Tag: church

Why You Must Repent

Carl Pollard

There’s a story told of a man who came forward every Sunday to ask for prayers. 

He continued responding every week for several months. Every time he would confess this same sin he would say, “Lord, take the cobwebs out of my life.” 

Finally, one Sunday, the man responded again with the same sin, and asked for the cobwebs to be taken out of his life. To which the preacher responded, “just kill the spider already.” Often, we come to God asking for forgiveness from the same sin time and time again, and yet we continue to leave the source of temptation in our lives. 

Sin always requires forgiveness. Forgiveness requires repentance. Repentance requires change! Repentance is a topic we are all familiar with. The word repent/repentance is used over 170 times in the Bible It is stressed as a part of the process by which we are forgiven of our sin. Verses like Acts 2:38 come to mind when we hear this word. To repent means to change your mind which leads to a change in direction. It means to feel remorse for sin, and it includes a change in lifestyle. 

When faced with temptation, true repentance is choosing not to sin. When caught in sin, repentance is a godly remorse. It is sincerity in your desire to “go and sin no more.” We understand this. It’s important for the born again Christian, but also for those who are wanting to be immersed and added to the body of Christ. 

We know what it is, but we also need to realize what it isn’t. Repentance isn’t just feeling sad. Paul tells us that worldly remorse is just feeling sorry that you were caught. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” Godly grief that leads to repentance is remorse that you have sinned against the God of our salvation. 

Worldly repentance is hollow and empty. 

It isn’t feeling remorse just because you were caught doing what you shouldn’t. True repentance is so much more. True repentance does not regret parting with sin, false repentance does. True repentance hates sin, false repentance hates the consequences of sin. True repentance accepts godly counsel and accountability, false repentance avoids accountability. 

Our goal must be to practice true repentance, and we can’t fool ourselves. We are ALL in need of forgiveness, but we must be willing to confess our sins, to hate the sin, and change our lives to mirror Christ. 

Why Is repentance needed? Whether it is in relationships, in the church or in the world, God will not forgive us if we are unwilling to change sinful behavior.

Repentance isn’t just guilt, although guilt can sometimes motivate us to repent. 

In Luke 13:3,5, Jesus tells those who come to him to repent or they will perish. In this section several people come to Jesus to talk not about their own sins, but the sins of others. It’s a whole lot easier to see the faults in others rather than the blatantly obvious faults we have in our own lives. 

Here the people have done exactly what we continue to do today, talk about the sins of others rather than their own. But Jesus tells them they are horribly mistaken. There is power in repentance, and twice in this one conversation Jesus tells them to repent.

If I am honest, there have been far too many times I have failed to just “kill the spider.” I am ashamed of the sin I continued to feed all the while pointing out sin in everyone else’s lives. God will look at each and every one of us. He sees our sins and there is no one to blame but ourselves. Repent. Before your conscience is seared or the end comes. Repent.

Encouragement From Eutychus

Dale Pollard

Here’s a quick recap of the bizarre events that unfold in Acts 20.

  • Paul preaches past midnight. 
  • A young man named Eutychus falls asleep.
  • As a result he plummets to his death. 
  • He is then miraculously brought back to life.

So what?

Each word that was written in scripture was penned under God’s guidance— for our guidance. This means that even those accounts that might initially strike us as pointless are, in truth, spiritually pointed. 

With this is in mind, Let’s briefly examine three life lessons from Eutychus that deliver relevant reminders for the 21st century Christian. 

  1. A lesson on Common sense: God is with His people, God protects His people, but we still read of a young man who sits where he shouldn’t have. As a result, he tumbles to his death. Unfortunate things can happen to godly people, especially in the absence of common sense. 
  2. A Lesson On Commitment: This account is not a call for preachers to shorten their sermons, or even a warning for members who might be tempted to take a nap in worship. While Eutychus may not be the first guy that comes to mind when we think of a Bible character who demonstrated commitment— he still made it a priority to be with his Christian family. He held on, even though it was clearly past his bedtime. How many of us have forsaken the assembly simply because we don’t feel like it? How many Christians find themselves struggling to remain focused in a one hour period of worship? There is something to be said for this man’s commitment to Christ— even as the hours ticked by and exhaustion began to take its toll on him. 
  3. A Lesson On Correction: Though I would not want to be immortalized in history as the guy who fell out of a window in church, this potential tragedy became a powerful testimony of God’s grace. God does not expect total perfection, rather our constant correction. When we take a tumble spiritually, what corrections can we implement to avoid the same  mistake in the future? 

1 Corinthians: That There Be No Divisions Among You (IX)

Unity And Lawsuits (6:1-6)

Neal Pollard

Apparently, brethren suing one another was a problem plaguing the church of the first century. James asks his audience, “Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court?” (2:6). In context, these are not the rich from the community but rich Christians taking their brethren to court. It was a problem for the church at Corinth, and Paul takes the time to address it. 

This Practice Was Audacious (1)

“Neighbor” in this verse is “Christian neighbor,” which is clear from verses five and six. Paul shows his disbelief at this practice, using the word “dare.” We might say, “How dare you do this?” To take a matter of disagreement or division between ourselves “before the unrighteous and not before the saints” damages the image of the Lord’s church in the community. 

