Herald to the Unloved and the Unwanted:

Herald to the Unloved and the Unwanted:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 

Luke 2:8-15 (KJV)

As Christians, we all know the story. Christmas was last month so why write about it now? The question comes up, “Why did the Lord chose shepherds to announce the birth of our King too?” It would make more sense to announce the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, to the Kings of the land. To the religious leaders of the temple. Why shepherds?

At the time, shepherds were the lowest of the low when it came to society's standards. Because of their job, they would have to be in the fields for weeks and even months at a time. Therefore the religious authorities consider shepherds ceremonial unclean. They were not even considered lower class. They were the bottom class of all classes. Because of their job they could not participate in Jewish traditions or the 613 laws of the Sanhedrin, better known as the Mosaic Law. Shepherds could not even testify in court because they were considered thieves and untrustworthy. They were the unloved, the unwanted, the rejected, the outcasts of society.

How often as Christians or not, do we feel unwanted, unloved, rejected and turned away as an outcast? It hurts especially when the rejection comes from one(s) we love and trust. Rejection from a friend or when even you find yourself rejected by the very church you needed help from. As Uncle Si would say, “That is rejection, Jack!”

These shepherds did not just experience it. They had to live with it day after day. We too see it daily, if we would just open our eyes and hearts. I see it every time I go to Walmart. The sales clerk, checking out hundreds of people a day with few if any acknowledging their name. Which could be easily read on their name badge. Lonely souls at a bar trying to drown their misery and pull up joy for a fleeting moment. I see it in the eyes of others in a crowd. Their eyes tell of the sadness dwelling inside. Feelings of doubt, rejection and just feeling unloved. While trying their best just to fit in the now.

So why did the Lord chose the shepherds to announce or “Herald” the coming of our King?

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 

Romans 10:9-13 (NIV)

Notice in verse 13. The word “Everyone.” Jesus came for everyone. Not just the ones who think they have their act together. Not the ones of authority over others. Everyone. That means you and that means me.

Jesus said to them, “I assure you: In the Messianic Age, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses, brothers or sisters, father or mother, children, or fields because of My name will receive 100 times more and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Matt 19:28-30 (HCSB)

This is a warning that we all must come to grips with. The first will be last. We all want to be first. First in charge. First to finish the race. First in line to receive. We want to be number one which is the exact opposite of the 1^st Commandment. Being last is hard. Being unloved and unwanted by others is very hard to deal with. I like what Pastor Rick Warren once said, “ I fear God's disapproval more than I fear yours or society's.”

Christian-BE BOLD! Teach, Preach and Reach <><

Radical: Chapter 5

Today's morning study focuses on chapter 5 in David Platt's book, RADICAL. In my opinion, this is the heart of the book. This is when the author tasks us with taking the Great Commission seriously.

If we were left to ourselves with the task of taking the gospel to the world, we would immediately begin planning innovative strategies and plotting elaborate schemes. We would organize conventions, develop programs, and create foundations. We would get the biggest names to draw the biggest crowds to the biggest events. We would start mega-churches and host mega-conferences. We would do...well, we would do what we are doing today. ~ David Platt

Jesus focused his time on teaching a small group of 12 men. Discipleship training was a relationship with the Master. A slow committed process. Not a lecture type class.

What would be the most effective way for a new follower of Christ to learn to pray? To sign them up for a one-hour-a-week class on prayer? Or to invite them personally into your quiet time with God to teach them how to pray? What would be the most effective way for this new follower of Christ to learn to study the Bible? To register them in the next available course on Bible study? Or to sit down with them and walk them through the steps of how you have learned to study the Bible? ~ David Platt

The author points out we have created the American Dream version for Christianity. In essence we have disinfected ourselves from the realities of the world. Turning church into a spiritual safe-deposit box for us. We have become decent church members with little more impact on the world than we had before we were saved.

This without a doubt is a very tough chapter. Discipleship training is a matter of obeying Christ's commands spelled out in the Great Commission.

