A Message for Parents and Grandparents

Posted by David on November 21, 2006 under Sermons

How much do you love your children? How much do you love your grandchildren? To conscientious Christians, children and grandchildren represent one of life’s most important and unique treasures. Few sacrifices are rejected if their well being is at stake. Regardless of circumstances, their well being is priority for parents or grandparents. At birth our concern is enormous, and that concern grows as they grow. In adolescent years, our concern passes description.

From years one to twenty-one, we make every possible preparation for their development and future. Does my child have a learning disability? Where can I get help for my child? Does my child have a medical problem? Where can I get treatment for my child? Does my child need special training? Where can I find it for my child?

We provide them the best educational opportunity we can afford. We create special opportunities for them in every form of development from athletics to talent. We alter our adult schedule and run ourselves crazy for them. We do everything possible to build their self-images, develop their skills, teach them poise, and give them advantages mentally, psychologically, and physically.

I pray you consider for a long time these things I share with you.

We as Christians understand parents have a spiritual responsibility to provide our children spiritual instruction and guidance.
1. That responsibility existed from Christianity’s beginning.
  1. Ephesians 6:1-4 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (This refers to one of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:12 with its focus on the responsibility on adult children.)
    1. Parents focused on God provide their children a reason to obey them.
    2. If they honor God, they can obey their parents without problem.
    3. Parents have not abused them, neglected them, refused to love them, or done things to generate and nurture a lasting anger in them.
    4. Instead, the parents provide them an example of how to live a disciplined life devoted to God and His instructions.
  2. Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.
    1. Parents’ relationship with their children should not create and nurture a continuing frustration producing a state of discontentment.
    2. The severity and fault finding that destroys the spirit should not characterize the parents’ relationship with their children.
2. Parents, do not be deceived into believing that our parental faith in and commitment to Jesus Christ guarantees our children automatically will become Christian adults.
  1. The Old Testament has a number of examples of godly persons whose children did not follow God.
  2. Perhaps the greatest period of Israelite godliness came in Joshua’s leadership.
    1. Judges 2:7 "The people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of the Lord which He had done for Israel."
      1. What a testimony to godly influence!
    2. Then Judges 2:10 notes, "All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel."
      1. I do not think you could convince me that Joshua did not teach godliness to his children.
      2. Yet, his descendants did not follow God.
      3. I conclude they were deliberately ignorant and willfully forgetful.
  3. Samuel was a powerful spiritual influence in Israel in an extremely ungodly period.
    1. Listen to 1 Samuel 8:3 "His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice."
  4. King David made some serious mistakes, but he was a man whose love for God included the knowledge of repentance.
    1. We are still blessed by some of his powerful thoughts.
    2. In the New Testament he is still known as the man after God’s own heart.
    3. Yet, many of his children were truly ungodly.
  5. Hezekiah led one of Judah’s few spiritual reforms.
    1. Listen to 2 Kings 18:3, 5 “He did right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done. …He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him.”
    2. Now listen to what is said about his son, Manasseh in 2 Kings 21:2, 9: “He did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord dispossessed before the sons of Israel. …But they did not listen, and Manasseh seduced them to do evil more than the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the sons of Israel.”
3. The New Testament covers too brief a historical period to include such detail.
The most important factor in determining what your child becomes as a spiritual adult is the person he or she marries.
1. Your child will make that choice largely to your exclusion.
  1. You will not choose the person your child "falls in love" with.
  2. You will not choose how the experience of "falling in love" will affect your child.
  3. If you try to exercise an inflexible control over the people your child dates, you likely will severely injure your relationship with your child.
    1. While you certainly must provide guidance, there are restrictions on the guidance you can provide.
    2. Attempts to provide inflexible control can alienate, create an unhealthy dependence, or drive your child to the person of your disapproval.
  4. If you try to structure, control, direct, or alter your child’s marriage, you create more serious problems than you correct.
    1. Rarely is continuous parental involvement in a child’s marriage constructive.
    2. Attempting to "run or fix" a child’s marriage often produces undesirable results:
      1. Anger
      2. Alienation
      3. Resentment
      4. Impeding or destroying their maturing process.
      5. Destruction of healthy independence.
      6. Creation of a sick dependence on the parent.
    3. Interference in a child’s marriage can produce many bad things and few good things.
    4. We should understand that.
      1. Look at the impact of your parents’ unwanted advice and interference in your marriage.
      2. Recall the problems, stress, anger, and complications produced when your parents felt like they needed to structure an aspect of your marriage.
      3. Do not deceive yourself into believing your actions will be viewed as constructive and thereby appreciated.
2. The possibility of your child experiencing a serious marriage crisis is frightening.
  1. The fact that you provide them the best home, best training, best environment, and best spiritual foundation you can provide does not eliminate the possibility of your child experiencing a serious marriage crisis.
  2. Your initial reaction may be, "That cannot be true!"
    1. For the sake of reflection, recall married people you know from 5 years younger than you to 5 years older than you.
    2. How many people did you go to school, college, or church with who are now divorced, separated, or in deeply troubled marriages?
    3. And those are just the situations your know about!
  3. Every major social influence in this society (today) works against "once for life" marriage, not in support of it.
Consider a living nightmare.
1. You witness your own child in an abusive, unloving, selfish, inconsiderate marriage.
  1. You watch as it happens causing your child suffering, pain, and agony.
  2. You see what this is doing to your child as a person.
2. You witness your grandchildren in such a marriage.
3. As you watch, there is little you can do.
  1. You cannot fix it.
  2. You cannot "make it go away."
  3. You do not dare try to take control for fear of making things worse.
  4. You cannot make the relationship healthy.
If such happens in your family, let me suggest what to pray for.
1. Pray he or she is in a congregation that believes in loving those that hurt and reaches out to those who are troubled.
  1. Pray he or she is part of a people who help the distressed.
  2. Pray he or she is not part of a congregation who turns it back on "Christians who have problems like that."
2. Pray they are under a compassionate eldership who believes in shepherding.
  1. Pray they are under elders who know how to listen and be understanding.
  2. Pray they know how to be constructively supportive.
  3. Pray they believe in keeping confidences.
3. Pray they are in a congregation devoted to administrating Jesus’ spiritual healing.
  1. Pray that scripturally uninformed members do not control the congregation.
  2. Pray their congregation is not filled with Christians who feel it is their duty to say:
    1. "If you genuinely believed in Christ, you would not have a problem like that."
    2. "Real Christians do not have marriage problems."
    3. "You are not a spiritual person."
    4. "If you trusted God like I do, this never would have happened."
Constantly help us be a congregation that brings the troubled to Jesus’ forgiving healing, to Jesus’ compassion, to Jesus’ hope, to Jesus’ help.
1. Help us want to be just Christians who are not afraid to let Jesus teach us how to compassionately care.
2. Help us be a people that troubled Christians can turn to without fear because we are ruled by the Great Physician.
3. Help us be the kind of people who care in the same way the first congregations cared.

