Berean Journeymen

Shared by Tom Sholtiz

Written by: Jacob Dawson
Date: Dec 16th 2008, 14:18 I read an excellent article today in the Christian Science Monitor about the future of the Evangelical Christian. In this article the author, Michael Spencer, lays out the reasons why the Western Church will fall in the next 10 years. Spencer would be labeled as a liberal by many in the evangelical community, yet he hits the nail on the head in this article. His argument is that The Church as focused its attention on numbers rather than The Gospel, on politics instead of Biblical truth, and on feeling good instead of knowing God.

The truth is that the Great Awakening of Jonathon Edwards is no where to be seen today. We receive our Biblical teaching on the T.V. screens rather than from the Bible. I am not one to knock ministers of the Gospel on T.V., but we as Christians need our own understanding of the Gospel from spending time with God. We rely too much on what a pastor 1,000 miles away tells us, and not enough on what the Word of God tells us.

Spencer says that secularism and people pleasing will dominate the Church in the next 10 years, and this will lead to the demolition of the current Church system, but he points out that this may be a good thing. The Church flourishes in persecution. The Church fails in complacency. The old saying goes “you don’t know what you got, ‘til it’s gone”, and this will be evident when the Church is gone.

Jesus said in John 4:23, “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.” This lets me know that “marginal Christians” will fade away and those who want His heart will prevail.

So this is my challenge to you. Don’t be that “marginal Christian”. Don’t be one of the ones that cause the Church to fall in the United States. Seek God and know Him. Don’t base your understanding by what you hear on T.V. or what you read here, but use T.V. and use this lead you to the Word of God. We face trying times ahead, but Psalm 37:25 says, “I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread.” God is faithful when we are faithless.

Men, do we realize our desperation?

How different would things be if your source of income and mine, which are so readily taken for granted, were taken from us? How quickly previous needs would turn into mere wants. If we no longer knew how the next bill would be paid or if the next meal would be placed upon our table…would we then realize our desperation for the only One who actually provides our daily bread?

How different would things be if an aneurism, a stroke, Alzheimer’s forever changed how you and I could reason and remember? How quickly the years of gaining knowledge would gain us nothing at all. In the moment we watched the face of a loved one fade into the unfamiliar and felt loneliness engulf us…would we then realize our desperation for the only One who has forever known us and calls us by name?

Men, do we realize our desperation?

When our careers and our investment portfolios and our governments prove to be false security blankets… when the economy, American values and the world around us seem to be falling…do we then realize our desperation for the only One whom we can ultimately trust?

When our sins keep us bound in chains and ridicule our immobility…when the weights we bear press down upon us and feel unbearable…do we then realize our desperation for the only One who offers sanctuary and makes our battles his own?

Men, do we realize our desperation?

In the moment when temptation gives its initial tug...in the times when temptation floods the pit of our stomachs…do we then realize our desperation for the only One who offers refuge?

In awareness that the tempter, the father of lies is intent on our destruction and allegiance…in acknowledgement of the enemy’s power and our weakness in this world…do we then realize our desperation for the only One who is our true strength?

Men, do we realize our desperation?

When deep down we finally sense just how unworthy we really are and just how far God was willing to go…when the reality of the great I AM stares directly at us causing us to fall low upon the ground …will we then realize our desperation and yearn for more of the One and Only?

Regardless of how close or how far you and I are from God, regardless of whether we think we are doing well or struggling, regardless of our peace or our discontentment, regardless of whether we acknowledge it or deny it, nothing will change the reality that you and I, at our depths, are completely and utterly desperate for the One and Only who ultimately satisfies, delivers and fulfills -- whether we realize it or not.

Some words shared by permission from Rich Wilcox...

"To focus on our short-comings and to glory in our own righteousness are the two sides of the same coin. That coin? Pride and self-focus.

Please men of Berean, set your focus on the author of our salvation. When we truly focus on Him, we will no longer need to be encouraged to be humble and thankful. We simply will be! When we focus on ourselves, whether for good or bad, we don't leave room for Him. Remember, He is a jealous God and He demands our full attention.

