The Preacher's Greatest Helper

25"All this I have spoken while still with you. 26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you – John 14:25-26 NIV

The other day I was in a pastors’ meeting and the topic of preaching came up. Imagine that, the topic of preaching being discussed at a pastors’ meeting!

Anyway, the jest of the topic involved this: “Preach simple sermons using only one thought or point. When the people go away, they will remember only one thing that you said.”

Of course, we all laugh, because that is pretty much true. Now there are exceptions to this. Some will remember more than one thing and others will not remember anything. But generally speaking, most take with them one thing. So sermons shouldn’t be too long and not have too many teaching points. Keep it simple.

The long part I agree with. Thirty to thirty-five minutes is plenty of time to say what needs to be said. Some can go longer for two reasons: First, they have over the years trained their congregation for it, and Second, they are good at communicating the Word. But for most of us, 30-35 minutes is gracious of the listeners to give us.

The part that I disagree with is the “keep it simple” by limiting the message to one point. One pastor said, “Yeah, all I do is preach one point now days – just one!”

Let’s see, did Jesus practice that theory when He launched into the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7)? How about the Olivet Discourse regarding the end times (Matthew 24-25)?

On a more personal level, if this is all people can handle, then why are we encouraged to read so many chapters from the bible during the week in our devotions (about 30-35 to be exact)? Often times we are reading several chapters a day. If it is true, that we only take with us a small amount of bible understanding after being exposed to the Word, then what we should do is read an average of one chapter of the bible a day – no more.

But massive amounts of bible reading is good for us even though we may not remember all that we read. Just knowing that spiritual seeds are being planted into our minds and that a spiritual cleansing of renewal is occurring by being expose to the Word is worth all that extra reading (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 5:26).

But here is the real deal. It is true that normally, the average person will walk out of the typical Sunday service remembering only one thing. But this is where the Holy Spirit comes in to help and to assist. Jesus said, that the Holy Spirit will accomplish two things for those who believe in Jesus: First, He will teach you what we need to know, and Second, He will remind us what we were taught.

At the meeting we all laughed because as preachers and pastors, we put in a lot of hard labor in preparing messages, only to conclude that people will not remember it all except for one point. Help! But that’s human nature and what do we expect, right? God understands this so He said, I am going to send you a Helper who will assist you in your teaching of My Words, so that when the time is right, and when it is most needed, the Holy Spirit will bring to people’s remembrance ALL that I have taught them. This is comforting.

Here’s the thing to remember. I do not adjust my messages to fit the condition of the people. Instead, I give to the people meaty messages designed to help them to reach for the stars and chomp on some juicy morsels of truth. I also give them lots of it. That is, lots to think about. Because at end of the message, although they will walk away taking with then only one thought, I know the Holy Spirit will be with each person reminding them of what they were exposed to when they need it the most. If I only expose my people to one point in my message, then that’s all the Spirit of God is able to remind them of. But if I expose my people to several points in my message, then the Spirit of God has several points to choose from as reminders.

I also understand that when I conclude my message on Sunday with a prayer and invitation, that is not the end of my message, but only the beginning. The rest of the message will be preached by the Spirit of God in the form of more “teaching lessons” and “reminders.” In actuality, my sermon is only the introduction of the Holy Spirit’s on-going message. When I stop and sit down, the message continues to be preached by the Helper whose function is to teach and remind.

So do I get discouraged over the fact that only one point is remembered by the people who leave the service? No. If teaching my people the Word was all up to me, I would be miserable and so would they. But it’s not up to me. God the Holy Spirit during the sermon is illuminating people’s minds to understand the Word as it is being taught; He is also softening and bringing conviction to hearts that must repent; He is bringing comfort to souls who need it; He is also providing greater insight into understand Jesus and the Father’ love and will for our lives. This is just what takes place during the message. Then after the message is over with – although I am done, the Holy Spirit continues His teaching and reminding ministry.

I got the greatest Helper in the world! I don’t need to adjust my message to only having one point. If anything, I need to pour it on and preach as if there will be no tomorrow. God’s Spirit will decide what kind of truths the listeners will need to be reminded of during the course of their lives.

I want to fill people’s hard drives with lots of biblical file folders so that the Spirit of God will have many folders to choose from to bring back to remembrance the things the average person in my church has been taught and exposed to.

Remember this: Just because a person may only take one thing with them at the end of a message does not mean all the other things were lost. Believe me, it’s all there filed away waiting to be “clicked on” and opened up by the Spirit of God.

What Tiger Woods and Barak Obama Teach Us

The sins of some people are blatant and march them right into court. The sins of others don't show up until much later (1 Tim. 5:24 MSG).

I am intrigued with what is going on with Tiger Woods. I know some of you probably heard enough and I really can’t blame you for feeling that way. After all, what really is the big deal? The revelation of a famous athlete (or actor, rock star, or politician) having an affair may titillate, but we hear of it so often that it rarely does shock us.

But upon closer inspection, there are three main characters involved in these things. First, there’s the “entitled men,” those who sincerely believe that they are deserving of having affairs. Second, there are the “willing women,” those who make themselves available to such men because of their image and, I guess for the thrill of the moment. Third, you have the “deceived wives,” those who hurt the most by the affair and all the publicity that comes with it.

Okay, so these are the same players over and over, nothing really changes. So why am I so fixated on this?

I may be wrong in explaining this for others, but for me, it all boils down to being “betrayed.” The image of Tiger Woods was all a fraud although his talent was very real. I dislike golf. I personally see no value in it. But that’s me and that’s why I do not have a billion bucks.

But I did like the image I often received with regards to Tiger Woods -- the low-key demeanor, manners, and a sweet smile of countless sports-page photos, and magazine covers. He seemed like a really nice guy, and personally, I’m sure he is.

But for me the larger lesson is not what Tiger Woods did. It is not about his affairs (not that I am trying to excuse them, I’m not!).

What really bothers me is all that went into in constructing a public figure in order to create profit and power. Like any other normal kid, Tiger came to us young, single, and filled with hopes and dreams. Then right before our eyes, this young man was transformed into a sensational superstar because Buick, Nike, Gatorade, Gillette, EA Sports, and Accenture saw profits to be made.

I guess in the eyes of some, Tiger Woods was sort of god-like. He was made out to be a symbol of tolerance, monogamous and the center of a happy family. The public ate it up. Although I don’t like golf, I would become fixated to my tube watching his latest highlights and listening to his interviews. Tiger was bigger than life itself.

Now while this marketing ploy was going on to show us Tiger Wood’s good side, the other darker side was conveniently kept from us. Those who knew of Tiger’s questionable character ignored such things in order to keep giving to us the image that we wanted to see and hear about as well as to keep the profits coming.

In fact, in order to keep Tiger’s image from totally unraveling, his wife is being asked to stay with him for anther two years and if she does, she will receive a huge payment of $55 million. The powers to be want to keep his image alive as much as they can in order to rake in the profits. Remember, here was a man who made about $100 million playing golf and the other $900 million came from endorsements. There are huge profits in marketing the right image before the public.

So again, why am I fixated on this? Because this is how Barak Obama came to us as well. Just a short time ago, he was not even heard of. Then the media got a hold of him, started to market his image and he became the most powerful leader in the world.

