Tag: teaching

What Judas Missed: The Providence Of Absence

The Synoptic Gospels all record Jesus instituting the Lord’s Supper during the Last Supper. John, writing later, highlights different moments from the same night. When we lay these accounts side by side, a clearer picture emerges—one that reveals both divine providence and human frailty in sharp relief.

Brent Pollard

God’s wisdom shines through the four Gospel accounts in unexpected ways. Nowhere is this more evident than in the reconstruction of our Lord’s final Passover with His disciples.

The Synoptic Gospels all record Jesus instituting the Lord’s Supper during the Last Supper. John, writing later, highlights different moments from the same night. When we lay these accounts side by side, a clearer picture emerges—one that reveals both divine providence and human frailty in sharp relief.

Luke, the careful historian, notes that the final Passover began with an argument. The disciples disputed among themselves who was the greatest (22.24). This prompted Jesus to teach humility not only through words, but also through action. He wrapped a towel around His waist and washed their feet (John 13.4ff). True greatness, He demonstrated, lies in serving others.

However, John’s Gospel clarifies a crucial aspect of that night’s sequence. Despite his prominent place in Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting, Judas probably wasn’t present when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper.

Here’s what likely happened: After washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus and the Twelve began their Passover meal. During this time, shortly after Jesus’ act of service, He handed a morsel of bread to Judas, identifying him as the betrayer (John 13.26). Judas departed immediately, vanishing into the night (John 13.30).

Only after Judas left did Jesus take the bread and declare it His body, which was soon to be broken (Matthew 26.26; Mark 14.22). Later still—meta to deipnesai, the Greek phrase meaning “after supper”—He took the cup and proclaimed it the new covenant in His blood (Luke 22.20; 1 Corinthians 11.25).

The betrayer had already gone.

Does Judas’s absence from this sacred moment carry symbolic weight? We must be careful not to over-read. Peter sat at that table, yet within hours, he would deny his Lord three times. As we often declare about the Lord’s Supper, participation has nothing to do with personal worthiness. None of us merits the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. None of the disciples gathered that night deserved what Jesus was about to do for them.

Judas’s swift departure likely served a more immediate, though no less providential, purpose. His exit facilitated the dark necessity that would lead to our Lord’s arrest in Gethsemane. God’s sovereignty moves through betrayal as surely as through blessing, orchestrating even the actions of the wicked for redemptive ends.

One question remains: Why didn’t John include the institution of the Lord’s Supper in his Gospel?

The answer sheds light on God’s design as revealed in Scripture. John’s was the last Gospel written. By then, the Synoptic Gospels had circulated throughout the churches for decades. Christians were already familiar with the details of how Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. This freed John, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to provide what the other Gospel writers hadn’t recorded.

John gives us the intimate moments—the private teachings and prayers that occurred between supper and arrest. Consider the High Priestly Prayer of John 17, where Jesus intercedes for His disciples and for all who would believe through their word. Consider the comforting promise of John 14:1-3, where Jesus tells them that He is going to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house. These treasures appear nowhere in the Synoptic Gospels.

John’s Gospel doesn’t merely supplement the others—it completes the portrait. Each evangelist contributes unique dimensions to our understanding. Together they reveal not just what happened, but what it means.

When we delve into these unique perspectives, we gain something precious: a more comprehensive picture of Jesus’ final hours with those He loved. We see sovereignty and tenderness intertwined. We witness the depth of Christ’s care for His followers even as betrayal ripened and denial gestated in the hearts around that table.

Every detail carries weight. Every exclusion and inclusion serves a divine purpose. The argument about greatness becomes the occasion for the greatest act of humility. The betrayer’s exit clears the stage for the institution of the meal that would sustain the church through millennia. The absence of specific details in one Gospel creates space for other revelations in another.

The table Judas abandoned still stands. It declares that God’s grace reaches the unworthy, that true greatness kneels with a towel, that covenant blood speaks better things than thirty pieces of silver clutched by a traitor stumbling toward his fate.

We come to that table not because we deserve it, but because we desperately need it. We remember not merely historical events, but present realities—Christ’s body broken, His blood shed, His love poured out while we were yet sinners. And in remembering, we are transformed by the One who loved His own to the uttermost, even unto death.

Come. Remember. Be changed.

Don’t Wait To Say “Thank You”

received word this morning of the passing of one of my mentors and heroes, David Sain. I have known about this man and his great family since I was a boy, having watched a VHS video series by him entitled, “The Time To Get A Divorce.”

Neal Pollard

I received word this morning of the passing of one of my mentors and heroes, David Sain. I have known about this man and his great family since I was a boy, having watched a VHS video series by him entitled, “The Time To Get A Divorce.” When I moved to work with the Cold Harbor church of Christ at the age of 24, I got to meet David and get to know him better. He was preaching for the Wood Avenue church of Christ in Florence, Alabama, which congregation provided support for Cold Harbor.

From the beginning of this relationship, David encouraged me. He invested in me as a young preacher, counseled me, and even defended me in situations where he stood nothing to gain by doing so. He told me something early on that I have quoted repeatedly for over 30 years, including last Sunday morning in Bible class: “It’s not a matter of ‘who’s’ right, but ‘what’s’ right.” It has been so helpful in dealing with difficult and controversial topics. He blessed my local work whenever he came and preached. He appeared on a TV program in my local work, resulting in many Bible studies and 14 baptisms from the community. He was always a class act, who acted out of the good of others and for the strength and growth of the church. He was a builder.

