18

Jump Start # 2868

Posted on June 18, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2868

1 Timothy 5:20 “Those that continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest may be fearful of sinning.”

  Our passage is found in a section about elders. Earlier in this letter Paul had addressed the qualities of those who lead God’s people. He returns within this letter with some more thoughts. Elders that are doing well, the apostle says, are worthy of double honor. They are busting it. They are wearing themselves out in the work of the Lord. They are showing how it ought to be done.

But then, there are those leaders who are not doing a good job. In fact, they are not walking well with the Lord. Their example is not one to be followed. Others have noticed. Accusations with witnesses have been made. It is here that our verse falls. Even after accusations. Even after witnesses have come forward. Even after rebukes and warnings, there are some who “continue in sin.”

Now, some thoughts:

First, there are no double standards in God’s kingdoms. No one gets a pass on their behavior. What is expected of the preacher’s kid is to be expected of all kids in the church. Elders do not get to make the rules or bend the rules. Not only is that a terrible example, but it destroys trust and tarnishes the position that they hold. Of all people, those in leadership ought to be concerned about how they appear first to God and then to the church.

Second, it’s that “those who continue in sin,” that is most troubling. Why? Why would they continue in sin after they have been talked to? Why would they continue in sin after God’s word has been brought to their attention? Why would anyone, any Christian, continue in sin? Continuing in sin means, walking away from the Lord. It means a continuation, not a slip. It means choices are being made that are not wise, careful, nor thought out. It means choices are being made that are not spiritual based. It means that unless the course is corrected, one will likely lose their soul.

Third, the “continuing in sin,” means that these leaders came to the intersection with God’s word and they chose to stay with sin. They loved sin more than they loved the Lord. Somehow they discounted and discredited what the word of God said. God’s word doesn’t mean what it says or God’s word doesn’t fit their situation. Behind all of this is a faith that is no longer strong. Their faith hit the rocks and now their lives are about to crash.

There is a thought that these elders who continue in sin may be the ones Paul warned about in Acts 20, when he said, ‘from among yourselves men will arise.’ Instead of pulling back on progressive thinking they have embraced new ideas that lead away from the Lord. And, because of their position, others would follow. This is the danger that leaders must understand. Not every wild idea, not every thought needs to be expressed openly. Put some prayer behind those things. Do some digging in the Scriptures. Talk to some trusted souls who know you. This is the real danger of social media today. A new idea, a new way of doing things catches the eyes of some but before they put the time in to think things through they are on the bandwagon telling others about how wonderful these new truths are. The problem is that “these new truths,” are not true at all, and when one looks through history they are not new either.

And, with just enough pride, a person is put into a corner, often where they did not want to be and then pride will keep them there. Unwilling to admit that they may have been wrong, they would rather continue in sin than change.

What is the outcome for leaders who continue in sin? First, according to the passage, they would be rebuked publically. Now, everyone knows. What was once only known by two or three, is out openly. Second, those that continue in sin, lose their credibility and role as spiritual leaders of God’s people. Finally, as this continues, these leaders would find themselves out of fellowship with God and His people.

It is one thing for any of us to do wrong. But once we know, to continue down that path is following the devil straight to his final abode. Continuing in sin—what a sad, sad situation. What can be done? Preach God’s word. Remind all that God allows one to make changes and course corrections. Understand that the destination of ‘continuing in sin,’ is a train wreck with no survivors.

Let us help all and let us help one another.

Roger

17

Jump Start # 2867

Posted on June 17, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2867

Acts 2:1 “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.”

Our verse today describes the setting as the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles. Immediately after this, they speak in various tongues, preaching the saving message of Jesus Christ. People who had gathered from far away places each understood that message in their own language.

But the start of this takes place as the apostles were all together in one place. This is what the Lord told them to do. And, they had obeyed. There was an occasion earlier, when the Lord appeared after His resurrection and Thomas was missing. Rumors and reports were filling the air about the resurrected Jesus, but Thomas missed being there. Not this time. This time “they were all together in one place.”

From this simple statement, there are some thoughts that we need to share:

First, Sunday is a great time for the church to gather together in one place. Rarely is everyone all there. Someone is sick. Someone had to work. Someone was out of town. And some were simply missing. But when we are there, together, fellowship is a wonderful reminder that we are not alone in our journey with the Lord. It also reminds us that we have others who have been there and are just a few steps ahead of us and can help us.

