Christ and Common Sense

Thoughts from a Central Valley Pastor

Category: Discernment

Youth Sports: Four Questions to Ask

May 15, 2024 /

In the last two months, youth sports have surged back to life. Parents have started their yearly tradition of driving kids to and from practices, games, and meetings. They are constantly asking questions, “When is the next practice?” “Why isn’t my son getting more playing time?” “What field is my daughter’s game at?” These questions come fast and hard and many parents need to take the time to slow down and consider another group of questions that all Christian parents should ask when navigating the world of youth sports. 

Question #1) How will youth sports affect our family? It has become common for families to have multiple children in different sports, which means they are constantly on the go. If you find yourself driving frantically from practice to practice, eating fast food in the car, and microwaving pop-tarts to save time, then as the comedian Brian Reagan says, “You might need to loosen up your schedule!”

Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers do not provoke your children to anger.” It is very likely that your children will become tired, irritable, and be tempted to be disobedient if they are not getting time to sleep well, do their homework, and have one-on-one time with their parents. Parents can make the mistake of thinking their kids will be angry if they don’t constantly do sports, but the reality is they may become frustrated by doing too many sports. 

Question #2) Will this sport have any games or practices on Sundays? My wife and I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that the spiritual growth of our children is always more important than their athletic development. The Bible makes it clear that the purpose of parenting is to raise their children in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4 ESV) This means Sunday mornings are reserved for spiritual training with our church family and we often find the rest of each Sunday is a great time to rest and reconnect with the family. 

Question #3) Will this sport become an idol for me, my wife, or my children? The apostle John’s closing words in his first letter are surprisingly simple, “My little children, keep yourself from idols.” An idol is anything that takes the place of worshipping God. Jesus told us the greatest commandment is to “Love the lord your God with all your heart, with all your might, and with all your strength and a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:38-39) This means that everything in life needs to be considered through the grid of whether it is adding to our love for God or distracting from it.

Question #4) What is motivating you as a parent to place your child in sports? Is it because all his friends are in sports? Is it because you want him to get a college scholarship? Is it because you want bragging rights with your friends? God’s word tells us, “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) This is a good time for believers to think carefully about youth sports. We need to take a step back and realize that the rat race of the business world has infiltrated youth sports. There is money to be made in the world of sports and many of those pushing sports in the culture have motives and goals that are in opposition to glorifying God and living according to God’s word. 

Each family has to decide how to use the precious time given by God to raise their children. There is freedom to invest in different ways in youth sports, but each parent is responsible to ask Godly questions in order to raise their children in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord.” 

 Photo credit: Edward N. Johnson www.flickr.com/photos/usaghumphreys/6205493855

Christopher Amis

God’s Call for Discernment

April 27, 2024 /

Unity, Maturity, and Stability. Those were three stages of growth that pastor Scott Ardavanis encouraged believers to look for in local churches. Instead of getting on a cruise to nowhere, Ardavanis said believers need to be a part of putting God on display through the local church. He based his sermon on Ephesians 4:13, which says, “until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the full knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” Pastor Scott’s message was a fitting way to begin a weekend full of encouraging hospitality and solid teaching from God’s word.

One of the highlights of the conference was listening to Dr. John MacArthur preach from God’s word on the topic of discernment. His more than fifty years of experience pastoring at the same church in Los Angeles has given him a unique vantage point to know how to effectively shepherd God’s people. 

His first session focused on the need for discernment in local churches. He emphasized how churches need to “examine all things; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22) He said, “The culture is coming at us with a ferocity, in the media, that is unlike anything seen in history.” He mentioned that believers need to be like the apostle Paul who said, “Therefore we do not lose heart.” He explained that the original Greek term used for “do not lose heart” is actually one word which means “not giving into evil.” Christians today can resist evil by keeping their focus on the gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:1-6). 

Pastor MacArthur emphasized how Paul’s strategy of resisting evil can help believers keep the standards of discernment intact. He taught that believers need to remember five things: 1) The superiority of the gospel, 2) The great mercy of God using imperfect people to accomplish his will, 3) the need for a pure heart, 4) the need to handle Scripture accurately, and 5) to give the results to God and not men. 