This Practice Was Ignorant (2-3)

Often, we get so off track and err because we “do not know” God’s Word (Paul says “do you not know” twice in these verses). I have known of Christians suing Christians, and it is the height of ignorance of the worst kind! When challenged by the Sadducees, Jesus responded, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Mat. 22:29). When we are ignorant of Scripture, we will wind up violating the will of God and breaking the heart of God.

This Practice Was An Abdication (4-6)

God has a definitive system for His family to handle whatever challenges it faces. If our brother offends us, He has a plan (Mat. 18:15-17). If our brother is overtaken in a fault, He has a plan (Gal. 6:1-2). If we offend our brother, He has a plan (Mat. 5:23-24). If we have seemingly irreconcilable difference, He has a plan. The plan is not to use earthly courts, but to solicit “a wise man” from “among you” (5). 

This Practice Was Damaging (6)

Paul’s bottom-line concern is inviting interference and unflattering insight into the precious bride of Christ. To have the world see the church’s “dirty laundry” can do untold harm to her ability to win souls to Christ. Incidentally, this is not about covering up abuses or crimes, but rather personal grievances brethren have between each other. If we act like the world in such circumstances, we offer the world absolutely nothing different from what it already believes and does. The world is hopelessly divided already. They should be able to look to the church and see a higher law! 

King Jotham

A Model of Principled Leadership and Spiritual Integrity

Brent Pollard

King Jotham of Judah, who reigned in the 8th century BC, is often overlooked in the historical pantheon of biblical kings. However, he was known for his prudent leadership and unwavering moral integrity. After succeeding his father, Uzziah, Jotham distinguished himself by actively studying his father’s reign and taking measures to avoid repeating his mistakes. He focused on enhancing his kingdom’s defenses and infrastructure. Additionally, he dedicated himself to religious duties, ensuring he stayed within his limits. The astute blend of political acumen and spiritual dedication ensured stability and prosperity in Judah under his rule and set a benchmark for effective leadership, highlighting the importance of balancing authority with piety. Contrasting Jotham’s decision to prioritize constructive projects with Uzziah’s focus on personal glorification highlights vital leadership lessons that can shape individual and communal growth.

Jotham’s Wisdom and Prudence (2 Chronicles 27.1-2):

Jotham was determined to learn from his father Uzziah’s errors, which defined his otherwise successful reign. He wisely avoided overstepping his boundaries by considering his experiences, family history, and lessons from observing others. Unlike his father, Jotham remained humble and discerning and never trespassed into sacred spaces. His prudence, demonstrating his dedication to being a proper leader, underscored his effectiveness in guiding his kingdom.

Jotham’s Constructive Endeavors (2 Chronicles 27.3-5):

While his father concentrated on building structures for war and glorification, Jotham prioritized constructive projects that would benefit his people. This included fortifying Judah and rebuilding the Temple’s Upper Gate to improve the community’s security and welfare. His dedication to public service and the welfare of his people exemplified his altruistic leadership style and priorities.

Jotham’s Spiritual Integrity (2 Chronicles 27.6–9):

Jotham had a solid and unwavering bond with God, showcasing the depth of his spiritual devotion. He prepared to walk before the Lord his God, demonstrating his intentional alignment with God’s will. Jotham shared King Jehoshaphat’s deep commitment to seeking God. This underscores the importance of spiritual integrity as a cornerstone for effective leadership.

The Challenge of Righteous Leadership:

Despite Jotham’s exceptional leadership, his people did not emulate his virtuous example and continued practicing idolatry, revealing the complexities of leadership and followership dynamics. This highlights a crucial lesson: being a good leader does not necessarily ensure followership. Leaders ought to maintain their integrity regardless of whether or not they have public approval or support.

King Jotham’s life inspires us to uphold righteousness and integrity despite external pressures or historical influences. His story encourages us to steer clear of societal corruption and familial mistakes, guiding us toward a path that aligns with the divine expectations of justice, compassion, and righteousness. Jotham’s example encourages us to dedicate our time and talents to higher principles, instilling a vigilant and cautious approach to personal and communal responsibilities. Following King Jotham’s example can assist in constructing a society where integrity, fairness, and ethical behavior are prioritized, fostering a community built on trust and righteousness. It may not always be the easiest or most popular choice, but maintaining our integrity is crucial for earning the trust and respect of others. Amid life’s challenges, King Jotham is a resilient role model, showcasing the strength of staying committed to one’s values and beliefs in the most adverse circumstances. Ultimately, his legacy serves as a reminder that character strength and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right are the actual indicators of success. 

The Art Of Contentment

Neal Pollard

Paul mastered the art of contentment despite extreme adversity. Behind prison bars he wrote, “I have learned to be content…” (Phil. 4:11). It didn’t come naturally to him. He learned it in the proverbial “school of hard knocks.” Contentment suggests the idea of supporting oneself without aid from others. Vincent adds, “By the power of his own will, to resist the shock of circumstance. Paul is self-sufficient through the power of the self; not he, but Christ in him” (459-460).

Everybody has met malcontents. Such are rarely happy, satisfied, or appeased. They are always holding the short end of the stick. They are forever the victim. From their point of view, nothing seems satisfactory. Aren’t they such fun?