I had a long phone conversation with such a person recently. A parent is in assisted living, with some serious medical and memory issues. It is obvious that the journey here will soon be ending. She called. She wanted to talk. She knew that I had been through a similar journey with my dad. It helps talking to someone who has gone through what we are going through. Being together and having a togetherness helps us.

Second, being together is such a rich and rewarding encouragement. We now understand this having come through this pandemic. Worshipping at home is just not the same. The singing isn’t the same. The feel isn’t the same. And, what’s missing are the smiles, hugs, tears, and joys we receive when we see each other. God intended for us to be together. Worshipping apart, worshipping alone is not the way God designed things.

Third, being together is a great reminder for all of us about our walk with the Lord. All around us are those who have suffered, been through valleys, fought their own giants, raised kids, lost jobs, struggled with stress and worry and yet here they are in one place. And, not just in one place, but in one piece. Scarred, weary, and showing the marks of battles, onward they go. This not only encourages and helps us, but it often shames us because our current battles seem like nothing compared to what they have been through. Around us are those who have buried mates, children, had family cut them off, but they keep marching with the Lord. We forget that when we are alone. We don’t see that when we are alone. But when we are all in one place, what great lessons are around us. Some of the best lessons are not from the pulpit but from the pews. Men and women who love the Lord. They have invited strangers to services. They have opened their homes to hospitality. They have taught the Bible wherever they could. Their love for the Lord is unstoppable.

Thomas wasn’t with the apostles when the Lord appeared. He doubted. The five foolish virgins weren’t with the others when the groom appeared. They were out looking for oil when the door was shut. They missed out. The prodigal’s brother wasn’t with the father when the prodigal came home.  As he approached the house, he heard music and dancing and likely smelled the aroma of a feast. He wasn’t there to hear the prodigal’s sorrowful words. Instead, he got angy and refused to participate.

Being together is important. It strengthens our soul. It builds others up. It’s good and right.

Together in one place—couldn’t that be a description of Heaven?

Roger

16

Jump Start # 2866

Posted on June 16, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2866

Matthew 25:21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’”

Our passage comes from the parable of the talents. Talents as used in this passage was not ability, but a form of money, a lot of money. Five talents was equivalent to 100 years of income. The master had extreme wealth and he also had extreme trust to put this in the hands of his servants. What a temptation to take the money and run. The master left. He was gone for a long time. At his return, there was an accounting. The books were opened, we might say. This parable is emphasizing the return of Jesus. He’s gone now. But He’s coming. And, this season we are in now, is the time for the servants, you and I, to be busy for our Master.

There are some thoughts that we ought to learn from our passage:

First, our impression of God shapes our relationship with Him. The one talent man had the wrong ideas about his master. He viewed him as hard man, yet had he forgotten what the Master had put in his charge? The master was generous. The master was trusting. The master was good.

If we view God as one who can never be pleased, then we will feel overwhelmed. God will seem like a drill sergeant or a coach who is always demanding more out of us. More laps. More pushups. More. More. More. Spiritually, more worship services. More prayers. More passages to read. More. More. More. And, before long, we find ourselves doing things not out of joy and love, but because we have to. We feel that God is always wanting more.

If we are afraid of God, then we will not get close to Him. We will keep things at arms length. We will try to hide things and not be honest with the Lord. Confession becomes generic, empty and worthless.

If we believe that God doesn’t care, then we likely won’t care either. And, when a person quits trying, the worse happens. We get sloppy and careless in our walk with the Lord. We cut corners. We bend the rules. We just are not serious. God doesn’t care, so why should we?

All of these thoughts surround our impression of God. The wrong impression leads to the wrong outcomes.

Second, our passage shows us that it is possible to please God. The master honored the five and two talent men. He praised them. He put them in charge of more things. They have shown that were dependable, trustworthy and honest. They did what the master was hoping.