In later years, he continued to email, write, and call me, ostensibly to encourage me. He did so, modeling a humility that did not negate my estimation of his greatness. It only enhanced it. He seemed to always have the right thing to say at the right time, a continual class act. He always appeared to “have it together,” yet he never claimed or affected perfection. He loved his wife, his children, and his grandchildren in a doting and devoted way. Yet, he was courageous and compassionate, embodying as well as anyone I ever knew the principle of Ephesians 4:15!

I did tell him “thank you” more than once, but I never had the chance to articulate to him the things I’ve shared with you here. I reflected earlier today about that fact. Who else do I need to thank for their spiritual influence in my life? Who has planted seeds of success and strength in the garden of my life? Who do I need to seek out today? Somebody needs to be thanked for the good they have done to us and for us! Tell them now, while you can. They may not know you think that, and they will certainly be encouraged by it (Rom. 13:7).

A lesson from David in the last few months of his life.

Responding To His Message

No matter what we say, how we respond to what Jesus teaches determines our faithfulness to Him. Why is this so hard sometimes?

Carl Pollard

Throughout scripture, Christians are called not only to hear the word of God but to obey it. James 1:22-25 emphasizes this imperative: “But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in the mirror; for he looks at himself, goes away, and right away forgets what kind of man he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who acts – this person will be blessed in what he does.”

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus reinforces this message, stating that not everyone who calls Him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father. This highlights a critical truth: many Christians possess extensive knowledge yet fail to practice it. 

Experiential knowledge, the kind that transforms and deepens our relationship with God, comes from faithful obedience. It is during trials—losing a loved one, facing financial difficulties, or battling inner turmoil—that we truly come to know the Father. By holding fast to God in these moments, we can experience His presence and faithfulness.

The problem of hypocrisy in the church is often misdiagnosed as a lack of knowledge. However, we have access to the Bible and factual teaching. The real struggle lies in acting upon what we know. We understand that we are called to love one another as God loves us, to pray, to act as a family, to practice self-control, and to forgive others. Yet, the question remains: why do we fall short?

The answer is clear: it isn’t a matter of knowledge but of action. Jesus presents two responses to His message: to hear and obey or to hear and disobey—there is no middle ground. 

What may be difficult to hear is that Jesus isn’t concerned with our Christian labels on social media, or even our daily Bible reading plan. While these are well and good, many people claim these without authentic faith. What Jesus desires is fruit—tangible evidence of His teachings reflected in our lives.

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus likens those who hear and obey to a wise man who builds his house on rock. When storms come, this house stands firm. Conversely, those who hear but do not obey will find their lives dismantled by life’s adversities. The foundation of our lives must be built on the truth found in God’s word, and the building blocks of that foundation are obedience.

The authenticity of our discipleship is revealed in our responses to Jesus’ teachings. If we do not love our neighbors as ourselves, forgive as we have been forgiven, or harbor anger and resentment, we must face a sobering reality: despite our claims, we are not true disciples of Christ. His disciples practice what He preached.

Jesus invites us to examine our lives: Are we listening to His words and responding with faithful obedience? The call to action is clear, and it is through our obedience that we demonstrate our genuine commitment to Him.

The Questions of Christ

Carl Pollard

It’s always refreshing to spend time with young children. Often, we as adults aren’t always willing to be honest. No worries about that with young kids; they are brutally honest. If you ask a small child, “How do I look?,” you will get the truth. Emily’s nephew, when he was around 3-4, came up to me while I was sitting on the couch and asked why my stomach moved so much when I laughed. It wasn’t an insult; he was genuinely curious. You’re going to get the honest truth from the young, and maybe that’s not such a bad thing! 

If you spend any amount of time with children, you’ll also be guaranteed to get a million questions. 

“What’s this?” “Why?” Our cousin, when he was younger, would ask “why?” to every thing you said. But everything is new and unknown to a child. Asking questions is how they learn! This is something worth imitating. Never stop asking questions, as questions are how we grow! That’s one thing you’ll never hear a know it all do: ask a question. Especially in our spiritual lives, we must never stop asking questions. 

In His ministry, Jesus was always asking questions. These were asked not out of ignorance, but because His questions got those listening to think. His questions made people confused, angry, sad, curious, and excited. These questions are worthy of our attention as we try to answer some personally, that He asked His followers. 

“Why are you afraid?” 

“Why do you call me good?” 

“Where is your faith?” 

Each of these need answering on a personal level. Jesus’ natural response when confronted was to ask a question. If He were to look at your personal life, what questions would He ask? He sees your faith now, and there are questions we need to answer. 

Christ sees our hearts, He knows our thoughts, He watches our daily actions. 

What would the Son of God ask of me? 

If you were to count every question posed by Jesus from start to finish you’d find around 307. Why? Why so many questions? Perhaps, it’s because when we ask ourselves questions, we grow. And Jesus is solely concerned about our spiritual growth. 

When we ask ourselves questions, or we read a question from Jesus, we are forced to ponder the answer. Why DO I call the Lord good? Where IS my faith? Why AM I afraid? 

Asking the right questions is everything. 

Answering the perfect questions of Christ is essential if we are going to grow in our faith. 

“Who Do You Say That I Am?” (Matthew 16:15)

In the verses leading up to this point Jesus asks His disciples who the people think He is. The apostles begin answering with some of the things they have heard the people say. “Some say you’re John the Baptist. Others say Elijah or Jeremiah. Some say you’re a prophet.” There were many who acknowledged the Lord’s power and wisdom. 

His miracles were too blatant to ignore, so that even the Pharisees acknowledged He was a miracle worker. The people heard Him teach, they saw His interactions with the sick, the blind, the possessed. Their conclusion? He is a prophet! 

