From the Protestant Church of Smyrna

I would recommend that you follow this link (click here) to read about the persecuted Church. It is graphic in some places so be aware. Beloved, the persecution is now. Meanwhile, we here in the States sit feeling immune, feeling invincible, worried and arguing over such meaningless and petty things.

The American Church needs to be awakened – our faith will be tested – will we be ready for the test? Here the words again of Whitefield who said –

"I love those that thunder out the word! The Christian world is in a deep sleep. Nothing but a loud voice can waken them out of it!"

One of the most provocative statements from the link above was this - “Don’t pray against persecution, pray for perseverence…”

Are we willing to pray in this way? Oh for the grace to faithfully represent Christ in peace or persecution to the glory of God.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed

Whitefield on Listening to a Sermon

A great challenge to consider carefully how we “listen” to a sermon. I have included some “comments” in brackets – take them for what they are worth.

- - - - - - -

How to Listen to a Sermon

by George Whitefield

Keys for getting the most out of what the preacher says

Jesus said, 'Therefore consider carefully how you listen' (Luke 8:18). Here are some cautions and directions, in order to help you hear sermons with profit and advantage.

1. Come to hear them, not out of curiosity, but from a sincere desire to know and do your duty. To enter His house merely to have our ears entertained, and not our hearts reformed, must certainly be highly displeasing to the Most High God, as well as unprofitable to ourselves.

[Do we expect to be changed at the hearing of the proclamation and teaching of the Word of God – Romans 1:16?]

2. Give diligent heed to the things that are spoken from the Word of God. If an earthly king were to issue a royal proclamation, and the life or death of his subjects entirely depended on performing or not performing its conditions, how eager would they be to hear what those conditions were! And shall we not pay the same respect to the King of kings, and Lord of lords, and lend an attentive ear to His ministers, when they are declaring, in His name, how our pardon, peace, and happiness may be secured?

[If we were given such an opportunity to hear from such a dignitary, would we not be well prepared, giving attention to getting appropriate rest, to proper attire and attitude?]

3. Do not entertain even the least prejudice against the minister. That was the reason Jesus Christ Himself could not do many mighty works, nor preach to any great effect among those of His own country; for they were offended at Him. Take heed therefore, and beware of entertaining any dislike against those whom the Holy Ghost has made overseers over you.

[I had never considered this point before, that the power of preaching in any given setting could be negatively affected by the prejudice or misplaced offense toward a preacher. This calls Matthew 5:23-24 into mind].

Consider that the clergy are men of like passions with yourselves. And though we should even hear a person teaching others to do what he has not learned himself, yet that is no reason for rejecting his doctrine. For ministers speak not in their own, but in Christ’s name. And we know who commanded the people to do whatever the scribes and Pharisees should say unto them, even though they did not do themselves what they said (see Matt. 23:1-3).

4. Be careful not to depend too much on a preacher, or think more highly of him than you ought to think. Preferring one teacher over another has often been of ill consequence to the church of God. It was a fault which the great Apostle of the Gentiles condemned in the Corinthians: 'For whereas one said, I am of Paul; another, I am of Apollos: are you not carnal, says he? For who is Paul, and who is Apollos, but instruments in God’s hands by whom you believed?' (1 Cor. 1:12; 2:3-5).

Are not all ministers sent forth to be ministering ambassadors to those who shall be heirs of salvation? And are they not all therefore greatly to be esteemed for their work’s sake?

[I have always believed that no matter how “bad” the delivery of a preacher, if he speaks the Word of God, there is something to be learned. I just pray that I am not plagued with giving “bad” deliveries.]

5. Make particular application to your own hearts of everything that is delivered. When our Savior was discoursing at the last supper with His beloved disciples and foretold that one of them should betray Him, each of them immediately applied it to his own heart and said, 'Lord, is it I?' (Matt. 26:22).

[Sometimes we want the preacher to make the application for us. While the preacher must seek to encourage the congregation to a specific response, I have often found that the Spirit of God moved the hearts of people in ways I never considered or imagined].

Oh, that persons, in like manner, when preachers are dissuading from any sin or persuading to any duty, instead of crying, 'This was intended for such and such a one!' instead would turn their thoughts inwardly, and say, 'Lord, is it I?' How far more beneficial should we find discourses to be than now they generally are!

6. Pray to the Lord, before, during, and after every sermon, to endue the minister with power to speak, and to grant you a will and ability to put into practice what he shall show from the Book of God to be your duty.

No doubt it was this consideration that made St. Paul so earnestly entreat his beloved Ephesians to intercede with God for him: 'Praying always, with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and for me also, that I may open my mouth with boldness, to make known the mysteries of the gospel' (Eph. 6:19-20). And if so great an apostle as St. Paul needed the prayers of his people, much more do those ministers who have only the ordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit.

If only all who hear me this day would seriously apply their hearts to practice what has now been told them! How ministers would see Satan, like lightning, fall from heaven, and people find the Word preached sharper than a two-edged sword and mighty, through God, to the pulling down of the devil’s strongholds!

[Never stop praying for your Pastor as the Word goes forth. Never stop praying for others as well as for yourself as you hear the Word go forth].

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed

William Cowper on George Whitefield

William Cowper made the following comment about George Whitefield -

He loved the world that hated him: the tear that dropped upon his Bible was sincere; assailed by scandal and the tongue of strife, his only answer was a blameless life, and he that forged and he that threw the dart, had each a brother’s interest in his heart.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed

What are you willing to live for?