The church where they are attending is always deficient in some way. The leadership is not enough of this and too much of that. The same applies to the Bible school, worship services, preacher, song leader, missionaries, facilities, deacons, or programs of work. Others find them a mine field, and interacting with them is comparable to walking on egg shells.

Malcontents have failed to grow in the important spiritual area Paul references in Philippians. The sniping and yelping of the discontented interferes with the good it can do. It is destructive, divisive, discouraging, and devilish. John Bunyan concluded, “If we have not quiet in our minds, outward comfort will do no more for us than a golden slipper on a gouty foot.” Or, as another put it, “The crown of life looks funny on a sore head.”

In an English cemetery stand two sad epitaphs on slabs of granite. The wife’s reads, “She died for want of things.” Her husband’s says, “He died trying to give them to her.” No doubt the man never made her happy because he had not the power. Only she did. Sadly, she never exercised what Paul did in adverse circumstances.

Perhaps Paul wrote above the howl of a dying fellow-prisoner in the squalor of a dirty cell, looking up to see the scowl of a godless prison guard. Perhaps, with Christlike peace, he shook his head, smiled, and sealed up that inspired epistle to the church at Philippi. Perhaps, there persecuted but not forsaken (cf. 2 Cor. 4:9), he sang a hymn (cf. Acts 16:25). Whatever happened, one thing is certain. Paul found a way to be content. Let us learn that.

They Did Not Drive Out The Inhabitants

Neal Pollard

The Lord delivered a dire warning to the people through Moses, saying, “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell” (Num. 33:55). Well, from mighty Judah to lowly Dan, Israel did not drive them out. The rest of the book of Judges reveals the consequences of this spiritual failure, which are first mentioned in Judges chapter one. 

Notice how the writer chronicles this.

  • It was a failure on the part of all the tribes and their territories (19, 21, 27. 29-31, 33). The statement is repeatedly made that they did not drive them out. Not even one tribe could claim they did what God told them to do. 
  • It caused Israel to live with the Canaanites in the land (21, 29-30, 32-33).  “Living among” the natives would cause the ways of the Canaanites to live inside of them. They would ultimately become guilty of as heinous and deplorable deeds as the natives ever did (read Moses’ dire warning about this in Deuteronomy 8 or Joshua’s dire warning about this in Joshua 23-24, for example). 
  • They did not drive out the people completely (28). I have heard it said that “partial obedience” equals “full disobedience.” In the end, either we have done what the Lord commanded or we have not. For national and spiritual purity to exist, God knew they had to totally eliminate the unrighteous beliefs and practices of the godless natives. Israel failed in this task.
  • The Canaanites were more persistent than the Israelites (27,35). Manasseh was tasked with clearing out five villages and their inhabitants, and they failed in each task. Why? “The Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land.” The “world” was more tenacious in their work than God’s people. 
  • They compromised (30,33,35). The divine instructions called for complete annihilation. But, when the Israelites faced resistance or grew weary in their task, they chose an alternative to the Lord’s command. Instead of killing them, they subjected them to forced labor. They were planting the seeds that would produce the deadly crop of every man doing what was right in his own eyes (17:6; 21:25). 
  • They were even overcome by the Canaanites (34). In the pathetic case of Dan, the Amorites drove the Danites back into the hill country and “did not allow them to come down to the plain.” Instead, the Amorites persisted in dwelling in their territory. Only with the “house of Joseph” coming to their aid did Dan get to live in their allotted area.

Judges 1-2 are a recap of highlights in the second half of the book of Joshua. The primary focus of the book of Joshua is on the people’s obedience and the resulting blessings of possessing the promised land. The primary focus of the book of Judges is on the people’s disobedience and the resulting trouble that followed. This was the message of Moses, in preparing them to possess Canaan. He told them, “For if you will be careful to do all this commandment that I command you to do, loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him, then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and mightier than you. Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours. Your territory shall be from the wilderness to the Lebanon and from the River, the river Euphrates, to the western sea. No one shall be able to stand against you. The Lord your God will lay the fear of you and the dread of you on all the land that you shall tread, as he promised you. See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known” (Deut. 11:22-28). Ultimately, they chose the curse.

What is the take away for us under the law of Christ today? Our mission is to save the world, not destroy it (Mat. 28:19). We are to live in the world, but are not to be “of” the world (John 17:15). We are to be salt and light for them (Mat. 5:13-16), not to be conformed to them (Rom. 12:2). God wants us to enjoy every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3ff), but we labor under a potential curse (1 Co. 16:22; Gal. 1:6-9). We cannot live perfect lives, but we are expected to keep our hearts soft and submissive to the will of God. We must keep to our purpose and maintain our resolve to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:20-22). Let us strive to leave a legacy of obedience! 

If The Gospel Isn’t Working

Dale Pollard
The longest train ever recorded in history was the Australian BHP Iron Ore. The cars behind it stretched approximately 4.6 miles. To provide some mind-boggling perspective here's what one train-fanatic wrote, 

“Driven by a single driver, the line’s 99,734-ton and 682-car train was able to carry 82,000 tons (181 million pounds) of iron ore. The Australian BHP Iron Ore can fit about 24 Eiffel Towers…The weight of this train being the same as about 402 Statues of Liberty.”