Like Tiger Woods, those who know Barak Obama’s darker side are not going to say anything either. We the public will have to find out ourselves – and we will. Paul told Timothy that the sins of some people will go before them and land them in court, while some sins are trailing behind and will not come to full exposure until some time later. Oh yeah, we will find out, but the cost of finding out who the real Obama is may come at a time when it may be too late for some.

The media is doing all it can to keep Barak Obama’s candidate image before the public even though his policies and ideas are making life worse for the country.

Now there is greater reason why I am fixated on the Tiger Woods controversy and it is this – Just like the powers to be gave birth to the image of Tiger Woods and Barak Obama, so it will give to the world at the right time the image of a “false messiah” known as the Antichrist.

This person will be introduced to us and over night he will become a sensation to the public. His charm, his charisma, his innocence, his wisdom, his personal and public skills will be highlighted and the world will be stoked! Just like millions of people have been betrayed over the real Tiger Woods and Barak Obama, so they will be betrayed over the real agenda of the Antichrist. He will tell the world that he has their best interests in mind, but the sins of some men will follow them in order to be revealed at a later time.

When the Antichrist’s true agenda is made known, which is control over as many people as possible and to be worshiped (Rev. 13:15-16), scores of people will already have been given the mark of the beast and will be forced to use the mark in order to live. And here’s the dirty little secret: He will tell the world how important it is for them to have the mark. How it will be for their own good. How it will make their lives much better. “Trust him,” he will say.

Once people cross over the line of no return, this is what the bible says: 9A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, 10he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb (Rev. 14:9-10 NIV).

Betrayed? Yes! Deceived? Yes! And the price of blindly following the image of someone who was created over night by the powers to be and the worldly media will be eternal separation from God.

So I am not fixated on what happened to Tiger Woods because I love golf, I don’t. I am not fixated on Barak Obama because I don’t like the guy. I got nothing personally against him. I pray for him and our country. He is my president and the man whom God has raised up to lead this country. God does not make mistakes. Everything is going according to the plan of God.

But I am fixated on both these men because of the examples that they represent: Overnight stardom; public approval and a god-like acceptance; and a dark side strategically kept from the public. These two men give to us a visual of the one great leader to come – inspired by Satan and every trick in the book will be used to dupe the world into accepting him and his ways.

Don’t let the Tiger Woods and Barak Obama examples elude you. There is a lesson here to be learned. Stay alert and be vigilant. God is providing for us and for the world teachable moments. Class is in session.

Moving From Time To Eternity

Read the following quote and tell me of who was this said?

"There lies the most perfect ruler of men the world has ever seen . . . [and] now he belongs to the ages."

One of the Caesars? No. Napoleon? No. Alexander the Great? No. Eisenhower? Patton? MacArthur . . . or some earlier military strategist like Grant or Lee or Pershing? No, none of the above. How about Rockne or Lombardi? No. Or Luther? Calvin? Knox? Wesley? Spurgeon? Again, the answer is no.

For someone to say this statement it must have been someone influential, persuasive, and admired, don’t you think so?

When he was 7 years old, his family was forced out of their home because of a legal technicality. He had to work to help support them.

At age 9, while still a backward, shy little boy, his mother died.

At 22, he lost his job as a store clerk. He wanted to go to law school, but his education was not good enough.

At 23, he went into debt to become a partner in a small store. Three years later his business partner died, leaving him a huge debt that took years to repay.

At 28, after developing a romantic relationship with a young lady for four years, he asked her to marry him. She said no. An earlier youthful love he shared with a lovely girl ended in heartache at her death.

At 37, on his third try, he was finally elected to Congress. Two years later he ran again and failed to be reelected. I should add it was about this time he had what some today would call a nervous breakdown.

At 41, adding additional heartache to an already unhappy marriage, his 4-year-old son died.

The next year he was rejected for Land Officer.

At 45, he ran for the Senate again and lost.
Two years later, he was defeated for nomination for Vice President.

At 49, he ran for the Senate again . . . and lost again.

Add to this an endless barrage of criticism, misunderstanding, ugly and false rumors, and deep periods of depression and you realize it's no wonder he was snubbed by his peers and despised by multitudes, hardly the envy of his day.

At 51, however, he was elected President of the United States . . . but his second term in office was cut short by his assassination. As he lay dying in a little rooming house across from the place where he was shot, a former detractor (Edwin Stanton) spoke the following quote mentioned above. By now you may know it was spoken of the most inspirational and highly regarded president in American history. Abraham Lincoln.

When we think of greatness, success, and great leadership, we imagine great speeches that dazzle the heart because of how things are said, rather than on what is being said. We also think of cool wardrobes and a look of sophistication. But we often do not connect the dots of -- bitter hardship, unfair and undeserved abuses, loneliness and loss, humiliating failures, debilitating disappointments, agony beyond comprehension suffered in hard fought match in the boxing ring of life, while climbing from bottom to top.

Listen, no one deserves the right to lead without his or her fair share of bumps and bruises, pain, heartache and failures along the way. For those who get to lead without such things are actually intruders who got there with the help of a bias media and their own constituency.

When will we learn that anyone who is worth following has in some way paid their dues in life? They have come through the fire having been melted, reshaped and refined. As Paul once said, they bear on their bodies “the brand-marks of Jesus” (Gal. 6:17).

America is following a man who has no experience with the private sector, with operating his own business, with running anything except being a community organizer. And for the last year it shows!

On the positive side, we the people get to go through the fire of pain and cleansing, so we can emerged, melted, reshaped and refined. The next time we get an opportunity to vote we will be that much smarter, wiser and experienced. We will have paid our dues. We will have learned our lesson. We will not vote for a candidate who knows how to talk, but has no experience to back up what he says. We will look for a man or woman who has the qualifying marks that fit the job. We will go to the polls much more educated, more determined not to be duped, and more refined through the lessons learned.

Solomon once wrote, “Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, when he has no sense” (Prov. 17:16)? In other words, it is foolish to think that one can buy wisdom. Instead, wisdom comes with experience, having been tested and tried in the valleys of life.

Someone who has gone to a reputable university and paid for his or her education (or had someone else paid for it) does not make a person wise after graduation.

Experience in life does; being sincerely teachable; and talking less and doing more.
These things not only apply when electing someone to public office, but to all areas of life – marriage, business, and church office, to name a few.

Only such people like Abraham Lincoln are able to move from time to eternity and end up belonging to the ages.

Here's a Cartoon To Watch

Back in 1948, this cartoon seemed weird and so out of touch.

Now it is as relevant as watching the Superbowl

Better watch it now before it gets pulled.

Make Mine Freedom (1948)

The Hour is Coming

"Christians in Somalia have to go underground and they don't give away their identities because once al-Shabaab knows someone is a Christian, that is a death sentence for that person. . .”

These are foreign words to those of us living under the protection of the U.S. Constitution. But would such a protection for freedom of worship always be around? From Worldnetdaily.com, here is the rest of the story.

Pastor shot, killed on way home from worship [Excerpts]

Two masked members of the al-Shabaab Muslim militia shot and killed a pastor in Somalia as he drove home from a worship service, according to reports.

