I’ve always said that to enjoy the fullness of our relationship with God we need to make Jesus the center of our life and His church the center of our lifestyle. Those two things go hand in hand.  However, I see that in the world in which we live it seems making His church the center of our lifestyle has become less and less important.

 

                At my advanced age of 67 I can still remember when stores were closed on Sundays and even in many smaller towns they closed early on Wednesdays, too.  There were no sporting activities, including practices. Gracious….if a coach scheduled a Sunday practice the parents would have his head!  Church “dinners on the grounds” were cause of excitement and folks stayed for a couple of hours, eating and fellowshipping.  Sunday School “socials” were special and well attended.  The church in many ways was the center of community and neighborhood activity.  What happened?

 

                Many would say that our culture changed.  While that is true let me remind you that we are the culture.  Culture doesn’t change us because we change the culture.  Our culture reflects who we are.  We, the church, are reaping what we sowed. The sad fact is that the overwhelming majority of Christians are quite satisfied with the status quo. Sunday is a day of recreational and normal activity because we want it that way.  Honestly, with the number of professed Christians in our nation we could have stopped the lava flow of change at several points.

 

                So, what is the answer? We are certainly not going back to the “days of yore”.  Be the Christian voice of change.  Christians need to stand up and be strong.  We may not win every cultural battle, but we will not win any if we do not fight.  Paul gives us guidance as he says “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” (Colossians 2:1,5).  I especially like this last phrase::   “Make the most of every opportunity”.

 

Bro. Tony

                There is an old saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”.  We, however, have come to understand that words can indeed hurt. They don’t break bones, nor do they leave bruises, but they can surely break a person’s spirit or destroy a healthy self image.  Words can discourage initiative and destroy reconciliation.

 

                But on the other hand, words can also do just the opposite.  Words are powerful and the Bible has things to say about that.  For instance, Proverbs 12:18 says “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”  That is a deep truth, isn’t it?  But the Bible also carries that wisdom even further in regard to the Christian life when it says in James 3:9-10 “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”

 

            In our every day demeanor, our personal interactions with others, we can be a blessing or a curse. We can be an encourager or a destroyer.  We can make someone’s day or break someone’s day.  Do we really have to think about which the Lord would have us be?  As I said from the pulpit a few weeks ago, perhaps that grouchy cashier or obstinate sales person, or rude receptionist isn’t placed there by Satan to test your patience and ruin your day.  Perhaps you were placed there by God to bless someone in need of encouragement or a show of human compassion.

 

           As you live daily strive to be a blessing. Work at being compassionate.  Be God’s encourager.

 

Say good things about your Savior and His Church on the Bluff.

 

                Several years ago, I read an editorial in a religious publication that lamented the change in the political language of President Obama when he referred to religious freedom.  Instead of espousing his belief in our nation’s “freedom of religion” he began saying we had a “freedom of worship”.  I thought the writer was being a little paranoid when he said that it was a meaningful distinction.  He said that it amounted to our freedom to have religion convictions and beliefs literally ended as we exited the doors of the church.  But what he feared is certainly becoming reality.

 

                In essence, we are being told that we can have our beliefs as we gather to worship but we can’t practice our religion in our public lives.  Spreading the love of Christ is now considered “hateful” behavior and even “harassment”. We don’t even have to say anything. Christians have to be careful about wearing pins and/or jewelry that shows the cross at work or in schools. People have gotten fired or have been refused jobs because of their public stance on Biblical issues. A Bible in view on a desk or work station is cause for discipline. Did you ever think it would come to this?

 

                When I was a cameraman at a TV station, we recorded a show that had religious leaders answering questions from people who wrote letters to the show.  One of the men was Bro. John.  He knew I was not walking with the Lord and he would “harass” me about it.  He encouraged me to get back in church.  It wasn’t an easy process for him as I was a long way away from Jesus.  However, when my dad was called to pastor a church just a few miles from my home Bro. John encouraged me to visit the church.  When Dad left that church a couple of years later, I was actually on the committee that asked Bro. John to be our interim pastor as we searched for a full-time leader.