Another highlight of the conference was listening to Pastor Costi Hinn’s message on discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit. Costi’s testimony provides ample evidence of someone who emphasized misguided approaches to hearing from God, instead of looking primarily to the word of God. His message included four examples of ways people lack discernment in discerning God’s will. All of these strategies were done by pastor Costi before he realized that the Spirit of God primarily speaks through Scripture. 

The first misguided approach is sitting in silence until God speaks audibly. Costi spoke from experience. He humorously said, “If you do this you may be sitting in silence for a very long time.” Another misguided approach is waiting for “a still, small voice of God.” This is when people wait for an inner feeling to guide their decision. Instead of a subjective approach to seeking God’s will, Costi would recommend searching Scripture and seeking wise counsel. A third approach is one he described as “reading the tea leaves.” This is when someone looks for a special sign from God to make a decision. 1 Peter 1:9 says, “And we have as more sure the prophetic word, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place.” Costi’s point was that God’s word provides greater clarity on issues than looking for a special event to take place. 

The last misguided approach that pastor Costi mentioned was one he calls the “thumb game.” This is when someone asks God to direct them by opening the Bible to a random page and claiming a promise or a blessing from God. This is not an approach that he recommends people take. Costi reminded those in attendance that the Spirit of God’s guidance will not be split from God’s word. So believers should carefully study God’s word to know the spirit’s leading. 

The goal of the conference was so “the Word of God might be magnified and God may be glorified.” Those who attended were moved towards this goal with invigorating times of worship, encouraging hospitality, and thought-provoking teaching from men whose lives have been changed by the love of God and by a careful study of Scripture. 

Biblical Sea Creature Discovered in England? 

December 22, 2023 /

I am going to surprise some people this week because my Christmas weekend article is not about Christmas! In fact, it is about a possible discovery of a Biblical Leviathan (If you missed my Christmas article, just look for last week’s post). 

I am always intrigued when people find ancient evidence that is connected to the Biblical account. Sometimes a unique archeological site is uncovered that refers to a specific person or place that is recorded in Scripture (i.e. Tel Dan stele). In other instances, an ancient manuscript is uncovered that confirms one of the authors of Scripture (i.e. Dead Sea Scrolls). Rarely is something discovered from the ancient animal world that is tied to the Bible, but that is exactly what I read about last week! 

The article I read mentioned the discovery of the remains of a huge sea creature in the cliffs of southern England (https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-67650247). The animal is being referred to as a pliosaur, which was a massive marine reptile that used its 130 dagger-like teeth to demolish its prey. In the spring of 2022, the skull of the sea monster was discovered and later removed intact from the black cliffs that line the coast near Dorset, England. 

This particular skull measures 2 meters (6.5 ft) in length and it is believed to have had a biting force of 33,000 newtons which is comparable to that of a Tyrannosaurus Rex (45,000 newtons). Just to put that in context, a crocodile has 16,000 newtons of force and a dog has 1,000 newtons. One of the reasons given for such a strong biting force comes from a paleobiologist named Emily Rayfield. She examined the large circular openings at the back of the skull, which she determined reveal the size of the muscles which were used for “operating the jaws of the pliosaur.” 

Answers in Genesis, the organization that is connected with the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky also wrote an article about the discovery of this marine creature (https://answersingenesis.org/dinosaurs/types/meet-leviathan/). The title of the article is “Meet Leviathan – Was the Skull of an Ancient Leviathan Found in Dorset?” The article draws attention to different aspects of the discovery that link it with the Biblical account of Leviathan. 

The Bible describes a Leviathan in five different places, including the book of Job (3:8, 41:1), Psalms (74:14, 104:26), and Isaiah 27:1. The book of Job contains the most famous description of Leviathan because it includes an entire chapter about the sea creature. Job 41 says, “Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook or press down his tongue with a cord? Can you put a rope in his nose or pierce his jaw with a hook?” The chapter describes the creatures incredibly tough skin, his terrifying teeth and mouth, and strong neck (18-21). Job 41:22 reads, “In his neck abides strength, and terror dances before him.” Every article I read about the sea creature made reference to its incredible biting force, which would have required massive neck muscles. That is one reason I thought it was interesting that all the research about this creature mentions its incredible neck. The biting force of this creature made it untouchable! 

