4 Minutes on Debatable Issues
Feb 8, 2012 Print This Post | Make a Comment
A few weeks ago, my inboxes erupted because of the conclusion I gave to a message on the freedoms we have in Christ and how to respond to other Christians who have a weak conscience. Interestingly, I got less heat from my usage of alcohol as my primary illustration as I did from a list of debatable issues I shared.
Even more interesting was the juxtaposition of the point of message (the Law of Love) and the tone of much of the email I received.
On this week’s 4 minute video, I explain my thoughts behind sharing the list of debatable issues and why I stand by it.
YouTube Link
Tags: bible, grace, love
Friday Random Linkness
Feb 3, 2012 Print This Post
How much do you know about the US Presidents?
So you want to be a Church Planter…
This is the most epic real life battle I have ever seen
The Right Pursuit of Theological Knowledge
Fotoshop by Adobè
Review of “Three Free Sins” by Steve Brown
Feb 1, 2012 Print This Post
Overview
I’m sort of used to getting negative emails after teaching at Riv (I don’t think you ever get fully used to it). What I haven’t gotten used to is that the most negative emails always come after the messages that include the most grace. When you tell people to do something, they may not be ready to do it but they fully embrace the “truth” of your message. When you tell people there is nothing (really, truly, nothing) they can do to earn their salvation, to keep it, or to make God more pleased with them, they freak out.
I’ve decided from now on, instead of getting into a long protracted email chain with people who complain about the freedoms we have in Christ, I am just going to send them Steve Brown’s new book “Three Free Sins.”
Fed up with “trying to teach frogs to fly,” Brown wrote this book for both the frogs (Christians) and the “frog flying teachers,” (Pastors) neither of whom know what the heck they are doing. He addresses all of the frustrating ways we try to make ourselves better and shows how they are so utterly powerless to help us change. In a sweep of counter-intuitive brilliance, he offers his readers Three Free Sins. In fact, he doesn’t stop there but I don’t want to ruin the book.
What did I like most about the book?
Simply put, this book is all about Jesus and the Gospel. It’s about our failure to truly understand and apply the Gospel to our lives and others on a daily basis and how that is not a big surprise to God.
A small section in Chapter 3 on repentance is worth the price of the book itself. I have read it again and again and it keeps smacking me upside the head. Similarly powerful are sections on forgiveness, self-righteousness, and the true reasons we don’t pray.
Key Quotes
“Our problem is that we have taken the best news ever given to the world, run it through a ‘religious’ grid, and made something unpalatable out of it. In short, we’ve taken the good news and made it bad news.”
“Self-righteousness is addictive…When it starts, it feels good, but before long, we’re waiting for a vacancy in the Trinity and wondering where all our friends have gone.”
“One often hears fat preachers yelling at gay guys, but rarely do you hear gay guys yelling at fat preachers.”
“God designed (“allowed,” if you prefer) sin so that we could, by seeing it properly, have a safe place.”
“When you try to cover your own sins (by being obedient or denying they’re there) and be more righteous than God’s own Son…you’re like a man who wears a bra. You’re weird, you may like it, but it doesn’t do you any good and has no practical purpose.”
Resources
Buy this book on Amazon.com
Steve Brown will be speaking at Riverview’s next LEAD event, God’s Not Mad At You
Tuesday Rewind: An Open Letter to Pastors
Jan 31, 2012 Print This Post
On some Tuesdays, I go back into the archives and dig up something that still relates today. For the next 5 weeks, I am going to repost the Top 5 Posts from 2011. Today’s post is #1 and it comes from February 21, 2011. I am so glad this was the most popular post on my blog last year, because it was by far my favorite and the one I felt most passionate about while writing it.
During the course of Riv’s current series on 1 Timothy, I am blogging about stuff I can’t get to during the weekend services. Today, I am posting an open letter to my brothers who pastor in Jesus’ church around the world. This is going to be a longer post than normal but I feel like I have to address something and it’s going to take more than a few words to do so.
Speak to younger men as brothers…and younger women as sisters–with complete purity.-1 Timothy 5:1-2
Brothers-
I received an email yesterday that literally made me feel like I was going to puke. It was a friend of mine telling me a mutual friend had fallen into sexual sin with a member of his church staff and he was going to leave his family and move in with the other woman. This is the second of my friends to fall like this in the past couple weeks. Neither of these affairs were one time things, either. They had gone on for months and months.
