Author: preacherpollard

preacher,Cumberland Trace church of Christ, Bowling Green, Kentucky

PUTTING OUT FIRES

Neal Pollard

The last few years have brought heightened fire danger to Colorado.  Our forest fires have made the national news several times during that span.  They seem to start spontaneously and spread, well, “like wildfire.”  Untold property damage, millions of charred acres, and even loss of life have followed the paths of these fires.  The cause of the fires are sundry, from human carelessness to beetle infestation mixed with drought and high winds.  The cost to fight these fires is exorbitant, but ignoring the fires is not a wise option.  Time, resources, and manpower are diverted to these fires, and this naturally occurs at the expense of other pursuits.

I have noticed that there have been quite a few fires popping up among God’s people in the last few years, too.  There’s the push for instrumental music in worship.  Akin to this is the push to fellowship the Christian Church.  One of the largest conflagrations involves the push for woman to assume leadership roles from worship to roles like deacons and preaching ministers.  Of course, certain fires had been previously burning that are not yet contained–a looser view on marriage, divorce, and remarriage, denying the inspiration of the Bible, and such.  There are even areas we could consider tinderboxes, poised for combustion. How far are we from having to combat the spreading idea that those in committed, homosexual relationships should be part of our spiritual fellowship.

Please do not misunderstand me.  I am not being fatalistic or giving up hope.  I believe we have the time, resources, and manpower to fight these fires.  Not only that, but we must be engaged in this business.  Ignoring these fires is not an acceptable option.

Yet, putting out such fires comes at an expense.  There is a lost world to be won to Christ.  There are so many opportunities to be proactive and serve the benevolent needs of our communities.  There are needed programs to build our fellowship, Bible school, singles, young adults and college students, and more.  There is the need to solicit greater involvement from members.  There are projects to take on, from media ministries to mission works.  These require our interest and effort.  Let us man the firebreaks, but let us not be wholly consumed with just putting out the fires.  Neither let us be afraid to equip ourselves to battle those flames.  Such will require balance, wisdom, courage, and love.  May God help us have a double portion of them all.

A Head Transplant?!

Neal Pollard

An Italian Neuroscientist, Sergio Canavero, announced this week that human head transplants are now possible!  I will spare you the gory details except to say it could happen within two years and should involve, in his opinion, someone who has a fully-functioning brain but who suffers from a severe bodily malady like progressive muscular dystrophies or genetic and metabolic disorders (“The Independent,” via Times Of India, 7/3/13).

We could debate the ethics of this, ponder whether Italian neuroscientists just have too much time on their hands, or discuss how realistic the possibility of this is.  We might also ask whether or not we should do something just because we have figured out how.  While the news out of Italy may seem like science fiction, there is a spiritual need for us to change our “head.”

Too many are riddled with guilt and beset by negative thinking and pessimism.  Christians ought not be fatalists.  That is a worldly point of view.  We have hope (Rom. 5:2) as well as the power of God (cf. Eph. 1:19) to help us cope.

Too many are consumed with lust and fleshly desires.  Christians should not be enslaved to such passions.  This is deadly and destructive.  God can help us, as we will it, to have a clean heart and new spirit within us (Ps. 51:10).

Too many are weighted down with jealousy and envy.  They cannot trust, even when they have no reason to suspect and distrust.  God can help us cope with these feelings and whatever drives them (cf. Gal. 5:24-26).

Too many are eaten up with anger, hatred, and bitterness.  The reverses of life, both real and imagined, can ruin our character.  We can feed our grudges until they become a gargantuan monster that turns on us and devours us.  God can help us cultivate a forgiving mind, letting go of resentment and allowing Him to transform us (Eph. 4:31-32).

You get the idea.  In our own individual ways, we are all “head cases.”  We have spiritual struggles in our hearts and minds, things that need changed into the image of Christ. Thank God that He is the Great Physician who has been successfully doing His superior kind of “head transplants” since the beginning of time!

Mel’s Marvelous Discovery!

Neal Pollard

I cannot remember what day of the week it was or exactly who all was at the church building with me the day Mel walked inside the building.  I just remember being blown away by his request.  A man none of us knew, a local from our own community, wanted to be baptized.

The congregation was a seed planter.  We had a TV program.  Our website was informative, filled with distinctive, New Testament teaching.  We had done door-knockings, though we never went to his door.  We had an organized evangelism program, but none of these led us to him.

Mel showed up at our building because of the study he had done.  He had read his New Testament and learned the truth.  Then, he began looking for a local church that looked like the church about which he had read in Acts and the epistles.  Stumbling upon our website and later watching our TV program, he became convinced that we were that church.  Understanding what he read, he knew he needed baptism for the remission of sins.  That led him to knock on our door that day.

I am sure that what I have just described is a rarity.  However, it points out the inherent power of the Word upon an honest heart.  With eyes unjaundiced by denominational doctrine and rhetoric, a simple searcher discovered divine truth.  He had no one to debate the biblical facts.  It was his own heart wrestling with the powerful gospel.  The word worked on his heart (cf. Heb. 4:12), and he acted upon truth.