Why do this? We want to be just Christians. We want to be a congregation of people who fit the image of Jesus’ expectations. We want to be an oasis of spiritual healing for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren when worlds collapse and life falls apart. In a world filled with hopeless struggle, we want to be a refreshing place of healing. May we each say, "That attitude begins with me."

When the Cock Crows!

Posted by David on November 17, 2006 under Sermons

Satan does not have a one battalion, one gun army. He is a capable enemy who can and does wage a deadly warfare with people in every form of existence on every front in life. Satan has such an arsenal of weapons that there (a) is no level of spiritual existence, (b) no point in Christian life that is beyond his ability to attack. When a Christian fails to realize that Satan has effective attack weapons that targets the spiritually strong, that person invites serious spiritual crisis and perhaps spiritual disaster.

I fear none of us give proper consideration to Satan’s ability to attack the spiritually strong. We know the evil person should fear Satan. We know people trapped by sin are enslaved. We know Satan controls and manipulates the person outside of God through his/her thought process, reasoning, and understanding. We know the person who rebels against God is the victim of his/her own rebellion and weakness and is powerless to defeat Satan alone.

We understand the godless person is Satan’s victim. We know Satan commonly attacks a person’s weakness. We know Satan tempts people who does not belong to God in the attempt to capitalize on their weakness. We know such people are easily deceived by Satan . We know that the only hope for those who live in the absence of God’s presence or in spiritual weakness is to grow closer to God and find strength in Him.

We acknowledge all those things without hesitation.

What about the spiritually strong? What about the person who used his/her weaknesses to grow spiritually? What about the person who overcame major temptations? What about the person who built his/her faith on knowledge and understanding of God’s word? What about those who are committed to God’s service? What about those committed to serving and evangelizing other people? What about those who worship God from the heart? Is this person beyond Satan’s attack? Should he or she be afraid of Satan?

I ask you to consider a paradox in the way we think about ourselves. Ask us individually if we are spiritually strong, and most of us will say, "No! I have too many flaws!" Ask us if our weaknesses are so significant that as Christians we are going spiritually to fall, and the most of us will be insulted. We might even say, "I hope not and seriously doubt it. I am much too strong and committed for that to happen!" So most of us feel weak and strong at the same time with the strength being our dominant force. In that strength many of us feel secure.