God can be pleased with our worship. God can be pleased with our fellowship. God can be pleased with our hearts. Well done, spoken by the One who did all things perfectly. Good, spoken by the One who was the definition of good. Faithful, spoken by the One who was obedient in all things, even to death. Those three compliments, well done, good, faithful, are lived in the life of Jesus. He was those things. And, by obeying the master, the servants took on similar characteristics. Likewise, we do the same. As we walk with the Lord, we too, take on the characteristics of Jesus. Perfect? No. Sinless? No. Miracle worker? No. But faithful. Good. Well done. Absolutely.

The master was joyous with what the five talent man had done. God can be pleased with your walk, your efforts and your faith in Him. I feel that we beat ourselves up too much, piling on guilt after guilt, because we could have done this, and we could have done that. And, all we see are the failures. The master in this parable didn’t say, ten talents are nice, but fifteen would have been better. Not at all. He was pleased, joyous and complimentary of what had taken place.

How do you feel about your walk with the Lord? Are you happy? Or, do all you see is what you could be doing? Be faithful. Be good. Be busy. Enjoy the smile you put upon the Master’s face.

Smiles are that way. When one is smiling at you, it’s hard not to smile back. I have a staring contest with one of my granddaughters. We will look face to face, our noses almost touching each other, until one breaks into a smile. It usually only takes a few seconds. They are so happy and smiling that they can’t keep a straight face.

Imagine God smiling at you. Well done. You are good. You are faithful. I think it’s time we smiled back at the Lord and simply say, “Thank You.”

Roger

15

Jump Start # 2865

Posted on June 15, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2865

1 Timothy 5:25 “Likewise also deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.”

His name is Mack and he’s old. He’s in his 90’s. Most have never heard of him. But in a small circle around the Tennessee-Georgia border, Mack has been a mainstay for so many congregations. Mack has preached most of his life and most of his life has been right in this small area. As churches were between preachers, Mack would fill in. Sometimes it was for a few weeks. Sometimes it was for months. And, in a few cases, it was for years Through all this time, Mack worked a secular job. One wouldn’t find Mack’s name on very many meeting lists. He wasn’t called to speak in lectureships. Quietly, he did what he could. In a time when many congregations were wavering and being influenced to side with a more progressive spirit, Mack helped many congregations stay true to the Biblical pattern revealed in the Scriptures.

I’ve never met Mack. My son has. He won the heart of my son. A quiet, courageous soldier of Christ who never stood in the bright lights of fame, he did what the Lord wanted him to do. He preached the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our verse reminds us of those like Mack. Men and women of God who quietly do what they can do. The Scriptures are filled with such unknown and unnamed heroes. The captive servant girl who was the means for Naaman to get cured of his leprosy. Had she not spoken out, he probably would have died a leper. There was that poor widow who gave all that she had in the temple. Jesus saw. He always sees. Her name is not given to us. There is that woman with the issue of blood who has such incredible faith. If I can only touch the hem of his garment I will be cured. Her name is known only to God. There was the boy who gave his snack to Andrew, who took it to the Lord. The Lord multiplied that small amount of food and fed thousands. The name of that boy is not known to us. There was the Centurion who came to Jesus  because a servant was injured. Jesus was ready to come. The Roman said that he was not worthy to have Jesus in his home. Just say the word—such incredible faith. Again, his name is known only to God.

Sometimes the drive to be famous causes some to cross the line of what is appropriate and right. Pride can fill the heart and seeking to attract a following and a crowd can lead us to forgetting our place and our purpose. Men like Mack remind us we are but instruments of God. The glory always goes to God. As a passionate student of Restoration history, this is so true. There are a few names that most have heard of. And, in some regions, there are lesser known names, but those are so very, very few. All across this country there were men and women who drew a line with the Lord and restored the N.T. way. Their names and what they did are all but forgotten, expect by Heaven.

My advice to younger preachers is to just wear yourself out in the service of God and His people. When asked, go. Always do your best. Put others first. Listen. Be concerned. Do what you can, wherever you can. Don’t be too good to go to the small struggling congregations. Don’t seek to make a name. Don’t allow pride to change you and turn you into an ear tickling preacher. Stand among the mighty number of God’s people who were honored to be known by the Lord and to be used in His kingdom. Men and women decades ago, centuries ago, who loved the Lord and served Him with all that they could. That’s our example. Don’t worry about numbers, how many likes, and who knows you. Just do your job.