Mogadishu pastor Ali Hussein Weheliye was killed in the attack in October, but reports of the incident didn't come out until this week.

Experts at the missions think-tank the Joshua Project estimate Somalia is 99 percent Muslim. International Christian Concern's Jonathan Racho agrees with that statistic and says the overwhelming numbers make it difficult to be a Christian in Somalia.

"A vast majority of Somalis are Muslims, but there are hundreds of Christians in Somalia. This pastor was the pastor of an underground church," Racho said.

"Christians in Somalia have to go underground and they don't give away their identities because once al-Shabaab knows someone is a Christian, that is a death sentence for that person," he said.

Racho makes the death sentence claim because al-Shabaab is a jihadist militia with close ties to Osama bin Laden and the al-Qaida terrorist group.

Intelligence sources say most al-Shabaab fighters receive training at al-Qaida or Taliban training camps in Pakistan before being sent to Somalia for the declared anti-Christian jihad in that eastern African nation.

Racho said these facts are evidence Weheliye's murder is not an isolated incident.

"Al-Shabaab has gone on a campaign of killing Christians. One of its official policies is to eradicate Christians from Somalia," Racho said.

"This year alone, Pastor Ali is the fifteenth Christian to be killed in Somalia. The killing has been going on for the past several years. The church in Somalia is going through a difficult time. If this trend continues many more Christians will be killed and many will be forced to leave Somalia," Racho explained.

Scores of Muslims believe that killing Christians is doing the will of God (Allah). Jesus predicted this in John 16, by saying, “They will make you outcast of the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you think he is offering service to God” (v. 2).

Specifically, Jesus is referring to Jews. The Jewish race will be so hated in the end times that Satan will in some way instill within the minds of those in the world that the Godly thing to do is to kill a Jew. But we can also make this an application to all born-again Christians.

You see, Christians are hated for their convictions. It’s Christians who stand in the way of abortion rights, gay rights, gambling, and their continual insistence that a true definition of a family consist of a man and woman, married and having children. Christians are also the fuel behind the conservative movement. Christians are pro-military, pro-guns, and pro-life. Christians believe in capital punishment, the reality of sin, guilt and condemnation. Christians believe that big government is a big problem, and that capitalism is to always be preferred to than socialism. Christians are for some a big pain-in-the-neck.

Therefore, there is coming an hour when society wishes to push forward with its agenda and those who stand in their way – Christians – will be arrested and killed. And the rallying cry for such a thing to occur is for the clerics of that time to inform people that if they do so, they are doing a great service to God.

Religion has always been a way for evil people to kill others. And it will continue to be the fuel that sparks the fire of future intense persecution of both Christians and Jews.

Here in the U.S. under the Constitution, we enjoy our religious freedom. But don’t think for a moment that the Constitution is somehow impervious to the schemes of evil men. If one day, Christians will be killed because they stand in the way of world progress, then not even the U.S. Constitution will survive without changes, revisions and attacks.

What we see occurring in Somalia, can one day occur right within the boarders of the U.S. It may happen in our life time or in our children’s life time, but Jesus did forewarn us that the “hour is coming.” Thank God Jesus used the word “hour” and not “day.”

Pray for your spiritual family in Somalia.

The Company of the Entitled

15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" – Luke 17:15-18 NIV

What is so hard about giving thanks? Why are some people good at it and others seem not to care? Personally, I do not enjoy the feelings of indebtedness. I would rather be on the giving end than the receiving end. I love the feeling of helping others, but I do not like it when others help me in my hour of desperation. It is during those times that I feel really humbled and indebted. I have nothing to give back except my sincere gratitude. This is often truly humbling and it goes against my own self-sufficiency.

The story of the ten lepers that Jesus healed in Luke 17 teaches us some great lessons about thankfulness. The first lesson I learn is that thankfulness can be thwarted by an entitlement attitude.

Remember, Jesus healed all ten lepers, but only one returned to give thanks. The one who returned Jesus identified as a “foreigner.” This means that the other nine were “Jews.” Could it be that the other nine, being Jews expected no less than to be healed? They expected no less than for the Jewish Messiah Himself to bless them – after all they are Jews just like He was. Not only this, but they expected to be healed and bless because as Jews, they are the “chosen people of God.”

I believe the nine who were Jewish, had such an entitlement attitude that even after they got healed, no ounce of thankfulness was found in them – at least not enough for them to turn back in humility and say “thanks” to Jesus. They expected no less!

This same kind of entitlement can happen to us as well. We can find ourselves feeling entitled if we hold a key position in a church, such as a leader or a generous giver. We can feel entitled if we sense that our holiness is more pleasing to God than the next person’s. We can have a sense of entitlement if we feel that God loves me more than He does the poor sinner on the street.

Often when I am in my car driving and I stop to let someone into my lane, I notice that some do not even acknowledge me with their thanks or give a wave of their hand. They just pull right on in as if they are entitled. Shamefully my immediate response is, “What a huge mistake I just made in letting that person in!” I know the feeling of this so when someone let’s me into their lane, I go all out in making sure that person sees me by giving a wave of thanks or a smile on my face, or I flash my tail lights.

I have also noticed that entitled feeling people are often joyless. And this does not surprised me because when you expect certain things to happen, then when it does, thankfulness which is tied closely to joy is not something one wishes to give away. You see, being thankful and expressing it, instills in us a sense of vulnerability that some do not want to show. The devil’s tactic is to get us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. So what we do is try to elevate ourselves to God’s level (pride), and if that does not work too well, then we try to bring God down to our level (idolatry). Either form of entitlement is devil inspired.

I have also noticed that the entitlement spirit does not want to contribute very well. Did you notice how the nine simply left and never returned? They got what they wanted and now they’re gone. In the church, the entitlement people are the ones who do little to nothing. Service, work, sacrifice and effort is beneath them. They come to church to be blessed or receive – this is their entitlement.

I had one of our youth ask me what I am thankful for. My answer came quickly because I have thought many times about such things. I replied: I am thankful for God’s mercy, because He has not given to me what I do deserve (punishment); and I am also thankful for God’s grace, because He has given to me what I don’t deserve (favor and blessings).

Am I entitled to experience God’s wrath? You bet I am. I have failed God in my sins and have lived a life contrary to His holiness. I deserve His wrath, but I did not get it. Am I entitled to God’s grace? No way. Why would God bless a sinner like me? But in His loving manner He has.

This is the reason why I can go around with a thankful heart and visible expressions of joy is because I am not entitled to anything from God apart from what God grants me through His Son, Jesus! In and of myself, I am entitled to nothing but hell and separation from God.

So when I receive an unexpected blessing from the Lord, through others or directly from God, I am so grateful and joyful because I am so unentitled.

I believe the bible was written exactly the way God intended it to be written. I say this because, it was no mistake that Jesus used the number 10. And it was no mistake that only one of the ten returned to give thanks. This could very well imply that out of every ten people, one will be truly thankful while the other nine have an entitlement mentality.

Which company do you fit in?

The Price of a Fat Lip

Have you ever been thrown under the bus? – figuratively of course. Perhaps, it happened with an employer you worked for. You worked hard, sacrificed your time and even your health, and then when you were finished being used, you found yourself under the bus.