Let me use Peter to illustrate Satan’s ability to attack the spiritually strong.
1. I want to begin by acknowledging Peter’s deserved recognition as an exceptional man.
  1. He was decisive, and that is an admirable quality.
    1. The morning Jesus asked him and his brother to be followers, Peter immediately accepted the invitation.
    2. Have you wondered how receptive you would have been in the same circumstances?
      1. Peter had worked all night fishing.
      2. He could have said, "Jesus, I am too tired right now to think this through."
      3. He could have said, "This is the wrong moment for me to make a decision like that without first getting some sleep."
      4. He could have said, "I am complimented and interested, but I have to get some rest!"
      5. Instead, he made an immediate decision that would unsettle his life for two or three years that meant giving up his job with no promise of income.
  2. Peter was a wholehearted man.
    1. No matter what the circumstance, he never wondered about his commitment or his loyalty.
    2. He always knew he was 100% for Jesus and 100% with Jesus.
  3. Peter was a perceptive man.
    1. He really saw, and he really heard.
    2. In John 6 a multitude of disciples permanently left Jesus because they disagreed with a difficult teaching.
      1. Jesus asked the twelve if they, too, were leaving him.
      2. Peter replied in John 6:68, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."
    3. Of all the twelve, Peter knew and confessed Jesus was the Christ (Matthew 16:16)
  4. Peter was a loyal man.
    1. To him it was unthinkable and unacceptable to consider any possibility Jesus would be killed.
    2. If it was necessary for him to prevent it, he would die trying to prevent it.
    3. Jesus had no one more openly, totally committed to him than Peter.
  5. Jesus recognized and complimented these highly commendable qualities.
    1. He made Peter one of his inner three disciples.
    2. Jesus always took Peter with him on special occasions.
    3. In Acts 2, he used Peter to open his spiritual kingdom to the Jewish people.
    4. In Acts 10, he used the Jewish Peter to open his spiritual kingdom to the gentiles.
2. Because we know how common it was for Peter to say something, it is important to realize the man was not boastful but quickly said what he felt.
  1. It is easy to look at some of the things he said and conclude he was an arrogant grandstander.
  2. I am personally convinced that is an incorrect view of Peter.
  3. What Peter felt, he totally felt.
  4. What Peter thought, he said with conviction.
  5. Certainly there were times he opened his mouth when he should have kept it closed.
  6. Certainly there were times his conviction lacked good judgment.
    1. There were times when he was so certain he was right that he equally was certain he could not be wrong.
    2. On such occasions, even if Jesus disagreed with him, he was sure he was right.
  7. Certainly there were times when he overestimated his knowledge and understanding.
    1. Sometimes he was so confident he was right that he would not hesitate to tell Jesus he was wrong. (Can your picture anyone doing that?)
    2. He regarded his insights so "on target" he thought he knew when Jesus was mistaken.
  8. Yet, none of this was arrogance; it was just wholehearted conviction.
3. Note Peter was a combination of notable success and notable failure.
  1. Peter’s successes were many.
    1. His immediate following of Jesus was incredible; he left job and economic security with a family and with no material promise about the future.
    2. He stood up for Jesus in Gethsemane.
    3. He masterfully preached to the Jewish people on the Pentecost following the ascention.
    4. As a Christian, his courage in his arrest, trial, and abuse are nothing but admirable.
  2. Yet, his failures were just as memorable.
    1. His denial of Jesus will never be forgotten.
    2. His giving up and returning to Galilee to fish is surprising [after the resurrection].
  3. My point: it is not unusual for a person committed to Jesus to be a combination of notable success and notable failure.
    1. If you are observant, you have noted it in the lives of the spiritually strong many times.
    2. People who do great things for God often make significant mistakes.
  4. How can that be?
The foundation of Peter’s problems rested in Peter’s faith.
1. Begin by examining Matthew 16:21-23.
  1. This incident occurred shortly after Peter’s confession.
  2. Peter had just openly confessed Jesus was the Christ.
  3. This Christ began to tell the disciples he would be killed.
  4. Peter dared contradict Jesus.
    1. "Lord, you are wrong!"
    2. "This cannot happen to you!"
  5. Why would Peter contradict Jesus so strongly?
    1. He did not believe this would happen.
    2. He did not want it to happen.
    3. He would not let it happen–it was not in his plan for Jesus to die.
  6. Jesus who shortly before blessed Peter now condemned Peter by calling him Satan and declaring him a stumbling block.
    1. Satan used Peter as a serious source of temptation to Jesus.
    2. Here "stumbling block" comes from a word that means a bait stick in a trap.
    3. Satan used Peter (consider that) to be a bait stick in a trap Satan hoped to spring on Jesus.
  7. Look at the contrast: in Matthew 16:16 Peter is the decisive man who knew Jesus was the Christ, and in 16:23 he is the bait stick in Satan’s trap.
2. Continue your examination by looking at the events prior to Jesus’ betrayal.
  1. Examine Matthew 26:31-35.
    1. Jesus said everyone would be offended in him that night.
    2. They would flee like a flock of sheep when the shepherd was killed.
    3. Yet, he would be raised and precede them to Galilee.
  2. Note the conversation:
    1. Peter: "They may be offended, but not me!"
    2. Jesus: "You will betray me three times before the cock crows."
    3. Peter: "If I have to die, I will not betray you!"
    4. All the disciples agreed with Peter–they would die rather than betray.
  3. Look at the account in Mark 14:27-31.
    1. Peter was "exceedingly vehement", or as the NIV translates, "insisted emphatically."
    2. Peter regarded Jesus’ prophecy as outrageous and disgusting.
  4. Luke 22:31-34 contains the statement the Satan wanted to sift Peter like wheat.
3. Since Jesus said it would happen, why did Peter strongly deny the possibility?
  1. This is the weakness, the flaw I want you to see: Peter had enormous confidence in Peter.
  2. Peter’s confidence was not in Jesus, but in his own personal strength.
  3. Peter had great faith in himself.
    1. He trusted his commitment.
    2. He trusted his loyalty.
    3. He trusted his judgment.
    4. He trusted his strength.
    5. He was so confident in himself he could not imagine a situation too big for him to handle.
  4. He genuinely, devoutly believed in Jesus, but he believed in himself more.
With all of Peter’s confidence in himself, it happened.
1. It happened exactly as Jesus said it would.
  1. Judas came with soldiers and betrayed Jesus.
  2. Jesus was arrested as if he were a common criminal.
  3. Peter in his own way tried to stop it from happening, and Jesus stopped him.
  4. Everyone, including Peter, fled.
  5. The Jewish trial began.
  6. A timid, scared, bewildered Peter came to the trial quietly.
  7. Peter was recognized.
  8. Three times he denied even knowing Jesus, the last time with cursing and swearing.
2. The third time the cock crowed.
  1. Jesus looked at him.
  2. Shattered, crushed, inwardly destroyed, Peter fled into the night.
  3. He wept bitterly–I doubt any man ever cried harder with more anguish, frustration, and despair.
  4. I wonder how Peter felt for 3 days before Jesus’ resurrection.
3. I am confident of this truth: for every Christian who dares to grow and mature in Jesus Christ, there will come a moment when the cock will crow for us as well.
  1. Satan’s most powerful weapon against the spiritually strong is to attack their confidence in themselves.
  2. Just as Peter could not be told of the danger, the spiritual mature of today resist that knowledge.
  3. It is essential that every spiritually mature person have self-confidence.
  4. It is also essential that he/she not place his/her faith in his/her self-confidence.
  5. Ironically, the stronger and more mature a person becomes, the easier it is for us to feel like we are taking care of the Lord instead of him taking care of us.
  6. Inevitable we will be tested in ways we never dreamed we would be.
  7. As a result we often make mistakes we never thought we were capable of making.
  8. When the cock crowed for Peter, he wept, was broken, retreated in confusion, but ultimately let the Lord put him together again to be an even stronger servant.
  9. What will we do when the cock crows for us?
    1. Quit?
    2. Be a permanent critic or negative evaluator?
    3. Never exert ourselves again?
    4. Never serve again?
    5. Be hurt, frustrated, and jealous?
    6. Or, let the Lord put us together again, learn from our mistakes, and serve mightily?

A person cannot be told to trust in God instead of himself/herself. A person must learn to trust in God instead of himself/herself. The irony is this: we usually learn that truth when we think we are already trusting the Lord instead of ourselves. I am confident that if we had interviewed Peter just prior to the events of Gethsemane and after and asked if his faith was in the Lord, he would have replied indignantly, "Of course! Why do you think I follow him, serve him, and sacrifice for him?" Though Peter was sure his confidence was in Jesus, it was actually in Peter. It was only when the cock crew that Peter saw that truth.

There is a lot of Peter in all of us. What about you? Is your confidence in God or yourself?

God’s Fingerprints

Posted by David on November 16, 2006 under Bulletin Articles

David and Joyce on 12 Nov 2006 There is no way Joyce and I could begin to thank you for the many, many kindnesses of last Sunday. The thoughts, written notes, and vocal expressions of love and appreciation touched us. We are delighted my mother was here to witness your love and kindness. Many times she said, “This is the best possible place you could be.” Thank you for the love that provided her so much joy and reassurance, and provided us so much gratitude.

When I think back a decade to the time we considered moving here, I recall critical blessings. I think of Duane and Marquetta Walker’s role in our coming. They opened the “possibility door.” I think of Jim and Deborah Wilson’s assurances. [These four were the only adults we knew in this area.] I think of the elders’ constant encouragements and their willingness to hire a 56 year-old man. I think of the Oxford visit made by the Matt Griffins and the Paul Shirleys. I think of all the potential for growth and development God placed here.

As I think of beginning our work together, I think of Helen Pratt’s assistance. I think of the countless ways Brad Pistole helped me. I think of Roy Dunavin’s encouragements. I think of the endless help of the secretaries. I think of your personal prayers and encouragements. I think of how quickly all of you made us feel “at home.”

