Walking In Wisdom

Recently quiet, peaceful, Lancaster County has been visited by FOX News, most of the major morning shows on TV and the topic of Newsweek and Time. The reason – we have had a number of sad, violent events in the midst of our farmland!

 

November 2005, a teenage boy murders the parents of his girlfriend. They were believers and they did not want him dating this 14 year-old girl.  Then in the spring of ’06, a young adult murdered 6 of his relatives. Moved their lifeless bodies to the basement and over the next few days had friends over to party. Then the whole nation was taken in by the Nickel Mine murders of five Amish girls in their one-room school house.  Finally this past month another family of three was murdered in the middle of the night in their home while they were asleep. The criminals have not been found yet but speculation is pointing to young people.  Five days later a man was killed by four teenage boys after he showed them kindness and let them borrow his cell phone.  This is maddening, but it is the sign of the times.  Anger. Violence. Murder. One only can ask – why is this happening?

 

About a week after the Borden murder, I wrote a letter to my church.  I found it this week and was taken back by what I wrote then.  In light of the past two years, I offer this letter as a word of exhortation for all of us.

 

Dear Church family:

Is your heart heavy this week? Mine has been. As we were enjoying a time of worship, fellowship, and instruction on Sunday morning, a quaint development in Lititz was struggling with the harsh reality of two murders in their neighborhood. Making matters worse is that this husband/father and wife/mother were fatal victims at the hands of someone who knew them and their family. We all are aware of the story surrounding the Borden murders and the sad fact that these believers’ lives were ended by an 18-year-old boy who was trying to date their daughter.

 

I say trying because as we now know that the Bordens completely disapproved of this emerging relationship between their 14-year-old, home-schooled daughter Kara Beth and 18-year-old David Ludwig. Evidently, the murders occurred after the Bordens confronted David for having their daughter out all night and insisting that he no longer see her. Out of his rage of being told what he “could not have,” he took the lives of the ones standing in the way of him getting what he wanted.

 

One newspaper reporter called this a classic “Romeo and Juliet” story -  forbidden love gone wrong.  One TV newscaster painted this as a product of strict, conservative Christianity pushing someone too far. Another commentator tried to sight the psychological problems that could have caused this reaction.  It is only right that I also get my two cents in and use this as a way to warn us of how we should live our lives.

 

From my vantage point I see this as an issue of defying authority and the consequences of that kind of rebellion.  You see, the Bible is clear. God has established a number of God-ordained authorities that we need to submit to; and by doing so, we will discover God’s will and experience God’s blessings.

 

That is why Peter wrote:
”Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king” 1 Peter 2:13-17.

 

Peter is writing during a time of abusive authority. Speaking of strict rules, Roman rule was absolutely barbaric.  Yet Peter understood the overriding principle set forth by God – never defy authority. He challenges us to be bondslaves, to place ourselves under the authority of those sent by God. Those authorities are outlined in Scripture. They are our parents, government, employers, and church leaders. As we submit to these authorities, God can direct our lives, use us as a testimony, and protect us from evil.

 

 

We see it again in Paul’s writings. He writes young Timothy and challenges him to make sure he is always showing respect to those in authority and to teach the church in Ephesus to do the same….   “Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed” Titus 3:1.

 

He again tells them to pray for those in authority and not fight against them even when it seems they are wronging you….   ”First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

 

Defying authority is at the root of every grievous sin I have ever seen in my life.  You see, when a young man is told by a parent that he is no longer allowed to see their daughter, his first response should be to respect their word and submit to their request.  Of course, over time he could come to them and make an appeal. But he has no footing to make an appeal by being rebellious.

 

Defying authority is simply exalting yourself above God and His authority.  Rebellion comes when you allow your covetousness to take flight; your anger to be unleashed, and your fleshly lusts to go unchecked. Worshipping before the god of the mirror, as John Macarthur states, is the worst form of idolatry. It is self-worship. Because we don’t fear God and His authority, we take a swan dive into sin.  That is why Peter wrote:  …”then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties”  2 Peter 2:9-10.

 

The most frightening aspect is that defying authority brings consequence. There are always consequences from sin, but God takes it personal when we thumb our nose to His authority. It should scare us to death when we see events like we did on Sunday, and it should serve as a warning to be careful not to go against those authorities in our lives. Yet we shouldn’t be surprised that this has happened. After twenty years of hearing that “Kids can divorce their parents if they don’t like them….parents can’t discipline their kids or we will charge them with abuse….the government or the school knows best how to raise our children….girls can get an abortion without parental knowledge,” we have allowed a generation to think they are above the authority in their homes. 