Mel was like the man who found the treasure hidden in the field or the pearl of great price (Mt. 13:44-46).  He was a Bible-believer who believed the Bible.  He did what God commanded, even though his search began as a self-guided tour.

God’s Word, when we approach it without our personal prejudices, is plain and penetrating. It exposes our hearts, our sins, and our need.  It explains how we can meet that need.  It encourages a response.  No one is an impediment to us but ourselves.  Thank God for examples like Mel that show us the simplicity of God’s message of redemption!

One Minute Late For The Plane

Neal Pollard

“Last call for Henderson and Hernandez.”  It was eleven minutes until the plane was scheduled to depart.  At ten minutes to departure, the airline released the seats for this party of two and allowed two passengers who had been victims of an oversell to board in their place.  At nine minutes to departure, here come Henderson and Hernandez.  They were husband and wife, and they had been swallowed up by the long security lines at George H.W. Bush International.  They were livid.  They were in disbelief.  They used very foul language.  They threatened.  They pleaded.  She was told of airline policy (actually, airlines can release seats fifteen minutes before departure), to which she responded, “But, we were only one minute late!”

One of the most sobering songs in our songbook is entitled “Almost Persuaded.”  The wording is drawn from Paul’s conversation with Agrippa in Acts 26, with the idea that many will come very close to becoming Christians but will tragically decide that Jesus is Lord too late (cf. Phil. 2:9-11).  Have you ever wondered who will be the last person deliberating the decision to become a Christian when the trumpet sounds and the dead in Christ rise?  Why do we delay?  And at what cost do we procrastinate?

I was not privy to what had happened to them that caused them to miss their flight.  Did their alarm fail them?  Were they involved in an auto incident?  Did they get lost?  That could explain things.  Or, they could have waited too long to leave the house, overslept, or failed to leave themselves the time to encounter a TSA terror.  But, one thing is certain.  Their tardiness kept them from boarding their flight.

What keeps many from success?  What will keep many from heaven?  They were going to do what they should, but they did not get around to it in time!  That has pertinence to our daily schedules and our overall success.  It has relevance to whether or not we go to heaven.  Do not decide to live for Jesus even one minute too late!

Taken Captive

 

Neal Pollard

Mary Jemison was an illiterate, eighty-year-old woman when she recounted her abduction at the hands of the Seneca Indians to writer James E. Seaver.  Mary was probably taken in 1758, when she would have been fifteen years old.  Her first emotions were terror and confusion.  She passed a group of white settlers whom the Shawnee had killed and whose corpses they were burning in a fire. She was whisked by canoe to the Seneca village, where she was given a squaw’s clothing, accepted for adoption by the tribe, was taught to speak the Seneca language and not allowed to speak English in the hearing of her “sisters,” had children by a Seneca husband, and eventually measured time, approached life, and spoke as a Seneca Indian.  She even grew to feel contempt toward the white people and was completely sympathetic to those who snatched her from her home, saying that “one thing only marred my happiness while I lived with them on the Ohio, and that was the recollection that I once had tender parents, and a home that I loved” (America Firsthand: From Settlement To Reconstruction, Vol. 1, 3rd Ed. by Robert D. Marcus and David Burner.  St. Martin’s Press, New York, 1995, pp. 61-67).

Interestingly, time and interaction with her captors eventually, thoroughly changed her attitude and outlook toward them.  The Bible speaks of those who are “taken captive” by “the snare of the devil” (2 Tim. 2:26), “the traditions of men” (Col. 2:8), and by the beguiling actions of deceitful, ungodly men (2 Tim. 3:1-6).  When we are captivated by Satan and the world, we gradually grow accustomed to worldly dress, habits, and viewpoints.  We may even grow contemptuous of the righteousness and truth we once embraced.  Sin changes our outlook and skews our perspective.  We may have moments of fond recall of the life in God we once enjoyed, but the longer we stay where we are the harder it becomes to break free.

Thankfully, since Jesus came to lead captive a host of captives (Eph. 4:8), we can be freed from the confinement of sin!  Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).  Unlike Jemison’s situation, we only become prisoners by choice, there is a clear right and wrong party, and there is an absolute need to break free of life in spiritual captivity.  Rejoice that Jesus makes that possible, and has done all He can to make it happen!

CONVENIENT CONFESSION

Neal Pollard

Lance Armstrong went on Oprah Winfrey to confess his doping, but he has refused to testify under oath about the cheating.  The World Anti-Doping Agency director, David Howman, said of the TV interview, “What he is doing is for his own personal gratification. He’s welcome to do that, no one is going to criticize that component, but if anyone thinks that in his wildest dreams that it is going to have any effect on his life ban then they are in the same fairyland” (Steve Keating, Reuters, 1/18/13).   It is reminiscent of baseball power-hitter Mark McGuire’s famous, tearful confession to MLB Network of using steroids.  He said it was wrong, but maintained he only did it (cheated) to help mend or prevent his injuries, not enhance his power.  But, as journalist Larry Stone wrote, “He confessed because he had to confess” (Seattle Times, 1/11/10).  I remember being at a congregation which supported a missionary in Africa. The missionary was repeatedly asked by the elders if he taught polygamists that they could keep their wives when becoming a Christian so long as he did not accumulate more.  Other missionaries in the region reported that he did, that they confronted him, but that he refused to change his teaching.  But, the missionary vehemently, repeatedly denied teaching that.  Several years later upon retiring from that mission work, he saw one of the men who had served as an elder. The now former elder asked him if he had told polygamists they could keep their wives.  He answered, “Of course, but ‘everybody’ did it.”  His confession was convenient at that time because telling the truth would not cost him financial support.

