Christmas time is here...

One of my favorite "secular" Christmas songs is from the Charlie Brown Christmas special entitled, "Christmas time is here".  I know for those who know me well it will come as no surprise, both that I still enjoy Charlie Brown and that this particular song soothes my old Grinch heart this magical time of year. 

It is interesting to note that even upon its first airing in 1965 CBS producers were reluctant to air the program due to the fact that Linus recites the Christmas account from Luke 2 and Mr. Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts characters, had to stand his ground and require the show be aired as it was written. 

In December of 1965 the first airing of the Charlie Brown Christmas special saw fifty percent of American televisions tune in. (It probably helped that there were only a hand full of networks unlike the seven hundred channels we have today!)  The show was met with great reviews and it received and Emmy and Peabody award later that year. 

The point the song always brings to my remembrance when I hear it is that Christians at times, and I certainly include myself in this, miss the opportunity afforded us at Christmas.  Think of the Christmas account in scripture, all who were told of the birth of Christ.  The angels bringing the message to Mary and Joseph and the shepherds.  The celestial star pointing the way for the wise men to find the small child.  God wanted people to know he had sent redemption to them.  He did then and he still wants them to know today.  We are surrounded by the "world", each one around us needs to hear the good news of Christmas.  Yet we, as believers, allow ourselves to be so consumed by the events of the season that we miss the reason of the season.

There are certain current event issues of the day that I, as a regular American citizen, can not change, however I can change a life by introducing them to Jesus.  And when it is all said and done, isn't that what Jesus wants each of us to do...just simply tell others about Him.  That's the true Joy of Christmas...year round.

A Christian and our political responsibility.

This blog is a result of the current events we are seeing in the middle east with American embassy's being attacked and leaders of our country being murdered by Islamic extremist. There are those who have stated that our current administration is headed by a man who, from his own mouth at times, claims to be of a Christian faith.  Yet his policies and the direction he is leading our country are anything but Christian.  Below are a list of statements he has made regarding the Muslim faith and the Christian faith.

 

10 Quotes By Barack Obama About Islam

1. "Islam has always been part of America"

2.  "We will encourage more Americans to study in Muslim communities"

3.  "These rituals remind us of the principles that we hold in common, and Islam’s role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance, and the dignity of all human beings."

4. "America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles of justice and progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings."

5. 'So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn’t.'

6. "Ramadan is a celebration of a faith known for great diversity and racial equality"

7. "As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith."

8. "I look forward to hosting an Iftar dinner celebrating Ramadan here at the White House later this week, and wish you a blessed month."

9. "That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn't. And I consider it part of my responsibility as president of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear."

10. "I also know that Islam has always been a part of America's story."


10 Quotes By Barack Obama About Christianity

1. "Whatever we once were, we are no longer a Christian nation"

2. "We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation."

3. "Which passages of scripture should guide our public policy? Should we go with Leviticus, which suggests slavery is OK and that eating shellfish is an abomination? Or we could go with Deuteronomy, which suggests stoning your child if he strays from the faith?"

4. "Even those who claim the Bible's inerrancy make distinctions between Scriptural edicts, sensing that some passages - the Ten Commandments, say, or a belief in Christ's divinity - are central to Christian faith, while others are more culturally specific and may be modified to accommodate modern life."

5. "The American people intuitively understand this, which is why the majority of Catholics practice birth control and some of those opposed to gay marriage nevertheless are opposed to a Constitutional amendment to ban it. Religious leadership need not accept such wisdom in counseling their flocks, but they should recognize this wisdom in their politics."

6. From Obama's book, The Audacity of Hope: "I am not willing to have the state deny American citizens a civil union that confers equivalent rights on such basic matters as hospital visitation or health insurance coverage simply because the people they love are of the same sex—nor am I willing to accept a reading of the Bible that considers an obscure line in Romans to be more defining of Christianity than the Sermon on the Mount."