 

It should be no surprise because God’s Word predicted it….”But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these” 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

 

I hope we see this situation for what it is – defying authority. Now, you have three children who have no parents. You have a 14-year-old left to deal with the guilt of disobeying her mom and dad, and an 18-year-old who now faces the death penalty. And a Christian community wondering what happened.  But don’t let the pundits tell you this was psyche gone bad; conservative Christianity gone bad; love gone bad; pent up emotions gone bad!  This is simply what will occur when we defy authority.

 

How about you today?  Are you struggling with submitting to the authorities in your life?  Are you helping your kids understand why “obedience is better then sacrifice” as the Scriptures state? Are you ever so aware that consequences of authority can overshadow the moment of satisfaction defying authority will bring? Thank God for the authorities in your life. Repent if you are struggling with submission. Be sobered by the events of the day. Don’t defy any authority!!!

All I know is that my family got to eat dinner with a hero. A true blue, all-American, patriotic hero! Someone who was willing to put on a uniform and stand for freedom and democracy and give an oppressed people the opportunity to breathe freedom and potential for the future.  If they don’t seize the moment, that will be their loss. However, we did what God would call any of us to do – demonstrate compassion, fight for justice and help set captives free! On this Memorial Day weekend, remember and honor all those who served our nation and have given their lives so that we can live in liberty and pursue a future of our choice. God bless America and God bless all the heroes – like the one at the wedding – for serving and protecting this nation!

I had the privilege along with our pastors to visit our state capitol in Harrisburg on Monday May 21. Capitol Ministries and its state director Carl Dingus hosted a wonderful day of prayer, learning, and understanding its ministry to our legislators. The special guest of the day was Pastor Erwin Lutzer, Moody Church, Chicago. He spoke on "The Christian Perspective on Politics" and "Islam and Hate Speech." Both were riveting messages. Two compelling moments. First, he looked back in ancient history when Augustine wrote about the Christian influence in government. The fact is "things were bad when we were in charge." Economy was bad; war was bad; weather, crops, etc...all bad. The fact is secularists back then blamed Christians and their God for how bad things were. Ultimately Christians died from outrage that things were not going well.  He tried to help us see that our only hope to influence the world is the cross. Suffering WILL come -- but the cross and its power will sustain us! It was a fantastic sermon, especially in light of having a believing President who is not doing very well!

The second talk was more of a lecture looking at how Islam has gained such power. Lutzer showed how it has always been a rising force. In recent days, it has taken a much more sinister and cloaked approach to taking over the world -- but that desire has been there for generations. One incredible fact.... Lutzer said that tied into all of what Islam wants to do is aided by the moral decay in our country. For example, Islam sees abortion as a great and awful sin. No devoted muslim would consider abortion. There families are large and when they occupy a place (like they have in most major european cities -- where abortion is like going to McDonald's), they will soon overtake it with shear numbers. With this in mind, it is estimated that within 15-20 years, Muslim's in Germany will have no problem to put in office a Muslim President and Parliment in Germany. Most of Europe will fall in the next fifty years by population decline. The women's movement; homosexuality, same-sex marriage -- all play a role in wearing down long held foundations whereby we could withstand the coming Islamic wave.

As part of that talk, he noted that recent "hate speech" legislative is not targeted to curtail crimes against people from prejudice or even terroristic threats like Islamic militants -- but simply to shut down the voice of gospel preaching/conservation pulpits. He gave evidence that there were ammendments attempted to be attached where preachers of the Bible would be protected from prosecution. Let's say someone in my church kills a person and the victim is a homosexual. A tape of a message I did in my Jude series is presented in court where I decry homosexuality as a sin and an adbonmination unto the Lord. If the present legislation becomes law -- I would be charged with "hate speech" and could be tied to the murder. Islam loves the idea of "hate speech" bills -- they will use it to stop people from speaking against them. However, because we do not know what they are saying or we are not fully aware of what Mohhammend said in the Koran -- we can not use it against them.  By the way, three cases in the world presently, where people who read directly from the Koran were prosecuted for hate speech. When they presented the facts that the founder of Islam was the one who said it -- the courts would not believe them. Still pending - pray!!