God bless those like Mack who loved the Lord and gave their all to further God’s kingdom. May all of us learn from his example, which he learned from the Lord’s example, of simply being a servant. It doesn’t matter whether one crisscrosses the country or stays in the same county all his life, just serve the Lord, leave an example and help others.

Thank you, Mack. Your quiet, consistent and faithful work has made a difference. Your kind is needed dearly today. May the footprints that you left help others realize what is truly important.

Roger

11

Jump Start # 2863

Posted on June 11, 2021 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2863

Proverbs 18:19 “A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a citadel.”

Offended, we sure hear that word tossed about these days. It seems that so many are even looking for ways to be offended so they can offend the offender in return. I wonder if some do not even understand what ‘offended’ means. And, it seems that some wear the expression ‘offended’ as a badge of honor.

And, in climate that we now live in, where does “dislike” fit in? Can I dislike something and not be offended? There are lots of things I do not like. I don’t like big trucks parking on either side of me in a parking lot. I can’t see out around them. Now, am I offended by tall trucks that park next to me? No. I didn’t like wearing masks as long as we were told to do. Was I offended? No.

To offend is to wound someone either in their feelings or in their soul. We can offend others by words that are intended to hurt, shame and embarrass them. The words are calculated. They are thoughtless and cruel. We can also offend by our actions. Inviting everyone over, expect one family, because I do not like them, is a sure way to trample their feelings and make matters worse.

Some today are just jumping on the political bandwagon of cultural change. When someone says the American flag offends them, one must wonder about that. That flag has been around since the Revolution. And, just now you are claiming to be offended? How about five years ago? How about twenty years ago? And, when someone says “White people offend me,” or, “Black people offend me,” they do not understand that word “offend.” Nothing was done to them and one cannot change their race. When a person is offended Biblically, apologies, changed behavior and forgiveness can change the relationship to something better.

Our passage identifies how hard it is to win someone who has been offended. Taking a city in battle is easier than trying to win back the trust, love and relationship of one who is offended.

Now, some thoughts:

First, the most obvious recommendation here would be to simply not offend anyone. But that’s not always possible. Even Jesus offended. The Pharisees did not like what He was saying. Did Jesus apologize? No. Did He state a retraction? No. What Jesus said was true and needed. The problem was with the Pharisees. Their hearts were not right. Sometimes we will offend people and the offender is not at fault. Some love darkness more than the light and when those two intersect, some fault the light.

Second, the Romans were told, as much as possible with each of us, live peaceable with everyone. We all know how to push each other’s buttons. We can really be good at irritating others. Sometimes teasing crosses the line and it becomes hurtful. We must recognize these things. We must be sensitive to others. We must find the right words and the right tone to use to help people, not to hurt them.

Third, to the tone of our passage, when a brother has been offended, we must try to rebuild the bridges and mend broken feelings. Go first. Don’t wait for them to come to you. Be genuine in your apology. Be sorrowful. Trust has been broken and they may need some time and space before things can get back to the way it once was. And, as our passage indicates, this is hard. As hard as it would be to overtake a city, winning back someone you have offended is harder. It will take time. It will take patience. It will take the wounded working through and processing things in their own way. Just saying, “I’m sorry,” won’t immediately make things better. This is hard. We might not understand why there is still tension between the two parties. I’ve apologized, you say. Yet, for the one offended, he has been hurt. Two words, “I’m sorry,” probably won’t be enough to patch up and bandage the broken heart.

Fourth, in some cases, there never is reconciliation. Someone leaves the congregation because they were offended. They find another place to worship. Apologies are extended, but the wounds do not heal. Friendships are ended, for good. It is the painful reality of careless words that are expressed without any thought to how they might be received.

Finally, we must not apologize for what the Bible says or what the Lord expects of us. There are more and more who are pushing the envelopes of what is acceptable behavior. They demand a change in preaching and what is allowable. They are offended by the strict nature of the Bible. Their issue is really with God but they will take it out on God’s people. Pressure will cause the timid and scared to cave in. The message for some will change. The purpose and direction for some will change. They will sell their soul to the devil and in the process they will make the worse offense of all, they will offend the God of Heaven.

These are times when we need to teach clearly about these things. People need to understand. Words matter. Actions have consequences. People have feelings. God has a standard. We are responsible for what we do.

Roger