A week ago today our youth engaged in a tough conversation. We talked about a topic that has infiltrated our culture. We talked about a topic that is a wide-spread epidemic that needs to be stopped. For the last three years, one of the biggest cultural buzzwords is “bullying.”  Anti-bullying laws are being passed, celebrity personalities are endorsing these laws, and in March, 2012, the documentary, BULLY, was released. Believe it or not, bullying is present in our schools, our work environments, our homes, and in the church.

Bullying can be split into six categories: verbal (name-calling or threatening), psychological (stalking or intimidating), social (ignoring or gossiping), physical (hitting or stealing possessions) and cyber (abuse via technology). Bullying comes in all shapes and sizes. Bullying isn’t anything new; it has been around for years. Counselors and psychologists like to point out the motives behind bullying. Some mention that people bully because they are insecure, and others say people bully because they have a sense of entitlement.

Personally, I don’t think that the motive of the person matters. No matter the motive, it is wrong. Let’s take the word “bullying” out of the picture and just call it what it is—sin. My friends, this is a real issue, and it isn’t just in our schools. We also see this in the church. Like some of you, I grew up in a Christian home. I will be the first to admit I wore the rose-colored glasses of naivety to issues like this. We in the church do not treat people the way we should. I have heard wiser men than I say, “Christians treat non-believers better than they treat their brothers and sisters in Christ.” I see something wrong with this statement. Just because we aren’t physically harming each other or shoving people in lockers doesn’t mean we aren’t bullying. In the church, bullying takes other forms: gossip, intimidation, and even ignoring others. God commands us to love our neighbors. Look at these simple, but true passages:

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John13:34)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-15)

As I mentioned earlier, bullying is not an insecurity or entitlement; it is a heart issue. Search your heart, and ask God to reveal how to love others better. All throughout the Scriptures, we are mandated on what godly relationships look like and how we should treat each other. I am discouraged at what I see the world becoming. We are called to be a light in this dark place. My challenge to you is to “check yourself.” As I write this, I am searching my heart and thinking through how I treat other people. I ask you to do the same.  

“It’s a heart issue. Are you going to sacrifice for the Lord or not?”

That was just a small part of a conversation I had with someone recently. They got right down to the root issue—sacrifice requires a right heart. We all know that sacrifice is part of the Christian life. Romans 12:1 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” We also know that Jesus lived out a life of sacrifice as an example for us. John 13:5 says, “After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” Then Jesus said in verse 14, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

Sacrifice. I think every real Christian wants to be known as one who is willing to sacrifice, but doing it is another issue. It’s so easy to find a way to escape. I sent out an email last week asking people to help with taking a man to therapy; he lives in Mt Airy and the therapy is in Mt. Airy, so it’s a really easy task. Someone responded to a different email I sent out, so I asked if they were willing to take this man to therapy. Here’s what they said. “I was praying for more opportunities to minister this morning, saw the email, deleted it. Then realized this might be one of those opportunities I was praying about and undeleted it…. And now you’re asking. At this point I can’t say no.” Now that’s calling it what it is. We’ve all been guilty of blowing off the opportunities, but this person recognized it and did something about it.

Sacrifice. Where is your heart? Do you pray for “more opportunities to minister”? Do you have a heart to give like Paul? He said, “Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all” (Phil. 2:17). There’s the heart again. Paul said he would be “glad and rejoice” if he was completely spent—like a drink offering absorbed by the ground—on the sacrifice and service of the faith of those in Philippi.

Sacrifice is difficult, but it’s a real, measurable expectation of God. We could talk a lot about what it takes to get there, but it’s really just a matter of obedience. I don’t know any better way to say it. “It’s a heart issue. Are you going to sacrifice for the Lord or not?”

Can you imagine wrestling an opponent but never making contact with them? Obviously, in the sport of wrestling, you are very close to your opponent. Likewise, when it comes to spiritual warfare, we are in close contact with our opponent. Though it is not a friendly wresting match, it is a fight that is very serious. Paul writes, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God so that you might be able to stand against the trickery of the Devil. Because our wrestling is not with flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenlies” (Eph. 6:10-12).  

