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Ten Questions Christians Can’t Answer | Part III

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7) If you believe the creation account in Genesis is allegorical, they why don’t you treat Paul’s epistles in the same way since he references the creation account in Genesis as historical?

Paul uses the fact of creation throughout his epistles. Here are some examples:

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Heb 11;3)

Since the person posing the question in this instance isn’t specific about which verses he’s referencing, it’s difficult to know what exactly he’s referring to. Typically, however, the difficulty with the Creation account is whether or not God completed everything in six literal days. Did He create the heavens and the earth in less than a week, or is a “day” nothing more than a literary device describing a timeframe that may have been significantly longer than 24 hours?

Fact is, there’s a great deal of compelling evidence that suggests the earth is not as old as some in the scientific community would have you believe (click here for more reading on that topic). The bottom line is that carbon dating and other traditionally accepted methods of dating fossils etc. are based on the assumption that the observable conditions of the earth have remained unchanged since the very beginning of time. Indeed, the atmospheric conditions were not necessarily the same, which means that carbon dating is not necessarily absolute.

While some calibration can be made in order to accommodate the atmospheric anomalies that may have been present at the time, those kind of distinctions can only be identified by whatever may have been documented. In other words, outside the context of recorded history, you have a very subjective landscape to navigate when it comes to dating articles of antiquity beyond a certain point.

On the other hand, when you compare Genesis 1:27 which says that God created both Adam and Eve on the sixth day, to Genesis 2, it looks like the sixth day either had a great deal of activity packed into the daylight hours, or you have more time built into the term “day.”

Our culture is steeped in the notion that we inhabit a planet that is billions of years old. It’s a convenient thought in that you now have a theoretically comfortable timeframe to accommodate natural selection and the fortuitous evolution of life as we know it. While there is a fascinating amount of research that’s been done in terms of dating the earth according to a purely biblical model, which suggests that the earth is nowhere near as old as the champions of evolutionary theory would have our grade school classrooms believe, for the sake of this conversation the only pertinent Truth that needs to be affirmed is the fact that God did, in fact, create the universe.

However one wants to interpret Genesis and the age of the earth, the priority here, as far as the way in which Paul refers to creation, is to simply reinforce the fact that God was the Creative Force behind the origin of the cosmos and that is not allegory, that is the literal Truth.

8) How many donkeys did Jesus ride in His triumphal entry in Jerusalem? Was it one like Mark, Luke and John say, or was it two donkeys like Matthew says?

Matthew 21:2 says:

saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.

Mark 11:2, Luke 28:30 and John 12:14-15 only mention one donkey. Jesus wasn’t straddling two donkeys as much as it was Matthew simply mentioning what constituted a complete picture of the prophecy articulated in Zechariah 9:9:

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!  Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zec 9:9)

Chances are excellent since the foal had never been ridden before, let alone paraded around in front a large and noisy crowd, having the mother lead the foal for the sake of psychological support would’ve been a logical move. Dr. Gleason Archer says as much:

The Zechariah passage does not actually specify that the parent donkey would figure in the triumphal entrance; it simply describes the foal as “the son of a she-ass” by way of poetic parallelism. But Matthew contributes the eyewitness observation (and quite possibly neither Mark nor Luke were eyewitnesses as Matthew was) that the mother actually preceded Jesus in that procession that took Jesus into the Holy City. Here agin, then, there is no real contradiction between the synoptic account but only added detail on the part of Matthew as on who viewed the event while it was happening.1

So, the gospel writers do not conflict with one another as much as Matthew is simply providing more detail.

9) Based on the genealogies for Matthew and Luke, who was Joseph’s father?

Luke follows the genealogy of Mary whereas Matthew follows the genealogy of Joseph. Jesus was the legal descendant of Solomon (Matthew’s genealogy [Joseph]) and a blood relative of Nathan (Luke’s genealogy [Mary]). The confusion is clarified when you take the verbiage of Luke 3:23 into consideration.

Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, (Lk 3:23)

Luke is qualifying the list he’s getting ready to enumerate by stating up front that, while it was customary to trace a person’s lineage through the line of the father, the virgin birth represents a special situation. Hence the emphasis on Mary. That fact is further reinforced when you consider the original Greek and notice how Luke doesn’t say that Heil “begat” Joseph. Rather, he was Joseph’s father in law.

Joseph was begotten by Jacob, and was his natural son (Matt 1:16). He could be the legal son of Heli, therefore, only by marriage with Heil’s daughter (Mary) and be reckoned so according to law. It does not say “begat” in the case of Heli.2

10) Was Jesus crucified on the first day of Passover, like the gospel of John says? Or the next day like the other three gospels say?

The confusion stems from John 19:14 where it says:

Now it was the day of preparation for the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. And he *said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!”  (Jn 19:14 [NASB][emphasis added]) 

Matthew 27:62-63 says:

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir, ” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ (Matt 27:62-63)

Mark 15:42-43 says:

It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Mark 15:42-43)

Luke refers to the day that Jesus died in the 24th chapter when he says:

It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. (Lk 23:54)

“Preparation Day” was the day before the Sabbath, which was a Saturday. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was often  referred to as “Passover” because of the way the Passover meal served as the opening ceremony for the Feast.3 So, when John uses the term “day of preparation for the Passover,” he’s not referring to the day before the Passover meal, he’s referring to the day before the Sabbath of Passover week (Feast of Unleavened Bread). The NCV rendering of the verse makes that fact more evident:

14It was about noon on Preparation Day of Passover week. Pilate said to the crowd, “Here is your king!” (Jn 19:14 [NCV][emphasis added])

In addition, John uses the Greek word “paraskeue” to define the day, which by that point was a technical term that referred to the “day of preparation” for the Sabbath.4 Remember, the Sabbath for the Jew is Saturday and not Sunday. Sunday would later be embraced as the “Lord’s Day” in that it was the day Jesus rose from the grave. So, given everything we’ve now considered, John’s account is consistent with all of the other gospel writers. Jesus was crucified on a Friday and the Last Supper happened on the evening before which was Thursday.

Conclusion

G.K. Chesterton once said, “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.” Many of the critics that circulate their jabs at Christianity on the internet occupy a philosophical position that refuses to concede the Reality of a Power and an Intellect that they cannot understand and / or agree with.  Their attacks are necessary in order to maintain a distance between themselves and a worshipful demeanor which they refuse to buy into. They have found it “difficult” and decided to deny its substance. It’s healthy to be able to respond to questions and attacks, but the nature of these kind of conversations goes beyond a mere intellectual exchange. It is a spiritual contest that has to be engaged in a way that’s consistent with Scripture:

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (2 Cor 10:4)

Know what you believe and why you believe it. Pop the hood on the Word of God and be capable of defending it (1 Pet 3:15). And remember too, that oftentimes there’s a bigger picture that you want to expose. Squabbling over the number and the identity of the women who were at the tomb on the morning of Christ’s resurrection is subordinate to the fact that the tomb was empty. Arguing over the amount of time it took for God to create the heavens and the earth is secondary to the fact that God did, in fact, create the heavens and the earth. Dismissing the whole of Scripture because Matthew references both the donkey and its foal, whereas the other gospel writers mention only the foal, is like arguing over whether or not someone paid a ten dollar invoice using exact change or a twenty dollar bill.

