On the Road with Pastor Josh Cobia, Caitlyn Jenner, and the Washington Post

In an article in the Washington Post entitled, “I went to church with Bruce Jenner. Here’s what Caitlyn Jenner taught me about Jesus,” Santa Monica worship pastor Joshua Cobia writes about (like the title says) what Caitlyn Jenner taught Josh Cobia about Jesus (here’s a link to the article: http://tinyurl.com/ptqegvh). Cobia’s article is in the mold of the Andy Stanley’s and others who see themselves (and who the Mainstream Media sees) as the vanguard of the “New Evangelicalism.” Their message is simple, and I’ll summarize it in a synopsis of Cobia’s article:

Bruce Jenner is a nice guy who kept going to church even when his famous wife and daughters (the Kardashians), who help us plant a church, stopped going. Bruce Jenner is a nice guy and consistent church goer. Now as Caitlyn, Jenner is the same nice person he was before. Bruce/Caitlyn was/is nice to me. Because Jenner is nice and knows about Jesus, Jenner must be a Christian, too. Christians are nice people except when they are not so nice and get hung up on issues like gay rights, transgender rights, and the like. My LGBT friends are nice. I wish Christians could be accepting like the LGBT community. When people are genuinely nice they act like Jesus. Jenner, in being nice to me, is acting like Jesus and so Jenner knows Jesus. Here’s what Jenner taught me: Let’s be nice by acting like Jenner and Jesus. Let’s not get hung up on the Bible. Let’s just love (love goes undefined).

Cobia took longer to say all this and also probably got paid more than me to write what he wrote. But here’s the problem with Cobia, Stanley, and others like them. There’s great deal of emotions, feelings, and niceness in all their talk about compassion but there is often little or no Bible, biblical principles, or Gospel message in what they say.  God’s Word doesn’t factor into their equation. Given all the Jenners' and Kardashians' public conduct and immorality does Cobia truly believe they are "okay?" 

On the surface, Cobia's words sound nice and loving. However, in reality, there’s very little love. We say this because rather than sharing the true Gospel with a pitiful, but admittedly rich, lost soul like Bruce Jenner, who might be searching for truth---Cobia affirms Jenner in his sexual identity confusion and perversion. This is the opposite of love. If Cobia loved like Jesus, he'd share Jesus' Gospel, which in Mark 1:15 is the call to repent and believe the Gospel.

Additionally, implicit in Cobia’s writing is a condemnation of Christians who don’t see things Cobia’s way. Cobia has been unfair to Jenner and unfair (disobedient is a better word) to his calling to ministry as a Christian. He’s providing Jenner a death by comfort approach, like some involved in the social Gospel do for poor, homeless, godless people who are about to perish without Christ.  Cobia is affirming Jenner and others like him by saying Jenner is okay. In so doing, Cobia is sending Jenner on his way without the Gospel. Like those who send poor people well dressed, well fed, and in some cases well educated to hell because in the social Gospel there is no biblical Gospel, Cobia is sending Jenner off in the same direction. What does it profit Jenner or lost homeless people if we send them off affirmed and fed without the Gospel? What does it profit Jenner is he gains the world but forfeits his soul. Is this love? With Cobia’s reassurance Jenner may feel okay when he is not okay (see Matthew 7:21-23) and that will be spiritually and, perhaps eternally, disastrous for Jenner if nothing changes.

We live in an age where good intentions are more highly valued than truth, facts, or reality. The presentation is more important than content. We ought to be nice rather than speak the truth. Imagine an oncologist trying that: no truth but all niceness. Someone once said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Perhaps Josh Cobia has good intentions but he is paving the way to hell for Bruce Jenner and should know better. Bruce should know better (read Romans 1:18-32).

Born that Way (Homosexual Predispositions)?

I had a long talk with someone I’d known for years about homosexuality. We’d both lost a person dear to us to AID’s (and the promiscuity and multiple partners to contribute to contracting it). We both self-identify as Christians. We both would claim (verbally at least) that the Bible is true and a guide and rule of faith and practice. We both have distinctly different understandings of inspiration as well as both the sufficiency and authority of Scripture. I suspect my friend is unconscious of our differences.

During the discussion of our deceased dear one my friend seemed to indicate that homosexuality is an acceptable lifestyle choice. I quickly, though gently, reminded them that homosexuality is a sin. I’m not sure what their mainline denomination calls sin, or if the UMC even acknowledges sin anymore. However, my friend did a “yes… but…” What’s a “yes…but?” A “yes…but…” is an often unconscious acknowledgment and affirmation of biblical truth (in this application) followed by an implicit denial of it.

My friend’s position is that homosexuality is a predisposition that someone can be born with. In other words, my friend was implying that our deceased dear one was “born that way.” This somehow lessens the sin because somehow the impulse to seek out people to have sex with outside of marriage nullifies or mitigates the sinner’s personal responsibility. This idea has gained ground, like transgender impulses.

 We are born with sinful predispositions. Theologians call this “original sin.” No one has to teach a child to lie, steal, or bully. Watch a child sometime: ever notice how they look around before they do something wrong. They know better. There is an innate sense of right and wrong that works against their predispositions.