Paul points out that we are to equip ourselves with God’s might and God’s protection. The reason is that our opponents are spiritual and wicked. If we wrestle with spiritual forces, then we are in close proximity with them. You cannot wrestle someone from a distance.

Have you ever seen sunlight beaming through a window and noticed all the dust particles floating in the air? You may think the sunlight drew the particles together, but actually the light simply is revealing what is in the air. Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12). He shines light in this dark world. When Jesus came into this dark world, He revealed the demonic world around us. The gospel narratives reveal the many times demonic forces encountered Christ (Matt. 8:28, 29; Mark 1:32-34; Luke 4:33-36). Jesus, as the Light of the World, simply reveals the evil in our spiritual environment. If Jesus simply reveals the powers of darkness around us, then shouldn’t we arm our minds with the truth that the powers of darkness are about us? This is in accordance with what Paul wrote in Ephesians.

Following are a couple of things to note in Paul’s passage in Ephesians 6:12:

• All Christians, not some, wrestle or struggle with the satanic host.
• The satanic host is organized and it is evil
• The satanic host works with Satan to carry out his schemes (Eph. 6:11).

In a future study I would like to elaborate on the occult and Satan’s more blatant attacks, but for now I will point out the more subtle ways of the enemy. The defense Paul alludes to gives us clues of how Satan, with his angels, attacks. Satan attacks with lies, so we need to protect ourselves with truth (Eph. 6:14). He attacks with sin, so we need to protect ourselves with righteous living (Eph. 6:14). We need to diminish his evil by expanding God’s kingdom (Eph. 6:15). Satan attacks our faith, so we need to protect ourselves with faith (Eph. 6:16). We need to keep in mind that we are saved and belong to God (Eph. 6:17). We need to be armed with the truth of the Bible and ward off Satan’s attack with the Word just as Jesus did (Matt. 4:1-11).  Finally, we need to maintain an active prayer life to keep ourselves plugged into God’s fellowship and power (v. 18). By applying the imperatives that Paul gives (Eph. 6:13-18), we can win in the wrestling match with the Evil One.

Family dedication is Sunday, May 13, for those interested in dedicating their family or newborn. This is not just for church members. Contact the church office at 410-489-4321 to sign up.

Have you ever stopped to ponder the truth found in Scripture that God actually hates something?  More often than not, the discussion surrounding God is about His love, although this certainly is a conversation that is important and should be discussed regularly. Although Scripture does mention that God also hates. Hate is such a strong word, and many parents teach their children that we are not to hate, yet God clearly hates things.

The key passage I am addressing is found in Proverbs 6. In this chapter, the writer suggests there are seven things God hates. Let me list them for you: 

1. A proud look – the arrogance that many have on their faces
2. A lying tongue – not telling the truth
3. Hands that shed innocent blood – could this not be connected to those who participate in abortions, such as the doctors and nurses? (Of course abortion was not in the Old Testament, but killing babies was and is basically the same sin today.)
4. A heart that devises wicked imaginations – sounds like Hollywood
5. Feet that are swift in running to mischief – those who premeditate sinful actions
6. A false witness that speaks lies – maybe someone who uses deception to destroy others
7. He that sows discord among the brethren

I did not comment on the last one because this is the one I would like to focus on. Proverbs also adds that “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts…” (Proverbs 18:8). I believe the person who backbites in the church is one of the most dangerous people in the church. Why? Because I believe his/her words cause division that can divide the body of Christ in subtle and sometimes even blatant ways.

Over the years as a Pastor, I have had to spend many hours trying to help a brother or sister see a bigger picture than what they have been given via gossip. Also, I have seen many good brothers and sisters leave the church because they choose to believe a disgruntled member rather than trust the leadership of their church. It deeply saddens me to watch this kind of behavior, but even more, God says He hates it.