Perhaps, it was on a sports team. You came to all the practices, invested in learning all you could about the plays, procedures and those whom you played with. Then one day you found yourself under the bus.

By now you have heard the horrific story about three of our most elite men from the navy seals being thrown under the bus. If you haven’t heard by now, this is what happened.

Navy SEALs have secretly captured one of the most wanted terrorists in Iraq — the alleged mastermind of the murder and mutilation of four Blackwater USA security guards in Fallujah in 2004. And three of the SEALs who captured him are now facing criminal charges. . . .

The three, all members of the Navy’s elite commando unit, have refused non-judicial punishment — called an admiral’s mast — and have requested a trial by court-martial.
Ahmed Hashim Abed, whom the military code-named “Objective Amber,” told investigators he was punched by his captors — and he had the bloody lip to prove it.

Now, instead of being lauded for bringing to justice a high-value target, three of the SEAL commandos, all enlisted, face assault charges and have retained lawyers.

The detainee was turned over to Iraqi authorities, to whom he made the abuse complaints. He was then returned to American custody. The SEAL leader reported the charge up the chain of command, and an investigation ensued.

The source said intelligence briefings provided to the SEALs stated that “Objective Amber” planned the 2004 Fallujah ambush, and “they had been tracking this guy for some time.”

The four Blackwater agents were transporting supplies for a catering company when they were ambushed and killed by gunfire and grenades. Insurgents burned the bodies and dragged them through the city. They hanged two of the bodies on a bridge over the Euphrates River for the world press to photograph.

Intelligence sources identified Abed as the ringleader, but he had evaded capture until September. But he complained that he received a bloody lip and with that complaint – all three seals are facing court-martial and jail time.

Let me see if I understand this – because quite frankly I do not. A master mind terrorist who killed four Americans, had their bodies burned, dragged through the streets and finally hung up as a trophy, was finally captured after evading capture. He was captured by the best of the best – Navy Seals. Somewhere along the way, Abed the terrorists got his lip bloodied and now three navy seals are looking at a possible court-martial.

This is another PC (political correct) moment that is literally bringing our nation to its ruin. Over in Florida, a person can receive a one-day suspension for participating in the “kick a Jew Day.” But if our brave men in the military capture a multi-murderer Islamic terrorist and give him a fat lip, their careers are not only finished, but as punishment, they will have to also do jail time.

Oh, I bet this just encourages young men and women to rush to join the military. I cannot imagine having your own government throw you under the bus just because the ENEMY GOT A FAT LIP! The logic and thinking in all this just gives me a headache.

We have two enemies we fighting against. One is internal – those who are Americans and liberal in their thinking, and who use PC as their weapon. Since using PC works so well here in America, our second enemy, those outside of America also have picked up on how cunning and intimidating PC is to Americans. Now they are using it and it seems to be working for our enemies.

Our enemies must look upon us as weak and pathetic. Folks, get ready for more mind-boggling, mental twisting brain aches to come. Because when the trial for the 9/11 terrorists begin in New York City, we are going to see not so much the terrorists on trial, but America will be on trial for the evils that it has done and how she deserved to have the judgment of 9/11.

Liberals hate the military and our president leads the march. He has taken months to fulfill a request to send more troops to Afghanistan. He does not like the word victory because it reminds him how humiliating it was for the Japanese to lose in WW2.

How much longer will we be able to say that America is still the greatest country on this planet? Unless we get a change in leadership, the only direction America will be going is down.

The Danger of Trying To Sound Overly Positive

Does Joel Osteen know what the gospel is?

Joel Osteen

What did he say? Joel Osteen seems to be trying to take the middle of the road. In his attempt not to believe something, he ends up not believing anything.

Joel says that we cannot pass judgment. That is, we cannot inform others that if they do not believe in Jesus, they will go to hell. Joel says only God knows the heart. Yes He does, but the God who knows the heart is also the God who gave us these words:

John 3:18: Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

John 3:36: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

John 5:24: I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

Mark 16:16: Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

John 8:24: I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

So you see, Jesus was able to say it, how come Joel cannot? Jesus stated that you either believe in Me or you will be condemned. With Jesus, you know exactly where He stands. With Joel, all you get is confusion! In his attempt in trying to please everyone, he ends up muddying the gospel. If the gospel becomes clouded, how effective is the message?

Getting To Know Who?

VATICAN CITY — Four hundred years after it locked up Galileo for challenging the view that the Earth was the center of the universe, the Vatican has called in experts to study the possibility of extraterrestrial alien life and its implication for the Catholic Church.
By ARIEL DAVID (AP)

It appears that the Catholic Church has come along way since the time of Galileo. I am not sure if it is necessarily the right way. I just wonder if the so-called experts are biblical scholars. After all, if the Roman Catholic Church wanted to know whether or not there was life on other planets or somewhere out in outer space, wouldn’t the bible indicate so? And if it does, wouldn’t the Pope or Catholic Church have its own scholars?

Here’s a thought: With all the interests in extraterrestrial alien life, why not put the same passion and energy into knowing God? I know that sounds so archaic, bland and off the wall, but that’s my take on finding out whether E.T. is out there. I do know that God is. This I am very sure of. I am not sure, nor do I really care if there is E.T. But since I know for certain that my Creator and Redeemer lives, I ought to spend my dying days getting to know Him better.

An Upcoming Teachable Moment

A guy is 72 years old and loves to fish.

He was sitting in his boat the other day when he heard a voice say, 'Pick me up.'

He looked around and couldn't see any one.

He thought he was dreaming when he heard the voice say again, 'Pick me up.'

He looked in the water and there, floating on the top, was a frog.

The man said, 'Are you talking to me?'

The frog said, 'Yes, I'm talking to you. Pick me up then, kiss me and I'll turn into the most beautiful woman you have ever seen. I'll make sure that all your friends are envious and jealous because I will be your bride!'

The man looked at the frog for a short time, reached over, picked it up carefully, and placed it in his front breast pocket.

Then the frog said, 'What, are you nuts? Didn't you hear what I said? I said kiss me and I will be your beautiful bride.'

He opened his pocket, looked at the frog and said, 'Nah, at my age I'd rather have a talking frog.'

There is no doubt that with age comes a measure of experience. The older I become, the more wiser I also become. This is because I see more, experience more, learn more, and do more.

This is why I am thinking of doing something different this Halloween. I usually go out and buy bags of candy and give to those funny and scary looking kids in their costumes with their parents next to them.

But this week, I am thinking of not buying any candy at all. Instead, when a group of kids come to my door, I will take some of the candy from the bag of one kid and give it to others. I will then say, “This is called redistribution of wealth. I know how this feels and so do your parents. Now you should know it as well so you will be better prepared for adult life.”

You see in this way, I actually do not need to buy any candy. All I need to do is to take some from one kid and give it to another, and say, “Trick or Treat!” The “trick” is redistribution and the “treat” is that the others receiving the candy will think I am a very generous person.

Oh, for the first time in my life, I am excited about Halloween.

Will History Repeat Itself?