Humans are predisposed to self-absorption and self-gratification. Such acts come naturally. In you make a person angry enough, he or she may have the impulse to take your life. If someone finds your wallet on the sidewalk they may have an impulse to keep it rather than turn it in. Such impulses stem from original sin. Personal sin is what occurs when you choose to act on these impulses immorally (murder, theft, homosexuality, bestiality; selfishness). On a bad day, the impulse to do someone harm is simply that: an impulse. The temptation to steal a wallet rather than turn it over to lost and found, or the police, is just that: an impulse. The inclination to engage in homosexual acts is just that: an impulse. Personal sin occurs when we choose to act on such impulses and we are accountable for our choices. We can’t blame God. We can’t blame genetics. We can’t blame others. We can take responsibility for our actions and do what is right.

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. ¹⁴ But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵ Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. ¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. (James 1:13 ESV)

Our temptations are our own as we turn a bad idea, a sinful idea, over and over in our heads (vv. 14 and 15). In verse 15, as we tantalize ourselves with this idea, running through “dress rehearsals” in our minds, we begin to see sin as an acceptable possibility. This idea is fertilized in our imagination and fantasy until it develops like a malignant brain (soul) tumor. If we “leave it untreated” it will grow until it kills us (and others). Verse 16 warns us not to kid ourselves (do not be deceived). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23A). 

The good news is in the second half of the verse: “the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ, our Lord (Romans 6:23B).” My dear one chose death, rejecting forgiveness. He did not put his faith in Christ.  I wish it would have been different. Nevertheless, he alone was responsible for his own death. Do not be deceived. Human beings are thinking creatures, not animals driven by impulse. We are all born with a predisposition toward sin. Yet not all of us choose to embrace the impulse as fully as others. This doesn’t make us better. All sin kills (v. 15). However, not all sin has the same collateral damage and earthly consequences, like dying of AID's due to promiscuity and reckless sex compared to getting arrested for shoplifting. 

Call Me Anything

In an earlier post we discussed the harsh reality that feelings don't change facts. No matter how strongly one feels about a situation, a circumstance, a reality, or their identity feelings don't change the facts or alter the state of the evidence. Bruce Jenner can decide he feels like a woman trapped in a man's body. I can decide I am a member of the Pechanga Band of the Luiseno Indians, and feel a real kinship with them but that doesn't change who and what I am. I am a Caucasian, not a Native American. Feelings don't matter, and neither does photoshop, tons of make-up, and plastic surgery.

Bruce Jenner now appears on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine, in a painfully (and obviously) photoshopped picture. Weeks before he appeared with Diane Sawyer to announce his new gender reassignment, looking like the picture at the bottom of this page. Bruce may feel one way but it doesn't change a thing.

                               Bruce Feels he looks like this...

                              In reality Bruce looks like this...

No matter how strongly Bruce wants to look one way or feel another. He is what and who he is. Bruce Jenner is a 65-year-old man playing dress-up. Bruce Jenner is a man who is to be pitied and prayed for. We should not mock him or scorn him. Nor should anyone express hatred for him. We should feel sorry for him. He wants to be a woman. He is a man. Nothing can change the fact that he is a man. I might want to be an astronaut. I might start dressing and acting like an astronaut. I might even one day feel I'm an astronaut. But at the end of the day, such feelings don't matter because they are fantasy and don't change the facts. Bruce Jenner is a walking testimony of Jeremiah 17:9. Pray for him. Let's pray one day he comes to resemble and picture Romans 10:9-10. 

I Feel Therefore I Am (Are You Sure?)

Recently, athlete and TV personality Bruce Jenner decided to live his life as a woman. During a television interview, he described how he’s always felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body. Do feelings matter?

In 2013, California Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation into law that empowers public school children to reassign their gender as they see fit. In fact, the U.S. Department of Justice recently compelled the Arcadia School system to make special accommodations for transgendered school children who wish to reassign from a girl to a boy or a boy to a girl, ruling that the student’s gender is whatever they feel it is. What makes a man a man, or a woman a woman? Is it physical appearance, genetics, biology, or feelings?

What if I decide in my heart of hearts that I am a Native American trapped in a Caucasian body? What if I come to believe in my heart of hearts that I am a member of the Pechanga Band? Would feeling it make it so, no matter how sincere I felt? Should I sue to obtain my rightful share of casino profit sharing?

A recent survey taken indicated that 77% of American self-identify as Christian. However, some of those polled did not believe that Jesus Christ ever existed. A number of those surveyed did not believe that Jesus Christ was resurrected. Others surveyed believed that Jesus wrongly taught that He was the only way to heaven and He was not the way, the truth, or the life---and that there were many ways to heaven besides Jesus. Still others did not believe in God or an afterlife. But all these people felt they were Christians. Do such feelings matter? Does feeling it make it so?  What does Jesus say?

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'  And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."  (Matthew 7:21-23).

Jesus says a few things that should cause us to examine our relationship with and our claim on Him. First, Jesus says that not everyone who believes they know Him, or calls Him Lord will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven (verse 21):  “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21).” Maybe these folks (the “not everyone’s”) are the rare exception. The trouble is that verse 22 indicates otherwise: “On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” Could it be that many if not most people get it wrong?

