GOD'S BEST FOR YOU IN THE NEW YEAR!

This has been a troublesome year.

The economy is struggling.

My health has been challenged.

There have been many other adversities, as well.

Yet God is on His throne.

Jesus still saves.

Life is sweeter every day, with Him.

And so I wish for you the very best of all God has to offer in this coming New Year.

CHRISTMAS

For the Christian, this is a very special time.

For the non-Christian, it may be a time for gift getting, gift giving, partying, having time off from school or work, getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the "season," or just a bunch of hub-bub about nothing.

For the Christian (not the nominal Christian, but the genuine person of faith), Christmas is special on many fronts.

The word, "Christmas," has two roots: 1) Christ - The Greek translation of the Old Testament Hebrew word, "Messiah;" and 2) Mass - the Latin word for birth.

In other words, the word "Christmas" means: Christ's Birth.

The birth of Messiah was predicted in the Old Testament.

There are more than 300 references to the coming of, the life of, the death of, the resurrection of and the return of the one whose title is Emmanuel, and whose name is Jesus.

These predictions were made by different people at different times, many of whom had had no contact with the others, yet their predictions meld together into one continuum that was lived out in a little town called Bethlehem, the city of Nazareth and the Holy City of Jerusalem.

Jesus is God, incarnate.

That means that God came down to us to reveal Himself, to show us His plan of salvation and to make it possible for us to enter into a personal relationship with Him.

In Christ, God has made possible for anyone who wants it to have a gift that exceeds any gift you could find in a JC Penney catalog, at Walmart, or at Macy's: the gift of eternity in Heaven with Him.Like any gift, you do not have to pay for it.

When I give gifts to my children, I do not ask them to pay me back for them.By definition, a gift requires no payment by the recipient.But a gift costs someone something.

A gift may be bought at a store. It might be hand-made. A gift might be something you already own and wish to give to someone else.

The gift God offers costs you nothing, but it is not free.

God, Himself, offered Himself, in the person of Jesus, to pay a debt we owe. It is referred to as a "sin debt," the debt we owe as a result of our having not lived up to the perfect standard required by the High Moral Law of God.

"Joe, why are you trying to cram your belief down my throat?" you may ask.

I'm not.You don't have to believe any of it if you don't want to. That's your choice.

But I can tell you this, based on my own experience and on the Word God has given us, if you choose to believe in faith (not blind faith, but intelligent, Bible-guided faith), trusting in the work of salvation Jesus completed at the cross of Calvary, your life will take on an unimaginably new meaning.

There are those who will scoff (predicted in the bible, by the way), ridicule (predicted in the bible, by the way), and reject this idea (predicted in the bible, by the way).That is their choice (and yours, if that's what you want).

But for those who choose to discover God's character, His love for His creation and His plan for its redemption (as found in the Bible), Christmas is the most special time of this or any other year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY!

ON THE ATTACK!!

I will no doubt be out of the picture for a few more days.

Sunday morning my heart launched an attack against me...one that threatened to be successful.

I was taken to our local horsepistal, where, recognizing that they knew more about horses than about humans, they med-flighted me to a hospital that knows how to treat living people.

Indeed, the best thing to come out of all of this, other than that I survived, was that I got to fly in a helicopter, something I've never done before.

They put two stents in my arteries, warned me not to get an MRI (stents are metal and MRIs operate with very powerful magnets...not compatible), kept me until today and told me not to behave strenuously until I have seen the follow-up doctor(s).

So, I'll be back soon...probably next week.

Don't spend too much time missing me, but pray for me.

A PROGRAM OF VISITATION

Almost as feared as the word, "organization," is the word, "program."

But a program is nothing more than an organized way of organizing to accomplish a ministry.

Nowadays, people tend to substitute the word, "ministry" for "program," thus imparting to it some level of "spirituality."

We love to appear spiritual.

Arthur Flake recognized the importance of a good visitation program (read: ministry).

However, I know of no church that has ever been successful at involving half or more of their congregation in a visitation program.

The usual routine is to hold "Tuesday night visitation," at which the pastor, staff and one or two deacons and/or members-at-large show up and go visiting."

Every third month, someone gets up before the Sunday night congregation or the Wednesday night prayer meeting and tells about how their visitation team got to talk to the Wedongo family about going to church.

Once every year or two, they might report on someone getting saved in their home...but we never see them show up, and they are soon forgotten.

What Arthur Flake realized was that the church-at-large is not properly organized for visitation. But the Sunday School is.

