah 6:8 – What does the Lord require of you? His agenda is clear — to do justice love kindness and walk humbly with God.
• Matthew 23:23 – There are weightier matters such as justice, mercy, and faith
• Acts 24:25 – Paul preaches to a politician of his time about justice, self-control, and the coming judgment

We can practice justice, mercy, kindness, and humility regardless of what party is in the majority. These virtues should be non-partisan. They ought to be basic.

My son was given an assignment to describe what he would do if he was president. He said …

I would give the people in storms good homes. Also I would raise money to save the poor. Give the U.S. Military a monthly break. Fill bills that needed to be filled. And I would have a speech that all drugs are illegal. Then I would have a party about my new rule.

All I can say to that is “I’m his father and I approve this message.”

Maybe we complicate politics too much. Maybe we should pay attention to the politics of a 9-year-old. Maybe we should see that Scripture’s politics and God’s politics really aren’t that different from such simple politics. Maybe it would clarify things for us and we wouldn’t be so anxious. Instead we would focus on doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God. Those are God’s Politics and I endorse them.

We don’t have to have a certain party in power or a certain person in the presidency to follow those politics. Maybe some of us need to run for office, but whether we hold office or not we know who the supreme political power truly is and we can be a part of his party.

I offer this endorsement as an encouragement from God’s Word. I endorse doing what God requires. No matter who wins the various offices up for election, let us endorse the following …
– God rules above all
– We need to pray
– Let’s do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.

Speak Where the Bible Speaks

Posted by Chris on May 18, 2008 under Sermons

“Accept Him Who is Weak”

• David Lipscomb (1875):
  • “So long as a man really desires to do right, to serve the Lord, to obey his commands, we cannot withdraw from him.”

Declaration and Address

• Thomas Campbell (1809):
  • Where the Bible is unclear or silent, no disagreement should divide Christians.
  • When Campbell spoke of “being silent where the Bible is silent,” he allowed for strong opinions on what that silence meant.

1832 Union

• Raccoon John Smith:
  • Silent on the precise positions that Christians might take that are not part of the gospel.
  • Speak where Bible speaks = simply use the words of Scripture.

All Silence is Not Equal

• Silence permitted the Missionary Society
• Silence forbade instrumental music in worship

Three-Part Hermeneutic

• Focus is on what practices the Bible authorizes:
  1. Direct Command,
  2. Approved Example, and
  3. Necessary Inference

Other Considerations

• Does this practice reflect the nature of God?
• Is it in line with the biblical story of redemption?
• Does it build up the church?
• Does it promote Christian virtue?
• Is it a “weightier matter”?

Speaking Where the Bible Speaks

• Black Churches of Christ
• “I have had to rely upon God, he is the only one I had. The white man didn’t like me because of the color of my skin. The colored man didn’t like me because of my religion. Now, son, who else did I have?” — Marshall Keeble

Crisis and Controversy

Posted by Chris on May 11, 2008 under Sermons

Growth 1906-1946

• 1906 – 159,658
• 1916 – 317,937
• 1926 – 435,714
• 1936 – 309,551
• 1946 – 682,172

Aftermath of 1906

• Debate
  – Controversy was the only way to reach consensus without creeds or conventions
• Dissension
  – Congregational division over various issues was common before 1930’s
• Disempowerment
  – Afraid to do anything for fear of doing something wrong

Trivia or Truth?

• Baptistery or Running River?
• A plate for the bread or not?
• Extend an invitation or wait for the question?
• Elders or no elders?
• Any song or just those addresses to the Lord?

The Sunday School Issue

• Opposition to Sunday Schools
  – Unauthorized [silence of Scripture]
  – Biblical pattern instructed parents to teach children
• 1925 – Directory of Non-Class churches assembled
• The Apostolic Way listed the faithful preachers and churches.

The Cup Question

• In the 1920’s multiple containers for the communion became common
• At issue was the pattern of the Lord’s Supper prescribed in Scripture
  – Multiple cups were unauthorized
  – The one cup was an element of the communion pattern
• The faithful were listed in the Old Paths Advocate.

Millennial Controversy

• R. H. Boll – 1915 Gospel Advocate articles
• Believed the prophetic sections of Scripture should be examined
• Was told to quit writing. He then started a new journal, Word and Work.