The fact is, the debt was paid.

The details of Scripture are important, but you don’t ever want to become so absorbed in the minutia of the gospel that you overlook the fact that there’s a tomb out there that was occupied at one point that is now empty. And that empty grave is the Signature of One Who didn’t claim to be a mere messenger of God, but God Incarnate.

There will always be a critic and there will always be a situation where, regardless of how sound your reasoning may be, the spiritual elements that are involved will always see to it that “revelation” will remain seemingly inconsistent with logic (1 Cor 2:12). That’s not a cue to be less than compelling with your argument. But it’s not an argument that will influence a soul, it’s only the Power and the grace of God that makes the difference (John 6:65; 1 Cor 1:18).

Again, you don’t want to hide behind a “faith based perspective” that comes across as a decision made despite the facts, but rather as a decision made in light of the facts. Be ready to either answer the question being posed, or be ready to direct them to the myriad of resources that provide the science and the literary tools that address their quandary. But be sensitive to the fact that the moment the Name of Jesus is spoken, you’re no longer contending with purely academic themes. The parameters have been expanded and the stakes have been dramatically increased. You can be as compelling and as accurate as you want and still be found wanting. Not because of the substance of your argument, but because of the implications represented by your argument.

Should God be perceived as credible, it’s no longer a debate. Now it’s a soul-altering encounter and the forces referenced in Ephesians 6:12 will do everything they can to prevent that kind of dynamic.

So, be ready, but be wise and not just smart. It’s the Power of God in you that makes the difference and ensures that the outcome of your exchange is not just a willingness to agree with what’s in the Bible, but a desire to submit to the One Who authored it.

1. “Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties”, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI 1982, p334
2. “The Companion Bible”, E.W. Bullinger, http://www.heavendwellers.com/38%20Luke%201427-1509.pdf, accessed on May 19, 2015
3. Feast of Unleavened Bread..Passover. “Passover” was used in two different different ways: (1) a specific meal begun at twilight on the 14th of Nisan (Lev 23:4-5), and (2) the week following the Passover meal (Eze 45:21), otherwise know as the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a week in which no leaven was allowed (Ex 12:15-20; 13:3-7). By NT times the two names for  the week-long festival were vitally interchangeable. (NIV Text Note: “NIV Study Bible”, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1985, p1582)
4. “Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties”, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI 1982, p375

Ten Questions Christians Can’t Answer | Part II

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This is Part II of “Ten Questions Christians Can’t Answer” – a response to a video on youtube that suggests that the questions being posed can’t be adequately responded to by believers. What follows demonstrates that such is not the case.

Here we go…!

6) When Jesus rose for the grave, how many women went to the tomb and which ones?

The gospel writers reference several women, both at the tomb as well as at the foot of the cross. Matthew 27:55 says that there were “many women” standing at a distance from the cross as Jesus was dying. Luke doesn’t ever name any of the women, he just refers to them as “the women” (Lk 23:49, 55). And with the exception of Mary Magdalene, Matthew, Mark and John reference either different women or use different descriptions to identify those who were there.

If Matthew’s “mother of James and Joses” is John’s “wife of Clopas” and the woman John describes as “Mary’s sister” is the woman Mark calls “Salome,” you’ve got a total of four women and it looks like this:

 The Women at the Cross (each color represents one particular woman that’s described differently by the gospel writers)
verse Mary (Jesus’ mother) Mary Magdalene Mary, wife of Clopas Mary, mother of James and Joses Mary’s sister mother of Zebedee’s sons Salome
Matt 27:56 ✔ ✔ ✔
Mk 15:40 ✔ ✔ ✔
Jn 19:25 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

While you have four different accounts, at no time does Matthew or John state that the women they reference were the only ones present, they simply chose to acknowledge a particular person or persons. Same thing with Mark. He only lists three, but he doesn’t qualify his trio to the point where he rules out the possible presence of other women.

Bottom line is we don’t know for certain who all was there, all we can do is connect the dots as they appear in Scripture. We can be confident that Mary’s mother was there along with Mary Magdalene. As far as the other two Mary’s and Salome, all we do is speculate as to whether or not the wife of Clopas was the mother of James and Joses and Salome was Mary’s sister.

You’ve got the same kind of dynamic at the empty tomb. Again, Luke refers to them as “the women” (Lk 24:1). Matthew, Mark and John again highlight certain personalities that were present:

 The Women at the Empty Tomb
verse Mary Magdalene Mary, the mother of James the other Mary Salome
Matt 28:1 ✔ ✔
Mk 16:1 ✔ ✔ ✔
Jn 20:1 ✔

Thanks to having looked at the way the same writers referred to “the women” at the foot of the cross, it’s not unreasonable to speculate that Matthew’s “other Mary” is the woman he described as “Mary, the mother of James and Joses” in chapter 27. That means that he and Mark are probably referring to the same woman in their respective accounts, as far as the “other Mary.” Matthew doesn’t mention Salome and John only references Mary Magdalene. So, of “the women” that were present, we know of three for certain, although there might’ve been others. Mary Magdalene is a definite as well as “the other Mary” and another woman named Salome.

Over the years, several great minds have tried to more specifically identify the players that were present. Again, we’re looking at a situation where the Bible doesn’t clarify things as well as we might like, but there are two things we want to avoid in these kinds of situations:

#1 – fail to appreciate the big picture
#2 – attempt to edit Scripture in order to manufacture a scenario that’s easier to process

Dr. James D Tabor does a great job of presenting a case for Mary, the wife of Clopas, to being the mother of Jesus based on the fact that Joseph, Jesus’ father, is conspicuously absent from the New Testament shortly after his having brought his young family back to Nazareth from Egypt (Matt 2:19-23). It would’ve been customary for the brother of the deceased husband to marry the widow based on Jewish law. When you couple that with the fact that Clopas was the father of James and Joses and Jesus had two brothers named James and Joses, it becomes fairly obvious that Mary, the mother of Jesus and Mary, the mother of James and Joses (wife of Clopas) are actually the same person. Should that prove to be accurate, the women at the tomb, based on Dr. Tabor’s theory and a comprehensive snapshot of Scripture would be:

  • Mary Magdalene
  • Mary – the mother of Jesus, James and Joses
  • Salome

That sounds downright compelling right up to the point where he suggests that the book of John has been edited.1 Regardless of how “logical” a particular explanation may be, if it involves having to change the content of the Bible in order for it to work, at that point the Bible is no longer inerrant and you no longer have the Word of God, rather  you have a flawed text.

Granted, what we have with the gospel writers is not conclusive in terms of the women that were there at the empty tomb. It’s not that they contradict one another as much as their decision to reference certain women in lieu of others results in a list of characters that’s speculative. But it’s not who was at the tomb, it was the fact that no one was in the tomb – that’s the point the gospel writers are making.

It could very well be that there was a whole congregation of women at the tomb which would mean that neither Matthew nor Mark nor John chose to document everyone that was present. But that doesn’t mean that their respective accounts are contradictory, nor should it distract from the fact that Christ had risen from the grave.

