29

Jump Start # 2133

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2133

1 Corinthians 5:5 “I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”

 

Read our verse today. An immediate response might be, “Well, that doesn’t sound very nice.” Discipline isn’t. It sad when it has to be done and it’s even worse when it’s not done. Far too many places observe the “Passover” when it comes to breaking fellowship and discipline. It’s messy. People do not understand it. Some get upset. So, far too often, nothing is done. Members float in and out as they want. Some are walking deeply in the world, getting drunk often and nothing ever being said. Some have left and gone to modern churches to worship, yet they are still considered members at the old place.

 

The circumstances in Corinth were ugly. A member was involved immorally with his father’s wife. This was so obviously wrong that even the Gentiles knew better. Yet, there he is and worse, the church knew about it. Nothing was being said and nothing was being done. And, this immoral Christian wasn’t stopping. So, the Holy Spirit devotes an entire section, a whole chapter, to this subject. Paul leads the way in showing the Corinthian church what they ought to be doing.

 

Discipline is a form of punishment. It’s called that in Thessalonians. Here, Paul was handing this one over to Satan, with the hopes and intentions that his soul would be saved. Fellowship was to be removed. Notice the language:

  • Remove (v. 2)
  • Clean out (v. 7)
  • Deliver to Satan (v. 5)
  • Remove the wicked man (v. 13)
  • Not even to eat with such a one (v. 11)

 

By breaking fellowship, the purpose was to get this man to see how serious his situation was and to get him to come back to Christ. Fellowship among brethren is strained and should be broken after that fellowship has been broken with God. What good are rules, laws and commandments, if they are not enforced. There are consequences to breaking the laws of the land. There are work policies that are enforced to keep ethics and integrity above board. There are consequences at home when a child breaks the rules. Should there not also be consequences among us if we no longer walk with Christ?

 

There are many forms of disciple, breaking fellowship is not the first. The word of God convicts us. This is why the preacher Timothy was told to reprove, rebuke and exhort. “Stepping on our toes,” is how some view preaching. But our toes are stepped on to remind us and help us walk righteously with the Lord.

 

The voice of brethren is another form of discipline. When others warn us, talk to us, and try to get us to see the wrong that we are doing, this is yet another way to correct us. Many would think that this is mean. But what’s really mean is to let someone drift back to Satan’s arms and nothing is done, or worse, the atmosphere of everything is fine is maintained.

 

When a Christian goes back to the world, the world becomes a bit darker. The family suffers. Heaven loses a citizen. The church suffers. Someone loses their soul. To do nothing, is counter-evangelism. We are not only seeking the lost, but we want to keep the saved saved. In Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians he wrote, “you keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life…” That word ‘unruly’ means ‘out of step.’ You’ve seen marching bands or the military marching. Everyone is on the same step. Right foot, left foot, right foot. But here is a guy who is on the wrong foot. When everyone is on the right, he’s on the left. He is out of step. Now, it’s not that he’s uncoordinated and he’s doing his best. No, he’s out of step on purpose. He wants to be different. He thinks, “No one can tell me what foot to walk on.” Because he refuses to go along with what the Bible teaches, he’s out of step, he’ll suffer the consequences, including discipline.

 

Discipline is never to be done to “get rid” of people. It should never be held over someone’s head as a threat. You always love the person who is out of step. You want them to get back in step with everyone else, and especially the Lord. You will never give up on them. You will never stop thinking about them. You will do all that you can, even to the difficulties of stopping social activities, just to get a person to realize how serious all of this is. Things are different, and what made them different was the person’s choice to leave Christ and embrace sin.

 

Time needs to be given so the person can understand what’s wrong. Be patient. Pray. Try to engage the person in conversations. But after a while, if he refuses to return, then fellowship must be broken. This is done both as a church and as individuals. This is why Paul said not even to eat with such a one. Social interaction has been interrupted because of this person’s refusal to leave sin. This is not a permanent sentence, nor a life long stigma. Repent, get back to doing what is right, get back in step with Jesus and there ought to be a grand celebration, just like when the prodigal came home.