Here is a little parable that I want you to read. It is a parable that is true to us here in America. At the end, I will make some comments.

You have two families: "Joe Legal" and "Jose Illegal". Both families have two parents, two children, and live in California.

Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social Security Number and makes $25.00 per hour with taxes deducted.
Jose Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table".

Ready? Now pay attention...

Joe Legal: $25.00 per hour x 40 hours = $1000.00 per week, or $52,000.00 per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax; Joe Legal now has $31,231.00.

Jose Illegal: $15.00 per hour x 40 hours = $600.00 per week, or $31,200.00 per year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes. Jose Illegal now has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays medical and dental insurance with limited coverage for his family at $600.00 per month, or $7,200.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $24,031.00.

Jose Illegal has full medical and dental coverage through the state and local clinics at a cost of $000 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal makes too much money and is not eligible for food stamps or welfare. Joe Legal pays $500.00 per month for food, or $6,000.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $18,031.00.
Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for food stamps and welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays rent of $1,200.00 per month, or $14,400.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $9,631.00.

Jose Illegal receives a $500.00 per month federal rent subsidy. Jose Illegal pays $500.00 per month, or $6,000.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $ 31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays $200.00 per month, or $2,400.00 for insurance. Joe Legal now has $7,231.00.

Jose Illegal says, "We don't need no stinkin' insurance!" and still has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal has to make his $7,231.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, etc. Jose Illegal has to make his $31,200.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, and what he sends out of the country every month.

Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part time job after work.

Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family. Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school. Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while Jose Illegal's children get a government sponsored lunch. Jose Illegal's children have an after school ESL program. Joe Legal's children go home.

Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire services, but Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay.

Comments: Later today, take your bible and read 1 Samuel chapter 8. The people of Israel demanded from Samuel a king. They had a king. His name was the Lord God and God was ruling well, but the motive for a king came as a result of wanting to be “like the other nations” (v. 20). There are some powerful people in congress and in the senate, not to mention the influential liberal media who want nothing more than for us to be like other socialistic nations, even those who have been ruled by communism. The days of referring to America has a Christian nation is becoming nothing more than mere noise and rhetoric. Let me ask you this: If the average Christian in your church was like America the way she is now, would you have a Christian church?

I digress, let’s move on. Notice the number of times the word “TAKE” is used in 1 Samuel chapter 8 by the king.

v. 11 – The king will “take” your sons and place them in his army fighting his wars – whichever ones he decides is worth fighting for.

v. 13 – The king will “take” your daughters and make them his servants.

v. 15 – The king will tax you and “take” a tenth of your hard earn rewards and now watch this – GIVE TO HIS OFFICERS AND TO HIS SERVANTS! What do we have here? Simply put: “Redistribution of wealth.”

v. 16 – The king will “take” your best employees and helpers and use them for his work.

V. 17 – The king will “take” (tax) a tenth of your flock (wealth), and YOU YOURSELVES WILL BECOME HIS SERVANTS. In other words, you will become dependent on the government and whoever is in charge.

Note: Being dependent on someone is not necessarily wrong. It all depends on who or what one becomes dependent on. Being dependent on God is a good thing and is crucial for success. Being dependent on man, government, welfare programs, etc., is not good in the long run. The difference? God wants us to be dependent on Him in order to grow and succeed. The government wants us to be dependent on it in order to see ourselves as "helpless victims." The key is the word "victim." Who or whatever turns your life and mindset into a victim mentality, that person or institution does not have your best interest in mind. God wants His people to become His slaves in order to "empower" them for greatness. The government or man in general wants you to become its slave in order to take away any power or freedom you might have. God gives to His people "gifts" in order for them to excel in the body of Christ or the church; government has nothing to give away that has not already been taken from others. I am not suggesting that having government is wrong. But like anything that sinful man wants to greedily corrupt, governments can either serve the people or make the people its slave. The bigger and more wealthier it becomes, the more authoritative and powerful it is.

Note: Remember, in the political arena, "talking is simply stealing performed legally."

After all this “taking” has occurred and the people lose their freedom, their families and their life as they once knew it, then what?

V. 18 – “Then you will CRY OUT in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves. . .”

How in the world did Israel get to this place? Verse 7: The Lord said to Samuel, “Listen the voice of the people in regards to all they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected ME from being king over them.”

History was written for our instruction and admonition. Will we be wise enough to listen, learn and change?

Fried Any Goldfish Lately?

11 But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy – 2 Kings 5:11 NIV

I read in the news the other day about a Houston-area woman who was angry at her former common-law husband and so she fried their pet goldfish and ate some of them.

Pasadena police said it's a civil matter and no charges will be filed. The seven goldfish were purchased together by the couple during happier times.

Police spokesman Vance Mitchell said the man reported on Saturday that the woman took the goldfish from his apartment.

Mitchell said the two argued earlier about some jewelry the man had given her but took back. She wanted the jewelry returned.

Officers who were dispatched to the woman's home arrived to find four fried goldfish on a plate. The woman said she already ate the other three.

You know what I thought as I read this? This story sounds a little “fishy.” But, what a “golden” opportunity to pass on some words of wisdom (both puns intended).

But seriously, remember the story of Naaman in II Kings 5? The prophet Elisha told him to dip in the Jordan River seven times in order to be healed of his leprosy. Naaman didn't want to do it because it was too simple and beneath him. He wanted the prophet to do something spectacular. And when it didn't happen the way he expected it to, he was about to walk away and forfeit the miracle when a wise and bold servant spoke truth into his life. He knew Naaman would do something difficult to get healed. But would he do something simple?

Here is what I have seen through the years of being a pastor and talking to numerous couples. Some couples have such a rotten relationship that they are desperately in need of a miracle. But rather than doing the simple things, such as being kind, communicating, being nice, etc., they are looking for some prophet or experience counselor to come by and wave his or her magic wand over their marriage.

You see folks, the reason we often don’t see miracles isn’t because we are not willing to do the hard things, but we are not willing to do the easy things. It is good old-fashioned obedience that sets the stage for miracles. That is all God asks. If we do the simple things, like dipping in the Jordan River seven times, God will do the difficult things. If we do the natural things, God will do the supernatural things. If we do the obedient thing, God will do the miraculous thing.

Isn’t it true that in the world of athletics, you never outgrow the basics? You have to practice simple skills over and over again. Baseball players spend a great deal of their time throwing the baseball and playing catch. Football players spend a great deal of their time running simple scrimmages. Same is true spiritually. You never outgrow the basics! You have to be great at simple things if you want to experience the spectacular.

Oswald Chambers said it this way: "It is inbred in us that we have to do exceptional things for God; but we have not. We have to be exceptional at ordinary things."

So let’s practice being polite and being nice to one another. You may not need a high price marriage counselor. All you need is to pray more for your spouse, do something simple and thoughtful and stay at it even if it appears to go unnoticed. Believe me, if you are operating out of the box by being nice, it will not go unnoticed.

Start now doing the simple things if you want to experience extraordinary benefits. This would be a lot better than frying up some goldfish and having them for dinner.