Christians are told in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  James adds, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (5:16).  This is a confession driven by a conviction to please and obey God and make things right with those we have offended.

“Convenient confession” is not convicted confession.  Confessing if and only if we are caught is convenient rather than convicted confession.  Confession meant to conceal or control the discovery of other and even greater sins is not convicted confession.  Pharaoh confessed to get relief from God’s punishment (Ex. 9:27; 10:16). Balaam went from cursing to confessing only when he could see the angel of the Lord (Num. 22:34). Achan only confessed when God picked him out of the crowd (Josh. 7:20). Saul confessed when his back, spiritually, was against the wall (1 Sam. 15:24, 30; 26:21).  Time and testing proved the insincerity of these confessions.

Everyone will confess Jesus at the Judgment, when doubt will have died (Ph. 2:11).  Each of us are confronted with a sin problem, and at best we will wrestle with it (Rom. 7:14ff).  For confession to be effective, the Bible urges honesty and sacrifice.  Self-serving, self-preserving confession is convenient confession.  “Convenient confession” is not convicted confession.

“Yi Go Fri” Or “Yi Go Sofa”

Neal Pollard

A couple of years ago, I went with Josh Austin to teach in our Bear Valley extension in Wotutu, Cameroon.  The local language is Pidgin English.  There is enough correlation between American and Pidgin English that you can especially understand much of what you hear spoken.  A couple of months ago, I held a gospel meeting in Alabama.  The local preacher, David Phillips, lived two years in the English portion of the country (most of Cameroon speaks French).  His parents were missionaries there in the early 1970s.  David gave me a copy of the book of Mark written in Pidgin.  While it requires reading out loud to aid comprehension, you can get the gist of most passages if you are familiar with the English translation counterpart.

Mark 16:16 reads, “Man weh yi bilif an dem baptas yi, yi go fri, bot man weh yi no bilif yi go sofa.”  While there is depth of meaning to native speakers, they get the idea that believing and being baptized makes you free, but not believing will cause you to ultimately suffer.  The Greek word translated “saved” means to deliver or preserve from danger, loss, and destruction.  The word for “condemned” means to pronounce guilty by judgment or condemn.  

Every accountable individual, at some point, is enslaved to sin and traveling the broad way to destruction.  Those who are taught the gospel are confronted with a decision.  Do I want spiritual freedom or eternal suffering?  When asked that way, the choice seems obvious.  But, this world has such a strong pull on us (cf. 1 Jn. 2:15-17).  We can allow our fleshly desires to dominate us, choosing the pleasures of sin for a season while earning suffering forever (Js. 1:13-15; cf. Heb. 11:25).  

I need to see the choice as that simple–hold onto Christ and “go free” or hold onto sin and “go suffer.”  All of us like freedom and none of us like suffering.  We must keep our minds clear to the facts on this matter.

GLORIFYING THE PERVERSE WHILE REJECTING THE PROPER

Neal Pollard

On the front page of today’s Section C (Colorado Style) in the Denver Post, there is what is undoubtedly meant to be a heartwarming story of love between Ned and Sara.  Except that Ned is now Koko, a man who contends he identifies himself as a woman.  Ned also is attracted to women, so he considers himself a lesbian.  The piece subtly contains the barb that if he had an operation, he and Sara could “only have a civil union.” As it is, they can be legally married and all because of anatomy.  The clear implication is that our current laws unfairly exclude homosexuals and discriminate against them.  With complete sympathy, writer Claire Martin gushes at this “unconventional trip to the altar” that will culminate in their July wedding–both of whom will be brides wearing bridal gowns (C1,C8).

Speaking against such thinking and behavior as this is increasingly unpopular.  In a “live and let live” world, whose inhabits decry and detest judging behavior as right or wrong, calling scenarios like the one presented in the article perverse is considered unacceptable. An agenda-driven media, as well as other, like-minded institutions, continue to foist homosexuality and perversity upon the “consumer.”  Not only is it promoted, it is normalized, dignified, and even glamorized.  Through such relentless publicity, so many are becoming desensitized and callused to what is advocated.  Interestingly, people get more comfortable with perversion but get quite uncomfortable with any denouncement or disapproval of perversion.

Consider Paul’s warning to the church at Ephesus (Eph. 4:17-24).  Nonbelievers can be found “walking” (manner of life) with a mind set on valueless and useless things.  The result of such thinking and living is moral darkness, spiritual death, ignorance, hardness of heart, shamelessness, an insatiable desire for pleasure, and a craving for what is wicked and lewd.  Paul contrasts the thinking of the world with those who have “learned Christ.” We are not to be corrupted by deceptive desires.  We are taught the truth, which leads to a new mind, a new man, and a new morality.