So, the short answer to our critic’s question is three, based on what we have in Scripture coupled with some speculation. But in the end, the emphasis should not be on who was not AT the tomb, rather the issue is Who was not IN the tomb!

Click here to read Part III!

1. “Something seems to be going on here. John knows something that either he, or those who later edited his gospel, chose to veil.” This is a portion of the post made by Dr. James D. Tabor entitled “Sorting Out the Jesus Family: Mother, Fathers, Brothers and Sisters at http://jamestabor.com/2012/12/27/sorting-out-the-jesus-family-mother-fathers-brothers-sisters/, accessed May 31, 2015

Broaden Your Base

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If you’re a hockey fan at all, you may have heard about the “bongo anthem” – a unique version of the National Anthem sung by Bruce Gust, a nine year veteran of the USMC and a former national recording artist. While it’s been referenced in multiple news outlets, it got yet another boost recently on ESPN’s TikTok channel where in the space of only 3 days, it got over 3 million views.

As it turns out, Bruce has got an interesting resume that includes having sung and played with a band that broke the Country Music Top 40, in addition to having served in the USMC for nine years, five of which were as a Drum Instructor at the Armed Forces School of Music. He credits his career path to a piece of advice he got from a retired Marine Corps Major when he was getting ready to graduate High School…

High School Graduation

Eastman Community Music School – Eastman School of MusicYears ago, when I was getting ready to graduate High School, I sat down with a retired Marine Corp Major who gave me some counsel as I was attempting to navigate my options after graduation. He suggested that I “broaden my base.” He went on to explain that when you broaden your base, you’re making choices that afford you more opportunities, rather than those d

ecisions that unnecessarily regulate you to a limited number of options.

I decided to enlist in the Marine Corps. My rationale at the time was I wanted to serve, given my Dad’s recommendation, and I was determined to go to college – an aspiration I figured the military could help finance in some way, though I wasn’t completely sure what major I wanted to pursue. It was an audition for the Marine Corps band program, however, that initiated a professional trajectory that truly “broadened my base.”

I had been attending the Eastman School of Music Preparatory Department (now the Eastman Community School), studying under Ruth Cahn, one of the principle percussionists with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Under her guidance, I was exposed to mallet percussion as well as orchestral snare. That, coupled with my involvement with my High School’s music program positioned me in a way that made me a strong candidate for training as a military musician.

The Marine Corps

I went to Parris Island and from there reported to the Armed Forces School of Music (Modern Drummer did an article about the School while I was an Instructor there). I spent two years in Hawaii and then came back to the School and became a Drum Instructor.

As a drummer in the military, you are required to be able to function in a variety of playing situations. In the morning, you may do a colors ceremony, where you’ll be playing rudimental snare. Later that day, you’ll be in a concert band rehearsal where you’re playing bells, orchestral snare, and timpani. Later that night, you’re behind the kit playing selections that require a familiarity with swing, and several latin styles.

In addition, in order to graduate from the School of Music, you have to successfully complete courses in Theory and Ear Training. As a non-commissioned officer, the Intermediate Course takes that same training a step further and you’re now learning traditional harmony and how to arrange for a stage band. And this is on top of qualifying with your rifle and keeping your physique in line with military physical fitness requirements.
It’s a phenomenal program and several drumming icons including Steve Gadd and Billy Cobham are among those who have served as military musicians.
As an instructor, you have to be able to teach and lead by example. All of what’s expected in your students has to be personified in both your appearance and your ability to demonstrate the skills they need to learn. It’s both an inspiring and sobering responsibility and provides a huge incentive to be more than just adequate.
It was while I was serving as a Drum Instructor that I finished my degree in Business Management by attending night school – a program I began while stationed at Pearl Harbor. Now I’m practicing more than I might otherwise and my study habits are more focused in part because of the way the Marine Corps emphasizes discipline.
I was about a year away from my discharge that I was introduced to Norman Miller who used me on a project featuring his wife, Sheila Walsh, a successful Contemporary Christian Music artist, who was co-hosting the 700 Club with Pat Robertson at the time. That lead to me being his drummer for another project he produced called the Young Messiah Tour, which featured an entire roster of Contemporary Christian music icons.

Handel's Young Messiah - Handel's Young Messiah - Amazon.com Music
So, what began in Boot Camp was now a chance to tour as a college graduate with people whose albums I owned. After the tour, I moved to Nashville. I joined Two Rivers Baptist Church and it was in the context of playing in the church orchestra that I met some talented musicians who were looking to start a country band.

Western Flyer

Together we formed the band, “Western Flyer.” Initially, I was a little hesitant, however, having cut my teeth on Jazz Fusion. I had been part of Jazz Trio that played music by Spyro Gyra, David Sanborn, Jeff Lorber, and others. And while I had played and sang in a band in Virginia that played Top 40, Country Music was not part of my musical vocabulary and singing parts was uncharted territory.

But instead of restricting my opportunities to only those styles that resonated as familiar, I again chose to “broaden my base.” As it turned out, although we were categorized as a country band, we all had influences that extended beyond a singular genre. Instead of being compelled to follow a conventional template, I was encouraged to apply concepts I had gleaned from some of Dave Weckl’s instructional content to our title cut. It was Steve Gadd’s approach to “Friends” by Chick Corea that informed my approach to another one of the selections on our first album. In addition, it was the Ear Training I learned at the School of Music that helped me get up to speed when it came to singing harmony.

Western Flyer would tour all over the country. We were featured on national television and my engagement to my future bride was announced in Country Weekly magazine. But, while it’s tempting to think that a record deal translates to a career, that’s not always the case. Regardless of how many arenas you play, or how popular your songs are on the radio, the business side of it can sometimes override your aspirations and you wind up having to reinvent yourself in order to pay your bills.

It’s here where the counsel of that Marine Corps major would surface once again. While being a former national recording artist is a prestigious credential, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee you opportunities as a studio musician or even a position as a touring drummer. But instead of resolving to define myself exclusive according to my drum kit, I chose to “broaden my base.”

More Opportunities

I became a Corporate Trainer and taught myself web programming. I then expanded my portfolio to the point where I would secure a position as a full-time web developer.

Simultaneously, I wrote a book on how to play the drums. That translated to clinics that occurred throughout the country. I made my activity known to Pintech, Peavey, and Taye Drums and they responded by providing the necessary gear to perform at these events. And by drawing from my training in Arranging, theory, and chord progression at the School of Music, I created a play-along series based on arrangements of hymns designed to feature the drummer.

Given my military background and a commitment to fitness, I got certified as a Group Fitness Instructor and developed an audio workout system featuring…drums! You can see it at https://loosecannonfitness.com/

Lasting Impressions: Thank You, Benjamin Franklin!The NHL performance that has since gone viral was the result of a conversation with the mother of one of my drum students who happened to work as part of the Nashville Predators who was able to contact me with the right people who then got me on the ice.

Your Signature

Many of those who pick up a drumstick see their musical fulfillment defined according to a very narrow collection of criteria. They will, in some cases, make unhealthy sacrifices in pursuit of a goal that sometimes proves either illusive or less than satisfying.