 

It seems to me that all of this would come across much more genuine and loving, if it was done face to face. With tears in your eyes, asking the person what more could be done to help them get back to the Lord. Remind them of their commitment. Remind them of why he was first baptized. Offer to study with him. Offer to continue to meet with him. This is so much better than a cold letter sitting in a mail box. Sometimes that may be the only way, but the breaking of fellowship ought to break our hearts.

 

No one is above the law with God. There should never be two standards. The kids of preachers and elders should receive no more, nor any less, than the rest of the kids in the congregation. We are all the same in this.

 

God wants you in Heaven. He wants you in Heaven so much that He sent the best of Heaven, Jesus. He wants you in Heaven so much, that when you quit walking with Him, He commands His children to break fellowship with you. He wants to grab your attention. He wants you to see how serious this is. He wants you back and walking with Him.

 

You don’t hear much about these things anymore. Less, you don’t see many churches practicing this. Because something is hard and uncomfortable should not keep us from doing what we have to do.

 

God loves you and He wants you in Heaven.

 

Roger

 

28

Jump Start # 2132

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2132

Genesis 2:24 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”

One of the great principles of marriage is the two becoming one. This is much more than a physical union, but it’s one in principles, goals, dreams, parenting, finances and even spiritually. Two becoming one. The mathematics of marriage is special. Because outside of marriage, one and one equals two. But in a marriage, one and one become one.

 

What makes this especially unique is that the two one’s, the man and the woman, are so different. They look different. They have different backgrounds. They are different emotionally. Even practically, they have different food choices, movie tastes, sleep habits and they require different amounts of time to get ready. Men and women even approach problems differently and they think differently. Men tend to be in the fix it mode, and women in the conversation mode. So different, yet, Biblically, the two become one.

 

And, when the mathematics of marriage is not understood, couples do not seem to be one. They appear to be at odds with each other on so many matters. It can get to a breaking point when they do not see any reason to continue on together. “We are so different,” becomes the rally cry to go their separate ways. The two never learned to become one. They never figured out the mathematics of marriage.

 

So, how does one and one equal one in a marriage.

 

First, when a couple develops the team concept. They work together, not against each other. They realize what one does impacts the other. This makes them think about how the other would feel before something is said or done. They understand, helping the other, helps the total marriage. So, learning to communicate in ways that the other will understand, defending each other, supporting each other, are common principles of a team concept. When one feels that they are carrying the whole load and the other is just free loading, that lopsided relationship will deteriorate. In this together. On the same page. Discussing things. Give and taking. Doing what the other wants and putting the choices of the other ahead of your own. One and one equals one. One person commented, “when two become one, the question is, which one.” It’s neither. They have blended together like two streams flowing together to make a mighty river.

 

Second, when a couple understands the principle of the thermostat. There is a difference between a thermometer and a thermostat. The thermometer tells the temperature. It can tell if a child has a fever. It can tell how warm or how cool it is outside and inside. But the thermometer cannot change the temperature. A thermostat can warm up a room or cool it down. A thermostat changes the temperature. And when a couple understands this, they can change the temperature of their relationship. If things are too icy, they can warm it up. It if is too heated, they can cool it down. Proverbs reminds us that a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. That’s thermostat. Shouting, whining, nagging, crying, threats, using guilt, are all ploys and emotional tricks to get what one wants. Children do that all the time. Adults continue to do that, especially in a marriage. Paul told the Corinthians, “Love does not take into account a wrong suffered.” Peterson translated that expression as, “Love doesn’t keep score.” Have you ever played a game and didn’t keep score. It changes the game. Often, when I golf by myself, I won’t keep score. In marriage, the language of scoring keeping is: you always, or you never. Always and never. Someone has been keeping track. Someone has been keeping score. Love doesn’t do that. One and one equals one when the principle of the thermostat is understood.