After my stomach began to settle, I began to get pissed off. How could these men do something like this to their wives and families and churches? How could they do this to Jesus?
That’s when my third emotion kicked in: somberness. Each of these men were passionate and godly men who fell into sin. They join the ranks of many other men I have known who have done the same thing. At one point or another, I looked up to each of them. Some were brilliant communicators, other caring shepherds. They all loved being pastors, loved their families, and loved their churches. That’s why I became somber, because I couldn’t help but think “there but by the grace of God, go I.”
This morning when I woke up, I was angry again. This time at sin. I’m so mad that sin can topple years of hard work and devotion in an instant. At the same time, I take solace knowing that while individual men may fall, the gates of hell will not prevail against Jesus’ church.
So it is with these mixed emotions that I offer a list of suggestions for protecting yourself from this type of fall. I am not trying to be a legalist here, nor am I suggesting this is an exhaustive list. However, I want to strike while the iron is hot in my mind. Like any of you, I have the potential to fall into this type of sin. I want to “discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Cor 9:27)
Keep your marriage bed hot. As the Psalmist has written, “Rejoice in the wife of your youth…let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.” (Proverbs 5:19) If things are going well with your sex life with your wife, you are less likely to be tempted to stray. Make this one of your highest priorities.
Maintain your relationship with God. A lot of times pastors spend so much energy teaching others about the faith that their own begins to drift. Make sure you are “setting an example for the flock.” (1 Peter 5:3) Get time alone with God, be fervent in your prayers, study the Word and make it central in your life.
Don’t underestimate the power of sin in your own life. The Apostle Paul understood this deeply, which is why he wrote,
“I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate…So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” (Romans 7:15–20)
Don’t underestimate the power of Jesus Christ’s atoning work on the cross and the Holy Spirit’s continuing work in your life. Paul continues his previous thought by saying,
“Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 7:24-8:4)
Sin may be strong, but Jesus is stronger. He has already set you free! Now, through the Holy Spirit’s power, you can say “no” to the flesh.
Flee temptation. Many of us think we have to stand there and take temptation to prove we are a man. No! Flee temptation! Paul tells us to do so at least 4 times that I can think of (1 Cor 6:18 | 1 Cor 10:14 | 1 Tim 6:11 | 2 Tim 2:22). Here are some practical ways to flee sexual temptation. Many people say these rules go too far, I think they are wise.
- Never have lunch alone with a woman (except with members of your immediate family, of course).
- Never ride alone in the car with a woman.
- Never meet alone with a woman unless the door is open, you have windows people can see through, etc.
- Never counsel a married woman alone without her husband more than one time.
- If you find yourself drawn to a woman (physically, mentally, or emotionally), avoid her.
- Don’t have close female friends if you are not also friends with her husband.
- Be careful with physical and verbal affection. If it can be misconstrued, don’t do it.
- Install OpenDNS on your home and church computer networks and XXXChurch accountability software on all your computers.
Give your wife full access. Make sure your wife has all of your passwords to your email accounts and Facebook. Encourage her to log into your account and snoop around. If you feel like you need privacy, ask yourself why you feel that way. I guarantee the answer isn’t a good one. You are trying to hide something–repent and give your wife the passwords.
Be careful on Facebook. In the last few weeks, I have heard about two different people I know who have rekindled old flames on Facebook–that’s the obvious danger. The more subtle danger is the photos. Many women don’t think about the impact of some of the racier photos they post and it’s easy to become a voyeur. It’s better to just stay away from the photo pages all together.
Get accountable. Often the way we use accountability is a stupid thing because it doesn’t actually accomplish anything. But if used well, it can be a powerful tool. It is a way for brothers to help each other. Confess your temptations to a trusted friend (a co-pastor is the perfect person because they understand). Tell them when you are being tempted, when you find someone in your congregation or staff attractive, etc. Give them access to your computer, phone, etc, to check up on you when they feel like it. Give them permission to aggressively check up on you.
Finally, I want to challenge all of us to Pray for One Another. This is a battle we are in and “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (Eph 6:12–13)
I love you brothers. Stand firm.