At some time or another, there is a question that inevitably gets asked of most people, particularly Christians. It is a question that we might like to suppose is easy to answer and yet requires great reflection. It is a question that after thinking on it, may have a relatively short list of answers. Would you like to know what that question is? “What is it that you would die for?” For what would you be willing to lay down you very life? Now don’t let the simple Sunday School answer keep you from thinking about this. For what people or principles would you be ready to die for? I well imagine that some of us would say, “the gospel – I am willing to die for the message and hope of Jesus Christ.” Perhaps included in your list would be some people – that you would be willing to die for your spouse, your children, or some close friends. I would also suppose that most of you here would say that you would be willing to die for Jesus Christ – at least that is the hope – right? We try to imagine what it would be like if called before a hostile crowd to renounce Jesus or die. Would we there, in that setting, die for Christ?

Would it be hard to die for Christ? That is an interesting question. But may I say to you that dying for Christ may not be the hardest thing that faces you this morning. It has been said that dying for something or someone is easy because such a death is associated with glory, honor and recognition. It is noble to die for someone or something. It would be glorious to die for Christ. I say to you that even harder than the question of “what am I willing to die for” is this, “what I am willing to live for?” To connect this with the previous thought, “Am I willing to live for Christ, just as much, and with as much intensity, as I am willing to die for Him.” I do believe that dying for Christ would be relatively easy – but living for Christ, day by day – moment by moment - isn’t that a bit tougher?

We speak often of what we believe – we believe in Jesus; we believe He died for our sins; we believe that He sent His Spirit to empower us for His service; we believe we are His witnesses, His ambassadors; we believe we are crucified with Christ and it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us; we believe we have been bought with a price and are to therefore glorify God in our bodies. This is what we say we believe. But may I warn you that what you say you believe is not the same as what you do believe. Rather, what you do, how you live your life - be it in public or private, at church or at home, in front of others or in front of a computer – that truly reveals what you believe. So, if you believe it is important to tell others about the saving grace found only in Jesus, then what will you do? You will be telling others of Jesus. Sadly, many of our lives testify that the most important person in our lives is ourselves; our own happiness, our own well-being, even our own spirituality.

Living for Jesus – that is what can be hard. Truly dying to self and being alive in Christ. So, what are you willing to live for?

Luke 9:23
And He [Jesus] was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed

Lord, Awaken Us!

"I love those that thunder out the word! The Christian world is in a deep sleep. Nothing but a loud voice can waken them out of it!"

Do you know who said the above and when it was said?

Lord, forgive me for the timidity with which I speak forth Your word. May I be the alarm by which you awaken Your people to love and good deeds. May I never stand in the way and so prevent that which brings delight and glory to Your Name.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed

Happy Tax Day

Just in case you were wondering, I came across this that explains a bit about how our taxes really work:

Sometimes politicians, journalists and others exclaim; "It's just a tax cut for the rich!" and it is just accepted to be fact.

But what does that really mean? Just in case you are not completely clear on this issue, let's put tax cuts in terms everyone can understand.

Imagine a group of ten men who went out for dinner together and the bill for all ten came to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.

The fifth would pay $1.

The sixth would pay $3.

The seventh would pay $7.

The eighth would pay $12.

The ninth would pay $18.

The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

So, that's what they decided to do.

The ten men ate dinner in the restaurant every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. "Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily meal by $20." Dinner for the ten now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes, so the first four men were unaffected. They still ate for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20
windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'

They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to eat their meal.

So, the restaurant owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so:

The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).

The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33% savings).

The seventh now paid $5 instead of $7 (29% savings).

The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).

The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).

The tenth now paid $50 instead of $59 (15% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to eat for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.

"I only got a dollar out of the $20," declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man," but he got $9!"

"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got nine times more than I!"

"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $9 back when I got only $2? The wealthy get all the breaks!"

"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn't show up for dinner, so the nine sat down and ate without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start eating overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed

Off and Running

Maybe it just makes me feel better to have something posted - so here goes. After my 24 hour Solo Pastor's conference, I hit the ground running. Sometimes I am amazed at where the time goes, particularly just keeping up with emails and returning phone calls.

On an exciting note (for the Godfrey's) - our house is being resided. For many years the siding has just gotten worse and worse, but in a couple of days, it will be new and the house will look fantastic. I did take some before pics and when I can take the after pics, I will post a couple.

I know there are things to report, but they will have to wait for a more opportune time. The Lord's blessings be upon His people.

Soli Deo Gloria

Pastor Ed

Day One of EFCA Solo Pastor's Conference

The first half of the EFCA Central District Solo Pastor’s Conference has come to and end. I must say that it was an interesting and insightful day. The discussion began with an evaluation of the following two statements:

“We are committed to a proclamation of God’s Word that is clear, theologically sound and communicated in a relevant and practical way.”

“The end result of our proclamation is people who are eager to please God by applying His Word to every area of life.”

It would be interesting to critique this statement with our men. I had to ask for some defining of terms such as “clear”; “theologically sound” (what standard); “relevant”; “practical” and “to please God.”

I might have preferred something along the lines of “to glorify God” but the other terms can be defined as broadly or narrowly as one might like. In the end however, the discussion proved to be revealing. One of emphasis made was on preaching to bring about this effect of pleasing God by applying His word to every areas of life. It was noted that there is often a disconnect between theologically sound preaching and the actually living out of such principles in the lives of some in any given congregation. It made me ask, however, if such a disconnect might be result of the pastor not living out such principles as he preaches. In other words, am I doing everything I can, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to not simply communicate dead orthodoxy, true statements and exhortations but without real life.