7. "I find it hard to believe that my God would consign four-fifths of the world to hell. I can't imagine that my God would allow some little Hindu kid in India who never interacts with the Christian faith to somehow burn for all eternity. That's just not part of my religious makeup."

8. "Those opposed to abortion cannot simply invoke God’s will--they have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths."

9. On his support for civil unions for gay couples: "If people find that controversial then I would just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount."

10. "I believe that there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people."


The reason for sharing this is not to insult or ridicule our President.  He deserves the respect of the office he holds.  However, I would like for Americans to do something...THINK.  This country was founded by free thinkers, those who did not follow the status quo or simply go with the majority.  They allowed the Word of God to be a governor and guide in their lives.  This country was founded by those who held to the Word of God and the Way of God and though they were mere men, they desired to please and honor the Lord with thier lives. 

The sad reality is Christians, today and have forgotten our obligation to be "salt" (Matt. 5:13) and "light"(Matt. 5:14) in this world today.  May we as Christians begin to focus upon the Word of God and let it be our guide daily. 

I encourage you as a believer to begin to pray for the United States of America.  That God would be merciful to us and help us to be a people that He can bless.  We are living in the days in which Paul wrote to Timothy about in 2 Timothy 3:1-5.  It is "perilous times" but exciting times to be in the service of the King.  Lets remember who our Savior is and seek to please Him today with our lives.

Finished Strong

There are several examples in the Bible of men who started right but did not finish strong.  In society today we are seeing the pattern continued of those who have fallen, failed or simply chosen to disobey God and live in morale sin.  I believe we are hearing more and more of this because of the social media and technologically advanced day in which we are living in. 

I could spend the morning talking about the failure of Saul or of Samson or how Demas left Paul having a love affair for this present world but instead of focusing on the negative, as we as Independent Baptist seem to do more often, I want to think of all those who have finished strong. 

In 2 Timothy 4:6-7 Paul declares to Timothy, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."  Paul declared that the fight he was in was a good fight, a worthy fight and a needful fight.  You and I are in this same contest today.  He declared he had finished the course, the race that God had laid out for him to do.  Remember at his conversion that then Saul asked, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"  God showed him and he did not waiver from it.  Paul also declared that the faith that had been given to him he did not waiver from.  When we look at this great man of God we would think he was a hero to every preacher, yet there were those who were ashamed of him and questioned his bonds and how effective his ministry really was.  In 2 Timothy he speaks of Onesiphorus not being ashamed of his chains.  In Philippians he speaks of those questioning his chains and afflictions.  Yet through it all Paul remained faithful.  The testing of the servant made him stronger. 

So today Christian, may we think of those who have not fallen.  May we think of the faithful men who have stayed true to the word of God.  I think of men like my Pastor, Dr. Glenn Anderson, faithfully preaching the word for over 31 years at Liberty Baptist Tabernacle.  Planting that church in Stockbridge Georgia and founding the Atlanta Bible College.  Winning souls to Christ and because of him many are in the ministry today.  Today he continues to work with world wide missions, and continues to teach and train young men for the ministry.  He is Finishing Strong

I think of my wife's grandfather, Dr. Evertie Moore for over 41 years serving in the mountains of Kentucky.  There he lead souls to Christ, founded a Christian school and served God faithfully.  Today he is teaching new converts in his sons church and continuing to win souls to Christ.  He is Finishing Strong.

There are others who have been faithful, Dr. Lee Roberson, Dr. Tom Malone, Dr. Bobby Roberson and countless hundreds who we will not know this side of glory.  So when we get discouraged with those who have fallen, chose sin over serving, then lets remember those who have finished strong.  Lets take our eyes and place them upon our Savior who Finished Strong and let us determine each and every day that with the Lords help, we too will Finish Strong. 

Keeping the Main thing the Main thing

How is your attention span?  According to the Associated Press, the average attention span has dropped in recent years from twelve seconds to eight seconds.  Adults are finding it harder and harder to focus!  This is true in our churches as well, we have lost focus. 

