What a Crowd!

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Hebrews 12:1-2a

As Pastor Burke pointed out, the main reason for sports participation is pride. Let's be honest - it feels good to be in the spotlight. What else explains the modern trend of reality tv? The desire to be seen and known - pride. Here is our problem - we no longer look at life through the lens of Scripture. It is no longer a matter of "What does God's Word say about it?" Today we settle for
"Well, I don't see a problem with it." It is, quite simply, the difference between walking in the flesh and walking in the Spirit. It's time we get back to the basics, something we seem to have neglected the past few decades. Many have perhaps heard of the great basketball coach from UCLA's past, John Wooden. What many may not know is that while building a basketball dynasty, he was doing something far more important - bulding lives. He attributed his success not in what he won, but in what he was able to teach his players. He didn't just pay lip service to "winning isn't everything", he actually lived it. But he did it by teaching his players the importance of submitting themselves and denying themselves.

Now let me get back to my title and text. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. I have to wonder to myself at times, if they were able to observe what goes on down here, what would they think about how we are running the race? What would be their reaction to what they see? We would have to admit, I think, that they would not be that impressed; when the very faith that they died for, we can hardly muster up the energy to show up for; when the things they suffered torture and persecution for not denying, we can hardly deny ourselves a few minutes extra sleep for. Today in our church service we sang the old hymn "Faith of our Fathers." This stanza caught my eye -
Our fathers, chained in prisons dark, were still in heart and conscience free:
How sweet would be their children's fate, If they like them, could die for thee!
How far we've come! Would we pray that same pray for our young people? Would it be considered an honor for them to give their lives for the cause of the Savior? Can we be honest enough with ourselves to give an honest answer? What then, in this life, would be more important? Money? Security? Fame?

...who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2b

Sports Anonymous

"Hello, my name is America, and I am addicted to sports."
Now before I begin writing, let me make it clear...it is not a sin to play sports. Matter fact, it is a good thing to play sports and be active. Paul repeatedly used sports to illustrate the Christian life (racing, wrestling, etc). I enjoy baseball, I love watching a college basketball game (especially Kentucky), and hardly watch-but keep up with our beloved Cincinnati Bungles. I played one year of football in jr. high and 6 years of basketball while in school. I enjoy playing a game of non-serious softball with our church family, and I am enjoying teaching my son to throw and hit a baseball, catch a football, and take down the other boy he is wrestling. Having said all that, I try to enjoy these things in perspective. There are far more important things I want my son to learn than catching a football.
In the words of Voddie Vaucham (don't agree with alot...but the man can "BRING IT."),

'Our culture defines a man by the three B's: Ball field, Billfold, and Bedroom, but our culture is wrong. That is not how God defines a man.'

We are looking at Bro. Vaucham's first point...the ball field. America is obsessed with sports. Our children are being reared by foul-mouthed coaches more than their parents. "Coach" has the heart of too many of our young people.
Most who would play our school basketball team today would laugh, but there was a day-only a few years ago-when our boy's basketball team was 20-0 and champions of our league. I know, because I was an assistant coach. We had a very good basketball team.
Their week went like this: Monday & Wednesday: school 8:30-3:00; Practice 5:30-8:00
Thursdays: School and practice 8:30-4:30. Fridays and Tuesdays: school and games till late evenings. And in between times, most had a job, friends, and the occasional studying. See a problem here? Where is the family time. Where is the father getting the heart of the child? Sports are not evil and can be done correctly-but in America they have become a god.
In our local school district, they begin high school at 7:15 a.m. Why? To get in 3-4 hours of football practice a day after school. The typical class period last around an hour. The typical football/basketball practice last around 3 hours. When the school levy was voted down, what was it that was cut because of a lack of funds? Sports? Oh no! It was bus transportation and class room supplies.
I laugh at the before mentioned University of Kentucky. The president of the university, in charge of the care, administration, and education of America's future earned an amazing $550,000 in 2008. The university's basketball coach will make $5,000,000 this year. America has a problem.
Beyond the practice time, there is the pressure for success that leads to drug abuse and performance enhancers, and the destruction of America's schools and overall education.
America's sports addiction has led to radio stations designated only to sports, multiples of television stations dedicated only to sports, and our headlines of newspapers are covered with sports news. Congress, amidst a recession and war, meets to discuss baseball and steroids, BCS bowl games, and Roger Clemens.
We, as the Romans, are addicted.
Besides all this, every pastor would agree with me that the amount of church services missed because parents are at games or practices is destroying our young people's spiritual lives; and parents take off work and miss visitation to cheer them on! To what? A lack of reverence for the Lord's house and work, a lack of faithfulness to the ministry and services, and a loss of fellowship with God's people; but they do get a stronger relationship with the cursing coach, foul-mouthed spectating parents, and lost teammates with their dirty jokes and mouths.
So why do we insist they keep playing? According to our teens and this question from our questionnaire:

Why do you play sports?
A. To Win 26%
B. To get in Better shape 40%
C. Possibly go Pro 8%
D. Get My Stats Up 4%
E. Get Character 22%

For the most part, you could define the purpose of our young people playing as: Pride. Not only does sports separate our families a great while, but it also directly contradicts Scripture:

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Romans 12:10
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Phillipians 2:3

Having played for a Christian School for 6 years, and coached a Christian school for 7 years...not really the attitude I have seen on courts and fields.
I am NOT one of those that don't believe in keeping score....learning to handle defeat is necessary for life; but playing with a Biblical spirit is hardly evident today.
Sports are not a sin; but they can become one easily. America has become addicted to sports, and our IFB young people are not far behind. May we seek to allow Christ to have the Preeminence in our lives and families!

I did it my way

As I sit down to write this post, my heart is heavy. Reason being that, while its easy to look at the results of a poll and think how sad it is that there is such an inconsistency of believing the Bible and yet not following it, as I look back on my life and decisions I've made, I must admit its not as easy as it seems. Simple, yes; easy, no. One would think for a young person growing up in Christian circles that it would be second nature for that one to follow the principles and teachings of God's Word. That, however, is not the case. The question then follows, Why not? Many explanations could be given, but the simplest and most logical is that that young person, while perhaps told what to do and how to live, was not often enough shown. In other words, I've heard a lot of sermons on revival, but I've never actually seen anyone in a revival. We tell our youth to live according to God's Word, but are we showing them how to live accordingly?
Going back to my opening statement - looking back at decisions I have made not in accordance to God's Word, I must confess there are some things I wish I had done differently. I thank God for the wife that He gave me and wouldn't trade her for the world; but I think how much better of a husband I would be and how much better a relationship we would have had I listened to the Lord instead of my peers when it came to dating. I think how much money I wasted on purchases that I made without giving God a second thought on the matter. How many decisions could have been made for the glory and honor of the Lord that instead I now regret because I did it my way. And this is the hardest thing to live with - I knew exactly what I was doing. I cannot plead ignorance. This is never a viable excuse for a child of God, because if you have the Holy Spirit in you He will tell you exactly what you ought to do. Parents, we must teach our children to obey, to listen for that still small voice and then to heed it. We, then must set the example; we must be listening for His voice first. God forgive us for the many times we have ignored His Spirit; the times we knew He was telling us one thing and we went and did another. Let us humble ourselves, confess our sin of disobedience to God, receive the forgiveness He has waiting for us, and then we may teach others also.

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
- Proverbs 14:12

It's Perfect, But I Don't Want It

Such a statement sounds ridiculous, does it not? How can something be truly perfect, but we would want no part of it? Yet, we see this over and over again in the spiritual lives of not only young people, but a majority of all people. We now will look at two questions from our questionnaire. The first reads as follows:

I believe the Bible to be true:
A. Completely 92%
B. Pretty Much 4%
C. Somewhat 3%
D. It's a joke 1%

Not a shocking result; pretty much as expected. 92% of our IFB young people believe the Bible to be completely true. There is a small percentage of those that are in doubt somewhat; but a vast majority agree the Bible is Completely True! The next question read as follows:

I follow the Bible in my life:
A. Completely 20%
B. Pretty Much 53%
C. Somewhat 23%
D. It's a joke 4%

