Monday, October 16, 2006

The Costliness of Compromise

I have been preaching a Sunday series through the Book of Judges. It is both interesting and heart breaking. Israel should be enjoying the sunshine years, but is instead weathering the dark night of the soul. The people should be basking in the "land flowing with milk and honey," but are instead suffering in a land of enemies and oppressors. At least in the wilderness wanderings they acknowledged God, but know they are going after other gods.

Now, did they decide to rebel against God? Did they commit to follow other gods? Did they choose to no longer be His people? No. What, then, brought them to this place? What horrible sin? What heinous crime? Compromise, partial obedience, failure to do ALL God commanded. Only of Caleb is it said "he drove out" the former inhabitants where he settled. Caleb, one of the original spies who said "yes we can take it."

Oh, God, give us some Calebs. Caleb was an old man by this time. He had seen much. But his obedience to God's plan was clear and resolute.

The time of the Judges will haunt Israel for over 400 years, all because of compromise. Lord, drive out from my life those enemies that divide my allegiance to you.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

FOR THE MEN

I may be a pastor, but I am sure I struggle with the things that all men struggle with. Worth as a man, temptations, am I a good dad and husband? If I am the only one who struggles, I wish someone would enlighten me a little.

As a pastor, I do see how those struggles affect families. The church I serve has a strong Youth ministry, yet many of these teens come on their own. If they have a dad at home, they stay at home. I know that I learned a lot of my model of a Christian man from watching my dad and the many other men in my home church. Where are the models today?

I agree with Gene Getz that 1 Timothy 3 is not exhausted when it dealing with Pastors and deacons. These really are marks of maturity for all men. The most important may be the qualities that bracket pastoral qualifications - "above reproach" and "a good reputation among outsiders." We have seen men of postion in our own town suffer public failure, and now we see on a wide scale one of our government leaders brought down, reputations ruined. I pray that God will strengthen our Christian men so that they have a good reputation inside the church as well as outside the church. A solid reputation among their peers and among their families.
The hope of our church is for our men to be grasped by God in a new and fresh way, and I hope it starts with me.
Steve