Years ago I read this phrase in a book, "Keep the main thing the main thing".  While the author was dealing with a secular topic and structure in individuals life, it struck a resounding chord with me and has effected me in my life and ministry.  Later I heard a Pastor, referring to this statement add, "Keep the main thing the main thing, and the main thing is Soul winning!" 

In the summer months our church saw a good number of individuals come to Christ as their savior but few were from door to door soul winning.  Our need to reach our city, community and county with the gospel must resonate a fresh and new in our hearts as we begin our fall campaign in the coming weeks. 

As followers of Christ we can become so distracted and discouraged from doing what we have been commanded and commissioned to do.  As a pastor I can become so concerned with the schematics of the daily operation of the Church that I forget my duty to tell others the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Preachers can become so caught up in what is happening in churches across America that we forget to tend to the flock God has given us.

So, Maranatha- lets FOCUS and remember to "Keep the Main thing the Main thing" this fall and every season.  Get involved in the upcoming equipping sessions and lets see God use our church to reach our Jerusalem with the gospel of Christ. 

More than Insurance

Why do we have insurance?  There are several different types that we have, health, life, auto, home...the list continues but you understand my point.  We have insurance to protect against catastrophic loss.  We pay premiums, monthly, yearly or quarterly just in case something disastrous happens. 

For the Christian life some look at salvation, church attendance and the Lord the same way, a protection against a catastrophic loss.  When trouble arises, they run to church or run to the Lord and that is not a bad thing yet God wants to be so much more in our lives than a insurance plan.  He wants us to know Him.  Proverbs 8:17 "I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me."  God desires for us to walk with Him and rest in His presence, Mark 6:31 "And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while; for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat."  There is a peaceful rest we can find in a daily walk and communication with the Lord Jesus.  Not just when trouble arises, but during the peaceful times. 

Each morning we should spend time in Gods Word, in prayer and meditating upon what the scriptures say and how they are applicable to our lives today.  We are living in "perilous" times and now is not the time to go uncovered...spend time with the Lord each day, enjoy His presence, His protection and His provision in the times of plenty or in times of loss. 

Take time to asses your relationship with the Lord today and see how close you are to Him.  Remember He desire to be close to you...daily...and the closer you get to Him the closer He will come to you.  "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you..." James 4:8

What have YOU done for ME lately?

In today's society not much is thought of faithfulness.  We live in such and instant society that we only consider the short term and not the long term.  The "What have YOU done for ME lately", moto is a montra of society.  It used to be that a man could get a job at eighteen or twenty and work for the some company until retirement.  Now the man nor the company are faithful to the other.  Business will cut the man who has given years of his life to the "machine" for a cheaper hire and men will gladly move on for better pay or greener pastures. 

The same is true in the ministry.  Pastors and associate pastors do not have the longevity in churches as in days gone by with again, both churches (business) and pastors (man) both being at "fault".  While there are exceptions to this, my father in law has been the pastor of the same church for over twenty five years, that is not the norm in society. 

I could go on and on talking about marriages, relationships etc. concerning the decline of faithfulness but I believe you see my point.  The question is, Am I faithful?  Do I demonstrate a spirit and life of faithfulness in every avenue of my life?  (Home, church, business, family, relationships)

The desire of our Savior is that we be found faithful. (I Cor. 4:2, Matt. 25:21)  We are trending away from faithfulness and that is not a good thing.  May we as followers of Christ determine to be faithful in every aspect of our lives.  Be faithful to the Lord because he is faithful to you.  Serve Him from a heart of love. 

"Ask not what your Savior can do for you, but what you can do for your Savior."

Truth or Tradition?