 

Third, when a man takes on the role of being a point man. That’s a military concept. While out on patrol, there will be one man ahead of the unit. He is the eyes and ears for the soldiers behind him. It is his job to make sure that they are not walking into a trap. And, in a marriage, this responsibility falls to the man. He is the head of the house. This does not mean he sits in the best chair and he gets the remote. It means he is the eyes and the ears of the family. He is not going to put the family in unnecessary danger, financially or spiritually. He must be alert to what is going on in the home. He understands the enemy and realizes that Satan is just outside the door. He will sacrifice what he wants for what is best for the family. He shepherds his family, just as the elders shepherds the flock. He sees that his wife and children are not just healthy, but that they are growing spiritually and that they are doing well emotionally. His decisions and his leadership can make all the difference for his family. I’ve seen far too many times where mom is a Christian and she comes with the kids, but dad is no where to be found on Sunday morning. His absence from worship is just the beginning. Moral teachings, spiritual examples, daily prayers, connecting with the Lord through the Word, just doesn’t happen. He’s AWOL spiritually. It effects the kids. He and his wife never became one in the greatest sphere that God has designed, spiritually. His none interests in spiritual things leaves out God’s wisdom and guidance as he makes decisions. His character never becomes what it could have been.

 

I believe more teaching needs to be developed on this aspect. Men need to get off the couches and start leading. Complaining that they are too tired or they don’t like to, just doesn’t cut it. The family is following you in a jungle. If you are clueless or indifferent, the family will become easy targets for the enemy.

 

One and one equals one. The magical mathematics of marriage. When understood, it’s a beautiful thing. When not understood, disaster takes place.

 

Roger

 

27

Jump Start # 2131

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2131

 

Ephesians 5:26 “So that He might sanctify her having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word; that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no sport or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.”

 

The German writer Bonhoeffer said, “Those who love their dream of a Christian community more than the Christian community itself become destroyers of that Christian community even though their personal intentions may be ever so honest, earnest and sacrificial.” The theory, the idea and the reality are often not the same. What should be, often isn’t what is. Every congregation has issues and problems. This is true because every congregation is made up of Christians who are on a journey. Not every member attends as they ought to. Not every member is strong. Not every member has left the works of the flesh. Not every member is involved and dedicated as they should be. That’s reality. That’s why we have sermons, classes, and shepherds. In a perfect church, we wouldn’t need anyone to lead us, we would all know the path to take. In a perfect church, we wouldn’t need someone to oversee us, feed us, or protect us, because we would be capable of doing those things ourselves. But the church isn’t perfect, and neither are we.

 

Now all of this leads to two extremes:

 

First, is dissatisfaction. This is what Bonhoeffer was writing about. This tends to be where many young couples are today. They see things that aren’t right. They notice indifference in some. They see hypocrisy in others. They notice that many sit in pews and do not engage themselves actively in the kingdom. The “Christian community” as Bonhoeffer used that term, is nothing more than a congregation. What ought to be in theory and on paper, isn’t what is seen in reality. This drives some nuts. They blame traditions as the cause of this. They point to lifeless classes and sermons that are not relevant. Irritated and bothered, many seek churches that are less structured. They want worship to be more fluid and feeling based. And, in many places, there is a migration toward those places where there is hope that the dream and the reality are the same.

 

But, in the process of this migration out, these same folks who are looking for perfection, become destroyers of the congregations they leave. They leave unhappy. They leave pointing fingers. They leave and take others with them. While chasing the dream of perfection, their very actions are imperfect, and they feel very satisfied in disturbing and disrupting the peace within a congregation.

 

Second, the other extreme is to be satisfied with imperfection. That’s just the way we are, some think and they settle for sub-standard performance. It’s like the show “Hoarders.” About five minutes in one of those places and I’d be pitching things out the windows. Clean up that mess! But the people living there, have just accepted the idea and have gotten rather use to it. It’s like a guy walking with a limp. After a while, he is so accustomed to it, he doesn’t realize that he limps any more. And, in some congregations, that same spirit prevails. Sure, some do not do as they should. That’s just the way it’s always been. Sure, some don’t attend like they ought to. Instead of pushing the people to do better, the bar is lowered and no one hardly notices.