Does feeling you’re a Christian make you a Christian? It looks like the “many” in verse 22 do a lot of religious things: prophesy in Jesus’ name, cast out demons in Jesus’ name, and perform many mighty works in Jesus name. Doesn’t that count for something? What does Jesus say? “And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness (v. 23).”

In verse 23, He shows us that our feelings don’t assure salvation (I never knew you; depart from me). These people felt strongly that they belonged to Jesus, but He rejects them---“I never knew you.” He dismisses them from His sight---“depart from Me.” Then He labels everything they did in His name as “lawlessness.”

It is not our feelings that assure us of our salvation. It is not our claim on Christ, but His claim on us. These people call Him Lord 4 times. Three times they declare they’ve done religious activity befitting of salvation. They feel like Christians like Bruce Jenner believing he’s a woman, or me believing I’m a Native American. But just believing that you’re a Christian doesn’t make it so. So what does? Jesus provides the answer in Matthew 7:21b: “"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Is this about “works”---earning one’s way to heaven? Nope. It’s about a devotion to God that is so strong that it reveals the presence and existence of genuine saving faith. It’s the kind of devotion demonstrates a faith that puts God’s will ahead of our own. We are saved through faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). But that faith produces fruit in a genuine believer’s life and it shows a desire to be habitually submitting to and surrendered to God.

This is a faith that produces a desire in me to deny myself daily, take up my cross and follow Christ no matter the cost (Matthew 16:24). I can stand in a pulpit, but that doesn’t make me a Christian any more than standing in a restaurant makes me a hamburger. Neither does teaching a class, handing out bulletins or singing in a choir. Are you trusting Christ to the point that you’d go anywhere He wanted to take you and give up anything He asked you to? It’s that kind of devotion that points to a genuine saving faith. Are you willing to surrender your will, your rights, and your past, present and future to Jesus? If you haven’t already, do it now. Ask Him to come into your heart and save you because just feeling it does not make it so. Entrust yourself to Christ by repenting of your sin and turning to Him for salvation.

Facts are stubborn things. Regardless of the strength of our emotions, or feelings, they do not change the facts. The fact is your feelings do not determine the assurance of your salvation any more than they determine your gender or racial identity. The fact is it is not your claims on Christ that matters, no matter how strongly you feel that they do. The fact is it is Christ's claim on you. 

Death by Comfort

"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" ( Mark 8:36 ESV)

In China, hours before prisoners are executed, having received the death penalty for their crimes, they receive new clothes, new shoes, a nice meal, and even entertainment. Then they are marched outside and shot (http://tinyurl.com/cb8abp3). Similar customs are observed even in our country where condemned prisoners often receive a special “last meal.” The sad fact is, in China or anywhere else, these kindness are of little value of those facing execution. In a few moments, the meal is over and they cannot take their nice clothes with them into eternity. The moments of comfort are followed by an eternity without Christ, without hope, and without mercy.

K.P. Yohannan, founder and president of Gospel for Asia, a missions group that spreads the gospel of Jesus Christ in India and other places in the world, writes that “a bowl of rice is no substitute for the Holy Spirit (Revolution in World Missions, 107. Gospel for Asian Publishing).” He’s right of course. Sadly, increasingly in Christian circles, people are more and more emphasizing providing comfort to the lost by giving them food, clothing, and education in hopes of bribing them to consider the gospel. And more and more social action is taking priority over evangelism. Jesus commented that goods, wealth, or comfort are of little value in the scheme of eternity. The Bible tells us “the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).” Giving people, who are under a death sentence, food, clothing, and education does them little good if they die without Christ. "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:36 ESV) We do better to feed them eternally for a life time with the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ, than to feed them for a few hours, a day, or a week with food that perishes. A bowl of rice, a food card, or a tank of gas is no substitute for salvation and the indwelling, life changing power of the Holy Spirit.

For 10 years, a church in the Midwest with which I am familiar fed 700 homeless people and shut-ins every Christmas morning. Moreover, they delivered 190 meals to those who could not or would not come to the church for a sumptuous Christmas Dinner. Oddly enough, in 10 years they could not point to a single conversion from this outreach. Part of the problem was that they did not require those coming for dinner on Christmas Day to attend a worship service. Few ever heard the gospel. I attended a meeting once where a member of the outreach team indicated that a group he supported provided food and clothes for orphans without worrying so much about sharing the gospel with them. As I sat there in that meeting I thought of those prisoners in China who were given nice treats before facing the firing squad. I thought of all those homeless people coming for Christmas dinner without being fed the gospel. I thought of Jesus’ words: “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" Mark 8:36 ESV?

Leading up to Easter, we having been showing the love of Christ by doing acts of real kindness for people so that we can invite them to church that they might hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m always impressed how committed the people and pastors of Sunrise are to sharing the gospel. I am thankful that the real act of kindness isn’t the grass we cut, the food we give away, or the money we give to those who have need but the sharing of the gospel, the inviting to Church, and including them in our Bible studies, small groups, and worship. Remember all people have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. All people without Christ are as much under a death sentence as prisoners in China facing the firing squad. Acts of real kindness involve linking assistance to church attendance, having strings attached so that they must come and hear the gospel and must maybe get saved. Anything less isn’t kind at all. Do not be embarrassed to invite people you help to church. All the comfort and clothes and food and money you give them will profit them nothing if they die without Christ.