Joyce and David on 12 Nov 2006 Several asked if we were leaving. I asked, “Do you know something I do not know?” Joyce and I hope to be a part of you for a long time. As the last year and a half has proven to me, none of us know what lies ahead. At this time, we have no plans to leave West-Ark. I told several they could nickname me “velcro.” I have no doubt that my role will change, but we hope to continue to be part of you.

We feel blessed and humbled to be a part of you. We thank God that we have been and are blessed by all who have been part of our lives the last ten years! No congregation will ever be perfect, but opportunities always will increase if we are devoted to God’s purposes in Jesus Christ. Because we are, may God always be praised and honored!

Ephesians 4:30 “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23 “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Joy Is Contagious!

Posted by David on November 9, 2006 under Bulletin Articles

When Paul wrote those encouragements to the Christians at Thessalonica, the situation in that Christian community was not wonderful with a rosy physical outlook. Though Paul, as he often did, opened his letter with words of encouragement and appreciation, it is obvious in chapter 2 that some in the Christian community attacked Paul’s original motives for planting the church there. In chapter 3 Paul even explained why he sent Timothy back to them when his company had to leave hastily (Acts 17:1-10). In chapter 4 Paul warned them against sexual immorality and challenged them to continue growth in love. He also urged them not to grieve as godless people grieved. There actually were some Christians who thought death prevented a Christian from receiving God’s blessings in Christ. In chapter 5 there was serious confusion about the end of time, about proper attitudes toward leaders, and about treatment of Christians who made mistakes.

2 Thessalonians revealed the situation continued to be bad. There was suffering (1:5) with the encouragement to leave retribution in God’s hands. There was continuing confusion about Jesus’ return (2:1-5), Christians deliberately living ungodly lives (3:6-9), Christians refusing to provide for themselves (3:10-15), and gossips among them (the same reference).

To these Christians in these circumstances, Paul encouraged rejoicing. To me, that suggests two insights into Christian rejoicing. (1) Our rejoicing results from being in Christ, (2) not from wonderful physical things happening in our lives.

Three weeks ago a couple asked me why I was so happy. My first internal reaction was that I was not aware of being happy-I was just being me. After time to reflect, I wondered, “Why shouldn’t I be happy?” I have a wonderful wife who loves me. I have children who care about me. I have an extended family who is supportive. I have more caring friends than I deserve. I am part of a congregation that tirelessly encourages me. I have a spiritual leadership who provides me opportunity. I have an understanding God who forgives me. I have a Savior who strengthens me. I likely know as much about my future as anyone knows. Would I be happier if I did not have and enjoy that?

Would that every Christian (man; woman; teen) would say seriously, “My desire is for you to be a better person because you know me.” Husbands would be better husbands; wives would be better wives; children would be better children; friends would be better friends; neighbors would be better neighbors; communities would be better communities; Christians would be better Christians; congregations would be better congregations.

The results? God would be glorified. Christ would be served. We would grow.

Be happy in Christ! May people be encouraged because they know you!

My Child and My Faith

Posted by David on October 30, 2006 under Sermons

Did you hear about the family with a 5 year old daughter who moved to a new job in a new community? The first Sunday they were in their new home, they worshipped with the church in their new community. They took their 5 year old daughter to her class with this note safety pinned to her sweater. It read: "The opinions expressed by this child concerning God and the Bible may not necessarily represent those of her mother and father."

I imagine every Sunday school teacher can identify with the problems of those parents. While amusing, that story also touches on a sad, often tragic reality. Too often the daughter of 5 grows to a young lady of 18 without being influenced by her parents. Parents often talk about the difficulty of being a parent today. Commonly we parents forget how difficult it is to be a child today. For parents genuinely concerned about the spirituality of their children, our lack of awareness often makes childhood tougher than it should be on our children. Could it be that too often our concern is more about ourselves as parents and not enough about our children?

Do you consider the quantity of anti-spiritual input that goes into our children’s lives every week? For example, do you actually know what your child watches on TV? Do you really know the content or the language? In a week’s time, how often will your child see a woman seduce a man or a man abuse a woman? How many sexual scenes will he or she see? How many rapes will he or she witness? How often will they see a person get high or drunk? How many times will they see drunkenness or drugs presented as the keys to pleasure and good times? How many night club or stripper scenes will he or she see? How many beer commercials featuring a prominent personality will he or she see? How many times will he or she see prostitution presented as a desirable lifestyle? How many people will they see shot, stabbed, strangled, abused, run over, or drowned? How many creative illegal acts will he or she witness? How tempted will he or she be to consider such occurrences as innocent and normal portrayals of life?

Want an informative experiment? First, ask your child the title of his or her favorite movie. Ask for an honest answer with the assurance there will be no reaction from you. (This is for discovery, not for reprimand.) Second, rent the movie for you and your spouse. Third, in privacy, watch the movie with your spouse. Fourth, have one of you write down all objectionable words. Have the other note all the objectionable scenes. After the movie, ask each other what you thought. (Remember, this is not to censor the child, but to inform the parents.)

In the course of one week, how many curse words do you think your child hears? Would you know what all the words mean? How many sexually explicit terms and words do you think they hear? How many vulgar jokes and tales of sensual exploits do you think they hear?

Does your child voluntarily talk to you about the things they hear? When we returned from 4 years in West Africa, one of our children said, "I did not know any curse words when we came back. I did not know what my friends were saying." When he talked to us, he knew what they were saying.

We cannot end all the anti-spiritual input into our children’s lives. Yet, we need to control anti-spiritual input when we can. However, mere control of anti-spiritual input will not solve our children’s spiritual problems. The essential question is this: what spiritual input are we giving our children to counter the anti-spiritual influences?

Today, consider perpetuating our faith in our children.

