Sermon Video: Keep away from those who teach a false gospel - Romans 16:17-20

The Apostle Paul takes a brief tangent from his closing greetings to warn the church at Rome about the likelihood that divisive false teachers will tempt them with a gospel contrary to that which they had received.  Throughout Church History we have seen those who proclaim a gospel that differs from that which is proclaimed in God's Word, Paul's advice to the Roman Church of his day and to the Church today is the same: keep away from them.

This is not, however, a message of anxiety or fear from Paul, on the contrary his next sentence proclaims both his faith in the church and in God's impending victory.  This then gives us context as we guard against false teaching, we must do so with confident hope in the outcome, for God's message of salvation will never fail.

Sermon Video: The Resurrection of Jesus - Mark 16:1-8

Much of what we hear and read about in life is colored by hyperbole.  The greatest and most turns out to be a pitch.  Not so the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This moment is the turning point of all history, not just human history, history itself.  Why?  Because this is the moment that humanity's two biggest problems, sin and death, were dealt a blow that will ultimately prove fatal.  It was also the moment that God's plan of reconciliation and renewal for all of Creation passed the point of no return; nothing can stop the final victory of Jesus and the triumph of his Church.

What is our response to this Good News?  Share it!  Tells others, bring hope and joy to places of darkness and despair.

Sermon Video: The defeat of Death by Jesus - 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

We love stories that end with, "and they lived happily ever after", but real life isn't like that, is it? We know that evil doesn't stay vanquished and that death will end even the best of love stories eventually. But this won't always be the case. When Christ returns, the dead in Christ will be raised to new life, immortal and transformed into Christ-likeness. Death will cease to exist once Jesus has established fully and completely God's reign, putting an end to rebellion and sin. For now, death itself is not a cause of fear for those who are in Christ, for we know that it is but a doorway to another life, and a better one. That confidence is available to everyone who is willing to put hope and faith in Jesus Christ.

To watch the video, click on the link below:

Sermon Video: "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" Luke 24:1-12

In Luke's account of the resurrection of Jesus, there is no effort taken to hide the initial reactions of the women at the tomb (frightened, confused), nor of the apostles (disbelief, confusion, wonder).  Luke's Gospel is not a sanitized version of events, but rather an account of real people grappling with incredible news at a time when they were still trying to process the emotionally and psychologically devastating news of Jesus' execution.  God's Word does not condemn, initial, hesitancy or doubt, rather it requires that we move from that beginning toward trust and belief.  What brought this period of confusion/doubt to an end for the first witnesses of Jesus' resurrection?  His appearance personally among them.  And while we of this generation have not been afforded the blessing of seeing Jesus face to face, we can still get to know Jesus more, still deepen our faith and set doubt aside.

To watch the video, click on the link below:

American Christianity and the fallacy of Might Makes Right and the Ends Justify the Means

"'Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD?  To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." 1 Samuel 15:22

"The LORD does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7b

Consider these two verses regarding the rejection of Saul as king and the acceptance instead of the boy David who would eventually replace him.  The sin of Saul that led to his downfall was partial obedience to the law of God, his outward actions seemed to be "minor" offenses, but his heart was far from the LORD.  David, while himself far from perfect as his sin with Bathsheba would later show, was wholly dedicated to serving the LORD.

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Matthew 16:18

"for everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world?  Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 1 John 5:4-5

Consider also these two verses, from Matthew where Jesus proclaims that his Church, built upon the foundation of the Apostles with himself as the chief cornerstone (as Paul would later explain), Jesus proclaims that his Church will be victorious through his power, over even Hades (either a reference to the power of Satan or to Death itself, both of which Jesus will destroy upon the Cross).  And also the words of John in his letter, where he declares that true victory, the only real victory, only belongs to those who acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

How then are we to interpret evidence that a significant portion of American Christianity (and yes, this is a recurring theme in the history of the Church, others have walked this road before with disastrous results) has accepted two anti-Biblical premises and their combined unholy conclusion: Might makes right, The Ends Justify the Means, and thus Morality (the Law of God) is less important than "Winning"?  There are obvious examples of this philosophy in action, the Prosperity Gospel being one that is well known and currently at work.  Within the realms of economics and politics they are many more examples, I'll let you consider which examples fit the description on your own.

And yet, walking down this road, accepting the Siren's call of power in this world instead of loyalty first, foremost, and always to Jesus Christ, is and must be, a radically destructive force to the Church, to individual churches, and to both true Christians and those who are Christian in name only.

"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?  Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26

There is ample evidence that millions of self-professing Christians, whether they truly belong to Christ or not, have begun to adhere to this philosophy.  Some have chosen to do so out of fear, fear that Christendom is in decline, fear of secularism, humanism, and other isms (as a generation or two ago they were tempted to do out of fear of communism).  Because of that fear, and an impending sense of losing status and privilege as the dominant force within the culture, American Christianity is being tempted to make pacts with individuals, groups, and forces that do not represent God, take actions contradict Biblical teaching, and represent philosophies that are antithetical to the Gospel.  Fear is a poor motivator, it drives us to makes foolish decisions, but we can understand it and counteract it with assurance and hope.  Some American Christians, genuine or otherwise, have decided to embrace the Might Makes Right and Ends Justify the Means philosophy out of a darker motive than fear: the desire to be on the winning side, here and now.

For those whose hope is in Jesus Christ, victory is already assured.  We know that one day, "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and one earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11)  And yet, God's assurance of final victory is not realized here in this life, faithfully waiting for a victory that we may not see in our lifetimes, for we like generations of Christians before us may very well die in Christ before he returns in glory, is hard.  It is natural, although not Biblical, for us to want to "win" now too.  Unfortunately, this is not what Jesus promised to his followers:

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it."  Matthew 16:24-25

Would I rather be on the "winning" side, economically, socially, and politically than the losing side?  Of course I would, we all would.  I've been one of the last kids picked at recess, nobody enjoys that feeling, we all would rather avoid it whenever possible.  Am I willing to compromise my allegiance to Jesus Christ and his command that I too carry a cross in order to "win"?  Not at all, and I pray that God grant me the grace to hold true to that conviction, no matter what.

The Church, individual churches, and the Christians that comprise them, have not been called by Almighty God, washed clean in the Blood of the Lamb, and set free from slavery to sin, in order to live in a compromised moral state where our adherence to this world vies with our devotion to God.  We have been called to be righteous and holy.  If we "win" by being righteous and holy, praise God, if we "lose" by being righteous and holy, so be it.  "The LORD giveth and the LORD taketh away, blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21b)

Has the Church in America grown too soft because of prosperity, too comfortable with moral compromise, too concerned with "winning"?  These are the questions that we must face, must evaluate in the light of the unchanging Word of God.  We will be weighed by God, if we are found wanting, we will repent or we will fade away.

There is more wisdom than you know in the simple phrase that you heard as a child, attributed to Grantland Rice, "It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game."  God cares how and why we do what we do.

The fool's bargain of trading the Gospel for Power

The pursuit of power is a fundamental factor in the history of humanity.  Individuals have made incredible sacrifices and committed horrific atrocities in the pursuit of it, as often as not, without ever attaining what they sought.  The pursuit of power destroyed Julius Caesar, it kept Napoleon from enjoying his victories and sent him to his doom in wintry Russia, and it did the same thing to Hitler just over a century later.  Power is never enough, those who grasp it always want more.  As Princess Leia told Governor Tarkin in Star Wars, "The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers."  Or in the more philosophical realm if you prefer, Lord Acton warned, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

It was in 2014 that Russell Moore, the president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission with the Southern Baptist Convention, wrote a book entitled, Onward: Engaging the Culture Without Losing the Gospel.  In that book Dr. Moore warned the Church in America, in particular, of the dangers of trading devotion to the Gospel for Earthly power.

“Some sectors of religious activism are willing to receive, as Christians, heretics and demagogues, so long as they are with us politically....When that happens, we are demonstrating what we believe to be truly important, and we are embracing then a different gospel from the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

I have written about this danger often enough in the past, but seeing Dr. Moore's quote for the first time felt like reason enough to revisit it once more.

What do we gain, as a Church, if we gain earthly power, if to do so we have to align ourselves with individuals or institutions which are antithetical to the Gospel?  Do we "win" if we abandon the teachings of Christ in order to advance a political agenda?  It is not as if Jesus didn't himself address this topic, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Mark 8:36)

The question is simple: Which is more important to you, a victory in the political realm, or a victory for the Gospel?

If human history is any indication, and it is, you're not likely to have both.

As Joshua said to the people of Israel at the end of his time leading them, "choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:14-15).  You can only serve one master, if it isn't Christ, you've already lost.

Sermon Video: "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD" - Psalm 118:22-29

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on the day we now commemorate as Palm Sunday, he was greeted with cheering crowds waving palm branches and spreading their cloaks on the path as they shouted, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD."  Where did the inspiration for that particular cry of acclamation come from?  The words are from Psalm 118, the last of the six psalms that were part of the celebration of Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles.  When pilgrims came to Jerusalem for these important festivals, the words they chose to apply to Jesus were already on their minds.
When looking at the context of Psalm 118:26, we discover that just a few verses earlier in verse 22 is the line that Jesus applied to himself after telling the parable of the tenants, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone".  There in that one psalm is both the joyous praise offered to God because of the miracles and teaching of Jesus, and the realization that he will be rejected at first only to be vindicated by God.
The psalm ends as it began, with thanksgiving to God for his goodness and his unfailing love.  As Jesus entered Jerusalem to the cheers of the crowd, he well understood that he would be leaving the city less than a week later to the sound of jeers, and he wouldn't wouldn't be gently riding a donkey, but struggling under the weight of a cross.  Jesus knew this, and he also knew that he was following the will of the Father, that death would be swallowed up in victory, and that God would deserve even more thanksgiving when the implications for humanity of the triumph of Easter were shared as the Good News of the Gospel.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Sermon Video - "The battle is not yours, but God's" 2 Chronicles 20

                After barely escaping his disastrous alliance with Ahab, King Jehoshaphat returns to Jerusalem where he faces rebuke from God’s prophet.  Jehoshaphat proves his character by taking the criticism, and returning to the work he should have been doing, the administration of justice and support of God’s Law for his people.  In the midst of this renewed effort to be the type of king the people of God need, calamity strikes without warning: Jehoshaphat is informed of a league of three kingdoms to the east that have joined to invade Judah, and they’re already on this side of the Jordan River.