But there’s a prize to be won that provides a level of fulfillment that doesn’t depend on circumstances and opportunities that one can’t always control. It’s both accessible and motivating and it all comes down to “broadening your base.”

Benjamin Franklin was an incredibly accomplished individual. He signed the Declaration of Independence, he was a part of the Constitutional Convention, and he was there to sign the Treaty of Versailles. In addition, he invented the Franklin Stove, he was revered throughout the world as the one who developed the lighting rod. He invented the Public Library, the postal service, and organized the very first volunteer Fire Department. Given all these accomplishments, it’s interesting to note that he often signed his name, “B. Franklin, Printer.”

As musicians, we are similar. We have the capacity to contribute in ways that go beyond a solitary passion, yet maintain a signature that acknowledges our favored pursuit. Consider some of the most successful musicians. In many cases, not only are they singers or instrumentalists, they’re also entrepreneurs that maintain successful business ventures. They don’t see multiple obligations as distractions. Rather, they see them as additions to a platform characterized by healthy priorities and a variety of professional accomplishments.

They have “broadened their base.”

When you do that, you’re not longer restricted in seeing your craft as either a full-time effort or a side hustle. Rather, you see yourself as a conglomeration of skills and talents that, taken together, translate to a full color resume and the opportunities that result.

Saturday, August 23rd

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Muscular Christianity Workout

  • Date: Saturday, August 23rd
  • Time: 7:00 am- 8:00 am
  • Place: C Building, Thompsons Station Church |2604 Thompson’s Station Road East | Thompson’s Station, Tennessee 37179

No charge, no commitment!

This is a workout featuring military grade calisthenics as they’re typically at Parris Island, South Carolina.

Headed up by a nine year veteran of the USMC and a Certified Group Fitness Instructor, this is a great workout that will last for about 45 minutes and conclude with a short Bible study taken from the “Muscular Christianity: 90 Day Workout Plan.”

Text Bruce Gust at 615.618.2059 to confirm your seat!

See you then!

Click here for more information about the “Muscular Christianity” Bible Study being offered at TSC!

A Position of Strength

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Overcoming Adversity

There was a time I worked for a guy who, although he was good to me, was the kind of character where if you were interested in securing a favorable deal for yourself, you needed to be able to approach him from a position of strength.

At least, that’s what I called it: A “position of strength.” 

By that, I mean that you had to be able to substantiate your terms with something that compelled him to agree to what you’re saying. For example, I want to see my hourly wage increase. If I was going to emerge from his office as a successful negotiator, I needed to be able say something like, “I’ve got another job offer,” or something comparable.

Short of that, he had you in a place where you obligated to accept his deal, which wasn’t always inspiring.

The bottom line, though, is that you could get what you were hoping for as long as you had that trump card – as long as you were approaching him from a position of strength.

Wouldn’t That Be Sweet?

Negotiating life is similar. Of course, in life you’re not interacting with an individual per se, but if you could, for a moment, envision your need to overcome some kind of adversity as something you could manipulate via an exchange between yourself and this figure who can hypothetically alter your circumstances, you can see how approaching this meeting from a “position of strength” would constitute a huge tactical advantage.

So, just as they’re getting ready to refuse your terms, you could lay that “something” on the table and suddenly your platform is dominant and you emerge with an ideal scenario. Wouldn’t that be sweet?

Obviously, we don’t have access to that kind of life-altering dynamic, but we do have something that often gets overlooked and it does equate to a legitimate “position of strength.” The things that most exasperates us are those things that we can’t control.

It’s part of life.

No matter how you prepare, no matter how you plan, life includes a number of elements that simply cannot be controlled or anticipated. It’s those unexpected setbacks that take the wind out of our sails and that “position of strength” you would theoretically occupy is processed as an impractical pipedream than it is anything else.

But look at your scenario in the light of God’s Truth.

Asserting Some Truth Into Your Situation

It says in the Psalms that all our days were ordained before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16). There is a plan – there is a purpose that infuses every triumph and every setback with significance and meaning (Eph 2:10; Phil 2:13).

Nothing is random. 

At one point Paul is attempting to get over into Bithynia. He can’t. Who knows what that situation looked like, but according to Scripture, Paul documents it as Divine direction and not a physical obstacle (Acts 16:7).

Do you see that?

How many times have things fallen short of what you were hoping for and your reaction was aimed at the tangible entities that comprised your dilemma? Perhaps it was a person. Maybe your car broke down. Perhaps you were working towards a particular goal and something went south leaving you in a puddle of disappointment and confusion. It’s then when you need to be intentional about asserting some Truth into your situation. Otherwise, you’re prone to linger in that zone characterized by discouragement and even bitterness. 

Take some of the Scriptures that pertain to purpose and lay them down side by side….

• All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:16)

• A man’s steps are ordered by the LORD; how then can man understand his way? (Prov 20:24)

• And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28)

• For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph 2:10)

• for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Phil 2:13)

You see where this is going?

Nothing Random

Remember Simeon? Check out Luke 2:25-32. He’s an older gentleman who has his heart set on seeing the Messiah before he takes his last breath. In verse 27, it says “Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts…” 

I’m not sure what that looked like, as far as being “moved by the Spirit,” but I like to think that it was a series of very practical events that had him thinking he needed to be at the temple. And because it was God pulling the strings, he happened to be there when an obscure couple comes walking out holding the One Who he had been praying to see.

There’s nothing random about our lives. From a human standpoint, we cling to the idea that we are the master or our own fate. Hence, we get the credit when things go well and we bear the blame when things do not.

Certainly we are responsible for our actions, as far as being obedient go God’s commands (Dt 11:1; Jn 14:21). But we are not victims of circumstance, nor are we the reason for our own success. All those things that we can’t control – both the good and the bad – it all culminates in a beautiful exclamation point: God’s in charge!

You’re in a Position of Strength

So, as you’re going about your day, be mindful of the fact that you are in a position of strength. That imaginary person you’re negotiating with in an effort to secure a positive outcome – you have that trump card in that while you don’t know what a day may bring forth, you know Who does. And the Lord makes firm the steps of those who delight in him. (Psalm 37:23).

That’s a position of strength!

Left Behind Bible Studies | Video Commentaries: Session One – Are You Ready?

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Recently I had the chance to write the adult bible study curriculum to compliment what compliments the “Left Behind” movie.

How cool is that?

Having seen the rough footage, I’m confident this is going to get some people thinking about the Reality of Scripture. For some, it will be an occasion to beef up their defenses, for others it will be a chance to revisit the fact that one day the Rapture is going to happen.

Just like that, we’re going to see Him face to face and that’s good news.

One question that you hear a lot is “How could a loving God send a person to hell?” On the surface, that seems like a reasonable question. But it’s the wrong question. The real question is “How could a rational thinking person say ‘No’ to God?” And you know what? It’s not just a matter of your eternal security. We say “No” to God quite a bit when it comes to being on top of our spiritual game in general.

We’ve got this amazing invitation sitting in front of us every day to grab on to some serious Truth and look at ourselves and the world around us from a perspective steeped in Purpose, Peace and Power.