What do you want for your child spiritually? (There are commonly three basic approaches to answering that question.)
1. First approach: this is what I call the naive approach to spiritual influence.
  1. The characteristic statement of this approach: "I want my children to make up their own minds about religion when they are grown. I do not wish to impose my spiritual values on them."
  2. I know of no greater disadvantage parents can impose on their children than willfully refusing to provide their children with spiritual guidance when they are incapable of guiding themselves.
  3. I call this the naive approach for a number of reasons.
    1. One, it blindly assumes that there is no anti-spiritual influence exerted on the child or children.
    2. Two, it assumes the child or children will make an unprejudiced decision at or after 18 years of age.
      1. The truth is he or she will live for the most important 18 years of his or her life with only anti-spiritual values and perspectives.
      2. By the time the child reaches the point of "adult decision," the decision already has been made (likely long ago).
    3. Three, no matter how much you teach and influence, the child will modify (at least) your guidance after leaving home.
      1. In spite of your teaching and influence, your child will make up his/her own mind about spiritual commitment after he/she leaves your home.
      2. No one can "program" one’s child for a spiritual adult existence.
      3. Even with your best efforts, your child will face temptations and disadvantages in an anti-spiritual culture and world.
    4. Four, a refusal to give spiritual guidance is just as much a parental influence as is a decision to provide spiritual guidance–both approaches are guidance that influences one’s spiritual values.
  4. I am thankful my parents taught and influenced me!
  5. After spending my life learning from Bible study and experience, I certainly want my children to profit positively from those influences in my life.
  6. If spirituality in Christ is worthy of guiding my life, it is worthy of guiding their lives.
2. The second approach: it is the "limited emphasis" approach to spiritual influence.
  1. Basically, this approach is voiced in the concept, "I want to introduce my children to religion."
  2. The primary concern becomes, "We do not want to be too religious; we do not wish to overdo a spiritual emphasis."
  3. The child is taught, "You ought to go to church once in a while."
  4. When as an adolescent he/she asks the "why" questions, the answer basically is, "You just ought to."
  5. Often this approach leads to a rejection of spirituality as a meaningless obligation.
3. The third approach: it is the spiritual foundation approach.
  1. Spirituality is a way of life (not just a religion) that surrounds the child.
  2. He or she is taught to do spiritual things long before he or she understands spiritual ways.
  3. When he or she reaches an age of understanding, he or she is encouraged to ask why and understand why.
  4. The child is taught how to live for God, not merely a religion.
  5. Great emphasis is given to developing relationships, accepting personal responsibility, and understanding values.
  6. The objective is to enable the child to grow into a spiritual person.
While there are numerous variations of these approaches, I urge you to evaluate your own approach.
1. Evaluation one: what priority does spiritual development have in your system of values you teach your child?
  1. If the choice is between school work and worship or Bible study, which is the priority?
  2. Is it understood that we will assemble with like-minded people to worship or study, or is it a weekly decision?
  3. Does your child get as much encouragement to be a dependable part of the spiritual education program as he or she gets to excel in extracurricular activities?
  4. If the choice is between fun and spirituality, what choice is made?
  5. My point is not an "either-or" decision.
    1. My point is what are the values and priorities you are teaching them?
    2. Is there a difference in what you tell them and what you show them?
2. Evaluation two: what spiritual environment do your children live in?
  1. Do you show them the joy of worship or the duty of assembly?
  2. Do you prepare to worship, or do you "get it out of the way"?
  3. Do you speak of Christian involvement as an opportunity and privilege or as an irritating drudgery?
  4. Do you show them Christian work is a part of our nature, or do you teach them to do just enough to avoid criticism?
  5. Are you challenging them by your example to view spiritual things as negative and critical or positive and encouraging?
  6. Do you encourage them to get Bible lessons?
  7. Do you see them read the Bible? pray?
  8. Do they see you read the Bible? pray?
  9. Do you discuss your spiritual hopes for them?
  10. How would you react if he or she seriously told you, "I want to be a missionary!"
3. Evaluation three: is spirituality seen in your family relationships?
  1. Dads, have your daughters ever said, "I want to marry a man like you?"
  2. Moms, have sons ever said, "I want a wife like you?"
  3. Have you heard them speak of things happening in other families they are glad do not happen in your family?
  4. Do they see the joy Mom and Dad find in each other?
  5. Do they hear Mom and Dad tell each other they love each other?
  6. Do they see the affection expressed?
  7. Do they ever hug you?
  8. When is the last time you told your child you loved them?
  9. Is your spirituality all external store front with emptiness inside, or does it bless the whole family?
Scripture bears certain testimony that the spiritual guidance of children primarily rest in the hand of parents.
1. Moses stated these words to Israel in Deuteronomy 6:6-9, "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
2. Paul wrote of the unpretended faith in Timothy that first existed in his mother and grandmother in 2 Timothy 1:5, "For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well."
3. Later, in the same writing he reminded Timothy of his spiritual teaching in 2 Timothy 3:15, "… From childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
4. I value God’s thoughts about Abraham in Genesis 18:19, "For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.”
How can I help my child toward a spiritual life?
1. We can begin by facing facts.
  1. Fact 1: if our children are to be spiritual adults, they must learn to live in an ungodly society with confidence in God.
    1. We cannot hide them from all ungodliness in our society (no matter what approach we take).
    2. We must teach them to cope in ungodly situations.
  2. Fact 2: we must have enough faith in God to teach faith to our children with confidence.
  3. Fact 3: we must approach our task as parents knowing Christian parents have the ability and strength in Christ to train children to be Christians.
2. We must use a positive approach in spiritually training our children.
  1. Pray for guidance in specific situations daily.
  2. Be extremely cautious about discussing weakness in the church or other Christians in the presence of your children.
    1. Do not teach your children a negative view of spirituality.
    2. Teach them to be compassionate with grace and mercy (as is God), not to be distrustful–all humans have flaws and make mistakes!
  3. When they are capable of understanding, teach them spiritual reasons, standards, and responsibility.
  4. Always be honest with them.
  5. Reassure them that they can talk to you without fear.
  6. Create circumstances that promote spiritual involvement.
  7. Compliment honestly and encourage sincerely.
  8. Help them discover the joy of being spiritual rather than just a necessity to be spiritual.
  9. Help them value godly living in Christ by noting the joys and benefits of godly living.
3. Take advantage of spiritual opportunities designed to assist parents.
  1. Usually, a congregation’s education program for its children is among its major investments.
  2. Make Bible study a priority, not a convenience item.
  3. Make preparation for Bible study a family commitment.
  4. Talk to your children about what they are learning and reinforce insights.
  5. Expect to learn and do not be content merely to go to classes and worship.

I am not an authority on rearing children, and I know the challenge is enormous. Success is not guaranteed even with our best efforts. Ultimately, as adults, our children will decide the role God serves in their lives–just like you did! The most important thing you provide your child is your example, in every life situation from moments of frustration and failure to moments of joy. Let them see Christ’s influence in your life in every situation!