The main crux of the day was seeking to identify and address some of the issues the solo pastors face in their ministries, seeking to then draw on the corporate wisdom of the group to answer such matters. I have included a list of the issues that were brought up:

• Eschatology and leadership (in light of the EFCA and its considering the removal of the word “premillennialism from its Statement of Faith).
• Starting a Friday/Saturday service to reach out to late teens/20 somethings
• How to avoid burnout
• Mentoring leaders/elders/deacons
• How to stay fresh/abreast of theological and national issues.
• Punctuality of the congregation
• Trickle down cultural and theological issues
• Relating to world views and religions, pluralism
• Balancing leadership – not “lording it over” while still leading
• Finding valid/practical resources
• Creating healthy small groups
• Generational gaps (Titus 2)
• How to move from survival to growth

Not all these issues were of concern to me, but of these issues, three were prioritized as needing to be discussed through the day; “how to avoid burnout; how to stay fresh and abreast of theological and national issues; and balancing leadership.” In these discussions, we did flesh out several points worthy of further consideration. As I have the opportunity to organize these thought, I may post those that would be most profitable.

This morning we will continue to look at some of the issues above. There is no way we could discuss them all, but such points give you an idea of what is going on in the minds of some solo pastors in the EFCA.

Have a blessed day.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed

Mini Pastor's Conference

After just preaching on how many conferences there are in our day and age, I have hauled off to Springfield, MO for an overnight, "Solo" Pastor's Conference, meeting with fellow Evangelical Free Church "Solo" Pastors of the Central District (Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas) to discuss ministry.

This should be an interesting time for me as over the past few years the relationship with the EFCA has been "strained." If there is anything to report, I will do so. I arrived here in Springfield about 11 am and everything is to start at 12 noon. It is a twenty-four hour conference (yes, they will let us sleep).

God's blessings!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed

Poll: Biblical Eschatology

Here were the final results of last week's poll questions, "What do you think is the most Biblical eschatology?" Out of 20 people who voted:

1. Premillennialism (Christ reigns for 1000 years on the earth) 16 (votes) 80%
2. Amillennialsim (Christ reigns now and will not reign physically on the earth) 4 (votes) 20%
3. Postmillennialism (Christ will come when the Church has "Christianized" the world?) 0 (votes) 0%
4. Panmillennialism (don't know which is right but know it will all "pan" out in the end) 0 (votes) 0%

On a lighter side, this week's poll question is simply, "What is your favorite morning drink?" I don't know if I can make something spiritual out of that, but there it is - deal with it.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed

Shakespeare on Time

Better three hours too soon than one minute late.

William Shakespeare

Do you agree?

Regeneration, Repentance, the Love of God and a Local Church

No matter how much we try to resist His love, try to ignore it, run from it, or hide from it ... we can't. God's love will never exhaust in the pursuit of chasing you. The moment you embrace it God's love becomes irresistible. He proves to you it has no limits, no conditions nor does it account for how much we have failed or misrepresented Him.

This is a statement made by a local, technologically savvy church on a web page designated as their campaign to reach Northwest Arkansas with the truth and love of God. It is interesting to note above that “God’s love will never exhaust in the pursuit of chasing you…He [God] proves to you that it has no limits…” No limits save one. Did you catch it? Man is sovereign – “The moment you embrace it God’s love becomes irresistible.” Man must first embrace the love of God before this love becomes irresistible. Sounds like a limit to me.

And just in case you think am making a mountain out of a molehill, consider this statement made by this church’s “Beliefs” –

Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ, which allows us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Thus, through repentance we receive forgiveness of sins and appropriate salvation (Acts 2:21, 3:19; I John 1:9).

Repentance “allows us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit.” Again, salvation is about what man does with something God provided. God is now passive while man is active. In this view, repentance (clearly a necessary spiritual work of man) precedes regeneration (clearly the necessary work of God making us alive in Christ). The only problem with this is that it is not what Scripture teaches. The Scripture teaches that regeneration precedes faith.

Let me quote from Steve Lawson who wrote:

One of the distinguishing features of the biblical view of the new birth is what theologians refer to as monergism. The prefix "mono" means “one.” The Greek word "erg" refers to “a unit of work”; it is from this root that we get the English word energy, which describes a powerful working. Monergism, then, refers to one agent doing a work, and monergistic regeneration communicates the truth that only one agent is active in the work of regeneration, that one being God.

John Owen (1616-1683), the great prince of the Puritan preachers and regarded as one of the eminent theologians of all times wrote:

To say that we are able by our own efforts to think good thoughts or give God spiritual obedience before we are spiritually regenerate is to overthrow the gospel and faith of the universal church in all ages.

As Alan Cairnes noted, “…regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit unaided by human effort or cooperation.”

Charles Hodge, the great Princeton theologian also taught:

No more soul-destroying doctrine could well be devised than the doctrine that sinners can regenerate themselves, and repent and believe just when they please…As it is a truth of both Scripture and of experience that the unrenewed man can do nothing of himself to secure his salvation, it is essential that he should be brought to practical conviction of that truth. When thus convinced, and not before, he seeks help from the only source whence it can be obtained.

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The view offered by this local church I referred to above, is teaching a synergistic (meaning a working together) view, claiming that regeneration involves not one but two agents, God and man, placing each in a place of equal power. As Lawson noted, in this view, “man must cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit must cooperate with man. In the end, man has the power of veto. It is touted that lowly, impotent man can resist the work of the omnipotent, sovereign Holy Spirit in salvation.”

Such a view inverts the biblical teaching of regeneration which teaches that the new birth (regeneration) precedes faith. Only when God first acts upon the spiritually dead soul will it ever be enabled to respond to the love of God. Again, as Lawson noted, “Regeneration precedes faith because regeneration produces faith.” He goes on to say, “…man cannot cooperated with God in his spiritual birth any more than he does in his physical birth. In both cases, God is powerfully active and man is feeble…Telling a sinner to chose to be born again is like urging a corpse to choose resurrection.”