Join Me in Judging Others

Much is made about judging others. In this era of' 'tolerance,' we're told not to judge others. Usually, this admonition comes from politicians, academics, and would-be postmodern philosophers who aren't sure about much except that they judge everyone who disagrees with them as misguided or wrong.

I judge people and so should you. Why? When we tell people not to judge we are hypocritical. Educators judge academic performance every day in classrooms around the globe. Employers evaluate employee job performance and hand out raises or pink slips. We judge character when we choose our friends. We rate TV Shows, films and pass judgement on politicians at the polls. We watch and seek to influence who our children play with or date---that's right, as we pass judgement.

Think with me on this. Someone knocks at your door at 2 AM. You look out throw the peephole in your front door. You see a stranger standing there with a bloody knife. Will you through the door open indiscriminately or keep it locked? Will you consider dialing 911? You're judging.

Even Jesus Christ taught His disciples to judge. I know. You're about to tell me just the opposite incorrectly and misguidedly citing that helpful passage so many take out of context "Judge not lest ye be also judged ..." "Hypocrite first take the log out of your own eye..." Here's your problem (and the problem of at least one 90 something professing Christian politician who talks about the Bible but likely hasn't studied it: Matthew 7 is all about judging and how to judge (evaluate) people and things in the right fashion.

Matthew 7:1-5 warns not to judge hypocritically. We are to examine our own motives and habits first before we quickly examine or evaluate those of others. Then in verse 6 Jesus warns about giving holy things to dogs and swine, a metaphor for those who only profess interest but will quickly turn on you. Think critically now: you have to judge people to identify dogs and swine. In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus tells you to judge yourself. Are you inclined to take the hard way (i.e. right way), or go with the crowd (i.e. the narrow gate or the wide and popular path)?

Then Jesus tells us how to judge those who claim to be one thing when they are in fact another (His discussion of wolves in sheeps clothing in vv. 15-20). He tells us to look beyond their claims and judge their actions (v. 20). In verses 21-23 Jesus tells us how to judge real-deal Christ followers. Again, it's not what they claim to be that matters (v. 21). It's not even religious activity that helps you identify them (v. 22). They are not "saved" by feelings or "works" but by their faith-driven devotion to God (v. 21b). Anyone can claim to be religious. Anyone can act religious. But constant devotion to God reveals the heart condition, long term---going back to evaluating actions, long term (by their fruits you will know them).

Thinking I'm reading too much into what Jesus is saying. Well, elsewhere in John's Gospel (John 7:24), Jesus commands us to judge not by first impressions but by righteous judgement. Whether or not you and I can agree on what righteous judgement is, it's clear Jesus is not forbidding judgement. But just for the record, in the larger context of John 7, Jesus is saying that His miracles speak volumes about who He is and to judge Him by His miracles (i.e. by His fruit).

Judging is Christian. Christian are to judge themselves and others who claim to be Christians, leaving God to judge outsiders. The Holy Spirit, speaking through the pen of the Apostle Paul puts it this way: "For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges." (1Corinthians 5:12-13)

Join me in judging others. It's okay as long as we do so carefully. In the meantime, regardless of your reaction to this post, know that you have judged me as you read it. So be honest. Judging is okay and everyone does it anyway. Judging isn't bad. Judging unrighteously is wrong.

Major Updates

I've begun a new sermon series on the gospel of Matthew.  Find out about it here: http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7192706543597662228#allposts

Having moved to Southern California, I will no longer update this blog.

You can jump directly to the new series and download individual sermons or a podcast here: http://tinyurl.com/bqzunfz

Having a humble opinion of oneself

Here is the next installment from the old, old book I am reading. Feel free to guess the author any time you like. But more importantly, consider what he says. I know I need to do so.

EVERY man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars. He who knows himself well becomes mean in his own eyes and is not happy when praised by men.

If I knew all things in the world and had not charity, what would it profit me before God Who will judge me by my deeds? Shun too great a desire for knowledge, for in it there is much fretting and delusion. Intellectuals like to appear learned and to be called wise. Yet there are many things the knowledge of which does little or no good to the soul, and he who concerns himself about other things than those which pertain to salvation and sanctification is very unwise. Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a godly life eases the mind and a clean conscience inspires great trust in God.

The more you know and the better you understand, the more you shall be expected to do, the higher the standard to which you shall be held, unless your life is also the more holy. Do not be proud, therefore, because of your learning or skill. Rather, fear because of the talent given you. If you think you know many things and understand them well enough, realize at the same time that there is much you do not know. Hence, do not affect wisdom, but admit your ignorance. Why prefer yourself to anyone else when many are more learned, more cultured than you?

If you wish to learn and appreciate something worthwhile, then love to be unknown and considered as nothing. Truly to know and despise self is the best and most perfect counsel. To think of oneself as nothing, and always to think well and highly of others is the best and most perfect wisdom. Wherefore, if you see another sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good estate. All men are frail, but you must admit that none is more frail than yourself.

