Category Archives: Three Minutes

October 4, 2011

The Finney Finish

By Pooka

Enemies of Soul Winning

Just another short, offered today for thoughts. My desire is for clear and discerning consideration of what we do, especially in tradition. I grew up in the following, and only at 36 years of age did it ever really occur that there was something really incorrect about the Finney Finish. How long it’s been in practice is an important question, of course, but more important, is there something in Scripture that promotes the practice in question? And how willing are we to blind ourselves in order to avoid making the critical call that damns generations of “accepted religion” to the rubbish heap.

Now ask the congregation, “With heads bowed, how many can say under God, ‘I know that if I died momentarily I would go to Heaven’?” Such an approach may be used, “Now while every head is bowed, every eye is closed, no one is leaving, no one is moving, with God being our witness, those of you who can say, ‘If I died today, I know beyond any shadow of doubt that I would go to Heaven,’ would you raise your hand?”

 

 

The Finney

“This is not the only way, of course, to conduct an invitation. It may not even be the best way. To be sure, there are many other good ways. But this pastor has found through twenty-two years’ experience that this is the most profitable way for his ministry. Perhaps, some of the aforementioned suggestions will help others in inviting the unsaved to come to the Saviour. One thing is certain: We need to put more emphasis upon the public invitation in our churches.May God help us to realize that this is a life-or-death proposition. Eternity is at stake. Eternal values rest on our efficiency and the anointing of God upon our methods and upon our message. May we spend more time than the surgeon would and be more diligent than the doctor would be as we wrestle, operate and work with the immortal souls of men, women, boys and girls.”

 

This was prompted by and therefore requires thanks to Andy Naselli’s Blog via Challies’ A La Carte

Some tasty, somewhat related eye-candy:

Altar Call

 

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February 20, 2011

The Lord's Supper in Three Minutes

By Pooka

There is an argument I’ve read that posits,

“Since the church has a memorial of Christ’s death (Lord’s Supper), why can’t Israel when she is revisited?”

I guess, if we see the Supper as a solely as memorial then maybe we can give a pass to the Jews when they get back round to a new temple, to start killing animals again in memory of Christ’s death. Sarcasm aside, I don’t believe that the Lord’s Supper is purely memorial and I don’t believe, either, that it is a direct correlation to, or continuation of the Passover feast. It draws from the Passover, yes, but more, in Christ’s own words, it is His body and blood. Not a memory. That’s why abuse of this ordinance resulted in sick or dead people.

Now I’m not saying it’s literally His Flesh and Blood. That’s an impossibility from my small mind and reading of Scripture. So I don’t get along with the Lutheran ideas, and certainly not Roman Catholic doctrine. But I’m definitely convinced, if nothing else, by Paul’s words.

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. — 1 Corinthians 11:27-32

Which says there’s more to it than having a remembrance meal. As an aside, this also refutes the argument for Paedo-Communion, just in case a follow-on challenge to baptism were to claim Reformed inconsistency regarding sacrament administration.

As much as this small mind can grasp, the Lord’s Supper is a spiritual communion, wrapped up in a tangible, visible, taste and smell experience shared among the body of Christ that is a brief, fleeting bit of the Throne Room. Just enough to reunite us with our glorious King. Any more and we’d be undone.

Maybe this borders some variety of mysticism. I dunno. Just trying to piece together what’s there for us. It’s clear enough that the stuff feeds us, nourishes us in some way. Symbols do that. They interact with us. Symbols like that are all over the Bible. And Christ Himself introduced this one. One of two symbols. Out of how many hundreds in the OT? Only two in the NT? How much more alive are these two, then?

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September 8, 2010

The Ultimate Answer To Overcoming Stress

By Pooka

Today was Mandatory Training Day and we had Operational Stress Management! Over a hundred of us, from young-uns to salty seniors, were subjected to graced with the wisdom of the ages.

The lecture was liberally peppered with symptoms of stress, things that lead to stress and tips to alleviate or avoid stress.

I was going to write a long diatribe on how this lecture made me mad. I was definitely mad because of having lost an hour of my life to inanity, mad on behalf of all those around me who also suffered through it and most mad because some, if not many, of the lecturees were ingesting the drivel and taking it hook-line-and-sinker.