Is this the teaching of Scripture? Clearly so. Let me cite just a few examples, the first of which here emphasize the solitary work of God in causing this regeneration unto faith.

Jeremiah 31:33
I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it…

Ezekiel 11:19-20
19 And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them, and I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them.

Ezekiel 36:26-27
26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

Please do not think I am propping up just a few vague verses. Start with these, pray and ask the Lord to reveal the truth of this matter to your heart. In Ephesians 2 we have one of the clearest expressions of man being dead in sin, being regenerated by God, experiencing grace with the result of faith and salvation.

Ephesians 2:1
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,

Ephesians 2:4-5
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ ( by grace you have been saved),

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

So, while I commend this local church’s enthusiasm to reach the lost with the love and truth of God, their theology is greatly deficient and their approach is to entice with slick advertising and clever slogans rather than preach the full counsel of God’s Word, and believe that “salvation is from the LORD” (Jonah 2:9). May the Lord give us all discernment in such matters to proclaim the glory of God in salvation.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed

Growing in Grace – Purchased by Christ

Last night our Bible study explored the nature of growing in grace. I loved this paraphrase by Gardiner Spring of Philippians 1:6 saying,

It is the economy of divine grace that where God has begun a good work He will carry it on until the subject is ripened for glory.

“Ripened for glory” – being supplied with every spiritual nutrient, every sort of Scriptural atmosphere to be conformed more and more into the very likeness of Jesus Christ, my Lord. I start as nothing more than a bud, but that bud is to blossom and then offering the first indications of fruit, fruit that is green at first, but then grows and ripens into that for which the Husbandman intended.

And of what does this ripening process consist? It consists in leaving off more and more the husks of this world and cultivating more and more godliness. As Mr. Spring again wrote:

Conversion is but the first step. His work is all before him. His graces are increasingly constant and increasingly vigorous. The more he loves God, the more he desires to love Him. The more he knows of His character, does he contemplate the manifestations of His glory with rising delight.

The more he sees of the evil of sin, the more he desires to see. The more he hates it, the more he desires to hate it. The more he sees of himself the more he abhors himself, and the more does he desire to abhor himself. The more he is emptied of himself, the more does he desire to be emptied of himself; the more he desires to become poor in spirit, to feel that he is cut off from every hope, and to rest on Christ alone. The more he is engaged in duty, the more delight he finds in performing it. The more severe his conflict with the enemy, the harder he urges it and the more vigorous his resolution to maintain it to the last.

These are but some of the evidences of growing in grace; but upon an even deeper contemplation, I was reminded that Christ death for His people was that He might display the fullness of His power and grace in this ripening process. Jesus does not impart His resurrection power to bring His people only halfway to glory, but all the way. Charles Spurgeon said it so well in this afternoon’s “Morning and Evening” selection:

Our Lord Jesus, by His death, did not purchase a right to a part of us only, but to the entire man. He contemplated in His passion the sanctification of us wholly, spirit, soul, and body; that in this triple kingdom He Himself might reign supreme without a rival. It is the business of the newborn nature which God has given to the regenerate to assert the rights of the Lord Jesus Christ. My soul, so far as thou art a child of God, thou must conquer all the rest of thyself which yet remains unblest; thou must subdue all thy powers and passions to the silver sceptre of Jesus' gracious reign, and thou must never be satisfied till He who is King by purchase becomes also King by gracious coronation, and reigns in thee supreme. Seeing, then, that sin has no right to any part of us, we go about a good and lawful warfare when we seek, in the name of God, to drive it out. O my body, thou art a member of Christ: shall I tolerate thy subjection to the prince of darkness? O my soul, Christ has suffered for thy sins, and redeemed thee with His most precious blood: shall I suffer thy memory to become a storehouse of evil, or thy passions to be firebrands of iniquity? Shall I surrender my judgment to be perverted by error, or my will to be led in fetters of iniquity? No, my soul, thou art Christ's, and sin hath no right to thee.

Be courageous concerning this, O Christian! be not dispirited, as though your spiritual enemies could never be destroyed. You are able to overcome them—not in your own strength—the weakest of them would be too much for you in that; but you can and shall overcome them through the blood of the Lamb. Do not ask, "How shall I dispossess them, for they are greater and mightier than I?" but go to the strong for strength, wait humbly upon God, and the mighty God of Jacob will surely come to the rescue, and you shall sing of victory through His grace.

As we move along in this endeavor known as progressive sanctification, this growing in grace, let us be aware that it is only possible by the grace of God and only as we recognized that Jesus has purchased all of who we are, body, soul and spirit.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed

An Encouraging Thought

One of my dear friends, a lady in the church, touched my heart by sharing with me the following anecdote that she recently posted on her blog (click here).

Our Pastor Prays REALLY Long Prayers

Okay... so my 6 year old daughter, after a conversation with her and my 3 younger children about the precious Gospel said, "Mommy, you know how our pastor prays really, really, really long prayers?"(I did not know how to respond to that, so I kind of nodded my head in a circular motion wondering what was coming next)She then continued, "I want to pray just like that because I love Jesus so much."

I humbly hope that my prayers are as sincere as this little girl's heart.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed

Ways to Discourage Your Pastor

I know I have been on this “list” kick as of late and so I see no reason as to why I should break the pattern now. While I was at the Shepherd’s Conference I was blessed with a number of books, one of which is entitled, “Life in the Body of Christ” by Curtis C. Thomas. Some of you may already know that Curtis Thomas (attending the Bible Church of Little Rock) is the brother of Bill Thomas who attends Hope CBC. Anyway, as I have been reading through this book on the “privileges and responsibilities in the local church”, I came across this list in keeping with the “pastoral” motif, a list entitled, “Ways to Discourage Your Pastor.”