Noel
Tags: Holy Spirit, Jesus, marriage, pastors, prayer, sex, sin, social media, temptation
4 Minutes on…?
Jan 30, 2012 Print This Post
The last month or so I have experimented with a weeklyish 4-minute video on common questions people ask me. The videos have been well received so I plan on keeping this going for awhile (at least until I get bored). I suspect there will be weeks when I don’t have a specific question to answer related to the messages I am preaching and I want to have a list of topics to hit on those weeks.
This is where you can help!
Comment on this post and tell me…What question should I attempt to answer in 4 minutes?
If you like someone else’s question, make sure you “Facebook Like” it so I can tell which are the popular questions.
Thanks for your help. Don’t ever forget you are my favorite.
Friday Random Linkness
Jan 27, 2012 Print This Post
Why is God so silent in my life?
Flying Devil Rays are my new favorite
While I don’t agree with the title of this post, I love the actual post
Life Flashing Before Your Eyes
Tuesday Rewind: The Big 4-0
Jan 24, 2012 Print This Post
On some Tuesdays, I go back into the archives and dig up something that still relates today. For the next 5 weeks, I am going to repost the Top 5 Posts from 2011. Today’s post is #2 and it comes from December 8, 2011.
Today is my 40th birthday.
40.
The big 4-0.
There is absolutely no definition of the word “young” that applies to me anymore. Because of my newfound old age, I figured I would offer you 40 little nuggets of wisdom I have accumulated over the past 40 years. These appear in no order whatsoever because I am too old to attempt that sort of mental task.
1) No matter how old you are, you feel younger that you really are.
2) Spend time getting better at your strengths rather than getting better at your weaknesses (unless your weaknesses are sins).
3) Never say “never.”
4) Never say “always.”
5) God is faithful, even when you are not.
6) You will always remember what it felt like to drive your first car (this was mine).
7) I am rich – “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.” (Proverbs 31:10)
8) You can’t talk about Jesus enough.
9) Take time to read everyday.
10) Complexity is good thing in cigars, coffee, beer, Scotch, and a wife.
11) This may be a midlife crisis thing, but my next car will be one I really enjoy driving.
12) When you are tempted to think, “I’ll become a better parent/spouse/whatever tomorrow,” you are wrong. Start today instead.
13) Your only hope in becoming a better parent/spouse/whatever is Jesus – focus more on him today.
14) The longer you are married to the same person, the better the sex is.
15) The longer you are married to the same person, the more you see your own sin.
16) The longer you are married to the same person, the more you are tempted to focus on your spouse’s sin instead of your own.
17) Play catch with your boys today. You still “won’t have time” tomorrow.
18) Hold your daughter’s hand as long as she will let you get away with it.
19) Kiss your kids on the head no matter how old they are.
20) Spend the extra money for comfortable shoes…or insoles.
21) Be yourself in preaching, dressing, and all other style related stuff. Copycats are really only fakes.
22) Exercise even if you hate it.
23) Eat healthy even if you hate it.
24) Drink good beer. Bad beer is at best empty calories, at worst a sin.
25) Run like a kid sometimes, preferably with kids.
26) Read at least one Bible verse a day.
27) Travel.
28) Smile at strangers.
29) Hold doors for people, most of them will be shocked.
30) Really remember Jesus when you take communion.
31) Ask “why?”
32) Treat your wife like a daughter of the King.
33) Treat your daughter like a Princess.
34) Treat your sons like men.
35) Discipline your children because you love them.
36) Discipline your children like you love them.
37) Check your fly before you preach.
38) When possible, try not to offend nor be offended.
39) Even when trying to eat healthy, have some bacon now and then.
40) Beards are epic, but they make you look older. Mine makes me look like I’m in my 40′s. Oh snap.
4 Minutes on “Preparing a Sermon”
Jan 23, 2012 Print This Post
People often ask me how I go about preparing a sermon. Here’s a 4 minute video that follows along the two week process it took to develop the message I preached last week. I knew the passage I was going to preach a year ago, so a lot of reading, thought, study, and prayer preceded the start of this final stage of preparation.
To watch the final sermon I preached at the end of this process, click here.
If you want to take a look at my final notes, click here.
