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The Beauty of Leading a Flock to the Heavenly City

April 23, 2013 in 1 Timothy, Church, Leadership with 0 Comments

Can anything be more beautiful than leading the flock of God’s people towards the Heavenly City (Rev 22:1-6)? Won’t it be incredible to meet together before the throne of Christ? The central thought of our sermon on Sunday at The Red Brick Church per 1 Timothy 3:1 was that God’s plan for leadership in the local church is a noble or beautiful thing (listen here to the 4/21/13 sermon).

My vision is a pastor is to see our flock meet together on the other side! There can be no greater vision that to say, “Let’s meet in the presence of Christ, and let’s invite as many people as possible to come with us.” Those who have been around our church know that we talk about meeting at the 5th tree on the right side of the river.

Throughout the sermon we saw that the repeated New Testament emphasis on biblical elders cannot be missed (See Acts 14:23, Acts 20:17, Acts 20:28-31; Philippians 1:1; 1 Thess 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Timothy 4:3-14, 1 Timothy 5:17-25; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 13:7, 17; James 5:13-15; 1 Peter 5:1-5).

This coming Sunday we will consider the biblical qualifications for eldership. The below table compares qualifications from key New Testament passages.

Comparison of Elder Qualifications

Per Strauch, Biblical Leadership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership, pages  73-74

1 Timothy 3:2-7

Titus 1:6-9

1 Peter 5:1-3
  1. Above reproach
  2. The husband of one wife
  3. Temperate
  4. Prudent
  5. Respectable
  6. Hospitable
  7. Able to teach
  8. Not addicted to wine
  9. Not pugnacious*
  10. Gentle
  11. Uncontentious
  12. Free from the love of money
  13. Manages his household well
  14. Not a new convert
  15. A good reputation with those outside the church
  1. Above reproach
  2. The husband of one wife
  3. Having children who believe
  4. Not self-willed
  5. Not quick-tempered
  6. Not addicted to wine
  7. Not pugnacious*
  8. Not fond of sordid gain
  9. Hospitable
  10. Lover of what is good
  11. Sensible
  12. Just
  13. Devout
  14. Self-controlled
  15. Holds fast the faithful Word—both to exhort and to refute
  1. Not under compulsion but voluntary
  2. Not for sordid gain, but with eagerness
  3. Nor yet as lording it over . . . but proving to be examples

*Pugnacious: “Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight.”

Why the Yawns Across America and Around the World? (I need your help with sermon prep)

February 12, 2013 in 1 Timothy with 49 Comments

Why, even amongst Christians, are some of the most incredible statements in human history greeted with yawns of apathy? Help me meditate on this question in advance of my sermon.

The next sermon from 1 Timothy will focus on the reliable saying or trustworthy word of 1 Timothy 1:15:

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost (1 Tim 1:15).

This is one of 5 faithful sayings Paul acknowledges. All 5 (1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Timothy 3:1, 1 Timothy 4:9, Titus 3:8, 2 Timothy 2:11) are found in the Pastoral Epistles (1, 2 Timothy, Titus).

The idea that Christ came into the world to save undeserving rebels is the most incredible truth in history. It is loaded with theological significance. Yet, this Sunday it will be met with great indifference, even by people who identify themselves as Christians. Many will show their apathy by not attending church. Others, will yawn their way through church wishing it was still football season so that there would be some excitement in the day.

I have a very busy week: speaking multiple times, funeral, marriage conference etc. It will truly help me preach if you can suggest with some specificity why people yawn in the face of the most startling truth in human history. Be specific. Don’t just write, “People yawn because they don’t care.” I get that. They are apathetic. But why are so many (and surely it is not everyone!) apathetic in the face of the truth?

Strength Though Weakness

February 6, 2013 in 1 Timothy, 2 Corinthians with 0 Comments

If you feel weak, thank God. Times of weakness are special opportunities to rejoice in the grace of God.

Our current text at The Red Brick Church is 1 Timothy 1:12-17.

12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul begins these verses by thanking God for the strength God has given to Paul. It would be easy to breeze right through this thought, picturing how God gave Paul the strength he needed ever step of the way. But such a superficial reading would miss the point. While, God certainly did give Paul strength, he did it by giving Paul weakness.

If you find the thought that God gave Paul strength through weakness confusing, you are not alone. It’s a paradox. We will be considering this truth in greater detail on 2/10. As part of the preparation for that sermon,  I suggest an excellent article by Jon Bloom, Are You Content with Weakness? Bloom does an excellent job explaining how God’s grace is more clearly seen and more deeply savored in our weaknesses than in our strengths.

Grace Stories Are Still Being Written: Mez McConnell’s Testimony

February 1, 2013 in 1 Timothy, Soteriology with 0 Comments

In 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Paul reminds Timothy (and the church at Ephesus through Timothy) that salvation is strictly a work of God. Paul illustrates his point by referencing his own salvation. And a wonderful story it is! The conversion of the Apostle Paul is one of the greatest grace stories in history.