For Those Who Are Kicked Off Their Feet

The righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity – Prov. 24:16

I know of two people who are undergoing extreme trials. One of them is in severe pain both physically and emotionally. The other cannot seem to land decent employment and as a result has to move from place to place. Promises are given and promises are broken. Yet both endure but they desire to quit always lingers deep in the recesses of their minds. Every time they get up from being knocked down, they get knocked down again. . .again. . .again and again. It seems like they are always picking themselves up off the ground. I am running out of words to say to them. The typical phrases, “God is preparing you for something better,” “God is helping you to trust Him more,” “All this is designed to increase your faith,” “These trials are temporary. Don’t get discourage, the blessings are coming,” etc. Such things and there are a lot more seem cliché. I even find myself doubting my own words of encouragement. I feel their pain to a degree and I wonder if God is listening and going to do something about their circumstances.

In A View from the Zoo, Gary Richmond tells about the birth of a giraffe: The first things to emerge are the baby giraffe’s front hooves and head. A few minutes later the plucky newborn is hurled forth, falls ten feet, and lands on its back. Within seconds, he rolls to an upright position with his legs tucked under his body. From this position he considers the world for the first time and shakes himself. The mother giraffe lowers her head long enough to take a quick look. Then she positions herself directly over the calf. She waits for about a minute, then she does the most unreasonable thing. She swings her long, pendulous leg outward and kicks her baby, so that it is sent sprawling head over heels. When it doesn’t get up, the violent process is repeated over and over again.

The struggle to rise is momentous. As the baby calf grows tired, the mother kicks it again to stimulate its efforts....Finally, the calf stands for the first time on its wobbly legs. Then the mother giraffe does the most remarkable thing. She kicks it off its feet again. Why? She wants it to remember how it got up! In the wild, baby giraffes must be able to get up as quickly as possible to stay with the herd, where there is safety. Lions, hyenas, leopards, and wild hunting dogs all enjoy young giraffes, and they’d get it too, if the mother didn’t teach her calf to get up quickly and get on with it!

Like the young giraffe, the righteous too are knocked down again and again. Why? Because there is coming a day of calamity – a day when standing on one’s feet will be absolutely essential for survival. If we do not know how to get up during times without calamity, how in the world will we survive the real test, when there are spiritual prey all around us waiting for us to fall and become weak, vulnerable and turn instantly into a victim?

God does know what He is doing. God is fully in control of what happens to us and is mindful of our pain. God also loves us too much to allow us to fail and become a victim during times of calamity. According to Proverbs 24, the difference between the righteous and the wicked is that during times of calamity (i.e. times of real severe testings), the righteous get right back up again, while the wicked turn into victims. This is God’s way to point to the world who His people are and how better off they are with Jesus in their lives.

Yes, getting knocked down by your own mother may seem cruel, just like getting knocked down by God seems baffling. But the mother giraffe knows something about life that her baby is yet to experience. During those knock down periods, the baby’s willingness to cooperate with its mom and trust that she knows what she is doing to it, will end up saving the baby giraffe’s life out in the wild when calamity is all around it. In the end, the baby giraffe will end up doing the same thing to its young (if it’s a female), because that’s what mother’s do as a way of showing love to its young.

Now how much more does God love His own and wants to see them succeed and rise up in life when the time really counts? My only advice to us all of us when we are knocked down repeatedly is to get right back up – and NEVER forget how you were able to do so.

Don't Be Afraid of "Victory"

In an interview on ABC News, when asked about achieving victory in Afghanistan, President Obama said:

"I'm always worried about using the word 'victory,' because, you know, it invokes this notion of Emperor Hirohito coming down and signing a surrender to MacArthur.”

I don’t know about you, but I cannot imagine how it is possible to win over an enemy who wants to cut off your head in the name of Allah and not use the word, “victory.” I cannot imagine being involved in spiritual warfare over the world, the flesh and the devil and not use the word victory to define success.

How about those who are actually engaged in battle over in Afghanistan and they get word that “victory” is not something their country is aiming for. Well, if victory is not something we are trying to accomplish, then what? I know the president said that his aim is to keep America safe and from experiencing anymore attacks. But how is that possible when the enemy we are facing knows full well the term “victory” as it is applied to them winning over us.

When I read our president’s words, I thought of what John wrote in his book: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work” (1 John 3:8). Jesus knew that the best way to achieve success over His enemy was to “destroy” his works. Sounds like Jesus would settle for nothing less than victory.

Whenever the bible uses the word “overcome” with reference to Christians, it means nothing less than achieving victory over the enemy. For example, with reference to the devil, it is written about the saints in the end times: They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death (Rev. 12:11 NIV).

With reference to the flesh, the old nature we carry around with us, we read these words from Paul, 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 7:24-25)!

And with reference to the world, John adds this: For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:4-5 NIV). Notice the use of the word “victory” by John. He said, “This is the victory that has overcome the world.”

Now listen carefully. This may not sound popular but it’s the fact: Life is about winning and losing. There are those who win and those who lose. There are those who succeed and those who fail. There are those who live and those who die. There are those who gain and those who have lost. There are those who make it and those who do not. My point is this: Victory and defeat are things that are CHOSEN! People choose to either win or lose. Now winning should not be defined by the world, but by God. In God’s eyes, a winner is someone who loses his life in order to save it (Matt. 16:25). But if one does not have victory has his or her goal, then winning and overcoming is not possible. If you chose to win, you cannot help to choose to be victorious.

Note: By the way, it was not Emperor Hirohito who signed the surrender to MacArthur. On September 2, 1945, General Yoshijiro Umezu and Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu represented Japan in signing the Instrument of Surrender aboard the Battleship Missouri.

Prepare For Depression

13When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick – Matt. 14:13-14 NIV

Star Bulletin – Sept. 17, 2009. Hawaii businesses will have to pay nearly $1,000 more per employee in monthly taxes come April to help keep the government’s unemployment fund afloat.

The rising number of unemployed is sapping the state’s unemployment money at a rate of $32 million a month, triggering the drastic tax increase called for by law.

Businesses currently pay an average of $90 per employee each month into the unemployment fund, but that figure is expected to rise to an average of $1,040 by next spring.

Hawaii pays some of the most generous unemployment benefits in that nation, giving the unemployed a maximum of $545 per week.

Individual unemployment benefits last just over a year before they expire.

The state of Hawaii and all over the country are facing terrible consequences from the condition of the economy. As was stated in one of our local newspapers, a massive tax increase on businesses in Hawaii will force employers to pay an extra $1000.00 a month per employee in unemployment benefits starting in April 2010. As of now the average business pays around $90.00 a month per employee. This massive jump in tax increase in April will cause many of the Hawaii businesses to stop hiring and to lay off more of its employees thus adding to the pool of those who are already unemployed and collecting benefits. Folks, things are going to get bleaker.

What can we do as Christians? Jesus, of course, provides the answer. One of Jesus’ best friends and a relative of His was John the Baptist. Remember, John’s mother, Elizabeth, was Mary’s relative (Luke 1:36), perhaps her cousin, but we’re not told exactly the degree of blood relationship.

When Jesus had heard that his friend and relative was killed, He withdrew Himself to a secluded place (Matt. 14:13). Jesus was obviously sad and wanted to be alone. This is common and natural. When we grieve, we simply want to be alone to do our grieving. Nothing is wrong with this. But grieving can often turn into a mild state of depression. And if not dealt with in a right way, a mild depression can turn into a severe form of depression.