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matt 28:18-20 (NLT)

Discipleship is duplication. First you become a disciple of Christ. We receive the Word in an effort to reproduce and teach others. Preachers looking to reproduce more preachers within their churches. Sunday School teachers looking to reproduce more Sunday School teachers within their churches. Christians going out into the world to witness to seek and save the lost. Look at the Great Commission again. It says “GO.” That means all of us, not a selected few. It says, “GO” and not wait until we feel better equipped. There is no mention about building giant buildings and monuments, programs or events. No argument of music and entertainment. The Word says, “GO.”

Team up, Set-up and get into the fight. <><

Debt to the Lost: Radical, Chapter Four

This morning we continued with our study of David Platt's book entitled: RADICAL. Special thanks to Brother Troy for opening his home to us to study God's Word. Speaking for all the men within the study we would like to especially thank Sister Becky for cooking and preparing the wonderful breakfast for all of us. They are servants of the Lord.

This lesson was one of the hardest. We owe a great debt to the lost. That is correct. We as Christians have a debt to the lost. Think about it. We are Christians, we are saved, we have eternal life through Jesus Christ. We have the cure for death. We have this greatest gift and we are commanded to share that with others. Not just those immediately around us, but world-wide.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Matt 28:19 (NLT)

I do not know how many times during seminary and during everyday walks of life I have been asked, “Have you been called?” We seem to think that we must be “Called” first before we can serve. As David Platt points out we are not called to do the same tasks nor are we given the same skills and abilities. We are though commanded to share the Gospel. We are commanded. Whatever skills, abilities or other gifts we have been given become useless if we fail to respond to the Great Commission.

Christianity is not dieing. We have simply failed in doing what we have been commanded to do. The author makes a bold statement in chapter four.

Jesus didn't die for just you. “We live in a church culture that has a dangerous tendency to disconnect the grace of God from the glory of God. ….We bask in sermons, conferences, and books that exalt a grace centering on us.” - David Platt, RADICAL

He also states: “We have taken this command, though, and reduced it to a calling—something that only a few people receive.”

The problem I see right in front of me is the fact that we do not teach witnessing. We do not practice witnessing. Therefore how as Christians can we expect to witness? Witnessing must become a habit. As natural as breathing.

Team up, Set-up and get into the fight. <><

Radical and the American Dream:

Today we continued our study in David Platt's book, “Radical.” Chapter three entitled, Beginning at the End of Ourselves. James Truslow Adams is given credit in 1931 in coining the pharse, the American Dream. When you compare the American Dream to God's purpose for our lives the two do not meet. The goal of the American Dream is to make much of us, the goal of the gospel is to make much of God according to Platt. I agree. Here in America we live in a society that teaches and encourages us to be self-reliant. If it has to be, it is up to me attitude. Do not worry about the people you step on the way up unless you expect to see them on the way down is our American motto.

Chapter three starts out telling of how Seminary students in Indonesia must plant a church with at least 30 baptized members before they can graduate. The story continues in explaining how two classmates died at the hands of Muslim persecutors doing so. What if graduating seminary here had the same requirement?

As Brother David explains, giving up self for Christ means giving up everything. Putting your life goals and career aside for a life that God wants for you. Does this mean giving up my job, my career, my life plans and/or my business for Christ? If they are not inline with Christ then the answer is a simple YES. This hurts. I know. This morning we discussed about moving from the valley up to the top of the mountain. What if you reach the top and realized you are on the wrong mountain? Yes, the journey begins all over. Yes, it will be hard. Yes, you will have to make sacrifices. Yes, you are seeking God's will for you. Yes, you will have to trust God with your very life.

The author points out in today's world strategies for doing church require little if any power from God. Today the power of God is no longer needed to draw a crowd in our culture. We are looking for performances and not seeking the truth. Church competes with other social events and entertainment events. We have large auditoriums to accept crowds of people and not focusing on sitting down on the floor in a small room with others sharing and teaching God's Word. We have reached a point where we can download a sermon online. Hand it to an actor to perform along with musical entertainment. Bingo! You got church. The next step is to get rid of the church building all together and just broadcast the event over the internet, satellite, cable or TV.

I like what David Platt has to say about the New Testament Church in the Bible. “A scene where the church radically trusts in God's great power to provide unlikely people with unlimited, unforeseen, uninhibited resources to make his name known as great. I want to be part of that dream.

