Plenty of Time…

by | Aug 1, 2018 | Devotions, discipleship, Faith, Pastor's Reflections

Guilty. I have thought this way before, but as I am moving firmly into the second half of my life (though you might say…’more like the 4th quarter’) I realize that we don’t have plenty of time. Time, for us, is finite…at least on this earth. Then, infinity based on our actions during this brief span of existence.

In my reading of Proverbs this morning, I was given a glimpse BACK to the mind and thoughts of “naïve” Chris…who felt invincible, lived recklessly, and persisted only by God’s mercy.

Proverbs 1:22- “How long, O naïve ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing and fools hate knowledge?”

The writer classifies those who are ignorant in the simplicity of their thinking, those who are contrarians to the claims of truth, and those who deny the truth as essentially one…at least in the outcome. He goes on to state in the remaining verses in the remaining verses that these did not see the actions of Wisdom (the personification of God) or they resisted Wisdom or flatly rejected Wisdom. As such…time ran out and they were left with the consequences of choices (1:26, 28, 30). The result or consequence of their position? They could no longer respond!

The clock ran out. More accurately…when they were sleeping, the thief broke in and stole away with what was certainly their possession (opportunity) and it was permanently and irreversibly taken away.

At some stage in our lives, we (who have heard the gospel seemingly forever) think…I can do that (repentance, baptism, study to grow, seeking forgiveness, discipling others, sharing Christ) tomorrow; however, God calls us to do that now! There may be no tomorrow…but worse, we forsake the gift of today when we delay our obedience.

No one has forever to respond. One cannot sit in a worship gathering week after week rehearsing in their mind… “one day when I have had all of my fun…THEN, I will respond to God’s call.” We do not know when the clock runs out but we most certainly do not have “Plenty of Time.”

The consequence of delay/dispute/or denial is being left to the product of our own works (1:27-29, 30, 31, 32).

BUT.

(That is how v.33 begins and I am grateful that it does…)

“he who listens to me” describing the one who seeks wisdom, submits to counsel, and acknowledges God…”shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil.”

In other words, the one who stops trying “market timing” with the ways of God shall have peace. He will be prosperous in the things of God. He will experience joy. He will walk in the comfort and security of the Holy Spirit. He will be unphased by the threat of calamity because he knows the One who reigns sovereignly over all things.

Finally, I am reminded that for years I have preached to others two things that I must be constantly reminded of myself:

  • That Christ came to give us abundant life now…not just a heavenly inheritance of abundance. (John 10:10).
  • If we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9). That’s the “but” of the story…

Question to consider: Are you watching the clock and waiting on some time or place in the future to be obedient? Is the risk worth it? No one has “plenty of time” to choose our own destiny; rather, we have today…and a good, good God who beckons… “come home…come to Me…come let us reason together…come away…”

He beckons…but not forever. Today…choose to yield and begin or begin again.

Shalom.

Where Smiles Come From

by | Jul 25, 2018 | Devotions, discipleship, pastor

Some people never smile. I was looking through some pics a friend shared on social media recently and there was a remarkable stoicism about one of the people. Even if others were smiling, this person was not. For some, smiling is culturally strange. My Indian (as in India, not Cherokee) brothers rarely smile for the camera. They can be laughing and carrying on but when the camera comes out, you’d think they were officiating the most somber of events. For others, it is superstition. Yes, some cultures actually believe that smiling for a picture can cause you to have your soul stolen.

For some others though, they don’t smile because their reason seems to be gone. They were hurt. Abused. Disappointed. And they have never reconciled that with the gospel. For them, it is the image of what’s wrong that drives them, or the pride of control that directs their steps. Refusing to yield to the emotional impetus to simply…smile.

Does smiling negate the hurt or the pain one has experienced? No, of course not. It does, however, find its source in a different place. For those who can smile in adversity, their source is something greater than their pain.

If we, as believers, are to thrive in this life, we must choose to root our actions in something greater than temporary circumstance. Yes, you were hurt. God saw it. And He sent His Son to pay your debt so one day…your tears could be wiped away and your pain could be a distant memory.

Yes, you did blow it. Over and over again. And again. And God sent His Son to settle the debt incurred so you could rejoice and experience a transcendent hope!

Yes, you have failed in the task; and, God chose to redeem you, restore you, indwell you, and entrust His glorious gospel to you. He “hired you” when life “fired” you for poor performance!

