Elder’s Corner: “One More Time”

 I planted some tomatoes a couple of days ago. All of the plants looked healthy except one. It was poorly formed without a central stem, and not many leaves. I decided to plant it anyway and take a chance that it would survive even if it didn't thrive. I planted it in the part of the garden where the soil doesn't drain well, and has lots of clay lumps. I guess I thought, “Why use up the good spots for such a pathetic plant?” Then I remembered Luke 13:6-9, “And Jesus began telling this parable: ‘A certain man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it, and did not find any.  And he said to the vine-yard keeper, Behold for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any.  Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?” And the vine-yard keeper answered and said to him, “Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.”

This parable teaches us so many truths about God: He expects us to be productive (bear fruit). He is patient with us for a time even when we are unproductive (my favorite way to think about this is “He doesn't give up on us, He gives us a second chance, and third—you get it”). He will eventually exact justice from all (but not until He has given every person many opportunities for repentance).

I watched the movie “The Blind Side” again the night I planted the tomatoes. The story is about Michael Oher who was abandoned by his cocaine addicted mother only to be adopted by a foster family and given a second chance at life. They nurtured him, encouraged him, (in vineyard keeper terms they “dug around him and put in care and fertilizer) and he became productive. I think you may know someone in your life who needs a little extra time and attention devoted to them so they too will become productive. If you can't think of anyone, pray. God has someone in mind for you to spend some time with to help them become fruitful.

So I'm wondering “should I have planted the healthy tomatoes in the poor soil (since they're already healthy enough to survive?), and the poor plant in the good soil?”

—Alan

Worldview #18: Don’t All Religions Teach the Same Thing?

 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).

One non-Christian named Suzie stated, “Christians are just so narrow-minded and arrogant. Who are you to say one group or culture is right or wrong? To say Native American Indians, for instance, were wrong in all their beliefs because they knew nothing about Jesus? That’s ridiculous.” How would you respond to Suzie? I mean come on, what makes us right and everyone else wrong? Are all Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists doomed to hell? Isn’t it arrogant to believe that Christianity is the only path to eternal life?

It is true that all major world religions have some similarities. All teach some version of the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” All teach that we should honor our parents. All teach that we should not murder, commit adultery, steal, or lie. And all teach that we should care for the weak and less fortunate.  However, there are not many other similarities than these. Beyond that, these similarities only confirm God’s existence since He has wired into our hearts that certain things are inherently wrong even if one has done them; thus, pointing to a Moral Law Giver.

On the other hand, there are fundamental differences between the major world religions. Take for example Hinduism. Hinduism teaches that the entire universe is God, (Brahmin), and that one must overcome their bad deeds, advancing through different caste systems by reincarnation to eventually become one with Brahmin.

On the other hand, Buddhism denies fundamental doctrines of Hinduism: the caste system. It also denies that God exists. Buddhism teaches a goal of reaching Nirvana: eliminating all desires or cravings in order to escape suffering and achieve nonexistence.

Meanwhile, Islam teaches that only Muslims will be saved. And salvation comes ultimately through good works done for Allah which must outweigh their bad deeds to earn their way to Paradise. And Christianity teaches that one goes to heaven not based on their own good deeds but by faith alone in Jesus.  

Thus, there are fundamental differences between the world religions and at best only superficial similarities. In fact, only three of the major world religions even claim to be inspired by God: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The other religions claim only to be human solutions to the problems mankind faces, or they are devotional poems, songs and stories, but do not factually claim God has revealed Himself. Therefore, we must not assume more than they actually claim.

The bottom line is that all religions do not teach the same thing! And God’s Word states that salvation is only found in Jesus’s name (Acts 4:9-12). So is Jesus your Savior and Lord?

In His service,

      Matt 

Worldview #17: Something Worth Living For

 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21).

What or who are you living for? Many live for their families, some live for their work, while others live for their recreations, or other things. As Christians, we are called to live for Christ. Unfortunately, there are many who claim to live for Christ and believe that they are doing His will by saying and doing things in a very unbiblical manor.

In John 8, we find the story of a woman who was caught in the act of adultery being brought to Jesus by some religious leaders. These religious leaders asked Jesus what they should do to the woman since the Old Testament law commanded that she should be stoned to death for her sin. Rightfully the woman should have died for her sin. However, that was not how Jesus responded. Instead, Jesus responded with no condemnation. He accepted her as a person, and then basically told her that He wanted more for her by telling her to leave her life of sin (8:11).

The response that Jesus offers each one of us is the same as that of the adulterous woman in John 8. He extended grace and mercy towards her. He loved her. He sought to lead her to a better life that God desires for each person—better than anyone of us could ever ask for or imagine (Eph. 3:20). Jesus responded in this same way to all of those who were far from God. The only individuals whom Jesus responded harshly to were the religious leaders; thus, those who should have known better.