Therefore, love Him and just know that He has already told us that our 'righteousness is as filthy rags'. He already knows that our best efforts are 'garbage'. It doesn't matter how disciplined or virtuous we are, to Him it is 'garbage'. Our only righteousness comes from Him, and our only righteous deeds are those that He, not us, has ordained. So, seek ye first the Kingdom of God and HIS righteousness."

I would like to submit this to you all to read. This is an posting that one of the student leaders in the Senior High Youth Group wrote and I am using it with his permission.


Before reading this please be warned of two things. This is directed to my own heart, if you're convicted, good, if not, I don't know what to say. Also, I HOPE you are offended. Or at least made uncomfortable... because I am.

How is it that those closest to Jesus should live very humble existences, giving more than receiving, suffering, and facing so much ridicule and yet, we as American Christians find it okay to just attend church on Sundays, and go about everything as situation normal?

Why is it that we feel it's alright to just live in our little house, with a 2.5 kids, and new car, as long as we go to church often and help out some here and there? What happened to denying your mother and father, your husband/wife, and even children, should God call you to move (just as the Apostles sometimes had to do?) -Luke 14:26 Who and what holds more importance?

Why is it that we find it GOOD to expand a church, when Jesus never made a place home for his gatherings? When did it become good, to spend more on the church building than we do on the people we're supposed to love?When did it become a good thing to have numbers rather than authenticity?

When did rebuke turn into an extreme thing categorized with hate?

Where is our heart, I mean really? In the ones we love, or in the ONE we love?
Where is my heart?
Where is my heart...?

Jesus said some tough stuff...

Do I truly love Him, or just the club benefits I get for praying, listening to sermons, reading and going to church often?
Would I sell everything?
Would I drop everything I had to follow him?
Would you?


Written by Aaron Grosch

    A recent study from Barna research shows that only about 9% of Americans believe in a biblical worldview. Yet 82% of people claim to be Christians. How can this be? How can you be a Christian, yet not have a biblical worldview.

    As I read this statistic, my initial question was, "What is the definition of a biblical worldview?" It must be something extreme for Christians not to believe it. So lets examine the definition used for the study and see what is extreme or causing people to not believe it.

1. Believing that absolutely moral truths exist. - Only 46% of "Born Again Christians" believed this as a truth.
   
2. The Bible is totally accurate in all the principles it teaches - Again only 79% of "Born Again Christians" believed this as a truth.
   
3. Satan is considered to be a real being or force – 40% of "Born Again Christians" believe
   
4. A Person cannot earn their way into heaven by being good, or doing good works – 53% of "Born Again Christians" believe that works can earn you a spot in heaven.
   
5. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life – 38% of "Born Again Christians" believe that Jesus Sinned.
   
6. God is all-knowing, all-powerful Creator of the world who rules the universe today – 93% of "Born Again Christians" believe this.
   

    Wow, these aren't issues over baptism, or predestination, or dress, or which day we should celebrate Easter, how we should worship, or what we should wear to church. These are pure and simple truths that God has made clear to us in his Word. How can we claim to be a Christian yet, not believe these 6 biblical truths? As I studied these figures, and some other studies, I came across another study shows that only about 10% of American's claim that Jesus Christ is the most important relationship they have in their life.

    Do you see the connection? If Jesus Christ and God the Father is not our most important relationship, then we are unlikely to believe the basic tenets of our faith. If we do not spend time with God, then how can we know his truths? How can we know the "Way"? Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me" We cannot get there unless we know Jesus Christ. We have to follow the path that he set before us, and like his disciples, that means spending time with him, learning what he has to teach us, and trusting that he knows what is best for us, better than we do.

    Men, we were challenged this past week by Rich Nichols, that "We cannot serve two masters" It is impossible! If we are trying to serve two masters, we are in the 82% group, and God wants us in the 9% group. If we are in the 82% group, I don't believe we benefit from God's promises, because we don't know God's promises, because we don't know HIM. If we are in the 82% group we look like the World, because we are placing our hope in the World and we are looking to the World to solve our problems.

    Jesus warned us and said in Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it." Does 82% sound like a narrow gate, or 9%? Which group do you think you should be in? Which group do you want to put your hope in, the Masses or the Few? Jesus also said in Matthew 9:37 "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." If we believe that 82% of people are saved Christians that only leaves 18% unsaved. Does that seem like the workers are few and harvest is plentiful? When Jesus said that, I believe he was truly saying the harvest is plentiful (91%) and the workers are few (9%).

