Slipping Faith

Signs that Faith Is Slipping

Written by Dr. Bill Bagents

“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Hebrews 2:1).

Drifting isn’t just possible; it’s a major, constant, and common danger. I recently read a list on the internet, “10 Signs Your Christianity Has become too Comfortable.” It made me think, and it invited me to work on the items below. Perhaps you can add to and “improve” this list of frightening signs.

1. The truth of Romans 5:6-8, especially “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us,” no longer moves me to humility, gratitude, and commitment.
2. Prayer is cold or robotic rather than robust and intimate (Luke 22:44).
3. The Bible, if I read it, tells me what others ought to be and do.
4. Worshiping with the saints is increasingly optional (John 4:23-24).
5. Giving is a good idea if I feel like it, but it’s not part of who I am.
6. My language has been more “earthy,” and my conscience is OK with that (Ephesians 5:1-7).
7. I see people in terms of their function (what they can do for me or how they complicate my life) rather than as souls made in God’s image.
8. I want what I want, and I don’t really care how that affects others.
9. Before acting, I no longer ask, “Is this right? Will it honor God?”
10. I don’t want to be challenged to grow, think, or serve (2 Peter 1:5-11).

Happy Holidays!

Happier Holidays

Written by Dr. Bill Bagents

“A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished” (Proverbs 22:3 and 27:12).

We have long been taught to pay attention to the truth of Scripture and to pay double attention when God’s word tells us something twice. We can’t foresee every trap, snare, and temptation. But when we do foresee, we need to act with wisdom.

As blessed as the holiday season is, it’s also known for significant temptations. Some of us have been around long enough that we ought to see the tempter coming from miles away.

For happier holidays, avoid the trap of over-booking. It’s still impossible to be two places at once. For happier holidays, choose to do what’s reasonable. Don’t over-commit. Take turns with visits. Visit by phone, text, or Skype. Go old school and write a card or letter.

For happier holidays, avoid the trap of over-eating. Trust the modern proverb, “It’s not what you eat between Thanksgiving and Christmas; it’s what you eat between Christmas and Thanksgiving.” Still, self-control is a major virtue (Proverbs 25:28, Galatians 5:22-23).

For happier holidays, avoid poison. We remain amazed that so many people harm their bodies with nicotine, alcohol, and other drugs. Proverbs 20:1 tells the truth: “Wine is a mocker…” Proverbs 23:29-35 is stunningly blunt and accurate. So is Proverbs 23:20-21.

For happier holidays, avoid grudging giving and grudging givers. Proverbs 23:6-8 speaks graphically. The grudging giver’s “heart is not with you.” He can’t enjoy giving the gift, and he won’t let you enjoy receiving it. That’s a lose/lose proposition.

For happier holidays, avoid loving things more than people. “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with trouble. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fatted calf with hatred” ((Proverbs 15:16-17). Proverbs 23:4-5 warns against overworking to be rich. “For riches certainly make themselves wings. They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.” Things don’t last, but love does.

For happier holidays, avoid closing your heart to those who need. “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given” (Proverbs 19:17). What an offer of grace! God promises, “The generous soul will be made rich…” (Proverbs 11:25).

For happier holidays, avoid saying everything that you think. “He who guards his mouth preserves life…” (Proverbs 13:3). “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back” (Proverbs 29:11). “He who has knowledge spares his words…” (Proverbs 17:27-28).

And you know these aren’t just holiday truths. They’ll work every day of the year.

The Book of Titus

Introduction to the Book of Titus

Written by George Goldman

“The Preacher’s Work”

Titus was a convert, friend, and helper of Paul. He is mentioned only in Paul’s letters, especially 2 Corinthians. He was a Greek son of Gentile parents (Gal. 2:3).

Titus was a very capable man of God. He was assigned to solve some of the most vexing problems at Corinth (1 Cor. 1 – 6; 2 Cor. 2:13; 7:5-16). He also was called upon to encourage the Gentile contributions for the needy saints in Jerusalem (2 Cor. 8). Later, Titus was missionary to Crete (Titus 1:4f) and Dalmatia (2 Tim. 4:10).