That is one reason God used the Leviathan as an example when he wanted to humble Job. God used the example of the Leviathan to prove that Job was a weak, finite creature. Job was not to question God. He needed to submit to God and recognize God’s power extended from physical strength to sovereign strength as well. Job’s response to God is a helpful reminder of how we should respond to Him. Job said, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6)

I am not sure if the pliosaur found in Dorset is the Leviathan of the Bible, but it certainly has characteristics that make me think of the Bible’s account. That is one reason I wanted to write about it today. As Christians, we should not be surprised when discoveries are made that confirm the Biblical account. The Bible is history and thus we will continue to learn of discoveries that line up with what was accurately recorded in God’s holy word. 

Social Media: Five Questions to Ask from Josh Johnson’s New Book

August 4, 2023 /

Love it or hate it, everyone has an opinion about social media. Should Christians use it or refuse it? Should followers of Christ spend time on Facebook or instagram as tools to share the truth of Scripture or should they shun it as a waste of time? This short article will be geared towards those who use social media, but the principles mentioned can be applied to any type of communication, whether written or spoken.

A recently published book by pastor Jeff Johnson gives some helpful guidelines to consider when using social media. The title of his book is Taming the Fingers: Heavenly Wisdom for Social Media. Pastor Jeff recognizes the need to give guidelines to Christians who use social media. He writes, “Social media can be a wonderful tool to communicate, connect with people, and share a measure of our lives with one another. However, unless we understand how to use social media wisely, we will be accessories to Satan’s destructive purposes.” 

I appreciate his candor on the subject. He brings years of experience as a Biblical counselor to the issue by applying principles from the book of Proverbs to how we communicate. He has a formula for Facebook (and every other type of social media) that is built around five questions that help the reader question their motives and attitude in communication. I will list each question along with a few thoughts of my own. My hope is that you’ll be impacted by what you read and go pick up a copy of the book yourself (www.heritagebooks.org) 

The first question to ask when using social media is “Am I Controlled?” This is also the title of the first chapter and it is built around several Proverbs that prove the importance of self-control in communication. Proverbs 29:11 is wonderfully succinct, “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” Pastor Jeff makes a good point about how different electronic communication is to others forms of speaking and writing. He writes, “The technology that has given us social media has taken away much of the quality control that governs communication.” The author makes a strong case from Scripture for believers to be cautious about what they write online. There is no special “free speech” pass for Christians to say whatever they want on the internet. God is aware of our words and direct messages, even before we write them!

The second question is “Am I Calm?” This is specifically focused on not responding out of anger online. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Pastor Jeff believes that one reason so much anger is expressed online is because people believe it will bring about change. He makes the argument that venting online rarely makes lasting change in the mind of the viewers. I would certainly agree. Christians need to remember that the ends do not justify the means. We are called to a higher standard than the world and this means we need to constantly consider our motives for what we say and write. 

The next question is one that is often overlooked on social media. It is the question “Am I Careful?” Proverbs 12:11 says “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” The author of Taming the Fingers encourages believers to calculate the risks involved in communicating online. It can be difficult to anticipate the impact a certain phrase or image may have once it is posted online. I did not realize this until I lived overseas. I came to see that many of my posts could come across as boastful and excessive to people in poorer countries or communities. 

The fourth question is “Am I Compassionate?” Pastor Jeff makes an interesting point in this chapter about true compassion. He distinguishes between false compassion and true compassion as seen in Proverbs 12:10, “Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.” The “mercy” of the wicked is actually false mercy or false compassion. This would be the kind of “good works” that someone does just to be seen on social media. Jesus spoke very strongly about doing righteous deeds with the right motives. He said, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:3-4 

The last question is “Am I Conscientious?” The author really hits home in this chapter because he warns against acting differently online than we would in person. He writes, “How we use social media should be a matter of conscience.” We should follow the apostle Paul’s model from Acts 24:16, “So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.” This last question is very practical because it allows each person’s conscience to guide what they read and write on social media. It is possible for someone’s conscience to be weakened by what they see online. Those who use it must constantly feed themselves the truth of God’s word to make sure that their conscience is being informed by Scripture, not by worldly influences online. 