    Brothers, I challenge each and every one of us to examine our lives. We should all be questioning, "What is the most important relationship in our lives?" If it is not Jesus Christ, then we need to ask our self "Why?" A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is one where we spend time with him daily, where he is always on our minds. A relationship we are eager to share, and talk about. A relationship where we spend money on and schedule time with. It is a relationship which makes us smile, a relationship where we feel safe, a relationship where we grow.

    I believe when we make Jesus Christ our most important relationship we will reap his blessings and promises in our lives. Promises such as :

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

John 14:1 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God^[a]; trust also in me.

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 54:17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.

Proverbs 4:11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.

      I Prayed that as men we can not only grasp the truth of what it means to be a Christian, but that we can also apply this truth to our lives. 

What does Christian Leadership look like? I want to share with you a story that was given to me by Tim Schill. To me, this is a perfect example of what Christian Leadership looks like. To me, it is doing what God puts on your heart to do, and your obedience to do it, regardless of cost, or what others may think of you.

This is an excerpt from the book "That's My Son: How Moms Can Influence Boys to Become Men of Character" by Rick Johnson, begining on page 122.

On the Friday following the 9/11 terrorist attack against our country, I was scheduled to have lunch with my good friend Jim. Jim is the pastor of a small start-up church here in Oregon. As we stood in line to order our food, Jim leaned over and whispered, "I'm going to pray out loud at noon like President Bush requested." Jim was really nervous and asked if I had any suggestion on how to go about this. I responded somewhat tritely, but truthfully, "Nope, Better you than me."

As the noon hour approached, Jim stood up and said in a loud voice to the entire restaurant, "Could I have your attention, please? President Bush has asked the nation to pray for our country at noon today. I don't want to offend anyone, but we're going to be praying at our table, and I'd like to invite you to join us if you want."

A stunned silence greeted Jim's speech. Frankly, I admit I was a little embarrassed. Jim sat down, and as we waited the five minute for noon to arrive, no one came over. Just before we began to pray, a woman approached with her young son in tow and asked, "Could we join you? I think what you are doing is great."

At the appointed time, Jim began to pray out loud. With my head bowed, I heard the scraping of one or two other people pulling up chairs around our table. Jim prayed out loud for our country, our president and other leaders, our military personnel, and the families of the victims of 9/11. He prayed passionately from his heart. I estimate he prayed for about twenty minutes. During the whole time, I did not hear any talking, music, or even doors opening and closing.

As he finished, I opened my eyes and looked around. What I saw astounded me. The entire restaurant--perhaps twenty-five people, including the cooks and servers--were gathering around our table. Many had tears in their eyes. An entire restaurant had closed its operations during its busiest time of day. The owner came over with tears in her eyes and thanked us, saying, "You can pray here any time you'd like."

Everyone had stopped what they were doing and had come over to pray, all because of the courage and leadership of one man. It was quite literally one of the manliest displays I've ever seen. Now whenever I say or hear Jim's name, this example of his leadership and courage always comes to mind. I'm especially pleased that the young mother who first joined us brought her son. She showed much courage by being the first one to break the silence with action, thereby freeing up everyone else to act as well. Her son was blessed to have witnessed the courage displayed by both his mother and Jim.

As I read this story I mediated and began to ask myself some questions.

How many times have I felt nudged by God to do something, and I failed to be obedient?

How many times have I failed to do what was right or take a stand for what was right?

How many times have I failed to encourage or worse yet discouraged someone who felt let to take actions such as this?

How encouraged and proud would my wife, kids, and friends be if I showed this kind of obedience and courage? How powerful would my influence be in their lives if they saw me do things like this?

What kind of light for Christ is someone who sets aside all his pride and self to be obedient to God?

What do you think that boy thinks of his mother?

Is that mother following the example set by her husband?

Brothers, I encourage you all to mediate on this story. I encourage you to think about what things God has asked you to do, but fear and pride prevented you from doing. I encourage us all to step up and be leaders like "Jim" by submitting to God.

Remember you are not alone, but surrounded by a band of brothers who will support you and surround you.

See You at the Altar,


Tim