The small groups that are the Sunday School are the most likely ones to know about the needs of their groups, as well as the network of friends the members of the group have who need some one-on-one encouragement to come to Christ.

One ministry program, called, "F.A.I.T.H.," attempted to vector visitation through the Sunday School with a modecum of success.

But the real problem with any visitation program is training and follow-up.

Sunday School members need to be trained to properly respond as people express their interest in and issues with coming to Christ.

Those who accept Christ need to be discipled to follow Him.

So, whether you use "ACTION," "EVANGELISM EXPLOSION," "THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS," "F.A.I.T.H.," or some other method of visitation, the important thing is to get organized, trained and to work, doing the ministry of visitation.

ENLARGE THE ORGANIZATION

I'm not sure why so many Christians are so afraid of organization.

Many of them have reacted with vitriol and anger when I have suggested that we organize for growth.

Yet, as noted in previous posts, the Bible clearly supports good organization.

Arthur Flake's fourth rule of Sunday School growth is: Enlarge the organization.

Let me say a word or two (probably at least two) about church growth.

Many churches grow with an emphasis on the worship.

Worship is good...no, GREAT!

It is very important...indeed, one of the very reasons we meet together as a fellowship of believers.

The problem arises when the church is built on the WORSHIP SERVICE.

That becomes an issue because it depends upon the strength of the leadership.

I know some very large churches that would collapse if their current leader left for another church field, became too ill to lead, too old to lead or died.

That's a shame, because the church should not be built on the strength of the leader, but on the person of Christ.

I believe that the most effective and secure way to build a church is through its Bible Study ministry, in many churches called the Sunday School or Small Group Bible Study.

Because I am of the "old school," (oh, shucks...I'm just old...let's face it) I will use the term "Sunday School," but you're smart enough to understand that I use the term generically and that it may go by any of several other names.

The Sunday School, in most churches, is "grouped and graded" to one extent or another.

Usually, pre-schoolers, children, teens (in this post called "Youth") and adults meet in groups that are age specific, in order that they might be taught on a level with which they can identify.

Therefore, the Sunday School is already organized for growth.

Additionally, since the Sunday School generally uses lay persons as leaders, and since when a pastor leaves the church field, they usually remain in their positions of leadership, a well built Sunday School enables the work of the church to continue during the transition to another pastor.

Furthermore, as a church grows, it becomes more and more difficult for a pastor to meet all of the needs of his flock.

The Sunday School is one logical ministry to help him, since each leader is geared toward ministering to a particular age group, already regularly seeks to discover the needs of the small group that is the class, and can know the class members better than the pastor ever could.

Sunday School is also the source of discovering much of the talent needed to lead worship, perform tasks of hospitality, lead fellowships, etc.

So, if a church wishes to built a vibrant worship ministry, it needs to build a vibrant Sunday School

Likewise, music ministries, children's ministries, youth ministries, outreach ministries, deacon ministries, missions ministries and all of the other ministries in which a church might involve itself will be stronger and more easily built if the church develops a strong Sunday School.

That is where Arthur Flake placed his emphasis, and that's where I believe it belongs.

If a church waits until growth takes place to enlarge the organization, it will run into the issue of an earlier post: being too full for comfort and thus having members drop out.

Enlarging the organization means expanding the "outline" of the small groups, or Sunday School.

Thus a children's department might need to be turned into two children's departments in order to handle the potential growth.

There are many way to accomplish this organization. No doubt your denomination has literature, and/or conferences that can help.

But if solid, Christ centered, people loving growth is to take place, enlarging the organization is a must.

FOR WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL?

To understand why I ask that question, click on the link and read my post on

Jo-Joe Politico

And have a beautiful, Christ-filled Thanksgiving Day!

PROVIDE THE SPACE

We come to the third of Arthur Flake's five principles of growth: PROVIDE THE SPACE.

There is an "unwritten" rule (even though it has been written by many people) of attendance: When a space is about 80% filled, people will consider it crowded and will tend to go somewhere else.

This rule can be seen working in almost every church, large or small. When all the seats are filled one Sunday, the next week many will not return.

After we have done our survey properly, found our "prospects," invited them to come, and trained our workers, we must have a place for them to go.

The man who developed The Action Plan, Andy Anderson, was pastor of Riverside Baptist Church in Fort Myers, Florida.

After implementing the first steps of the plan, his Sunday School more than doubled in size in one week.

