The Gospel According to Blue Man Group.

Several weeks ago my friend Bill posted a video of a cutting edge church that showed a clip from the Blue Man Group’s drumbone performance in their worship service.  Bill praised the church for being on the cutting edge and doing extraordinary things.  Carl then commented on the posting by asking the question, “how does this lead someone closer to Christ?”  Carl took the words right out of my mouth so I echoed his question concerning the use of such a video in the church’s corporate worship.  Bill, who originally posted the video, responded with a question of his own: “does everything we do as a church have to lead people closer to Christ?”  For a few moments I could not believe such a question had been asked.  Then I was compelled to continue the conversation with a resounding, ABSOLUTELY!  There are several things about this encounter that deserve your thought.

First, notice that my brother Bill did not seek to make a case for “Drumbone” being a valid evangelistic or discipleship tool.  His answering Carl’s  question with a question of his own betrays an understanding of the difference between entertainment and ministry, but also shows a desire to implement mere entertainment into the ministry of his church.  So then, the major criterion for which we choose what is included in corporate worship becomes what is pleasing to us as ministers or the congregation at large.  I do want to say at this point that I did enjoy the Blue Man Group’s “drumbone” very much.  I have nothing against the Blue Man Group and would love to see them perform their “drumbone” as well as other numbers live.  This does not mean, however, that I would ever invite them to come perform in our worship service (assuming they would come in the first place).  Rather, I am convinced that there are very real expectations that the Lord has for our worship, and they do not include mere entertainment that lacks the all-important truth found in His word.

Secondly, I believe that Christians must consider what has become of the church, especially in America today.  Over the last couple of decades there has been a major paradigm shift in how church ministry is executed.  Such a shift has come from the admirable desire to encounter and engage the culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Rightly, certain evangelical leaders recognize that many times the traditional church is failing to communicate the gospel to the culture all together.  Moreover, when the church does proclaim the gospel to a secular culture, it often fails to do it in a way that is understandable and meaningful to those who receive the message.  However, now we see the pendulum has swung to the other side of error so that much of what we see in the contemporary church is void of any gospel truth, and lacks any potential to lead someone to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  This does not concern many in the contemporary church since they have been convinced that not everything the church does has to lead someone closer to Christ, but I would beg to differ.

When we look at the ministry of our Lord we see that He never simply entertained anyone.  With every sermon, every teaching session, every personal encounter, every miracle, and indeed every act of ministry He was consciously seeking to draw people to Himself.  How much more diligent should we be to present the truth of the gospel to lost and dying world.  The Great Commission (Matt 28:19-20) commands believers to go and make disciples, not to go and entertain the culture.  Acts 4:12 says there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.  That name is Jesus Christ, not Blue Man Group, etc.  Jesus said no man comes to the Father except through Him (Jn 14:6).  Such a statement makes clear that simply sitting in a church service will not be enough to find entrance into heaven.  With these things in mind, can we really afford to waste even a moment in our worship for that which does not point to Christ and lead others closer to Him?  Your thoughts?

In Christ,

Pastor Josh

Discipline for the Purpose of Godliness

1 Timothy 4:7 says that we should discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness.  In his book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Don Whitney devotes a chapter to the spiritual discipline of journaling.  I have never enjoyed journaling, and only moderately enjoy writing of any sort.  However, I sense the Lord convicting me that I use such disinterest as a cop-out.  I realize that journaling is not necessarily the same as blogging.  I also know that few folks would care anything about reading a journal of my life at this point.  Nevertheless, I do believe that blogging, like journaling, will promote learning in my own life, assist me in seeing how the Lord is working in my personal life, as well as the world around me, and develop discipline that will keep me well-informed and moving forward in the quest to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Therefore, I hope that you will begin checking back with more frequency as you see more information on this site.  I hope to add a plethora of sermon notes this weekend and begin dealing with some issues that are fresh on my mind early next week in the blog section.  Until then I urge you to consider what area or aspect of your life needs to be disciplined.  Are you willing to make an effort to discipline yourself in every area of life for the glory of the Lord?

In Christ,

Pastor Josh

A NEW DADDY IN TOWN!!!

NO!  Shannon and I are not having another baby!  But my good friend Patrick Harmon and his lovely bride Keri are expecting their first, and I want to congratulate them on this tremendous blessing from the Lord.  Patrick and Keri, we continue to pray for you both, as well as this precious little girl that you are expecting.

“…nothing less, nothing more.”