In verse 15, Jesus narrows the focus. His first question was broad, concerned with how everyone saw Him. Notice what He asks next: “But who do YOU say that I Am?” Who you believe Jesus is can only be answered by YOU. 

Many in our culture believe Jesus existed, but He was just a good teacher, a wise man, or a prophet. Many in our part of the country even believe that He is the Son of God. 

But who do YOU say that He is? Our personal view of Christ determines how much we will take what He says seriously. 

Who is Christ to you? Do you truly believe in Him? Peter responds in verse 16 with the answer we should all have for this question. 

“You are the Christ (anointed one), the Son of the Living God.” This is the only right answer. If we are unable to grasp the implications of this statement, we may need to spend more time in God’s word. The fact that Jesus is the Son of God is the SOLE reason we have eternal life. Many will go their entire life claiming to believe Jesus is the Son of God, but never live as though this were true. 

Who do You say that Christ Is? 

2 Corinthians: Christianity Is Personal (IV)

The Way Aromas Hit People (2:12-17)

Neal Pollard

I was originally going to call this, “The way we smell to others,” but thought that might be misleading or inaccurate. Paul uses a very unusual illustration to make an important point in this paragraph of his second letter to Corinth’s Christians. The backdrop of the illustration was when he came to Troas to take advantage of an open door to preach the gospel. It was a trying experience, as he couldn’t find Titus there. He left them for Macedonia (12-13). 

In chapter three, he is going to change metaphors. But, first, he describes their work of sharing the gospel as like God sending His fragrance through them which others evaluate or judge (14-15). The same message “smells” differently to the recipients, based on the receptivity and spiritual condition of those hearers (16). But Paul makes clear that their motives and message are not “rotten,” but if it is rejected it is because the listeners are perishing (17). 

Think about how so many could hear the Son of God Himself teach and preach, and thoroughly reject it to the degree that they even took Him and nailed Him to a cross! 

When you share Jesus and the message of His saving grace with others, there will be those who find that “fragrance of Christ” (15) a “sweet aroma” (14). It will be so appealing to them that they leave their old life and follow Him, much as the men God chose to follow Him during His ministry. It’s attractive and satisfying. There are still so many with good, receptive hearts out there. We see that when we share Him.

However, be prepared for some to find that same message repulsive. It’s not what they want and not what they are after. Have you ever been sick in such a way that even your favorite foods nauseated you to smell them cooking? There is no more savory and appealing message than the Bible’s story of grace, but many will reject it anyway! It can leave us feeling so inadequate (16), but we must remember that it is not our message. It is Christ’s message. Our job is simply to spread it with personal integrity, honesty, and righteous motivation. His word will work its power on those who seek their satisfaction in Him.  

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

Unity Through Instruction (4:14-21)

Neal Pollard

Unity is not instinctive, or else we would not have so much instruction about it in the Bible. Paul clarifies why he is and is not writing this letter to them. He says it is not to shame them, but rather to admonish them (14). Admonish means to provide instruction in order to correct a behavior or belief (to provide instruction as to correct behavior and belief (Louw-Nida 414). It also carries with it the idea of counseling against improper actions. That sounds pretty negative unless you see how Paul does it. He writes like a father (15) to his beloved children (14). I don’t know about you, but I can endure quite a bit of correction from someone who I am convinced is doing so out of genuine love and interest in my soul. 

Paul was in a unique position among other voices of influence, in that he had actually been the one to teach many of them the gospel and help bring about their salvation (15). A “tudor” in New Testament times was more a person who led a student to and from school, who also supervised the student’s conduct (BDAG 748). Paul contrasts himself with that, and you can see a huge difference between someone hired to look over your shoulder as opposed to a loving parent who had a vested interest in your success.

Paul’s interest in their spiritual success is further proven by the measures he takes to see to it these Christians were reminded of what he taught them. First, Paul sends one whom he has taught and trained (Acts 16:1ff) and who actually worked with Paul among them at the beginning of the church’s existence (Acts 18:5ff). Timothy was going to do follow up study with them to help remind them of the apostle’s inspired instruction (17). For Christians to have their best shot at success, they will need to hear the same subjects from “the whole purpose of God” (Acts 20:27) on many occasions. 

Peter will write to another audience and say, “Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you” (2 Pet. 1:12). He goes on to say “I am writing to you” for the purpose of “stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder” (2 Pet. 3:1). Why preach and teach about worship, gender roles, sexual morality, baptism, marriage, self-control, attitude, evangelism, and the like year after year? Simply because we forget, new Christians are added to the kingdom, young people come of age and need to learn what we already know, and external pressures and rival teaching can tempt us to abandon the truth. Paul, knowing this, was ready to personally and through other teachers make this effort to help Corinth, like Colosse, “continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not move away from the hope of the gospel” (Col. 1:23). 

Biblical instruction is also key to provide attitude adjustment. Arrogance had shown its ugly head at Corinth (6,18-19). Do you know who Paul says has to really work at fighting arrogance? Those who have knowledge, especially knowledge without love (8:1; 13:2). Paul understood the true nature of God’s kingdom (20), and this motivated him to do whatever was necessary to further their knowledge but also their application of their knowledge (21). Look ahead in chapter five at what Paul is about to write the Corinthians. They are arrogantly embracing someone who was living in egregious sin (5:1-2). They knew better, but they were not doing better!

Instruction is about way more than Bible stories, facts, and memory verses. It is about letting the word live in your heart, keeping it in your heart, and living it in your life. How does God get that done? Through continued teaching, over and over again. What does God accomplish through it? Among the many personal benefits it yields an individual, it also helps produce and preserve unity in truth! May we never buy into the idea that growth requires abandoning God’s pattern and plan in order to appease people’s fleshly desires. 