The New Testament letter Paul wrote to Titus explains some of the most challenging work of an evangelist. In congregational life he was to appoint well-qualified elders in every town (Titus 1:5-9). There are usually two extremes taken when these requirements are discussed today. One is to make the mistake of demanding perfection so that no local church member can oversee and lead the congregation. The other mistake is to discount the requirements so that only the most popular and prestigious men can serve in the eldership.

The evangelist works also to make known the Lord’s requirements in Christian behavior (Titus 2:1-10). The older Christian is to be serious and reverent in behavior (Titus 2:1-3). The younger women are to be domestic and to love and submit to their husbands (Titus 2:4-5). The younger men are to exercise self-control. Titus himself must be an example (Titus 2:6-8).

The evangelist works to put Christ in his community (Titus 3:1f). Christian behavior must be marked by loyal citizenship, honest toil, and a courteous approach to others. Nations, families, churches, preachers, and citizens cannot be truly great in the sight of God until these things become a reality. Surely, no one could dedicate himself to a more challenging life than to do the work of an evangelist (2 Tim. 4:1-5).

Watching Our Speech

Did He Really Say That?

Written by Dr. Bill Bagents

“For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2).

I was listening to a basketball game as I worked. The commentator captured my attention most negatively when he said of a player, “And when he catches the ball in the paint with his hands . . .” How else would he catch the ball? With his feet? In his mouth?

I cringe every time I hear a college football announcer utter the worthless phrase “young freshman.” Virtually all freshmen are young. It’s noteworthy only when a freshman isn’t young. Same goes for “young rookie” in professional ball.

With apologies to bikers, I was part of a conversation with a gentleman who fit the stereotype. From the scars to the “body art,” he was on the well-worn side of life. The subject of drug abuse came up. He denied any involvement. To reinforce the denial, he said of himself, “You can’t look like this and do drugs.” I was (and still am) thinking just the opposite.

Some counseling friends and I were in a training session in Atlanta. Regrettably, our presenter used salty language. But she began an even saltier quote on one of her clients with, “I don’t curse.” To make it even more ironic, she was wearing a cross on a chain around her neck.

I recently heard of a man who used a quintessential racist word in a text. When challenged by a friend, his reply was the classic, “I’m not racist. I have black friends.” The very use of the word is racist. Having 10,000 friends wouldn’t change that.

I read from 3 John 2 in a recent sermon. Not once or twice, but three times, I caught myself saying, “As the Apostle Paul wrote . . .” I know Paul didn’t write the book of 3 John. I have no clue why I wanted to credit the book to him.

What a challenge to get our language right! Factually right. Compassionately right. Non-redundantly right. Graciously right.

We know that it’s a battle worth fighting. Redundancies and little slips of the tongue might merely be annoying. Untruth, hateful speech, and all unrighteous words aren’t merely annoying. Such words deny the faith, obscure the gospel, dishonor the Lord, and endanger our souls.

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37). We have God’s word on that!

Child-like or Childish?

Written by Dr. Bill Bagents

I greatly appreciated a recent Bible class discussion of Mark 10:13-16. Obviously, there are ways that we need to be like little children. Just as obviously, 1 Corinthians 13:11 reminds us that there are ways we must NOT be childish. The following contrasts help us hold these vital truths in biblical balance.

Positive Child-like Qualities	Negative Childish Qualities
Trusting. Innocent. Pure in heart.	Naïve. Uncritically believing every assertion.
Freely, honestly loving	Possessive, jealous.
Always learning. Eager to learn. Finding joy in learning.	Resistant to the labor of learning. Preferring play.
Joyous, stress free, happy.	Happy only when I get my way.
Dependent, knowing we need help. Grateful.	Overly, unhealthily dependent. Too needy, too high maintenance.
Affectionate. Willing to express affection.	Failing to or wrongly expressing affection.
Sharing. Generous.	Selfish
Accepting, quick to make friends.	Fearful of others, too cautious, too closed.
Filled with a sense of wonder. Still amazed by the beauty and complexity of God’s creation.	No sense of wonder. Afraid of the unknown. Fearful of everything new. Bored.
Pliable. Flexible. Able to grow.	Overly rigid. Unwilling to make needed changes.

1 and 2 Timothy

Introduction to the Books of 1 and 2 Timothy

Written by George Goldman

Paul met Timothy in Lystra. Timothy was the offspring of a mixed marriage: a Greek father and a Jewish mother, Eunice (Acts 16:1; 2 Tim. 1:5). Racial descent was determined by the mother; therefore, Paul had Timothy circumcised upon his conversion. (Acts 16:3). None of Paul’s companions is mentioned as often as Timothy.