To accommodate the increase, Andy had rented a large, circus style tent, divided it up into classrooms and filled it with people, many of whom were first-time guests and heard the gospel for the first time in their lives.

They used the tent until they were able to build additional education space.

As an aside, keep this in mind: Although it is not the reason we strive to grow, growth results in an increase in income to the church, as visitors and new members learn to give tithes and offerings. Thus, the larger crowds yielded greater income to the church which enabled them to build education space.

As another aside, keep in mind that God's word NEVER speaks of maintaining the status quo, but ALWAYS notes the growth of the church.

God wants us to grow.

If we are to grow, we must provide the space for growth, either by use of tents, doubling up worship and Sunday Schools or whatever means God make available to you.

EQUIP THE LEADERS

The second of Arthur Flakes principles for growing a church is: "Equip the Leaders."

One might think that one should find out who's going to be attending before leaders are selected and trained.

WRONG!

If people show up and there are no adequate leaders to lead, they'll go home and not come back.

How are leaders equipped?

Many denominations have training centers where there is training for Sunday School Directors, Teachers, and other offices in the Bible Study Ministry.

The picture at the top is the lake at the training center for my denomination in Florida. It is Lake Yale at Lake Yale Baptist Assembly between Eustis and Leesburg, Florida.

Let me tell you, the training is second to none and the facilities are 5-Star.


Here are a couple of leaders in front of the motel style rooms at LYBA. They have real beds and everything!

If your denomination does not have such facilities, you can probably send leaders to one of the camps operated by another denomination.

If you cannot send leaders to such a facility, there are hundreds of training resources available online, some cost, some don't.

Consider a banquet to kick off a leadership series, or perhaps some

The Bible says that we should study to show ourselves approved unto men, workmen who can be proud (in the good sense) of our work.

Training can take the form of learning to use Bible Study literature, the effective use of technology to facilitate leadership, interpersonal relationships, and of course, how to understand and teach the Bible.

Another essential is evangelism training...not so much the cold-call type, but how to integrate the plan of salvation into EVERY Bible Study lesson, for children, youth and adults. Then it is necessary to train leaders to witness one-on-one.

If we take seriously the concept of Equipping the Leaders, when folks show up, they will have an enriching, spiritual growth experience and will more likely show up again.

FIND THE PEOPLE

Some churches, as I noted in my previous post, are content to muddle along, never growing, baptizing few and mostly just fussing with each other and with other denominations.

If we are to be like Jesus, as we are clearly told to be in Scripture, then we have to care about the people of our communities, saved or not.

As a matter of fact, we should care whether or not they are saved.

If your church is on a busy road, stand outside your church someday and watch the cars go by.

Most of the drivers and passengers in those cars are unsaved and unchurched.

How do we know which ones need a church?

How do we know which ones have financial, health, emotional, mental and other needs?

The answer is we go find out.

The highways and byways are where we have been instructed to go and BRING them in.

Years ago there arose an outreach ministry called "The Action Program."

The thrust of "The Action Program" was an unusual "survey."

In the survey, pairs of Christians went into assigned neighborhoods door-to-door.

At each home, they introduced themselves, and asked permission to do a brief survey.

If given permission, they took the following action:

1. They asked whether the occupants regularly attended any Bible study program.

2. If the answer was, "Yes," the occupants were thanked for their time and the surveyors went on their way to the next house.

3. If the answer was, "No," the surveyors said, "We have a really good Bible study that meets on Sunday mornings (or, if there were weekday Bible studies, those times were given), may we enroll you in it?"

4. If they say, "No," the surveyors thanked them and went on their way to the next house.

5. If they said "Yes," the surveyors took down pertinent information, thanked the occupant, told them that they looked forward to being with them on Sunday (or at the weekday Bible study), left some materials about the Bible studies and went on their way.

6. The surveyors were trained in evangelism and always ready to share Jesus with anyone who volunteered an interest, but they did not seek out opportunities to do so.

It was interesting that the majority of homes gave them the few moment each step took.

Also interesting was that about half of those who said they were not a part of any Bible study allowed the surveyors to enroll them in one of theirs.

Of those, between 40% and 60% actually showed up at a Bible study.

Using that ministry approach, one church I served doubled its Sunday School attendance in two weeks.

The plan of salvation was made an integral part of every Bible study class.

What I learned from "The Action Program" was that being short and honest was an asset.

I also learned that all most potential Bible study members want is just to be engaged with "good people" for brief moments, not for some long winded, complicated witness program (think Evangelism Explosion or F.A.I.T.H.)