Instead, I’m just going to say this. Sin causes stress. Sin is combatted with the Word. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that dealing with stress isn’t the goal of Christianity (since Stephen and many others probably had more stress at the high-points of their ministries than any of us ever will). HSAT, however, there is at least some comfort offered:

Christ said

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28-30

Anyhow, I just want to make the assertion to Christians: If you’re lookin’ for stress-relief, check your psychology at the door, open the Word and pursue the Gospel. Might not allevieate stress, might even cause more stress, but the end result is going to be decidedly stress free.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. — Revelation 21:4

And an assertion to those who aren’t Christians: If you’re lookin’ for stress relief, you aren’t likely to find it either. You do, however, get to look forward to a really, really, really long ride of “stress” because the end result for those who don’t know Christ and His Gospel will be… stressful to say the least.

And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. — Revelation 20:15

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July 12, 2010

Three Minutes On Repentance

By Pooka

Here’s, in a nutshell, what I want to say: No fruit? Be Very Concerned. If I’m wrapped up in the world’s buffet of fun and games, consuming all that there is to be had, my salvation is in question. If I’m not seriously concerned with the things of God, the doctrine, the lifestyle, the Gospel reaching the lost, the life of the Church and so on, I’m seriously missing something.

A Christian’s attitude and activity is (in a sort of concrete, maybe meaning inarguable sort of way I’m saying: IS) markedly different from that of the unbeliever. Period. I refer to James and John in their epistles for this argument. Many will say that these absolutes are presented as the Standard, which is right, but too many treat, in the same breath, these absolutes as purely philosophical statements that have nothing of more value than a politician’s promises during campaigning. NO. John is right on and though as a rule we cannot tow the line perfectly to his standard, we can, will, and must be reflecting a desire and some progress toward the standard. And, consistently, we must demonstrate a repentant and sincere regret that we do not meet the standard.

No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. – 1 John 3:9-10

And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. – 2 John 1:6

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. – James 1:22

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? – James 2:14

I just came out of a church that ignored these principles. Though they did not openly deny them, they bypassed the clear statements of John and James by teaching that one can be saved and remain carnal and that there is a second level, or inner-circle Christian who is “on fire for God.” This is a distortion of the idea of Visible vs. Invisible Church as well as, and more importantly, the Gospel that Jesus preached. The Gospel makes change. It makes definite change. In believers, it makes change toward Godly lives. In unbelievers, it makes unbelief worse, bringing hostility and hardened hearts.

The Gospel is not a message among many conflicting messages. It is THE Message and there is no other. And if we believe this is true, then we must (how can we not) believe the truth about the Gospel’s impact? It really makes changes. God really changes lives. Not just some select few Christians (the Elect of the Elect) but ALL believers must be changed.

How about this on Repentance (from Grace To You resources).

It is not “faith plus repentance” that saves, but rather a repentant faith. The notion that salvation is possible apart from a genuine, heartfelt repentance, which includes a deep hatred of sin, is a relatively new one, neither believed nor taught by the people of God until the twentieth century.

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July 10, 2010

Three Minutes For Really Joining A Church

By Pooka

If Christ is the center of our faith, meaning He is the focus of our joy, salvation, continuation in relationship with God, our motivation, pretty much everything, what is the church? The last 3 minutes on church was more about identifying a real church. This one is more about what it should be for us who have found a real church.

As Christ is the center of our faith, I believe the church is the center of our lives. Let’s just say that, in Christ, we have a new family that takes precedence over all the world’s commitments and communities. And that should really be a marked reality for every Christian.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. — Acts 2:42-47

This is just the first example of the way church looked in the N.T.

There is a general call to Christians to make Christ first in everything. Everything means our fun and games, our work and careers, families, studies and anything else that comes to us. If that is true of us, then how does the church fit in?

The world strives to isolate us from the church, I think, in many ways. There are clubs, pastimes, family events and school events, special volunteer activities and no end of other social diversions that are keen to separate us from our church family. None of the above is evil or proscribed in the Bible, rather most are beneficial to participants and society in general, especially when Christians are involved. God’s grace is communicated through Christians participating in their communities and larger society. But too often, this is at the expense of the Body of Christ.

When the deacons were selected in the New Testament, they weren’t a formality copied from someplace else. They were needed because of the growing activity.  The church was more than just a weekly event for Christians. And it should still be so today.