• H. Leo Boles, Pres. Nashville Bible School
• 1927 Boll-Boles debate in Gospel Advocate (May-November)
• After debate Boles invited Boll to speak at NBS Chapel service

• 1933 Neal-Wallace debate; Wallace suggested the issue threatened fellowship.
• Wallace not only condemned Boll, but also those he considered sympathetic with Boll.

• Criticism of Wallace’s crusade
• J. N. Armstrong:
  – Premillennialism was a personal conviction
  – Minority view should be treated graciously

Dynamics of Division

• Focus on observable practice.
• List of “the faithful”
• No fellowship with error
• Methodology more important that theology
• One side opposes divergence from the pattern, the other is indifferent.
  – Silence of Scripture

“Accept the Right, Reject the Left”

Our Commitment to Children and Their Families

Posted by Chris on under Sermons

Vacation Bible School is . . .
June 15-18, 6 P.M. each night

1. VBS is for Everybody!
   • Children
   • Teens
   • Adults
   • Neighbors
2. VBS is BIGGER!
   • You have a part to play in VBS
   • No one else can do your part
3. VBS is LONGER!
   • 6:00 – 6:30 – Assembly
   • 6:30 – 7:45 – Classes and Events
   • 7:45 – 8:00 – Closing
4. VBS is . . .
   • A time to serve
   • A time to grow
   • A time to enjoy
5. VBS is . . .
   . . . part of our commitment to children and their families!

A Line in the Sand

Posted by Chris on May 4, 2008 under Sermons

Why Did We Divide?

• The Issues:
  1. Missionary Society
  2. Musical Instruments in Worship
  3. Professional Ministers

American Christian Missionary Society

• During the war, Southerners were unable to attend the national meetings in Ohio.
• October 1861 – The ACMS considered a resolution to support the Union.

ACMS Statement of 1863

“We unqualifiedly declare our allegiance to the U.S. government … We tender our sympathies to our brave and noble soldiers in the field.”

Southern Reaction

• Tolbert Fanning
  – Nashville, TN
  – Editor, Gospel Advocate
• ACMS authorized Disciples to join the Union army in the murder of the Southern people.

• David Lipscomb demanded the ACMS repent
• Restarted the Gospel Advocate:
  “… not a single paper known to us that Southern people could read without having their feelings wounded by political insinuations and slurs …” (1866).

The “Old Fogy”

“We are not at home in a fine editorial chair, with a cigar or pipe in our mouth, opening the letters and telling others how and where to work, but we are in the field.” — Ben Franklin (1867), editor of American Christian Review

Ye Shall Know Them By Their Periodicals

• Christian Standard, edited by Isaac Erret.
• Progressive paper for the post-war support of the Union.
• “Standard Men” vs. “Advocate Men”

Class and Culture

• Central Christian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Built new French Gothic style building in 1872
• Seated 2000, stained glass, organ, choir pit
• Cost = $140,000
• “It is finished” – John 19:30

• “We know the doctrine advocated by [the writers in the Christian Standard] comes from the North. It is neither scriptural nor Southern, and it is not suited to Southern people.” – T. R. Burnett (1892)

Musical Instruments in Worship

• Not an issue in frontier churches
• Visible point of separation
• Economic and social arguments
• Use of Scripture arguments
• Legal battles over church property

Alexander Campbell in 1851

“But I presume, to all spiritually-minded Christians such aids would be as a cow bell in a concert.”

An Aid to Singing

• Midway, Kentucky, in 1859
• L. L. Pinkerton brought in a melodeon to help the singing that was so bad it “scared even the rats from worship.”

“Refined Ears”

“These refined gentlemen have refined ears and enjoy fine music manufactured for French theaters, interspersed with short prayers and very short sermons.” – Ben Franklin (1860)

The Arguments Form

Mediating Position

“We shall advise our brethren everywhere, for the sake of peace … To discard the use of instruments …” – Isaac Errett, 1870

A Line in the Sand

• Opposed those who advocated “innovations”
• Called for separation in Sand Creek [Illinois] “Address and Declaration” of 1889 by Daniel Sommer

• Thomas Campbell – “Declaration and Address” [for unity]
• Daniel Sommer – “Address and Declaration” [for division]
  “We cannot and will not regard them as brethren.”