That means we should be able to distinguish between the normal and the perverse, the proper and the improper.  This will be more important as the world continues to lose its grip on such distinctions. We must keep our bearings!

MONK SMACKDOWN

Neal Pollard

There they were in “worship” in Jerusalem.  Your normal orthodox service, celebrating an ancient church feast, a somber procession, ornate priestly garb, kicking, punching, the breaking and destroying of tapestries and decorations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, occurred during the annual “Feast Of The Cross” celebration.  The combatants were Armenian and Greek Orthodox monks.  Every news agency known to man gave this brouhaha press coverage.  Police had to be called in to intervene and arrest offenders.  While a thousand points of application could be made concerning this “fight during church,” I point you to just three dealing with the obvious ironies of this situation.

The fight itself is ironic.  They were supposed religious people fighting about a religious matter.  It is ironic that their sharp disagreement came to blows.  It is ironic that they were fighting about matters that the Bible not only never addresses, but would actually militate against.  They were wrapped up in a fight that boiled down to prejudices, territorial rights, and personal prominence.

It does not matter who started this fight or even the reason behind it.  People saying they serve the Prince of Peace were disturbing the peace.  People at a service designed to honor the cross were bringing reproach upon the one who hung there.

While the Bible tells us we are soldiers (Eph. 6:10ff) fighting the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12), God does not sanction any ungodly tactic in order to do what He commands us to do, whether lying, railing, manipulating others, showing favoritism, gossiping, outbursts of anger, malice, bitterness, etc (Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 4:31-32; Js. 2:1ff).  Furthermore, our fight is with the devil (Eph. 6:12).  The poor world (and even erring brethren) have been taken captive by him to do his will (2 Tim. 2:25-26).

The cause of the fight is ironic.  They were fighting over who could and could not be present for their man-made religious service.  They were fighting over who could and could not be leading it.  Their battle was for things not even covered by the blood of Christ.

While there are times when we have to take an unpopular stand for truth, too often our battles are over matters that have nothing to do with right and wrong, truth and error.  Our fleshly tendency is to line up behind personalities and even defend tradition that has nothing to do with biblical mandates.  Not many years ago, I heard of a multi-congregational business meeting that came to blows due to some of the members being sympathetic to a preacher and others sympathetic to an elder in a judgment matter that occurred in another state.  Are you kidding me?

There are many worthy hills upon which to stand, fight, and even sacrifice-positively (getting more involved in evangelism, encouraging greater faithfulness, retrieving the fallen, building fellowship, the oneness and undenominational nature of the church) and negatively (instrumental music, women’s role, church discipline, marriage, divorce, and remarriage).  But, I’ve seen people in a “death match” over tragically unimportant matters.  In the carnage, I have seen weak and new Christians, young people, discouraged people, and the like.  These things ought never to be!

The place of the fight is ironic.  It was not a house where true worship was practiced, but it was in a supposed “house of worship.”  The scenes of fighting in a place that should be filled with praise and reverent celebration is completely ironic!

Jesus warned against bringing our fights into worship or of even having an ongoing problem with a brother or sister when we come to do so (cf. Matt. 5:23-24).  Holding grudges or being alienated from our spiritually family materially impacts the cooperative, communal nature of the very worship we offer God.  God can see more than the worship.  He sees the hearts and lives of the worshippers.  It’s not like He can’t see the state of our relationships with others.

What an embarrassment for this monk meltdown to make the news.  People will wrongly associate this with Christendom, and that hurts us as people will lump us right in there with the rest.  May we be so focused on biblical unity that we do not give anybody any ammunition to use against us.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7718587.stm

How Ugly Is Sin?

Neal Pollard

You have heard the expression, “Ugly as sin.”  Taking two of our fine young FPTC campers to the airport, I was talking with them about some unpleasant things we may see in life.  One of the campers says that the county in which he lives is reputed to be the worst in the nation for percentage of “meth” users.  You have seen the gruesome transformation caused in a person who continues to use methamphetamine–the lost teeth, sunken face, dark-circled eyes, skin blemishes, and more.  The transformation is horribly evident.  The conclusion we drew was that if all sin was that visibly ugly, we would not struggle with it.

How ugly sin is to us depends upon the condition of our hearts.  We can become callused and past feeling (1 Tim. 4:2; Eph. 4:19).  We can become completely comfortable doing or knowing others are doing what the Bible unmistakably calls sinful (Rom. 1:32).  It is possible to commit “abomination” without even blushing, much less properly recognizing the ugly appearance of our own sins (cf. Jer. 6:15; 8:12).  But, with properly trained hearts, we see our sins as dirt (Ps. 51:2), disease (Ps. 38:3), and death (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1ff).  It startles us, shames us, and spurs us to eliminate it from our lives.

