BODY BUILDERS MINISTRY

A couple articles recently came across my blog reader that crystallized some thoughts I have been recently chewing on. Both articles were from evangelical organizations and both had the same driving principle. They illustrate an ongoing concern I have with many of those in evangelicalism and highlight the need for fundamentalists to be very careful in the materials we are using from these groups. The first article opened with the statement that the MPAA ratings (movie ratings- G, PG, PG-13 and R) promote Phariseeism in believers. The author asserted that Christians tend to discount or accept a movie based only on its rating and that some use his own viewing standard (i.e., “I don’t watch anything over PG”) as a mark of his spirituality. The second article stated that demerits (the system of penalties in Christian schools and colleges) were ungodly. His reasoning was that demerits enforce outward conformity without getting to the heart of the individuals.

Both articles point out some very definite dangers to be avoided. Indiscriminate viewing of a movie based only on pagan Hollywood’s perception of what is suitable for certain age brackets is just plain stupid. If believers are going to watch movies, they must have enough discernment and foresight to do some research ahead of time to find out what is actually in the movie- but that’s beside the point of this article. Using any kind of artificial, extra-Biblical standard as an identifier of rightness with God entirely fails to consider the depravity of the human heart and the totality of Christ’s reconciling work. A demerit system can, and has been, abused as a bludgeon to beat people into line without any regard for their genuine spiritual condition. All of these actions are bad things. It does not follow that because bad results have come about through the application of certain rules or systems then those rules and systems are bad.

These are two illustrations of a continuing philosophy within much of evangelicalism, and increasingly in parts of fundamentalism, that teaches rules are bad. Rules are not bad. Rules are not the enemy to spiritual growth, Christlikeness or glorification of God. The answer to the problems of misapplication, self righteousness and laziness is not to throw out rules and structured systems. The answer is to use the rules and systems as tools to guide behavior and reveal the heart. The declaration of rules as wrong or the enemy of grace is to throw out much of the Bible. (Yes, I know we are no longer under the law.) The New Testament is full of rules. Don’t say bad words. Don’t lust. Don’t lie. Pray for your president. Don’t tell dirty jokes. Dress modestly. The most casual reading of the second half of just about any of Paul’s epistles reveals many rules. Some of them are internal rules, like don’t do anything desiring human praise and personal preeminence. Some of them are external rules, like don’t even talk about immorality. Some of them are both, like don’t get drunk but be filled with the Spirit. There are hundreds of commands given in the New Testament, many of them are commands of outward behavior. All of these commands are summed up by Christ, Paul and John as loving God supremely and others sacrificially. The application of these two primary commands is such that we can state with certainty that if one does something, or does not do something, he does not love God supremely. The rules instruct us how to live and they reveal times when our heart has turned aside from the great loves that summarize the commands. The rules are not themselves the source or means of loving God supremely, but they are absolutely the demonstration of that love. To suggest otherwise is dangerous and contrary to the Bible.

I have three children. I have rules- more than three. Can you imagine the uncertainty and chaos in my home if there were no rules about bed time, chores, behavior or religious duties? Is there any wisdom in teaching my kids I want them to love me and their mom enough to want to clean the kitchen without having to be told? Absolutely. My desired end is that they will develop the discipline and initiative to do household chores without the external force decreeing they must do it right now. The way to reach that goal is not to remove the rules of when to clean. It is to enforce those rules and teach the guiding principles behind them. God desires we love Him most, but He does not leave us to ourselves to figure out how to express that love. He has told us very plainly what pleases Him and what does not. He has given us rules, not to oppose His grace, but to show us our desperate need of His grace and to teach us how to live according to His grace.

“While I was staying at Nailsworth, it pleased the Lord to teach me a truth, irrespective of human instrumentality, as far as I know, the benefit of which I have not lost, though now…more than forty years have since passed away.

The point is this: I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day, to have MY SOUL HAPPY IN THE LORD. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished. For I might seek to set the truth before the unconverted, I might seek to benefit believers, I might seek to behave myself as it becomes a child of God in this world; and yet, not being happy in the Lord, and not being nourished and strengthened in my inner man day by day, all this might not be attended to in a right spirit.

Before this time my practice had been, at least for ten years previously, as a habitual thing, to give myself to prayer, after having dressed in the morning. Now I saw, that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the Word of God and to meditation on it, that thus my heart may be comforted, encouraged, warned, reproved, instructed; and that thus, whilst meditating, my heart might be brought into experimental communion with the Lord. I began therefore, to meditate on the New Testament, from the beginning, early in the morning.