God calls all of us as Christians to respond in the same way. He has given each one of us as Christians a calling that is worth living for. It is a call of loving others regardless of the sins that the struggle with, regardless of their religious affiliations, regardless of who they voted for, regardless of their sexual preferences, etc.

Loving others does not mean that we approve of their actions. But it means that we see them as having great value: as people made in the image of God, and whom Jesus died for. There are seeds of greatness inside every person as God is the creator of us all.

And God calls us to extend grace to all people. As a church, and as a representative of Eugene Christian Church, I want you to know that we are here for you, we care for you, and want to help you to navigate through life-following the path that will lead to the best possible life, the life that God always intended you to live.

Why do I say all of these things to you? I do so because someone else was willing to do the same things for me. And as I began to follow Christ, I discovered a life worth living. And we as a church would like to help you find it as well.

So may the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. And may the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace (Num. 6:24-26 NLT).

In His service,

            Matt 

Man, The Image of God #13: Something Worth Dying For

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).

As I reflect over this past month I can’t help but think of a few individuals who are a part of our congregation who are currently serving in our country’s armed forces. These young men (and all who have served in our armed forces for that matter) have made an oath to support and defend our constitution as a nation against all enemies, and to obey the orders given to them from the President and their commanding officers. Thus, by affirming this oath, they have stated something that is worth dying for, namely the protection and freedom of our nation. For this I believe that we should always be grateful for these individuals and their families!

This month as we celebrate Good Friday and Easter, we remember Someone else who saw something worth dying for. Jesus died for the sins of all people so that all might be able to receive eternal freedom. Jesus knew that in order to bring the possibility of eternal freedom in Heaven with God to mankind, He must pay the ultimate price, His own life. And He willingly gave His life for us on His own accord. Thus, in Jesus’ eyes, you are worth dying for.

Throughout the ages, many men and women have recognized that the cause of Christ is something worth dying for. During the years following Jesus’ ascension, tension developed between the Jews and Christians. In order for a person to be saved prior to the cross of Christ, they had to become a Jew, placing their faith in the One True God. However, with the coming of Jesus, He claimed to be the fulfillment of all the Old Testament (OT) prophesies concerning the Anointed One who was to come, the Christ (John 4:25-26). Some recognized this reality, and affirmed who Jesus was and is (Matt. 16:16). And Jesus’ death and resurrection affirmed His identity (John 20:28-29).

Since the time of the cross and resurrection of Jesus, in order for anyone to be saved: Jew and Gentile (those who are not Jewish) alike they would now have to recognize that Jesus is the One True God and place their faith in Him. This meant that for those living during that time as believing Jews would have to now place their faith in Jesus (becoming Christians) in order to remain saved. There were many Jews who were unwilling to accept this. Some of these Jews so adamantly opposed this that they sought to hunt down and kill Christians for their faith in Jesus. All of the remaining 11 disciples (excluding Judas Iscariot) died for their faith in Christ, as they sought to share the Good News of Jesus with others.

At the heart of the opposition was the fundamental Biblical truth in the Trinitarian God, and the Trinitarian God alone is to be worshiped. Most of the Jews rejected the idea of the Trinity even though it can be seen clearly in the OT (see http://eugenechristianchurch. blogspot.com/2014/05/god-revealed-7-case-for-trinity.html). While on the other hand, many of those who experienced opposition including death from those with non-Jewish backgrounds did not have any problem with the claim of Jesus being God, or God the Father, or God the Holy Spirit. Their problem was the exclusive claim of the Trinity: One God in 3 persons. This non-Jewish opposition thought that it was ok to worship 1,000s of gods (and some saw Caesar, the Emperor of the Roman Empire, as superior to the others). Yet the foundational issue that these early Christians stood for to the point of death was their belief in the Trinitarian God, and the Trinitarian God alone is to be worshiped. A similar opposition still exists today. 

 As we travel through the history of Christianity, we find numerous individuals dying for this foundational teaching. Prior to A.D. 1232, the Bible was primarily only available for those within the religious hierarchy. However, from that point on began a movement to get the Bible into the hands of the common man. John Wycliffe (A.D. 1329-1384) stood as the leading reformer. He taught, as the Bible itself teaches, that the Bible is the sole authority for faith and practice (see Deut. 4:2; Pro. 30:5-6; Matt. 15:3, 6; Luke 10:7; 1 Cor. 4:6; Col. 2:8; 1 Tim. 5:18; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 3:15-16; Rev. 22:18-19). Thus, believing this foundational principle of Christianity, Wycliffe produced the first English manuscripts of the Bible. Those who opposed the teaching of the Bible alone as the sole authority for faith and practice, and that every person has a right to have God’s Word in their own language were so infuriated by Wycliffe that after he died a natural death they dug up his bones, crushed and burned them then scatter them in a river. Similarly, many of Wycliffe’s associates and succeeding individuals who believed in the Bible alone as the sole authority were likewise put to death (Peter Waldo, William Swinderby, William Tyndale, etc.). A similar opposition still exists today.