 

So, before us are two extremes. What ought to be, but it’s not. So people leave because of that. And, the other extreme, what ought to be, but it’s not, so we just accept the “it’s not,” and move on.

 

Our verse plays into all of this. Jesus would present to Himself the church having no spot or wrinkle, holy and blameless. When does this take place? Is there any congregation in the land that does not have a few spots? What are we to do?

 

First, understand that we are a work in progress and we are all not at the same place spiritually. It’s not like a running race where everyone takes off at the same time. That’s not the way it is. Some are just now starting. Some have been on this journey for decades. It’s like a school. Every year there is a new batch of kindergartners starting off. At the same time, there are seniors in high school who are finishing up. Not at the same place in knowledge, maturity or even expectations.

 

So, among us, some do not know. They need to be taught. Some do not fully understand. They need to be shown. Some have gotten discouraged and they need to be helped along. So, the theory, that everyone is where they ought to be and everyone gets along and everyone knows, is not what we find possible in reality. As long as new people are being taught and converted, there will be a growing period.

 

Second, John reminds us in his first letter, that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. We sin. We practice righteousness, yet we sin. Even walking in the light, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from SIN. As long as you and I sin, the church will have spots. We become a wrinkle. Now, what we do with our sin, says much. Do we just stay in sin? Do we hide our sin? Do we try to defend and justify our sin? Or, do we confess it and strive to walk closer to the Lord?

 

The church will have spots and wrinkles because we sin. Do we just accept it, like a hoarder accepts the mess they live in? No. We teach. We show. We raise the bar higher and higher. We model Jesus. We push ourselves and challenge each other to become our best in Christ. We fight that old man in us who wants to be resurrected again. We never stop trying to reach the theory, the dream and the principle of being spotless, blameless and wrinkle-free.

 

Third, the presentation of the church to Christ must take place in Heaven. It is there that they journey is finished and the battle with sin is over. It is there that the grace of God and the blood of Jesus allows us to stand before the throne of God in white robes. It is there that the spots are removed and the wrinkles have all been ironed out.

 

Until then, we must be patient with one another and continue to be the best that we can. Help others. Encourage others. Teach others. Show others. When you get dissatisfied because of others, be sure and look in the mirror. Are you all that you should be? It’s easy to see the faults in others and be blind to our own spots and wrinkles. Faults are like the headlights of a car. The guy coming at you sees so much more blinding than our own. We often do not even see ours.

 

Those that are dissatisfied and leave, take their own spots and wrinkles with them. They find others who are in an agreement with them and for a short period of time, they feel that they are in paradise. But soon, they notice that others are still not doing as they ought to. Hospitality not as it should be. Evangelism not as it should be. Fellowship not as it should be. Another busted dream. Onward they move, looking for yet another perfect place. This journey too often will take them away from doctrinal truth and finally, dissatisfied, they give up and become bitter about Christianity.

 

Perfect we are not, but Jesus is. Satisfied, we are not, so we teach each other. The truth is we are a fellowship of former sinners and broken people put together by Christ. We have splinters, scars and wounds. Somedays we look pretty good. Other days, not so hot. We are a work in progress. The less we point the radar gun at others and hold up the mirror to ourselves, the more we get closer to that idea and dream of being spotless and wrinkle-free.

 

Roger

 

26

Jump Start # 2130

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2130

Romans 12:19 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”

These are not Bible reading times for most folks anymore. But if there is one verse that seems to be jumping to the forefront these days, it’s our verse today. The political arena is getting nastier and uglier every day. It has moved past policy disagreements to name calling, refusing service, and division. It’s not just one political party that is guilty of this. Both parties, equally, cannot stand the other.

 

It is interesting that Jesus said so little about the Roman government. His focus was upon the kingdom of God which would outlast, outshine and be victorious over powerful Rome. Yet, in our days, we can be so caught up in who said what politically, that we push the kingdom of God to the back burner.