Don't misunderstand me. There is a place for these, but they should probably be reserved for those homes that have been contacted in advance and expect somebody to come spend a lot of time with them.

In the end, it is important for churches to get to know the people around them, and to find the ones who are likely to see the need for a good church to attend.

The best way to accomplish this is to conduct a survey.

As Arthur Flake said in 1922, FIND THE PEOPLE!

LET'S GET ORGANIZED

In 49 years of ministry, I have served in very small churches, and some fairly large ones.

I have served in stagnant churches and growing churches.

Some churches have been very satisfied to stay small, muddle along and present uninspiring, second rate ministries and programs.

They suffer from what I call "The Small Church Syndrome."

Their attitude is, "They know we're here. If they want to come, they will."

Typically their workers (Sunday School leaders, etc.) represent about 20% of the congregations, do most of the ministering and love to point out "how God is blessing," though there is little evidence of that.

Now, not all small churches are like that.

Some are in very rural areas with little opportunity for growth.

Others are brand new churches and are "destined" to grow and minister to many more people in their future.

Some churches are large and stagnant.

They got big by virtue of location or the strong personality of a preacher and then just "gave up" on growth.

One "medium sized" church I know stays "medium sized" by starting new works.

Every seven years they take their best Sunday School teachers, their best deacons, the the best of their other leaders and start a new church.

To date, there are 11 churches that they have started, each of which is growing pretty well.

Then there the so-called, "mega-churches."

Some of those got where they are on the strength of the personality of their pastor.

Most, however, got there another way: they organized for growth.

Way too many Christians are afraid of or offended by the word, "organization."

I have heard the phrase "we're over-organized," far more often than I have heard, "let's get organized."

People who are put off by the concept of organization do not believe the Bible.

"What? Where did THAT come from?" I hear you objecting.

From the Bible.

Check out Genesis, Numbers, Nehemia, Romans, 1st Corinthians and many other Scriptures and you will find that God teaches, and is the epitome, of organization.

The universe is organized from the tiniest Hydrogen atom to the grandest solar system. Scripture tells us it reflects the handiwork of God.

In the book of Numbers we find the organization of the tents of the tribes of Israel.

God led Nemiah to assign groups to each section of the wall of Jerusalem when he went to rebuild it.

In Romans, Paul tells us that the plan of salvation was from before the foundations of the earth and that it unfolded in precise order.

We are told, "Let all things be done in order" (I Corinthians 14:40).

Titus 1:15 says: "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:"

May I suggest that God is a God of order?

In 1922 Arthur Flake wrote Building a Standard Sunday School.

In it he set forth Biblical principles of growth.

Here they are:

1. Find the People

2. Equip leaders and teachers

3. Provide the space

4. Enlarge the organization

5. A program of visitation

In future posts, I will expand on each of these and will teach you, if you are willing to learn, how God wants your church to grow.

GOLGATHA - THE EARLY YEARS

I've heard from Him before.

I know His voice...His powerful, arresting, authoritative, yet merciful, voice.

"Abram," He said to me, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you."

There was such energy and commanding supremacy and promise in His tone that I knew I needed to do as He said.

On another occasion He told me, "Look at the heavens and count the stars - if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be."

There were other times, too.

I knew His voice, you can believe that.

True to His word, when I was very old; past the time when people have children, God gave me the son of my dreams.

I named him Isaac.

He was the joy of my wife, Sarah's, and my life.

We watched him grow.

We taught him to run and play, to fish and throw a spear.

We loved him with abounding love.

That is why I was excited the day I heard God's voice say to me, "Abraham!"

"Oh, good!" I thought. "Another promise from God Almighty!"

"Take you son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

My heart went cold.

My mind could not get around it.

"Let me understand, God. You want me to take Isaac, the one you promised to me, the one from whom many nations would come, the one whose birth brought joy into the lives of two old people...you want me to kill him as a sacrifice to you?"

"Yes."

The weight of it was more than I could bear.

Depression knows no light, no hope, no future.

But this was my God.

He had never failed me in the past...but this...this was just too much.

I gathered together the materials I would need for the journey and then I called out to my teen aged son, "Isaac! Come! We must go to a mountain to make an offering of sacrifice to God."

He always seemed to love to go places with me.

"Father," he asked, "Where must we go?"

"I'm not exactly sure, Isaac, but it is in the land of Moriah, and God has said he will show me which mountain."