But, how ugly is sin to God? If we were to review the synonyms of sin, which God moved holy men to pen, we could not remain in doubt of the answer.  It is “sin” (an offense, guilt before God, miss the mark, an aberration or deviance), “transgression” (fall by the wayside, errors and faults with consequences), “iniquity” (injustice, wrong, not in harmony with righteousness), “error” (perversity, wickedness, wander out of the right way), “ungodly” (godless, without fear of God, actively opposed to God), “evil” (corrupt, malicious), and the like.  God likens it to a spot or blemish (2 Pt. 2:13), an illness (Mt. 9:12), and even a death (Eph. 2:1).  God tells us most clearly how ugly it is to Him when He says He cannot even look at it (Hab. 1:13).  Sin is so unsightly to God that He offered His most precious gift to satisfy His perfect justice regarding it (Rom. 8:3).  God does not indulge, tolerate, or “wink” at it (Acts 17:30).

The liar, fornicator, adulterer, gambler, pornography addict, proud, jealous, selfish, or similar sinner may not be physically, outwardly unattractive.  The Bible gives little merit or praise to such attractiveness.  Yet, it does depict sin as ugly!  It is as unappealing to God as the skid row bum is unsightly to us.  The discipline we need is to see sin like God sees it!

CORN DOGS, SAUERKRAUT, AND COTTAGE CHEESE

Neal Pollard

The food items above have one sure thing in common–they are all items I cannot even choke down.  Each of them are undesirable to me for different reasons, but they are all checked off in my gross column.  You may love them all, and if so, in the words of the great philosopher Briscoe Darling, “more power to you.”  I just do not.

Culinary tastes differ.  I enjoy mixing peanut butter and table syrup, using homemade biscuits to sop up this fine, tasty blend, but I realize I may not have a lot of company in that proclivity of mine.  Some things are healthier and more suitable to eat than others, but much of that is simply a matter of taste.

Sadly, there are people who have tried to lean on their human reasoning and experience, determining what they will and will not do and believe based on personal preference and taste.  They do not see Scripture as authoritative.  In our postmodern age, people have tried to make our culture–with its peculiar tastes, desires, and leanings–preeminent over God’s revealed truth.  When this is the case, a society can put sins like abortion, homosexuality, adultery, living together, modern dancing, immodesty, and greed into the palatable and even desirable category.  The same group may put godly traits of character like honesty, courtesy, commitment, conviction, faithfulness, and the like into the distasteful category.

I remember my dad preaching a sermon about “Cafeteria-Style Religion.”  Back in those days, cafeteria-style restaurants were more common and popular.  You walk in the restaurant, walk past meats, vegetables, breads, and desserts, putting only what you wanted on your tray while rejecting the rest.  The spiritual application of that, that people pick and choose what commands of God to obey and what to ignore, is even truer today than it was then.  Today, it is not just doctrinal matters but also moral matters.

We need to remember this.  Scripture itself speaks of a way that seems right to a man that leads to death (Prov. 16:25).  It is not in man to direct his own steops (Jer. 10:23). Paul had been responsible for Christians’ deaths, yet could say in Acts 23:1 that he had lived with a clean conscience before God to that very day.  God has left a complete revelation that has been preserved, despite what agenda-driven skeptics say.  Our task is to swallow that, but to spit out any alternative authority.

I WANT To Sing

Neal Pollard

It is well-known to everyone who has been around this week for Future Preachers Training Camp or the gospel meeting that I have a serious case of laryngitis.  I normally lose my voice after a week of getting campers’ attention, playing sports, and attending a Rockies game.  This year, it struck before camp began by virtue of a minor head cold that settled in my throat.  Because I have continued to try to talk, I sound like the “Frog Man.”  While this has been a nuisance and inconvenience to my duties as director, the single greatest source of aggravation relates to my attempt and desire to sing.  I cannot stand to be in the worship assemblies, daily chapels, and devotionals where singing is taking place and not be able to participate. I try, but all I can manage is a nearly inaudible squeak as I vainly try to sing bass (the only part my voice will “hold together” enough to try).  At times, my throat has hurt too badly for me to even try that.

It is not that I consider my singing voice to be desirable.  I don’t want to flaunt my voice.  I want to blend it with everyone else’s in worshipping our God.  Now more than ever, I am at a loss to understand people not hindered by health and voice problems who choose not to sing in worship!  Do they lack the desire?  Are they embarrassed at their own perceived lack of “talent” for singing?  Is there a disconnect or disinterest?

When we remind ourselves that God desires our singing, we should long to do it to the best of our ability.  When we understand the key role we play in helping others worship and spiritually improve, we should enthusiastically engage (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19). When we connect singing with spiritual health, we will say with the writer of Hebrews, “I will proclaim Your name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise” (2:12).

It seems clear that when things are right between us and God, we will yearn to sing.  It is when we are far away from him that we lose the desire (cf. Psalm 137).  I sure hope my voice returns soon, for many reasons.  One of the main ones is so that I can return to singing praise to my God!

We Cannot Stop Speaking

2013 FPTC Theme Logo Final

Neal Pollard

 Two plain men, no distinguishing trait

Marked those uneducated preachers so bold

But what a mark such vessels would create

Who through their efforts let Christ’s story be told

They helped a poor struggler find lasting peace

But faced critical, skeptical foes,

Despite the adversity, they asked for no release

From their task, for they counted no woes.