Where do we draw the line as believers and followers of God’s Word and where does the slope that leads to compromise begin? There are some in fundamental circles who “squint at a gnat and swallow a camel” as the old colloquialism goes. The truth of God’s Word is superseded by traditions or traditions are tied into Gods Word. For example, our church observed the Lords Supper this past Sunday night.  Some churches may practice the observance of the Lords Supper every week while some hold to a quarterly or monthly observance. Which one is right? The Bible does not tell us how often to observe the Lords table, it simply says, “…as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” I Corinthians 10:25.  There would be those who accuse a church who observes this ordinance weekly as overkill or taking it too lightly and others would say it is not taken enough.  Is it observed out of tradition or in obedience to the truth? 

As I mentioned in my last post, there is nothing Biblical about a Sunday night or Wednesday night service but they are good things to have. There is nothing biblical about having a special revival service or conferences, but they are good things for churches to have. When you start canceling church services where is the cut off line? Where do you draw the stopping point and say this is too far? And what group of churches are you following the example of by your change in church structure? I understand there are variances on things such as service time, service structure and so on.  This is not a posting regarding one way being right or one way being wrong, (ie. 6:00 p.m. Sunday night service verses 6:30 p.m. Sunday night service)  My personal concern is that we as Baptist pastors do not trickle slowly down a path of compromise.

I am not an Independent Baptist first, I am a Christian first, but I bear the title Independent Baptist and my church bears the title as well because it separates and declares to the world our doctrine and Biblical position. I am aware that there Independent Baptist that I would not agree with on every subject matter or position and there are IFB pastors and leaders that have sinned and make open shame to the body of Christ. However, I am not going to change my distinctive position based upon man, because it is a position I have come to Biblicaly. Just because a church drops the name Baptist it does not remove them from problems or even being associated with a doctrine, unless the church teaches no doctrine and then it ceases to be a church. The purpose of the church is to declare the doctrine of God’s Word and based on the teaching and doctrine it lines them up with a denomination, there is no way around that.

Every person has tradition; there are good tradition and bad tradition. Truth is our ultimate standard bearer. Truth separates, it declares distinctive, holds our position, and it clarifies. The issue that I am seeing there are some who are mingling tradition and truth and thus throwing both out. Every preacher of the gospel must line up somewhere. One may say, I am a Biblicists if so what mode of baptism do you practice? What gospel do you preach? What distinctive do you hold to? The answer to these questions will declare your denominational position. We have been handed a treasured truth and I do not want to throw it away because of a few in our ranks that sow discord. Mark them, as the Bible admonishes us to do (Rom. 16:17) and move on. Preach Jesus, win souls then fulfill the great commission by, “…Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:” Matt. 28:20. Remember that Jude took pen in hand to write concerning the common salvation but the Holy Spirit moved him to write concerning earnestly contending for the faith. (Jude 2) Read and study this great New Testament book and we will see the standard bearer of Truth declared in a time of open apostasy. May we, those who have been entrusted with the glorious Gospel of Christ fulfill our calling.

Whats wrong with that? Day Three

As we continue with the thought of the question posed on day one, “What’s wrong with that?”.  Lets remember that we are accountable to God, we are accountable to His Word and we are responsible for sharing His love to a lost and dying world. So the final thought is this…

What’s right with it?

To me the question is faulty for the Christian.  Why are we looking for an out when we should be looking to honor the Lord in all we do. 1Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. The world sees enough hypocrisy in Christendom as a whole.  Comics make a living mocking religion and religious inconsistency; whole movies have been made regarding the false gospel preachers of the day. (See Wednesday blog for further detail.)  Yet we are called to be salt and light in this world. 

In our ranks today there is a mentality to step away from the clear teachings of God’s Word and move from the crystal clear commands that He has given us.  I realize that we do not find Sunday night church in the Bible but is having church on Sunday night a bad thing?  How many people are saved on a Sunday night service?  I know that Wednesday night service is not in the Bible, but is having a mid week service a bad thing?  We have come to the place as Christians where we can excuse anything.  Too busy for Sunday night church, too much to do to go soul winning, after all shouldn’t we be home with our family? 

