Believers Reason Apologetics Class pt 1

Ah back on the blog again. I have to be honest, working a sales job is very mentally draining and doesn't leave me much energy to blog, however, I am hoping that this gets me back on track. At the church I have started an apologetics class based on The Believers Reason, that will featured Sundays on this blog until its completion ten weeks from now. It is my prayer that over these next weeks God would work in your heart to give you a desire to defend the truth and the Church (universal). As Part of our homework for this week, please download and listen to one sermon/show, from the two groups and compare them, looking for Christ-Centeredness, The Gospel, Life tips, Pop Psychology, Proper use and context in bible verses, the style and Goal of preaching, What does the pastor want you to walk away with, ect.

Here is the Class Audio, go to menu to download it.

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Check Out Fighting for the Faith, A program I listen to frequently, for quality sermon reviews and Christian discernment. Yes, I know its by a Lutheran, but hey, they aren't all bad.

Obama Preaches Sermon to School Children

Christian Pulpit News Today -

In a stunning development President Obama abandoned his planned speech this morning to the nation's school children, and instead preached an evangelical sermon. Many hearing this were shocked and amazed that the President would go against the popular opinion of his political party and speak to the children about Jesus.

The Reverend E.R. Tickler of the Feelings Tabernacle, in West Warwick, RI said this after hearing the President's sermon, "I was shocked and extremely pleased that he could be so relevant to the youth culture today. What was even more amazing is that he seems to use the same depot that I get my sermons from." When asked about where He purchased his sermons, Reverend Tickler had no comment, however, He said that he now supports the President more then ever.

Other Christian leaders have also stepped up to offer their thanks to the President, Donald Miller, who helped Obama in his bid for the presidency was overcome with emotion while watching the sermon. He commented that he knew Obama wanted to reduce the number of abortions in the nation, feed starving people and get healthcare to those who need it and never knew that he planned on using preaching accomplish these goals.

Not everyone is pleased with the presidents sermon. The ACLU has already filed a federal lawsuit to expel the president from schools and any other government run activities. The media contact for the ACLU, Ms. Johnson said this," Today we will begin to wage a war on religion in American Schools. The President has no right to preach a sermon to the American children." When asked if She believed that the ACLU was forwarding the religion of Secular Humanism within the school system, Ms. Johnson has no comment.

The highlight of the sermon is something that echos in Christian churches around the United States every Sunday. No doubt Christians are familiar with the gospel that is preached there and by president Obama. "Every single one of you has something you're good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is... Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones who've had the most failures. JK Rowling's first Harry Potter book was rejected twelve times before it was finally published. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, and he lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots during his career."

As the fall out from the preaching of this evangelical sermon continues we are committed at Christian Pulpit News Today to keep you updated and informed.

Salvation Army - To Rank or Not to Rank

This Post is written at the Request of my partner in Ministry, Andy...

As you may or may not know, The Salvation Army Church gives ranks and special commissions to it's ministers. I would like to discuss why I not only think that this is biblically acceptable, but I think it is wise.

Here are the ranks that are now being handed out, and next to that is what is done to receive that rank -

Cadet - Entry into 'College of Officer Training'
Cadet-Lieutenant - Cadets who have had previous experience - generally spend less time in the College of Officer Training
Lieutenant - Graduate from 'College of Officer Training' who have received their "marching orders"
Captain - Five years of Service
Major - Fifteen Years of Service
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Lieutenant-Colonel - Major on Special Assignment
Colonel - Major on Special Assignment
Commissioner - Major on Special Assignment
General - Major on Special Assignment

I would like to discuss what I believe are the good and bad parts of this 'Ranking' system. As well as the biblical look of a hierarchy within the clergy.

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I think that when looking at the Preisthood within the OT, we can see several things
Exodus 38:21 tells us that the Levities are under the Authority of the High Priest. I think that it is pretty clear that there is an authority structure within the priesthood, and I am really not willing to spend a whole lot of time on the subject, as it is super clear from the OT. I think that there is another authority with in the OT, and that is the office of prophet. Prophets are appointed by God, as messengers to the people of God. Prophets held a special status among the people, this status was different from that of the Priests. Overall, I think that it is clear that there is an authority structure within the OT.

Within the NT I think that we see an even more strong authority structure. I think that the basic outline is as follows:


Christ (God)
Apostles (the 13 - including Paul)
Elders - Pastors - Bishops
Deacons
Teacher's
Members
Catechumins

This list comes from both Church history and the Scriptures. I am open to restructuring it, but in general I believe that this is the Christian model.