So what is the right way to deal with depression, especially as one grieves over the lost of a friend, loved one or anything that was taken away such as employment?

Here it is. Read carefully: When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick (Matt. 14:13-14).

Did you see it? Jesus saw people and rather than moving away from them, He moved toward them to help and minister to their needs. You see, people are God’s gift to us in times of depression. Now of course, you may not see it as that, but it’s true. We often in our depressive state want to avoid people. We get a phone call and the last thing we do is answer it. We don’t want to talk to anyone. We don’t feel like leaving the house for fear of running into someone we know who might stop to talk to us. Or we sneak out and go to a 7-Eleven and see something parked out in front and keep driving. We do not want to talk to anyone let alone serve or help anyone. But that is precisely what needs to be done!

While Jesus was grieving over the lost of his relative, God brought to Him a multitude of people. Notice the three things Jesus had done:

1. He SAW
2. He FELT
3. He HEALED

This is the threefold remedy out of depression. People who are depressed need more than ever to “see” others. In other words, they need to get their eyes off of themselves and onto someone else. Depression exists because we tend to focus inward. A better way is to focus outward. For this to happen, we need people in our lives to enable this to occur. We cannot remain isolated. While in depression, if God brings a person knocking on your door, or your phone rings and on the other end is a friend, pick it up and talk. You need to see that there are others out there who need you.

Once Jesus “saw” the crowd, He “felt compassion” on them. Now His feelings go from inward to outward. Jesus as God knows that there is a bigger world than His own world of grieving. If He focused too much on His world, depression would only remain. He instead, looked beyond Himself, saw the people and felt compassion on them. Now He was no longer feeling His own pain, but the pain of those whom God had brought into His life.

When compassion sets in, then the third step follows – He “healed” or in other words, Jesus served others in order to meet their needs. By doing this, Jesus was not ignoring His pain and hurt or the tragedy that occurred with His relative, rather He was not allowing such a severe tragedy to paralyze Him from fulfilling His mission.

You see, for those who are depressed, people are God’s gift to them. When God brings people into our lives, He does so to help and enable us to redirect our focus away from ourselves and onto others. Too much self-focus tends to paralyze us and keeps us in seclusion. The remedy is to focus on others and meet their needs.

Remember this when you are depressed over the lost of someone significant in your life or anything for that matter, such as the lost of a job or a career opportunity. The Lord will send our way a phone call or a visit from a friend or others, so that we can “see,” “feel” and “serve.” These things ingredients are your steps toward healing and usefulness. It seems severe times are coming. Now is the time to prepare.

How To Fill The Void in Your Heart

In one of his meetings, D.L. Moody was explaining to his audience the truth that we cannot bring about spiritual changes in our lives by our own strength. He demonstrated the principal like this: "Tell me," he said to his audience, "how can I get the air out of the tumbler I have in my hand?" One man said, "Suck it out with a pump." But Moody replied, "That would create a vacuum and shatter it." Finally after many suggestions, he picked up a pitcher and quietly filled the glass with water. "There," he said, "all the air is now removed." He then explained that victory for the child of God does not come by working hard to eliminate sinful habits, but rather by allowing Christ to take full possession.

In Matthew 13, there is a very disturbing passage. It is found in the last verse – v. 58: “And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.”

At first glance one would be tempted to ask, “Hey, wait a minute. If the people are having a problem with unbelief, then performing miracles would be a cure. People need help to overcome their unbelief and witnessing a miracle or two may be just the answer.” But let me show you the verses that precede verse 58.

53When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. 55"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" 57And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor."

Jesus goes back to His home town of Nazareth. He goes into a local church there and begins to preach the Word in dynamic form. Everyone there is accosted with the truth. There is no denying it. Rather then believing Him and rejoicing in the privilege of hearing God Himself speak (it is one thing to hear someone speak for God, it is something totally different to hear God Himself speak), “THEY took offense at Him.”

It is important to understand who the “they” are. You may be tempted to think of the “they” as being those who were in the Synagogue. You know, those who had asked the series of questions in verses 55-56. But that’s not really so. The “they” were members of Jesus’ own family – “His brothers and sisters.” They were present. They were there. “Are they not all with us,” the people stated. It was “they,” Jesus’ brothers and sisters who took offense at Him. Jesus therefore left His own hometown because of their unbelief.

Nothing could be worse than to experience the rejection of family. Obviously, while in the Synagogue, surrounded by a lot of important and powerful religious people, not to mention, friends and acquaintances, Jesus’ family became embarrassed by Him. Rather than standing up, speaking up and supporting their own brother, they led in His rejection.

So when Jesus left, He did so because of their unbelief. This tells me that there are two kinds of unbelief in the world. First, there is the king of unbelief that exists because a person simply does not have enough evidence to make a rational decision. This person needs more light, more miracles, and more time. Second, there is a kind of unbelief that occurs simply out of an unwillingness to acknowledge the truth. This kind of unbelief does not need more light, more miracles, and more time. There is nothing stopping or keeping this person from believing except their own unwillingness to yield to the truth. Truth is starring them in the face but they are too embarrassed, too proud, too self-centered to believe and accept it. So they choose to go the way of the crowd.

This is the kind of unbelief that keeps God from working miracles among people. Those who simply need more light and who are seeking for answers, God is more than willing to show Himself great and provide miracle after miracle in order to help people to believe the truth and understand it. But those who have pretty much made up their own minds, would rather take offense at Jesus and protect themselves from being embarrassed and following the belief of the populace, it is those Jesus moves away from. For it would be a waste of time to do miracles among those who already have their minds made up.

It isn’t enough to blow the air of unbelief out of our hearts, for that would only create a void or vacuum. Rather, let God fill our hearts with His truth, so that as our hearts are filled, the air of unbelief dissipates and at the same time, the emptiness is quickly replace with divine truth. This comes when we are willing to yield ourselves over to God and not be embarrassed about it, and more importantly, ABOUT HIM!

Consider the Source

What if someone like Charles Darwin came to your church and delivered a sermon? How would you react to that? What would you do? Would you stay and listen to him preach? Would you be upset with your pastor for inviting him? Would you walk out of the church service and miss his message?

We often wrongly conclude that the sermons we need to listen to are those delivered by the saved. But what about those who are not saved?

Here is what Jesus had to say about that: 1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach” (Matt. 23:2-3 NIV).

Jesus clearly teaches His disciples that even if the Word of God is taught by those who do not know God, listen anyway to what they say. If a pagan preaches the truth, we are still obligated to listen and obey. It doesn’t matter whether the truth comes from a favorite beloved pastor or bible teacher, or from someone like Nancy Pelosi. If the Word is taught, we are obligated to listen and obey – no matter who is the source.

The only restriction Jesus gave was this: “Don’t do what they do.” Why? “Because they are hypocrites.” Even when you come across someone who does not practice what he or she preaches, you and I are still under obligation to listen and obey.