But God continues to build his church and write even more grace stories. You will be wonderfully blessed if you watch Mez Mconnell’s testimony below. (For more information, see here).

Mez McConnell’s Testimony from 20 Schemes on Vimeo.

Prepare for 1 Timothy 1:12-17 (Or At Least Earn a Quarter at The Red Brick Church)

January 31, 2013 in 1 Timothy with 4 Comments

Quarters on CommentariesOver on our church web site, I have described how you can earn a quarter at the Red Brick Church on Sunday. The quarters up for grabs are in view in the picture to the right. They are on top of I. Howard Marshall, or his commentary on the pastorals in any case. Astute students of commentators will be able to identify most of the books in the picture.

Of course, the real hope is that people will prepare for our sermons on 1 Timothy 1:12-17. I have given 7 ways for you to do that in the post on our church site.

The book on top of the stack to the left, which you cannot see, is John Bunyan’s, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. In writing his autobiography, the author of Pilgrim’s Progress made the same claim as the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 1:15!

Flash Mobs Are An Illusion

January 22, 2013 in 1 Timothy, Leadership with 0 Comments

Flash mobs appear to be spontaneous events apart from leadership. The reality is just the opposite. Leadership is always needed.

There is something very appealing about flash mobs. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be in a mall when people spontaneously began to sing “The Hallelujah Chorus” (as  below)?

The reality, of course, is just the opposite. People do not move forward in concerted ways apart from leadership. You can be sure that wherever a flash mob takes place, there are one or more visionary leaders rallying people to the cause.

The need for leaders is true in general, and in particular in local churches. Hence, Paul left Titus in Crete (Titus 1:5) and Timothy in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3) to be sure that the right kind of leaders were in place.

Don’t expect people in your local church to spontaneously burst into the same song apart from leadership. Flash mobs aren’t real. Instead, pray for a plurality of godly leaders who proclaim sound doctrine.

Reasons to Be Excited About 1 Timothy at the Red Brick Church

January 4, 2013 in 1 Timothy with 2 Comments

In our world of moral relativism – - -at a time when so many are unwilling to stand for the Truth – - 1 Timothy is a wonderful call for pastor and local churches to be protectors and supporters of the Gospel of the Living God (1 Timothy 3:14-16).

Sunday (if my voice comes back from a cold) I am excited to begin a series on 1 Timothy. I am never more comfortable in preaching than when working through a book and 1 Timothy is one of my favorites.

There are many reasons to be stoked about 1 Timothy. Hendriksen outlines the following reasons for studying the Pastoral Epistles (1, 2 Timothy and Titus):

  1. Because they shed much needed light on the important problem of church-administration.
  2. Because they stress sound doctrine.
  3. Because they demand consecrated living.
  4. Because they answer the question, “Are creeds of any value?”
  5. Because they tell us about the closing activities in the life of the great apostle Paul.
  6. Because they are a valuable source for the understanding of the history of the church in the third quarter of the first century A.D.
  7. Because in these epistles as well as in the others God speaks to us.
My personal reasons for being excited are very similar to Hendriksen’s. But I would probably mention Paul’s clear teaching on leadership more explicitly. Hendriksen obviously meant it as a part of “church-administration.”
The reason I am most enthused is because Paul’s purpose in writing 1 Timothy was to remind Timothy and the church at Ephesus that pastors and local churches are called to be protectors and supporters of the Truth. I am tempted to beginning exposition of 1 Timothy 3:14-16 right here . . . but it will need to wait until I am into the series.

No Benches on Football Fields

December 14, 2012 in Hebrews with 0 Comments

We’re headed into the heart of football bowl season.  If you’re a football lover, In the next few days you will be able to watch some great football games.

The bowl season offers a chance to see all kinds of offenses and defenses.  But, one thing you won’t see this bowl season is the middle linebacker for a team sitting down in the middle of the play with his helmet off while he chit chats with the free safety.

Can you imagine what a football coach would do, if he looked out during a play and saw his linebacker sitting down?  There are no benches in the middle of football playing fields.

Linebackers don’t sit down in the middle of games, because their job is not yet done.

There is an analogy here with the work of the priests in the Old Testament.  Nowhere in the tabernacle or the holy of the holies were there any benches.  Old Testament priests didn’t sit down on the job because there job was never done.  Sacrifices were offered repeatedly.

This is why it is so amazing in the book of Hebrews when the author stresses that Christ “sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  The author of Hebrews is arguing for the finality of what Jesus did on the Cross.  He sat down because he once for all atoned for the sins of his people.

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.(Heb 1:3-4).”

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.  He has decisively paid the penalty for sin and is sitting at the right hand of the Father.