I have read helpful articles and blog posts about social media before, but I think this is the best treatment on the subject because it is Biblical and practical. I appreciate how the author uses the book of Proverbs as a practical guide for communicating online. His guidelines will go a long way in helping believers engage with the “digital town square” with grace and truth. 

Should Churches Fundraise?

July 21, 2023 /

This is one of those questions that must be guided by God’s Word and common sense because there is no chapter and verse that specifically addresses the many fundraising options available to churches today (silent auctions, firework stands, raffles, etc). The leadership of each church has freedom on how to decide these matters, but they should always make an informed, prayerful decision. 

Let’s start with raffles. Every now and then someone will ask if it would be possible to raise money with a fundraising raffle. The most helpful way to address this issue is to first understand what a raffle is. The State of California Penal Code Section 320.5 describes a raffle as a “scheme for the distribution of prizes by chance among persons who have paid money for paper tickets that provide the opportunity to win these prizes.” In order to protect against a raffle being considered an illegal lottery, it has to be operated in-person by a registered charity or non-profit organization and at least 90 percent of the profit from the raffle must go “directly to beneficial or charitable purposes in California.” Religious organizations do not have to report the income from raffles, but all other charities and nonprofits have specific guidelines for registering and reporting raffles with the Attorney General’s office. 

The fact that the state of California includes raffles in their penal code should give a pretty good hint about the wisdom of churches using them. As Christians, we are to be “above reproach,” which means “not being a lover of money.” (1 Timothy 3:2,3) We should always prefer to seek an income by good, honest work, which means avoiding games of chance and gambling (1 Thessalonians 5:22, 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, Hebrews 13:5). The fact that the California penal code includes raffles as a game of chance makes it clear that this method of fundraising should be avoided by churches. 

Silent or live auctions do not involve lotteries, but they are still regulated by the state. In this case I would recommend seeking legal advice regarding sales tax and the need for each church to receive a California Seller’s Permit. This website has some helpful information www.fplglaw.com/insights/california-charity-auctions. Silent auctions can be effective fundraisers because generous donors often give items to the church that can then be sold to raise funds for the church. Both the party donating the items and those buying them need to have documentation to prove that the church is raising funds with integrity. 

It is important for churches to seek wise financial advice regarding all forms of fundraising because there are many traps that can have a negative impact on the testimony of the Church. Jesus told his disciples, “I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16). The context of this passage is referring to his followers preaching the gospel, but I believe the principle is true for how Christians and churches handle finances as well. Our Lord and Savior is very interested in how churches invest the resources they have been given. 

Luke 19 contains a profound parable that Jesus taught about a nobleman who gave money to ten of his servants before leaving on a journey. When the nobleman came back he praised the servants who had invested the funds wisely, while he cursed the servant who did not invest what he had been given. He said, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Luke 19:11-27) Jesus Christ promised to build his church, but he wants the church to be wise and thoughtful in how they use the funds they have been given. 

The apostle Paul understood that the ultimate source of all church funds come from God. In his second letter to the Corinthian church he wrote, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” As it is written,“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” This last quotation comes from Psalm 112:4, which describes the blessings that come to those who fear the Lord. This is the main principle that should guide all church fundraising. It should be done in a way that honors God. In the early church, if one church had a need, it would be communicated to another church, which would prepare a financial gift for the needy church. The attitude of giving was to be one of joy, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor. 9:7) This example of giving suggests that the primary source of local church funds should come from believers who are motivated by their love for God. This does not mean that Christians can’t give towards a silent auction or a Tri-tip fundraiser, but it does mean that they are carefully considering their motives whenever they give. 1 Corinthians 10:31 is a helpful motto, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

My prayer is that those reading this article will be motivated to do the work of research and study with the funds they have been given so they might be considered good stewards of all God has given them. 