Posted via email from keithcrosby's posterous

General thoughts about living for Him by one wiser than me... post Thanksgiving thoughts

   I give you this quote from an old public domain book by a theologian of

   long ago who got a lot right and got a little bit wrong. His thoughts

   on living the Christian life are fairly solid. And while I can’t agree

   with everything he says… I do agree with this short chapter from his

   most well known book. He keys in on understanding and application. Since

   the book is in public domain, I may from time to time post excerpts.  It’s

   an old book and printing so some of the language may seem a tad archaic.

   Feel free to guess who this is and commentJ.I’ll reveal it after a while.

                       ----Keith

“…you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:32)

"Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

   HAPPY is he to whom truth manifests itself, not in signs and words that

   fade, but as it actually is. Our opinions, our senses often deceive us

   and we discern very little. (God’s word never does).

   What good is much discussion of involved and obscure matters when our

   ignorance of them will not be held against us on Judgment Day? Neglect

   of things which are profitable and necessary and undue concern with

   those which are irrelevant and harmful, are great folly.

   We have eyes and do not see.

   What, therefore, have we to do with questions of philosophy? He to whom

   the Eternal Word speaks is free from theorizing (and the word of God indeed speaks to us).

   For from this Word are all things and of Him all things speak--the Beginning Who

   also speaks to us in His word. Without this Word no man understands or judges aright.

   He to whom it becomes everything, who traces all things to it and who sees

   all things in it, may ease his heart and remain at peace with God.

   O God, You Who are the truth, make me one with You in love everlasting.

   I am often wearied by the many things I hear and read, but in You is

   all that I long for. Let the learned be still, let all creatures be

   silent before You; You alone speak to me.

   The more recollected a man is, and the more simple of heart he becomes,

   the easier he understands sublime things, for he receives the light of

   knowledge from above. The pure, simple, and steadfast spirit is not

   distracted by many labors, for he does them all for the honor of God.

   And since he enjoys interior peace he seeks no selfish end in anything.

   What, indeed, gives more trouble and affliction than uncontrolled

   desires of the heart?

   A good and devout man arranges in his mind the things he has to do, not

   according to the whims of evil inclination but according to the

   dictates of right reason. Who is forced to struggle more than he who

   tries to master himself? This ought to be our purpose, then: to conquer

   self, to become stronger each day, to advance in virtue.

   Every perfection in this life has some imperfection mixed with it and

   no learning of ours is without some darkness. Humble knowledge of self

   is a surer path to God than the ardent pursuit of learning. Not that

   learning is to be considered evil, or knowledge, which is good in

   itself and so ordained by God; but a clean conscience and virtuous life

   ought always to be preferred. Many often err and accomplish little or

   nothing because they try to become learned rather than to live well.

   If men used as much care in uprooting vices and implanting virtues as

   they do in discussing problems, there would not be so much evil and

   scandal in the world, or such laxity in religious organizations. On the

   day of judgment, surely, we shall not be asked what we have read but

   what we have done; not how well we have spoken but how well we have

   lived.

   Tell me, where now are all the masters and teachers whom you knew so

   well in life and who were famous for their learning? Others have

   already taken their places and I know not whether they ever think of

   their predecessors. During life they seemed to be something; now they

   are seldom remembered. How quickly the glory of the world passes away!

   If only their lives had kept pace with their learning, then their study

   and reading would have been worth while.

   How many there are who perish because of vain worldly knowledge and too

   little care for serving God. They became vain in their own conceits

   because they chose to be great rather than humble.

   He is truly great who has great compassion and love. He is truly great who is

   little in his own eyes and makes nothing of the highest honor. He is

   truly wise who looks upon all earthly things as folly that he may gain

   Christ. He who does God's will and renounces his own is truly very

   learned.

Posted via email from keithcrosby's posterous

Can things get any worse...

I knew when I read this entry on a blog that I might not like what I was about to see.

Money must be VERY tight at Fellowship Church. After all, the monthly payments on that private jet are VERY expensive. There's only one way that folks at Fellowship Church can save Ed Young, Jr's jet...Automatic Withdrawal.

Please act now or Ed Young, Jr. will be forced to sell the private jet, forced to sell his mansion, his condo in Miami, the fishing boat, the $15,000 espresso maker and will have no choice but to move to a bland and boring middle-class suburb and worst of all fly coach to all the conferences that he speaks at. Don't let this ministry travesty happen to Ed Young, Jr. He can't be effective for God's Kingdom unless he is rewarded with the very best and most expensive toys that this life has to offer.

At first I thought I would be disturbed by the nature of the blog. Then I realized I was disturbed by Ed Young, Jr. The video says it all. It's hard to imagine that people can check their discernment (and their Bibles) at the door and support the most disturbing kinds of antics.