Dr. Paul Beals Entrusted the Gospel to Faithful Men and Women Qualified to Do the Same

May 30, 2012 in 2 Timothy, Missions with 3 Comments

Dr. Paul Beals of Baptist Mid-Missions and GRTS

Dr. Paul Beals

One of my seminary professors, Dr. Paul Beals, was ushered into the presence of Christ on Tuesday, May 29. (See here). I am eternally thankful for the opportunity I had to study under men like Dr. Beals, Dr. Crawford, and Dr. Hoch, all of whom are now in the presence of Christ. Dr. Beals lived out the admonition of 2 Timothy 2:1-2 to entrust the Gospel to reliable men and women who will do the same.

I have often been asked how Jamie and I made the decision to leave the corporate world and go to seminary. I can never answer that question in a tidy way. It certainly was not that I didn’t enjoy my job and the people with whom I worked. But by the time we left for Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 1990 we were confident in every regard that God was in the decision.

Professors like Dr. Paul Beals quickly removed any remaining questions we might have had about the decision. Dr. and Mrs. Beal received us into the seminary family with open arms. I did not have Dr. Beals for any classes my first semester or two in seminary, but he made sure to meet as many of us as possible. And when I visited Dr. Beals’s church, both Dr. and Mrs. Beals went out of their way to greet Jamie and me. They made us feel at home and Dr. Beals was thrilled that I was from Iowa.

I had Theology of Local Church Missions with Dr. Beals in 1991 and I looked through my class notes this morning. It is amazing to reflect on how much of my approach to missions was shaped by Dr. Beals. His goal was to equip and prepare us to be deeply missions minded whether we were called into missions or served in pastoral ministry. As I pointed out in another post, he taught us that the Bible is a missionary book from cover to cover.

What also struck me as I looked through my material from Theology of Local Missions was all the personal attention Dr. Beals gave to students. Throughout my class material I saw small notes Dr. Beals had written:

“Thanks, Chris, for a thoughtful and thoroughgoing piece of work.”

Or,

“Thanks, Chris for following instructions with understanding.”

Of course, it wasn’t all good news. One personal note on a blue book exam read,

“Review this one, Chris, it needs a lot of strengthening.”

I wonder how many notes Dr. Beals wrote to students across the decades.

Dr. Beals stayed amazingly fresh in the classroom. He encouraged us to read books that only recently been published. He interacted with a wide range of books.

Dr. Beals work ethic and understanding of missiology were tremendous. But maybe what I remember the most was his sweet, humble enthusiasm. He would come to class excited to teach us. If Mrs. Beals had typed something for us to use in class, as a matter of honor he would say, “I need to acknowledge that my wife was the one who worked hard on this handout.” Whenever he saw my wife, Jamie, Dr. Beals would go out of his way to be sweet to her and encourage her and other seminary wives.

Dr. Beals was always so proud of his family. While he never would have talked to us about his accomplishments, he enjoyed telling us about his children’s accomplishments. Years later, Tim Beals became my agent. I am nearing the completion of the third book I have written with him as my agent, yet I hardly ever talk to him without thinking about his folks.

Since seminary, I have had the opportunity to be involved in many, many missions projects. By God’s grace, Dr. Beals influenced every single one of them. My heartfelt condolences go out to Mrs. Beals and the entire family. I praise the Lord for the gift of his servent, Dr. Paul Beals.

You can read more about Dr. Beals including what he was most proud of at http://www.funeralquestions.com/obits/pederson/memorial.asp?listing_id=184530

Fear that Leads to Comfort

October 31, 2011 in Acts, Proverbs with 1 Comment

Dan Phillips has written an excellent post on why fear and comfort are a healthy combination.

Wouldn’t you think that “fear” and “comfort” are antonyms, like “love” and “hate,” or “darkness” and “light”?

In a Biblical context, we might most quickly associate the word “fear” with “of the LORD,” or “of Yahweh.” That topic — “the fear of Yahweh” — is a major Biblical theme. Clearly, in Proverbs, it is a literally foundational thought (cf. 1:7; 9:10; 31:30). In the Proverbs book, a chapter of 40+ pages traces the concept its older Old Testament appearances, just so we can begin to understand of Solomon’s use throughout the book of Proverbs. One discovery is that the concept itself frames and must color our understanding of each individual verse within the entire book.

When we develop the concept Biblically, we feel the burden to show that the fear of Yahweh is not (as some might think) an Old Testament concept as opposed to a New Testament concept. Indeed, it is quite literally a pan-Biblical concept.

This stood out to me in a recent daily Bible reading. Acts 9:31 leapt out at me in this context:

Ἡ μὲν οὖν ἐκκλησία καθ᾽ ὅλης τῆς Ἰουδαίας καὶ Γαλιλαίας καὶ Σαμαρείας εἶχεν εἰρήνην οἰκοδομουμένη καὶ πορευομένη τῷ φόβῳ τοῦ κυρίου καὶ τῇ παρακλήσει τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος ἐπληθύνετο.

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

Read the rest here.

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