Trains are impressive heavy-haulers, but only under the right conditions. On the tracks they’ll whistle while they work but once they’re derailed— they only whistle. Trains don’t work without tracks. 

Paul would make an interesting appeal to the saints who met at the infant church family in Thessalonica. He asks that they pray for the powerful gospel to have a straight path so it could move quickly. His exact words were,

“pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified…”

2 Thess. 3.1b 

In a simple yet inspired prayer request a practical and profound implication steps out of subtlety— Prayerlessness will hinder the furtherance of the gospel. 

Based on this text, the content of congregational prayers may be in need of careful inspection. Reevaluating your evangelistic ministries, online presence, visibility in the community, advertising efforts, kingdom expenditures, and even the dynamics the worship service— all must fall below the prayer line on the priority list.  

While Paul was writing to the Thessalonians, God was writing to the rest of us. He reminds us that this request should ring in the prayers of His congregations today. The written petition by itself informs the modern church that this is something that God is willing and able to do for us, He would just have us ask. The powerful gospel needs prayer— like a train needs tracks. 

A 21st century church member may occasionally think 

The gospel doesn’t seem to be as convicting in my community. It works just fine in other parts of the world, and it worked well in the past— but not so much here and now. 

More Reasons Can Be Found 

Here: James 4.2-3 
Here: Matthew 21.22 
And Here: Ephesians 6.19-20 



———————————
Quote, (A-z-trains.com)

Thoughts On Love (Part 2)

Gary Pollard

Love for other people means taking care of them, even if we don’t like them. We’re also expected to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. How is it possible to show love to God the same way we show love to people? It isn’t possible, because God needs nothing. Everything we have comes from him, so we cannot give him anything he doesn’t already have. 

Jesus told a story about two sons. Their father asked them to work in the field — one of them said, “I will,” the other said, “I won’t.” The one who agreed to work never went to the fields, and the one who didn’t want to work eventually worked. Who actually did what their dad asked them to do? 

We show love for God by doing what he wants us to do, even if we don’t want to do it. It’s very difficult (often bordering impossible) to love our enemies. But if we love God, we’ll love our enemies. In our current political climate, it’s very tempting to violate the unconstitutional policies that have been shoved down our throats for decades. But if we love God, we’ll follow every law that doesn’t demand sin on our part. If we ever reach a point where our physical safety is threatened because of our faith, we will remain passive if we love God. 

Having love for God means doing what he wants us to do. John makes it very clear that we cannot love God and hate other humans at the same time. We cannot love God and neglect our Christian family. The point of love is to prove the goodness of God! If we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, the natural expression of this is to take care of the people God created! Loving God means emulating his nature — God is love. He proved this by sacrificing his son while we were neck-deep in violating everything he holds sacred. We deserved nothing, and he gave us everything. If we love God, we try to emulate that level of sacrifice for other people. 

The Kingdom Is Here Today

Brent Pollard

The author of Hebrews uses the example of the Melchizedekian priesthood to establish the priesthood of Christ. Jesus belonged to the tribe of Judah, which Moses did not mention regarding the earthly priesthood. Therefore, there was a need for a covenant change to allow a non-Levite to serve as a priest. The writer of Hebrews spends chapters eight and nine explaining how the New Testament replaced the Old Testament in line with prophecy (see Jeremiah 31.3–14). In summary, the Holy Spirit confirmed that it was God’s will for Jesus to be a priest, but since He could not serve as a priest on earth because of Moses’ Law, Jesus instituted the New Testament so that He could be our High Priest in heaven.

Some believe that Jesus will reign as King from David’s throne in a future Jerusalem-based kingdom. However, there is an obstacle preventing Jesus from doing so on earth. God cut off David’s seed from sitting on David’s throne, as mentioned in Jeremiah 22:30, making it impossible for any of Jeconiah’s (or Jehoiakim’s) descendants to reign in Judah. This fact is relevant because Jeconiah was an ancestor of Joseph, Jesus’s foster father. Matthew traces Jesus’s legal lineage through Joseph in Matthew 1:12. Since Jesus is a descendant of Jeconiah, he cannot reign as an earthly king even though it was God’s will for Christ to be King. If God had not taken away the right of Jeconiah’s descendants to reign in Judah, Jesus could have certainly been an earthly king.

So, how is Christ a king? Jesus promised to establish a kingdom (Matthew 16:18–19). When Pilate pressed him, Jesus admitted to being a king (John 18.37). However, consider how Jesus qualified the nature of His kingdom in John 18.36. “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm” (NASB 1995). This truth means that Christ’s kingship is spiritual rather than earthly, as is His priesthood. It is worth noting that Jesus also accomplished this through His New Testament.

Many people misunderstand the truth and think that the apocalyptic language of a millennial kingdom in Revelation 20.6 refers to a future earthly kingdom that Christ will rule in Jerusalem. This misunderstanding is because they do not understand the interchangeability of the terms “kingdom” and “church” in Matthew 16.18–19. The word “church” is a Latin loanword that does not appear in the Bible. The actual word for church is “assembly.” Thus, the church represents the people. The word for “kingdom” is “basileia,” which means a kingdom or realm over which a king has sovereign authority. Therefore, God’s will was for Christ to choose a group of people from all over the world willing to submit to his authority.