Saddleback Church and the SBC

June 30, 2023 /

On Wednesday, June 14, 2023 the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) announced Saddleback church of Orange County, CA had been voted out of the denomination. The vote was recorded as 9,437 votes (88.46%) supporting the removal and 1,212 votes (11.36%) rejecting the removal. This ended an ordeal that officially started at the 2021 SBC annual meeting in Nashville, TN. At that time a member of the SBC named Shadd Tibbs stated to the convention, “[I move that] we the Southern Baptist Convention, of June 2021, break fellowship with Saddleback Church, as they have ordained three ladies as pastors…at the very least, I am asking that the validity of this matter be looked into and report given at the 2022 Convention…” https://www.philipmeade.com/southern-baptist-convention/sbc-2022-annual-meeting-summary/ A committee was formed to consider whether Saddleback church was “in friendly cooperation with the Convention” or not.  

The following year the SBC met for an annual meeting in Anaheim, CA on June 14-15th. A special committee was formed to determine whether Saddleback church was using the title of “pastor” appropriately or not. This was an interesting question because from a Biblical perspective the role and office of pastor is the same as that of an elder and overseer of the church (Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 3:1-7, 5:17-19; Titus 1:5-7) . The leadership of Saddleback had  separated the ministry of shepherding or pastoring people from the office of pastor/elder/overseer. The argument was made by the leadership of the church that women could be given the title of “pastor” because they were serving in pastoral roles without infringing on the Biblical guidelines for men to fulfill the office of a pastor. 

At the time the SBC document “The Baptist Faith & Message” stated: “While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.” In 2022, Pastor Rick Warren spoke from the floor at the SBC annual meeting in Anaheim. He called for unity within the SBC and asked the convention “are we going to treat each other as allies or adversaries?” He stated that he did not expect to return the following year. It seemed likely that Saddleback church would be disfellowshipped from the convention. 

In September of 2022, pastor Rick Warren retired from his role at Saddleback church. He was replaced by his successor, pastor Andy Wood who became the executive pastor of the church. Pastor Andy’s wife Stacie, became the main teaching pastor at Saddleback church. 

On February 21, 2023 the SBC Executive Committee ruled that three churches would be removed from the denomination. The churches appealed and on June 14th, the entire Southern Baptist Convention, was given the opportunity to rule in support or in rejection of having Saddleback church and the two other churches removed from the church. 

The 2023 SBC convention took place in New Orleans, LA from June 13-14.  Over twelve thousand SBC members, who are known as messengers, attended the convention. They were allowed to hear an appeal from pastor Rick Warren from the floor of the convention. With the three minutes he was given, he asked the convention “why should this one issue cancel our fellowship?” In response, Dr. Al Mohler spoke on behalf of the Executive Committee. He put the issue in historical perspective and reminded everyone that the words “the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture” was inserted into the SBC documents because “thirty years ago this issue threatened to tear this denomination apart.” Dr. Mohler said, “This is not just an issue of church polity. This is not just a matter of hermeneutics. It is a matter of Biblical commitment, a commitment to the Scripture that unequivocally, we believe, limits the office of pastor to men.” After hearing the appeal and the response the convention voted to remove Saddleback church from the denomination. 

The Executive Committee also agreed to change the wording of the Baptist Faith & Message document to state that every church in the SBC “affirms, appoints, or employs only men as any kind of pastor or elder as qualified by Scripture.” This addition will need to be approved for two years in a row and then it will be officially added to the SBC documents. 

I am not a part of the SBC, but I still find it helpful to follow this story because it brings clarity to an issue that churches around the world struggle with. Can women be given the title of pastor without serving in the office of elder/pastor/overseer? Can the title of pastor be separated from that of an elder? 1 Timothy 3:2 makes it clear that only men should be elders. It states, “Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife.” There should be no disagreement over the gender of an elder and a careful reading of the original intent of Scripture reveals that there should be no disagreement over the gender of a pastor as well. 

Physical Wealth or Spiritual Health? 

June 9, 2023 /

Is it easier to live as a faithful Christian in a rich country or a poor country? Is it better for your spiritual health to be surrounded by possessions and the temptations of wealth or to live in a poor country with less distractions? I had to spend time living outside the United States before I realized that wealth can be one of most dangerous enemies of the Christian life. 