"OK, dad, let's get going!"

I lit a torch and we headed out to Moriah.

The way to Moriah was rough, and not so close.

We were not too talkative. To tell the truth, I didn't feel much like talking.

"Dad," Isaac spoke with uncertainty in his voice. "We have the wood, we have the fire, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"

The question cut me to the quick.

The words that came out of my mouth were not my words. I had no idea that I was about to say what I said.

I was overcome with a sense of faith and trust, the likes of which I had never known before.

And out the words tumbled, "God will provide himself, a lamb..."

They were like thunder reaching back to the beginning of time and stretching forth to the end of time.

Even I did not understand what I had just said.

How could I know that over a thousand years hence, God, himself, would manifest Himself as the child of a virgin in Bethlehem?

How could I contemplate that that child, the only Son of God Almighty, would be scourged, nailed to a cross and would give Himself as a ransom for those who would believe in Him, the perfect sacrificial Lamb of God?

How could I imagine that God the Father would turn His back on God the Son of God to provide salvation for the world?

How could I know that the Son of God would become the Son of Man so that the sons of men could become sons of God?

"GOD WILL PROVIDE HIMSELF A LAMB..."

When we got to Moriah, God directed me to a hill. It sent a shudder down my spine, for it looked very much like a skull.

On top of the hill, the hill, later to be called Golgatha, the place of the skull, I set to work getting the altar ready.

Then I turned to Isaac.

"Isaac, my son, I need you to trust me like you've never trusted me before. I need you to let me bind you and lay you atop the altar."

He was not dumb, my son, Isaac.

He realized exactly what was happening.

"At your bidding, my father," he said.

And I placed him upon the wood and picked up my knife.

Forever came over me and just hung there.

The knife was over my head, ready to plunge into the heart of my long awaited son.

"Abraham."

It was His voice.

"Abraham! Do not do anything to him."

The emotion that invaded me was more than I could understand. I didn't hear the rest of what God said.

I turned my head to hide the tears, and there, in the thicket was a ram, caught by his horns.

Here was the burnt offering.

I unbound Isaac and we embraced for a long, long time.

"Let us rename the hill," I said.

"Let us call it 'The Lord will provide.'"

And that is why it came to be said of this strange little hill in Moriah:

On the mountain of the Lord IT will be provided.

Then God repeated His earlier promise to me and began the process of His salvation.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet;

Sorrow and love flow mingled down.

Did e're such love and sorrow meet;

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

A CRASH COURSE

A friend of mine was driving along the other week when, as she went through an intersection on a green light barely missed being T-boned by a car that ran the red light facing him.

She managed to swerve and was missed by the other car.

She thanked God for watching over her and keeping her safe.

Two miles down the road she went through another intersection and another guy (presumably not the same one) ran his red light and DID T-bone her.

She was bruised and battered, but OK.

She came to me to ask why God had protected her from even a scratch on her car in the first intersection, and allowed her to get banged up in the second.

The way I answered her would offend many who call themselves Christian, but it is the truth and needs to be understood.

I'll synopsize.

Look. We live in a real world, in the ugly shadow of original sin, and bad things happen.

Jesus said, "In this would you will have tribulation."

He does not prevent it, He promised it.

If you jump off a cliff, and half way down repent and ask God to save you, will He do it?

Maybe. He certainly can.

But it must suit His glory to do so, not ours.

Otherwise, He will allow the very gravity He invented to take over and you are in for a very sudden stop that will put you instantly into His eternal presence (if, and only if, you know Him as Lord and Savior).

The really important question you have to answer is: Are you as much His if things do not go well for you as you are if they do?

It's easy to follow Christ when He takes you to the mountain top. It is much more difficult to follow Him through the valleys...and there will be valleys.

The rewards you will receive for being faithful to Him are Heavenly rewards, not earthly ones.

"Lay up treasures in Heaven...not on earth..."

My favorite lines in all of hymnody is from "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."

"And tho this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us;
We will not fear for God has willed His truth to triumph thro' us.
The prince of darkness, grim...we tremble not for him. We can his rage endure, for lo, his doom is sure. One little Word shall fell him.

"That Word above all earthly powers, no thanks to him, abideth. The spirit and the gifts are ours through Him, who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go. This mortal life, also. The body they may kill. God's Truth abideth still. His Kingdom is forever!"

People do dumb, sinful things, like running red lights. Sometimes those dumb, sinful things result in people getting hurt, even Christians.

