A Biblical Contemporary Ministry, Part 1 (Acts 17:16-34)

One struggle of every generation of God’s people is to reach the people around them with the truth about God’s love. Throughout time, accepting that love has meant living in ways contradictory to the present worldly generation. Thus, resistance mounts and discouragement abounds. Thankfully, God has preserved the words and actions aimed at sinful generations as an example for times to come.

In the 21st century, we need to follow these examples as we continue to reach our contemporaries with the life-changing truth about Jesus Christ. Paul serves as one such powerful example when he speaks the truth at the Athenian Areopagus before the “brightest” philosophers of that time (Acts 17:16-34). As we notice this passage for the next several weeks, we need to keep the ending in our minds.

Acts 17:34 says, “But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.”

Paul’s sermon was successful! He caused some to believe! The text says that many scoffed at the resurrection, but some believed! What Paul did, we must do, for his actions brought fruit for the Lord.

First, Paul had a distressed heart. Notice how this account begins, “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols” (Acts 17:16; emphasis added). Paul’s spirit was touched as he witnessed the sinful practices of the Athenians. Paul did not go around robotically preaching and condemning people. His message resulted from a sorrowful and outraged disposition over the idolatry that surrounded him.

Many of God’s messengers were touched by their audiences’ spiritual plight. When David wrote the 119th Psalm about God’s word, he included his grief over man’s wickedness:

“Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law” (119:53).

“My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law” (119:136).

“I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands” (119:158).

Jeremiah—known as the “Weeping Prophet”—was continually troubled over his people’s sinfulness:

“But if you will not listen, my soul will weep in secret for your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly and run down
with tears, because the Lord’s flock has been taken captive” (Jer. 13:17).

“Let my eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease, for the virgin daughter of my
people is shattered with a great wound, with a very grievous blow” (Jer. 14:17).

Jesus wept over the shameful condition of Jerusalem:

“And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace!’” (Lk. 19:41-42).

Paul emotionally warned of false teachers:

“For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on
earthly things” (Phil. 3:18).

If we are to reach the generation around us, we—like David, Jeremiah, Jesus, and Paul—must be touched by its sinful state. Not only must our mind understand the sin around us, but our emotions must be pricked over sin’s consequences.

If we callously preach down at the lost around us, there will be few brought to the Lord. If we begin with a spirit that is troubled over the spiritual state of the lost, and then proclaim the uncompromised truth, souls can (and will) be won for Christ. May we sincerely and prayerfully consider the unfortunate immorality of our current generation.

Have a great week...for Him!

The Problem With an "Attendance Problem" -- Bulletin Article 07.08.07

Worship attendance can be a sensitive issue for Christians. Some are satisfied with coming only on Sunday mornings. Or Sunday evenings. Or for long enough to take the Lord’s Supper. Some are content with worshiping only at holidays. Some are only at the local assembly when facing tough times. Although some individuals seem content with their on-and-off attendance patterns, their attitude gets defensive when discussed by an elder, preacher, Bible class teacher, or fellow Christian. The truth is that many Christians are aware of their attendance problems, yet they take no action to fix it.

What does the Bible say about worship attendance? Very little, actually. I think that is by design; obedient lives don’t have to be convinced about the importance of worship and Bible study attendance. Truthfully, if we have “attendance problems” attendance is not our main problem. Upon examination, Hebrews 10:24-25 bears four principles that reveal what an “attendance problem” really is:

An “attendance problem” is really a heart problem. In New Testament Greek—as in most languages—much of the meaning of a clause is determined by the verb. In Hebrews 10:25, the verb form is translated “not neglecting” or “not forsaking.” In other passages in the New Testament, we see the idea of intentionally neglecting or forsaking in the same word. Paul uses the word in 2 Timothy 4:10 and again in verse 16, “For Demas, in love with the present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica...At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me” (emphasis not in ESV). Demas and those who forsook Paul made an intentional choice to neglect him. When we choose something else over worshiping our God (sleep, recreation, etc.), we intentionally desert the opportunity to tell God how great He is. Additionally, the same verb is used in Hebrews 13:5, “for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (emphasis not in ESV). What a shame that our Lord has said that he will never forsake us, yet our hearts sometimes intentionally forsake Him.