The first thing I did, after having asked in a few words the Lord’s blessing upon His precious Word, was to begin to meditate on the Word of God; searching, as it were, into every verse, to get blessings out of it; not for the sake of the public ministry of the Word; not for the sake of preaching on what I had meditated upon; but for the sake of obtaining food for my own soul.. The result I have found to be almost invariably this, that after a very few minutes my soul has been led to confession, or to thanksgiving, or to intercession, or to supplication; so that though I did not, as it were, give myself to prayer, but to meditation, yet it turned almost immediately more or less into prayer.

When thus I have been for awhile making confession, or intercession, or supplication, or have given thanks, I go on to the next words or verse, turning all, as I go on, into prayer for myself or others, as the Word may lead to it; but still continually keeping before me, that food for my own soul is the object of my meditation. The result of this is, that there is always a good deal of confession, invariably is even sensibly nourished and strengthened and that by breakfast time, with rare exceptions, I am in a peaceful if not happy state of heart. Thus also the Lord is pleased to communicate unto me that which, very soon after, I have found to become food for other believers, though it was not for the sake of the public ministry of the Word that I gave myself to meditation, but for the profit of my own inner man.

The difference between my former practice and my present one is this. Formerly, when I rose, I began to pray as soon as possible, and generally spent all my time till breakfast in prayer, or almost all the time. At all events I almost invariably began with prayer. But what was the result? I often spent a quarter of an hour, or even an hour on my knees, before being conscious to myself of having derived comfort, encouragement, humbling of soul, etc.; and often after having suffered much from wandering of mind of the first ten minutes, or a quarter of an hour, or even half an hour, I only then began really to pray.

I scarcely ever suffer now in this way. For my heart being nourished by the truth, being brought into experimental fellowhship with God, I speak to my Father, and to my Friend (vile though I am, and unworthy of it!) about the things that He has brought before me in His precious Word.

It often now astonishes me that I did not sooner see this. In no book did I ever read about it. No public ministry ever brought the matter before me. No private intercourse with a brother stirred me up to this matter. And yet now, since God has taught me this point, it is a plain to me as anything that the first thing the child of God has to do morning by morning is to obtain food for his inner man.

As the outward man is not fit for work for any length of time, except we take food, and as this is one of the first things we do in the morning, so it should be with the inner man. We should take food for that, as every one must allow. Now what is the food for the inner man: not prayer, but the Word of God: and here again not the simple reading of the Word of God, so that it only passes through our minds, just as water runs through a pipe, but considering what we read, pondering over it, and applying it to our hearts.

I dwell so particularly on this point because of the immense spiritual profit and refreshment I am conscious of having derived from it myself, and I affectionately and solemnly beseech all my fellow-believers to ponder this matter. By the blessing of God I ascribe to this mode the help and strength which I have had from God to pass in peace through deeper trials in various ways than I had ever had before; and after having now above forty years tried this way, I can most fully, in the fear of God, commend it. How different when the soul is refreshed and made happy early in the morning, from what it is when, without spiritual preparation, the service, the trials and the temptations of the day come upon one!”

-George Mueller

This month we are not going to be sending out a newsletter, so I am posting a brief ministry update here. We continue to serve at Manistique Bible Church. We plan to be there through the end of June, unless the Lord provides the church a pastor before then. Manistique Bible continues to move forward in their pastor search. They are currently talking with a man with the desire to have him come candidate. Please pray for that ministry as they seek for God’s man for them.

One of the most enjoyable things about ministry is getting to watch people grow in Christ. Coming back to a place I had previously ministered is very interesting. Besides seeing all the kids at the church are twice as tall as I remembered them, there are also several folks who have noticeably grown in the Lord since we last saw them. Others have been saved and added to the church. I have been rejoicing over these who are making clear strides in the things of the Lord. A deep hunger for the Word of God, a desire to learn more of God’s truth and a readiness to serve are all great signs of God’s working in hearts. It is exciting to watch and have a part in what God is doing. Thank God for His working in hearts!

My original plan for this post was to offer a summary of a great sermon on worldliness presented by Dr. Kevin Bauder during 2012′s Heart Conference. Circumstances have conspired to make that impossible, but I have included a link below that allows you to listen to the sermon. Instead of being able to read the vastly intelligent comments from Dr. Bauder, my own thoughts on the same subject will have to suffice. You have my deepest, and sincerest apologies.

The Biblical concept of worldliness is severely misunderstood in fundamentalism. Many activities, such as going to movies, smoking or listening to rock music, have been proclaimed as prohibited because they are worldly. While it is absolutely accurate that they are worldly activities, the mere fact of their worldliness does not immediately make them sinful. In one sense, and in a significant sense, worldly is used in the Bible to refer to that which has to do with this present reality. Marriage, McDonald’s, movies and marijuana are all worldly. However, some are praised, some are permissible and some are prohibited. This is not to be nit picky on semantics, but hopefully to help us gain a right understanding of worldliness. A right understanding of worldliness is very important to a proper understanding of holiness, obedience, separation and spiritual growth. The fact that something is of this world does not always mean it is sinful.

