Holding Leaders Accountable

Posted on October 16, 2010 by jesustrek
Ben Roethlisberger

Ben Roethlisberger had a spectacular start to his career as quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Big Ben won his first 16 starts as a rookie. In his second year in the NFL, he led the Steelers to a win in the Super Bowl. Roethlisberger established himself as a premier player in the league and as a leader of his team.

This season, however, Roethlisberger was not named as one of the captains of his team. His behavior off the field had led to accusations of sexual misconduct, and the league suspended Roethlisberger for the first four games of the season. It seems that Big Ben’s teammates were holding him accountable for his actions. They have higher expectations for their leaders.

Many churches could learn from the sports world. I know of cases where churches have put the “captain” label on men who have proven themselves to be anything but capable Christian leaders. Poor behavior is ignored–and sometimes even rewarded–as divisive, quarrelsome, overbearing men are named elders and deacons in their churches.

These churches get what they deserve. They should understand that the church will never rise above the level of its leaders. That’s why Paul says that we shouldn’t be hasty in setting apart men as leaders (1 Tim.5:22) and that leaders who sin should be rebuked publicly (1 Tim.5:20).

When will we learn this important lesson that much of the world already knows? Leaders must meet a high set of standards, and they must be held accountable for their actions.

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Making Something Out of Nothing

Posted on October 15, 2010 by jesustrek

It should never cease to amaze us when we consider how God created the universe out of nothing. He simply said, “Let there be…”, and there it was. Light, sky, land and sea, plants, sun, moon and stars, animals and finally mankind—God just had to say the word and they appeared.

I don’t have that kind of power. Sometimes I’ll be leaning back in my recliner in front of the television in the evening and I’ll say, “Let there be ice cream.” Occasionally, after a couple of minutes, a bowl of ice cream will appear in my hands. Other times, in reply to my command, I hear a voice saying, “Get it yourself!”

We don’t have anywhere near the power that God has. Heb.11:3 says, “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

Let’s take some time today to look at God’s creation and marvel at his awesome power.

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Obvious Advice

Posted on October 14, 2010 by jesustrek

A newspaper headline says that the Utah Poison Control Center advises people not to take poison. Do we really need people giving out such obvious advice? We would hope not, but perhaps we do.

 Just think about the common-sense “Do” and “Don’t” List found in the Bible. For example: Don’t eat the forbidden fruit. Be generous. Don’t be greedy. Love your neighbor. Don’t commit adultery. Go to church. Don’t lie. Pray continually. Don’t steal. Love God. Don’t be self-righteous.

The list could go on and on. When you think about the way we humans often behave, I suppose we really do need to be told what to do, even when the answer is quite obvious.

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Back Home Again

Posted on October 13, 2010 by jesustrek

Thomas Wolfe wrote, “All things point home in old October; sailors to sea, travelers to walls and fences, hunters to field and hollow and the long voice of the hounds, the lover to the love he has forsaken.”

It’s October, and I’m going home.

Vanceburg Christian Church in Vanceburg, Kentucky just asked me to be their preaching minister, and I jumped at the chance to go back to my hometown.

27 years ago, I left Vanceburg to live in Lexington, Kentucky. There I earned a college degree, got a job and found a wife. After I began preaching, the trail led to Junction City and then Science Hill. Then we left the bluegrass state for the flatlands of Indiana, where we have been for 8 years.

Along the way we found gladness and heartaches, friends and foes, victories and defeats. I have come to understand why someone once called full-time Christian ministry a “joyful burden”.

Last year the winds of change began to blow in our lives. My wife and I both sensed very clearly that God was moving us in a different direction. We were so sure of this that I resigned my ministry before we had been given our next assignment. We waited 10 months for God’s leading to take us in any specific direction. We were rewarded greatly for our patience.

Now, I’m going home. We will be close to family, and I have already begun to renew old friendships and acquaintances. We are excited about this new chapter in our lives. I am well-rested and ready to get back to preaching on a regular basis.

It will be difficult to say “Goodbye” to our dear friends in Indiana. Perhaps God left us here for nearly a year in between ministries because he knew it would not be easy for us to leave.

But now I feel like singing along with John Denver, “Hey, it’s good to be back home again!”

It’s October, and I’m going home.

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The Original Real Thing

Posted on October 12, 2010 by jesustrek

I just read that Coca-Cola was originally intended for medicinal purposes. It was claimed that the beverage would stop headaches, cure neuralgia, hysteria and melancholy.

The original Coca-Cola came in green bottles, usually a pint, and the directions said that you were to mix it with water. It was only later that a much more watered-down version became the billion dollar business that it is today. It has been said that Coke is now 99 percent water and sugar.