Now, I submit this list as a resource of things NOT to do. But please understand how grateful I am that the vast majority of these things are not presently evident at Hope CBC. I thought it would just be good to ponder these things. So, below is an excerpt of Thomas’ book:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

More and more good men are leaving the ministry. Their reasons may include a lack of commitment, a serious sin in their lives, a felling of inadequacy, the pressure of public responsibilities, erratic discouragement caused by church members; something which Hebrews 13:17 says should not occur. How do we discourage our pastors? Here are some ways:

• Listen to the Scriptures being taught, but don’t obey the teaching.
• Show irritation when an important point in the pastor’s message lengthens the pastor’s sermon five or ten minutes beyond its usual length.
• Start a gossip chain.
• Always expect other members to do the work that needs to be done.
• Consistently show up to the church services five to ten minutes late.
• Tell your pastor that the nursery is not your responsibility.
• Be mildly negative about most leadership decisions.
• Go to the lake on summer Sundays rather than to church.
• Pay your pastor so little that he cannot adequately support his family.
• Start a church project but let it die by your lack of perseverance.
• Regularly fall asleep during the sermon because your Saturday nights are taken by late activities.
• Look on your pastor as a “hired-hand” rather than as the shepherd of your soul.
• Let your pastor alone do all of the home and hospital visitation.
• Start a squabble within the membership.
• Fear men rather then God.
• Talk frequently about the weaknesses of the church.
• Never let your pastor know that you are praying for him and his family.
• Complain to your pastor about others.
• When the leadership mentions important financial needs, keep billfold tightly closed.
• Refuse to sing any of the new melodies.
• Always want to go back to “what it used to be like” in the church.
• Resent new people who come into the fellowship.
• Automatically assume your pastor’s motives are questionable.
• Fail to realize that your pastor must keep some things in confidence and thus cannot explain some things fully.
• Assume that there is only one way to do things – and your way is the correct one.

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Just some more food for thought.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed

Praying for Your Pastor's Wife

Yesterday’s post was how you might pray for the Pastor and included some great insights by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I am grateful for finding that she also wrote up an article entitled, “How to Pray for Your Pastor’s Wife” – and so, I post it for your edification and encouragement (or is that for my wife’s encouragement?).

31 Days of Prayer for Your Pastor’s Wife

By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Day 1
Pray that your pastor’s wife will love God with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength. Pray that God’s Spirit will work in her heart in power, and that she will value and follow biblical priorities. (Deut. 6:5; Matt. 6:33)

Day 2
Pray that she will cultivate strong character and uncompromising integrity. Pray that her testimony will be genuine, and that she will guard her heart. (1 Tim. 1:5; 3:7; Prov. 4:23)

Day 3
Pray for her personal walk with God—that her soul and spirit will be nourished and strengthened in her times with Him. Pray that she will spend more time in the Word of God than in reading Christian books and articles. (2 Tim. 2:15-16; Ps. 119:7)

Day 4
Pray that your pastor’s wife will counsel and teach with discernment through the wise use of Scripture and faith in God’s power. (Ps. 119:99; James 1:5-6)

Day 5
Ask God to protect her marriage and keep it strong as a model of the Church’s
submission to Christ. Pray that she will respect and practice godly submission to her husband’s leadership, and that her husband will love and cherish her. (Eph. 5:23-33)

Day 6
Pray that God will protect your pastor’s wife from discouragement and bitterness when she or her husband faces inevitable criticism. Pray that she will trust in the wisdom of the Word of God to answer her critics, and commit herself into the hands of God, who judges righteously. (Heb. 12:15; Ps. 119:42; Col. 4:6; Prov. 31:26; 1 Pet. 2:23)

Day 7
Pray that your pastor’s wife will remember truth and practical principles from the Word of God during times of trial, and that the Scriptures will bring her comfort. Pray that theWord will become her delight and song when circumstances are tough. (Ps. 119:28, 52)

Day 8
Ask God to protect your pastor’s wife from the evil plots of Satan. Pray that she will not be corrupted as she rubs shoulders with the world. (John 17:15; Isa. 54:17; Ps. 91:9-11)

Day 9
Pray that God will build a hedge of protection around her marriage, and that she
and her husband will be aware of the potential for any improper relationships. Pray that their family time will be protected. (Matt. 19:6; Prov. 31:11a; 2 Cor. 10:4-5)

Day 10
Pray that your pastor’s wife will be morally pure and that she will wear the armor of God so that she will not fall into sexual temptation. Ask God to guard her heart concerning the use of free time, and that she will be especially discerning in her use of emails, the Internet, television, and other media. (Rom. 13:14; Eph. 6:10-18)

Day 11
Pray that God will bring godly friends and encouragers to your pastor’s wife and her family, to strengthen them for the ministry and to provide meaningful fellowship, accountability, and times of rest. (Ps. 55:14; 119:63)

Day 12
Pray that she will be a woman of prayer and worship, and that she will lead by example—teaching women how to walk in a close relationship with the Father.
(1 Thes. 5:17; Acts 1:14a; Mark 1:35; Matt. 4:10; Titus 2:4-5)

Day 13
Your pastor’s wife is a busy woman. Pray that she will make wise lifestyle choices in order to protect her health, especially in the areas of exercise, eating moderately, and getting sufficient rest. Pray for times of relaxation and renewal to balance the stress of ministry. (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 9:27; 6:19-20; 10:13; Prov. 31:17)

Day 14
Pray that your pastor’s wife will focus on the Word of God and walk by faith in the fear of the Lord—rather than the fear of man. Pray that she will not seek acceptance from others or compare herself with them, but that she will discover true freedom in her position in Christ. (Prov. 19:23; 31:30; Heb. 11:6; 2 Tim. 2:15; Ps. 119:45; Eph. 1:3-12)

Day 15
Pray that she will cooperate with her husband in providing godly leadership in their home, not based on fear of what others will think, but according to scriptural truth. (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:20-21) (If your pastor’s wife does not have children, pray that God will give her many “spiritual children” as she shares the truth of God’s Word.)