-Amen

Team up, Set-up and get into the fight. <><

Week Two of Radical:

This morning ended week two and chapter two in our study of David Platt's book, “Radical.” Is God's Word enough to bring us together?

A group of Christian men getting together for the study of God's Word. Forty and even sixty years ago that was a common occurrence here in the United States of America. Here in the South you would still expect it, but fewer and fewer men are doing it. Why?

Many of us are working two jobs. Working nights and weekends. We have family responsibilities. We are getting older and seem to have less time week after week. Then we say, “I need more Me Time.” Where does God fit in?

Our Christian brothers and sisters around the world risk their lives just getting together to worship. Risk their lives serving Christ many times in secret. They do not have the comfort of air-conditioned rooms. They do not have sound systems, modern projections systems or Power Point. No cushioned chairs. Many meet in rooms with dirt floors. They are there because they thirst for God's Word. They are there because of their personal relationship with Jesus. Not a religion; a relationship with Christ.

We have no threat of being persecuted for meeting at church or in our homes. At least not yet. Christianity should be exploding throughout our country not drying up. Do we go to church for His Word or is it something else? The truth is we do not go to church to worship. We must bring our worship to church.

Being Radical is not about going backwards. It is not about coming up with wild new ideas to attract people to Christ. Marketing sells books. Worshiping God can save souls. I like David's lesson on Secret Church. That got your attention, but there is no secret about it. Christians meeting at church on a non-church night to pray and study God's Word. Not just for an hour but hours. Late into the night. Stripping away any entertainment value and just focusing on Christ. Would you come?

I am talking to Christians directly. Remember moments before, even seconds before you gave your life to Christ? You hungered for God. For His Word. For forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ. Nothing could stop you. That void had to be filled now. Filled only by your personal relationship with Christ. Do not tell me you are full. Thirst today as you did that moment.

Team up, set-up and get into the fight. <><

Getting Radical

This is a follow-up article. Today started the new Bible Study of the Book by David Platt entitled “Radical.” I was fortunate to be able to join Stowers Hill Baptist Church Men's Ministry this morning.

As I have stated before this is one must read book for all Christians. Today's lesson comes right at you. To follow Christ we must give up everything and follow Him. We need to put Jesus first in our lives but do we? What is the cost of being a disciple of Christ?

“If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:26-27 (NLT)

Here in America we have no idea what it must be like to be persecuted for your faith. Why do you think so many other religions come to America? Just imagine for a moment that if you walked out of your church this Sunday you would be arrested. Separated from your family. All that you owned would be taken from you. You would have to spend the rest of your life in prison. For what? Going to church. Yes, that is what most Christians in foreign lands face today. Every day. Just the Bible study I attended today would be considered illegal and punishable by death in other countries. Then again some members of my church might feel that way for me attending.

In Luke 14 we see Jesus with this “Radical” statement. If we truly love Christ and believe in Him then we must accept His Word as fact. Not pick and choose what seems to fit in our own situation. We have to take it all in. We have to stand when others run away and hide.

This first lesson and first chapter of the book is a test for all of us Christians. We must believe. If not then what is the point? Even when we do not understand the scripture or want to believe it we must. It means giving up control of our lives and handing it all over to Christ. We want to be in control. That is our sinful nature. We want to be God. The god of our lives. The fact is we are not in control therefore why do we still insist in fighting it?

The first step in being Radical is to truly believe. Take Christ at His Word.

Radical by David Platt

Not very many books would be on my Must Read List. This is one of them. The book is Radical by David Platt. You have probably heard of him and his church family of the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham Alabama. It is a mega-church. Yet one that is trully doing radical obedience for Christ.

Just 9 chapters that will inform you. Change you. Get your focus on God and God's Word. It is far more than just saying NO to self. It is a plan and call to action for all Christians to radical obedience for Christ.

Brother David might be a mega-church pastor but he speaks like a down to earth fellow you would meet at a small church. His ideas are simple. His challenge is tough.

I have been invited to a Bible study using David's book later this month. I am looking forward to it and know it will be one of the hardest to complete. It is about taking the Gospel back from the corrupt corporate American Dream we have all fallen victim too.

I guess the best way to describe my reaction to the book is WOW! The other is I am scared what God is now going to call me to do. Yes, this is a must read book. Get it. Read it. Get Radical.