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:1-4

I’m not really going for a description of deacons here. What this all points to is a busy-ness within the church that indicates there was a lot more going on throughout the body of believers than the once-a-week services. There was a community that broke bread together, didn’t live in isolation from each other. The people knew each other and interacted together as a new norm.

And it was because of identity, not just a social caste sort of thing. As Christ was infused into every aspect of the new believers’ lives, Christ also drew them together in a community that was living, not just “attending.” Believers are no longer a part of the world. They are a part of the kingdom which is not of this world. It makes sense to me, therefore, that our association should primarily, if not exclusively be with our church.

Finally, then I’ll shut up. It’s odd that the churchianity/easy-believism churches seem to have that sense of community down. They socialize so well with event after event. There’s a group for everything under the sun at the Relevance Jesus Clubs Of America. Do we relate so well because we have a venue where we’re comfortable and safe or is it because we have an identity that drives us away from the things of the world, to live with others who, like us, are “just passin’ through” on the way to Christ’s presence.

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July 6, 2010

Three Minutes For Church Atmosphere

By Pooka

Why does membership come up in Bible-preaching, real, churches? Is it because of doctrinal conformity? Is it because of submission to leadership? Yes, yes, and more. I think it is also critical for protection of the flock. Elders have responsibility for their flock. They have a priority to shepherd the faithful for which they have oversight. Membership guarantees entry-level security for believers in a church. The discipline doctrine within that church comes next, fleshing out a thorough means for the elders to keep out false doctrine, bad examples and troublesome issues.

Here are some examples of the benefits of membership: My kids are not being taught by an un-evaluated Sunday School teacher; they are in class with someone who has aligned with the Scriptural beliefs of the Church. If I am seeking counsel within the church, I am assured that the resource is compliant with the Scriptures because they have been evaluated by the church on their beliefs.

Some might call that legalistic and big-brother-ish. Not so, if I have the correct view of the world and I understand that Satan is devoted to disrupting Christian lives and communities in any way he can. The modern church is no exception. I’ll posit this: Any church which does not have a biblical membership system in place is already at dire risk for false teaching and disruption in every level of its operation. No controls = no control.

Along with this membership issue, I have a personal impression, recently developed. I think there is a huge misconception about churches today regarding “feel” or hospitality. We arrive at a new church hoping it will be warm and inviting and comfy. We expect to feel like we’re home, with family, coffee and donuts, intimacy and special treats when we visit. To some extent, hospitality is important and there should be some atmosphere of fellowship and acceptance that includes newcomers.

But look at it from the Pastor’s perspective (keeping in mind that this is a Biblical church, not a seeker-sensitive, growth-oriented or huggy-God church). A new arrival walks in the first time. What baggage is he bringing? What theological background is lurking in this well-behaved newcomer. Is he going to bring disruption to this local body of Christ? I need to know how to maneuver in order to protect my flock from his influence if he’s in error, Scripturally speaking.

The average newcomer is a potential threat to the fellowship in my church and though Christ calls us to love the brethren (new guy included), some sense of reserve has to be in place. The visitor may take this as a sort of cold reserve, lacking in love, but that’s how it is. The full warmth and intimacy really is reserved: for those who have openly, clearly made their commitment to the body through membership. I think that a mark of a mature congregation is going to be a distinct difference in how members and non-members are treated.

This isn’t to say there is a clique sort of environment where only the “chosen” have any interaction or friendship. That is the other end of the spectrum, saved for legalistic or severely cultish groups who insulate their operations from any outside interference. There is a difference between a healthy carefulness about “open arms” and paranoid exclusion.

Say I got a new neighbor this week. Would I immediately hand him the keys to my house or open my doors for free coffee and donuts at 7am Saturday morning, every Saturday, from the first day on? Would I trust him with my kids, maybe for babysitting next week? Absolutely not.

There has to be careful evaluation intent on learning what this new arrival is about, what he is like, whether he is acceptable in character before I even think about letting him into a full fellowship with my family. I might loan him a hammer or some food without much trouble, but compromise the safety of the household? The same security a man maintains for his family should be present in a church.