According to the Book of Daniel, God showed King Nebuchadnezzar a prophetic dream about the future (see Daniel 2). In the dream, a cut stone struck a large image at its feet, causing the entire image to shatter and signifying the end of all worldly authority. Different materials comprised the image’s body parts, representing different empires. Babylon was the head of gold, Persia was the chest and arms of silver, Greece was the belly and thighs of bronze, and Rome was the legs of iron and feet of iron and clay. The feet mingled with clay represented the internal weakness of Rome. Commentators are familiar with this dream’s timeline. However, some believe that the Kingdom of God, symbolized by the cut stone, is yet to appear. However, according to Daniel, the kingdom emerged during the reign of the Roman emperors, referred to as “those kings.”

Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power” (Mark 9.1 NASB 1995). For those who refuse to believe that Jesus established His kingdom as He intended, there must be more than one person of advanced years who can prove they are older than two millennia! We understand that the power to which Jesus referred was the Holy Spirit, who descended on the apostles on the day of Pentecost, around 33 AD (Acts 2.4). As a result, Jesus reigns as King today and will continue to do so until His return. Following His return, Jesus will hand over His authority to the Father and the redeemed from all ages (1 Corinthians 15.24).

Combining biblical texts and prophecies creates a deep understanding of Jesus Christ’s position as King and High Priest, which goes beyond worldly limitations. Jesus fulfills the roles God has designated for Him, not as a political leader or a member of the old priesthood, but in a heavenly and everlasting sense through the New Testament and His heavenly kingdom. This understanding challenges traditional beliefs about a future earthly kingdom, instead emphasizing Christ’s spiritual reign, which began during His ministry and continues today. As Christians, we have the honor of living in this heavenly kingdom that Christ, our eternal King and High Priest, rules over in a merciful and benevolent manner. Recognizing this broadens our spiritual understanding and strengthens our faith in the eternal truth of God’s word and His ultimate plan for redemption.

It’s Alright

Gary Pollard

I Pt 4.12-19 is another difficult passage. God doesn’t want us to be caught off-guard when bad things happen to us because of our faith. We shouldn’t think that we’ve been intentionally singled-out. If we’re going to suffer, it should be because we’re doing what God wants. The process of judgment began for the world, and it started with the church. If we live for God, we’re going to be ok. But we have to avoid living like the world because they won’t be saved at the end.  

Chapter 5 is addressed to elders in the first four verses. Elders who are proactive in watching out for peoples’ souls will get a huge reward at the end. Jesus will personally give out that reward. Verse 5 reminds the rest of us that we should submit to the authority God gave elders, because God is against pride but will lift up people who practice humility. 6-11 is Peter’s parting encouragement to these Christians facing imminent death. Be confident in God! No matter what happens to us here, everything will be alright in the end. God will personally ensure that everything we go through in this life will be worth it!

The Last Public Prayer of Jesus

Carl Pollard

Spending time focused on the family is a necessity. God has given parents a responsibility that should never be taken lightly. There are many opportunities in the church that we can take advantage of to create unified families– youth rallies, potlucks, family retreats, and so much more! Spending time together as a unified body, made up of many individual families, is a unique blessing only found in the church. When we choose to bring our families together and worship, eat food, and enjoy fellowship in Christ we imitate the early church.

In Acts 2, the church has just been established, and they eat together, sing together, learn together, pray together, and loved to spend time with each other. A close family In Christ spends time together. Worshipping together is a unifying process, but time spent together outside of the worship setting contributes to growth in our relationships with each other. 

Shared history makes for a closer bond. Creating memories with our spiritual family builds unity. 

That should be our goal today, tomorrow, and for our entire time on this earth. What does the Bible say about the fellowship we have together as a family? 

We are given all kinds of descriptive names in the Bible. 

The early church was called: 

  • Those of the Way
  • The Called out
  • Christians

All of these names paint for us a special picture. Those in Christ are FAMILY. We are unified with each other by a bond stronger than any force on earth. June 4th, 1940 Winston Churchill gave a powerful speech that changed the tone of the Second World War. In his speech he said, “we shall fight on the beaches,
 we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills.” 

Sadly, in today’s society this sounds like a description of most people’s family vacation…uh ha haaa. 

When there is a lack of unity in our physical families, there will be a lack of unity in the spiritual family. For us to understand the importance of the fellowship we have in Christ, we need to define some terms. The Greek word translated “fellowship” in Acts 2:42 is koinonia. This is defined as “Close association involving mutual interests.” Basically, it is a group of people who have a tight bond because they all have the same interests.

Christian fellowship, then, is the mutually beneficial relationship between Christians, who can’t have the identical relationship with those outside the faith. We are, or should be, closer to each other than anyone in the world. This is a FAMILY. God expects us to have mutual interests, (His Will) and to spend time together building a mutually beneficial relationship. 

So, what is Christian Fellowship? The context for the “high priestly prayer” in John 17 actually begins back in chapter 13. This is the last supper. Jesus washes the disciples feet, He tells the apostles one of them will betray Him, Satan enters into Judas, Jesus tells His followers to love each other, Simon is told he will deny Christ, Jesus tells us He is the Way, the truth and the life, Jesus promises the Spirit to the apostles, He tells them that He is the true vine, that they will be hated by the world, BUT, He has overcome the world. 