I get stoked anytime I’ve given the chance to challenge folks with questions like “If you had to create a billboard that promoted a relationship with Christ and you couldn’t say anything about missing hell and going to Heaven, nor could you say anything about how God helps you with your problems, what would your billboard say?” In John 17, Jesus defined eternal life as “knowing God.” Salvation was never engineered to be something that comes to bear only in the context of a Divine emergency procedure or a funeral parlor.

The six sessions you see below are designed to get you thinking and get you fired up about life in general. You weren’t put here to make an appearance, you were put here to make a difference. And that difference is accomplished by you and I taking the time to catch a clear vision of Who God is, hearing His Voice and enjoying the benefits that go along with obedience.

Buckle up!

If you want more information about this Bible study, click on the contact button and submit a request!

Session One: Are You Ready?

Do you believe in God? Do you believe that Jesus rose from the grave? You do? That’s awesome. But if you’re thinking that’s enough to get you into Heaven, think again. The demons believe all that and they’re not spending eternity with God. No sir. This session looks at what it means to believe in your heart and how it’s God’s Spirit in you that defines you as someone who truly “believes.”

Session Two: Your Guide to a Spiritual Six Pack 

1 Timothy 4:7 says to train yourself to be godly. I love that word picture. So often we marginalize spiritual disciplines as things that you do when you’re feeling either especially noble or extremely desperate. Nuts to that! You train so you can better implement and enjoy the Resources Christ brings to the table:

  • passionate approach to the mundane
  • confident perspective on the impossible
  • steady response to the difficult
  • gracious reaction to victory
  • unshaken resolve when confronted with the unexpected

That’s a life worth living right there! And that’s the result of a toned spiritual six pack!

Session Three: Location, Location, Location

While it’s not uncommon to be more preoccupied with the words that we say, we have to be attentive to the life that we display and be able to use that as a way to earn the right to be heard. Location, location, location. “Where are you at?” Where are you at in terms of your personal life, your vocation, the relationships you have with your friends and family? Do those dynamics reveal the Power of Christ in a way that makes people curious? Does the way you live your life earn you the right to be heard?

Session Four: Apples of Gold on a Tray of Silver

You’ve earned the right to be heard, now it’s time to say something. You know what you want to say, but have you given much thought to the way it needs to be said. It’s one thing for someone to hear you, but it’s another when you’re able to speak in a way where they’re truly listening. That’s the example Christ sets when you look at the way He interacted with the woman at the well in John 4. “A word aptly spoken…” That’s what we need to be shooting for.

Session Five: How to Handle Angry Customers

Not everybody is open to the Truth. Some are downright antagonistic. What do you do? This session looks at three things to keep in mind: Don’t take it personally, find common ground, and try to see it from their perspective. Not everybody who’s “difficult” is skeptical. Some are carrying around some hurt that never healed. Should God determine to use you to influence the way they think, you want to be real intentional making sure your words are not compromised by your emotions.

Session Six: Lose the Frogs

Pharaoh had an option of either ridding himself of the frogs immediately, or he could choose to let them linger for one more night. You’ve got to wonder what he was thinking. Why in the world would you put off the relief that’s staring you right in the face? Yet, as outrageous as that may seem, we do the same thing. God calls, He offers, He invites, He commands and we…put Him off. Like Pharaoh, we would prefer one more night with the frogs. Lose the frogs! If any of these session resonate with you, be sure to head out leftbehindthemovie.com and click on “Minsitry Resources.” They’re offering free samples as well as other materials for your entire church. Great stuff! Go get ’em!

On the Outside Looking In

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“Are you a Christian?” There are a lot of people who will answer “Yes” to that question. But if you ask them to elaborate you get stuff like “I believe in God” and “I believe that Jesus died on the cross.” These are elements of a believer’s creed, certainly, but imagine an interview where you’ve got two people being asked the same questions and consider their answers in light of what the Bible says.

Question #1: Do you believe in God? Believer: Yes, I do. Demon: Absolutely.

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.     (Jas 2:19)

Question #2: Do you believe that Jesus is God’s Son?

Believer: Sure.

Demon: I certainly do.

When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I beg you, don’t torture me! (Matt 8:28 [response of the demon(s) to Jesus when they saw Him approaching])

Question #3: Do you believe that Jesus rose from the grave?

Believer: I do.

Demon: Yes.

 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Col 2:15 [Satan and his subordinates are very aware of the Ultimate Defeat that was dealt to them as a result of the cross])

So, consider where this positions the believer and the demon at this point in the interview. Both of them subscribe to the exact same facts, yet the demon isn’t going to Heaven (Rev 20:10). So what is it, then, that distinguishes the believer from the demon? What is it about their belief system that’s unique when compared to what a demon believes?

Question #4: Is the Spirit of Christ living in you?

Believer: Yes, He is.

Demon: (awkward silence…)

“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ”  (Rom. 8:9).

That’s either the deal-maker or the deal-breaker. Does the Spirit of God live in you? It’s not a trick question, it’s not some lofty theological “spin.” The Presence of God’s Spirit is what defines you either as someone who’s born again or someone who’s on the outside looking in.

Salvation is you going from a spiritual corpse to having a spiritual pulse (Eph 2:1,4-5). It’s not a stained glass band-aid, it’s an entirely new paradigm and it changes everything (2 Cor 5:17).

To get that in place, you simply ask God to make it happen. All He requires is what’s referenced in Romans 10:9-10. The first part is “confessing with your mouth,” which is easy. The second part, for some, is more challenging in that He’s looking at your core and He wants to see something that goes beyond an academic tolerance for the idea of a Savior. It’s the difference between believing in your mind that diet and exercise is good for you, yet not acting on it. Whereas believing in your “heart” that fitness is a priority – that will manifest itself in your actions. In other words, “ideas” remain in your mind, “convictions” reside in your heart and that’s where God looks for a saving belief as opposed to an intellectual approval.

So, where are you at? You good, or are you on the outside looking in?

Keep Reading

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A Destitute Disposition

Have you ever considered the number of Praise and Worship choruses that highlight a destitute disposition? Take a look:

And on that day when my strength is failing The end draws near and my time has come Still my soul will sing Your praise unending 10,000 years and then forever more (10,000 Reasons)Lord, I come, I confess Bowing here I find my rest And without You I fall apart You’re the One that guides my heart (Lord, I Need You) It’s like a constant war And you want to settle that score But you’re bruised and beaten And you feel defeated (It’s Not Over Yet)Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now am found Was blind, but now I see (Amazing Grace)

Here are some more…

Lift your head weary sinner, the river’s just ahead Down the path of forgiveness, salvation’s waiting there You built a mighty fortress 10,000 burdens high Love is here to lift you up, here to lift you high (Lift Your Head Weary Sinner)You hold my very moment You calm my raging seas You walk with me through fire And heal all my disease (Healer) Toiling on, toiling on, Toiling on, toiling on, Let us hope, let us watch, And labor till the Master comes (To the Work)So take me as you find me All my fears and failures Fill my life again (Mighty to Save)

A Lot of Press…

Now, hang on… It is entirely appropriate to recall the distance that stands between who we were as spiritual corpses and who we are now as regenerated souls (Eph 2:1, 5). As a matter of fact, when you factor in the Lord’s Supper and the Scriptures that admonish a perpetual attitude of gratitude and humility, it’s evident that acknowledging who we were before Christ is more than a mere courtesy, it’s an act of obedience that we’re commanded to perform in order to maintain a healthy perspective on who we are in Christ (Rom 12:3; 1 Cor 11:26; 1 Thess 5:16-18).