“How could they be swaying this entire city

With a message so narrow and exclusive?

They’ve backed it up plainly, oh what a pity

For us if it’s believed; This to us is obtrusive.”

They scolded them harshly and told them to stop,

“Don’t declare this Man’s message of salvation!”

But the preachers His case they simply would not drop

They pressed on with such dogged determination.

What they said, oh the power and the pure simplicity

Though respectful, was with fierce dedication.

Fills our hearts with desire, our hands with electricity

Makes us want to join them in glad participation!

“We cannot stop speaking,” what a happy refrain,

About Jesus we must tell, share, and proclaim.

Be a Peter, a John, with The Message remain,

Pledge to never stop speaking in His name!

“Yale-Between Wadsworth And Sheridan”

Neal Pollard

Locals know that the title indicates the names of three streets, West Yale Avenue running east and west between Wadsworth and Sheridan Boulevards.  The church building is nearly halfway between the boulevards at the corner of South Lamar Street.  I drive that route daily, trying faithfully to observe the 30 MPH speed limit sign that is rigorously monitored by local law enforcement.  The cynic would say this stretch of road is a speed trap.  Those who have been ticketed on said stretch must reflect, ponder, and pray before talking about it.  Today, though, as I saw yet another poor sap pulled over by our men in blue, I thought about a few things.

First, that speed limit sign is clearly posted multiple times down that two mile span of road.  We are accustomed to not only a “speed grace” level, but we often find ourselves trying to drive as quickly as driving conditions will allow.  Those who think this way on Yale between Wadsworth and Sheridan are often surprised at how literally the police take that sign.

Also, despite how regularly Yale is patrolled here, people continue to get livid with you if you drive no more than the speed limit.  You think to yourself, “Don’t they know that Barney might be just behind that sign at the apartment complex!”  You may feel some measure of satisfaction if you’re lucky enough to see the guy in the sports car rip past you and into the waiting arms of the man holding the radar gun.  Despite how well-known this area is for nabbing those criminals going 33 or 34, people continue to be caught on a regular basis (doing 45, 50 or more).

Finally, it is tempting to blame the police officer or the government he serves and the law he seeks to enforce.  It wasn’t the officer breaking the law, it was you (and of course the five other guys going faster than you that the officer totally ignored to give you a ticket).  Never mind that he doesn’t pull over the people who are driving the speed limit (unless their registration is out of date).  He is a symbol of the law.  He’s the messenger.  But, he’s who we can see when we’re waiting for that slip of paper with payment options on it.

How closely that mirrors life!  We know that there is a law in place (Gal. 6:2; Rom. 8:2; Js. 1:25).  It is tempered by grace (Eph. 2:8), but some abuse grace (Rom. 6:1-2; Jude 4).  They refuse to submit to or take Christ’s will seriously.  And, how often will we find ourselves the object of others’ scorn, those mad at us for trying to follow what He says (cf. 1 Pet. 3:16; 4:4)?  Of course, we should not take satisfaction in the thought of the judgment that awaits the lost, but be assured that it will come.  Then, may we never focus our anger at the one who is trying to humbly trying to show us what Christ’s will is.  Such feelings should be reserved for the devil, the world, and ourselves, when we give in to disobedience.  Let us, “Therefore be careful how we walk, not as unwise men but as wise” (Eph. 5:15).

Oh, and watch yourself on Yale between Wadsworth and Sheridan!

 

THE STRUGGLE OF SUBMISSION

 

Neal Pollard

I confess to not knowing all the reasons behind some of the rules and protocol onboard the airplane.  Why do you have to power off your electronics?  Why must you have a seat when the plane is taxiing to the gate after landing?  I know what I am told, but that does not mean I necessarily see the logic as sound in every situation.  Having said that, nothing aggravates me as much as seeing fellow passengers flaunting the express command to cut off their phones.  I have seen people finishing texts even as the plane is leaving the ground.  Perhaps my feelings make me biased, reading the news story about the “rowdy” high school seniors from the Yeshiva in Flatbush in Brooklyn who were kicked off their 6 A.M. AirTran flight from LaGuardia  to Atlanta. According to an AP report, “Southwest Airlines, said in a statement that flight attendants asked passengers several times to take their seats and put their mobile devices away. The airline said that when some didn’t comply, the captain repeated the request. When that didn’t work either, the whole group of students was ordered to disembark for safety reasons” (David B. Caruso, 6/4/13).

Why do so many of us struggle with following the rules?  Children don’t want to obey parents.  Students don’t want to obey teachers and administrators.  Employees don’t want to obey employers.  Church members don’t want to obey elders.  Mankind doesn’t want to obey God.  This tendency is not only widespread, but has been timeless.

If we will honestly assess this problem, we will find that our biggest threat in this matter is internal rather than external.  Our biggest enemy in this is ourselves.  Certainly, James 1:14 applies to this struggle. We get carried away and enticed by our own lust.  With this, that ugly monster of pride swells within us, causing us to think, “Nobody can tell me what to do!” Let us remember Proverbs 16:18!  What a dangerous mentality.