An “attendance problem” is really a fellowship problem. The immediate context of Hebrews 10:25 is worth addressing. Notice what the author says in verse 24, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…”; he then continues later in verse 25, “but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” The Hebrews’ writer knew that Christian fellowship was an important aspect of not falling away from Christ. Coming together for worship, Bible study, prayer, and other spiritual activities is vital to keeping our—and our fellow Christians’—spiritual determination strong. By neglecting these opportunities, we make the statement that we care about ourselves more than we do our brothers and sisters in Christ. May we never be guilty of such selfishness, but may we lift the needs of others above our own (Phil. 2:3-4).

An “attendance problem” is really a worship problem. In Hebrews 10:19-25, the author is explaining the beautiful opportunity Christians have to approach God directly through Christ (because of His sacrifice). First-century Christians were tempted to fall back into Judaism. The author is reminding them that Christ allows that which the previous High Priests could not: continual and direct access to God. The implication is that not worshipping correctly negates the blessing of New Testament worship. Intentionally forsaking worship opportunities makes the same statement. Our attitude toward attendance is also our attitude toward the blessing of New Testament worship.

An “attendance problem” is really a Cross problem. Finally, the broader context of Hebrews chapter 10 reveals a humbling principle about worship. By this point in the letter to the Hebrews, the author says essentially that, “Christianity is better than Judaism because of the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ.” If we fail to worship correctly or worship regularly, we prove that we do not care about the cross of Christ. Notice what the writer says later in chapter 10, “Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy...how much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?...It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:28-29, 31). We see how much God values worship when we see the cross; do we value it enough to follow Him there?

May we always seek to fix our problems, even if they are bigger than they seem. See you at worship.

A New Life in a New Home -- Bulletin Article 07.01.07

This past week, Amanda and I began moving into the minister’s house adjacent to the parking lot. We are thrilled to finally be closer to the building and to the Midway community. We look forward to the opportunities opened by living here in the house. We are truly thankful to the elders for allowing us to live in the house and for all the work they have put into updating it prior to us moving in.

There are often new attitudes and practices that accompany a new move. We as human beings view our new surroundings as an opportunity to improve certain aspects of our lives. Generally, we hope that a new place will give us new enthusiasm, motivation, and resources to live comfortably.

Paul addressed a closely-related spiritual concept in writing to the church at Ephesus. Notice his words in Ephesians 4:17-24:

“Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

As Christians, we are to show the “new” way we know exists in Christ—a way that’s different from the world. In exemplifying this new way of life, Paul teaches there are several things we must do:

Put off the old self. All of us have struggles and temptations that we associate with the worldly way of thinking and living. We must continue to put that old way of life to death in order to follow Christ. The wording here is akin to Jesus’ words in John 11:44. After raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus says, “Unbind him (from the garments of burial), and let him go.” Likewise, we must put off the garments of death to live the new life.

Be renewed by the spirit of the mind. In order to please God with our lives, we must have a change in our spiritual attitudes. This principle is reminiscent of Paul’s words in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” A change of life only happens after we have had a change of mind. Truly changing our attitudes and perspectives is difficult—but it’s necessary if we are to have a Christ-led life.

Put on the new self. Paul described one who has put on Christ in baptism as “a new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17). There is a new way of living that is expected for all Christians. We often view this only as a list of “don’ts” that hold us back. Yet, here Paul says the new self is “created in the likeness of God…” Living as the “new self” in Christ means living like God in righteousness and holiness. May we keep our feeble minds from confusing that lifestyle with a list of limiting rules.

Amanda and I are excited about our “new home” across the parking lot. May we all be excited about our “new home” in Christ.