My wiring is such that I am hyper-critical of my own actions. It is a form of pride…and not the good kind. It is sin. It is rooted in a broken nature that wants to earn respect rather than receive position by grace. My hyper-criticism of self…is sin. I am a work in progress. I am not satisfied with where I am, but I am also not staying here.

The Psalmist writes: “But You O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.” (Psalm 3:3). This truth reminds that when life and our performance demands we stare at the ground in shame and regret, in stoic reflection…God stretches out His hand, places it under our chin, and lifts our eyes to heaven.

You have failed, and Christ has overcome. You have faltered in your faith yet God remains faithful to His promise to you. You have rebelled and forsaken your calling, and God called you to be His own.

Today…by His grace and your willful actions…root your smile in His gospel rather than your circumstance…and SMILE.

Shalom.

The Crossroads of Maturity

by | Jul 24, 2018 | Devotions, discipleship, Faith, Leadership, pastor

I don’t recall the exact year, but it was like a switch went off. One day I was satisfied with my model cars, toy guns and my pretend secret lair where my cardboard computer allowed me to take over the world. The next day, I realized…”I’m older now and these things no longer entertain me or serve the purpose of amusement that they once did.” I could still be nostalgic about them, but it was time to move on. I don’t think this was unique to my experience; rather, I recall a similar transition with both of my sons. Even with Jodi and myself as a couple after a few years of marriage, we were no longer satisfied with the status quo and decided to move on. Everyone is created to “grow up.”

That makes sense to us as we observe life…but do we see our spiritual development the same way? If a 30 year old man still played on the floor with matchbox cars or had a pretend “bat cave” with cardboard super-computer in his closet…we’d think something was a little off; however, we accept, unchallenged, that it is ok to be stunted in our growth spiritually…never progressing from the elementary principles to the life-altering responsibilities and corresponding blessings of being a disciple.

The Apostle Paul said, “When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11).

He admonished the same people (the church) to grow up…stating that their immaturity had actually prevented him from taking them to the depths of truth in Christ.

“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as men of flesh, as infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking as mere men?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).

So we see in the passage that some responsibility for maturing in the faith rested on the believers. They could not receive because they were still fleshly. We take this to mean that they were controlled more by self-interest and satisfaction than by pursuit of sanctification. They did not desire to grow and become like Christ; rather, they sought a measure of comfort in their contemporary existence. They wanted to be happy, comfortable and catered to.

How could the Apostle truly know their heart? He indicates in the passage above and expounds on it in the following verses. He said they were controlled by the flesh…as manifested in their prideful boasting and bickering over which teacher they most closely aligned with. In other words, their actions gave them away. Jesus gave a similar diagnostic model when he said that you could read a man’s heart by the words that came out of his mouth (Matthew 15:18-19).

So the solution to immaturity is twofold according to the Scriptures: The Holy Spirit is working to conform us, and we are seeking to be conformed/perfected in the faith. God has already laid His cards on the table: He is seeking to shape us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). That should excite us! It should drive us to strive toward it with great effort!

We are not, as disciples wholly passive in this process. In one sense the Holy Spirit is drawing us to progress, shaping, convicting, convincing, and correcting us toward maturity. In another sense, we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. We are to progress according to our desire to mature.

Granted, many people would say, “I want to be mature.” No doubt. I want to have 5% body fat and be able to benchpress a Toyota pickup. But if I use my gym time to make a second run at the buffet, you’d tell me that my desire is misplaced.

How?

  • Daily Disciplines. Set a system of actions that correspond to your beliefs and goals. Read, Think/meditate, Pray, Write, etc.
  • Accountability. Ge tinto a group that is small enough to know you well and bold enough to challenge you when you need (but don’t necessarily want) it. Let them encourage you.
  • Community. This is the communal responsibility of mutual dependency. It is you needing others and being the person that others need.
  • Service and responsibility. Beyond being, this is the uncomfortable place of pouring out yourself toward others and for Him. Jesus saved us to serve…to fulfill the works He created for us (Eph 2:10). That’s why He saved us! (Eph 2:8-9).