Now, I appreciate the honesty, and would love to see the results of the same poll to all church members; but why the drop in percentage when it comes to obedience?
I thought, perhaps, that to say "completely" some may attribute that to perfection, and none of us are perfect. Perhaps, "pretty much" is the best we can do in the flesh. I truly doubt any of us can honestly say we are completely following the Bible in every aspect of our life, so my initial disgust was somewhat swayed after meditating on the results. Perhaps if I could do it again, the question would better read, "I attempt to follow the Bible in my life..."
Here are the facts: The Bible is the Word of God, it is completely true, and we should endeavor to follow the Bible with our lives completely! There is a word that is less used today, and even less practiced today; that word is loyalty. Herein lies a great problem for our churches and faith. Very few understand loyalty.
Most today in our churches would define loyalty as "sticking with the pastor" or "not missing church." That is not loyalty. True spiritual loyalty is submission to God's Word and faithfulness to it-no matter the cost.
This type of loyalty is seen in Joseph as he refused Potiphar's wife's temptations; in Moses as he 'refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter'; in Daniel as he purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. We need this kind of loyalty. The type of loyalty that allowed Stephen to be stoned, Mark drug to pieces, Paul and John the Baptist beheaded, Timothy beaten, Ignatius and Germanicus thrown to wild beast, and Polycarp to state: "Eighty and six years have I served Him and He never once wronged me, how shall I blaspheme my King who hath saved me?" as he stood before the flame of martyrdom.
Loyalty! Knowing God's Word is true and living in accordance to it. Paul expected loyalty in Colossians 1. After reminding the church at Colosse of just Who Jesus is and what He has done for us, he then stated in verse 23, "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye have heard..." That word "if" does not mean 'chance' but rather 'because of these things.' (Used in the same way as John 14 "if I go and prepare a place for you;" and 1 Cor. 15 "if Christ be risen from the dead...). Paul expected those who understood Who Jesus was and what He had done for them to be loyal to Him! This loyalty is, as Romans 12 reads, 'reasonable service.' We should desire nothing else but to be found loyal to the Lord.
God's Word is not only perfect, but it should also be something we all want to be real and true in our lives.
I believe most who would take the time to read this truly believe God's Word is completely true; but for some reason, many take the attitude that while It is true, it's beyond our capability to do it and therefore we accept a mediocre Christianity. As long as we go to church most of the time and give, we consider ourselves o.k. As long as our kids don't grow up to kill anybody and they go to some kind of church periodically and have a home and a good job, we did all right as parents. There is a word in Revelation that describes this (and it's not loyalty)-lukewarm; and it makes God sick.
God said "Be ye holy; for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16). I understand that I can't be as holy as God now-but God desires that I strive to be, and therefore I should.
We must not teach our young people to be or accept being "pretty much" or "somewhat" a good Christian, but rather teach them to strive to be completely faithful to the Lord in obedience to His Word.
If His Word is Perfect-and it is-then we should want it-with all our hearts-to be real and true in our lives...completely.

He had this testimony, that he pleased God

The above title is taken from Hebrews 11:5 in reference to a well-known Old Testament hero, Enoch. Most remember Enoch as the man who never died; but more important to understand is the cause behind this miracle. According to the verse, it was because he pleased God. So how did he please God? In Genesis 5:22-24, it was that he walked with God, apparently not a common practice in those days; to be honest, not a common practice in our day either. In spite of all of our knowledge and ability and programs and everything else "Christian", we spend more time convincing ourselves of our spirituality, than spending it with God. It is he that changes people, it is He that heals the hurt, yet we tend to keep trying more and more of the world's methods to accomplish God's work.
The results from polling our youth showed a trend that seems to unfortunately be growing among independent Baptists - treating Christianity as a ritual to be performed instead of a relationship to be pursued. If we polled the adults from these same churches, would we find much difference in result? We have come a long way from our predecessors. Today's Baptists are known for three things - eating at every gathering, always being late, and never wanting to change. In other words we're bordering on gluttony, tardiness, and stubbornness. In truth, it should be just the opposite - we should be known for the prayers we see answered as a result of fasting, always in a hurry to be on time, and always looking for areas in our life that need change. Enoch is a great example of this. Reading Genesis 5:22 it says that Enoch walked with God after he begat Methusaleh. Why would it word it that way? Most commentaries believe that the meaning of Methusaleh's name had something to do with the flood. This apparently shook Enoch up enough that he turned his life around. Was he a wicked man before this? The Bible doesn't say, but just being a good person doesn't mean you walk with God. In fact, the closer you get to God, the more wicked that you see yourself. Do our young people see change in us? Or are we to proud to admit that the way we were was not pleasing to God, so we just trudge on forward never stopping to realize that the proud hard heart we turn towards God is going to develop in our children as well, no matter how many Christian things we involve them in? The Bible is clear to warn us not to grieve or quench the Spirit of God who dwells in us. Having a walk with God is not something we can fake, nor is it something that happens by accident. It is, however, something that will evident enough in the life of the believer that we won't need to convince anyone of it's reality.
Enoch had this testimony, that he pleased God. Each one of us also has a testimony - what's yours?

You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

I'm having difficulty teaching my 1 year old dog any tricks, much less an old one. The point of this overly used cliche is that once a certain way in ingrained in someone, it is difficult to change that person. Our responsibility as parents is to start training a child immediately! If a parent is waiting until that child can talk or walk to begin training, that parent is way too late. We need to begin training our children the Word of God. It seems so easy for us as parents to communicate with our children vain things such as sports, games, hobbies, and even household chores. We have no problem, even find such joy, in teaching our son how to properly throw a football, or shoot a free throw, or to lay down a perfect bunt. Yet, we struggle to talk to our sons about what they prayed for this week, or what they learned from the Bible in their studies yesterday.
Parents, we need to forget what the world is telling us, and get busy instructing our children in the things of God. Why? Because the fact is that if our children don't have a walk with the Lord, don't know how to read their Bible, don't know how to pray to God...and do these things consistently by the time they are teens-they probably never will. Train them while they are young!
I grow weary of hearing parents say, "They can't understand." I have encouraged parents in our church to no longer send their children to Jr. Church on Sundays, but to bring them in the church service with them. Some say, "They need to be in a place where the preaching is on their level," or "they will get more out of Jr. Church than the auditorium." Yet, they buy them the same video game strategy guide book that adults use, they can't figure out why they won't grow up and act right (spending all their time around peers their age), and why they can't sit still on Sunday nights in church. The Bible again never mandates our children surround themselves with peers their age (matter of a fact, it warns against it), rather, it teaches them to learn from the aged (Titus 2).
Proverbs 4 reads,