After He says all of this, “Jesus lifts His eyes up to heaven and begins to pray” (John 17:1). This prayer is powerful, it’s humbling, it’s personal. Jesus truly cared for His disciples, and He cares for us today. This was the last prayer the apostles would hear before His death. Immediately after He finished they went to the garden and Jesus was arrested. So the question is, what does Jesus pray for just moments before His crucifixion? UNITY! Jesus was concerned about His apostles, He wanted them to be one, and He prayed for every Christian to be one! The bond we have through Christ is so precious, we should never neglect the family Christ died to create. 

In John 17:20-26, Jesus prays specifically for those who will believe the apostles’ teachings, that is, US. 

Why should we be so concerned about our unity? Because Christ died to create what we have today. And we can show the world the Father by creating lasting relationships with each other. 

The Foundation We Build On

Gary Pollard

I Pt 2.1-3 (bad chapter break): because we have this unstoppable hope for new life after this one’s over, we have to be good to each other. Stop hurting each other. Stop lying. Stop trying to trick people. Stop being jealous. Quit gossiping. Crave God’s word as if it was life-giving nutrition (because it is). We already know it’s beneficial, so we shouldn’t stop craving it. 

2.4-10 reassures us that Jesus is the only way to go. If the church is a house, Jesus is the primary load-bearing structural component. Each Christian makes up the other materials used in construction. Between Jesus and his church, we have a complete, functional house. It’s word imagery that may not be native to our thinking, but it works. The rest of the world doesn’t think Jesus should be the foundation we build on. They don’t think his teaching or existence is worth anything (7-8). Beyond seeing no value in our lifestyle, they even get offended at the things we believe and practice. God will take care of them in the end, they’re not our problem. 

2.11-12 — What is our problem is how we live. The world hates who we are and what we believe. We can’t let them pressure us into giving up or living like they do because it’s easier. If we live morally pure lives, they’ll be forced to acknowledge God (and us— 2.12; 4.13; 5.12) when he returns!

There’s No Group Like God’s Church

Gary Pollard

I Timothy six is a detailed list of things to avoid if we want to keep bad influences out of our church family. It can be summarized with verse 20 — “Timothy, God has trusted you with many things. Keep them safe and stay away from people who talk about useless things that aren’t from God and who argue against you with fake knowledge. Some people who claim to have that special knowledge have completely abandoned what we believe.” 

A summary of I Timothy might sound something like this:

God’s family isn’t overly structured, but it isn’t vaguely defined either. Every member has abilities that help the other stay faithful. God has a clearly-defined order to his church, but he also has so much grace. He expects us to keep bad influences out of the church, but he also looks out for those who struggle. Some people will try to teach things that aren’t true, but elders can combat those influences. God wants us to be respectful and submissive to our elders. 

No group on this earth is as functional as the church. No community on earth is as selfless as the church. Individually, we are flawed and weak. But with God’s help, we can do so much more with each other than we could ever do alone. We’re all working for the same thing — a life with God forever. 

Worship, Women, And The Wrong Idea

Gary Pollard

Chapter two is what we’re probably most familiar with when we study I Timothy. Here are the highlights:
1 — God expects us to pray for everyone, specifically that God will do good things for them and give them what they need. “All people” includes people who hate us and want to harm us.
2 — God expects us to pray for anyone who has authority over us. This is for the specific purpose of living quiet and peaceful lives.
3 — This makes God happy, and he’s the one who will save us in the end.
8 — Anywhere Christians are together and worship is being offered to God in some way, he expects godly men to lead that worship. This goes back to 1.4 and the word usually translated “administration” or “stewardship”. The word is οικονομια (oikonomia), and would be best translated “house-law” in this context. The church is God’s house, so he expects us to follow his rules.
This is a difficult passage for many to accept because it contradicts our culture’s view of equality. Many in the world think this passage is misogynistic, but it isn’t. When it comes to worship — and because the church is God’s house, not ours — he wants godly men to lead. Notice that not just any man can lead! Hymenaus and Alexander were men, but they weren’t qualified. Men who lead can’t have anger issues and can’t be argumentative. If a man who has those issues leads a prayer or any other act of worship, according to I Tim 2.8 it’s just as sinful as if a woman did the same.
9-15 lists some of the reasons that this is the case, but I want to focus on the most difficult verse in this section (15 — “…but women will be saved through having children, if they continue to live in faith, love, and holiness with self-control”). On its face, this is a weird verse. What’s going on here?
Men have the responsibility of leading worship and leading their families. We’re told that this is because Eve sinned first, then Adam (14). Maybe Paul doesn’t want Christian women to get the wrong idea, thinking there’s no hope for them because of something someone did thousands of years before. Women are the only people who can bring new life into the world. The church is made up of people, and only because of mothers. This could be an encouragement — “Women, we’re only here because of you. This is so important that if you live faithfully, you have just as much a claim to salvation as your male counterparts”. This is echoed in I Pt 3.7. But it may also be a call to avoid the lifestyles of the women in II Tim 3.6-7, who may have been former employees at the Temple of Artemis.

