As You Are Going

In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus Christ gives one of the most important commands recorded in scripture. We know this all familiar scripture passage as the "Great Commission." During a brief reading session this morning, I was reminded of the meaning behind the word "Go". In fact, I learned this nugget of truth years ago but simply forgot about its importance. Due to the nature of the word "Go", one can translate this word in the original text as "going" or "as you go". Why is that literal translation significant? When Jesus Christ was giving this command to His disciple’s right before He ascended into heaven, He wanted to stress to them the utmost importance of "making disciples" as they went about their daily lives. For the Christian, the act of discipling others is a command, not a mere option. Furthermore, this process hasn't been designed for only Church leadership or Clergy, but for all men and women who has been saved by the blood of the Lamb. It isn't something that we do exclusively at church or at Bible Study. The process of discipleship, when done biblically, is accomplished every day of the week, no matter what time it is or what is going on in one’s life. As God's Church, if we desire to take this command seriously, we must be in the process of making disciples "as we go" throughout our lives. My wife and I, along with Abigail, are excited to unite with you all this summer. We know that God is going to use us collectively as a team to fulfill the great Commission for his glory. As you go throughout your home…Make Disciples! As you go throughout your work place…Make Disciples! As you go throughout your city…Make Disciples! As you go overseas...Make Disciples!As you go to the Gas Station...Make Disciples! As you go out to eat…Make Disciples! As you go….I think you get the point. Finally, be encouraged that at the conclusion of the Great Commission Jesus writes “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I Approve This Message?

If you turn on the television today, you will eventually see an advertisement by one of the Presidential candidates supporting their campaign or attacking someone else’s. At the conclusion of the ad, the candidate says "I'm .....and I approve this message". This concluding statement, while rather corny in my opinion, got me thinking.

As a communicator of God's truth, I long for God to approve my message to the world and to his Church. Sadly, many pastors who stand behind GOD'S PULPIT waste the time that they have and do not preach the Word of God in an unadulterated and undiluted manner. They choose to preach messages that lack true biblical content and appeal exclusively to one's feelings while providing a myriad of illustrations in hopes to make the congregation laugh and feel good about themselves. While God has challenged me to pray for these Pastors rather than speak gossip about them, I have been internally challenged to be different and to utilize the time God has given me behind his pulpit. Please pray that I will, according to 2 Timothy 2:15 "Be diligent to present myself APPROVED to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." According to scholars, the word "approved" means "proven to be worthy after testing". John Macarthur says "What is the goal of the teacher? To make a maximum effort so he might someday stand alongside God unashamed because he has proven himself to be worthy". Now, there is one more nugget of truth that I want to bring to light through this well known scripture passage. The phrase "rightly dividing the word of truth” refers to "cutting a straight line". For a preacher to "cut a straight line", he must preach the Word, not his opinion. The Apostle Paul spent hours and hours a day laboring to make tents. In order to make these tents, he had to utilize animal hides, skins, and other materials. He had to meticulously cut these materials in order to piece together a successful tent. At times, logic would tell us that he had to cut straight lines in order for each piece of material to line up together. It took many hours and wasn't an easy task. Just as Paul had to pay attention to detail, cut straight lines, and work extremely hard to put together a tent, I have been challenged to exhaust myself in the meticulous study of God's Word and prayer. In addition, I long to "cut straight lines" when I have the opportunity to preach. Why? The scripture commands me too. The Apostle Paul, in the midst of false teaching and heresy, commands his young protege in the faith, Timtothy, to "cut straight lines" when he handles the Word of God.

As a preacher, it's not about the illustrations and 3-point sermons we provide, even though they can be effective, it's about exalting the God behind and in every word and command written in the precious scriptures. Please pray that I am diligent in studying the scriptures so that I can "cut a straight line" while preaching God’s truth. Furthermore, pray that I will saturate every message in prayer. Finally, please pray that my heart is humbled and that the Holy Spirit fills me and guides me behind the pulpit.

Consider Him

Today my wife and I are celebrating our 2 year anniversary. Wooo-Hooooo! We are going to be eating dinner at the Melting Pot and I am dreaming of a Filet Mignon as I type this post. Anyways, over the past two years, my wife has exemplified Godly virtue and has consistently been the greatest and most loving wife. I couldn't ask for a more beautiful and virtuous woman. In times of solitude, I often remember how blessed I am to be married to my wife. I think upon her inward and outward beauty, her kindness, her compassion, her patience, her love, and all of the other attributes that amaze me. As a husband, it is extremely healthy for me to remember and reflect upon the blessing that God has given to me in my wife. As I do this, I am compelled and challenged to be the Ephesians 5 husband that God has commanded me to be.

As believers, it is healthy for us to remember and "consider Him". What do I mean by that? Just the other day, I was studying Hebrews 12. In verse 3, the author writes "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." As a husband, it is easy to become unmotivated and lazy. At times, the enemy tempts me to merely go through the motions and not be a spirit-filled leader. In addition, as a follower of Christ, at one time or another, we will be tempted to go through the motions and live a life that doesn't coincide with the principals found in scripture . During these seasons of your life, when Satan is on you like white on rice(and he will be-1 Peter 5:8), when you are on the brink of becoming discouraged and feel like giving up and giving in, consider Him. Remember Jesus. Remember the cross. Remember his blood. Personally, the more I remember and "consider Him", the more I experience God's victory in my life. At certain times, I forget about the cross. I forget about his blood. I forget about the pain he suffered for my salvation and justification. This fact in my life is very sad, but, very true. Thus I become internally discouraged and weary in the midst of trials and tribulations. You and I don't have to live a life of discouragement and defeat. No matter where we are in life or how we feel, we can experience victory! Sometime today, I encourage you to reflect upon Isaiah 53. Be encouraged, motivated, and challenged by God's Word. Consider Him....