Let’s take a look closer at this Proverb. It is not just that God hates sowing discord, but the verse says that God hates the one who sows discord. Let this soak in. Whenever you begin to talk of someone behind their back in a way that destroys their character, you may very well be putting yourself on God’s hate list. I am not sure that is a place where you want to be. When someone begins to tell you about another brother or sister behind their back, stop them and rebuke them. Sowing discord is not an action that God condones or appreciates. Furthermore, don’t let them try the “well, I am just concerned” approach. Telling anything negative behind a brother/sister’s back to another is forbidden in Scripture and condemned by God. It causes division and discord, and God hates it. May our speech be seasoned with salt so we may speak grace to the hearers and not be on God’s hate list.

A few weeks ago, Mary and I made a guest judge appearance at the Burgoon flock “Men’s Dessert Challenge.” We had to sit and endure the sinfully delicious treats that the men slaved over earlier that day. The life of a Pastor is sooo tough. After we forced ourselves to finish one last bite, we were asked to play “The Newlywed Game.” This was a little intimidating knowing that we were surrounded by couples that have been married for a lot longer than we have, but we decided to play. If you know Mary and I well, you know that we are very competitive. We hate to lose. (God is still working on our hearts.) As we played the game, we did great. We only got five out of 22 questions wrong and came in second place to the Burgoons.

I feel like I know my wife, and I feel like she knows me. We work really hard to pay attention to each other’s wants and needs. We are very intentional when we seek out quality time with one another. If I ponder for a bit, however, I don’t really know my wife that well. I am only scratching the surface of who Mary really is and what she wants. I have to strive every day to grow my relationship with her. The thing is I fail, and I fail a lot.

What I find amazing is the truth we have in God. We serve a God that knows us intimately. We serve a God that formed us into His image. He knows our every need, want, and desire (Ps. 94:11). Look at Luke 12:6-7, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” How crazy is that? We serve a God that knows the number of hairs on our head. We are valued. God knows us because we are valuable to Him. I try to get to know my wife because she is valuable to me.

Here is my challenge. God knows you so well. How well do you know Him? How much time do you spend with Him?

The thing about relationships is there are always two sides. Scripture clearly shows us that God is working on our relationship, but do you? I don’t know about you but it is easy for me to take my spiritual temperature. When I am investing in my relationship with God, I serve people, I give more of my time to others, I encourage more, and I love my wife better. When I am not investing in my relationship with God, I am the total opposite. I have a bad attitude, I snap at people, I am selfish, and I don’t treat my wife like the daughter of God she is.

What is the spiritual temperature of your relationship with God? Take some time and play “The Newlywed Game” with God as your partner.

Have you ever felt like there’s just not enough of you to go around? You have numerous responsibilities including your job, your spouse, your children, your ministry, your laundry, your lawn (it’s right around the corner), and the list goes on. Sometimes it feels like everyone wants a piece of you at the same time! How does one get it all done?

Add to the list the difficult matters going on in our community, state, and nation. It seems as though unrighteousness is on every corner, and it needs our attention. You know you can’t get involved in every fight, but you probably feel like you need to do something. Pastor Wally recently told me, “I feel like I have my fingers in several holes in the dike, but new leaks keep springing up.” How true. So what should you do?

I don’t intend to give you a formula for figuring out all you should do, but I believe there is one aspect of these circumstances that’s vital. Our Constitution gives us the freedom and right to vote. It’s a unique method of government in world history that not only gives you a right, but a responsibility. In short, it gives you a chance to stand up for holiness. I’m not sure how many people see it this way, but I can’t help but recognize that God has given us a great opportunity to stand up for His standard by voting. We could have a long conversation about what this means when casting a ballot for government officials, but, at a minimum, we have a chance to communicate to our country what God says about certain matters.

I’ll get more to the point. There will almost certainly be a referendum in November on same-sex marriage. The Maryland House has already approved the bill, and the Senate will have no problem passing it. God’s Word is clear on the matter. The only thing left to do is make sure that we tell the world what God says. If you’re not registered to vote, you can’t make this pronouncement in a way that will change the law. If you’re registered, but don’t vote, the same is true. In fact, to sit back and do nothing will be your approval of same-sex marriage. Brothers and sisters, we need your help to stand up for righteousness. Very soon we will have a table in the foyer of MABC where you can register to vote. We’ll do all the logistics, you just need to fill out the papers. But you also still need to vote. Be responsible for the truth and vote against same-sex marriage; it will be a vote for righteousness.

Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10

As a father, one of the things I pray for in regard to my children is that they might have a mate who loves the Lord and is obedient to Him and that the marriage might not end in divorce. Any parent wants their children to have a harmonious marriage. 

In Romans 7:1-7, Paul contrasts an unhappy marriage between a sinner and the law with a believer’s happy, new marriage to Christ.  The unhappiness of our first marriage was due to our disharmony with the law. The law remains holy, but we are unholy. Let’s examine the passage.

Principle of Marriage – “Or do you know brothers, for I am speaking to those who know the law, that the law is lord over a man as long as he lives? For the married woman is bound to the living husband by law, but if the husband dies, she is set free from the law of the husband. Therefore then, while the husband lives she shall be called an adulteress if she becomes another man’s, but if the husband dies she is free from the law of the husband, so that she is not an adulteress though she becomes another man’s” (v. 1-3). Paul points out that the principle in marriage is “until death do you part.” A woman, for example, is free to remarry once her husband dies without fear of being labeled an “adulteress.” 

Point of the Analogy to Marriage – “Therefore my brothers, you were handed over to be killed with reference to the law through the body of Christ, so that you might become to another one, namely to the one who was raised from the dead in order that we might bear fruit to God” (v 4).  Paul builds from the analogy that believers are free to remarry Christ (figuratively speaking). This sounds confusing, but Paul is speaking in an analogical fashion. In one sense, we were married to the law, but that union ended. It did not end in the death of the law, but rather the death of the believer to the law (c.f. Gal 2:19). The believer’s death is with respect to the law. He is now married to Christ (v. 5).  We died with Christ, so to speak, as His death is our death (Gal 2:19, 20; Col 3:3; Rom 6:3-8). With this new union between the believer and Christ, we might bear fruit unto God. The fruit is the behavior and righteousness that comes by the Holy Spirit.  

Explanation - “For when we were in the flesh the passions of sins were being active in our members through the law so as to bear fruit to death, but now we have been set free from the law because we died to what we were being held down by, so that we might serve in newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter” (v. 5-6). We might raise the question, since the law is holy, why is it not a good union for the sinner? Paul pointed out that sin, by its rebellious nature, became more active in the presence of the law (a point that Paul further demonstrates in verses 7 and 8). He noted that the strength of sin is the law (1 Cor 15:56). Rather than help the sinner, the holy law provokes the sinner due to the rebellious nature of evil and sin. With such a union, the only offspring would be death. The wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23).

Now that we are dead to the law, we are free to marry the One who died and rose from the dead.  Our offspring are the fruits that please God. It is fruit not by the legal code of the law, but rather in the newness of the Spirit. Here is a visual aid to help us understand Paul’s analogy:   

Marriage – Law/Sinner                                                Marriage – Christ/Believer
Offspring – Death                                                         Offspring – Righteous behavior

Conclusion – Now that I am saved, I am no longer under the law but under grace (Rom 6:14). I have a new husband. I am dead to the law and married to Christ (Rom 7:4). God’s purpose in this union is that I may bear fruit that is an offspring of righteousness (c.f. 6:12, 13).  What kind of offspring am I producing? Am I producing fruit that is righteous and pleasing to God? God did not save me to deliver me from hell; He saved me to deliver me from sin. Does the fruit I produce in my life show that I have been delivered?      

Everyone has heard the joke about pastors only working one day a week. I have never been offended by this humor because I am sure with some pastors, this may be true. But Christ-called pastors really work a full week and are on call 24/7. Now this by no means is a complaint, but just a statement of the obvious. So what does a pastor do when he is not preaching on Sundays, leading prayer meetings, or teaching classes? 