Poetry, Legalism, Vulnerability, And Protection

Gary Pollard

I Timothy 3 concludes with a beautiful poetic sentence designed to sum up Christianity: God was shown to us in human form. 

He was morally perfect in spirit. 
The angels saw him. 
The message about him was told to everyone. 
People in the world believed in him. 
He was taken up in glory. 

4.1-6 address the teachings of legalistic people — they teach that Christians have to avoid certain practices that God doesn’t prohibit. This section can be summarized with verses 4-5: Everything that God made is good. Nothing he made should be refused if we accept it with gratitude. Everything he made is made pure through prayer.” 

9-16 wraps up chapter four, especially 9-10 — We hope in the living God who will save all people, especially those who are faithful to him. This is why we work and struggle. 

Chapter five is about each Christian’s responsibility to God’s family. It also includes a list of vulnerable members who should be provided for by the church. In that same section, 17-18, we learn that elders who lead well and dedicate a lot of their time to the church should be paid to do so, particularly those who counsel and teach. 

Being an elder isn’t easy. It’s a ton of pressure, and the qualifications are strict. So 19 includes protections for those elders: don’t even listen to an accusation against an elder unless two or three other people also witnessed what he’s being accused of. 

It’s easy to gossip about elders if we don’t like what they do. But this verse sets the standard for how we should talk about our spiritual leaders. Verse 21 takes it even further — when it comes to correcting an elder (or any other sinning member for that matter), we can’t be biased at all. Paul invokes three different ultimate-authority figures in this statement. We can’t throw someone under the bus just because we don’t like them. 

Thoughts On Teaching

Gary Pollard

I Timothy 1.7 calls out the problem at Ephesus directly: there were members who were eager to teach but had no business doing so. This is, unfortunately, one of the bigger issues facing the church today. Some take the approach of emphasizing regulations and rules and prohibitions, which is what these bad influences were doing (as well as teaching that the resurrection had already occurred). 

1.8-10 gives us some guidance on when prohibitive teachings are appropriate: We know that the law is good if used correctly. We also know that the law is not made for those who do what is right. It is made for those who are opposed to the law and refuse to follow it. The law is for sinners who are against God and all that is pleasing to him. It is for those who have no interest in spiritual things, namely those who kill their parents or anyone else. It’s for people who commit sexual sins, for homosexuals, for people who kidnap and sell other people into slavery, for people who always tell lies, for people who lie under oath, and for people who are against God’s true teaching. 

Thankfully, that doesn’t apply to the overwhelming majority of Christians! The goal of our instruction should be to encourage love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a genuine faith. We do this by teaching positive commands (ie, “we should do this”) as opposed to negative ones (ie, “we should not do this”). While there is a time and place for teaching the prohibitions in scripture, there should be balance in this. 

The Spirit Of Deception

Carl Pollard

In 1 John 4, we read from John some warnings concerning spirits. He says in 1 John 4:1, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” John tells us that not every spirit is from God. He goes on to say in verse 6, “We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” 

These verses clearly teach us that there is the Spirit from God, and then there are spirits in the form of false prophets. These false prophets are from the world. The teachings of the apostles were and continue to be the standard for the church. John 13:20 says, “‘Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.’ The one whom Jesus sends is His apostle. God sends Christ and Christ sends the apostles. Therefore, If you accept the apostles you accept Christ, and if you accept Christ then you accept God. We wouldn’t even know of Christ if it were not for the apostles. They were to distinguish these spirits by seeing if those speaking were speaking things that were of the apostles and God, or of the world (1 John 4:5). 1 John 2:25 says that these people were teaching things that were contrary to John’s teachings.

So what does all of this mean? Who is the Spirit of Deception? We can piece together through 1 John, that the Spirit of Deception is that which teaches against John. By doing so, the spirit of deception has gone against the Spirit of Truth. 

The Spirit of Deception can be described as someone/something that does not teach that which is in accordance to the apostles or God, it is that which does not obey the commands of Christ, and it is that which tries to mislead Christians. The Spirit of Truth is contradicted by the Spirit of Deception. We see in the early church that one of the gifts of the Spirit was discerning spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10). 

The Holy Spirit (Helper) was given to the apostles to help them remember what Jesus had taught them, to preach about Christ, to tell the world of its sin, to preach righteousness and judgment, and to bring glory to Christ (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7- 8,13-14). Demonic spirits spoke through false prophets to confuse and convert God’s people (1 Timothy 4:1ff). This spirit of deception was the reason for John’s writing. He says he is wrote, “concerning those who are deceiving you,” (2:26). He also said, “Children, let no one deceive you,” (3:7). The Christians John wrote to needed to learn how to distinguish these Spirits.

Sadly, we are still in the same circumstances today. People are still advocates of the devil. We find false teaching everywhere and it is up to us to test and discern between  what is from God and what is from the world. May we always be vigilant and wary of the teachings that comes from the mouth of Satan! 

The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached (Praught)

Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail

It’s sounds wrong— but it makes sense! 

Praught definition: (nonstandard) Simple past tense and past participle of preach

Speaking of praught…

Matthew chapter five records the greatest sermon ever praught. This has been known as the “Declaration of the Kingdom” and the “Sum of Jesus.” It’s powerful and it covers nearly all aspects of the Christian walk. It covers topics that are still relevant and close to home for every person on the planet— past or present. It breaks down as follows.

1-12 “The blessed ones”

13-16 “salt, light, cities”

17-48 “understanding the law of God” 

Jesus makes His way to the top of the mountain and His listeners stands while Jesus is seated. 