Day 16
Pray that her children will be taught of the Lord and experience His peace. Pray that the pressures of the ministry will not discourage or embitter them. (Isa. 54:13)

Day 17
Pray that your pastor’s wife will be an example of contentment, thankful for God’s
supply. Pray that her sufficiency will be in God’s abounding grace. (1 Tim. 6:6, 8)

Day 18
Ask God to provide for the financial needs of your pastor and his family. Pray that your pastor’s wife will be a wise steward in caring for her family and using funds entrusted to her care. Pray that her heart will be turned away from selfish gain and worthless things. (Phil. 4:19; Heb. 13:5; 1 Tim. 6:11; Ps. 37:25; 119:36-37)

Day 19
Pray that your pastor’s wife will use time wisely, seek God’s perspective for her
schedule and priorities, and guard against unnecessary interruptions. Pray that she will seek and obey God’s will, rather than trying to meet everyone else’s expectations. (Eph. 5:15-16; Col. 4:5; Ps. 90:12; Prov. 31:27)

Day 20
Ask God to remind her of the hope and refuge God offers her each day. Pray that she will be encouraged in God, knowing that He is a firm, secure anchor for her soul. (Ps. 9:9-10; Ps. 42:5; 71:14; Heb. 6:19a)

Day 21
Pray that your pastor’s wife will be wise in her conversations, choosing her words
carefully to encourage respect for her husband and the church, and to edify her sisters in the Lord. Pray that she will know how to respond to gossip, and that she will always speak with kindness and compassion. (Prov. 21:23; 31:26; 1 Pet. 3:10; Prov. 11:13)

Day 22
Pray that she will serve others with God’s agape love and encourage them with His wisdom and compassion. (Gal. 5:13b; Phil. 2:3-4; Prov. 31:20)

Day 23
Pray for spiritual unity between the pastor’s wife and others in the church—specially other staff members’ wives. Pray that the enemy will not be allowed to create divisions, strife, or misunderstanding in any way. (Rom. 14:19; 1 Cor. 12:25)

Day 24
Pray that your pastor’s wife will be clothed with strength and dignity. Pray that she will have a gentle and gracious spirit, and represent the Lord well as His ambassador. (Prov. 31:25a; 2 Cor. 5:20a; 1 Pet. 3:4)

Day 25
Pray that your pastor’s wife will seek God for personal revival and revival in your church and community. Pray that she will quickly repent when she sins or strays from her Good Shepherd’s side, and that she learn the will and ways of God. (2 Chron. 7:14)

Day 26
Pray that your pastor’s wife will think biblically—with the mind of Christ—and practice the expression of her faith with boldness in places of influence. (Ps. 119:46)

Day 27
Pray that she will earnestly seek God’s will and be committed to instant and complete obedience—ready for God to work powerfully in and through her life and ministry. (1 Sam. 15:22; 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Luke 9:23-24)

Day 28
Pray that she will strive for personal excellence as a “Proverbs 31” woman, and will believe God to accomplish His will in her as a virtuous woman. (Prov. 31:10-31)

Day 29
Pray that your pastor’s wife will be a woman of faith and passionate love for God, not giving in to worries, fears, or an uptight and anxious spirit. (1 John 4:18; Prov. 3:5-6)

Day 30
Pray that the Word will be her counselor, and that she will serve the Lord with gladness, and encourage others to worship with a joyful, surrendered spirit. (Isa. 61:3; Ps. 119:24)

Day 31
Pray that your pastor’s wife will be humble and authentic in her faith, not given to pride or hypocrisy. Pray that she will have pure motives and give God glory for every gain or victory. (Mic. 6:8; Gal. 6:14; John 7:17-18; 1 Cor. 10:13)

By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Published by Revive Our Hearts, © 2006.

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How is that for a prayer list? Ultimately, my prayer is that we all learn to pray more intimately with and for one another to the glory of God.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed

Praying for Your Pastor

I am grateful for being part of a church family that continually expresses its love and concern for my family and me. One of the questions that I get asked repeatedly (in a good way) is how the congregation might pray for me. You would think that this would be an easy question to answer and yet, at times, it is hard to answer without coming across either too shallow, not wanting to divulge too much, or, conversely, sharing too much, making people sorry that they even asked.

With these thoughts in mind, I set out to consider how I should answer such a question. But again, it is hard to know exactly what to articulate. Then I came across an article by Nancy Leigh DeMoss entitled, “31 Days of Praying for Your Pastor.” What a blessing it was to consider these thoughts, things that I might have forgotten or even neglected as part of praying for me (or any pastor). So, if you are interested in how you might pray for your pastor, take this 31 day challenge, or at least use this list as a source of direction when considering praying for your pastor.