Challenge your children to be committed, involved people who love the Lord!

Family Meetings

Posted by David on October 26, 2006 under Bulletin Articles

I once visited two countries that regarded personal opinions as dangerous. In one, people were reserved in public. In the other, people were publicly mute-even people in large cities walked silently as if they had no friends (they were privately warm and gracious). Many could cause harm, but no one could help you. Thus, publicly, it was best to say nothing.

I once observed voting where all candidates were pre-selected and pre-approved. The vote only said a citizen agreed with the choice. Though many could not vote, over 95% of the population agreed with the selections. In the absence of voter registration, voters were marked with water soluble ink easily washed off outside a polling site.

A good friend, a citizen, explained the situation in this way: “We are not ready for two-party Democracy, so we just have one party. No one wants to vote twice-why would he or she do so?” When I asked what happened if you disagreed, the friend said you might disappear. Thus the only choices were agree or keep silent.

Imagine living in such places! If we did, situations would change quickly and radically! We think too little about our freedoms and their contribution to our daily lives. When was the last time you were literally afraid to voice an opinion? More people live in the three situations I described than in our situation! Yet, we seem to endorse apathy.

West-Ark is far from perfect, but it is often unique as we seek to grow towards God’s priorities and concepts. One such uniqueness is having a leadership who values our input. Their task is enormous! Often important factors in a decision are not evident. Perfect men? No! Caring men? Yes! Men who carefully consider what you say? Yes!

In a lifetime of preaching, the most constant complaint I heard regarding leaders was this: “They never want input! They never listen to the congregation!” At least four times yearly your leaders provide opportunity for public input. They want and seek it as they listen! The purposes of the Family Meetings are two fold: (1) to inform you; and (2) to solicit your input. Is it at times less than stimulating? Yes, but so is leading. Rarely will it be “Hurrah” material. Often it is direction material. Always, your input is wanted.

Please do not respond with apathy and silence. Come not only this Sunday night, but to all Family Meetings. Say, “Thanks,” with your voice and your presence! Ignorance is the same whether uninformed, apathetic, or unlearned. Ignorance is ignorance, regardless of its cause. Your leaders say you matter. What do you say?

Addressing the Spiritual Needs of Our Children

Posted by David on October 24, 2006 under Sermons

The Churches of Christ always have emphasized the importance of spiritual growth in our young people. I have never heard members of a congregation reject the necessity of providing quality spiritual training and guidance for our children. Verbally, we endorse the urgency of maximum spiritual involvement for our children.

In taking a strong verbal stand, we direct ourselves and others to relevant, significant scriptures, such as Moses’ instructions to Israel in Deuteronomy 6:4-7: "Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."

Or the words or Ecclesiastes 12:1 "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have no delight in them.'”

We often have stressed Jesus’ knowledge of scripture and spiritual interest when he was 12 years old. Luke 2:41-52 emphasized the fact the he spent 3 days with adult teachers of God’s law discussing, answering, and asking questions. Luke concluded his report on the incident by saying, And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52).

We site Paul’s words to Timothy: "For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well" (2 Timothy 1:5). Someone said, "If you want to give the world a Timothy, start with the faith of a grandmother."

A statement you commonly heard in Churches of Christ for years was: "We dare not spiritually neglect our children, for they are the church of tomorrow." What is meant by "the church of tomorrow?" If we mean the distant future, we are wrong. In our rapidly changing world, they are the church of the immediate future. Check the ages of those who dare to be missionaries today in dangerous places. Check the ages of "new" preachers. Check the ages of those who now accept kingdom challenges. Most of them are young and are doing things 40 year olds would not dream of attempting. It is the young adults who are our energy, our enthusiasm, our spirit of commitment, and our acceptors of challenging situations now. They are the ones who dare to accept challenges that confuse most of us over 40!

Consider a desire and concern in most generations of parents.
1. It is the desire to work earnestly with our children.
  1. It is the desire for increased spiritual support and encouragement for our children.
  2. It is the desire for a better coordinated spiritual effort for our children.
  3. It is the desire to better meet their spiritual needs.
2. Let me be specific:
  1. It is not the feeling that nothing has been done, but the desire to be more effective.
  2. Two reasons fuel that desire.
    1. First is the enormous need.
    2. Second is the incredible challenge.
The need for developing this area of work is real, not manufactured.
1. Consider a painful, disturbing reality.
  1. Remember all the sons and daughters you know who grew up in this congregation but who are not faithful Christians.
  2. After a person passes adolescence, the probability of him or her becoming a Christian radically declines.
  3. The battle is won or lost before he or she leaves home and his or her home congregation.
2. The work of building faith in the hearts and minds of our children is involved and complex.
  1. Nothing can program it or guarantee it.
  2. Our children will for their own reasons accept or reject God.
  3. There is much we can do to help and encourage, but little we can do to force a serious decision on them.
  4. If we reduce conversion to only a matter of control, we eliminate faith as a factor in conversion.
3. We surely have a significant opportunity to produce a more fruitful work in our children’s lives.
  1. We also spiritually can touch and influence many of their friends’ lives.
  2. Yet, we must clearly understand there are no magical solutions.
A part of the puzzle can be a devout, effective youth minister.
1. What is the basic job description of such a person?
  1. He must be a prepared teacher teaching meaningful classes.
  2. He must be a good coordinator.
    1. Not only must he plan a solid program of balanced activities,
    2. But he must also coordinate parent and adult involvement.
  3. While he will seek to implement major involvement projects annually, he must have adult involvement and help.
  4. There always will be more work than one person can do!
2. Some realities need to be clearly understood.
  1. Just because we have a capable youth minister does not mean a wonderful work blossoms.
    1. It takes time to develop a successful work–sometimes a long time.
    2. It also takes interested, reliable parents and adults.
    3. It takes children who are willing to get involved.
    4. It must be encouraged to grow and develop naturally–no "quick fixes."
    5. Without exception, it takes hard work.
  2. The work of a good youth minister is difficult work.
    1. It is easy to have too many outside expectations and priorities! It is easy for everyone to be a critic!
    2. The different value systems of different families can create some interesting lists of "most important things" and generate some incompatible agendas.
    3. Different family concerns easily can produce conflicting priorities.
    4. Opportunity for good work demands flexibility among parents, a cooperative spirit, and a willingness to reach compromises.
    5. It is impossible to please everyone or do everything.
  3. There must be a realistic understanding of his needs.
    1. Youth minister work is commonly a high-expense work.
      1. Often he takes youth to places that he (and his wife) are expected to pay costs he really cannot afford.
      2. Too many congregations never think about what it costs him to do what they want him to do.
    2. As an adult, he needs some adult association in his life.
      1. Not even a loving parent desires to spend all his or her time with their kids.
      2. He often spends more time with kids than their parents spend with them.
    3. While it appears he spends lots of time playing, playing and late hours are a part of his work.
      1. Chaperons rarely consider their chaperoning work as play time!
      2. There is too much responsibility and energy involved for it to be play!
    4. He needs some time away from kids to care for his own family.
      1. He likely never has weekends or holidays.
      2. If he is not careful, there is never a time that belongs to his family.
      3. He needs help, not criticism–workable suggestions, not condemnation.
3. When hiring such a person, congregations need to understand he looks at us while we look at him.
  1. Is it obvious that we regard his work as important?
  2. Is it obvious that our expectations are reasonable?
  3. Is it obvious that leadership will be encouraging, supportive, and understanding?
  4. Is it obvious there is a broad base of parental involvement and support?