Understanding The Parable Of The Mustard Seed Through The Story Of Kudzu

Brent Pollard

I found an old commercial promoting kudzu for groundcover while researching my family’s history on Newspapers.com, an Ancestry.com extension. Given the plant’s current status as an invasive species plaguing the southeastern United States, this revelation made me laugh. This year, particularly, has seen a remarkable increase in the kudzu crop.

Looking through historical documents, I discovered that kudzu first appeared on American soil in 1876 during the Centennial International Exhibition. This exotic vine proudly displayed in the Japanese pavilion at the World’s Fair in Philadelphia, captivated spectators so much that it was quickly renamed the “Jack and the Beanstalk vine.”

Early twentieth-century newspapers like The Boston Globe recommended kudzu for backyard gardeners, praising its rapid growth, pleasant aroma, and low maintenance requirements. By the 1950s, however, the federal government was forced to acknowledge the drawbacks of kudzu’s rampant spread, a species they had promoted for decades for erosion control. The USDA designated kudzu as a weed in 1970 and was redesignated as a “noxious weed” in 1997.

This story of kudzu—initially celebrated, then reviled—resembles the Parable of the Mustard Seed, which appears in Matthew 13.31–32, Mark 4.30–32, and Luke 13.18–19. Jesus uses The mustard seed in this parable to demonstrate the profound potential that can emerge from humble beginnings. 

In the parable, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven, God’s divine rule, to a mustard seed. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, when planted, it grows into the largest of garden plants, even becoming a tree. This tree then becomes a haven for birds, providing shade and a place for them to nest in its branches.

The mustard seed’s growth, from small to great, signifies how God’s kingdom begins as a tiny seed in our hearts and develops into a powerful influence. Similarly, kudzu started as a tiny seed in the United States and grew into a major ecological force. Instead of providing a haven, it became an uncontrollable pest, engulfing large areas of the southern United States.

So, what can we learn from the Parable of the Mustard Seed and the story of kudzu? Both teach us about the potential consequences of small beginnings and remind us to consider the possible long-term impact of our actions. We have the free will to choose our efforts. Let’s aim to plant excellent seeds that enrich our environment through activities that align with the divine and benefit the world (as taught in Luke 8.11).

…

Alone!

Neal Pollard

Kathy and I very recently discovered an interesting show produced by the History Channel, and the title of the series is “Alone.” It is a “reality show” (not usually a fan of those), but it involves survival experts dropped, alone, in the middle of nowhere. They get to take ten items of their choice to help them battle predators, the elements, and, most of all, isolation. Food, water, shelter, and fire top their priorities, but even having these cannot prevent the maddening monotony of being deprived of human companionship.

I love the way Solomon says it in the book of Ecclesiastes. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (4:9-12, NLT, emph. mine). At the very beginning, God made it clear that it isn’t good for man to be alone (Gen. 2:18). Alone one is in trouble, in the cold, and in danger. It is not good for us.

The survivalists on the show figure that out. So does the person, even with people all around them, who keep themselves in isolation. Think of all the ways God combats our loneliness.

  • He gives us marriage (Gen. 2:18; 1 Cor. 11:9).
  • He gives us children (Psa. 127:3-5).
  • He gives us the church (Eph. 2:19).
  • He gives us the assemblies (Heb. 10:24-25).
  • He gives us fellowship (Acts 2:42).
  • He gives us hospitality (Rom. 12:10,13).
  • He gives us counselors and mentors (Prov. 15:22; 24:6; Ti. 2:3-4).
  • He gives us the aged (Lev. 19:32; 1 Tim. 5:1).
  • He gives us shepherds (Acts 20:28).

Life is difficult for the person determined to go it alone! We are left with our thoughts, which may or may not be accurate reflections of reality or at least the whole picture (Prov. 18:17). We are deprived of the very resources God has given to help us successfully overcome life’s challenges. It is an easy habit to get into to withdraw from the company of others, but it is not healthy! We need others, and, just as much, they need us!

The guys on the reality show voluntarily go it alone for money and notoriety, but, even with that incentive, the loneliness gets unbearable. For us, the prize and reward does not require us to cloister ourselves. It requires the opposite! May we never choose to be alone, when we have so many tools supplied by God to survive the challenges of this life.

Getting Authority From Tradition

Gary Pollard

In I Timothy 1.3-7, we learn more about the bad influences Timothy had to confront. Verse four suggests a group of people who couldn’t let their traditions go. They tried to establish their authority by listing their prominent ancestors, proving their superior pedigree. This was a common practice among Jewish religious teachers then and today. 

While we don’t see this in our western culture to that degree, we do still see it occasionally. In defending certain man-made traditions, we might point to someone in our family history who was highly regarded by the church, and who either prohibited or encouraged certain things. 

The most common defense we might encounter when dealing with these traditions is “my dad always said” or “my grandpa always taught that it was wrong to…” In most cases, that relative was a founding or prominent member of their church in the past. Many of us grew up in a family unit and have based our beliefs on the things our parents or other relatives taught us. 

This isn’t always a bad thing — Timothy was taught by his mother and grandmother. But that wasn’t where it ended for him; he also had apostolic teaching. Today we have the New Testament. As wonderful as our families may be, there is no substitute for an honest, unbiased study of scripture. If we rely solely on what our families or respected members teach us, we open ourselves up to serious blindspots and vulnerabilities. 