The problem isn’t acknowledging who we were or what we are when we’re choosing to keep all He offers at an arm’s distance. The problem is that, in some instances, there’s a greater emphasis on the darkness of the past as opposed to the bright and motivating scenario we have right in front of us.

Even the way in which the gospel is presented sometimes employs a similar approach to what’s being accomplished as far as “eternal life.” Yes, the problem is sin and the resulting sentence that is certain to be delivered on Judgment Day is a given (Heb 9:27; Rev 20:15). The Scriptures are clear – you need to be born again in order to ensure that when the results are tallied, you are welcomed into Heaven as opposed to being condemned to an eternity of suffering (Jn 3:3, 16).

But if that’s the the principal, if not the only, impetus for asking Christ into your heart, then it’s all about avoiding the lake of fire and that’s what gets filed away in the mind of the person who accepts Jesus as their Savior. If you ask them, even years after the fact, “Why would a person want to be saved?” their response will often center around getting their “get out of jail free” card and that’s it.

The bottom line is that there’s a lot of press given to the desperate plight that is ours apart from Christ. And while it’s not wrong or unhealthy to recognize the stark and morbid condition of our lives sans the Power and grace of God, one needs to keep reading in order to ensure a comprehensive appreciation for all that a relationship with Christ brings to the table.

Keep Reading

In Romans 7:24-25, Paul says:

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Rom 7:24) 

You’ve got to wonder if Peter didn’t have the same kind of thoughts running through his mind after having sworn up and down that he didn’t even know Who Jesus was on the night He was crucified (Matt 26:69-75). This is a man who insisted that he would die before he disowned his Master.

Shame.

By the 21st chapter of John, Peter has seen, not only the empty tomb, He has seen Jesus in Person. In Luke 24:24, Jesus appeared to him personally and he was with all the other disciples sans Thomas in John 20 when Jesus appeared to them as a group. His disposition has improved dramatically since the night of the crucifixion, but he has yet to sit down with Christ and address the thing that’s been gnawing at him for the last several days – the fact that he deserted his King in every sense of the word on the night it mattered most. Guilt.

In John 21:15-17, Jesus asks Peter a total of three times whether or not he loved his Savior to coincide with the number of times Peter insisted that the two of them had never crossed paths. In so doing, He reinstates Peter and the guilt that was weighing on him is removed, but… By the second chapter of Acts, there are about 120 people that are meeting with Peter and the other disciples. While they’re praying and worshiping, they’re keeping a fairly low profile. Despite they’re having been profoundly impressed and encouraged by the fact their Messiah has risen from the grave, they’re not being especially vocal about it given the fact that Jesus is still perceived by the Jewish and Roman  establishment as a heretic and a traitor.

Fear.

Guilt, shame and fear have been assaulting the psyche of Peter for the last month and a half. There have been dramatic spikes of relief and validation, but Pete is still light years removed from being willing to boldly and publicly assert a dead man’s doctrine as being the Way, the Truth and the Life. But that changes in the second verse of Acts 2.

The Mindset, the Manner and the emotional Muscle of God is imparted to Peter and everyone else in the room and in that moment they are fundamentally changed. Whereas a moment ago, Peter was hesitant, if not legitimately scared, of saying anything publicly for fear of the Sanhedrin, he’s now speaking in front of a large crowd of people, 3,000 of which are so sold on what he has to say that they become followers of Christ on the spot. And Peter’s guilt and the shame that had been alleviated is now eliminated entirely (Rom 8:1-2).

Do Great Things

The Mindset, the Manner and the emotional Muscle of God. In other words, His Spirit. That’s the Divine Signature of the believer. If you’ve got His Spirit living in you, you’re born again. If not, you ain’t (Rom 8:9). The way you think, the way you behave and the way you feel is now founded on the same Holy Strength that put the planets in place and made the heart of Jesus begin to beat again after being lifeless for three days (1 Cor 8:6; Eph 1:18-21; Col 1:27).

You haven’t been merely “improved,” you’ve been completely remade (2 Cor 5:17). What was dead is now alive (Eph 2:1; 5). You and I have been spiritually raised up from a lifeless, prone position to an upright stance in order that we may…

…wait for it…

Do great things!

Look…

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph 2:10)

The Greek word “workmanship” is “poeima,” which is where we get our word “poem” from. As redeemed individuals, you could say we’re Divine works of art made to do great things. And there’s more…

11-14 “Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do. (Jn 14:12-14 [The Message])

Now, before you regulate the sphere of “great things” to be nothing other than the quiet acts of profound service that are usually envisioned when the term “great things” is referenced in the context of a faith based paradigm, recognize that we’re commanded to do all things with all our might and as unto the Lord (Ecc 9:10; Col 3:17, 23).

If you connect those dots in the most practical fashion, you’ve got someone who’s good at what they do (Prov 22:29), who’s got a good work ethic  (Eph 6:7) and is a person of integrity (Prov 11:1).

That’s Not a Scoreboard, That’s a Billboard

Do you smell that? That’s the aroma of someone you not only want to hire, that’s someone you want to promote! Why? Because they’re not just present, they’re engaged. They don’t just “do their job” and expect to be applauded, they do it with a passionate resolve to be excellent and they do it that way regardless if someone’s looking or not. And when they make a mistake, they own it (Matt 5:23). They enthusiastically embrace every waking moments of our lives as opportunities to excel because to them, it’s not a scoreboard, it’s a billboard. It’s not just a salary, it’s a seed and it’s not just a job, it’s a calling.

Everything is processed from the standpoint of what’s going to last and when you do that, God is not a file folder, He’s the filing cabinet. Everything resonates as “meaningful” and “on purpose (Ps 139:16; Phil 2:13).” Even when things are going south, you can maintain a legitimately even and optimistic disposition because you’re never a victim of random circumstances.

There’s a Plan in place, a God in charge and a day to embrace as an opportunity to, not just make an appearance, but to make a difference (Ps 2:1-6; Jer 29:11; Col 1:16).

There’s a subtle notion out there that positions success as secular – that the marketplace constitutes nothing more than a place for ministry at best and a lethal distraction at worst. That’s not consistent with the whole of Scripture. Certainly there are verses that warn against the love of money and the inevitable consequences of greed (Ps 10:3; Matt 6:24; Lk 12:15; 1 Tim 6:9-10). But there are several prominent individuals in Scripture that were both godly and wealthy. These individuals were neither conflicted nor condemned because of having access to a sizable income (Abraham [Gen 13:2], Jacob [Gen 36:6-7], David [1 Chron 29:28], Joseph of Arimathaea [Matt 27:57], Lydia [Acts 16:11-15], Barnabas [Acts 4:36-37]).  Dr Glenn Sunshine makes a great point when he says “Although Scripture has some very harsh things to say about the wealthy, this does not mean that all of them are evil or under divine judgment. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Job were rich and yet were also approved by God.