It is true that Paul’s travels as described in these books (2 Tim. 4:13, 20) do not fit into the Acts account. Yet there is ample evidence for a second Roman imprisonment. Acts has Paul in a Roman prison around 60 A.D. Luke’s detailed account of the trip is found in the latter chapters (Acts 27 – 28). Acts leaves the question of Paul’s release unanswered, but there is strong evidence that he was released after the two years (Acts 28:30). The attitude of the Roman government in the book of Acts favors it; the Prison Letters expect it (Phil. 1:19-26), the Pastorals demand it (2 Tim. 4:16); and tradition asserts it.

After his release, probably in the spring of 63 A.D., Paul went east (Rom. 15:22ff) and also planned to visit Timothy and Titus (1 Tim. 3:14f; 4:13; Titus 3:12). First Timothy and Titus were evidently written before Nero blamed the burning of Rome on the Christians (July, 64 A.D.). During this persecution Paul was imprisoned a second time in Rome and there met his death in 66 or 67 A.D. (2 Tim. 4:6-8, 16-18). Tradition says he was beheaded.

These two letters to Timothy contain much rich and valuable material. All teachers of the gospel should be familiar with them. The minister of God is to see that his teaching is true to the gospel (1 Tim. 1:3); he is to be a man of prayer (1 Tim. 2:1f, 8); he is to instruct the women as to their place in the church (1 Tim. 2:9ff). This is unpopular in ERA circles today but it is still in the Bible (cf. 1 Pet. 3:1-7; Eph. 5:22ff; 1 Cor. 11:1-3); he is to influence both old and young, men and women (1 Tim. 5:1-2); he is to see that the widow is cared for (1 Tim. 5:3-16); he is to rebuke elders who sin (1 Tim. 5:20); and he is to be an example in personal conduct, purity, and holiness (1 Tim. 4:12; 5:21f; 6:11-14). Thus, what the minister says is only part of his job; what he does in the rest of it.

Planning for Success

A Simple Strategy for Success

Written by Cory Collins

“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.” Jn 4:35

Being “shrewd as serpents” (Matt 10:16) involves both prayerful and careful effort in doing the work of the Lord’s church. In order to “grow up into our Head” with the “proper working of each individual part” (Eph 4:15f), we must plan the work and then work the plan.

Our friend Michael Jackson, the Director of Institutional Effectiveness at Heritage Christian University, superbly assists every department head in the planning and assessment of its work. Using a six-step paradigm, he helps leaders draw a map and then follow it. Eureka! This system, at least in principle, could be adapted to benefit the work of the local church.

The first step is to define the “Purpose.” Here we would state the function of the church, “to save the lost and secure the saved,” or “to evangelize, educate, and edify.” We could then add the specific mission of any ministry, such as our educational program: “To teach the Word of God clearly and accurately, so that all may know Him and do His will.”

The second step is to list the “Strategic Goals.” These might include biblical concepts, texts, classes, opportunities, and applications which the Bible school aims to provide.

The third step notes “Objectives – Means of Assessment and Criteria for Success.” These are specific, measurable, achievable, time-bound benchmarks that will mark progress. They could include grade-level review quizzes, service projects, student essays, etc.

The fourth step lists the “Assessment Results.” What did the tests, activities, or other instruments indicate? Did the students make the intended score, or exhibit the desired mastery of the concept, or accomplish the pre-selected level of success?

The fifth step states the “Use of Results.” Based on the outcomes in step four, we reevaluate and reconstruct our objectives. If we reached them, we move on to new horizons. If not, we stick with them, diagnose the failure, and devise a better way to proceed.

The sixth step identifies the persons responsible, the due date, and the budget impact. Who are the “go-to” leaders that will implement the updated aims? By what date will they have completed the task? What resources will be required and set aside?

This same, simple strategy can be applied to local evangelism, benevolence, youth, the training of new elders, deacons, and teachers, etc. This six-step cycle can be repeated over and over and over again until the job is done. The Lord’s work is not complicated, but it does require big-picture thinking and nuts-and-bolts participation.

The gospel has the power, but we have the tools. Let’s put them to work.