Stewardship

Saturday’s Post: Learning From Lehman

Dave Eubank

We live in the most prosperous and wealthy nation that has ever been. I would say this is one of the most relevant spiritual topics both on a macro and micro level to the Church.  It also doesn’t hurt that this topic is right up my alley given my profession.  In my profession I have seen all kinds of examples of stewardship where money is treated as the master and how people are consumed with making and acquiring the next dollar as well as the avenues and lengths they have gone to get it.

Do you realize that money/stewardship is one of the most frequent topics in all of scripture?  Did you also realize that in the 89 Chapters of the gospel accounts (Matt, Mark,Luke, and John) that money/stewardship is discussed approximately 123 times.  Further more one half of all of Jesus’ parables discuss money/stewardship in some aspect? And lastly some of the most harsh warnings in scripture are in regards to money/stewardship.

So what is stewardship? I define stewardship in very simple terms…. Stewardship is the management of an asset that is from or belongs to another.  With that definition in mind it brings me to what must be the first principle in Christian stewardship. EVERYTHING BELONGS TO GOD!!! See Deuteronomy 10:14 and Psalm 89:11.  With that definition of Stewardship and the first principle in mind we need to ensure that we give equal significance, effort, and focus in acquiring assets and proper handling of these assets.  It has to be a balance or we run the risk of stepping into the many harsh warnings that we see in scripture.

A few of these warnings are found in 1 Timothy 6:9-10, Matthew 19:24, and Matthew 6:24. As you can see, it is very clear the warnings that scripture lays out for us in our pursuit of possessions and money and how easy it is to be overtaken by those desires.  However, if we go back to the first principle that EVERYTHING BELONGS TO GOD, we are merely stewards of his assets that he created and gave to us, and we realize that we only have possession for a short period of time 

Next let’s take a look at what the wisdom writer of Ecclesiastes has to say in regards to this topic.  The writer brings out the meaningless cycle and toil, the burden of trying to keep up with others, and the effects of never being satisfied.  However, he also points out that we can have satisfaction as we see in chapter 2:24-25.

So as we are going about living in a world that views Stewardship in basically an opposite way that we strive to as Christians, let’s remember the words of Jesus in Acts 20:35:  IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE!

Healthy Relationships

Gary Pollard

In Phil 2.2 Paul uses an imperative — make my joy complete. Because of this imperative, we know that something was still missing with that church. How were they to complete his joy? By having one mind, possessing one love, working closely with each other, by avoiding selfishness or pride, by practicing humility, by considering others to be more valuable than self,  and by investing in the lives of others. 

Look at the language used in 2.1 — if you’re encouraged by Christ, if you’re encouraged by love, if you share a common mindset, if you’re capable of compassion and pity, then make my joy complete by being unified and putting others above self. 

When we think of issues in a church, our minds usually go straight to false teaching. We want to make sure nothing inaccurate makes its way into our doctrine. That’s definitely an important part of our spiritual health, but it isn’t the only issue we face. 

This entire letter is all about how critical it is that we keep our relationships with each other healthy. And this isn’t the only time God communicates that message with us — I Jn 4.20 says, “If you hate anyone in your Christian family, God’s love doesn’t exist in you.” Mt 5.23 tells us that we shouldn’t even worship if there’s bad blood between us and someone else. Mt 18 tells us how important it is to resolve conflicts when they come up. 

God has made it very clear that it’s just as important to be on good terms with our Christian family as it is to avoid false teaching. 

The Plan Is Perfect, But The Church Isn’t

Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail

Real cowboys from the American frontier, both the good guys and the bad guys, had no interest in the big, bulky Stetsons that everyone associates with them. Contrary to our more modern cowboys, the most popular headgear among 19th century gunslingers was the bowler, sometimes called a derby.

Many people have an idea in their minds of what the church looks like, but it just might be the case that the image doesn’t match scriptural teaching. 

The “church” in the Bible is a singular, unified group of God’s people spread out across the globe in the form of multiple likeminded congregations. Though the people are God’s— they’re still people. People have problems. The difference between His family and the world, though, is that there’s a solution and a hope for His own. 

When New Testament Christians claim that there’s one church they don’t mean there’s only one group of people who have all the answers and can do no wrong. They simply acknowledge the Biblical truth that God made plans for only one church and that plan had been in motion before the creation of the world (Eph. 3.10-11). 

The New Testament is largely made up of letters that were written to correct and admonish our natural human tendencies. When these things are left unchecked and unbridled they produce more pain and destruction, which can clearly be seen all around us. For most, the product of sin is self-evident but the power of the Savior isn’t— and that’s where the church comes in. The main function of the church is to seek, save, and keep the saved saved. This is done by walking, speaking, and acting like Jesus. The form and function of  His family is simple because God’s goal is to save as many as possible (Jn. 3.16-17). The New Testament church is meant to be the hands, feet, and mouth of God. The church is to work, walk, and speak only the things He would and that’s only possible if a group of people are living by His instruction. Since God only wrote one book, there’s only one manual. Since following the instructions will produce one church family then there’s only one church. In the same way you can assembly an entertainment system wrong by incorrectly following the plans, you can also assemble the church wrong. There’s a right way and there’s a wrong way and one needs only to reference His instructions to be certain. 

Dale Pollard