Just as poverty doesn’t guarantee virtue, wealth does not guarantee vice.” The issue, from a biblical standpoint, is not your paycheck, rather it’s your priorities.

So How Did it Go?

Consider Matthew 5:16:

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt 5:16)

The sudden installing of an unknown prisoner in high office has often been thought hard to believe, and has been pointed to as proof of the legendary character of the story. But the ground on which Pharaoh put it goes far to explain it. He and his servants had come to believe that’ God‘ spoke through this man, that ‘the Spirit of God’ was in him. So here was a divinely sent messenger, whom it would be impiety and madness to reject. Observe that Pharaoh and Joseph both speak in this chapter of ‘God.’ There was a common ground of recognition of a divine Being on which they met. The local colour of the story indicates a period before the fuller revelation, which drew so broad a line of demarcation between Israel and the other nations. (“The Book of Genesis” [commentary by Alexander Maclaren])

Joseph represents a great illustration of that verse. When he was sold into slavery, his first master was Potiphar. It says in Genesis 39:3-4 that Potiphar recognized that God was him. That doesn’t mean that Potiphar worshiped God, as much as it means that he appreciated the talent and integrity of Joseph. Several chapters later, Pharaoh sees the same thing and responds by putting Joseph in charge of Egypt (Gen 41:37-38).

Think about this: This  particular Pharaoh had put his chief baker to death not more than one chapter ago. We’re not sure why, but traditionally rulers – especially pagan rulers –  are the sort where if you impress them as being a threat or even an irritant, your future was anything but certain. Yet, this same Pharaoh promotes an obscure prisoner to Prime Minister – an individual who, according to Pharaoh, will wield a degree of power that will be second only to his authority. That’s not a decision made by someone who’s predisposed to view anyone with talent and charisma as a potential problem. But with Joseph, Pharaoh sees a plethora of talent as well as moral excellence –  a combination so extraordinary that both Pharaoh and his court were convinced that the philosophical machinery that propelled Joseph was nothing short of Divine (Gen 41:39).

It wasn’t a difficult conclusion to arrive at. Did you catch what Joseph’s reply was to Pharaoh when he said that he had a dream that no one could interpret? He references his magicians and how their wisdom has proved unequal to the task but then – talking to Joseph – he said, “I hear you can do it.”

This is a perfect opportunity for Joseph to position himself where all of the forthcoming accolades are bestowed upon him and him alone. But what does he say?

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (Gen 41:16)

Joseph has a resolve in place to give credit where it is due, regardless of how seemingly appropriate it might be to take a bow himself. His priority is to step aside rather than to stand in front.

That’s noble.

Given the fact that Joseph was scheduled to return to prison just as soon as this little rendezvous was over, to be that aggressive in graciously deflecting any applause to his God is indicative of the kind of character that is truly rare.  But then Joseph goes on to accurately interpret Pharaoh’s dream.

That’s impressive.

But what sells both Pharaoh and the court is Joseph’s obvious affinity for administration.

That’s a game-changer.

However Joseph’s spirituality and character were appreciated, it was Joseph’s plan that resulted in him being promoted (Gen 41:37).

Again, it’s a situation where you’ve got to keep reading. If you stop at verse 16, Joseph is reverent. If you stop at verse 32, Joseph is insightful. But when you read verse 33 and beyond, you’ve got a man who’s capable. And not just qualified, but legitimately gifted.

This is the total package that stands before Pharaoh: Character and Talent. Joseph lights up the room. Not because of who Joseph is but because of Who God is in and through Joseph. And it’s the fact that Joseph has the character and the godliness to remove whatever self-centered tendencies would otherwise dim the Power of God radiating through him that allows the compelling Light of God’s Substance to shine as bright as it does.

That’s who Joseph is. It’s not a role that he acts out when it’s strategically advantageous to do so. Can you imagine the conversation Joseph had with his fellow inmates when he went back to prison to pick up whatever belongings he had prior to reporting back to Pharaoh where he would begin his new vocation as Prime Minister of Egypt?

(inmates) “How did it go?

(Joseph) “Pretty good!”

(inmates) “What happened?”

(Joseph) “Well…you’re not going to believe this…”

I’m willing to bet that the inmates were not that surprised.

As the Moon Reflects the Sun…

The bottom line is like the moon reflects the light of the sun, Joseph was a reflection of the Excellence of God. And that, crime-stoppers, is why you and I were born again – to reflect the Excellence of God in all things – to do “good works” in a way that makes every Pharaoh we encounter prone to take notice and to take notes (Prov 27:19; Eph 2:10; Matt 5:16; 1 Cor 10:31; 2 Cor 9:8). In that way, while they notice our resume, even more importantly, they’re drawn to our King.

But it’s hard to pull that off, though, when you allow yourself to linger in that zone where the emphasis is on who you were apart from Christ rather then the person who is because of Christ.

Keep reading.

It’s not about your past, it’s about today and what God’s prepared to do in you and through you. Stop rehearsing the darkness and start performing according to the Power that lives in you. That’s your mandate, that’s your purpose!

And when you’re inclined to focus more on yourself and your circumstances sans the One Who created you and directs those circumstances to begin with…

Keep reading!

1. “Institute for Faith, Work and Economics”, “Rich and Poor”, Dr. Glenn Sunshine, https://tifwe.org/part-1-2/, accessed September 23, 2015

Your Billboard

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16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt 5:16)

However you want to craft your billboard, be eye catching. Make those on the outside looking in wonder how you’re able to keep all of your stuff in one bag and make them want whatever it is you have.

In Christ, you don’t just endure, you excel.

It’s all good, pray big, reek of excellence and be eye catching.

Now, go out there and make a difference!

The Question

If you have to create a billboard that promoted a relationship with Jesus, what would that billboard say if you couldn’t mention life after death or how He helps you through difficult circumstances?

If you’re like most, while you can envision a catchy slogan or a memorable slogan that’s Biblically sound and is as true as it is motivating, it’s not uncommon to not have something on the tip of your tongue.

Crisis Only Situations

Reason being is because conventional church culture tends to promote discipleship as something that comes to bear primarily in the context of a crisis.

  • Prayer: help me, heal me
  • Bible Study: guide me, guard me
  • Praise and Worship: save me, show me

It’s a constant rehearsal of who we are apart from Christ with the result being I’m not, I don’t, I can’t and I won’t.

You see it in Scripture…

In John 16, Jesus says that in this world, you will have trouble. Earlier in chapter 15, He says that apart from Him, we can do nothing. In Romans 7, Paul talks about the tension that lingers within him, as far as how he knows what he should do, yet he can’t get it done. He describes himself as, “wretched.”

Apart from Christ, we are destitute and yes, we are in desperate need of assistance.

It says so in God’s Word, we reiterate it repeatedly in the way we process ourselves and the world around us…

…and so Christ becomes this Divine Survival Kit. He’s that File Folder we reach for every time things go south and He’s the crutch we use to prop ourselves up with because, after all, there’s no way we can stand up on our own.