Our perfect, innocent Lord faced a painful death on the cross at the hands of wicked men.  He did not complain of unfairness or decry His loss of rights.  He tearfully, humbly prayed, “Not My will, but Yours be done” (Lk. 22:42).  May we humble ourselves and follow His example in the areas of life that require us to submit to the rules.

A Second Chance

Neal Pollard

Have you ever wanted an opportunity for redemption?  Did you ever feel you deserved it?  Brian Banks was a highly recruited football player, heading to USC, when Wanetta Gibson accused Banks of raping her.  Her accusation was a lie, but his lawyer feared his “age, size, and race” would keep him from getting a fair trial.  Also, Gibson convinced him to plead no contest “to a crime he insisted he didn’t commit.” Thus, no trial and no evidence presented.  He received the maximum sentence allowed under the plea deal, but avoided the possibility of 41 years in jail. He was released after five years, and he had to register as a sex offender.  Last year, Gibson sent Banks a friend request on Facebook.  He did not accept, but messaged her asking why should would do that? She said she wanted to reconnect.  Banks slyly asked a family friend who was a private investigator to help him establish his innocence. She would go on to confess on tape that Banks was innocent of both the rape and kidnapping charge.  While she is in huge legal trouble now, Banks was exonerated and the charges against him dropped (via transcript from “Blindsided,” a CBS news feature at http://www.cbsnews.com).

Banks deserved exoneration.  While it might have been that Banks was not totally innocent, he was not guilty of the charges against him.  He had to do time for a crime he did not commit.  It cost him time and the ability to prepare himself for a career that would pay handsomely.  Now, it seems, he will have that chance.  The Atlanta Falcons have invited him to try out for middle linebackers.  Most believe he will make the roster and could eventually start.  He got a second chance.

Our situation is really the opposite.  We were guilty of the charges against us (Rom. 3:23). There were no mitigating circumstances.  The facts in the case are ugly (cf. 1 Jn. 2:15-17; Js. 1:13-15).  We deserved the harshest penalty.  But, Jesus, a totally innocent Man, was put to death for our crimes.  Because He arose, we have the opportunity to be completely pardoned.  Not only that, we stand to gain a fortune too great to count that will endure for eternity (Mt. 25:46).  We have a second chance, not because we were found innocent.  We have a second chance because His blood makes us righteous!  Praise God for second chances.

Snapshots of the Suffering Servant

Neal Pollard

Snapshots serve a fascinating purpose, to show moments of time from the unique perspective of the one taking the pictures.  No more graphic Old Testament pictures are revealed than those found in Isaiah 53.  How many have chosen this passage to read while reflecting on Christ’s great sacrifice during the Lord’s Supper?  Have you ever began your reading further up, at the end of Isaiah 52?  Here are some powerful, additional snapshots of the suffering servant.  In these few verses, there are compelling snapshots of the Savior.

  • He would be wise–“behold My Servant shall deal prudently”
  • He would be royal–“exalted and extolled and be very high”
  • He would be enigmatic–“Many were astonished at [Him]”
  • He would be brutalized–“His visage was marred”; “His form more than the sons of men”
  • He would be the atonement–“So shall He sprinkle many nations”

From His ministry and warm reception to His horrendous death, Jesus is depicted as the most unique One.  Only He could do what He did because He is the only One of His kind–all God and all man all at once.  Give thought to beginning your reading at Isaiah 52:13 some time when you are reading the poignant prophesy in the following chapter.  This is simply further reinforcement of the great love God has for us in giving Jesus for our sins!

I Am Naming The Worst Facebook Speech Offenders Among My “Friends”

Neal Pollard

Perhaps you have heard the latest flap about “sexist hate speech” that has purportedly gone unpunished by the social media giant Facebook.  Activists and advertisers are teaming up to pressure Facebook into addressing particularly pages that “celebrate violence against women.” Facebook has resoundingly responded with a cadre of new or improved guidelines to eliminate such appalling rhetoric.  While some are crying foul over perceived first amendment trampling, most see the move as desirable and necessary (via CNN online article by Doug Gross, “Under pressure, Facebook targets sexist hate speech”).  This is the world, but even the world gets that there are lines in speech that should not be crossed.

Of course, the Christian has a much higher standard when it comes to what speech is appropriate.  Well before the line that is crossed by talk that glorifies rape and sexual violence there is the line that is set by Christian courtesy, love, meekness, holiness, and several, similar qualities. Sadly, after over four years of having a Facebook page and seeing on my news feed the comments of “friends” that are mostly Christians, I have seen some lines crossed by those who know better.  Let me name some of the worst offenders:

–Chronic Contradictor

–Compulsive Complainer

–Unsolicited Buttinsky

–Chip On-The Shoulder

–Relentless Ranter

–Suggestive Speaker

–Boldfaced Boaster

–Condescending Christian

–Self-Proclaimed Unqualified-Expert

–Worst-Assuming Writer

–Attacker Under-The-Guise-Of-Humor

–Worldliness Glorifier

I am positive that you have other “friends” within your Facebook circle different from the ones I singled out to you.  For ourselves, may we choose the needed, endangered qualities of restraint, forethought, kindness, thoughtfulness, and any similar trait embodied in the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-24).  Facebook feels anonymous, but it is not.  Just because we can type it without looking someone in the face as we say it to them does not make it acceptable.  Let us dedicate ourselves to using every forum of influence we possess to encourage and assist everyone under the “sound” of our “voice.”