Division Shaped our Identity into the 20th Century

The 1906 Admission

“There is a distinct people taking the word of God as their only sufficient rule of faith, calling their churches ?churches of Christ’ or ?churches of God,’ … “ – David Lipscomb

It’s Better to Have Permission Than to Ask Forgiveness

Posted by Chris on under Sermons

Recap the lessons so far …

1. Raising the Bar: Expecting the Best From One Another
2. Diet and Exercise for the Soul: Spiritual Formation
3. Every Shepherd Needs a Sheep Dog: Ministering to One Another
4. The Air We Breathe: Grace and Hope Through Jesus Christ
5. You Welcomed Me In: Practicing Christ-Like Hospitality [by Shane Hughes]
6. Cloud of Witnesses: Ministry to Youth and Families
7. Our Neighbor Across the Street: Integrating College Students Into the Life of the Church
8. We Can’t “Retire” From Church: Ministering Through Seniors, Not Just To Seniors
9. Across the Street and Around the World: It’s All Missional
10. It’s Easier to Ask Permission than Seek Forgiveness: (Practicing Permission-Giving Leadership)

We’ve heard the old saying that “It is easier to get forgiveness than ask permission.”
What does that sort of philosophy say about a group of people?

• It means that there is very little trust.
• It means that authority is not being shared; rather a spirit of anxious control dominates.

God has given us permission – for the sake of the mission

Read Matthew 25:14-30.

1. The master entrusts a large amount of resources to three servants.
2. They are asked to do something with these resources – to put the money to work.
3. Two double the investment. One does not, but not because he tried and failed. He failed by not trying …

Permission

1. Are we governed by a spirit of trust or a spirit of fear?
   • Notice what the first two servants say: “You entrusted me.” They have the attitude of trust.
   • Notice what the third servant believes:
     1. “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.”
        • How did he know this?
     2. “So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”
   • We fear God. We fear failure. We fear what others will think. We fear that they may say NO.
   • Trust leads us to experience God’s happiness. Fear will lead us to laziness, inaction and we will become as harsh as we expect God to be – and that’s not God’s disposition. He said YES.
2. Saying Yes and Hearing Yes
   • “I don’t think that anyone is telling me no, but I don’t hear anyone telling me Yes.”
   • We have to learn to echo God’s Yes.
     1. For the sake of the mission, God has given us permission.
     2. Leaders need to say YES – empowering the congregation – accelerator and brake.
     3. Congregation also echoes YES by developing a spirit of trust in God and one another.
        1. A culture of CAN DO vs. CAN’T DO
        2. That’s how we will hear God’s voice
        3. God always says YES to those who come to him with a broken, contrite heart.

Seeds of Division

Posted by Chris on April 27, 2008 under Sermons

The 1906 Admission

• S.N.D. North – Director of the U.S. Religious Census of 1906 detected a division in the SC movement.
• David Lipscomb, editor of the Gospel Advocate, reluctantly agreed that Churches of Christ and Disciples of Christ should be listed separately.

Why Did We Divide?

• The Issues:
  – Missionary Society
  – Musical Instruments in Worship
  – Professional Ministers

Remember 1832?

No heaven was promised to those who hold one position or the other, and no hell was threatened to those who deny them.
– “Raccoon” John Smith

Why Did We Divide?

• Unspoken Issues
  – Regional/Political Differences
  – Urban Culture vs. Rural Culture
  – Economic Differences
• All of these are impacted and magnified by the U.S. Civil War

A Divided Nation

Secession and Churches

Presbyterian (PCUSA) American Baptist Convention Methodist Episcopal Church Episcopal Church in the USA

Presbyterian (PCCSA) Southern Baptist Convention Methodist Episcopal Church, South Episcopal Church in the CSA

The Issue of Slavery

• Campbell was moderate.
  – He opposed the institution of slavery.
  – However, it should not divide the church.
• Opposing views among Disciples.
• The war forced the issue.

Can We Divide?

“Indeed, a division of the body of Christ, except in the sense of causing a faction, is impossible. What divine authority makes one, it is difficult for man to make two.”
– Moses Lard (1866)

Options:
1. Estrangement
2. Apostasy
3. Heretical Faction (Apostasy)
4. Slavery is not an issue

Did We Divide?

Seeds of Division

• Civil War and Reconstruction create regional and cultural differences
  – Economics
  – Slavery
  – National Identity (Politics)
• Second generation of leaders emerge just prior to, during, and after the War
• America’s “Millennial Hope” has faded