So let me end with this thought, the next time you ask the question, “What’s wrong with doing this or that?” switch it around, look and see if it is pleasing the God that saved you.  Check and see if it lines up with God’s Word and the doctrine of the Bible.  Then ask “What’s right with this or that?”  I believe if all of us as followers of Christ would live by this simple thought then we will become the Salt and Light that we should be in our world. 

Whats wrong with that? Day two

Second thought on the question, “What’s wrong with that?” bids me to pose the question,

What is your moral guide in life?

 Everyone has a guiding compass in their life.  God created all mankind with a conscience.  Paul writing to his son in the Faith describes it this way. 1Timothy 4:1 “ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron”.  In other words coming to the place to where they are numb to the fact that they are not only speaking lies to others in the name of God but they feel no remorse for leading people to a false holiness or false worship of God.  While the context of this scripture is speaking primarily to preachers of the gospel it also declares unto us that God created us with a conscience or knowledge of good and evil.  Mankind as a whole understands this but there are those who come to the place where they cannot fully grasp the fact that they are accountable to God. 

So as a preacher, am I declaring the Word of God to those who hear me as their moral guide in life?  Am I sharing His standards, His teachings, His doctrine or am I combining it with my personal preferences and personal position on certain subjects.  The Bible is mankind’s moral guide.  Whether a person is a believer or not, the Bible is our guide and by it we are held accountable.  But for the Christian more so, James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

In conclusion, who is your governor in life? Who do you allow to control your thoughts your actions, who are you accountable to?  Yourself…no man lives unto himself; we are all accountable to God.  And what is your moral guide in life?  Your conscience…that’s good but does it line up with God’s word?  Your preacher or some spiritual mentor, that’s good but do their teachings line up with God’s Word?  The Bible is our ultimate authority and litmus test for the question, “What’s wrong with that?”

Whats wrong with that?

How many times have we heard this question asked?  How many times have we asked this question?  For the Christan there is a governor of our life, it is not just a mere conscience (Rom. 1&2) but it is the person of the Holy Spirit that indwells each believer from the moment of salvation. (Eph. 2:1; I Peter 3:18)  In recent days I have been asked this question by believers and non believers alike. 

It has been concerning a number of issues so I will generalize for the sake of the reader because it all comes down to one resounding answer.   So I thought I would begin a series on the Pastors Pen to respond and hopefully help some who may be asking or someone who is asked this question. 

Today let me answer the question, with a question...

Who is the Governor of your Life?

Everyone is accountable to God.  No man lives unto himself we are all held responsible by a Holy and just God.  My life is not dictated by a series of laws that I feel I must keep in order to gain the approval or love of the Lord.  I live my life in obedience to his word based upon a love I have for Him because of His demonstrated love toward me on the cross of Calvary.  I have placed myself under Him- a bond slave as Paul called it time and again in scripture- having the ability to go free but choosing to be submissive to the will and way of the master.  (Rom. 1:1) 

So if you are a Christian who is the governor of your life?  Who do you allow to control your mind, your actions, your thoughts, your decisions.  Do you compare them with the Word of God or do you simply reason them away with the "free" thinking of society today?  This world would say that they are free thinkers, open minded and on their own.  But each one is a carbon copy of the other...there are no true "liberal" thinkers or true "open" minded individuals because they all say the same thing.  So the question "Whats wrong with that?"- bids the question "Who is the governor of my life?".  Who will I allow to help me make this decision?  God and His word or the god of this world? 

Check back tomorrow as we will continue this thought.  Your opinions or thoughts on this are always welcome. 

Follow me on twitter @pastorhearn or email pastorhearn@msn.com

How to Have a Good Day!

This morning, as we were rushing out the door to make it to school and the office, stress took hold of our family.  Like a black cloud overshadows a sunny day the constraints of time, looking for socks and shoes, little brothers fighting and lack of coffee intake, brought our happy home to a point of reckoning. 
On the way to school my youngest daughter sat quietly in the back looking somberly out the window.  When I asked her what was her trouble, she simply replied, "I am going to have a bad day.  Because when I start a day bad, it always all goes bad, so today is going to be a bad day."  I assured her that was not the case and gave her some reassuring words, had prayer with her and then off she was to a day of school. 