 

 

<p><a href="http://vimeo.com/16359090">Ed Young Goes After Access to Bank Accounts of Church Members</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user4054328">FBCJax Watchdog</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

Posted via email from keithcrosby's posterous

A Great Article on the Implications of Theistic Evolution the Debate Surrounding Biologos

I'm not sure how many of you follow the very public debate between the "Christian Scientists" at Biologos (an evolutionary apologetics group) and Dr. Albert Mohler of Southern Seminary. Here's a link to Mohler's recent response to their last "broadside (http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/11/09/no-pass-from-theological-responsibility-the-biologos-conundrum/)." Central among the claims of the Biologos people is that they question the authority and sufficiency of Scripture in all matters of faith and practice. This leads them in interesting directions they state that Paul was mistaken about the historicity of Adam and Eve (cf Romans 5:12) and the implications of the Fall in God's garden. Implicitly they question the understanding of the Lord Jesus, who in Matthew 19 refers to Adam and Eve as historical people during His discussion of marriage and divorce. 

Questioning both the inspiration of Scripture and the understanding of Jesus Christ of the historicity of Adam and Eve sooner or later brings into question all the doctrines of the Christian faith---since they are based on Scripture as well as the deity of Christ. When does such questioning and denial move us from the position of misinformed believers to the realm of unbelief? If Jesus and Paul were wrong about something as basic to the Christian faith as creation and our "first parents" what else were they wrong about? Moreover, who will judge them, the folks at Biologos? I'd hate to sit in judgment of an Apostle and the Son of God, God the Son. 

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A video you won't want to miss...

Take five minutes to watch what happened at the Macy's in Philadelphia. The Opera Company of Philadelphia doing "a random act of culture" performs the Halleluia Chorus from Handel's Messiah in the Macy's store in Philadelphia. Christ is preached! I realize they think it is simply good opera; however, I'm reminded of what Paul says in Philippians 1:15-18:

 

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice...

 

Take a few moments and take it all in!

 

#!

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Talk about a loss of perspective.

God's word tells us to be imitators of God. God says in both Old and
New Testaments, "Be holy for I am holy." The upward call is to be
godly. The other call is to remain as we are. I sure these folks meant
well. As to the state of the modern church the picture speaks for
itself.

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When you know a church has lost perspective...

Click here to download:

photo_JPG - Gmail.mht (53 KB)

God's word tells us to be holy because God is holy, "...because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." (1Pe 1:16 NAU)OLY, FOR I AM HOLY." (1Pe 1:16)

 

We are told to be imitators of God. The Christian's goal is to become more like Christ and less like ourselves. Imagine wanting to become less godly. I'm sure they meant well---it's just that they weren't thinking biblically.

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Who Do You Love?

If I insulted your mother would you call me your friend? What about if someone else insulted your mother---PUBLICLY---and I laughed about it---PUBLICLY---would I be your friend since I had become an party to such a “crime” against your dear mom’s character? Stop and think about it. Most of us take family seriously. Most people, with few exceptions, tend to honor, or even venerate, their moms. Why is this? It’s because our mom’s loved us, cared for us, and even sacrificed for us. Therefore, we loyally love our dear sweet mothers.

When I was a younger, unsaved man, a wrong comment about my mom could get you a bloody nose and end a friendship as “blood is thicker than water” and the relationship between a young man and his mom was “sacred.” His mother, my mother for instance, was nothing to be mocked or laughed at.  Even today most people will tell you that you cannot expect to make fun of a person’s mother and get away with it. And anyone who witnessed and joined in the fun (the ancient equivalent of today’s text speak “lol”) could expect treatment equal to that visited upon the offending party. Mom’s are special. Stop and think about it.

What’s my point? I have to confess, my point has nothing to do about moms—mine, yours, or anyone else’s. It has to do with your loyal love for Christ, the Savior, who loved you so much that He suffered the agonies you deserved, dying for your sin (and mine) at Calvary’s cross and with His resurrection provided for you what you could not (and would not) provide for yourself. He cared for you and cares for you in ways no mother can. His loving sacrifice demands our loyalty---His deity commands our worship. The problem is that all too often Christians, particularly younger ones, value their relationship with others more than they do the good name of their God, Christ Jesus. As they come to Christ and they and their friends begin to serve different gods, they allow their friends to mock their God, blaspheme their Savior, in ways they would never tolerate if such friends did anything remotely resembling this to their moms.

Why is this? Well, there could be a number of reasons, none of which are good. First, it could be they love their moms and friends more than they love Jesus. What would Jesus’ response be to such a sentiment? Jesus, making similar analogies say this: ²⁶ "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. ²⁷ "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple”. (Luke 14:26-27 NAU) Second, it could be that they are embarrassed to confront their friend’s blasphemous behavior. They don’t want to bring the word of God to bear upon their friend’s life. To such an excuse, we look to the Scriptures to understand how Jesus would view such embarrassment: “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38 NAU) A third reason might be that they don’t want to lose a friend. They want to keep their friend. What would Jesus say to this kind of thinking? He might say this:

³⁶ "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? ³⁷ "For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ³⁸ "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:36-38 NAU)

Make no mistake about it, I’m not implying that these complacent Christians will lose their soul by worshipping a friendship. I’m just implying they ought to stop and think. Many might object to what I am saying and reply, “Well, they are perhaps trying to keep the door open for evangelism! They are engaging in relationship evangelism.” This is an excuse often given in situations where the believer is more concerned about the relationship with their worldly friend than evangelism. Usually, if not always, there’s a great deal of relationship going on but very little if any evangelism. Besides, friendships with mockers and scorners is offensive to God. James writes that friendship with the world is hostility with God. And so I ask them, “who do you love?”