 There are a number of things that a pastor may be involved in that are not seen by the eyes of man. First, of course, is his study time. Some pastors can prepare a message easier or quicker than others, but most preaching pastors will tell you that preparing a message is their most time-consuming project. I begin my weekly studies on Monday mornings and usually finish the message at the end of Wednesday. This typically happens when there are no interruptions or emergencies. Thursdays are usually filled with meetings and appointments. Fridays and Saturdays are non-scheduled days often occupied with funerals, weddings, church meetings, or school events where a pastor’s presence may be required. My evenings are frequently filled Mondays through Thursdays with ministry-related service. Again, this can all be seasonal, but for the most part, this is fairly descriptive of my schedule and what I do.

But I want to share another component of pastoral ministry that is greatly overlooked. The apostle Paul, who certainly understood pastoral ministry (even writing three pastoral letters), said this about his calling and concern for the church in 2 Corinthians 11:28, “Beside those things that are without, that which comes upon me daily, the care of the church.”  What did Paul mean by this statement?  I believe he was trying to convey the burden he carried for his people. In the earlier verses, Paul listed some of his experiences. He had been whipped, beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, faced perils, weariness, hunger, thirst, and nakedness. Paul had suffered much for the cause of Christ. When he began his journey as a follower of Jesus, it had been prophesied that he would suffer much for his faith. The Lord told Ananias in Acts 9:15 that Paul was a chosen vessel and then in the next verse, what was ahead for Paul, “For I will show him how many great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”  Paul was told he was going to face much suffering, and he truly did. But I believe the burden in 2 Corinthians 11 was a far greater burden to bear.

Those pastors/elders who have a pastor’s heart understand exactly what I am talking about. MABC is blessed to have ten such men who understand this care for the church. We meet regularly, discuss the church, and pray faithfully over the needs of the church and the people. When our people hurt, we hurt. When our people are in the hospital, we are there with them. When our people struggle, so do we. The care of the church includes many lonely hours hurting for flock members. Why don’t they come to our flock meetings? Why won’t they get involved and serve?  Why won’t they fully surrender to Jesus? 

Pastors who have this type of sheep feel the pain, and the care often causes them to bear the burdens heavily. You will rarely hear about this work of the pastor, but it is one that is most taxing. It causes them to wake up at night and often think about it during the day. Why did that member leave? What could we have done better?  How do we help that member in crisis?  These and many other burdens weigh heavily on the heart of a pastor/elder. This is what a pastor does.

So, the next time you see someone not behaving the way a good church member should, or someone asks, What does the pastor do?, take them to 2 Corinthians 11:28 and give them an insider’s look. Nothing is as time-consuming and draining as the daily care of the church, but doing this for the King makes it all worth the effort.

This last Sunday I had the pleasure of attending Trinity Bible Church in Fredericksburg, VA. Several men from Mount Airy Bible Church have been filling the pulpit while Trinity searched for a pastor. Thanks be to God, Trinity has now installed a new senior pastor. It was a tremendous day of worship, thanksgiving, and fellowship. After two years of searching, God has supplied His man.

It speaks highly of a church that would stay together, as long as they have, without a full-time pastor. I believe most American Christians in the same circumstances would leave. The reason? There is a serious lack of understanding as to what the church is about. It’s not just that the church is supposed to be there for me; I’m also supposed to be there for the church. The flock should stay together even when there is not a full-time shepherd. Fortunately, the elders of Trinity have continued to lead as they should, waiting on God to provide His leadership.

As I reflected on Trinity, I couldn’t help but thank God for something else. In over 25 years, Mount Airy Bible Church has not searched for a senior pastor. How many churches in America can say that? And if that’s not enough, Pastor Wally Webster has served faithfully. He’s been faithful to his wife, he’s been faithful to MABC, and he’s been faithful to the Lord. As the church has grown, he has not stepped back from the more mundane tasks of ministry. Instead, he’s stayed focused and done everything he’s asked others to do. He counsels people, he does weddings, he does funerals, he teaches, and he preaches with the same zeal he had when he came to MABC. The love of Christ in him has not diminished; I know, because I’ve watched him the whole time. When people have attacked Pastor Wally, he’s only become more committed to the work and more passionate about building the Kingdom of Christ.

MABC has much for which to be thankful. Take a moment and thank the Shepherd for our shepherd He brought 25 years ago. And maybe it’s also time to thank Pastor Wally for his faithful service to you.