After Jesus promised us that "...in this world you will have tribulation," He then said, "But be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world!"

Why do Christians get sick, have accidents or behave badly...lack of faith?

Sometimes.

But much more often it is because of some bacteria, virus, crotchitiness or just old age, which are all results of the fact of sin.

Sin!

You gotta hate it.

I'm going to have a long talk with Adam when I meet him face to face.

I hope he can duck really, really good.

PRAYER AND WISDOM NEEDED

The Christian radio station at which I work, Kingdom FM Christian Radio (I'm on the air from 9:00 AM until Noon, Eastern Time, weekdays) will be holding Fall Sharathon 2008 beginning on Wednesday, October 29th, and running through Friday morning, October 31st.

This is the time when we try to raise the funds necessary to operate the station.

Like many ministries, we are struggling in this down economy.

Please pray that we will make all of the necessary preparations, present the people with material that will make them want to stay tuned in, and that we will bring in the contributions that we need.

Most of all, pray that we will be about what God wants us to be about, during Fall Sharathon 2008 and all year long.

RIGHTLY DIVIDING

I'm sure you know that the chapter and verse divisions in the Bible were NOT divinely inspired.

They were placed there as an aid to finding one's way around in Scripture.

Getting a sense of when to ignore them is sometimes important to understanding what a passage is about.

In the book of Job, Job's imitation friend, Elihu, is droning on about how Job must have done some evil thing, else God wold not have allowed his ailments to afflict him.

Trouble is, we know that his afflictions were not the result of what Job did.

As Elihu wraps up his speech, some wag decided to put a chapter marker (38) there.

Then the scripture says that God answered Job (to whom He had not been speaking - maybe because He could not get a word in edgewise while Elihu was speaking.

Anyway, He says to Job, "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?"

The chapter marking might lead you to believe that a new subject is being taken up.

Such is not the case.

God is talking TO Job ABOUT Elihu.

"Who IS this guy?" He is asking Job. "He keeps on talking and talking without knowing what he is talking about!"

That's just one example of how important it is to realize that the chapter divisions are arbitrary (even in the Authorized King James Version).

Do not let those numbers influence your interpretation of Scripture.

You'll get it wrong, if you do.

HAPPY COLUMBUS DAY! (Celebrated Monday)

Yesterday was the real Columbus Day.

Somehow, in order to lighten the workload on ourselves, we have decided to move it, along with most other holidays, to Monday, regardless of the real date we're celebrating.

I want to suggest that doing so diminishes the perceived significance of the purpose of the holiday and focuses too much on the "Day Off" aspect of it (long weekends, you know).

It also allows us to rewrite history with almost no challenge...which rewriting is regularly taking place.

I leave you with this quote:

"No one should be afraid to take on any enterprise

in the name of our Savior if it is right and the purpose

for His holy service." Christopher Columbus

Genesis 19 - A Sort of Outline

Introduction

This chapter deals with the base issues of humanity.

It lays a foundation describing where the failure to deal with original sin leads and for the revelation of our need of a Savior.

In this chapter, we are faced with the decision as to how we will deal with God's Word.

Will we believe what God says, or will we parse what He says to fit our own sense of moral standard?

The chapter seems to emphasize homosexuality.

As I studied for my degree in psychology, one of the foci of my studies was homosexuality; its source and its effect.

After careful study I have reached, and adhere to, the following conclusions about homosexuality:

1. No one is born homosexual. In spite of efforts to prove otherwise, it just isn't so. The most widely proffered "evidence" for being hard-wired as a homosexual turned out to be a hoax.

2. Homosexuality is not a "choice," at least not in the sense that we usually make choices in life. No one would say to him/herself, "I think I will map out for my life a style that will cause me grief and pain both emotionally and socially."

3. From my studies, I have concluded that homosexuality is a pattern of learned behaviors resulting from a myriad of life stimuli, not any one of which necessarily results in homosexuality, but which in combinations of two or three or more may lead one to that particular lifestyle.

4. Just as certain other life "habits" are sinful, homosexuality is sinful behavior.

5. "Sin" is defined as anything that is not in the dead center of God's will, and therefore, homosexuality joins a host of other behaviors that may seem "natural," but which are nonetheless, sin.

6. God loves the homosexual as much as He loves the liar, the murderer, the thief, the haughty and the morally loose. In fact, Christ died for them all.

7. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16), is as much for the homosexual as it is for you and me.