I am currently preparing to lead a workshop titled, “Thinking Biblically about Homosexuality and Christianity.”  The workshop will be at a biblical counseling conference in Georgia this weekend.  In my reading I ran across a sermon transcript from John MacArthur (you can find it here).  In this manuscript he makes this statement about homosexuality.  “It’s nothing more than a perverse sex act.  That’s all it is, nothing less, nothing more.”  This statement has made me ponder how Christians address and confront this phenomenon in our culture.

For example, it is popular to speak of the “homosexual community.”  I myself have used this phrase many times and have not decided to abandon it quiet yet.  However, to speak of homosexuals as a community is to speak of them as a race or a people group.  MacArthur notes that we do not speak of pedophiles, rapis, or adulterers as people groups.  He presses harder and notes that we do not consider granting such groups civil rights or any other special considerations.  Why then do we speak of homosexuals as if they were just another minority people group to be numbered among African-Americans, Hispanics, and others?  Could it be that Christians, in an attempt to engage homosexuality and show it as the sin that it is, have actually proven to promote part of the homosexual agenda?

To speak of homosexuals in such a way lends support to the idea that homosexual behavior is “normal.”  This premise becoming more widely accepted is the reason why the homosexual agenda is taking root in the media, public schools, and public square.  I am being convinced that as Christians it is not enough to enter the conversation concerning homosexuality.  Rather, we must take great care in how we speak of homosexuals and homsexuality.  I believe we understand well that homosexuality is “nothing less” than an abomination before the Lord.  Have we thought through what it means to say that homosexuality is “nothing more” than an abomination before the Lord.  Our attention to detail in this matter may determine what kind of progress we make on this front of the culture war. 

Just because a group has a flag does not mean that they constitute a community.  Your thoughts?

In Christ,

Pastor Josh

Answering the Proverbial Why?

My oldest son has picked up an annoying habit of always asking “why” when he is asked to do something. I suppose most children go through this stage, and most child psychologists would scold me for even thinking about this “stage” in a negative way. Let me be clear, I do want to foster an inquisitive spirit in my children. I long to see them grow in knowledge, and I realize that asking questions is one of the most fundamental ways of growing in knowledge. However, there are some things I believe should not have to be explained. Sometimes I expect my children to comply with my wishes simply because I as their father made the statement. Consider the following these words from Leviticus 22:31-33.

So you shall keep My commandments, and do them: I am the Lord.  And you shall not profane My holy name, but I will be sanctified among the sons of Israel: I am the Lord who sanctifies you, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord.

The Lord has just finished giving instructions to Moses as to why animals for sacrifice must be perfect – without blemish.  Notice in our few verses, which serve as the conclusion to this particular instruction, the Lord expects compliance; you shall keep my commandments, and do them.  Notice also the reasoning for His expectation.  It is not simply because He wants them to make His name great, though He does – I will be sanctified among the sons of Israel.  Moreove, His expectation is not only because He has accomplished great things for them, though He has – I am the Lord who sanctifies you, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, to be your God.  Rather, His expectation is merely because He is who He is – I am the Lord (mentioned in all three verses).

I believe the Lord wants His children to be inquisitive.  In fact, His word makes plain that He desires us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).  Nevertheless, sometimes when His instruction seems obscure and His ways appear unknown, we must remember that He is the Lord – and therefore worthy of our most sincere devotion.  If the Lord expected such obedience and faithfulness from those whom He had given the shaddow of sanctification (sacrifice of bulls, goats, and sheep), how much more appropriate is it for Him to expect our faithfulness and devotion as He has shown us the fullness of our sanctification (through the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross).

As for my son, as well as my other children, I am confident that he will learn that sometimes Daddy’s word is reason enough for obedience.  And for the child psychologists out there, I am equally confident that he, and my other children, will mature into well-rounded young people who honor not just their parents, but more importantly the Lord with their inquisitive natures.

In Christ,

Pastor Josh

Just One Day…

Monday a week ago I suffered from a brutal stomach virus.  This was on top of the respiratory crud I was already fighting.  Without sharing all the guts and gore, I’ll just say that I was in the bed all day that Monday and only had a few glasses of water to drink with nothing to eat that day.  It was so bad that though I felt better on Tuesday, I spent most of that day recovering from Monday’s onslaught.  About 5:00pm that Monday I remembered that for several weeks I had been complaining in my own mind about the busy nature of my schedule.  Several mornings I drug myself out of bed thinking, “Oh, if I could only sleep in one day.”  Even in my extremely weak state I wanted to kick myself in the pants.  It was as if the Lord was saying, “Are you happy now, I’ve given you a day in the bed.”  I repented from my self-pity immediately and would’ve heaped ashes on my head if only I had some.  I can’t promise that I will never have another moment of self-pity, but you can be sure that it will be a very long time before I whine about having to get up rather than staying in the bed.