In light of that, I don't think there is anything wrong with the ranking authority of christian leaders, as the Salvation Army does. I think it is wise thing, to let the elders have a hierarchy of leadership. I believe that this is what the Salvation Army does, and I think that there is a lot of wisdom in it. As a final thought, I think that some people take issue the military style of the Salvation Army. I don't see anything that biblically prohibits this, and thus I would say that it falls into the area of Christian liberty.

Here are some bible verses so that you can continue to study this topic of Leadership in the Bible:

1 Peter 5:1-5
Acts 11:29-30
Acts 14:23
Acts 20:28-32
1 Timothy 5:17-19
Titus 1:5-9
Hebrews 13:17

Selling the Gospel -- Revisited

As of late there have been several comments on an older post, on the topic of selling the Gospel. I would like to address some of the issues that they have brought up, as well as do an overview on the topic of Selling the Gospel.

Many people look at both Church and Para-Church ministries and scoff at there selling of products such as, books, CD's, Dvd's, ect. However, I think that these Scoffers are somewhat misguided in there understanding of how these ministries work and perhaps how the real world works.

Let me Start of with Scripture - Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages." (1 Timothy 5:17-18 ESV) - This is the basis for paid ministry within the Church, however, I think that it also tells us a bit more than just, paid ministry should exist. It also tells us that Elders (pastors) who rule well should receive double honor, many believe this refers to wage. So I would ask, How many of us Give more when we see a Hard Working Pastor? I would say not many people that I know do this. I think that Most Churches scrimp and save, just to make it now days, there are pastors who cut there pay, some who go without pay, simply because Members do not give enough.

That said I would like to address the selling of Hard Media - I would say that anything that you can put your hands on, ala books, CD's and Dvd's can and should be sold, these materials do cost money, and there was a lot of hard work put into them. There is also normally a cost to produce them, and while may people expect the church to absorb that cost, their giving does not allow the church/ministry to do that. This is really simple, Churches when they sell these types of materials are not selling the gospel, they are selling teaching materials.

Soft Media - I would define this as anything that is digital. This is something that is downloaded ie essays, sermons, ect.. These are materials that can be put on Hard Media, but as soft media, they should be given away. I believe that most ministries do give this type of media away for free.

Selling the Gospel -- I would say that selling media is far different then selling the Gospel. The Gospel is the message found in Scripture about Jesus' death, Burial and resurrection. Selling the Gospel, would be things like monetary requirements for coming to Church, Mormons do this with their members. I believe that selling the gospel is not something that your average Christian Church does. I don't believe that it is a very common thing in American churches. That said, I welcome examples of where people believe this is happening.

Easter Sunday, Pretentious Sunday

What does your Church look like on the average Sunday Morning, when there is nothing 'special' going on - Except for the Preaching of God's Word - Does it look casual, dress casual, formal, Black Tie? I am not commenting on the attire of people in the church, as I don't really think it matters, But what does matter is when that attire changes. The Church I attend in normally casual to dress casual. I like it that way, it is comfortable, yet reverent. Now, I haven't been at this church for a year yet, but pretty close, the first day we ever visited there was last easter.

What I observed today was the following, People who have never worn a tie before were wearing ties. People who had never worn a suit before were wearing suits. I have to, ask myself why? Now, there is no doubt in my mind that the Choir director asked people to dress nicely, which is fine, it was a bit of a performance. That said, it does give an impression that there is something that happens on a regular basis, that just isn't the case. Why do we dress up on Easter, knowing that a bunch of people who don't normally come to church, will be there? Are we trying to make ourselves look better? Are we dressing up so that we will fit the expectations of people? What is the Deal here? Why not just look like you normally do, and give a gospel message, and talk about how Jesus IS alive? I mean what is the deal with the change? What effect do people think it will have? Is this something that is just a throw-back to when the older generation went to church on easter and put on there 'Sunday Best?'

Honestly, why the pretension? Why not be who we are every Sunday, even on Easter Sunday, even on Christmas Eve? God looks at the Heart, not the clothes, doesn't He? I mean do we honestly think that God will somehow be more present if we dress up? Let's focus on the Heart, the Cross, the Blood, the Christ, and not on what people will think about the clothes we wear. Don't we go to church for Christ, and to come close to him, to be encouraged by His Word, and not to show people how good we can look, how nice of a suit we have, ect..?

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (Matthew 23:25-28).

We don't want to give people the appearance that we are Good on the outside when we are rotten on the inside, do we? Do we honestly think the wearing a suit to church, verses jeans and a t-shirt makes a difference to anyone but men who will judge you on the way that you appear?