For references in Scripture, I simply point to each of the epistles and the writers’ exhortation to be alert, on the lookout for false teachers, pastoral protection and care for the congregation. Christ’s dealings with the Pharisees theological error and the general exclusivity of the Christian faith point to being prepared for defending believers from the threat of disruption, false teaching and whatever else the World wants to insert into our churches.

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July 3, 2010

Three Minutes On Women Pastors

By Pooka

For a long while, I listened to KPRZ on the way to work. It was my dose of the Word for the morning. Usually, the lineup was Swindoll and Focus On The Family. Can’t say it was the greatest food but it did a little for a wake-up into the day with Christ.

One thing that really irked me was a little commercial they ran for a local Christian college. The ad featured a dialogue between two new students who meet up as old friends. Guy and a gal. They ran through the “what’re you doing here?” and the girl’s response was, “well they offered all this…and maybe even a pastor or something.” Pregnant pause after that before closing the ad with standard enroll-today blurbs.

Is it really bad that women become pastors? Here’s the classic argument: First the reasoning in 1 Timothy and then the model in Ephesians.

1 Timothy 2:11-14 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. (NIV)

Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. (NIV)

These are the authoritative statement on the model and reasoning for why women should not hold Primary Teaching Authority over men. Can they lead? By example? Yes. By wisdom? Yes. By role? No. Look at what women have done in the Scriptures.

It’s not limited to N.T. cultural rules, look at the reference to Genesis. Unfortunately, this is not enough for our day. The world sees loopholes in this argument.

Here is a detailed pile of answers for Women as Pastors.

Women in Christianity are neither dishonored (see Christ’s lineage), nor left out (see disciples). They are included (see Phoebe and Priscilla and Ruth and Naomi) and they are honored above and beyond (see Jesus’ mother, Mary). But they’re not pastors or priests or apostles. The honest truth is that the renewal of our minds in Christ, in our regenerated lives, women are finally restored, elevated to the glory that was theirs in Creation, in the first place.

The issue is never whether men are better than women. The issue is who has what job. And that is not arguable with the Scriptures. This is an attack on the world’s view of women dating back to the very beginning. The corrupted worldview denies the roles God established from the beginning. The world is at war with everything that points to God, never forget that. Women as pastors is just a facet, a visible one of the many attacks on the Scripture, God’s infallible Word.

Click to Set The Record Straight.

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July 2, 2010

Three Minutes On Men And Women

By Pooka

As an opening to this part, I am aware of the problems surrounding this issue. This discussion is an attack on our world-view. Over the last hundred years or so, everyone has been raised with an increasingly universal belief that women and men are universally equal in all areas of life and spirituality.

The challenge in the Bible is that this belief is wrong. When studying the Bible, the first step is to come to the Bible’s truth as if God is right, not our preconceptions. So it is with a humble willingness that we come to the Word to accept that our original ideas may be undone.

1 Corinthians 11:2-3 Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

This passage, from 1 to 16 lays out, in a particular cultural perspective, the outward appearance of men and women who are in Christ. The implied internal relationship, however, is what I’m looking at.

Refer to Genesis 2 for the first light shed on the relationship.

Genesis 2:18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

Genesis 2:21-22 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.

Basic point: Woman was made from man for man. God doesn’t do anything without a purpose and He doesn’t double-talk, doing something and meaning the opposite. So what does this end up looking like?

I’ll come back, because my Three Minutes are almost up. Here’s the skinny on next time:

Egalitarianism, sufferage and all that mumbo-jumbo are the world’s attempt to justify a rebellion against God’s specific designs. The truth of the matter is that women and men are equally made in God’s image and therefore they are spiritually equivalent.

Galatians 3:26-28 …for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

But what Christ did for us did not change the original design of God in creation. Christ’s victory on the cross won us the return to the right relationships between men and women. Nowhere is there a comparison in the Bible that proclaims men better than women. Nowhere is there, either, any affirmation of egalitarianism.

Additional reading: The Role of the Godly Woman and Biblical Manhood & Womanhood and A Load of Articles Here.

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July 1, 2010

Three Minutes On Church

By Pooka

http://www.inflatablechurch.com/images/Church9z7.jpgA simple test to start thinking about the right example of a church.

How do we go about choosing a church? Do we surf around until we find one that suits our comfort zone? That depends on what our comfort zone implies. Often, people will judge a gathering (church or not) by its qualities such as friendly atmosphere, worth in benefits, comfort and even intellectual challenge.