 

                I’m glad Bro. John Chafin was so full of “hate” that he “harassed” me into a better life for myself and my family. I pray that in our wonderful nation we continue to have the freedom to do that.

 

Say good things about your Savior and His Church on the Bluff

 

                When did marriage between a man and a woman become a controversial idea? For that matter, when did the belief that there are only two sexes that were revealed at birth, even become a matter for discussion? Yet in the past few weeks I have heard there was a concern about a politician or a businessman because they attended a church that taught those “controversial” beliefs. Is it a sign that Christianity is in trouble?  Yes and no.

 

                First understand one doesn’t have to be a Christian to believe gender isn’t fluid and that marriage is meant for only men and women.  Those beliefs aren’t taught…they are innate; that is, natural and inborn. You just “know” those things.  So, in order for someone to think otherwise, you have to be taught otherwise.  So why now, in an otherwise sane and civilized culture, are those particular beliefs targeted?  That has to do with the “yes” part of my answer about Christianity being in trouble.

 

Those core beliefs are part of mainstream, evangelical Christianity. We believe them, not only because they are innate, but because the Bible certainly underscores them and affirms God’s purpose for them. Therefore, if society can be led to believe that there is no difference in the sexes and that gender is only a matter of the mind, Christianity can, and will be, viewed as a negative and evil philosophy. And that….is why those particular agendas are being pushed so hard.

 

                Now about the “no” part of my answer.  Christianity is never in real danger.  A culture may seek to squash the growth of the Kingdom of God. It is impossible.  Even if driven underground it flourishes and thrives. God will always have His faithful followers who understand the importance of evangelism; of spreading the good news of Jesus.  But also, and as important, perhaps a little persecution will wake up the church and spur us to a time of revival and renewal.  We certainly need that.

 

Say good things about your Savior and His Church on the Bluff

 

                Does our Christianity affect our politics? I certainly hope so.  Our faith in the Lord and our obedience to His teachings should impact every area of our life. But we do have to be careful about some things. I’m not talking about compromising our beliefs or watering down our doctrine.  I’m talking about putting politics ahead of our purpose.

 

                As Christians our first call is to lead people to Christ; to spread the Gospel. We have to be careful that our political beliefs do not interfere with our ability to witness to those who are lost.  We have to take a step back sometimes and think about whether or not our political discussion will lead into a way for us to talk about God’s purpose, His grace, and His forgiveness. We must always strive to leave the door open for evangelism.   Often, we find some of our political ideals can prevent us from reaching the lost.  I saw an article that asked the question “Was Jesus a capitalist or socialist?”  I can answer that easily. Jesus was the Savior. He came to seek and save the lost.  Jesus came to save capitalists who are lost as well as socialists who are lost.

 

Words we use and our demeanor are also important.  For instance, I’m very opposed to abortion on demand and protesting outside an abortion clinic can be both political and religious. We, as Christians, should never be ashamed to participate in such events.   But…we do have to be careful how we present ourselves.  I saw a protest outside a clinic recently and several people were holding up signs that said, “abortion is murder”.  True enough. But I also saw some signs that said, “God loves you and loves your baby”.  Which people do you think left the door open for an opportunity for meaningful discussion about the Lord

 

                Think of it this way:  suppose you wore a red MAGA hat to Five Points South here in Birmingham to pass out salvation tracts.  You may agree with most everything President Trump has done and you most certainly have the freedom to wear the hat but….how many people would you have the opportunity to witness to about the Lord?

 

Sometimes we just need to focus on what is eternally important.

 

Say good things about your Savior and His Church on the Bluff

 

Bro. Tony

                I wonder if the people who championed “abortion on demand” ever thought it would come to this? When the Supreme Court decided the infamous “Roe vs. Wade” case, did they really imagine that in just over 40 years someone would watch an ultrasound of an infant in the womb being killed, pump their fists in the air, and claim a victory for “women’s rights”?  If those justices who voted in favor of that case were still alive would they be proud that their decision would lead to babies being aborted at full term? I would hope not.  I can’t believe they would be. Then again, I can’t fathom a sitting governor signing such a bill, smiling, and being championed as a hero. How sad.