31 Days of Prayer for Your Pastor
by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Day 1
Pray that your pastor will love God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength. Pray that God’s Spirit will work in his heart in power and that he will value and follow biblical priorities. (Deut. 6:5; Matt. 6:33)

Day 2
Pray that your pastor will cultivate strong character and uncompromising integrity. Pray that his testimony will be genuine, and that he will never do anything that he would need to hide from others. (1 Tim. 1:5, 3:7; Eph. 6:10-12)

Day 3
Pray for his personal walk with God—that his soul and spirit will be nourished and strengthened in his quiet time with God, beyond his sermon preparation. Pray that he will spend more time in the Word of God than reading Christian books and articles. (Mark 1:35; 2 Tim. 2:15-16)

Day 4
Pray that your pastor will counsel and teach with discernment through the wise use of Scripture and faith in God’s power to work. Pray that he will be protected from the effects of sinful or negative attitudes that he encounters as he counsels. (Mal. 2:7; James 1:5-6; John 17:15)

Day 5
Ask God to protect your pastor’s marriage and keep it strong as a model of Christ’s relationship with the Church. Pray that your pastor will tenderly cherish and lead his wife, and that she will respect and encourage her husband, submitting to his leadership. (Eph. 5:23-33) (If your pastor is not married, pray for his relationships with loved ones and those who are close to him.)

Day 6
Pray that God will protect your pastor’s wife from bitterness when her husband is criticized. Pray that her prayer and devotional life will be consistent, and that she will guard her mind and heart. (Heb. 12:15; Prov. 4:23)

Day 7
Pray for your pastor’s children, and especially that the pressures of the ministry will not discourage or embitter them. Pray that your pastor will provide godly leadership in the home, not based on fear of what others will think, but according to scriptural truth. (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:20-21) (If your pastor does not have children, pray that God will give him many “spiritual children” as he shares the Gospel.)

Day 8
Ask God to protect your pastor from the evil plots of Satan. Pray that he will not be corrupted as he rubs shoulders with the world in the course of ministry. (John 17:15; Is. 54:17; 2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Pet. 3:12; Ps. 9:9-10, 91:9-11)

Day 9
Pray that God will build a hedge of protection around your pastor’s marriage, and that he and his wife will be aware of the potential for any improper relationships. Pray that their family time will be protected. (Ezek. 22:30a; 2 Cor. 10:4-5; Matt. 19:6)

Day 10
Pray that your pastor will use discernment in use of e-mails, the Internet, and the media. Ask God to guard his heart concerning the use of free time. Pray that he will be morally pure and that he will wear the armor of God so that he will not fall into sexual temptation. (Rom. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:16; Eph. 6:10-18; 2 Cor. 10:4)

Day 11
Pray that God will bring godly friends and encouragers to your pastor and his family, to strengthen them for the ministry and provide meaningful fellowship and times of rest. (Phil. 2:19-25)

Day 12
Pray that your pastor will be humble and authentic in his faith, not given to pride or hypocrisy. Pray that he will have pure motives and give God glory for every gain or victory. (Micah 6:8; Gal. 6:14; John 7:17-18; 1 Cor. 10:13)

Day 13
Pray that your pastor will make wise lifestyle choices in order to protect his health, especially in the areas of exercise, eating moderately, and getting sufficient rest. Pray for times of relaxation and renewal to balance the stress of ministry. (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 9:27, 10:13, 6:19-20; James 3:1-2)

Day 14
Pray that your pastor will focus on the Word of God and walk in the fear of the Lord—rather than fear of man—as he prepares his messages. Pray that he will seek to please God rather than men, and pursue holiness rather than the praise of men. (Acts 6:4; Prov. 19:23; 2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 11:6; 2 Tim. 4:1-2)

Day 15
Praise God for your pastor’s leadership and pray that he will make godly decisions. Pray that he will lead with a shepherd’s heart, and that he will always speak the truth in love. (1 Kings 3:9; 1 Pet. 5:2; Rom. 12:6-8; Jer. 3:15)

Day 16
Pray that your pastor will be courageous in the pulpit in proclaiming Christ, and confident in his use of the Word of God. Ask God to help him preach with insight, transparency, and humility. (Col. 1:28, 4:3a; Eph. 6:19)

Day 17
Pray that your pastor will be a “Great Commission man”—committed to personal evangelism and the equipping of the saints to seek the lost. Pray that he will have a heart to develop a thriving missions program in his church. (Rom. 10:15; Matt. 28:19-20; Luke 19:10)

Day 18
Pray that your pastor will be a man of prayer and worship, and that he will lead by example—teaching the congregation how to walk in a close relationship with the Father. (1 Thess. 5:17; Acts 1:14a; Matt. 4:10; Mark 1:35; Luke 22:46)

Day 19
Pray that your pastor will use wise time management, and that he will seek God’s perspective for his schedule, guarding his time against unnecessary interruptions. (Eph. 5:15-16; Col. 4:5; Ps. 90:12; John 9:4)

Day 20
Pray for a fresh divine anointing on your pastor’s ministry. Pray that God’s working will be powerfully evident both in his personal life and the spiritual life of the congregation. (1 Cor.9:27; 2 Tim. 1:7; Rom. 15:18-19a)

Day 21
Pray that your pastor will not give in to discouragement, but will deal with inevitable criticism and conflict by committing himself into the hands of God, who judges righteously. (1Pet. 2:23)

Day 22
Pray that your pastor will practice servant leadership, edifying the congregation with wisdom and serving with God’s “agape” love. (Gal. 5:13b; Eph. 6:7; Luke 10:43b-45, 9:23-24; John 13:5-9; Phil. 2:3-4)

Day 23
Pray for spiritual unity in the church staff and among the spiritual leadership of the church (elders, deacons, etc.). Pray that the enemy will not be allowed to create divisions, strife, or misunderstanding among the church leaders. (Rom. 14:19; 1 Cor. 12:25)

Day 24
Pray that God will give your pastor a clear, biblical vision of what your church can be and should be for His glory, and that he will communicate that vision clearly and confidently to the church. (Prov. 29:18; John 15:16, 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:5; Mal. 3:11)