The church is the Body of Christ, the gathering of those who have been called to Christ, forgiven, regenerated and submitted to God’s authority. What we need to look for in a church is the reflection of God’s Word, God’s character and commitment to God in service. Do those relevant, upbeat and comfy churches work?

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. – 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Is the teaching limited to and accurately focused on what the Bible says in worship services and all aspects of the church’s teaching?  The church is discipling Christians for growth and evangelism.

Warning signs: No routine proclamation of the Gospel and its Biblical ramifications. A comfortable, easy-going call to Christ that promises relief and fulfillment without the clear reality of sin standing before holiness.

Is the atmosphere reverent as should be when redeemed sinners come before their God? The church is made up of saved people who know what they are and what God has done for them.

USAFA.Chapel.6

Warning signs: A casual sort of environment with a lineup of routines that fail to focus the one object of Church gatherings (God). A lack of authority in the leader that communicates without any claim to the direct will of God.

Are the people saved, living and growing with the administration of the teaching? Members of a church, being saved, increasingly reflect the nature of Christ in their lives.

Warning signs: A notable difference in character among the majority of members after or before services that shows a focus on the world’s toys, games and philosophy. No spirit of worship outside the worship service. The majority of attendees at the church display no sign that they are children of God.

Does the church call visitors and members alike to repentance and holiness before God? The Church is to glorify God through every word and activity and should be instilling that purpose in its members. The status of leadership is to be a spiritual governance over its members, holding them to biblical standards of faith and practice.

Warning signs: A focus on particular Bible “nuggets” or moral guidelines that make us feel better or tells us how to be better people. An obtuse sort of “angle” on the cross that promises better things on the other side without plainly, authoritatively clearing the fog on what happened on the Cross. No sense of authority within the body, leaving the leadership to act more as counselors, facilitators or businessmen.

This is a start. It is neither a pat solution nor a complete checklist of qualities. It’s just an appetite-whetter. Here are some of my references: 1 Timothy 4:6-16, Titus 2, 1 Corinthians 2,

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June 30, 2010

Three Minutes For Specific Doctrines

By Pooka

There are plenty of Truths that we assert right off the bat. Christians get the Love of God from the beginning. We also get the basics of sin, Christ’s atonement, the Holy Spirit’s indwelling, our repentance and heavenly rewards and such. Those things come up quickly and easily when we are called to Christ.

Others, very important but not always picked up right away are looming in the background. These, such as the truth about the church, sanctification, security of the believer and so-on, are often looming questions that we need further work to apprehend in our lives.

Why are all the doctrines important? Incomplete or erroneous views of Scripture will lead to instability in our faith and practice which can taint or even unravel our grasp of the basics. This can happen either overtly, such as with the truth about our security in Christ which, if doubted, can end up with a giving up on the Faith or a long, hard life of working for what God has freely given us. The sneaky ones, such as God’s design for the church, may lead us into the arena of false teachers and messed up doctrines. At a minimum, not knowing what is to be found in the church can trap us into attending a wishy-washy assembly of weak teaching and easy-believism.

The best way to work this out is to comprehensively study Scripture with an eye for God’s law, standards, commands, promises, roles for His people and creation as well as the differences and similarities between the O.T. and N.T. practices of the Faithful. The N.T. is critical because it reveals  everything the O.T. talked about in its types and shadows. A careful work on the epistles will outline in detail much that is not easily understood prior to Christ’s crucifixion.

Epistles cover discipline, roles of men and women, church, salvation, grace, election and everything else in detail. Epistles alone are not enough, all alone, to build good understanding of doctrine? It’s sure that good cross-referencing will reveal that epistles’ teaching refers to Christ’s teaching and that of the O.T. Paul was a well-educated and zealous pharisee, remember! He knew his Scriptures.

Jesus takes pre-eminence. Read Him and then read what everyone else said about Him, before and after He came to earth! The O.T. had a lot to say about Christ and so did the N.T. theologians (they wrote theology for us!) Paul, Peter, James, John…

Don’t forget that the resources we have, the books that cover theology, doctrine and Christian discussions provide a comprehensive overview of what we should know and believe (and what we should watch out for). They are indispensable help to navigate through the Word.

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