Though what is of this world is tainted by the curse and under the domination of Satan, we can (and in many instances, must) participate in worldly things. The issue for the believer is not involvement in things of this world, but engaging the things of this world in such a way that God is usurped in our lives. Things of this world become sinful in a couple ways. First, when they draw our eyes and hearts away from the things of God. When the world becomes so important to us that we pursue it and neglect the eternal things, it is sinful. For example, when a job takes precedence over spiritual growth, fellowship with the believers and Christian service, that job has become sinful. Obviously, holding a job is not sinful. In some instances, the opposite is true- to not hold a job would be sinful. Yet, holding employment is very definitely worldly. It is a task performed within this present reality for temporal gains. Holding employment is definitely not sinful. What is sinful is the elevation of the importance of any job over that of the eternal things. Worldly things become sinful things when they are given a value that detracts from our estimation of the things of God.

Secondly, things of this world are sinful when they are sinful. Insightful, yes? Things of this world are sinful when they involve or promote the performance of things which are prohibited by God. Rock music is sinful because of it participates in and promotes a myriad of things which are clearly contrary to God’s commands. McDonald’s may not necessarily be sinful, but if my enjoyment of a McDonald’s burger moves from the realm of providing chemically manipulated meat like fuel for glorifying God in my life to a gluttonous excess of wasteful over indulgence then my imbibing of Big Mac’s becomes a worldly thing that is also sin. The issue is not as much about the things relationship to this world as it is the things relationship with the next world. If it detracts from the things of God, or if it disobeys the commands of God, then that worldly thing has become sinful. We must live in this world, but we must do so with an eternal focus. In Colossians 3:1-2 Paul gives the solution to and the guard against worldliness. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

In Hebrews 3 and 4 the apostle gives a very necessary warning to the church. The warning is that they not imitate the children of Israel at the frontier of the promised land. The Israelites stood on the banks of the promised land, after a monumental journey that began with God’s decimation of Egypt in the plagues, His division of the Red Sea for the nation to pass through, His destruction of Pharoah’s army in the sea, His daily provision of manna, His miraculous provision of water from the rock and His ongoing protection of them through their journeys in the wilderness. After seeing all this, Israel refused to cross into the land. In Numbers and Hebrews, the Bible describes their response as unbelief. Nehemiah points back to this time and says they, “Refused to obey” and “In their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage.” We find in these passages a clear principle at work. The Israelites refused to obey God because they did not believe God.

Peanuts- April 10, 2012

“Christ is risen from the dead. He who was dead is alive forevermore. Therefore, we live now; – we who believe in Him. And they live too; – they who have fallen asleep in Him. Death could not hold Him: no; not any part of Him. Sin could not destroy Him: no; not an part of Him. He goes down to the pit. But see! He comes forth, leaving no part of Him behind. Therefore, guilt is expiated. Therefore, the ransom is sufficient. Therefore, the redemption is complete. Therefore we, as well as our predecessors in the life of faith, have a hope which neither death nor sin can touch.
They have not perished. Though absent from the body, they live now. In the body they are to live hereafter. No part of them has fallen, or is to fall, a victim, either to death or to sin.
We, also, believing, are not in our sins. No wrath for sin is upon us now. No death for sin awaits us at last. Ours now is a life in Christ, free from the doom of guilt. Our death is not penal. When we fall asleep in Christ, we do not perish.
In the risen Saviour, then, let us rejoice to hope. In the risen Saviour let us rejoice to have fellowship, in our hope, with all them that have already fallen asleep in Christ. They have fallen asleep, as we hope to fall asleep, not to perish, but to have everlasting life.”
Robert Candlish

“But the proof of the resurrection of Christ, does not depend upon arguments and historical evidence, with which multitudes of true Christians are unacquainted; but is, in its own nature, equally convincing in all ages and equally level to all capacities. They who have found the Gospel to be the power of God to the salvation of their souls, have the witness in themselves. And are very sure that the doctrine which enlightened their understandings, awakened their consciences, delivered them from the guilt and dominion of sin, brought them into a state of peace and communion with God, and inspired them with a bright and glorious hope of eternal life, must be true. They know that the Lord is risen indeed, because they are made partakers of the power of His resurrection, and have experienced a change in themselves, which could only be wrought by the influence of that Holy Spirit which Jesus is exalted to bestow. And many believers, though not qualified to dispute with philosophers and sceptics, upon their own learned ground, can put them to shame and to silence, by the integrity and purity of their conduct, by their patience and cheerfulness under afflictions; and would especially silence them, if they were eye-witnesses of the composure and elevation of spirit, with which true believers in a risen Saviour welcome the approach of death.”
John Newton