8. There are certain aspects of homosexuality that set it apart, not as a sin that is any more consequential than any other, but as one whose nature defeats the purpose of God for His creation: procreation.

Leviticus 18:22-24; 20:13-16, equates homosexuality with bestiality, and, like murder, is punishable by death, under the Law.

u>Genesis 19:1-11

1. Lot was visited by two angels.

2. Lot's home was surrounded by the men of Sodom who wanted to rape the angels, not really knowing who or what they were.

3. Lot saw that his social requirement was to protect visitors in his house.

4. He offered his daughters to the crowd, which had no interest in her, for they were, to a man, homosexuals.

5. The angels struck the men blind (a possible source of some "old wives tales" surrounding certain sexual activities.

Genesis 19:12-14

1. Lot is warned of the coming destruction of Sodom.

2. He is told to gather his family and leave.

SIDE NOTE: The "sons-in-law" were probably not married to Lot's daughters yet, only betrothed (like Mary to Joseph), but it was nevertheless considered a done deal.

3. The sons-in-law thought Lot was joking.

Genesis 19:15-22

1. When Lot hesitated to leave the city, the angels physically removed him, his wife and his daughters.

2. Lot's reluctance to leave demonstrates even his sinful state and God's safe removal of him from the city illustrates His great mercy.

3. Lot is allowed to escape to Zoar.

< Genesis 19:23-29

1. Fire and brimstone fell upon the cities.

2. A foretaste of what will be the lot (excuse the pun) of those who live a life of unrighteousness: eternity in a place created for the devil and his angels, Hell, a place of fire, brimstone, gnashing of teeth and aloneness forever.

3. Were God to give us what we have earned, we would receive the same reward as Sodom and Gomorrah, for each of our sin(s) is as eternally damnable as were those of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.

4. In His great mercy, God has provided a way for us to be righteous even though we are not righteous: the imputed righteousness of Christ to us when we do not deserve it.

5. Christians have been judged on the basis of God's mercy, not His justice.

6. We are saved by His grace, through our faith in the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary.

LET US PRAY.

The other day I was talking with my sister, Trish.

"Trish," I said, "Do you have any cookies and milk?

"Trish I would really like some cookies and milk.

"And Trish, if those cookies could be Oreos, that would be great.

"Sister Trish, I would really appreciate it if the milk could be skim milk.

"Oh, and Trish, make the milk really, really cold, 'cause that's the way I like it best.

"You said, Trish, that if I came over today, you would have some cookies and milk for me.

"Thank you, Trish for the invitation.

"Oh, Trish, the cookies look so good.

"And Sister, Trish, the milk tastes so fresh!

"Why, Trish, it's almost as if the cow were standing right here in the kitchen with us.

"Thank you, Trish.

"Trish, you are such a good sister."

Read that section above out loud.

Doesn't it sound strange?

When you talk with someone, do you say their name at the beginning of every thought?

Of course you don't, if you're normal, that is.

What about when you talk to God?

"Lord we come before you, Heavenly Father, to praise you and worship you.

"Lord, you are so worthy of our praise and our thanksgiving.

"Dear Lord, we offer ourselves up to you as living sacrifices, inviting you, Lord, to take us and use us as you will.

"And Lord, we pray for Sister Jana's upcoming medical tests.

"Father, just guide the technicians and the doctors who interpret the tests and please, Lord, let all of the test results be negative.

"And Almighty God, if those tests results are positive and Sister Jana needs her gall bladder removed, we just trust you, Lord, that it will come out all right.

"Father, we'll be sure to give you the glory.

"In Jesus's name,

"Amen."

What, are we afraid that God might forget that we are talking to Him?

I think He's smarter than that don't you?

Maybe it is we who need the reassurance of who we're talking to.

Do we think repeating His name before every thought makes us sound more spiritual?

To whom? To Him, or to the people around us?

Maybe we just pick up some really, really bad prayer habits.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!

THE FOLLOWING IS A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM JOE'S JOTTINGS:

I am starting a NEW BLOG called Jo-Joe Politico.

It's a political/eclectic blog, where I get into things that may be of a controversial nature and its emphasis will be on current political events.

"Why have you done this, Joe?" I hear your voice ask.

"Well," I answer, "It is so I can leave this blog to matters spiritual from a Christian perspective."

So, there you have it.

If you want to see my thoughts on current Christian thinking and the Bible lessons I teach, keep on coming here.

This blog will be more of an inspirational nature.

The NEW blog, Jo-Joe Politico, will be not so much inspirational as patriotic and diverse.