The Bible teaches about the dangers of wealth. 1 Timothy 6:10 says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (English Standard Version) Jesus Christ surprised his disciples when he said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24) I know American Christians would agree with this statement, but how many of us would call ourselves rich? How many of us want to admit that we are a part of the group that would find it difficult to enter heaven? 

This is important to consider because we can deceive ourselves into thinking we are not wealthy. Many American Christians wouldn’t think of themselves as rich because our society often uses that term for the upper 1% of a society. The truth about wealth, that is often overlooked in our country, is that the majority of Americans are richer than the most of the world. I found a website that lets you enter your income and family size in order to see how much of the world is richer and poorer than you. (howrichami.givingwhatwecan.org) I entered the average US income from 2021 ($70,784) with two parents and four children into the wealth calculator. The results are that if you made that much you would be richer than 89.9% of the world! 

During my research for this article I also learned that America has had the largest economy in the world every year since 1871! This means that even though the country went through immense difficulty during the Great Depression, we were still the largest economy in the world. This also means that people whose families have been in this country for the last one hundred and fifty years have become accustomed to a culture of wealth. It is the air we breathe. We may not think of ourselves as rich, but compared to the majority of people in the world, we certainly are. And if you compare the wealth of American Christians today to the people that Jesus was speaking to in Matthew 19, then the difference is even more stark. 

In Jesus’ time the majority of people were living in what would be described today as abject poverty. Most people were subsistence farmers who did not own the land they farmed. They had to pay significant taxes to the land owners and to tax collectors who kept a large percentage of profits for themselves and gave the rest to their Roman rulers. If people from Jesus’ day could come and see how we live today, they would think we were even wealthier than the rich young ruler. They might have been impressed with the many possessions that he had, but what would they think about the cars we drive or the homes we live in? What would they think about air conditioning? They wouldn’t even have a category to describe the kind of wealth we have and take for granted. 

I think this is fascinating to think about because Jesus’ point in Matthew 19 is that it is difficult for rich people to enter heaven. Rich people, like the rich young ruler, have “great possessions” that can get in the way of their relationship with God. The rich young ruler went away “sorrowful” because he knew he would have to give up the idol of his wealth in order to serve God faithfully. I often think about this in terms of living in the United States. It is a common occurrence to see Christians get drawn into the rat race of riches. It is easy to find yourself looking around, thinking that we need more wealth to be happy. I have to constantly remind myself that God does not want me to store up treasures here on earth, “where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.” (Matt. 6:19) He wants me to live for eternity. He wants me to live ready to give up any of my physical possessions to follow after him. He doesn’t want me to be sorrowful when I think of giving up time and money for him. He wants me to be joyful! 

When I read the account of the rich young ruler, I am sobered because I know I am in danger of acting like the rich man. I am in danger of being caught up with the temptations that wealth and comfort bring. I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to live in less affluent countries like Albania, Malaysia, and Thailand. My time in those countries convinced me that with wealth comes spiritual apathy. Instead of relying on God for our daily bread, people in wealthy countries often forget about God (Proverbs 30:8-9). Instead of learning to walk by the Spirit in slower economies, American Christians often feel the need to keep apace with the frenzied pace of an affluent society. I often think about how different life would be if people couldn’t afford the automobile or internet access. Would we immediately discover that we have more time to fellowship with people the way believers did in the early church. We would have time to practice the “one anothers” as we are commanded to in Scripture (1 Cor. 11:33, Gal. 5:13, 6:2, Eph. 4:2). 

I have been rushed to even write this article. There are deadlines and responsibilities that come from living in California that keep everyone busy. I wish I had time today to write about the other dangers to spiritual growth that come with wealth and comfort. The dangers of spiritual laziness and complacency. The danger of fearing man rather than God. These are very real symptoms of a life that is devoted to the pursuit of wealth.

God may bless you with wealth and great possessions, but the Christian must always remember that this world’s wealth is transitory. The wealth that God is concerned about is spiritual wealth and riches and that can only be found by keeping focused on God and dependent on him. 