“It is by no means extravagant to assert that no fact in the history of the world is so well authenticated as the fact of Christ’s resurrection. And that established, all Christianity is established too. Its supernatural element is vindicated its supernatural origin evinced. Then, our faith is not in vain, and we are not still in our sins. Then, the world has been redeemed unto our God, and all flesh can see his salvation. Then, the All-Wise is the All-Loving, too, and has vindicated his love forever. Then, the supreme song of heaven may be fitly repeated on earth: “Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” Then, we can know that nothing can separate us from his love-that even death has failed in the attempt; and that it is thus given to mortals to utter in triumph the immortal cry, “Death is swallowed up in victory!”
Benjamin Warfield

“But let those who love His name be joyful in Him. Your Lord who was dead, is alive, and because He lives, you shall live also. If you be risen with Him, seek the things which are above, where He is seated at the right hand of God. And, when He, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with Him in glory.”
John Newton

One of the things that makes a pastors job so hard is that most people don’t want you to do your job. This is why there is so much turn over in the ministry. Pastors are brought on by churches to fill the pulpit and officiate weddings, funerals and other ceremonies, but they are rarely able to oversee, reprove, rebuke, admonish and correct people. It has been my experience thus far after about four years of pastoral ministry that most people want a pastor but don’t want to be pastored. They don’t want you to shepherd them or oversee them unless it’s something that they already agree with you about. They want you to keep a safe distance from them and only come close when they are in the hospital or need a ride to the airport. When their behavior is out of line, they don’t want you meddling with their business. Even those who call you for counsel are not really looking for you to confront their sin and correct them. They want you to affirm the decision that they are already bent on making and if you don’t, they find creative ways to tell you why they will go to another church. This is discouraging and makes ministry a real drag.

The church in Ephesus had turned aside from her first love. Christ warns her of the danger if she does not repent. In His warning He points out the problem and provides the solution. The solution to departure from the first love is threefold, remember the place that has been left, repent and return to the original deeds. The original deeds done in Ephesus are found in Acts 19, and three things in particular stand out. First, there was a commitment to ongoing instruction in the Word. Second was a commitment to obedience to the Word, regardless of the cost. Third was a life that brought glory to God.

In my estimation, fundamentalism has followed the same path as the Ephesians. We have maintained doctrinal integrity, we have kept proper standards and associations, but in doing so we have left our original love for Christ. The solution for fundamentalism is the same. Return to the deeds which were done at the beginning. Return to a passion for sound Biblical instruction. Return to a full fledged, unswerving commitment to obedience to the Word. In recent years within many segments of fundamentalism obedience to the Word has somehow become equated with obedience to a particular set of standards. While the standards may be excellent standards, and they may be accurate applications of the Word, they are not the Word of God. This replacing the Word with an extra Biblical standard inevitably results in a false sense of obedience and self righteousness. One can be angry and petty, but still be alright because he has kept the standards. One can have a caustic tongue, but still be alright because his dress code and hair cut meets the standards. One can properly keep the list of externals because the hidden depravity and selfish desires of the heart are never addressed. Obedience to standards by themselves results in a disobedience to the Word. Fundamentalism has erred in elevating any set of derived standards to an importance nearly equal to that of the Word. We must repent and return to a full obedience to the Word, going beyond the externals to the matters of the heart.

Fundamentalism has at times departed from obedience to the Word through an elevation of the opinions of particular men or circle of influence. Biblical fellowship and Biblical confrontation have been left behind in the hopes of maintaining a desired relationship, out of fear of being labeled an agitator or  of being seen as a compromiser. This is tragic. The fear of men has no place in a believers life and ministry. Fundamentalism must return to a radical commitment to obedience to the Bible that will place God’s Word as vastly more important than any other consideration. Not just professing obedience to the Word, or only obeying the Word when it suits ones purposes, but practicing obedience no matter what the loss or difficulty. The Ephesian church willingly burned several million dollars worth of books in obedience to the Word. The early Fundamentalists willingly left behind positions, friendships and risked the loss of properties and resources to obey the Word. Sadly, it seems that many today are not willing to risk the loss of one man’s favor or the dropping one groups endorsement to obey the Word.

We must return to lives that make the glory of God the most important consideration in all we do. We must return to a philosophy of ministry that makes the faithful exaltation of God’s majesty supreme. We must repent of ministry philosophies which elevate numerical success. We must reject pragmatism and return to ministry that considers accurately lifting up God before all creation as its single most important objective, regardless of acceptance, response or popularity.

In the end, the solution offered to a departure from the first love is to couple strong doctrine with an equally strong commitment to the Source of that doctrine, obedience to the Word and glorification of God. Fundamentalism does not need more passion or emotion, it needs increased commitment to the study of the Word and absolute obedience to God’s Word so that in our churches God will be obviously most important.