Lutzer is brilliant and the whole day served as a reminder of our need to "pray for kings and governors" so that we can live a "peaceful life."  Pray for Carl Dingus and get your church to be involved with supporting Capitol Ministries in your state.

 

Today I began visiting Lancaster churches while on my sabbactical.  I want to see how our neighbor/fellow ministries "do church" and point out highlights and observations as a fellow pastor looks at churches as a visitor. I went to Grace Church of Willow Valley and happened to hit Grace’s annual Peace Officers Memorial service. This is a staple in our community and something I have admired Pastor John Smith for making a Lancaster church tradition. I was blessed to be there and it was a complete accident. Grace has an early service called “Traditions” which was in process when I arrived. It was sparsely attended and mostly older saints, thus the name. While they are in worship, there are a variety of ABF classes happening. I stuck my head in and they all seemed full and the people engaged. That was encouraging in a day when SS and Adult Ed seems on the down turn. 

They had one 10:30am service for the special celebration. Usually they have two services – a blended and younger gen service – I am not sure how they handle the preaching -- maybe they use video link? They used their new Family Life Center. A wonderful facility. The lobby is a café type set up and the meeting area is spacious and bright. The service has been happening 22 years honoring the fallen police officers in Lancaster. The county has really embraced it and annually delegations from different police departments send reps. Also, the police chiefs association awards their annual policeman of the year, investigator of the year and bravery awards as part of the service. That was really great.

Pastor John Smith does a fantastic job emceeing the service. Their soloist could knock the birds out of tree. Her “God Bless America” was unbelievable. The only downer was the sound. With a facility that nice, they need to get an adequate sound system. The speaker was a NJ State Trooper who is also a Grace Brethren pastor. He was very articulate and started out very engaging, especially preaching in uniform with his gun strapped to his waist.  His main thought was that Jesus was the Door. He referred to it early. He evangelistically was painting a picture that there is a door that all of us must enter for eternal life. To illustrate this idea, he went to the story of Noah and how Noah boarded the ark and went through the door and God closed it – thus he was saved.  The gospel was passionately offered. But there was more heat and it needed more “light” for understanding. The service ended in a touching “honor roll” of fallen policeman. The names were read, pictures put up on the screen and then taps. I was sitting behind a wife of a police chief who was the most recent to have died. She has come each year since the death and she is not a member of the church. For that reason this service gets my way-to-go Pastor John award!!!  My visit to Grace Brethren Church of Willow Valley was a real pleasure.

I have not been able to blog the last couple of days. On Tuesday, May 15, I have vericous vein surgery on my left leg. Quite extensive. I have 16 one-inch incisions down my leg where the doctor removed the damaged vein. Amazing operation and an amazing experience. The staff at LGH and the day surgery staff is outstanding.  My doctor is unbelieveable. A great big shout out to Cherie for the tip!!!

But my surgery will always be remembered as the day that our dear saint, Delna Helland passed away.  While I was in the operating room, Delna was going to heaven! I woke up in recovery with Kris whispering, "Delna died." I think I have been recovering so well to get ready for the funeral on Saturday. Delna and Bruce were founding members of our church.  As a matter of fact, they were on the search committee at the other church that brought us to Lancaster. They were also the only members of the committee that stayed at the church after I had gotten there! Bruce was an elder and Delna was the chief intercessor. I am convinced that all that has occurred at NewSong is a result of her faithful praying. When I would forget to pray for myself -- I knew Delna had prayed for me. She was a fantastic encourager. She and Bruce had a ministry to our young adults -- they would take them to lunch and try to convince them to go on the mission field.

The most encouraging thing to me was that she was my greatest fan as a preacher. She never complained that my messages were long. Instead she use to tell me -- "I need them every Sunday!!" She could have taught me a thing or two about the Lord and Christianity and here she was telling me she needed me to preach the Word and not to hold back.

I got to perform the Hellands' 50th anniversary re-enacting of the ceremony. It was not a re-new of vows -- as Delna told me -- "they were never broken so they don't have to be re-newed!!"

NewSong has lost a treasure and on Saturday we will get to say thank you.

I am a student of evangelical Christianity and in MY OPINION (please note the emphasis…these are a pastor’s musings) there were a number of defining moments that I believe shaped or changed the way we viewed discipleship and spirituality in the Church. And to be frank, these events began to wear down the Church’s potency in being a central place for discipleship in the lives of believers. They literally “cut the legs” out of the authority of the Church and the Bible. Let me introduce these defining moments; or maybe better, should I call them “declining moments?”