“After sitting down He opened his mouth to teach.” 5.2 

Someone commenting on this seemingly small detail said, 

“It is not superfluous to say that ‘he opened his mouth, and taught them,’ for he had taught them often when his mouth was closed.”

The sermon on the mount is a lesson on the totality of life. Jesus teaches the objective truth. He said what was needed, and not what was necessarily easy to say. He preached the truth and He did so perfectly and with perfect love. It would be worth our while to familiarize ourselves with this lesson especially in the world we’re living in today. Jesus told us what to tell others. Let’s live for and like Jesus this week. 

Dale Pollard

More Spiritual Christians?

Wednesday’s Column: Third’s Words

Gary Pollard

Galatians 1.6-9 is the key passage of the book. God chose them through grace, but they were abandoning grace for Jewish customs. Paul wrote one of the strongest warnings in all of scripture here — “anyone who modifies Jesus’s teaching will be cursed.” It’s hard for us to let our own baggage go (our worldviews, preferences, past beliefs, or traditions), but God’s feelings about adding to or taking away from his requirements are crystal clear. 

This isn’t the only letter where Paul warns about putting too much stock in traditions. Colossians also addresses this issue pretty clearly, as do sections in I Corinthians and Romans. And it doesn’t matter who’s doing the teaching — even if an angel tries to teach something that modifies God’s plan, they will be cursed. If we view this section rationally, it makes perfect sense. The one who created this plan is the same one who has unlimited power, ability, and intelligence, and who created our planet in a vast universe. Who are we to take issue with anything in God’s word? 

Interestingly, Paul also addressed an issue that has existed since the church was established: Christians comparing themselves to others, or judging another’s level of spirituality. A more spiritual Christian would also observe traditions. The specific application throughout the book (2.3-5, 11-17; 3.11-13; 5.1-6) is that adopting Jewish traditions is required to be right with God. A more modern understanding is that we shouldn’t look down on Christians who don’t follow all of the customs we’ve observed for the last couple of centuries. We must be very careful about making judgments of other Christians based on whether or not they observe our traditions in addition to God’s. Galatians refutes the idea that someone who observes more than what God requires is intrinsically more spiritual. 

“Don’t compare yourself with others. Just look at your own work and see if you’ve done anything to be proud of” (6.4). 

“It doesn’t matter if anyone is circumcised or not. The only thing that matters is this new life we have from God” (6.15).  

Motivations For Teaching Difficult Things

Monday’s Column: Neal At The Cross

Neal Pollard

It becomes clear from reading the second letter to the Corinthians that Paul feels the need to defend himself and his actions among his readers. He feared that he had been misunderstood in his previous work among them (cf. 1:12-14). In fact, it seems as though this is the purpose of the letter (look also at 5:11-12). If you remember from the first letter, he had some pretty challenging and unpopular things to say about how they were behaving. It’s not far-fetched to think that some of them not only would not appreciate what he said, but would attack him as the messenger for saying it. Sometimes, however lovingly and kindly we share the truth, it will offend the hearer who, instead of repenting, tries to undermine the one who said it.  As we read this section, think of Paul as a man, just like his audience, who has feelings, struggles, difficulties, and temptations, too. He also needed them to know that it was because he cared so much about them that he would not “shrink from declaring to [them] anything that was profitable” (cf. Acts 20:20). What drove Paul to minister to the Corinthians? Notice several things he says in 2 Corinthians one.

THE GRACE OF GOD (12)

He would not boast in himself, whether his abilities or knowledge or influence. Those are empty and unsatisfying. His motives were pure and he was helped by a grace he wanted them to appreciate, too. When we understand our need of God’s grace, it will move us to give Him our all in response. 

THE JUDGMENT DAY OF GOD (13-14)

Paul wanted them to be able to legitimately boast together and of one another at “the day of the Lord” (cf. 5:10). The word “boast” in modern English has negative connotations–bragging, arrogance, and sinful pride. Paul wanted to have confidence in them as they faced this Day, as confident as he hoped they were of him in view of it. We should share the whole counsel of God to make sure people are ready for the most important day of all. 

THE PROMISES OF GOD (20)

He shared the positive and negative, the promises and the warnings, because he knew God meant what He said. He would not equivocate or talk out of both sides of his mouth. He was going to give them “the whole purpose of God” (cf. Acts 20:27). He knew God was the supreme promise-keeper (2 Tim. 4:8; 2 Cor. 5:11-14). 

THE GLORY OF GOD (20)

Paul taught them for the glory of God. The Word is God’s. The promises are God’s. The salvation is from God. How silly for the fragile pottery to brag (4:7); the glory belongs to the Potter. Anything worthwhile we accomplish is always because of God. 

THE WORKING OF GOD (21-22)

Paul was moved by the knowledge that God is the one who establishes men (21), sets us apart (21), and gives us His Spirit (22). Knowing this, we should share Him with people so that God can accomplish His work in their lives. 

THE WITNESS OF GOD (23-24)

Wise teachers and preachers will remember that God is watching their work. He can see where no one else can–our hearts and motives. Knowing He knows me inside and out, I will check myself and do His work to bring the joy and strength of the hearers (23-24). 

THE PEOPLE OF GOD (2:1-4)

We should be moved by genuine love and concern for people. Those who share the word should share life with those who receive the word from them. Building relationships, being together in all the ups and downs of life, is what it is all about. It’s hard to imagine staying motivated to share the gospel with people we isolate ourselves from. 