Day 25
Pray that your pastor will seek God for personal revival, and revival in your church and community. (2 Chron. 7:14; Ps. 69:32)

Day 26
Pray that your pastor will think biblically, with the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:16; Col. 2:6- 8; Eph. 4:17)

Day 27
Pray that he will earnestly seek God’s will and be committed to instant and complete obedience—ready for God to work powerfully in and through his ministry. (2 Cor. 10:3-5; Luke 9:23-24)

Day 28
Pray that he will strive for personal excellence and will believe God for all He wants to do in the congregation. (2 Pet. 1:3; Col. 3:23-24)

Day 29
Pray that your pastor will be a man of faith and passionate love for God, not giving in to worries, fears, or an uptight and anxious spirit. (1 John 4:18; Prov. 3:5-6)

Day 30
Ask God to provide for the financial needs of your pastor and his family. Pray that he will be a wise steward of both personal finances and church funds. (Phil. 4:19; Heb. 13:5; 1 Tim.6:11; Ps. 37:25)

Day 31
Ask God to heal any hurts that your pastor has suffered in the ministry. Pray that he will serve the Lord with gladness, and encourage the congregation to worship God with a joyful, surrendered spirit. (Is. 61:3)

By Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Published by Revive Our Hearts, © 2005.

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Consider this statement by Gardiner Spring (1785-1873):

“Let the thought sink deep into the heart of every church, that their minister will be such a minister as their prayers make him… How perilous is the condition of that minister...whose heart is not encouraged, whose hands are not strengthened, and who is not upheld by the prayers of his people!"

“It is at a fearful expense that ministers are ever allowed to enter the pulpit without being preceded, accompanied, and followed by the earnest prayers of the churches. It is no marvel that the pulpit is so powerless, and ministers so often disheartened when there are so few to hold up their hands… When the churches cease to pray for ministers, ministers will no longer be a blessing to the churches.”

I truly thank you for your prayers for me and for all who uphold the preachers of the Word of God in prayer.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed

Poll: Favorite Bible Translation

At first it seemed to be close, with the NASB and the ESV running tight in this poll. But then the NASB’ers came out of the woodwork. Here are the final percentages:

What is your favorite Bible Version?

Answers

1. NASB (New American Standard Bible) 48%

2. ESV (English Standard Version) 29%

3. NIV (New International Version) 0%

4. KJV (King James Version) 5%

5. NKJV (New King James Version) 10%

6. Mine is not listed 10%

With the NIV not receiving even one vote, I guess Zondervan is going to have to go back to the drawning board with its advertising. How does the second most popular and best selling version in modern times not even get one vote?

This week’s poll is asking for the eschatological (end or future times) view that best fits your understanding of Scripture.

Have a blessed week!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed

God Is Not "mostly" Sovereign

There is a fallacy in the thinking of those who want to subject the Sovereignty of God to some kind of dependence upon man and man's own choices. Consider this small sampling of Scriptures:

Deuteronomy 4:24
For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

Deuteronomy 4:31
For the Lord your God is a compassionate God;

1 Chronicles 17:2
Then Nathan said to David, "Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you."

2 Chronicles 30:9
For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate…

Job 36:5
Behold, God is mighty…

Psalms 47:7
7 For God is the A King of all the earth; Sing praises with a skillful psalm.

Psalm 73:1
Surely God is good to Israel…

John 3:33
He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true.

1 Corinthians 1:9
God is faithful…

1 John 4:8
for God is love.

Additionally we know that God is truth, God is holy, God is omnipotent (all-powerful) and omnipresent (everywhere present). We also know that God is Sovereign.

Now, here is the point, let’s take each of these attributes of God mentioned above and add the word “mostly” and see if the statement is true according to Scripture.

• For the LORD your God is “mostly” a consuming fire; “mostly” a jealous God.
• For the LORD your God is “mostly” a compassionate God.
• Nathan to David, God is “mostly” with you.
• God is “mostly” gracious.
• God is “mostly” mighty.
• God is “mostly” good.
• God is “mostly” true.
• God is “mostly” faithful.
• God is “mostly” love.
• God is “mostly” holy.
• God is “mostly” omnipotent.
• God is “mostly” omnipresent.

These are absolutely absurd statements, none of which line up with Scripture. So then how is that there are some who would say of God that He is only “mostly” sovereign? How can God be only “mostly” sovereign with diminishing Him?

For those who think the sovereignty of God robs man of something, their alternative is to rob God of something. Even an earthly king was called “sovereign” meaning that everything in his kingdom was subject to him. Did this rob his subjects of any of their responsibility and duty? Not at all. In fact, they had a great duty to respond to their king. Such and earthly monarch is but a small and limited picture of the great King of heaven, who rules, reigns and directs all things from His throne. Does the Scripture give us the teaching that God is sovereign, not merely “mostly” sovereign?

Isaiah 14:24-27
24 The Lord of hosts has sworn saying, "Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand, 25 to break Assyria in My land, and I will trample him on My mountains. Then his yoke will be removed from them and his burden removed from their shoulder. 26 "This is the plan devised against the whole earth; and this is the hand that is stretched out against all the nations. 27 "For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?"

If God were only “mostly” sovereign, then it would be possible for the LORD’s plans to be frustrated.

Isaiah 46:8-11
8 Remember this, and be assured; Recall it to mind, you transgressors. 9 "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'; 11 Calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it.

God doesn’t intend to accomplish “most” of His good pleasure, but all of it. These are just two of so many verses that reveal God to fulfill all that He desires, even using nations and individuals to such an end. This does not negate man’s responsibility, rather man is responsible in light of the sovereignty of God.

1 Timothy 6:15-16
He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

God is not "mostly" sovereign - He is completely and ultimately sovereign.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed