Is Pope Francis right about the Gospel?

Nothing like an attention grabbing headline to get people to read an article.  This particular headline is most likely worth a chuckle to most readers, perhaps a shocked double-take to the few who wouldn't believe a Pope if he said the grass was green.  In a recent interview that was widely published by the Vatican, Pope Francis commented on the centrality of the Gospel message to the work and teachings of the Church.

A beautiful homily, a genuine sermon must begin with the first proclamation, with the proclamation of salvation. There is nothing more solid, deep and sure than this proclamation. Then you have to do catechesis. Then you can draw even a moral consequence. But the proclamation of the saving love of God comes before moral and religious imperatives. (America Magazine)

The take-away from the media was that the Pope wants Catholics to downplay the issues of the culture wars such as abortion and homosexuality; in other words, "Watch out conservatives, this Pope is a liberal!"  That erroneous reporting actually proves Pope Francis' point, the Church (and our message as perceived by the media) has been hijacked by moral and religious imperatives at the expense of the core message of our faith: that Christ died to save sinners. 
As a Church, we're in the business of reconciliation.  Reconciliation is our ministry, it is our mission.  We exist to help people find their way back home to their Heavenly Father.  If we fail in that mission, no other victory that we may achieve, political, cultural, or otherwise, will be worth anything.  If we win the culture wars, but lose the battle over for the souls of the Lost, we haven't won a thing.  In actuality, the Pope didn't say anything that hundreds of old-time Gospel revival preachers hadn't said before.  For example, the epitome of the revival sermon style given by one of history's great preachers, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", by Jonathen Edwards, focuses very clearly on the absolute need for each and every person to make a personal commitment to Christ.

And now you have an extraordinary Opportunity,

a Day wherein Christ has flung the Door

of Mercy wide open, and stands in the Door calling

and crying with a loud Voice to poor Sinners; a

Day wherein many are flocking to him, and pressing

into the Kingdom of God; many are daily coming

from the East, West, North and South; many

that were very lately in the same miserable Condition

that you are in, are in now an happy State,

with their Hearts filled with Love to Him that has

loved them and washed them for their Sins in his

own Blood, and rejoycing in Hope of the Glory

of God. How awful is it to be left behind at such

a Day!

Is Pope Francis right about the Gospel?  Absolutely, it is and must always be our highest priority.  As ministers of the Gospel, our number one goal is to heal the broken-hearted, to share Christ's offer of forgiveness.  It is only then that our secondary goals, moral growth and maturity have any hope of success.  We cannot convince culture to cherish the unborn if they won't even save themselves from God's judgment, and we cannot hope to save marriages if we don't elevate the Bride of Christ by proclaiming to any and all that the Marriage Supper of the Lamb still has room for many guests. (Rev. 19:6-9)
Does that mean we walk away from moral issues, of course not.  It means that we should have our priorities straight, we should give no man just cause to think that any issue is more important to us than the Gospel, and it means that we need to not worry about our ancestors rolling over in their graves, we need to agree with Pope Francis.  The proclamation of the saving love of God comes first.
To read an excellent article on how poorly the intent of Pope Francis' words have been reported, click on the following link: Edward Morrissey's article

Sermon Video - Grace: Not for sale, Acts 8:4-25

In the wake of the persecution of the Church by Saul, the followers of Jesus flee Jerusalem, but take the Gospel with them.  Philip begins preaching in Samaria, among the remnants of the 10 Lost Tribes, a people with whom the Jews share much heritage and mutual animosity.  Following Jesus' example, Philip shares with them the message of the Messiah accompanied by miraculous signs of healing, and they accept it with great joy.  Meanwhile, Simon, a local celebrity due to his access to some type of magic, is also awed by the power of the one true God that flows through Philip, and he too accepts the Gospel.

Peter and John arrive from Jerusalem to confirm the validity of the belief of the people of Samaria, at which point the Holy Spirit comes upon them.  Seeing this, Simon asks if he too could have access to the power to give the Holy Spirit and offers Peter money.  Peter's angry response makes it clear that the Gospel is not for sale and that Simon's motives were still clouded by his past. 

The question raised by Simon is one that has affected the Gospel message throughout the history of the Church and continues to do so.  Must God's gift of salvation through Christ be freely given and freely received, or can it be earned, bargained for, bought, or sold?  The answer to the question illustrates the heart of the Gospel.  God's gift of salvation through faith is an act of grace.  It cannot be earned, it cannot be bargained for, it cannot be bought, and it certainly cannot be sold.  To drift away from grace toward any sort of system that suggests salvation can be earned is to endanger the Gospel message.  It was exactly this drift that caused Martin Luther to object to the use of indulgences, the end result of which was a rift in the Church that has not been healed 500 years later.

Is the Gospel for sale?  Never, it is free, it always will be.  It can only be accepted by those willing to receive it, and it cannot be kept from anyone willing to accept it.

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

How can we really make a difference?

One of the discussions that Mustard Seed Missions is about to undertake focuses on the number of people/families we can expect to help in the upcoming year.  This past year, our first, saw 100 referrals (and counting) from county caseworkers to our fledgling non-denominational ministry.  That number staggers me, it is far higher than I would have expected.  We've helped about 65 of them thus far, by God's grace and the generosity of individuals and churches in Venango County, and that number staggers me as well.  God has been good to us, we've worked hard in his harvest field, but as Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." (Matthew 9:37)  This past year, the workers have been dedicated, but the harvest has been still greater than we imagined.  So, what are we supposed to do?  Help as many people as we can, as fast as we can, or help a smaller number of people as much as we can?  Which method holds out more hope for breaking the cycles of material and spiritual poverty that surround us?  Jesus was the Son of God, but even he was exhausted by the press of the crowds hoping to find physical healing, and even he was worn out trying to extend to them spiritual healing as well.
The answer is certainly connected to long-term solutions, and this is something that every aid agency and charity struggles with.  How do you meet today's needs and at the same time help prevent them from being tomorrow's needs as well?  The wisdom of Ed Dobson in his Ed's Story film series about dealing with his ALS is relevant here.  Ed was a successful pastors, his congregation was many thousands, but when ALS started to take away his ability to do his job he had to quit.  He lost the ability to reach thousands, and was left with only the ability to reach one at a time.  Beyond being an inspirational story of faith, Ed's shift to working with people one-on-one is also a cautionary tale to the rest of us about trying to make spiritual guidance into a fast food industry.  The meal that God offers, the Bread of Life, is not to be gulped down on the road.  We need to make a difference in the lives of the Lost, we need to care for their needs and introduce them to Jesus; that's a process we can't rush.  As I said, we're trying to figure this out, your prayers are appreciated.

Sermon Video: The Martyrdom of Stephen - Acts 6:8-8:2

The powerful story of the martyrdom of Stephen in Acts marks the moment when Christianity became a new religion, and not just a reform movement within Judaism.  On it's surface, it is also an important message about remaining faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ no matter what the consequences might be.  There is another message for those willing to listen to it, one that may be difficult to hear, and that is the sermon of Stephen itself.  If you read the sermon of Stephen, it begins as a summarization of the history of Israel as God's Covenant people.  As it progresses, the emphasis shifts to the lack of faith and disobedience of the people, especially the trouble that Moses had in trying to lead them.
When Stephen reaches his conclusion, that his audience are heirs of that "stiff-necked" heritage, the trial itself has become a referendum on those sitting in judgment.  Are they followers of the prophets of old, or are they followers of the unbelieving generation that died in the desert?  The question is easily answered by Stephen's conclusion, "you who have received the law...but have not obeyed it."  To obey the Law is to follow Moses, to ignore it is to follow the path of rebellion.
When you read the story of Stephen, who do you identify with?  Most readers would assume that they're on Stephen's side, that they stand with the martyrs against oppression, hatred, and rebellion.  Most would assume that, but Stephen's question remains, do you obey the Word of God?  Everyone who obeys, by faith, can rightly claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ, those who do not, are sitting with the Sanhedrin.
When you hear the Truth, from God's Word or God's modern-day prophets, what is your response?

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

Sermon Video, Sharing the Ministry - Acts 6:1-7

What is the proper role of a pastor?  What duties, responsibilities, and obligations should be carried out by the person(s) entrusted to lead God's Church?  The Early Church ran into this dilemma in its own way when some of the widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.  The disciples, keenly aware of their calling to witness and make disciples, declined to become personally involved in this aspect of the Church's ministry.  Instead, they had the church choose seven men with reputations for wisdom and spiritually maturity from among themselves.  The disciples then turned this ministry over to them and continued to concentrate upon prayer and the ministry of the Word.
The episode in the life of the Early Church beautifully illustrates the need for lay leadership in the church and the obvious truth that no pastor(s) can, or should, do everything.  The reasons why churches fail to share the burden of ministry vary, from ego to timidity to laziness, but the end result if the same: burnt out ministers and churches more dead than alive.  When God's people answer the call of service, there is no limit to what God can do in their midst.

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