For more help on preaching, check out these two amazing books:
Between Two Worlds by John Stott
Christ-Centered Preaching by Bryan Chapell
Tags: bible, preaching
Friday Random Linkness
Jan 20, 2012 Print This Post
Excellent article on interpreting the Bible normally
I have never wanted to be a fighter pilot more since I first watched Top Gun
Kickflipping a car over a skateboard. (Not a typo)
To the man or woman who lost their cart in aisle 7
This Gorillaz cover is amazing because of how it was made
Review of “What Would Jesus Drink?” by Brad Whittington
Jan 18, 2012 Print This Post
I quoted from the book What Would Jesus Drink? by Brad Whittington during my teaching on 1 Corinthians 8 this past weekend at Riv and got a lot of positive feedback regarding both the message and the excerpt I read. Since many people wanted to know how to get a copy of the book, I figured I’d throw a review up here on the blog.
Overview
“Most likely any of us who have been Christians for very long have come across someone who has attempted to modify our behavior based on the claim that what we do offends them. These people interpret the word ‘offended’ to mean ‘an insult or affront.’”
Nowhere is this more prevalent than with the topic of alcohol. Just this weekend at Riv, someone told me that their friends are upset because they are attending “the church with a brewery in the basement.” (For the record, we don’t have one, although that would be really cool.) Because we advocate for the responsible consumption of alcohol in the life a Christian, many Christians gossip and spread untruths about our church. (We do feel like we are in good company, though – Matthew 11:19) I have often considered writing a book on the topic, but haven’t because I don’t want to add fuel to the fire.
That’s why I was delighted a few years ago when I stumbled onto a paper by Brad Whittington on the topic of alcohol (which was an early draft of this book). The author claimed to have studied every single verse (there are 247 of them) in the Bible regarding wine and strong drink. I dove right in and was impressed right out of the gate with his biblical fidelity. He categorized each verse as “positive,” “negative,” or “neutral.” This approach paints a compelling picture because 59% of the verses were positive and more shockingly, 19% declare that an abundance of wine is a sign of God’s blessing.
With this as his launching pad, Whittington’s book carefully studies the relevant passages and proceeds to answer every single objection to the responsible use of alcohol I have ever heard. His bottom line conclusion is this:
“The Bible has several warnings against drunkenness, but only one caution against the responsible use of alcohol in celebration and with meals. That caution is to be careful when we are in fellowship with Christians with a weaker conscience. A weak conscience is defined in the Bible as a conscience that sees prohibitions where God has not made them or feels judgment where God has not judged. We are to be careful that we don’t cause a brother to stumble. The one thing I didn’t find was a prohibition against the use of alcohol.”
What did I like most about the book?
Instead of forming his conviction about alcohol on culture, family history, or in reaction to someone else’s position, Whittington gets his from the Bible.
Would I recommend the book?
This book is a must-read for teetotalers and frat boys alike.
Key Quotes
“For my purposes, culture was not relevant to the inquiry, whether the prevailing culture of society or the culture of the church. Especially the culture of the church, because often it is difficult for insiders to differentiate between what the Bible says and what church tradition says, and these two are not necessarily the same thing.”
“Legalism is actually the result of a weak conscience, not a strong conscience developed from spiritual maturity.”
“Some denominations believe it is a sin to wear makeup. Will we all agree to forgo makeup? Some denominations believe it is a sin for women to cut their hair or wear jeans. Will we all conform to this regulation on the off chance that we might be imitated by someone who really thinks she shouldn’t do these things? What about wearing shorts, mixed bathing, wearing jewelry, buying anything on Sunday, playing cards, playing dominos, listening to James Taylor, using Celtic words for bodily functions instead of Latin words? The list goes on and on. Practically every part of our culture that we take for granted is considered a sin by some segment of Christianity. Are we prepared to alter every aspect of our behavior in deference to weaker brothers who have problems with things we do every day?A more reasonable interpretation is that if you know someone who believes something is wrong but is tempted to do it anyway, you should abstain for the sake of that person. Otherwise, we would have to live in constant apprehension that some completely innocent action might be imitated by a complete stranger and thus find us in violation of this verse.”
Resources
Buy this book on Amazon.com
Buy the Kindle Version for only $.99
Watch the video from this weekend’s teaching.
Tags: beer, conscience, Jesus, wine