Perhaps there are some preachers and teachers who just love beating up on their listeners (or readers). Motivation is individual to each one (Phil. 1:15-17). I have to believe that every faithful proclaimer wants not only to please God but also help as many people as possible go to heaven. There are so many great reasons why Christians should want to share God’s Word with others. Paul gives us a handful of them here. 

Being Like Your Parents

Wednesday’s Column: Learning From Lehman

Luke Lohden

Have you seen the Progressive commercials with Dr. Rick?  In these commercials, he tries to teach parents how to “un-become” their parents?  For instance, he helps them say the right tech terms, like “hashtag,” or helps them to have airline tickets on their phone, and not paper tickets.  They are really funny.  Do your parents have certain sayings that they say all of the time to you?  Like, “If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times,” or how about “money doesn’t grow on trees?”  Or even better, “don’t make me stop this car?”  Our parents tell us things like this to help us.  The truth is, we need to be like our Christian parents, not unlike them.  They have been where we are or where we are heading.  Their advice can prevent us from making serious mistakes.  

According to many surveys, about 70% of Christian students leave the church during college.  According to a recent study, the reasons are because they had no strong Biblical foundation,  lack of social opportunities outside of worship service, the anti-Christian views present at universities, and the lack of other Christian friends on campus.  Because of these potential problems, our parents play an important role in our Christian faith and our future walk with God.  

How do You stay faithful to God and obey your parents through your teen years? According to Ephesians 6:1-3, honoring your father and mother is very important. These verses say, “Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment, that it may be well with you and you may live long on the Earth.” According to Exodus 20:12, it states, “Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Proverbs 22:6 also has some information about children obeying their parents. It says, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from.” Proverbs 29:15 also says, “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.”  This verse means that children and teens need guidance.  If they don’t have guidance, they will turn away from Christ.  

If we honor our father and mother and do all that we are told by them, we will live long on this Earth.   We could be going through a stage where we are defiant and not wanting to do what our parents tell us.  We’ve got to learn to listen to them even though we might not like what they decide all the time.  We finally understand, maybe even in later years, that our parents have rules in place to protect us as well as help us.  In order to follow God and live long on this Earth, we have to do all that is expected by them and do it as best as we can.  We are never going to be perfect, but we have to give it our best.  We know that our parents want what is best for us and they want us to go to Heaven.  We need to do more than just obey our parents and honor them.  We also have to continue trying to follow God’s Commandments, read the Bible, and tell others about Jesus. 

.

Facebook Fact-Checking

Thursday Column: Captain’s Blog

carl-pic

Carl Pollard

 
Back in 2016 Facebook created their “fact-checking program.” The focus of the program is to “address viral misinformation and false claims, particularly those that have the potential to mislead or harm.” Since 2016 hundreds of thousands of posts have been flagged as “misleading” or containing “false information.” While this program has been met with mixed reviews and opinions, there is a valuable lesson we can learn from fact-checking and that is to, well, check your facts.
 
Powerade is the sports players elixir. It’s refreshing, it replenishes electrolytes, and gives you 34 grams of beautiful sugar. It’s got potassium, sodium, and 35 grams of carbs. But Blue Powerade bears a striking resemblance to Windex. At a glance this window cleaner may seem like Powerade. It’s blue, you could easily put it in an empty Powerade bottle and call it Powerade, but it isn’t. Windex is Windex, no matter how you try and label it. Many times something may quack like a duck and walk like a duck, but it isn’t a duck.
 
Galatians 1:6 says, “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”
‭‭
Paul warns us that as Christians we will encounter misinformation. Those who spread it may have a way with words. What they teach is convincing and appealing. But upon closer examination, their Powerade is actually Windex. These people will claim that you can receive salvation with just a prayer, that God approves of homosexuality, that every person has their own truth. We need to start Bible fact-checking the claims and teachings of those around us.
 
So many Christians are led astray by false teaching. It’s our job to test what is taught with scripture because on the day of judgment each person will be held accountable. Be noble-minded and search the scriptures. Don’t drink the Windex just because it’s in a Powerade bottle. Look at the content and compare it to God’s Word.
 
As Christians we must keep the church pure and free of misinformation. Let’s all start fact-checking our spiritual sources using God’s infallible Word.

The Prime Objective

Such powerful words describe it.  The words “convert,” “save,” “restore,” “recover,” and the like depict the job God left Christians to do (cf. Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:26; Js. 5:19-20; etc.).  The awesome business of God’s people is to be builders in the kingdom upon a foundation originating in eternity (1 Cor. 3:9-15).  Each child of God is a private engaged in spiritual warfare against a tactician only God has the power to defeat (Eph. 6:10ff).

There is ample reason to be filled with excitement and dread at the task before us!  God has entrusted the business of snatching souls out of eternal fire and transferring people out of darkness into His marvelous light to us earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:7).  The moment we come out of the waters of baptism, we rise to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4).  That life entails culling out negative things, bad habits, poor attitudes, old ways of living.  Yet, it also calls for actions and ambitions that a non-Christian could not begin to comprehend.  The sign of genuine faith taken root is the desire to share the good news we ourselves have learned.

Soul-winning is the frontline focus of the family of God.  All else that we do should be an extension or support of this primary work.  Benevolence, though done simply for its own sake, can be a springboard of evangelistic opportunity.  Fellowship is designed to not only build up the saints, but be an atmosphere — be it worship or fellowship outside the corporate assemblies— that honors God and creates hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Non-Christians who come to our assemblies can then believe (cf. 1 Cor. 14:23-24).  They share our company, see the light of Christ in us, and want the joy and peace that the world cannot provide (John 14:27; Mat. 5:16).  