Hold up pastor! I know a lot of people who say they’re Christians that don’t do any of that stuff. Friend, and I mean that…friend: That is not possible. You can’t love Jesus and become what he desires and designed without these four things. No way around it. Maturity is the objective and these four things are part of the way. So…dear friend…do you want to rot your teeth on a baby bottle of milk…are are you ready for the juicy Ribeye of faithful living…

(DON’T) Just Follow Your Heart

by | Jul 12, 2018 | church, culture, Devotions, discipleship, Faith, Leadership, pastor, Pastor's Reflections

How do you know the “right decision” to make in life?

  • Some would say, “Just follow your heart…”
  • Trust the “inner voice.”
  • Listen to your heart.
  • The heart wants what the heart wants.

All of these sayings could find themselves on the cover of a Hallmark card or in the affirming comments of a Facebook thread…but does that make them accurate?

Can we really trust our “heart?”

Scripture reminds us that, “He who trusts his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26.

This proverb really captures the essence of the tension we face daily in the discernment and decision-making phases of our lives.

First…there is the affirmation of CHOICE that is given to each one. “He who trusts…he who walks…” Here there are two truths: What a man does (his walk) testifies to what a man thinks in his heart (his trust). It is foolish and inconsistent to look at a man’s evil activities and then comment, “but he has a good heart.” That is patently untrue, unbiblical, and unhelpful.

Jesus said, “Out of a man’s mouth comes the meditations of the heart” (Matthew 15:18-19). Anger spews from an angry heart. Attacks, slanders, lies…they all overflow from the percolation of the evil within a man’s heart. Kindness, humility, and meekness rise up from a heart rooted in and committed to Christ.

It is critical to accept this truth because without it we are left with self-help practices of learning to “count to 10” before we speak or some other form of behavior modification. Until we identify the source of the problem we will only treat the symptoms. The prophet Jeremiah helps us to identify the source when he states, “The heart of man is desperately wicked…who can even know his own heart?”(Jeremiah 17:9).

Second, there is the identification of the source of our authority in life. Do we trust in our feelings, logic, leanings, or polling to determine what is right? Aren’t the outcomes of such ideas the billboards of foolishness…the enacting of laws that allow the taking of a living child before birth, but the preservation of a murderers’ life while on death row? In the case of abortion, are we (as a society) not elevating one life over another (the mother over the child) and in the case of death row…the inmate’s life over the offense to the image of God and the necessity for justice?

We choose which authority to rely on: our hearts…or Holy Scripture. Because of our wicked hearts, it is difficult to submit to Scripture, but only God’s Word (the objective standard for truth) can deliver us from the consequences of evil.

Third, there is the reality of consequences. No one draws salt water from a spring, or fresh water from an ocean. You cannot follow the heart and expect protection from the consequences of unwise living. Following your heart leads to a fool’s reward…with one exception: a heart that is intentionally turned to and dependent on the Lord will find its delight (Psalm 37:4-5). To follow one’s heart apart from God’s Word is to live foolishly (as if there is no God but self). However, to bow before the Lord, to submit to the truth of His Word will always deliver.

I suspect we all “monkey around” with the truthful declarations of the Lord in hopes that we can find a way to pursue wickedness with a clear conscience. Such desire is foolish. Choose a wise walk. Follow Jesus, not your heart.

Four Reasons for Groups

by | Jul 6, 2018 | church, discipleship, pastor, Pastor's Reflections, Teaching

What an amazing privilege to serve with you at Englewood! Jodi and I are grateful to the Lord for leading us here, and grateful to you for welcoming us. We are so excited about serving alongside this great church in all that the Lord has for us!

I have been asked a few times what my specific role entails. In a sentence…I am responsible to provide leadership to the education, discipleship, and evangelism ministries here at Englewood. I am excited about this role for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that developing Christ-followers is the Lord’s design and desire for each one of us.

Here at Englewood, we believe that Groups ministry (Bible Fellowship Groups…or BFGs) is an essential tool in the disciple-making strategy. While not more important than the other elements of discipleship ministry, BFGs play a unique and essential role in the process. As such, we desire and expect that every member of the Englewood family to be involved in a BFG. Why would we hold such a “strong stance” on participating in groups? Four reasons come to mind:

  • Groups foster community. It could be easy to get lost in a church family of thousands, or a worship service of hundreds, but in a BFG of 8-20 people, everyone knows your name and your story.
  • Groups provide accountability. Accountability is often seen as a “bad thing” in our current culture but it is an essential part of the New Testament church. Jesus instructed in small groups. He sent out the disciples from small groups and they reported to one another what God had done in and through them. (Matthew 10:1, 11:1; Luke 10:17). The writer of Hebrews affirms that one of the functions of church community is to encourage one another to “love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:23-25). This is accountability! In addition, Groups serve to help restore those who have fallen prey to the enemy (Galatians 6:1-2).
  • Groups promote conversations about the Gospel. A great way to learn the implications of the Gospel for our lives is to live it out and discuss our experiences with other trusted believers. These conversations challenge us. They encourage us. They sometimes correct our ideas about holy living and mission. We learn more and better as we bounce ideas around…in conversation.
  • Groups serve to develop and multiply. Groups are not an end in themselves; rather, they serve a prescribed end. Discipleship always results in sending. Always. ALWAYS. My first teaching experience in church life was in a 4th grade Sunday school classroom. Then an adult class. Then later as a “director of numerous groups. Jodi and I have been part of groups all of our growing years in church and, honestly, I question if I would be in ministry today if I had not been given the opportunity to teach and lead. I know I was terrible at first…but God shaped much of who I am today through those experiences…and perhaps He used some of what I did to shape others as well.

One last thing…and in many ways, the most significant personal thing I have gained from group life…is friendship. I found men who loved me enough to invest in my life. These men were courageous enough to help me see blind spots in my life. Groups helped Jodi and me to develop a strong marriage and learn to be more effective in our parenting. Groups…provided the relational structure that God used (and uses) to shape me into the image of Christ.

So…are you involved in a group? Are you part of a BFG? If not…why not? More importantly, would you consider trying one out for a few weeks? I’d be honored to help you find one where you can both grow and help others grow as well.

Thank you for allowing me the unspeakable privilege to serve with you.

Until He comes,

Pastor Chris

This article was originally published in the July/August edition of the BEAM, the newsletter publication for Englewood Baptist Church, available HERE.

Redeeming Social Media

by | Jul 3, 2018 | church, culture, discipleship, evangelism, pastor

The number one reason people say they find it difficult to have gospel conversations is they can’t seem to get the conversation started. What if…you could?

In a world inundated with connectedness, what if it were possible to leverage things like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Blogs, YouTube, and the like for the gospel. Would you? We live in a highly connected world. Love it or hate it…Social Media is here and here to stay! I know…I have heard the same things. A man (or woman) stands up and declares that they are unplugged and will only talk by phone. No text, no email, no Facebook. Ten years ago that was a tenable position. Today, it is the equivalent of taking down the mailbox in front of your home.

Now my goal is not to convince you to jump into the fray of social media. In fact, I am betting that if you’re not already there…you’re probably not reading this message J. Instead, my goal is to influence you to maximize this tool for the gospel.

I recently read that an overwhelming majority of millennials believe social media to be helpful, and they receive a huge amount of information/news/perspective from sources on the web. Their “feed” is where they plug in and they can peruse huge amounts of content as they scroll through stories ranging from the latest fashion, gossip, world events, and debuts of the latest technology.

What if…you and I were present in the feed? Well placed and interesting articles, pictures, and memes are great ways to “slow the scroll” in order to catch a little attention. Now, before you declare me a crazy person (which may be true) I am wondering if you could use this instrument of connection for good? Here are a couple of ways that may prove effective:

  1. Share a Verse. If you use a bible app like YouVersion, there is a graphic of the verse of the day…as well as a way to easily create your own. Be “that guy” who shares a verse a day (just one) in the morning on your Instagram.
  2. Share and Retweet. At Englewood, there is an event or activity being promoted several times a week. When discipleship classes relaunch, there will be promotion pieces available that you could share.
  3. Tweet a Takeaway. I usually grab a “nugget” or two every Sunday from pastor’s messages. Tweet it and tag him in it.
  4. Brag on Someone “status.” Snap a pic or just mention how someone blessed you. For example, a status like, “I LOVE how pastor Jordan loves my kids. @EBCrockymount is blessed to have him.” #EBCkids. We have so many awesome servants here, this one is easy!
  5. Church Selfie. Grab a friend and snap a fun selfie in your Bible Fellowship Group, with your friends in the EDGE, hanging out at the Café or just coming into the building. Even an after-church lunch selfie with friends that tags the church are wonderful!

These are just five quick ideas of how you can open the door for a conversation…one that might lead to Making Friends Forever at Englewood.