Obviously, one of the first major turning points came in the 1950’s with the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement. Evangelist Oral Roberts began traveling across the country introducing the Church to “faith healing,” the notion of “speaking in tongues” and claiming he had “visions from God.” This new experientialism opened the idea that you were not truly spiritual until some of these supernatural manifestations occurred in your life. Many believers felt they were missing something IF these experiences did not occur. Although these experiences were not verifiable and clearly not mandated in Scriptures, Christians became fixated on having the experience.

The second was the influence of parachurch organizations. In the 1960’s Christian organizations took flight, primarily because of the Church’s failure and the bureaucracy of many churches and denominations. Entrepreneurial Christian leaders launched parachurch ministries like Youth for Christ, Campus Crusade, Navigators and the like to do evangelism and discipleship where the Church was lacking. Many people were lead to Christ on campuses, military bases, and in the marketplace - mostly where churches were not welcomed. But because of the ecumenical nature of the organization, clear and precise theological positions could not be formed. As well as their need to self perpetuate, many of these converts were never directed to or established properly into the local church. Even today, many who came to Christ and were initially discipled through the parachurch have yet to truly commit and engage in God’s ordained program for discipleship – the local church.

The next defining moment came in the 1970’s with what is known as the “Seeker Movement.” A number of church leaders were concerned (and rightfully so) that unbelievers were not being reached with the gospel and churches were not growing. Evangelism was absent in most churches. Their solution was to make church more appealing to the lost by re-programming worship services into seeker services. They made church more relevant and creative by using drama, multimedia, re-writing secular songs that were familiar to seekers and inserting Christian words, and preaching messages that were much more palatable for unbelievers. These messages were less than basic in content, depth, and theology and a lot of the time confused people of the truths of Scripture. And they also removed words that were offensive to seekers – like sin, wrath, judgment, and hell. Their intentions were noble and good-willed. The problem is that they forgot that the church is FOR the believers! They marginalized the importance of preaching the Word and discipleship was put on the back burner. The result was a larger, weaker church.

The last defining moment that I believe has reshaped the Church and its ministry was the rise of counseling, specifically "Christian Counseling." As more and more complex issues arose in the lives of Christians, believers went looking elsewhere to find personal and spiritual help for these problems. It was said that the Church was “behind the times” and “naïve” when it comes to the human condition. Pastors were viewed as “unscholarly,” “unsophisticated,” and “uneducated;” and so believers went looking for professional people helpers. They turned away from the Church and looked to psychology for answers. Instead of calling a pastor when in crisis or when sin had taken root, believers called on counselors who might tell them about the nature of their problem yet they had no ecclesiological authority to admonish repentance or life change. Counseling in many ways became the new discipleship; and the counselor the new shepherds of Christians’ souls.

Now there is a reason for my history lesson. If I would have asked you what you thought about the charismatic movement, parachurch organizations, seeker churches, and Christian counseling, what would you have said? I probably would have received a variety of answers from “I don’t know too much about these issues…” to the expressing of appreciation; but most assuredly, few would have been able to give me an analysis of the contributions they have made and the conflicts they have caused!

Throughout my sabbatical (until August), I want to look at these events in evangelicalism and ask a few probing questions to uncover what they have done to the Church. Questions like – are they Biblical? Are they helping or hurting the Church? Are they adversely affecting the discipling process outlined to the Church by the Lord in Matthew 28:18-20? What good have they done and what can we learn and use from them? How should the Church respond? Is it ok to mix philosophies, ideas, and concepts that are not necessarily Scriptural, but certainly pragmatically helpful?

My goal is not to vilify because many of the ministries, organizations, and movements I want to talk about have been a personal help in my ministry. However, I was reminded a few weeks ago, as I was getting ready for my ACCESS message, of the ever constant attack on the Church and the Bible – both from within and without the Church. Paul said it this way….
“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.” Acts 20:28-30 (NASB95)

I believe that some Christians have been drawn away from the things of God and especially from His Word through “some” of what has occurred through these movements.