               How did this happen? How can a civilized nation accept and condone such an obviously barbaric act?  Admittedly it was a slow process, but once the law said that life didn’t begin at conception it was a sure process. First trimester, second trimester, viability, etc.  We began sliding down that slippery slope and the logical ending is that we splashed down into the muddy waters of infanticide. How wonderfully progressive of us to began killing our children as a matter of convenience.  You know, like they did hundreds of years ago…in barbaric and uncivilized cultures.

                Our world has done everything it can to mitigate the horror of the act of abortion by leveraging it with sympathy for women by calling it “a woman’s right to bodily autonomy”, a “woman’s reproductive health right”, or even a “woman’s constitutional right to privacy”.  What about the baby’s constitutional right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”?  Men are told to keep quiet because we are men, and this is a woman’s issue.  This is NOT just a women’s issue….this is a HUMAN issue.

                The most egregious and immoral voices, though, are those who claim to love, honor, and worship God almighty yet stand on the side of abortion; who say to God “yes you knitted them in the womb, but we know better than you whether or not they need to come to be”.  I believe any Christian clergy who blesses an abortion clinic and any Christian who participates in the abortion process need to get on their knees in front of The One who created those in whose killing they are complicit and repent. And please don’t hide behind the “woman’s right to choose” façade. That is nothing more than a weak-kneed and wish-washy way of trying to hold onto the things of the world while holding on to God. It is what God says He spits out because it is neither cold nor hot.

                Take a firm and unyielding stand on protecting children in the womb. They can no longer depend on the compassion and common sense of our regressive laws.

Say good things about your Savior and His Church on the Bluff

 

Bro. Tony

From the time God called Abram to follow Him God has had His hand on them.  He made a covenant with them that they would always be His special people.  In His calling of Abram, God made a very special promise: “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3 NIV). That promise has never changed.

 

So, when I hear the horrible rhetoric coming from the mouths of some of our elected officials it causes concern.  It doesn’t surprise me that such talk comes from Muslims; history teaches us that they have always hated the Jews. I suppose they always will.  But to hear anti-Semitic speech coming from young people as they are indoctrinated on college campuses and encouraged by the spineless lack of response by those in places of political power…that’s frightening.

 

Please note that we have to be careful in our reasoning.  We shouldn’t automatically view everything Israel does politically as being Godly.  They are human and political minded as are we.  But when people and nations take aim at them because of their uniqueness as Hebrews…when they want them destroyed as a people, not just as a political ideology…that’s should raise a red flag.

 

One of the ways that our nation can, and should, honor God is to always ally with His special people, the Israelites, against their enemies. To distance ourselves from that nation is not just a swing of the political pendulum from conservative to liberal.  It is another step away from God.  A very large step.

 

I also need to make one more point.  Just because the Jews are a people chosen by God it does not mean they do not need a saving relationship through the blood of Christ.  The Gospel was sent to them first.  They need to hear it as badly as the rest of the world.  Jesus told a certain Jewish man that unless he was reborn he had no part of the kingdom of God.  It can’t be any clearer than that.

Say good things about your Savior and His Church on the Bluff

 

Bro. Tony

                A man walked into two mosques in New Zealand and brutally murdered 50 people.  From what I have read he murdered them because he is a white supremacist, anti-conservatism, eco-fascist. Although you will not hear about his extreme liberal/fascist views from the media; only the white supremacist aspect. But I digress.

 

                I want to make something very clear:  He did not do this because he is a Christian who hates Muslims.  No Christian can rightly claim that he/she is motivated to hate and murder because of their Christian beliefs. Anyone who claims to kill in the name of Christ has ever met Christ, nor or they being obedient to His words. In fact, every Christian abhors what this man did and wants him prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Christians are as outraged over this event as every other decent human being.