 

Converted To What?

Neal Pollard

Jesus said, “Unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3).  Paul preached that there is no spiritual healing unless one is converted (Acts 28:27).  To be converted means literally to twist, turn around, and reverse.  In spiritual application, the word means to leave one thing for another.  In evangelism, the attempt is to turn one from the world to Christ.  However, people have been known to turn from the world to something other than Jesus and His doctrine.  This is unfortunate, but true.  Consider a few deadly alternative to conversion to the Lord.

Some are converted to emotions.  Without question, emotion lies at the heart of a person’s makeup.  Emotion must play a prominent role in both becoming a Christian and living as a Christian.  The people present on Pentecost were pierced to the heart and thus cried out, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).  Tears are commonplace among godly Christians, contemplating the Lord’s Supper, pleading with the lost, and saying goodbye to another saint who is leaving the area or the realm of time.  Christians are joyful people, quick to smile and laugh.  There should be righteous anger at the display of unrighteousness.  Emotions are essential to Christianity, but some are overly caught up in and enamored with emotion.  They are big on “feeling” something.  They are whimsical, mystical “swooners.”  The paramount gauge of a sermon’s success is if it made them laugh or cry, not if it was true or false.  “Touchy-feely” is preeminent, whether or not it rings true doctrinally.  One converted to emotion in such a way is converted to the wrong thing.

Some are converted to personalities.  The church is composed of people, and frankly some folks are more likable than others.  Each Christian should so live as to be attractive, just as Christ was (cf. Matt. 4:25; 8:1; 12:15; etc.).  Yet, some are converted to people.  Their loyalty is to the preacher, an elder, or some family in the congregation.  When that preacher leaves, they cease coming.  Whatever that family believes or advocates, they blindly follow and mimic.  It is so easy to become blinded to human loyalties, that such overshadows a concern for what is right and biblical.  Multitudes are loyal to false teachers, despite clear, multiplied errors in their teaching.  Paul said to follow him as he followed Jesus (1 Cor. 11:1), but he never wanted anyone to follow him instead of Jesus.  One converted to personality is converted to the wrong thing.

Some are converted to social programs.  Churches need to provide ways to edify their members.  Fellowship is vital, and socializing together and socializing together can make us all stronger.  The first-century church socialized together (Acts 2:46).  Yet, some make a decision with eternal implications based on what that church has “going on.”  Becoming a member of Christ’s church is not the same as choosing a social club, a civic organization, or a health club.  Doctrine does matter.  A church–even the Lord’s church–may scratch a million social itches and not accurately dispense the balm of Gilead to heal the sinsickness of the soul.  One converted to social programs is converted to the wrong thing.

The church must not be or become emotionless.  It should be filled with people whose personalities draw all men to Christ, and are as such magnetic (cf. John 12:32).  Fellowship together, time spent in recreation and socializing together, should characterize us.  Yet, all of these are tools.  When they become the end rather than a means to an end, they have usurped their place.  With Paul, we must faithfully determine “to know nothing except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2).  He is the integral, not the incidental. He is pivotal and not peripheral.  He is essential rather than esoteric.  We must keep the first thing the first thing!  Be converted to the Lord!

“Watch Your Words.” –signed, Sergio Garcia

Neal Pollard

No, he did not actually say that, but if he could sum up the last 24 hours he probably would put it that way.  By now, you may have heard that he made what has been interpreted as a racial slur against Tiger Woods.  While analysts, black and white, are split as to whether Garcia’s remarks about Woods being served fried chicken are offensive, those remarks have created quite the news story.  Woods reportedly found the remark “wrong, hurtful, and clearly inappropriate.” The occasion for Garcia’s remarks was a lighthearted moment during an awards dinner in Virginia Water, England.   Not only that, but there has been an escalating bout of bad blood between the two golfers that has gone back and forth. Yet, as of this writing, that one remark could possibly cost him his sponsorship from TaylorMade-Adidas.

Certainly, you and I do not find ourselves before an open mic with the world as a stage.  We live out our lives in relative anonymity.  Those of us who preach and teach have a slightly larger audience than other Christians, but there is a whole other group of onlookers and spectators.  They are coworkers, classmates, neighbors, acquaintances, strangers, brethren, family, and God.  The latter keeps a record of what we say (Mat. 12:36-37).  The rest may be drawn to or pushed away from Christ as the result of what we say.  So, both testaments and most Bible books include warnings about the powerful influence of the tongue.  “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Prov. 18:21a).  “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach…” (Ti. 2:7-8a). “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person” (Col. 4:6).  On and on, in many different ways, Scripture warns us to guard our tongues (cf. Ps. 141:3).  Whether our actual speech or our “virtual” speech, the summation is simply, “Watch your words!”