This got me thinking about our day, a twenty four hour period of which we can never get back.  In the US the average lifespan is 78.06 years x 365 days x 24 hours = 683,806 hours in an average lifespan.  That may seem like a lot but at the age of 34 I am close to halfway done with life on this earth.  Do I really want to waste valuable, precious time on a "bad day"?  I think not! 

The Bible tells us in I Peter 3:10-11 "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that the speak no guile; Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace and ensue it."

I.  Life is meant to be Loved! 

God gave us this life to enjoy, not endure.  I know so many people that seem to just drudge through a day and not enjoy the time they have at hand.  Now we are all going to have difficulty and dark times in our life.  But I am speaking of daily drudging through our day with no hope or joy in our heart. 

We live in a day when happiness is equated with possessions.  In a recent survey of children 8 to 18, 66% of kids said that they would be happy to stay home and spend time with their family as apposed to spending a night out on the town.  You may think, "They sure didn't ask my kid", but when is the last time you planned a family game night, or spent time together around the dinner table, or the Word of God, or just sat down on your sons or daughters bed and asked how there day went?  Love the Life you have! 

II.  Life is filled with Language!

Day in and day out we are filled with frustrations of life.  Mundane tasks seem to at times overwhelm us.  Work schedules, ball schedules, special events for the parents, kids, pets - you name it the average American family is under the gun.  Many times what happens in these stress filled times?  Tempers flare and words are spoken out of anger and not kindness. 

"Tongue" is found 136 times in the Bible, but no verse is greater on the tongue that James 3:5 "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!"
Peter also deals in our text with the control of our speech.  James states it this way in chapter one verse nineteen, " Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:".  Our speech can have an adverse effect on our surrounding circumstances.  How did the smartest man who ever lived say to deal with controversy or stressful situations?  Lash out, give them a piece of our mind, let them have it!- No to the contrary Solomon said this, "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."  You see, according the the Bible, many times our own speech adds to the Laboriousness of our "bad" days, but we can see "bad" days turn into "good" days when we use a pattern of sound words throughout our day!

In conclusion, let us all determine to have a zest and love for life that truly only Christians can and should have.  We allow the cares and affairs of this sin sick world to pull us down and destroy our days.  They are destroying our homes or churches and our way of life all because we are letting them. 

III.  Life is filled with Labor! 

I am not talking about work, I am speaking of what Peter declares our real fight and labor should be "eshewing evil, doing good, seeking peace and ensuing it".  When is the last time we thought about these three things consuming our day?  Before we speak, do we consider these three things.  Before we head into a meeting with coworkers or our boss do we consider these three things?  Before we go to lunch with some of our friends from work, do we consider these things.  Before we sit down to eat with our family do we consider these things?  Life is a fight, a daily struggle with our old nature that is seeking to hurt our spiritual new nature. 

This may seem like a lot to think about, but are our families worth our labor?  If they are worth working a job for, providing for monetarily, are they not worth working for spiritually? 

I don't know yet how my little girls day will go today, only the hours will tell.  But I am going to do my part, as her dad to ensure that I am having a good day.  No matter my circumstance or problems- I am going to seek to have good days.

When you pillow your head tonight and subtract 24 hours from your allotted 683,806 - how will you have spent yours?  Good or Bad? 

I hope you have a Good Day!

By His Spirit

Many times in our Christian life we think, "How can I accomplish the will of God for my life?"    The will of God and the work of God go hand in hand.  In our church this year is a year of remembrance.  We are looking back on the thirty year history of Maranatha Baptist church and seeing the hand of Gods blessing on our ministry.  This year as we look back on our past, may we remember our need of the Spirit of God and His guidance in everything that we do.  Many times we live under the impression that God needs us, but to the contrary; He does not need us, we need Him.  Let us all remember Zechariah 4:6 "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."