Meanwhile, throughout the history of the church there have been many who have stood for the foundation doctrine of justification by faith alone; that is that a person is saved by faith alone in the Trinitarian God alone (John 3:16; Rom. 3:20-28; Gal. 2:16; 3:2-14; 5:1-13; Eph. 2:8-9). The opposition has claimed that yes faith is necessary but so are works in order to be saved; while the Bible teaches that good works are a natural result or evidence of salvation (Eph. 2:10; James 2:18). In A.D. 1517, Martin Luther sounded the battle cry of the Protestant Reformation which focused primarily on the foundational elements of the Bible alone and justification by faith alone (see The Encyclopedia of Christianity, “Reformation Principles,” pgs. 531-532). And as a result Luther and other reformers experienced persecution, some even died for these foundational doctrines of Christianity. And the same is true today.  

During my lifetime, I too have experienced opposition from those who oppose these same foundational principles of Christianity. While going to Bible College, my wife and I had a certain “Christian” church financially support us. After graduation, I learned that this “Christian” church did not adhere to Christ’s deity and the doctrine of the Trinity. Upon learning this, I showed them numerous passages supporting these foundational teachings, yet they rejected them. It was from that moment that I rejected our partnership with them costing me hundreds of dollars monthly. However, it was the right thing to do.

Since then, I have similarly seen people leave churches because they rejected the foundational teachings of Christianity. My heart has broken over each one of them, as I love them all dearly. While there are many doctrines that Christians can agree to disagree upon, the foundational principles are worth dying for as so many throughout church history have demonstrated. And at the end of the day, if we do not stand for anything, we will fall for everything.

Thus, I want to make very clear, I love all people regardless of their religious beliefs! Yet I challenge you to consider why you believe what you do; is it worth dying for? God bless!

In His service,

        Matt

Worldview #16: Foolish Talk and the Origin of the Languages

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18).

There are many throughout our society who believe that the message of the Bible is foolishness, especially as it relates to the origin of the universe and creation account talked about in Genesis chapters 1-11. One individual said, “It is a stretch to think that a bunch of animals and a family got into a boat and rode around for a year. Now come on, you expect me to believe that?”

However, I have to agree with Dr. G. Thomas Sharp who said, “It is a stretch to believe that 3.8 billion years ago lightning struck a tide pool outside an ancient volcano, exciting the microspheres up into replicating systems until  one of them ultimately became a full-fledged organism. And it wiggled out on to a bank, lived under a rock for millions of years. Then through natural selection it ultimately turned into some kind of tree dwelling creature, and began eating bananas until one day after continuous natural selection, it climbed down out of the tree and went to JC Penney, bought new clothes, got a haircut and shave, then went down to the University of Texas and began teaching philosophy. Now that is a stretch!  But that is the ultimate premise upon which evolution is founded.

Without the scientific community’s sanction of that silliness, the teaching of the evolutionary worldview would have already disappeared from the earth. This nonsense requires a whole lot more faith than ‘In the beginning God…’ (Gen. 1:1). Therefore, our perception of truth forms the basis of our worldview (Evolution: The Greatest Deception of All Time; available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMr278CMAIA).  Thus, the heart of the debate relates to a faith based question: do you trust the thoughts of man or the words of God?

Genesis 11 describes a time in which the whole world had one language. Much of the world was gathered together in one location and built a tower, the Tower of Babel. However, God had explicitly told them to expand and fill the earth (Gen. 9:1). They wanted to make a name for themselves and reject God. Much of our world is very similar today in wanting to reject God.

As a result of mankind’s disobedience at the Tower of Babel, God intervened confusing their single language into multiple languages and scattering them over the face of the earth. It is from this that all of the languages of the world have their origin. And this is partly responsible for the various people groups throughout the world today.

On the other hand, when one examines the various theories that evolutionary worldview gives for the origin of languages, it amounts to foolishness. In fact, some even consider it as the hardest problem in science (Morten H. Christiansen and Simon Kirby, eds. Language evolution, pgs. 77-93). Yet the Word of God has always and will always trump the foolishness of men, giving the answer from the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe.

In His service,

            Matt

Elder’s Corner: “Son, Do You Want A Spanking?”

A while back I was in a grocery store and I heard a distraught mom pose that question to her misbehaving son. I wondered what she thought he would say: “yes, please mom and make it a hard swat!” Well that's not what he said, and I think her question was to get him to consider the consequences of his actions.