(Show of hands) How many parents are here who have grown children, no longer living at home? (Reflective question) Do you think it is easier today to be an effective Christian parent of a 13-year-old than it was when your children were 13? I freely confess I do not.

There is less godly influence in every area of today’s children’s lives than in the past. Ungodly peer pressure is greater. Our society is sending more mixed signals on every moral issue from drugs to sex, from abortion to honesty. Today there are harder moral decisions that must be made at a much earlier age. There are fewer sources of godly encouragement now than there ever has been.

I know most of you agree–I have heard too many grandparents worrying about their grandchildren. Today’s adolescent faces moral issues, hard decisions, and conflicting choices that were non-existent in college a few decades ago.

We need to be more creative in providing them help than our society is in producing troublesome choices for them. I challenge you to be an active part of the solution!

Perhaps the Hardest Thing to Believe

Posted by David on October 19, 2006 under Bulletin Articles

No more! Now ?casual’ is the appropriate attire on many occasions, and ?casual’ is defined by the one who wears-not the occasion. We used to show respect by what we wore. If most of us declare anything by our clothing now, wonder what it is?

When God looks on us, He sees us for what we are. Clothing does not hide sin or conceal faithlessness. God sees character flaws, not skin blemishes. He sees the negative emotions we try to hide. He sees lousy attitudes we conceal. He sees genuine heart motives. Every moment of every day in every situation, He sees the ?real me’.

The only being in the whole world that knows the total truth about us as individuals is God. Our wife or our husband knows us well, but not like God does. Our kids know many of our inconsistencies, but God knows all of them. Our best friend knows our imperfections, but not as accurately as God knows. He knows all we think. He knows the correct answer to every ?why’? He knows the actual motives in every situation-even when we manage to deceive ourselves. He even knows the controlled but unsaid.

Yet, the most amazing thing is this: He has all that accurate knowledge of us as individuals, and He still loves each of us as a person. He is able to forgive me when I cannot forgive myself. He can forget what I did when I cannot. He can ignore weaknesses that haunt me. When I fail, He will let me begin again as if I never made the mistake. When I absolutely hold myself in contempt, He still cares about me.

When I arrogantly claim I am not responsible for my faults, He can inform me of the worst thing I have done-yet, He still loves me. When I condemn others for their flaws, He shakes His head and, in love, hopes I repent (He sees the two-by-four in my eye while I look at specks in your eye). He sees my anxieties when I justify them, and, in love, hopes I heed Jesus’ call to come to him. He saves me in all my imperfections because He loves me. He asks of us but three core things: (a) let Him be our measuring stick; (b) trust what He did for us in Christ; and (c) love Him in return for His love for us. Being flawless is not a divine expectation. Human flawlessness is never an option.

All I can do is trust Him to love me as much as He says He does. My mistakes may be bigger than your ability to forgive me. However, my mistakes are never bigger than His forgiveness. He can actually love me when I refuse to love myself.

Perhaps this is the greatest expression of faith: to believe God loves me as much as He says He does. Only then will I forgive me because He first forgave me.

The Power of Christian Encouragement

Posted by David on October 12, 2006 under Bulletin Articles

“Those were the good old days! Ah, what wonderful memories of past times! When only Jews and proselytes were Christians (Acts 2:10), there was not all the ‘baggage’ those gentile Christians who were former idol worshippers brought into the church. There were only us Jewish and proselyte Christians who knew who God was and understood His spiritual priorities! Now those were the days when you understood the need for suffering and solidarity with fellow believers (see Hebrews 10:32-34).

“But times change! Now the Jewish community wants to force us Jewish Christians completely out! Back in the ?good old days’ it was tough, but we could be both Jews and Christians! No more! Now we must make a choice-we must be one or the other, but not both! There surely is a lot to lose if we are ostracized from the Jewish community!

“We separated ourselves from the Christian community-we did not associate with Christians, go to Christian fellowships, or even worship where Christians were (Hebrews 10:25). Though we were sacrificial Christians, it reached the point it just was not worth it. We were so discouraged we seriously considered quitting the Christian community completely!”

There has never been an age or a culture/society in which it was simple and easy to commit to Jesus Christ! In all ages at all places there were moments of powerful discouragement-even in the early church!

Every Christian has two responsibilities to fill in commitment to Jesus Christ. The first: be a living example of what it means to place faith in Christ. Let your life be a model to those who do not believe, do not just tell them or say “Amen” when others tell them. The second: encourage those who are committed and those who struggle with their commitment. We struggle in an evil world that at times seems to have the advantage. We have enough to contend with without having to contend with each other. All of us need encouragement from each other, not discouragement.

Our Ministry Fair last Sunday was a powerful avenue of encouragement! What an obvious pooling of talent and gifts! It took no imagination to see the multitude blessed by all those efforts! Please use your gifts and talents to benefit others! Not only will those needing help be blessed, but those who are committed will be encouraged. And the cherry on top is this: God will never forget what you do!

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints (Hebrews 6:10).

Showing People Jesus

Posted by David on October 11, 2006 under Sermons

Occasionally we sing a beautiful song entitled, "Have You Seen Jesus, My Lord?" It begins by asking a question and making a statement. "Have you seen Jesus, my Lord? He’s standing here in full view." The song asks if you have seen a beautiful display in nature, or a family who loves each other, or Jesus’ cross? It responds by saying if you have seen those things, you have seen Jesus my Lord.