It’s interesting how the Lord sometimes gives us what we want to teach us a vital life lesson.  Have you not yourself complained or begged at some point for “just one day” to do or not do something.  Just one day…to sleep in…to not go to work…to not listen to grumbling children…to pamper self instead of serving others.  I myself have emerged from the gloom of sickness with a new motivation to establish proper priorities and execute faithfully that which the Lord has given me to do.  I hope it doesn’t take that terrible stomach virus to convince you to do the same.

In Christ,

Pasto Josh

Re-Calibrating

As you can see blogging has not been my strong suit as of late. What is most shamful is that everyone has stopped asking me when I plan to blog again. Understanding that much like the boy who cried wolf, I will likely find it difficult to find folks to even stop by the site to see what i have to say. Nevertheless, I must for my own sake forge ahead in blogging again.
This is really only one element of a total re-calibration I am instituting. Lately I have fallen behind on my daily Bible reading, I have failed to train adaquately for the Assault on Mt. Mitchell, I am not forging ahead in my preaching planning as desired, and generally feel as if I am working diligently to go nowhere.
Of course I have been sick, there have been unforseen circumstances, and any number of other excuses for my lack of discipline in these various areas. However, the time for excuses has passed. Tomorrow will mark the beginning of my new effort to pursue excellence in the things I have found passion to pursue. Any of my hard-core friends that find this blog may feel free to hold me accountable.
I am fortunately yet certainly
In Christ,
Pastor Josh

Don’t Call it a Comeback

I guess everyone can see that one of my New Year’s resolutions was not to blog more.  The truth is that the blog is fairly far down on my priority list.  However, knowing that there are some out there reading (judging from your questions in person rather than your comments on the blog), I will again seek to be helpful in blogging more regularly.  I have been keeping the sermon notes updated, and I will try to get more quotes and books up soon.

For now I would like to share a verse from one of my favorite stories in the Scripture.  The story is that of Joseph (Gen 37-50).  I like the story because we are given so much information about him accross a wide spectrum of his life.  At the same time, the story of Joseph is given in a shap-shot form so that if you simply sit down and read Genesis 37-50 you can see all that the Lord was doing at various stages in his life.  It is not always easy for us to do this in our own lives.  Living one day at a time often makes it difficult to see how the Lord is at work to accomplish his will in us and for us.

The story of Joseph is that he is the youngest of all Jacob’s sons (12 total).  Jacob loves Joseph more than all the other sons causing them to resent Joseph and sell him into slavery.  Once taken by the Ishmaelites he eventually ends up in Egypt second in power only to Pharaoh.  When famine strikes the land of Canaan Jacob sends his remaining sons to get food in Egypt.  There Joseph is reunited with his brothers.

Once the brothers find out who Joseph is they fear for their lives.  Joseph, however, shows a great deal of discernment and makes this statement recorded in Genesis 45:5, “And now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.“  Then in verse eight he remarks, “Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God;“

How many times do you feel that everyone is against you?  How often does it seem that things just cannot possibly get worse?  The story of Joseph teaches us that while the circumstances of our lives may be most adverse; and while it seems that we have been left alone to find our own way; the Lord is actually present working to accomplish his purposes.  These purposes are also often bigger than ourselves.  Joseph’s being sold into slavery was not simply a tool for God to make him powerful in Egypt.  Rather, Joseph was sold into slavery so he could rise to prominence in Egypt, so he could in turn preserve the life of Israel and his sons who would become the nation of Israel.

The story of Joseph encourages me to live faithfully no matter what my circumstances.  I encourage you to read it and let it teach you just how unimaginable the possibilities are when it comes to the Lord’s working in our lives.

In Christ,

Pastor Josh

You Could Learn A Lot From A Shepherd

After Christmas we will return to the question of what a true disciple of Christ looks like.  For now I want to offer some thoughts for your consideration.  While I often speak of the shepherds during the Christmas season, this article is adapted from an article I wrote for the Pickens Sentinel Newspaper last Christmas.

Luke chapter two chronicles the most well-known of all the accounts of Jesus’ birth.  While you may feel very familiar with the story, there are a number of details that are worthy of serious consideration.  One such detail can be found in verse 16, “And they [shepherds] came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.”  I wonder if you have ever considered the significance of the shepherds going in hast to see the new-born Savior?