The Bible is intended to be used for healing purposes, not just a recreational drink to fulfill our wants and desires. But many people tend to water it down to the point where it can no longer serve its purpose. Instead of gathering to worship weekly (Heb.10:25), people attend church much less frequently. Sacrificial living (Mk.8:34) is replaced with an occasional good deed. Tithing (Matt.23:23) somehow becomes 2 percent of our income. Proclaiming the gospel message to the world (Mk.16:15) is reduced to an infrequent and half-hearted invitation to come to church. Making disciples (Matt.28:19-20) is no longer the mission of the church, but we do still talk about it from time to time. Love for God and people (Matt.22:37-40) is not a priority any more, but it does get some lip service.

Let’s take our medicine and stop watering down the Bible. Let’s get back to the original real thing!

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Imitators

Posted on October 11, 2010 by jesustrek

I wonder how many Elvis impersonators there are in the world? I suppose they make a pretty good living. Or how about those entertainers who are talented enough to do impressions of several famous people? I enjoy having a few laughs watching impersonators imitate politicians, Hollywood celebrities and other well-known people.

I even like trying to imitate celebrities myself, although I don’t think I’ll ever be able to give up my day job. I do a pretty good Bob Dylan, John Wayne, Bullwinkle Moose and Ronald Reagan. I must admit I need some work on my Bill Cosby, Popeye and Homer Simpson. I practice my impressions all the time, and my wife loves it. (Not really!)

Eph.5:1-2 says, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Maybe I should spend more time trying to imitate God. My wife would really love that!

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Perfection

Posted on October 10, 2010 by jesustrek

Today is an unusual date, 10-10-10. A lot of people planned their wedding for today. I suppose they saw some significance in those numbers. Or maybe they just wanted to make it easy to remember their anniversary!

Sometimes we rate things on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being perfect. I think that today’s date is an example of the gospel. In order for a perfect God to view us as perfect, it took a perfect sacrifice to pay for our sins. Jesus Christ is that perfect sacrifice. 2 Corinthians 5:21 points it out quite well—“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Others may give you a lower rating, but thanks to Jesus, God sees you as a perfect 10!

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One Rescue Plan

Posted on October 9, 2010 by jesustrek
Chile miners

Rescue seems imminent for the 33 miners who have been trapped in a Chilean mine for over 2 months. A drill has just broken through to the chamber where they have been trapped, and the men should be brought safely to the surface soon. The whole nation of Chile is jubilant over the progress that has been made in the rescue effort.

Because the rescue of the men was so critical, more than one plan was put into place to save them. 3 different drills were employed to try to reach the men. “Plan A”, “Plan B” and “Plan C” were all put into effect, just in case the first efforts were not successful.

God has a plan to save mankind. All people become helplessly trapped in sin, with no way of rescuing themselves. But God loves the world so much that he sent his son Jesus to die for us so that we wouldn’t have to perish, but could enjoy everlasting life.

God has so much confidence in the power of the gospel that he has no backup plan for our salvation. Jesus says, “…I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).

I predict that all 33 of the trapped miners will accept the rescue option that is offered to them. It’s too bad that a higher percentage of people don’t accept the rescue plan that God offers them through Jesus.   

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Unlikely Fruit

Posted on October 9, 2010 by jesustrek

Our neighbor’s pear tree is loaded with fruit. Normally this wouldn’t be a surprise. This time of year you expect pear trees to bear fruit. But this tree looks like it should be dead. The trunk is hollow, and you can see right through to the other side of it. I’m amazed that there is as much as a green leaf on the tree, or that the tree is even standing. Yet this unlikely producer has an abundance of fruit.

The Bible is filled with examples of people who attained unexpected success. Moses, a hot-tempered murderer with a speech impediment led God’s people to the Promised Land. The prostitute Rahab was ultimately listed in the lineage of Christ. Gideon came out of hiding and, against all odds, led a ridiculously outnumbered army to victory. A young shepherd boy named David killed the giant who opposed the Israelites. A seemingly ordinary young lady named Mary became the mother of Christ. A group of ordinary fisherman changed the world.

So the next time you feel discouraged about your chances of making a difference in this world, just think about a pear tree that exceeded all expectations, and consider what God can do with someone who remains firmly planted in his will.

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Our Best Defense

Posted on October 8, 2010 by jesustrek

 

Judgment Day

The Bible portrays Satan as one who stands before the Lord to bring accusations against God’s people (Zechariah 3:1). We certainly give him plenty of opportunities to charge us with all kinds of sins. Without the blood of Jesus Christ, we would have no defense whatsoever.

1 John 2:1-2 says, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

One day each of us will have to stand before God. Judgment Day will be the ultimate trial. You will be the defendant. Satan will be the prosecutor arguing the case against you. Jesus will be the attorney defending you, and God will be the Judge. You might describe the action with these words:

I hear the accuser roar

Of sins that I have done.

I know them well, and thousands more

Jehovah findeth none.

Still the restless foe accuses,

Sins recounting like a flood.

Every charge our God refuses,

Christ has answered with his blood!

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