The song says Jesus is the power behind creation, the force that makes loving relationships possible, and the one who in total self-surrender and complete love gave his life for us.

That thought is quite Biblical. When Paul expanded the awareness of Jesus among Colossian Christians, he said, (Colossians 1:16,17) “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

When Paul taught the Ephesian Christians about the kind of love and respect that should exist between Christians, he said, (Ephesians 4:24,25) "…put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another."

My point is not the suggestion that the only way one sees Jesus is through such evidences. My point: one perceives the reality of Jesus’ existence in daily terms by considering such evidences.

At this moment, people need to be shown Jesus. If you are a Christian, one of the greatest gifts you can give your community and nation is helping people see Jesus.

A basic understanding stressed to first century Christians: if an idolatrous world is to see Jesus, the individual Christian must show the world Jesus.
1. Jesus must be obvious in the lives of the earliest Christians.
  1. When Peter and John stood on trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin, they "took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13).
  2. Paul, who discussed the fact that the priceless gospel was communicated through frail human beings, said in 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
    1. God used weak humans to declare the power was not in a person’s unique ability, but in God.
    2. For that reason, they endured hardships without those hardships destroying their faith or Christian lifestyle.
    3. They were not ashamed to find their strength in the body of one killed in a disgraceful manner, a manner reserved for the worst criminals.
    4. It was their lack of shame regarding Jesus’ death that showed the power of Jesus’ resurrection.
    5. They were consciously using their lives to reveal Jesus was the Christ.
  3. That insight adds depth of meaning to two other statements:
    1. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
    2. Galatians 6:17 From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.
2. The Christian was to understand that being in Christ also meant Christ was in him/her.
  1. Galatians 3:27, For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
  2. Romans 8:10, If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
  3. Colossians 1:27, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
  4. 2 Corinthians 13:5, Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-unless indeed you fail the test?
3. If Christ’s influence in the Christian’s life is obvious, then the Christian’s life should be a powerful way to teach people about Christ.
  1. If Christ lives in me, you should be able to know something about Christ by knowing me.
  2. My life should make Jesus’ nature evident.
  3. You should see Christ in me in the way I respond to success and failure.
I say without hesitation that the greatest misconception in today’s America is misconception about Jesus.
1. Surely there are enormous misconceptions regarding Jesus’ church.
2. However, one of the significant misconceptions we have about people is this: "We do not need to teach about Jesus because everyone knows about Jesus."
  1. "We need to teach about things people do not understand."
  2. "People know about Jesus."
3. When we are convinced that everyone knows about Jesus, one of two things is true of us.
  1. Either we misunderstand what the Bible means by ‘the knowledge of Jesus.’
  2. Or we have such limited contact with people we do not know how extensive ignorance about Jesus is.
4. Believing in a historical fact and knowing Jesus are entirely different things.
  1. I can know that Jesus lived, died, was resurrected, and taught some important lessons, and still know nothing about Jesus.
  2. For example, ask, "Do you know David Chadwell?"
    1. A person can say, "Yes. He lives here. He is a preacher in town." Yet, he does not know me–he just knows I live here.
    2. Or he can answer, "Yes. We are friends who do many things together." He knows me as a person.
    3. Scripture does not want us to know Jesus as a fact but as a person.
The greatest article of faith in Christianity is the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
1. The greatest issue in Jesus’ Lordship is his Lordship over our lives.
  1. If you do not know Jesus, you will not let him rule your life.
  2. You cannot let him be Lord of your life if you do not know him.
2. A fundamental commitment to spiritual existence is showing people Jesus.
  1. That is one of our basic Christian purposes.
  2. We show people Jesus in two basic ways.
    1. We let them see him in our lives.
    2. We share him with others.
  3. Those two ways cannot be separated–people who do not see him in us do not want us to tell them about him.
3. Your greatest task as a Christian is to show people Jesus.
  1. "Where?"
    1. In the classroom and on the job.
    2. In your joy, your pleasure, and your triumph.
    3. In your pain, grief, distress, and hardship.
    4. In your confidence and doubt, your good days and bad days.
    5. When you fail, make mistakes, sin.
  2. "How do I do that?"
    1. By making it evident the Jesus is part of all that occurs in your life.
    2. By demonstrating that the way you act everyday is determined by Jesus.
    3. By showing the way you work is determined by Jesus.
    4. By making it obvious that the way you find pleasure is determined by Jesus.
    5. By letting Jesus’ values determine the way you treat all people including family, friends, boss, and enemies.
    6. By showing that the way you deal with personal mistakes, failures, and sins is determined by Jesus.
    7. Whatever happens in your life is determined by Jesus.
  3. There are many poor motives for doing right things.
    1. The basic motive of "being a member of the Church of Christ" is a poor motive.
    2. To say without insight, "Right is right, and wrong is wrong," is a poor motive.
    3. Doing something "because I do not want to go to hell" is an immature motive.
    4. To do something "because that is what my preacher/teacher taught me" is an inferior reason.
    5. To do something because "that is where my parents stood" is an immature motive.
4. The ultimate, mature reason for doing anything is this: "Jesus is Lord of my life."
  1. Loving Jesus,
  2. Being committed to Jesus,
  3. Living in the spirit of Jesus,
  4. Seeing God and life through Jesus’ eyes,
  5. Desiring to have Jesus’ mind and heart,
  6. That is the greatest reason for doing anything we do as Christians.
5. When Jesus is our reason for living, for being, for deciding, and for serving, we show people Jesus in our lives.
  1. I do not want anyone to think I do something because I am a preacher, or "that is my job," or I am a member of the Church of Christ.
  2. I want people to understand I do what I do because Jesus is my Lord.
  3. I want people to know that they cannot understand me without understanding that Jesus is my Lord.
  4. That is what I want for you in your life.

We are surrounded by people searching for meaning. We are surrounded by people who are religious but are empty and hollow. We are surrounded by people who look for more than words, or emotionalism, or ritual, or fear. We must dare to show people Jesus in our lives. Only then will they see the uniqueness of Christianity.

People often dismiss our words. They often dismiss our religious concerns. But they cannot dismiss a genuine, sincere life. It is in our lives they see the power of Jesus.

Will you use your life to show your community Jesus?

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