Everywhere we go, mingling in groups and having various associations, there are opportunities.  There is that person who seems to stand out from others who are more frivolously engaged in life.  There is the one who, when others have long shut their ears to truth, is open-minded enough and respectful enough of truth to believe and accept the Bible.  A song that is used in many soul-winning campaigns is Lead Me To Some Soul Today.  God is not going to “lay” anything miraculously on our heart, leading us through some direct operation to some particular person or to say some particular thing.  Yet, providentially, He can open doors that leads us to find the one in search of God’s way.  Our active desire should be to cultivate our hunger and optimism for this great, primary work of the church.

With all else to distract us or compete with our attention and affection, may we never forget the prime objective! We are saved to save (2 Tim. 2:2). Find the searcher and lead the lost! It’s why we’re here. 

We Don’t Know How To Pray

Wednesday’s Column: Captain’s Blog

carl pic

Carl Pollard

When I take the time to pause and think about who God is, it blows my mind. He’s all powerful, loving, righteous, faithful, and just. When we look at His character and the perfection that surrounds Him, it can almost seem overwhelming. A God with that much power and glory takes the time to listen to me. He hears the prayers that each of us pray.

If you’re like me, this can be very intimidating. Every time we bow our heads and pray, we are talking to the creator of worlds, the one that spoke everything we see and know into existence. We pause and reach out to God, and He listens to us. The creator listens to the cries of His creation. What a wonderful God we serve.

On our own we could never reach out to God and build our relationship with Him. We lie, cheat, steal, and lust after that which is darkness. God is the Father of light, and darkness cannot be found near Him. But God gave us a way to be justified, a way to petition Him and strengthen our Father to Son relationship.

Have you ever struggled with prayer? Maybe we fail to understand the tremendous blessing that it is. Maybe we fail to set time aside each day to talk with God. Maybe we feel like we aren’t holy enough to pray to God. Or maybe we feel like we don’t know how to pray.

Many Christians already know that it’s important to pray. We’ve heard that prayer is vital in the Christian walk. Thing is, we don’t know how to pray. And there are three main reasons why this is the case.

We are weak. Romans 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.” Paul uses the word “likewise” which tells us that what he is about to say is tied to what he has just mentioned. And so we must ask, what weakness is Paul referring to? In context, the earth is made weak because of sin (18-22). We ourselves have been made weak because of sin (23-25). Therefore since we are not strong, the Spirit helps us pray to God, even in our current state of weakness.

We pray for the wrong things. Continuing on in verse 26, “For we do not know what to pray for as we ought…” James tells us something similar in 4:3. “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” We have a tendency to pray for the wrong things, and this ties directly into our weakness. We are weak because we pray for the wrong things. We say things like, “take this problem away” instead of saying “help me to use this problem to grow my faith.” We pray for things like, money, physical blessings, and selfish desires. We don’t know how to pray.
We confuse our will with God’s, and expect Him to change His mind and agree with us. We fail to see God’s perfect plan. We are short-sighted and selfish in our prayers. Because of this, we are weak and don’t know how to pray.

We use the wrong words. The last part of verse 26 says, “but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” “Intercede”, “to plead on behalf of another.” We may be weak, we may ask for the wrong things, but the Spirit pleads to God on our behalf. It should be a comfort knowing that one of the Godhead helps us in our prayers to God. Paul gives the Spirit a unique description. He says the Spirit “intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” When I hear the word “groan” I think of the sound I make when I eat too much food. Or the sound someone makes when their football team fumbles the ball. This word groan is far from this. It means “an involuntary expression of great concern or stress.” The concern that the Spirit has for us is so strong that it cannot be described with words. When we go before the throne of God, we are using the wrong words. There is no way that we can express to God what we feel. The Spirit then intercedes (pleads) on our behalf, expressing so great a concern, that words cannot be used to describe it.

We may not know how to pray, but God in His perfect love has provided for His Children. What an awesome God we serve.

26086288495_2692997ee9_b

Why I Attend Wednesday Night Church Services

Neal Pollard

  • I need the fellowship of Christian family in the middle of a week spent exposed to the world.
  • I draw strength from the teaching of God’s Word and the comments others make on the subject being studied.
  • Others need my encouragement and influence, and my presence can be so faith-building to them.
  • Bible class teachers have taken precious time to prepare and deliver their material.
  • I believe God is pleased with my making such a commitment and a sacrifice, though it’s so little compared to all that He has done for me.
  • It builds my interest in spiritual things.
  • I believe it helps contribute to the overall strength and influence of the local church.
  • It is an affirmation of the eldership’s wisdom to have such classes in the first place, where they seek to help give me spiritual food.
  • I live by the philosophy that I make time for what is most important and valuable.
  • My family is guided by my leadership and priorities.
  • I live in a nation that allows me to freely assemble to build and express my faith, and I do not want to take that for granted.
  • I have so many great memories of Wednesdays, and I continue to make them.
  • Though I have often arrived tired and frazzled, I have almost always left rejuvenated and rejoicing.
  • I want to.

What would you add?

IMG_6008

What To See When False Prophets Speak

Neal Pollard

Peter has a sobering warning for the church, writing, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves” (2 Pet. 2:1). He warns them about the model, the methods, and the message of these men. The counterparts of these modern messengers is the false prophets of old.