A Call for Self-Control

January 21, 2023 /

When was the last time you saw or heard our society encourage the need for self-control? Unfortunately, the call for people to control their impulses and base desires has been rejected by the world. The need to control immoral urges seems to have been replaced with a demand for environmental guidelines and rules. Were we not told just this week that we need to be self-controlled in our use of gas stoves and natural resources? This environmental brow-beating is misdirecting people from the true problems of society. Where is the demand to reign in corruption, pornography, illicit sex, greed, and gluttony? Where is the call for people to be morally self-controlled? 

It comes as no surprise that our society will not encourage this type of self-control. We have to look to a supernatural source for this type of guidance because the natural world is geared towards sin and corruption. 

The Bible speaks very strongly about the need for self-control. Proverbs 25:28 says, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” In other words, without self-control a person has no defense against the temptations of the world. Without discernment the Christian can quickly give in to a myriad of temptations that will have permanent and painful results. Proverbs 13:15 puts it like this, “Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.” 

One of the most famous illustrations in the Bible about self-control is found in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 5:1-6 says, “My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; she does not ponder the path of life her ways wander, and she does not know it.”

Proverbs 7 goes on to tell a dramatic story about a foolish young man who meets a prostitute on the city streets and follows her to her lair. It says, “With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver, as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.” (Proverbs 7:21-23) 

Taken together these two passages create a strong argument for self-control. They appeal to the human instinct for self-protection. Why would anyone willingly follow a path that leads to death? The reason, according to Proverbs, is that they were unaware of the danger. If the young man is shown the danger of sin, he will be motivated to turn away from it. 

This is one reason the Bible is so valuable today. It is the only place where the reader can find divine warnings about the reality of sin and the need for repentance. It is the only place where morality is defined by the holiness of God. Leviticus 19:2 says, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” God’s holiness is perfect. He is a God of truth, righteousness, purity, and goodness. He can not allow wickedness to dwell in his presence. He created the world to be pure and sinless, but when Adam and Eve sinned, the world was plunged into perpetual wickedness. This is why God had to provide a solution for sin. This is why Jesus Christ came to the earth. He lived a perfect life and died on the cross so that he could make the payment for our sins (Romans 10:9-10). He did so in order to fulfill God the Father’s need for sin to be paid. He did so to bring glory to God. 

This last point is important to bring up in relation to living a life of self-control. The Christian should be motivated to live a holy life because of his or her desire to glorify God. The Christian should resist temptation because he wants to do the will of the Father. The will of the Father is for us to do good works. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) If a Christian recognizes the joy and peace that comes from living for God then he will be willing to resist temptation for he knows that path brings pain and death, but the narrow path of God brings joy and life eternal! 

John MacArthur’s Letter to the Governor

October 1, 2022 /

I have never heard of a pastor writing an open letter to the sitting governor of a state. I am sure it has happened in the past, but for a letter of this magnitude to be written is a historically significant event, if only because of how rarely it occurs. As such, I think it is important to make my readers aware of what has happened so they can be informed and pray accordingly. 

The letter was published on September 29, 2022 at www.gracechurch.org/news/posts/3592. The following is a portion of an open letter from Pastor John MacArthur to Governor Gavin Newsom. The letter was written in “response to billboard advertisements placed across the country by Newsom’s campaign shamelessly misquoting Mark 12:31 in support of abortion.” 

Almighty God says in His Word, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Scripture also teaches that it is the chief duty of any civic leader to reward those who do well and to punish evildoers (Romans 13:1–7). You have not only failed in that responsibility; you routinely turn it on its head, rewarding evildoers and punishing the righteous.

The Word of God pronounces judgment on those who call evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20), and yet many of your policies reflect this unholy, upside-down view of honor and morality. The diabolical effects of your worldview are evident in the statistics of California’s epidemics of crime, homelessness, sexual perversions (like homosexuality and transgenderism), and other malignant expressions of human misery that stem directly from corrupt public policy. I don’t need to itemize or elaborate on the many immoral decisions you have perpetrated against God and the people of our state, which have only exacerbated these problems. Nevertheless, my goal in writing is not to contend with your politics, but rather to plead with you to hear and heed what the Word of God says to men in your position.

“Let all kings bow down before Him, all nations serve Him” (Psalm 72:11).