You will find links there to political sites I like to visit, as well as to sites of a general, but not necessarily spiritual nature.

Come only to this blog if you like, or only to Jo-Joe Politico, if that's your cup of tea. Or, of course, you can VISIT BOTH.

I will write for this blog about every other day, and for Jo-Joe Politico on alternate days.

My guarantee is that Jo-Joe Politico will inform you, entertain you, and maybe even enrage you, but it will not leave you wanting.

Here's to meeting you here, there or in the air!

Genesis 18 - An Outline

Preview
This chapter is notable in that it demonstrates the grace of God by means of His personal care of and personal communication with those who have faith in Him.

This chapter also contains an example of prayer in which boldness and humility are entwined.

Genesis 18:1-5

God (Jehovah, the self existent one) appeared to Abraham.

This is called a Theophany or Christophany.

This becomes clear when we understand that God the Father never revealed Himself in such fashion to man throughout Scripture, except through the Person of Jesus Christ, and from careful reading of the context in both this chapter and the next two chapters.

Abraham recognized that one of the three was God, and so addressed Him while bowing himself to the ground in homage.

The "My Lord" that Abraham uses is from the Hebrew: adonai, the word Jews would use in place of YHWH (Yahweh), the unspeakable Name of God.

Speaks of Christ’s humility and the unity in heaven among God and His celestial staff.

During one’s life after his spiritual birth into the family of God, the believer never knows to whom he may entertain or minister.

Hebrews 13:2
Matthew 25:34-40

Genesis 18:6-15

Abraham was intent on making their meal the very best he could offer.

What we offer to God should never be our leftovers, but our newest and best.
God reiterated His promise to Abraham.

Abraham and Sarah both laughed (Hebrew: sahaq) with either joy or sarcasm…scholars differ

God’s reaction seems to indicate incredulity, maybe sarcasm from Sarah

God’s reaction seems to indicate joy grounded in faith in God’s Word from Abraham.

Genesis 18:16-19

This passage gives the reader of God’s Word a touching, dynamic and awe-inspiring insight into the mind of God.

Even though man disobeyed God initially in the Garden of Eden and accrued a record of defiance toward Him from that time forward, God still acts and carries out His plan with a deep appreciation and consideration of man.

This is a true and significant confirmation of God’s great love for man, only to be eclipsed by the giving of His Son to die on the cross of Calvary.

Genesis 18:20-30

God revealed His plans for Sodom and Gomorrah.

This passage presents an exquisite example of intercessory prayer,

Abraham’s prayer was bold

Abraham’s prayer was humble

Lessons for every believer:

God always has time for bold prayer offered in the spirit of humility.

God always answers each prayer. Sometimes Yes; sometimes No; sometimes Wait.

God’s knowledge is always complete no matter the prayer, and we must pray for

His will, not ours, and in the faith He gives us.

God’s judgments are always correct in spite of prayer.

God always goes "His way" (carrying out His purpose and plan) after hearing and answering prayer.

We must learn to trust God’s answer to our prayers, even when we don’t understand.

Dis-Honor Among Thieves

You are so blessed!


Look what your honorable Senators and Congress persons have done for you in their $700,000,000,000.00 "Rescue Package":

Wooden arrows: This tax break, backed by Oregon's two senators, would benefit an Oregon manufacturer of wooden arrows for children. $2,000,000.00.

Racetracks: Earmark would allow auto racetrack owners to depreciate their facilities over seven years. $100,000,000.00.

Rum: Offers rum producers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands a rebate on excise taxes. $192,000,000.00.

Wool: Reduces tariffs for U.S. makers of wool fabric that use imported yarn. The measure was pushed by Reps. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., and Melissa Bean, D-Ill. $148,000,000.00.

Exxon Valdez: Plaintiffs in the suit over the 1989 oil spill could spread their tax payments on punitive damages over three years. The measure was backed by Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. $49,000,000.00.

American Samoa: Allows certain corporations to reduce their tax liability on income earned in American Samoa. $33,000,000.00

Hollywood: Extends a tax break for film and TV companies that keep their production in the United States. $478,000,000.00.

That's $1,002,000,000.00 that will NOT go to "help" ailing Wall Street, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

But you'll get to pay for it, just the same.

Your Senators and Congress persons are so very honorable.

(At this point it would be appropriate to stick your tongue between your lips and exhale sharply for an extended period of time, as in, "give them the old raspberry.")