Some visit Mecca...Medina....Jerusalem...or Hollywood for inspiration -- I go to the Bronx and visit Yankee Stadium. Kris and I went up with a couple from church and experienced another glorious Spring day at the "House that Ruth Built." Yankee Stadium was built over 75 years ago and still stands as the premiere sports arena in the country. I think it is because of the history. More Hall of Famers ran the bases on that diamond then anyother ball field! The memorial in centerfield indicates that Ruth, Gehrig, Dimag, Ford, Berra, Mantle, Maris, Murcer, Mattingly and Munson all played here! What is fascinating is taking non-Yankee fans to the stadium and watching their attitude change as they experience one of the great athletic events any where. You get captured by the aura of the place and even the most anti-Steinbrenner opponents melt in the Bronx Zoo!

The Boys of the Bronx got bombed by the Texas Rangers - 14-2. It was second loss in 16 visits to the stadium sitting in those seats. But it doesn't matter if they won or not (yes it does but sounds virtuous saying that) -- I just love being there and watching a game. By the way, we almost got impaled by a broken bat flying some 70 yards through the air like a broken plane propeller and landed two rows in front of us. No one hurt!

I got infected with Yankee fever when I was a boy and Dad would get tickets from his friend Dave Swanson. Dave owned Thomas' English Muffins and had box seats. It was quite a treat. Then in 1966 Dad was asked to be a part of Bobby Richardson's retirement celebration. Richardson was one of the first Christian ball players to be vocal about his faith. In September of that year the Yanks had a retirement acknowledgement game and Dad and other Christian businessmen to head up the planning. He was on the field to present Bobby with a retirement gift. That day I got to walk thru the locker room and out thru the dug out with my father. Dad introduced me to a big strapping guy. I did not who it was -- later Dad told me it was Mickey Mantle. He said, "Someday you will realize who he is..." My fate was sealed. Fan for life!

There were other memorable moments....I was at the memorial game for Thurman Munson who was killed in a plane crash in 1979. I saw Ron Blomberg - the first designated hitter in baseball history play. I attended a couple of the 1990's World Series. Next year the All-Star game comes to the Bronx and Lord willing I will be there! And then we say good by to the old lady...the new Yankee Stadium opens in 2009 - the house that Ruth built is put to rest -- 80 years old! Again it sounds like a 40-something recalling boyhood memories -- I am!! But it was a wonderful memory - baseball -- with your dad --- at Yankee Stadium!!! How much better does it get??

If you hang around me long enough, you will hear a "Michael Cahill" story. Mike and I served for four and half years together in New Hampshire. It was some of the most trying and exciting days of ministry I have ever experienced. We dealt with Multiple Personality Syndrome mumbo jumbo, fought para church parasites and saw a church grow and dissolve in front of our very eyes. Yet the most fulfilling aspect of my time with for me was learning two ministry-defining lessons.... how to do expositional preaching -- I had never heard of it up to that point --and learning to be strategic in making disciples. Michael would say things like..."you have to start with the end in mind....what do you want a disciples to look like when they are fully functioning." It was Michael who developed the WISDOM acrostic...his was a bit different then what NewSong's has become. Nevertheless, he was the originator of it.

Long before Rick Warren unfolded his five-purposes for the church and Bill Hybels 5-G's for growth....Cahill was attempting to help people walk in WISDOM. Over the years, I have tinkered with it, but the reality of it, is that we have built a church from the ground up saying that every person needs SIX ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS TO MATURE IN CHRIST...Worship, Instruction, Stewardship, Discipleship, Outreach and Meaningful Fellowship. I have found that when those six things are operative in a Christian's life -- "all the cylindars are firing and growth happens. Even when counseling, I start with asking questions that tell me whether the person struggling is doing the basics - WISDOM!

Thanks Mike -- you are brilliant! We continue to benefit from your wisdom. How about you...are you "walking in WISDOM' today?

When Bear Bryant retired from football coaching he died within a month. Some say it was from inactivity! I hope that doesn't happen to me. I am in day two of a self imposed sabbatical. Some pastors need a sabbatical. Other are forced to take one. Other wish they could and never seem to convince their church it would be a good thing! I am so fortunate to serve a church that believes a vibrant, rested, and golfed-up pastor is better then starting to look for a new one. Yesterday (the first day) I got up, took Alex to school, came home, made a pot of Costa Rican coffee and read the paper! What a novel morning!

The rest of the day was filled with little jobs around the house, and then I had a golf lesson. I figure with Alex improving daily -- I better get in the game! Today I played a round of golf and now I am headed out to do some yard work! Oh yes -- I set up this blog! I will try this blog stuff out and see how it goes. I am as good with a computer as I am with a sand wedge from 75 yards out! Watch out!!

Well let me get going to something I am not sure I need to do.