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

Here, the father, is taking responsibility to see that the son is instructed in the things of God, understands the importance of God's Word, and realizes the rewards for living in accordance to It. I need to be a father like that! I need to be a father who can say "I have taught thee in the way of wisdom." We have enough Christian fathers who can say, "I have taught thee to build a tree house," "I have taught thee to throw a spiral," "I have taught thee to block out and rebound." We need fathers who will teach their children to love, desire, and rest in the Word of God. Instead, our young people answer the following:

How often do you read the Bible and pray in a day?
A: Pretty Much Never 40%
B: 5 minutes a day 23%
C: 10 or more minutes a day 37%

Praise the Lord for those who seemingly have that walk with God, but unless things improve vastly, our churches and the moving power of God through their lives in the days ahead is in much danger.
I believe the number one reason why we struggle to communicate with our children spiritual things and we do not rear teens that have a consistent walk with the Lord is because we as parents do not. We must first allow the Lord to minister to us before we can minister to our children. It is not the Christian School's responsibility to rear our children, nor the youth pastor, or Sunday school teacher's; it is ours the parents.
We must realize that their is a difference between spiritual instruction and exposure. Most parents believe that since they send their kids to the Baptist School, take them to church, see that memorize their Bible verse for that week-that everything will be o.k. All we are doing is exposing our young people to the Word of God. The Book of Proverbs uses the word "instruction" 25 times, including verse 1 above. We must not expose our children to spiritual things, but instruct them in it.
This instruction must begin as a child. Teach your pre-schoolers the stories of the Bible. Have your elementary students read and discuss with them the Word of God. See that they establish a prayer life before age 13. Determine that your walk with God and fellowship with Him be an example for your child. See to it that your child realizes the importance of God's Word and create in them a desire for the things of God. It sure is difficult to teach an old dog new tricks; may we endeavor that our children learn the right path from the very start:

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.
Ecc. 12:1

For I Know Him

This simple, yet powerful phrase, was spoken by God in regards to one of his choicest servants, Abraham. It was said in context regarding the character of Abraham and why God chose him. So what did God know about Abraham? Was it his great wealth that caused God to choose him? Was it his physical dominance and power? Or was it his great knowledge and wisdom that he displayed? According to Jeremiah 9:23 these are the qualities that impress man; however, none of these areas were mentioned in this passage. Genesis 18:19 -

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

So how important is fatherhood? We can achieve all sorts of accomplishments in this life, but if we really want to impress God, He's watching to see how we raise our children. There are many great causes to which we can devote ourselves, but how are we raising our children? We may sacrifice much for the sake of the ministry, but that does not negate the responsibility to properly raise our children. We can adopt a myriad of philosophies about why children turn out wrong, but we are held accountable for how we raise our children.
Are we hurting today in our society where there seems to be an increase in the number of fatherless homes? Certainly there are a number of statistics to quote, as well as many well-known, big-name professionals, but let's view the perspective of a secular source. Washington Times columnist Rebecca Hagelin laments the popular mentality that "Dad seems to be the only person in modern society whom it is acceptable to belittle." As scientific studies consistently reveal, fatherless homes increase the likeliness of depression, poverty, school dropouts and pregnancies among adolescents. Hagelin argues that we should address these adverse effects by working to "equip fathers to lead in spite of a culture that tells them not to." This was taken from the Heritage Foundation, an organization promoting conservative values. The irony of this quote is that in this age of feminism a female is reaching out to her society with the need for male leadership. Why is it so important to have men at the helm? There is one very good reason - because God said so. He instituted the roles of authority and it is His way which works best. But He will not force His way on us; He will simply allow us to suffer the effects of our choices. It is not a matter of superior or inferior; it is simply matter of submitting to the authority that God has placed over us. As a child, I knew it was best to obey my parents. As I grew older, I saw that, while my parents weren't perfect, it was still in my best interests to submit to their authority. Now that I am a parent myself and can look back with some understanding of God's blessing on my life, I am very grateful that I learned that very important principle.
What did God know about Abraham? I believe he was a wealthy man; I believe he was a wise man; I believe he was a strong man. These qualities were exhibited in his life; yet the testimony that God shared with us concerning him is this - that he would lead his family in the right path. There are many things for which we can be known; but I choose this one above all others - as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.