How often do we hear others say, “Why should I listen to him? He does not practice what he preaches.” Or, “I am not going to church. They are a bunch of hypocrites there.” That maybe so. But Jesus did not say, “If you run across a hypocrite, then don’t listen to him or her. Instead He said, “Do listen and obey what you hear when it is the Word of God being proclaimed” and “don’t do what they do.” Listen for the Word being taught and obey it, but don’t practice the hypocrite lifestyle.

There are two fundamental principles that I want to point out at this time: First, the Word of God is not rendered void and useless just because it may flow from an unworthy vessel. If the vessel happens to be someone like Darwin, the Word of God does not change or becomes powerless. It still is just as powerful and effective as if it was preached by the one and only Billy Graham.

Second, if we are told to listen to the Word of God even if it comes from unworthy vessels, then Jesus is assuming that we would have some understanding of what the bible does teach in order to recognize truth when we hear it. You see, if a pagan preaches, he or she may be proclaiming 30 percent of biblical truth. Seventy percent would be false. Would you be able to recognize the difference? The seventy percent you let it fall from your ears, while the thirty percent you listen and obey.

Sometimes I come across people who tell me, “Those TV and Radio Personalities like, Glenn Beck, Shawn Hannity and Rush Limbaugh, they are no good. They may not even be saved. It is a waste of time to listen to them.”

Such reasoning flies in the opposite direction of what Jesus had taught His disciples. Sure, these men may not be pastors or even attend a sound evangelical church (I don't know this for certain), but when they do say things that are truthful and biblically sound, we are to listen and obey, otherwise, we give the impression that the Word of God becomes powerless and rendered useless because of the source it came from.

I happen to think that the Word of God is powerful and effective because its source is God. Man and the media are only conduits. A conduit only provides the flow of power, it is not the source. Therefore, as I listen to the news, read secular books, and even listen to my favorite bible teacher, I am responsible to obey the Word as I recognize it. And then practice what the Word says.

How Titles Can Hurt The Church

When speaking about the Pharisees, Jesus gave this observation:

"They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. "But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. "Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. "Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. "But the greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matt. 23:6-11).

As a pastor, one of the challenges for me is to get ordinary Christians to not be afraid to step up to the plate when it comes to serving the Lord. Now most do not see a problem with setting up tables and chairs, doing hospitality, church cleaning, etc.

But when it comes to serving in front of others – such as praying, preaching or teaching, leading a small group, dancing, singing, etc., some feel those types of ministry is only for the professional. I believe people come away with such thoughts for three reasons:

First, we often only have nothing but the best on stage. Only the finest and most talented perform. Naturally, the average person sees this and concludes: “I could never be that good.” As a result, a person resigns him or herself to doing things that are far lesser than their potential.

Second, we often only have the professional people pastoring a church. The pastor is seminary trained or at least has a bible college education. Therefore, some conclude that if they don't have such things as well, they cannot serve as a shepherd themselves in any capacity.

Third, we rely far too much on titles before our name. Have you ever referred to Paul as “The Apostle Paul?” I have many times. But did you know that the bible does not refer to Paul in such language? In the New Testament, servants of God are NOT referred to by a title before their name, rather by a description of their giftings or functions.

For example, Paul never refers to himself as the 'Apostle Paul', it is always something like:

• Paul, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ (Rom.1:1)
• Paul, called as an apostle (I Cor.1:1)
• Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus (II Cor.1:1)
• Paul, an apostle (not sent from men...) (Gal.1:1)

So you see, his title came AFTER his name, not before. You can look up the rest of Paul's epistles for yourself. In every case he describes his calling, gifting, function within the Body of Christ--AFTER his name, not as a title proclaiming his accomplishments or importance.

You see, in Christ's Kingdom we are all on the same level as brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all "bond-servants" (Phil. 1:1) of Jesus Christ. The only thing that differentiates us is our gifting, or function within the Body of Christ.

If this is the biblical pattern, why do we continue to practice the use of honoring one another with titles such as Dr. So-And-So, or Rev. So-And-So? Why do we refer to servants as "Pastor John" or Pastor Rich as if to suggest some level of importance?

I like when I hear Christians refer to other Christians as “brother or “sister” so-and-so. We need to try to be very careful to not give the impression that some of us are somehow more important, or "more called" than others. We don't want to do anything that would give an impression that some are more qualified or more important to deal with matters than others. As a result, our poorer, uneducated brethren are often used of God to accomplish extraordinary things as they are encouraged to use their spiritual gifting, rather than something they have been made to feel inferior about through no fault of their own.

I find this to be especially true serving out in Waianae. The harvest field where I pastor is ripe with talented and gifted people. But most of them do not have titles. They may get the impression that unless they are given a title, they cannot serve the Lord with the same authority as one who has a title. We tend to hurt and stifle so many potential servants when we do such things.

Now it may seem like I am making far too big of a deal over this. But it's true. I have witnessed countless times how people won't step up to the plate unless they are given a title. And let me ask you this: How serious would you listen to someone who was preaching the word to you but did not have the title “pastor?”

Galatians 3:28 speaks of, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.(emphasis added)" James 2 speaks about not holding an attitude of personal favoritism towards those more fortunate than the poor by making "distinctions among yourselves." Are not titles a distinction among us?

All of us have heard introductions of fellow believers beginning something like..."Today we have with us one of the most influential and respected pastors in America. His church has grown from 0 to 50,000 in just five years...certainly one of the most humble men on the planet...and one of the most insightful visionaries in the North American church today, it is a great honor for me to present to you Dr. _____ (applause).”

Why can't we simply introduce each other as, "John Jones, a dear brother serving our Lord in Honolulu, Kailua or California...?" Am I against successful ministry, or education and learning? No way. I, myself am a seminary graduate. I highly encourage everyone I work with to get as much training, education, learning as they possibly can throughout their lifetime and within their means to do so. I rejoice in the victories and successes of those I co-labor with.

The problem comes that education, titles, ordination, recognition, and degrees have a way of separating us from one another – especially the people we are called to serve. We unintentionally create religious castes amongst ourselves. We invite the pastors to come to certain meetings, to sit on stage, or the "professionals" to a prayer breakfast. We single out "leaders" for certain events, and so forth. All of this has a subtle way of silently killing off the "priesthood of all believers."

Those without the public recognition of their "importance" begin to feel and act like second-class Kingdom citizens. They begin to expect professionals with the titles to do the work of the Kingdom. Since they are just "ordinary" Christians, the attitude quickly becomes one of mediocrity and complacency, and business as usual. I am not "called," so therefore it is not my responsibility.

But how much of the ministry actually gets done with only the professionals in charge and doing it? And how is it that 2000 years after Christ gave us the Great Commission, we are no closer to fulfilling the task! Imagine what would happen if every single Christian really understood themselves as a "CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION..." (1 Pet. 2:9). The Great Commission is not just for the Drs. the Revs. the Pastors, the professionals, but for ALL OF US! I guarantee, more would get done for the Lord and the kingdom of God would advance in far more ways than we expect.

Leaders need to be respected not based on their title, but on their example. Paul told Timothy to not let anyone look down upon your youth. Instead, show them your title and degrees. Is that what Paul said? No. He said, “Be an example in your speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). Therein lies real proven authority.