 

Shepherds had a very difficult job in that it required virtually all of their time.  Sheep have never been known for their intelligence or ability to care for themselves.  In fact, while sheep are some of the most peaceful animals, they are also among the most ignorant of all God’s creatures.  While shepherds did not have to have their hands on the sheep constantly, it was necessary to keep a constant eye on them to make sure they were not wandering into danger or being attacked by predators.  A flock of sheep represented a shepherd’s livelihood and the Scripture often expresses that shepherds were committed to the care of every individual sheep in the flock.

 

This is why verse 16 stands out in my own mind.  Notice again that Scripture claims that the shepherds came in haste.  If they went in haste to find the Christ-child, then what did they do with the sheep?  Sheep certainly cannot be driven like cattle – as anyone who has raised sheep will tell you.  Moreover, I cannot imagine that the sheep would have been led quickly anywhere during the middle of the night – especially if there were a large number in the flock.  Also, even if the shepherds could have led them to Bethlehem in haste, it seems there would be nothing to do with that many sheep upon arrival – remember their day was not our own with our convenient all-night drive-thru’s and Motel 6’s.  You may think then that one or more of the shepherds stayed back with the sheep while the others went to see the new-born Messiah.  I also find this hard to believe considering the amazing display recorded in verses 9-14, And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.  And the angel said to them, do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all the people…And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.  What a spectacular sight for such lowly citizens who rarely get any excitement at night.  Can you imagine what it would have been like to see the night sky shattered with the light of those angels announcing the birth of Christ?  If you had been there and witnessed such an amazing display would you have been willing to stay with the sheep?  I certainly would not!  So then, what did the shepherds of Luke chapter two do with the sheep?  I propose that they left them in the field and went in haste to find the Savior who is Christ the Lord.

 

I urge you to consider this and understand that the presence of Christ often causes folks to act in an unexpected manner.  You may be tempted to think that shepherds were an eccentric bunch and left their sheep behind during a moment of poor judgment.  It could be that you attribute their behavior to the remarkable nature of the birth of Jesus and would not expect such attitudes and actions from folks in our own day.  However, I want to remind you that the shepherds were not the only people in Scripture to leave their most treasured possession for Christ.  In Mark chapter one we read about Jesus calling the first disciples to himself. “And Jesus said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.  And they immediately left the nets and followed Him” (vv. 17-18).  Simon and Andrew were fishermen by trade, and depended on their boat, nets, and time on the water to provide for themselves and their families.  Nevertheless, when the voice of the Lord called them, they followed without hesitation.  Also in John chapter four we read of a Samaritan woman who did the unexpected when she met Jesus.  “So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city, and said to the men, Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done…” (vv. 28-29).  This woman did not possess a stellar reputation, and likely folks in the community often ostracized her for her immoral deeds.  However, after encountering Christ she left her waterpot, which was the reason she had ventured out of town to the well in the first place.  More importantly though she went back into town and shared the encounter with those who were not known for being kind to her.

 

These are just a few examples of how the presence of the Lord caused people to do the unexpected.  The same thing happens in our own day when folks who are addicted to all sorts of substances and behaviors are confronted with the living Lord and suddenly change their behavior and become the new creation spoken of in Second Corinthians 5:17.  You can even see it in churches when folks who have never been public speakers or the center of attention suddenly volunteer to teach a class, give a public testimony, or sing a solo.  Truly the presence of Christ in a life can and will make that person do the unexpected. 

 

So what can you learn from a shepherd this Christmas?  I hope that over the next couple of days as you reflect on the events surrounding Christ’s coming to earth that you will consider this seemingly insignificant detail in the narrative of Luke chapter two and ask yourself if you have experienced the presence of Christ in your own life.  Has His presence in your life ever caused you to do something unexpected?  Will you do something unexpected this week to show others the presence of Christ in your life?  Maybe you need to leave something behind in order to experience the presence of Christ in your life.  Will you be faithful this Christmas season to leave those things which are keeping you from being near to the Lord?  Whatever it is that you feel compelled to do due to the celebration of the coming of Christ this week – do remember to do it for His glory and the glory of His kingdom.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

In Christ,

Pastor Josh

What Does A Disciple of Christ Look Like?

Yesterday I sat in a meeting in which another pastor asked the question what does a disciple of Christ look like.  The leader of the meeting encouraged us to consider this question and ask others as we prepare for our meeting next month.

I want to consider this question and invite a response from you.  Leading up to Christmas I will be exploring some of the things the Bible has to say about discipleship in the life of the Believer.  However, I really want to hear you weigh-in on the matter.  What verses, images, and examples come to your mind when you hear the word disciple?  You may choose to leave a one-word descriptrion, a bible verse or passage, or explain what qualities you feel are central to a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I can’t wait to receive your response.

In Christ,

Pastor Josh