But you have to keep reading.

Keep Reading

In John 16:33, Jesus says that…

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33)

In John 15:5, He says that apart from Him we can nothing, but just before that, He says…

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:5)

And when Paul is lamenting his situation in Romans 7, he goes on to ask who is going to save him, and then he answers his own question…

24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Rom 7:24-25)

When you process things in their proper context, the message isn’t so much a reinforcement of how insufficient we are as much as it’s highlighting the all-sufficiency of Christ!

We are more than our wounds and better than our sin. Not because of who are but because of Who Christ is in us. And while it’s healthy and appropriate to remember just how toxic sin is (Jas 4:9) and just how outrageous it is that God would love us enough to take upon Himself the death that we deserved, the name of the game is not to sit on the bench and lament our shortcomings, but to get out on the field and put some points on the board (Eph 2:10; Titus 2:14).

That’s part of what makes this question such a healthy exercise.

It compels a comprehensive appreciation for the whole of God’s Word that pertains to who we are and what we’re capable of when we embrace Christ as the Filing Cabinet and not just a File Folder.

Our Marketing Campaign

That said, what would your billboard say?

Here’s some ideas…

It’s All Good (Romans 8:28) – everything has a point and that makes both the good and the bad something that can be processed in a way that avoids either pride or despair.

Pray Big (Jn 15:7-8) – no, you’re not being given a blank check. God doesn’t give you everything you ask for anymore than you would give a four year old an M16 just because it’s his birthday.

That’s not love, that’s neglect.

The point here is that you can dream and you can know that if God’s in it, than you get it done.

Reek of Excellence (Col 3:17) – whether it’s the way you work out or the way you mow your lawn, everything needs to be done in a way that reflects well on your Heavenly Father.

That’s not something to obsess over, but it’s something to shoot for. And when you make the effort to give 100%, 100% of the time, inevitably you become the kind of person that people don’t just hire, you become the kind of person people promote (Prov 22:29).

Conclusion

Being a Christian gives you an edge. Your work ethic, your decision making, your career, your role as a husband and a father – all of these tasks and responsibilities become opportunities to excel when you’re deploying the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16) and the Power of God (Phil 2:13; Col 1:29).

And when you’re doing it right, you’re not just profound statement plastered on a billboard, you are genuinely…

…eye catching.

Joseph was eye catching (Gen 41:37-38), David was eye catching (1 Sam 16:6-13), Paul was a brilliant Pharisee (Acts 22:3; Phil 3:5), a Roman citizen (Acts 22:28) and a follower of Christ. His religious training, his intellect and his citizenship combined to make him…

…eye catching.

Look at Matthew 5:16:

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt 5:16)

However you want to craft your billboard, be eye catching. Make those on the outside looking in wonder how you’re able to keep all of your stuff in one bag and make them want whatever it is you have.

In Christ, you don’t just endure, you excel.

It’s all good, pray big, reek of excellence and be eye catching.

Now, go out there and make a difference!

What If?

/in , , /by

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a resource out there that got your entire congregation genuinely interested in studying the Word of God, spending time in prayer and being genuinely engaged and not just present when it came to church attendance?

I want to believe that what I’m getting ready to propose could do just that.

Now, I know what you’re thinking… You’ve been leading long enough to know that campaigns and strategies rarely deliver when it comes to facilitating an enduring commitment to spiritual maturity.

I know.

But let me ask you a question: If you were to create a billboard that promoted a relationship with Jesus Christ and you couldn’t reference heaven or hell or how Jesus helps you with your problems, what would that billboard say?

Most people find it hard to come up with something right out to the chute. Intuitively, they know there’s more to Christianity than just a “go to” Resource when you’re at the end of your rope. But conventional church culture typically predicates everything it does in terms of evangelism and discipleship on the assumption that you’re in desperate need of Divine Assistance.

And we are.

Anybody with even a rudimentary knowledge of God’s Word can reference Romans 6:23 and John 15:5 as far as our being destined to eternal damnation and the fact that, apart from Christ, we can do nothing.

But more often than not, that’s where our “marketing” stops. And while it’s absolutely needful to recognize our spiritual and practical destitution apart from our Redeemer, it’s just as crucial to embrace the Purpose, Peace and Power He makes available to us that’s designed to be applied in a way where we reek of excellence in everything we do, think and say.

Everything.

If you were to apply Colossians 3:18 in the way you perform at work, you would be more than the kind of person an employer would hire… You’d be the kind of person they would promote.

Second Corinthians says that God is able to make available to you all that you need so that you can knock it out of the park in “all things at all times.”

Salvation was never intended to be relevant only in the context of your funeral arrangements or as a Divine Emergency Kit. You want to be on top of your spiritual game so that at the end of the day, you’re…

  • …not just smart, you’re wise
  • …you’re not just busy, you’re productive
  • …you’re not just moral, you’re excellent

You’re the kind of person people want to work with and work for. You light up every room you walk into and it’s not because of who you are but because you’re given the One Who lives inside of your free reign over every aspect of your life.

Do you see where this is going?

Christianity is not just playing defense where you’re constantly bracing yourself for the next temptation or the next attack. It’s about moving the ball down the field, putting points on the board and not being satisfied with merely being “nice,” but being stronger, deeper and better than you could ever hope to be on your own.

And that is how you get the masses fired up about reading the Word of God and drawing nearer to their King! You show them the Practical Result of Discipleship so they’re perceiving prayer and Bible Study as invitations and not just obligations. Show them that billboard that has things like…

  • Prepare to Win
  • It’s All Good
  • He Will, He Can, He Does and He Is
  • More Than You Know
  • On Your Feet

And mind you, this is not a “prosperity gospel!” In the end, it’s not about you. It’s about Him in and through you and it’s that ever increasing desire for more of Him that translates to a greater degree of excellence in the way you perform, the way you speak and in the way you think.

And that’s what Muscular Christianity is all about.

It’s not just fitness. It’s a paradigm. We’re not looking at diet and exercise as yet another means by which we can gratify ourselves. We’re establishing a Source of Inspiration that motivates us beyond that point where we would otherwise make concessions.

We’re making a point of ensuring that everything we do, think and say rates the Approval of our King and that’s going to apply both to the gym and to the dinner table.

We’re going to surround ourselves with Accountability Partners and in that way deploy a Biblical strategy that applies to every discipline we engage and not just our workout schedule. And we’re going to pop the hood on the Word of God and get to a place where we can explain what we believe and why we believe it.

We’re going to develop a perspective that intentionally blurs the lines that would otherwise distinguish the sacred from the secular and we’re going to unpack the Reality that says we become and we accomplish so much more when we realize that it’s not about us and it’s all about Him.

You ready to do this?

You want to fly solo or do you want to do this in a group setting?

You want to kick this off with an introductory session, or how about a Sunday morning service?

Click on any of the links for more information.

Muscular Christianity 90 Day Fitness Plan

➢ the book on amazon.com
➢ the Training Regimen
➢ Loose Cannon Fitness

90 Day Bible Study Guide

➢ description
➢ the book on amazon.com

Podcast

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