We can be friendly to the unsaved. But we cannot be their friends and confidants. We cannot bind ourselves together with them. We cannot be bound together with them.

¹⁴ Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? ¹⁵ Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. ¹⁷ "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. ¹⁸ "And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty. (2Co 6:14-18 NAU)

This doubly applies to those who mock your Christ. So, who do you love? How could a Christian tolerate someone mocking their Savior, when most would not put up with someone mocking their Lord, whom they say they love? What triggered these thoughts? The picture below was posted and enjoyed by two apostates who used to attend my church participated in this mockery of Christ. And after a little stormy weather, their Christian friends continued the friendship.How? This is worse than insulting mom!

Now, it’s not my job to be the “friendship police.” It is my place to ask out loud, “Who do you love?” There are some relationships that a person cannot afford to have.

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Loyalties, Priorities, and Idolatry--Rethinking Your Life and Mine

Where do your loyalties lie? As Christians, our loyalties should be with Christ. Paul writing to the church at Ephesus on two separate occasions provides us with sufficient reasons to reexamine our lives and our priorities. In Ephesians 2:8-10, the Holy Spirit speaking through the pen of Paul tells us that God saved us not because of what we did (i.e. good deeds, good thoughts; good intentions)  because of what He wanted to accomplish through us.

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹ not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Eph 2:8-10)

Our salvation was (is) a gift bestowed on us. We didn’t deserve it. We couldn’t earn it. We didn’t earn it. He chose to forgive and redeem us not because of any merit of our own. You might say, we were “saved to serve.” In fact, that’s exactly why, as believers, we were given the gift of eternal life. God wanted to employ the unworthy for His worthy service. He opened our eyes to the truth; we surrendered; we received eternal life. We received better than we deserve and our reasonable response is loyal service to Him who did for us what we could not and would not do for ourselves.

So, how are you doing? I mean what is the quality and quantity of your reasonable service? Writing on another occasion to the church (and pastor) at Ephesus, Paul, challenges them and us saying:

No soldier in active service entangles himself in the daily affairs of life so that he might please the one who enlisted him (2 Timothy 2:4).

Here Paul tells Timothy, the church at Ephesus, and you as well as me, to serve God loyally, single mindedly, and faithfully.  The war time analogy is appropriate because as believers we are constantly at war with temptation, a hostile culture, and our own selfish tendencies. Soldiers on the battlefield have little time for distraction. With the enemy before them and bullets whizzing about them, they really cannot afford to take their eyes off of the front. Paul is writing to Timothy during a time of intense persecution under the Roman emperor Nero. We, at least for now, do not face such persecution. However, we do face great distraction. We do not face the adversities of the early church as it struggled for its very life. Nevertheless, we do struggle with complacency as we live life.

There are so many distractions. There are so many distractions in fact that quite often serving God becomes an extra-curricular activity---an afterthought. We pursue our careers, we take our kids to soccer games, music lessons, and the like. We watch football, go hunting, and generally want our families to have “what we didn’t have.” Church becomes the stuff of the “weekend warrior” and we are as out of spiritual shape as the middle aged man who plays touch-footfall on the weekend with his pals.

Jesus Christ, after His resurrection, gave His disciples (all His disciples for all time) three simple commands, a short list of their purposes): go make disciples (tell people about Me); baptizing them (those who are saved); teaching them to do all that I commanded you (teaching them the word of God by precept and example). This is the “Great Commission” found in Matthew 28:19-20. This is not the pastor’s job---this is everybody’s job. This is your calling as much as it is my calling. You were saved to serve. How are you doing? Are you loyally fulfilling the Great Commission? What’s getting in the way?

No soldier in active service entangles himself in the daily affairs of life so that he might please the one who enlisted him (2 Timothy 2:4).

I call your attention to the last verb in 2 Timothy 2:4---“enlisted (him).” This verb, “enlisted,” ties in nicely with Ephesians 2:8-10. A alternative translation would be “drafted (him).” You see, God drafted you into His service. He didn’t choose you for your abilities. And you certainly did not choose Him on your own. More than likely He chose you for your disabilities so that He could use the weak things of the world to glorify Himself and demonstrate His power, mercy, and grace. You have been drafted. You were saved to serve. You are to go and tell people about Christ, seeing them baptized when they are saved and then do your part to teach them all that Christ commanded. I’m reminded in verse 18 of Matthew 28 includes the statement “all authority has been given Me.” That’s pertinent because you and I have been drafted. Christ is our authority. We have our marching orders (i.e. the Great Commission). We have our purpose (saved to serve).  The question is, “how are we doing?”

No soldier in active service entangles himself in the daily affairs of life so that he might please the one who enlisted him (2 Timothy 2:4).

Are there other priorities getting in the way of your life’s purpose? Stop a moment. Close your eyes and bring to mind all the matters that are at the forefront of your life and mind right now.  Have you relegated Christ and serving Him to the end of that list? Whatever the first thought that popped into your mind was (car, career, kids, boyfriend, girlfriend, test, exam, spouse, etc…) is your god. Think about it. You’re reading an essay about God and your loyal service and you’re still thinking about something else? Think about this: “You shall have no other gods before me… you shall not bow down to them or worship them or serve them…” The first two commandments are about having priorities (or idols) in your life that take the place of God. What or whom are you worshipping?