Jeremiah lived at a time when such prophets flourished, and the result of their work was the destruction of the people. Jeremiah 23 is a graphic depiction of what God helped Jeremiah see as he looked at and listened to these sinful seers. Notice that in Jeremiah 23:9-40), he saw:

  • Tears (9-10)–Jeremiah was heartbroken, trembling, and overcome, because he knew their message was different from God’s Word and it was taking people off course. 
  • Pollution (11-12)–The Lord found their way wickedness, and this pollution made for a slippery path that would make them fall in calamity and punishment. 
  • Offensiveness (13-14)–They looked to the wrong spiritual source and it led the people of God to commit horrible depravity. 
  • Tragedy (15)–Their message was going to cause their own spiritual sickness and death.
  • Emptiness (16-18)–The message is from their own imagination and not from the Lord’s mouth, so they tell those who hate God they’ll have peace and those who walk in stubbornness that everything will be fine.
  • Storms (19-20)–The storm is the tempest of God’s wrath upon the heads of these false messengers. 
  • Audacity (21-25)–They ran, but God didn’t send them; They prophesied, but God didn’t speak to them; God was right there listening when they said, “I had a dream, I had a dream!”
  • Heart Trouble (26-27)–The prophets had spiritual heart trouble, and their message was loved by people with heart trouble. It resulted in both of them forgetting God. 
  • Straw (28)–Just as straw and grain are totally different things, so is God’s message and their false message. 
  • Judgment (29-40)–God’s Word is like fire and a hammer. He is against their Word and against them for misusing their speaking abilities and leading His people astray. They don’t furnish the people with “the slightest benefit.” They cause the people to forget what truth is.  The end result is tragedy. 

So many can have a message that sounds good, makes one feel good, but does no good! In fact, their message contradicts what God said in His Word. As we grow our Bible knowledge, it will help us see these messengers and their messages for what they are. God’s Word is a blessing to us, both now and eternally. But, measure their message against the Master’s. Embrace only the words that are from Him! Reject the words that come from them!

jeremiah-23-29

“Immediately”

Neal Pollard

The astute reader of the book of Mark finds the word 40 times in 39 verses (the Greek word most often translated “immediately” in Mark is actually found 44 times). It is a key word found consistently throughout the gospel but especially in the first six chapters. Usually, the word is used to quantify the time between Jesus performing a miracle and it taking effect. The point seems to be to show the power and Divine nature of Jesus. It is also a thread that runs throughout the book to highlight key thoughts and main ideas in this second book of the New Testament. The word is used to highlight the Father’s affirmation of Christ following His baptism (1:10), Jesus’ journey into the wilderness to triumph over the Devil’s temptations (1:12), the disciples’ decision to leave their occupation to follow Jesus (1:18,20), Jesus’ entering the synagogue to show unparalleled authority and power (1:21), the news and fame that followed Christ’s teaching and healing (1:28), and the immediate response of the one healed by Jesus–the first of many uses of the word “immediately” to highlight such (1:29-30). The proof for Jesus’ identity was immediate. The effect of Jesus’ miracles was immediate. The impact of Jesus’ miracles and teachings on friend and foe was immediate. Mark’s use of this word seems to indicate how overwhelming and unmistakable the proof of Jesus was.

This is not to say that one should rashly decide about the Lord. The book of Mark is part of God’s way to convince man about who Jesus is. Take the time to read it and learn of Him. Like the other three gospels, Mark contains the miracles, teaching, claims, and events in Christ’s life at the end of which one must ultimately make a decision concerning who He is. Remember, though, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Weigh the evidence, and then decide. Follow the example of so many in the book of Mark and let the power and person of Jesus have an immediate impact on your life and your soul.

15843359028_6e6cbd3894_b

Communication Landmines

Neal Pollard

Paul writes two letters of instruction to Timothy, the preacher at Ephesus. As his father in the faith (cf. 1 Tim. 1:18), Paul wanted the younger man endowed with the wisdom and courage to be God’s man.  Timothy would face pressures and temptations from many different directions. The apostle’s words also provide some common sense to help him do the sometimes difficult task of preaching and ministry.

In a letter full of the theme of godliness, 1 Timothy, Paul gives him some intriguing encouragement in the sixth chapter. He says, “If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain” (6:3-5). In this brief admonition, he gives Timothy several tips to help him be a useful communicator of God’s truth. He urges Timothy to avoid:

  • Compromise. Not only here, but throughout the letter, Paul urges Timothy to teach the pure doctrine of Christ, those sound words and that godly doctrine. If we bow to pressures and change the revealed word of Christ, we become deadly communicators.
  • Conceit. Ironically, the conceited often look down upon others. Yet, Paul ties the arrogance to ignorance (“understands nothing”). When we encounter one who condescendingly communicates, we are prone to tune them out even if they are telling the truth. It is incongruous to have a pompous preacher speak of the lowly Jesus. It’s a credibility killer.
  • Controversy. We live in the age of controversy. It is splashed all over the traditional media and social media. It is often manufactured, and it is the mark of a morbid (literally, “sick”) mind. The controversialist will be found at the heart of disputes, ever seeking to dig up something, hash and rehash it, and keep it going. We can be accused of that for simply trying to communicate God’s will, especially when unpopular, but some are never far from contention. It is characteristic of them.
  • Constant friction. This is listed last among several other results of controversy, along with envy, strife, abusive language, and evil suspicions. Have you ever been around someone who keeps up an atmosphere of tension? The chip is always on the shoulder. Their communication is always confrontational. It appeals to the depraved and deprived, according to Paul.

Paul was so bold that he would die for preaching the truth (cf. 2 Tim. 4:1-8). Yet, he urged Timothy to be peaceable, kind, adept, patient, and gentle when communicating it (2 Tim. 2:24-25). Is it possible to courageously stand with the Christ but do so using the precise scalpel of Scripture (Heb. 4:12) rather than the reckless explosives of excess? Yes, and each of us must predetermine that we will do so no matter how others act and react.

5385-boxing_controversy_people-630w-tn