The last six days of 70 degree plus weather reminded me that the Bible has much to say about taking care of plants, especially trees and vineyards (see John 15:1-8; Matt. 13:1-23). I recently returned from California where I drove by many orchards of orange trees that was loaded with fruit. The odd part was the branches had been machine pruned and the tree looked like a square cube sitting on top of the trunk. The owner of the orchard said they do that to stimulate new growth so the trees will bear more fruit. I also drove by several vineyards. It reminded me of the words of Jesus in John 15:1 and following. “I am the vine, and My father is the vine dresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.”

So God needs to discipline or prune out the bad limbs in each of us at times for our own good. Just like pruning trees makes them stronger—letting God have control over our lives and giving Him permission to prune where and when needed makes us stronger. I'm sorry that sometimes He has so much work to do because I've been stubborn and let my branches get out of control. So sometimes we may need to ask the same question to God that the mother asked her son. “God, do I need a spanking (a pruning to make me more like You)?” God wants us to be productive citizens in His kingdom. Jesus said His father would be glorified, if you bear much fruit, and you would prove to be disciples of His (John 15:8). There seems to be a correlation between letting God discipline us and being His disciple.

—Alan 

Man, The Image of God #12: The Assurance of Salvation

“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may KNOW that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13 NASB).

Do you know for a fact where you are going to spend eternity? What evidence can you provide that proves that you are in fact saved and on your way to heaven?

Last month we considered how the teaching that once a person is saved they are always saved is false. The doctrine of once saved always saved offers a dangerous sense of security which will provide a very rude awaking for some when they stand before the Lord. Furthermore, those who teach that once a person is saved they are always saved will tell you that if a person followed the Biblical plan of salvation yet ended up not going to heaven, then they will tell you that that person was never truly saved to begin with. Therefore, what concrete assurance can a person who holds to that teaching truly have? The answer is none!

On the other hand, the Bible does teach that a genuine follower of Jesus Christ can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are in fact saved. There are three evidences that a believer has proving their salvation.

First, do you have a present active trust in Christ for your salvation? The Greek word that gets translated as “believes” in John 3:16 speaks of a present active trust in Christ for their salvation. This is something that begins when a person receives Christ and continues until the Lord calls them home. Paul tells the Colossians that they will be saved on the last day, “provided that you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel which you heard” (Col. 1:23). And Hebrews 3:14 says, “We share in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end.” Therefore a person should ask themselves: Today, do I trust in Christ to forgive my sins and take me without blame into heaven forever? Do I have confidence in my heart that He has saved me?

If I were to die tonight and stand before God’s judgment seat, and if He were to ask me why He should let me into heaven, would I begin to think of my good deeds and depend on them, or would I without hesitation say that I am depending on the merits of Christ and am confident that He is a sufficient Savior? When a person is able to answer these questions positively, it affirms that they have saving faith.

Second, is there evidence of the Holy Spirit in your heart? The Holy Spirit testifies within our hearts that we are God’s children (Rom. 8:15-16; 1 John 4:13). This testimony will usually be accompanied by a sense of being led by the Holy Spirit in paths of obedience to do God’s will (Rom. 8:14). Similarly, the Holy Spirit will be producing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives (Gal. 5:22-23). Of course, the question is not, “Do I perfectly exemplify all of these characteristics in my life?” but rather, “Are these things a general characteristic of my life? Do I sense these attitudes in my heart? Do others (especially those closest to me) see these traits exhibited in my life? Have I been growing in them over a period of years?”  

Third, is there a long-term pattern of growth in your Christian life? Peter tells us that there are some character traits which, if we keep on increasing in them, will guarantee that we will “never fall” (2 Peter 1:10). He tells his readers to add to their faith “virtue…knowledge…self- control… steadfastness… godliness…brotherly affection…love” (2 Peter 1:5-7). Then he says that these things are to belong to his readers and to continually “abound” in their lives (2 Peter 1:8). He adds that they are to “be more zealous to confirm your call and election” and says then that “if you do this (literally, “these things,” referring to the character traits mentioned in verses 5-7) you will never fall” (2 Peter 1:10).

Everyone who gains assurance through a self-examination such as the one above should know, “I am truly born again; therefore, I will certainly preserve to the end, because I am guarded by God’s power working through my faith (1 Peter 1:5) and therefore I will never be lost. Jesus will raise me up at the last day and I will enter into His Kingdom forever” (John 6:40).

Once one stops trusting in Christ and obeying Him (I am speaking in terms of outward evidence) they have no genuine assurance of salvation, and they should consider themselves unsaved, and turn to Christ in repentance and ask Him for forgiveness of their sins.

In His service,

        Matt