 

                But what happens when a group of people are savagely murdered with guns and machetes by Muslims because they are Christians? Where is the outrage there? In Nigeria over the last few weeks over 120 Christian men, women, and children were slaughtered by Muslims simply because they were Christians. You may not know that because it hasn’t been on the major network news.  There is no international outrage and public condemnation of the horrendous acts of violence against Christians around the world. None.

 

                There have been no tweets from politicians condemning the rhetoric, let alone the teachings, that lead to the massacres of Christians at the hands of Muslims.  There have been no resolutions in Congress and no calls for more gun control from the media.  Why not?  It is simple, really.

 

                The hate and wrath of Islam would be publicly exposed.  Muslim teachings would have to be scrutinized by those who so ignorantly advocate for them in our politics and news media. It would open the door for more honest discourse concerning Islam’s violent history and present intent. The general public would be able to contrast the true doctrine of Islam with the teachings of Christ and, believe me, the true nature, beliefs, and actions of the Muslims would be laid bare. No anti-Christian wants that.

 

 

 

Bro. Tony

    John 3:16 is arguably the most “famous” verse of the Bible.  It is the purpose of the Bible in one sentence:   “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  I will paraphrase it like this: “God loves each person so much that He sent Jesus to die on the cross so that everyone who believes in Him will spend eternity in heaven.”  That’s a lot of love when you consider “each one”.

 

    You see, that includes the man out west who killed his wife and two daughters.  It includes the gang member with tattoos all over his face that murdered a young girl in a drive-by shooting. It includes the drug dealer and prostitute as well as those who choose a homosexual lifestyle or try to live in opposition to their sex.  Every liar, every thief, and every gossiper is deeply loved by God.  He abhors their sin and hates the un-Godly things they do but He loves them so much that if they repent of their sin and confess Him as Lord, He will save them.  It is that simple…yet that amazing.

 

    For the Christian, then, there is this:  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35 NIV.  Yes, we are commanded to love those that God loves…each and every one.

 

    That doesn’t mean that those who break civil law shouldn’t be punished. Of course, there will be repercussions for breaking the law. Nor does it mean that we give those that break God’s moral laws a pat on the back and tell them that because God loves them, they can live out their carnal desires.  But it does mean we do not shun them or fail to present the Gospel to them. We are to “speak the truth in love…” Ephesians 4:15 NIV.

 

    Sinners don’t want to hear the truth, though, especially in an age where Satan is telling them the opposite in an increasingly secular and twisted world. Therefore, everyone who speaks it are called haters.  Ironic, isn’t it? The people with the most love on their hearts are called haters.

 

Say good things about your Savior and His Church on the Bluff

 

Bro. Tony

     There is a town in Vermont that has, as many towns in that state do, several older structures that have been designated as “Historical Buildings”. The government has a program that assists with the costs of restoring or helping preserve such structures. That is, of course, unless it is a church. Yes indeed, a church rightfully designated a “Historical Building” was refused help because it was…well..a church; a religious building.

 

     The (warped and biased) thinking is that the government preserving the structure would be viewed as endorsing religion. We can’t have that, now can we? What kind of government would want to preserve a structure that implies that religion was an instrumental part of the history of a nation? Just let it collapse and turn into ruins. Perhaps some “right-thinking” city council or state organization could then have it razed and erase the sordid memories of people singing hymns, having “dinner on the grounds “, teaching the 10 Commandments or, heaven forbid, preaching the Gospel. Surely, we don’t want to save any structures that have the “taint” of religion on them.

 

     Just when you think someone in government may have an inkling of common sense or just the decency to allow Christians the same rights as others…this comes along. Perhaps if it had been a boisterous tavern selling whiskey and naughty entertainment, or a “house of ill repute” with a famous madam. Maybe if it had been a witches den or an inhumane prison it could receive government help. I think the government would be throwing money at such places because they were part of the fabric that made this nation great.

 

     If it wasn’t so sad it would be laughable. Pray for your elected servants. And remind them from time to time that that’s exactly what they are: servants of the people. Even religious people like us.

 

Say good things about your Savior and His Church on the Bluff

 

Bro. Tony