Let me encourage you to inventory your priorities and jettison anything that is coming between you and Christ and or keeping you from serving Him faithfully. Think eternally, think biblically, and ask yourself, “where do my loyalties lie?”

No soldier in active service entangles himself in the daily affairs of life so that he might please the one who enlisted him (2 Timothy 2:4).

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Mac Giveways!

<p>Logos Bible Software is giving away thousands of dollars of prizes to celebrate the launch of Logos Bible Software 4 Mac on October 1. Prizes include an iMac, a MacBook Pro, an iPad, an iPod Touch, and more than 100 other prizes!</p><p>They’re also having a special limited-time sale on their Mac and PC base packages and upgrades. Check it out!</p>

                                                                                       

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Cultural Diversity Unbiblical?

I once ministered in a cross cultural context of sorts as the English language pastor at an Asian church. During a Friday night time of worship I mentioned that I did not believe in “cultural diversity.” A gasp went out over the room as I violated seemingly sacrosanct rules of political correctness. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that the people present weren’t Bible believing Christians. On the contrary, many were. The challenge was twofold. First, we were living in one of the most culturally diverse states in America—California. Second, the culture has pretty well indoctrinated, or influenced, the thinking of many in the Church.

Sensing their concern that Pastor Keith was somehow succumbing to some form of xenophobia or racism, I reassured them by explaining to them that where Chinese or Western Culture harmonized with the Bible, each cultural perspective was “okay.” I reminded them that the differences in language and such stemmed from the Fall of Man in God’s garden, generally, and from the events resulting from mankind’s further rebellion at the Tower of Babel. Consequently, many aspects of our culture are the result of sin. The original “culture” (before man’s rebellion against God) was homogenous. One may wryly observe that where any culture harmonizes with the Bible, we may indeed celebrate it. Where Chinese Culture, African Cultures (for they are many), Native American Culture, and so-called Western Culture harmonizes with God’s word they homogenize and become indistinguishable from one another, save for our slight differences in physical appearance. They cease to be diverse, but become homogenous. Hence, the title of this essay. Think about it.

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Untitled

“We all don’t believe that. We believe in universal salvation. God will accept everyone into heaven.” A friend of mine recently hosted a family reunion. At some point the discussion among siblings turned spiritual. Within this family gathering were those with divergent views about God, the Bible, and Eternity. The “liberal” sentiments of one segment of the family were expressed by a younger sister. She believed that no one is really bad enough to go to hell and that God would not turn anyone away from heaven.

You often hear such statements today. “My God would not condemn anyone to hell…” “That’s not the Jesus I know…” “The Jesus I know is a forgiving savior.” Their belief system breaks down if you ask them a question like, “Well, then Adolph Hitler is in heaven?” One usually receives an answer like “Well no… bad people like Hitler don’t go to heaven.”

These folks are the same folks who are inclined to judge those who seek to apply God’s word to certain popular, or acceptable, behaviors today (i.e. calling sex outside of marriage, or other sexual sins, “sin”) as judgmental. Such folks usually reject the Scriptures as either authoritative or sufficient for today’s problems. However, bring up Hitler and others of his ilk and you usually hear something like “Well, he’s really bad.” To this line of thinking I am inclined to ask, “Says who?” Who says Hitler was really bad? By what standard then do we determine and delineate really bad behavior and heaven bound behavior?

The fact is we are all bad. The Bible says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).” In the same epistle we read, “The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). In the run up to the “all have sinned statement” we read “there is none righteous, no not one… there is none who does good not even one…” Nearby these statements we learn that the mind set on the flesh does not obey God and cannot obey God (Romans 8:3ff).

The reality is that everyone is bad enough that they don’t deserve to go to heaven. However, God offers forgiveness and salvation to all people, regardless of race, color or creed, or even sexual orientation. The problem is that He only grants forgiveness to those who will receive His offer on His terms. He offers the free gift of life despite our “badness.”

“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).”

What is problematic and of eternal consequence is that unless you are willing to receive the gift of eternal life, on the basis upon which it is offered, you will not receive what you reject because you want God on your own terms. This is bad news for many religious people found in churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious places. Religion does not equal a life changing, saving relationship with the One True God. A radical trust in God is what matters and Christ is God. Thus, rejecting Christ is to reject forgiveness. To receive Christ, is to receive the gift of eternal life. Without Christ, no one goes to heaven (Acts 4:12) for there is no other name given among men under heaven by which a person can be saved. It’s not outward religion that changes a person inside out and transforms them. If your faith hasn’t changed you then it has not saved you. That’ why Jesus warns:

²¹ "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. ²² "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' ²³ "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.' (Mat 7:21-23 NAS)

People may do religious things. But make no mistake. Not everyone is going to heaven. People trusting in religion and doing religious things---even apparent miracles will not go to heaven.  It is those who trust in Christ. In whom do you trust?

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Every Picture Tells a Story

And this one is not pretty…

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. (Psa 20:7)

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