“He who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God, is as the light of the morning when the sun rises” (2 Samuel 23:3–4).

“It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, for a throne is established on righteousness” (Proverbs 16:12).

What God said to Cyrus is a truth you should take to heart: “I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me; that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:5–6).

“In mid-September, you revealed to the entire nation how thoroughly rebellious against God you are when you sponsored billboards across America promoting the slaughter of children, whom He creates in the womb (Psalm 139:13–16; Isaiah 45:9–12). You further compounded the wickedness of that murderous campaign with a reprehensible act of gross blasphemy, quoting the very words of Jesus from Mark 12:31 as if you could somehow twist His meaning and arrogate His name in favor of butchering unborn infants. 

You used the name and the words of Christ to promote the credo of Molech (Leviticus 20:1–5). It would be hard to imagine a greater sacrilege.Furthermore, you chose words from the lips of Jesus without admitting that in the same moment He gave the greatest commandment: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). You cannot love God as He commands while aiding in the murder of His image-bearers.Psalm 50:16–19 speaks to people who pervert the Word of God for their own sinful ends: But to the wicked God says, “What right have you to recount My statutes And to take My covenant in your mouth? For you hate discipline, And you cast My words behind you. When you see a thief, you are pleased with him, And you associate with adulterers. You let your mouth loose in evil And you harness your tongue for deceit.”

My concern, Governor Newsom, is that your own soul lies in grave, eternal peril. “Each one of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). One day, not very long from now, you will face that reality. Nothing is more certain. “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). You will stand in the presence of the Holy God who created you, who is your Judge, and He will demand that you give an account for how you have flouted His authority in your governing, and how you have twisted His own Holy Word to rationalize it. As you look over the precipice of eternity, what will your answer be? When you look ahead of you and see that nothing awaits you but eternal misery—the just punishment for your sins—what will all the clever rationalizations and political talking points avail for you then? And by then it will be too late for any remedy or redemption. “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

My plea to you, Sir, is that you would not let it come to that—that you would not go to that day of judgment apart from receiving forgiveness and righteousness through faith in Christ alone. In Psalm 50, after rebuking the wicked for uttering God’s words in a profane way, Scripture makes this promise: “Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there will be none to deliver. He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies Me; and he who orders his way, I shall show the salvation of God” (Psalm 50:22–23).So there is salvation for those who repent. Christ purchased full redemption for all who will turn from wickedness, forsake their evil thoughts and actions, and trust fully in Him as Lord and Savior.Our church, and countless Christians nationwide, are praying for your full repentance. 

Please respond to the gospel, forsake the path of wickedness you have pursued all your life, turn to Christ, ask for forgiveness, and use your office to advance the cause of righteousness (as is your duty) instead of undermining it (as has been your pattern). “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6–7)Governor Newsom, “now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). For the Master, John MacArthur Pastor-Teacher 

As I wrote earlier, this is a significant event. John MacArthur is not one to waste time pursuing political messages for personal gain. He is driven by his conviction and his belief in the sufficiency of Scripture. He is sounding the alarm and graciously calling the governor to repentance. 

From my perspective this is a case of stolen valor. The governor has tried to drape himself and his campaign in a religious uniform by quoting scripture to support his view of abortion. This is an affront to God’s holy word and to the Catholic beliefs that the governor claims to support. Kathleen Domingo, the executive director of the California Catholic Conference said, “It is unconscionable that these ads distort Scripture to support abortion, specifically in states that have already dramatically limited abortion in favor of supporting life,” (https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2022/09/23/unconscionable-california-gov-newsom-cites-jesus-on-billboards-promoting-abortion/) 

I will not be surprised if the governor does not reply to pastor John’s letter because technically the campaign posters he authorized only pertain to his reelection campaign, not his current role as governor. That is what I was told by the governor’s office when I called last week. The person who took my call ended the call abruptly after saying, “This conversation is no longer constructive.” Clearly she was referring to the governor’s office’s perspective. I disagree with her viewpoint. I believe the need to hold a sitting governor accountable is an important role for every citizen, especially if the governor has made the mistake of misquoting a religious document that many of his constituents hold in a higher regard than any civic document. 

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