 

Our verse today is not about politics. It’s about relationships and getting along with others, even those who disagree with you. Earlier in this context the apostle said to “bless those who persecute you, and do not curse” (v. 14). He also said, “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone” (v. 17). Our verse is layered in among these thoughts.

 

Three thoughts come from our verse today:

 

First, If possible. Peace with some is not possible. Some would rather fight, walk away or destroy a friendship or ruin a relationship than to be a peace. Some will not shake your hand. Some will not apologize nor forgive. Some will stand in the shadows of the elder brother in the prodigal story. Instead of joining in the celebration, they will remain outside. They will be angry rather than happy. I remember a cartoon years ago. A lady was standing at the customer service counter of a store. Obviously, she was not happy with the service she had received. The customer service rep said, “What if we refund your money, give you another product for free, shoot the manager and close the store. Will that make you happy?” And, for some, the answer would be “No.” The “If possible,” falls into our lap. We must do all that we can to make peace. If there isn’t any peace, it won’t be because of us. We will have tried. We will have apologized. We will have gone the second mile. We will have extended grace.

 

Peace is not possible if we must surrender our faith. That is the thought from 1 Corinthians 7, where believers were married to non-believers. The non-believers had enough. They were walking out of the marriage. It wasn’t communication problems. There wasn’t someone else. It was about faith. The only thing that would make them stay was for the believers to stop believing. That cannot happen. In such cases, let them go. We should not have to compromise our convictions nor sell out on what we believe just to get along with others. I will not go half way with someone when it involves sin. “I’ll come to church with you on Sunday morning, if you will party with me on Sunday night.” And, that partying involves doing things that are wrong. The answer is NO. This is not possible.

 

Second, so far as it depends on you. This sounds like peace is possible, but someone is dragging their feet. There could be reconciliation. There could be forgiveness. There could be a mutual understanding and agreement. But, it won’t happen unless we do our part. This means getting over hurts. This is part of forgiveness. We must let things go. Don’t keep replaying the problem, the pain and what it did for you. Don’t keep talking about it over and over. Peace may be possible, if you allow it. The hardest part of this is our feelings. We want justice. We want to at least hurt the one who hurt us, just a little. He should suffer some for what he did. He should have to pay for what he did. All of this sounds reasonable, logical but not very Biblical. As far as it depends upon you. Don’t be the one that keeps drama going in the family. Don’t be the one that causes others to leave the congregation for another one. Don’t be the one that fills the room with tension. Be the encourager. Be the forgiver. Be the one who is first to extend the hand of forgiveness and love. Don’t be the last one. Don’t be dragging your feet. Don’t be the one that everyone has to come and convince you to do what you ought to do. As far as it depends upon you, means you’ll be big enough to swallow your pride. It means that you have suffered but you won’t hold that against a person anymore. It means that you could demand justice, but you won’t. Be the hero here. Be the one who walks in the shadow of Jesus. Hold your tongue. Stop trash talking. Don’t stoop to the level of others. Don’t bully back. When pushed, this is when our character or lack of character shows. Getting even, hurting others, seems to be the playbook in American politics today, but it’s not the steps of God’s people.

 

Third, be at peace with all men. In the beatitudes we find, “Blessed are the peace makers.” Folks enjoy peace. We want peace. But the Lord called blessed those who make peace. They make peace first, with God. We must stop fighting God and being the enemy of Him. But from that, we must be at peace with all men, if possible. The “all men,” extends these words beyond our family and the church. It’s all people. That’s really pushing the limits for some. Toxic work environment really tests these words. Gossipy co-workers who will stab you in the back and take credit for what you have done, and blame others for what they did wrong, make these words nearly impossible. However, as far as it depends upon you, means you will not be the source of problems. Many people have terrible relationship skills. This spills over into terrible martial skills and terrible parenting skills. Walk though a Walmart on a Saturday morning and listen to the tired parents screaming at their kids. Stand in line on black Friday and notice how mean people can become over stuff. It’s just stuff.