                In the midst of a crisis that could end his kingdom and destroy his people if not thwarted, Jehoshaphat turns not to his palace to meet with his generals, but to the temple to lead the assembled people of God in prayer.  With the invading army only a day away, Jehoshaphat prays before the people, recalling God’s seat upon the throne of heaven, his promise to Abraham, and ending by recalling that his ancestors had shown mercy to the Edomites who are now amongst those invading Judah, which leads to a call for God to show justice.

                The response to Jehoshaphat’s powerful prayer is impressive: God speaks through a Levite in attendance at this assembly in the temple courtyard to assure his people that they need not be afraid even of an approaching army, for “the battle is not yours, but God’s”.  This is the key truth for Jehoshaphat and for us today.  The true battle between Good and Evil was never ours to win or lose, it was always the responsibility of God, and the outcome of victory was never in doubt.  The champion of the cause of right is the Lamb of God, who is indeed worthy.

                The battle is God’s, but his people still need to put on their armor and take the field.  Jehoshaphat leads the army out of Jerusalem with a choir of men in front praising God, “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.”  As the people praise, God throws the enemy army into confusion and they turn upon each other and destroy themselves.  What was the key to victory?  The power of God fulfilling his Word.  And how was that power accessed?  By the fervent prayer of his people, gathered together, and their subsequent steps of obedience in faithful trust. 

To watch the video, click on the link below:

 Sermon Video

Sermon Video: "unless a kernel of wheat falls" - John 12:24-32

With the Triumphal Entry mere moments behind him, Jesus begins to impress upon his disciples that "the hour" is at hand.  The purpose that brought the Son of God to dwell among men will culminate in his own death.  This death will not be an accident, rather it will be the fulfillment of the divine plan which envisioned the self-sacrifice of the Christ.  The life which Jesus will willingly lay down will accomplish infinitely more than he could have by trying to preserve it.
The same principle which Jesus proves in his own life applies to our lives as well.  If we believe that our lives are our own, and hold them tightly in our grasp, we will in the end lose that life just the same to no purpose.  If, however, we believe that our life is a gift of God, a stewardship for which we must one day give account, we will throughout our lives give of ourselves to show the love of God to others and in the end be rewarded by God for our faithfulness.
It may be a paradox, but the Son of Man will destroy sin and death by taking the world's sin upon his back and dying.  The moment of supreme victory for Lucifer's campaign of rebellion against Heaven will instead be the moment of complete defeat as Jesus rises from the grave in victory once-for-all ending the enslavement of mankind to sin and reconciling the world to God.  The cross, a symbol of brutal Roman oppression will in time become the symbol of hope for lost, the poor, and the hopeless.  In death, Jesus will provide life; in death, victory.
The question then becomes: Will we follow suit?  Will we walk in the footsteps of Jesus, give our lives freely to a life of service?

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

The hero's homecoming

This past week the members of the 1st Squadron, 33 Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) returned home to Fort Campbell after completing their deployment to Afghanistan. Included in that squadron is one of my best friends, Captain (Dr.) Zach DeYoung {the man who was influential in my own decision to join the Army reserves as a chaplain}. Upon their return, the unit was greeted with the pomp and ceremony befitting the honor due those who have served their countries. They were then of course mobbed by family members. After a year apart, husbands and wives held each other once again, children were scooped up and treasured once more. Zach was reunited with his wife Karen and his daughters Isabella (3) and Sophia (1). It would be difficult to picture a more touching family reunion. The virtues of patience, duty, sacrifice, commitment, and love could easily be extolled upon by those looking to inspire others to make virtuous choices of their own. This scene has been, and will be repeated, all over the country as men and women return home from tours of duty. They deserve our thanks.
As I pondered this homecoming, I couldn’t help but imagine for a moment what the homecoming celebration must have been like when Jesus returned in triumph to his own home. He too had been away a long time on a dangerous mission, and he, like too many others, was asked to give his life in service to that mission. Unlike the sacrifices made in defense of freedom, the cause that Jesus was willing to die for was the liberation of the souls of mankind. As noble as those sacrifices are (Jesus honored them with his own words, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” John 15:13), they can never match the victory over sin and death achieved by Christ at the cross and vindicated three days later at the empty tomb.
When Jesus returned home to his Father, amidst the throngs of angels and men and women whose hope had been in the Lord, the shout of triumph must have put to shame the thousands who will cheer at this year’s Super Bowl. Not only had Jesus lived a sinless life in order to make his sacrifice worthy, he had also passed the test at the moment of trial by proclaiming his allegiance to his duty, “may your will be done” (Matthew 26:42). On that day, when Jesus returned home to the embrace of his heavenly father, he stood victorious over sin and death, a hero whose example inspires us to sacrifice for each other as so many honorable soldiers already have.