 

Getting along, working together, sharing ideas, realizing that my opinion and my way is not the only way, caring for others, these are fundamental relationship skills. When people lack these qualities, it will strain whatever roles they are in. Add selfishness, self centeredness and jealousy and you have all it takes for most reality TV shows. Have you ever wondered why people enjoy watching people cry, scream and get angry with one another. Why do people enjoy watching dysfunction? Could it be that this is part of their world as well?

 

The opposite of peace is war. War is not nice, whether it’s between nations, political parties, brethren, or in the home. We don’t sleep well when war fills the air. It consumes our conversations and it puts us on edge. But peace is such a wonderful thought. It brings the image of sitting on my back porch with my wife and just listening to the birds and staring into the woods behind us. Words like calm, restful, delightful, enjoyable, nice, surround the concept of peace. Rest in peace, or R.I.P, is something that once was found on many tombstones. For some, in death may be the only place they found peace and if they didn’t know the Lord, they didn’t have peace then.

 

It seems that some people are not comfortable with peace. They like to stir the pot. They like to be the agitator. In a Bible class, they like to bring up the controversial. They like being the devil’s advocate. My feelings are, the devil has enough on his side. I’d rather be the Lord’s advocate. Why upset others? Why be a trouble maker? Why take away peace? Some just don’t seem to get it. It’d be good just to lock some people in a room together and tell them they can’t come out until they get along. For some, they would never come out.

 

Be at peace. Be at peace with all men. As far as it depends upon you, be at peace. If possible, be at peace. This is something that we not only strive for, but must work at. It’s easy to irritate others and push their buttons. It takes a lot of character to be a peace with folks.

 

Roger

 

25

Jump Start # 2129

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2129

Titus 1:5 “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you.”

As I stood in the back of the auditorium last evening, as our services were coming to an end, it occurred to me that there are many things, in the practical fashion, that the New Testament doesn’t detail how we are to conduct them. The principles of worship are there. We see the early church being instructed to gather to take the Lord’s Supper. We see that preaching was done. We see singing praises. Those are the principles. What’s missing is just how these things were conducted.

 

On a larger scale, the New Testament, is not a manual, detailing every exact and specific thing. For instance, you buy a baby bed. It comes in a large box. You open it up and there are zillions of parts and a manual that seems as thick as a phone book. Step by step, you follow the instructions. You must do it in order. There’s no skipping a few pages. When you stay with it, you will have a sturdy baby bed ready to be used. The New Testament isn’t like that. There are several things that require our judgment.

 

For instance:

 

  1. The appointing of elders. This is what our verse states that Titus was to do. Just how did he do that? Did the congregation submit names? What was the process? Was the congregation given a couple of weeks to think about all this? Was Titus supposed to preach about the role of elders before they were selected?

 

  1. The Lord’s Supper. Were the men who pass the Lord’s Supper supposed to stand before the congregation? Was there supposed to be a song before the Lord’s Supper? Are the people in the front to be served first?

 

  1. The contribution. Are plates supposed to be passed through the audience so money could be dropped in, or are the members to pass by and individually put the money in? Should there be a song before we give? Should the giving and the Lord’s Supper be done at different times during the worship?

 

  1. How is the support or the pay of a preacher to be determined? Do we average up what the men in the congregation make for a living and give that to the preacher? Do we contact area preachers and ask them what they make? Do we base it upon his years of experience or the size of his family? Should he be paid monthly, weekly or in some other fashion?

 

  1. How does a congregation go about finding a preacher and what is the process to “hire” him? Should he come in just one Sunday, preach a couple of times and then, based upon that, be offered the opportunity to come and work with the congregation? Should there be a series of meetings before that? Should he “try out?” Is the basis of a congregation making an offer determined by how well he does that one Sunday?

 

  1. How often should deacons meet with elders? Should they even meet with elders at all? Who decides what deacons ought to be doing? The elders? The deacons? The church? How many deacons should a church have?

 

  1. Does the preacher have to stand in the water with the person being baptized? Can the preacher stand outside of the water and lean over? Should the preacher where a tie and jacket when he is baptizing someone? Should he hold one hand up in the air before he immerses a person?

 

  1. How many songs ought to be sung during a Sunday service? Should the services end with a prayer or a song? Or, either? Should the announcements be made at the beginning of services or the end of services? Who should give the announcements? Elders only? Any male member? What should be announced? Do “Non-church” items, such as potlucks, baby showers, graduation open houses, get included in the announcements? Do Gospel meetings at other congregations get announced? Everyone has a friend, co-worker, or neighbor, who is sick or in the hospital. Do those names get included in the public announcements? How long ought the announcements be? If the announcements fall at the end of the service, should a recap of the sermon be given? Should anything about the sermon be said? Can anyone speak out from the audience to add an announcement that was not included?

 

I expect, to most of these questions, we all have our thoughts and opinions. Some may even get upset if someone suggested doing something different than what they were accustomed to. Some may even feel that others are wrong, if they do things differently than what they do in their congregation. But can you see all the decisions, choices and judgments that take place. The New Testament isn’t a step-by-step manual, like what comes with putting a baby bed together. In some ways, it would be nice if it was detailed that way. We can fuss and get upset about many things that are simply not detailed in the New Testament.

 

When I preached in India, all the women sat on one side of the auditorium and all the men on the other side. A long time ago, most church buildings had side by side front doors. One was for the women and the other for the men.

 

Now, comes the real important part of these thoughts. Just who is going to make these judgments? Who is going to decide how all of these things are going to be decided? Tradition? Which tradition? Whose tradition? Take up a vote? That’s subject to change all the time. The elders. The men in a business meeting? One person? A group of people? Can those judgments, or how they do things, ever be changed? This is happening more and more, and for some, they have to work these things out in their minds. What is the principle and what is left to our judgment on how to fulfill those principles? How many services on Sunday? One service or two? If one, do we have two preaching segments or just one?

 

It seems that each congregation must work out these judgments for what is best for them. Leadership ought to lead and help reason through why changes are being made in these judgments and why we do what we are doing. At the end of the day, God is to be worshipped, and we are to be encouraged. People should not leave upset over how worship was conducted. So, when visiting another congregation, keep in mind the difference between the principles we are to follow in the Bible and the judgments which allows a congregation to fulfill those principles. Keep in mind, if you move and want to fellowship with a congregation, we use the term “place membership,” you come in to a place that is already doing things. You agree to be a part of that fellowship. Don’t come in with the sprit of wanting to change how they do things. Judgments are just that, judgments. If you don’t like how they do the Lord’s Supper, the order of the worship, how they do announcements, maybe you ought to look for another congregation. If I came into your house, and started moving the furniture around to my liking and taste, you’d probably show me the door. Your house is the way you want it to be. A lot of friction comes when someone moves in and they try to turn the congregation into the way the last one operated. You can’t do that. As long as it is Biblical, judgments will vary and we need to be open to that.

 

Sometimes it’s good to make changes in these judgments. I once worshipped in a congregation that had a Wednesday song service once a month. But it wasn’t the first Wednesday of the month. It was the first Wednesday that followed a first Monday of the month. So, if the new month started on a Wednesday, that would not be singing night. The singing night had to follow the first Monday. I never did get that. I was always confused. Long ago, they used to have a visitation night on the first Monday of the month. The singing followed that. The visitation Monday was dropped long ago, but they kept the singing. They kept the singing on the first Wednesday that followed the first Monday of the month. That eventually got changed. It needed to be changed. Few people understood it. Judgments. They help us do what we do. But don’t put the judgments before the principle. Don’t treat the judgments as unchangeable like the principle.

 

Openness, good communication, and explaining why goes a long way to help folks understand what is being done. It’s interesting to stand in the back of the auditorium and see just how a worship is conducted. A person learns a lot of lessons.

 

Roger