When I was attending UCLA and studying psychology (after a two year bout with pre-med bio), there was one thing that started to stand out about all that I was hearing. There seemed to always be a reason to deflect personal responsibility for "abnormal behavior." Taking abnormal psych revealed that EVERYONE is abnormal so it really is not our faults because it is either society's fault, our parents' faults, our cultural upbringing, the trauma we had coming through the birth canal, and a host of other possibilities where we could conveniently place the blame for why we are the way we are.
The Bible is clear in that the primary reason for all our "abnormal behavior" is really because we are sinful creatures that are prone to rebellion against God's design and we are quick to point the finger at what others do. Or maybe worse yet, we blame God.
Wives blame husbands, husbands blame wives, parents blame children, children blame parents, church members blame the pastor, the pastor blames the church members, neighbors blame the "bad" neighbors, employees blame the boss, boss blames the employees, and the list can go on ad nauseum.
There is a simple response to all this psychological irresponsibility. Admit that YOU are the one responsible for YOUR sin. Yes, others might make it difficult and even tempting, but in the end, we make the choices to sin. Others do not force us to sin, even if they were to threaten us with violence. We still have a choice to make.
Do you take responsibility for YOUR sin? Or will you just try to deflect it to others? Maybe for some of you, you don't want to even admit that you sin. Take a look at Scripture and see what God says:
"If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." 1 John 1:8-10
Let's stop blame-shifting and start taking responsibility for ourselves. But it doesn't end with just trying to beat ourselves up. Consider 1 John 1:9 - we look to the character of God as we respond humbly in confession.
This is why there is always hope. God is faithful and righteous. He will never change. So let us rejoice in hope (Romans 12:12).
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Spiritual Leadership
"At the outset of any study of spiritual leadership, this master principle must be squarely faced: True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you" (J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 15).
Recently, I have been re-reading Spiritual Leadership, by J. Oswald Sanders, and I am glad to have picked it up again. It has been almost a decade since I last read it, and I am realizing that so much of the book has been forgotten, it is like reading it for the first time. Picking it up again has been a great encouragement and challenge to me. I highly recommend this book to anyone who aspires to spiritual leadership, and I suggest that those in positions of leadership who have not read this book do so soon.
Especially since I have been preaching through 1 Corinthians 8 and 9, the principle of setting aside personal freedoms and rights in order to serve others in love has been particularly highlighted these past few weeks. Even when something is your "right" in the Lord, if it would cause others to stumble in sin, it would be better to refrain so as not to stumble your brother. The general principle involved is that we are to look not merely after our own interests, but also to the interests of others (Phil. 2:4).
In the first chapter of Spiritual Leadership, Sanders astutely reminds his readers that leaders are held to this general principle with a higher accountability. Leadership is all about serving others and not just looking after your own selfish ambition or desires. It is giving up of yourself in love. This instruction from Sanders' book is not new, but a timeless principle that I know I need to be constantly reminded of. Especially if you are in leadership, how are you using your position to serve others in the Lord? How are you giving up of yourself in love for others?
Recently, I have been re-reading Spiritual Leadership, by J. Oswald Sanders, and I am glad to have picked it up again. It has been almost a decade since I last read it, and I am realizing that so much of the book has been forgotten, it is like reading it for the first time. Picking it up again has been a great encouragement and challenge to me. I highly recommend this book to anyone who aspires to spiritual leadership, and I suggest that those in positions of leadership who have not read this book do so soon.
Especially since I have been preaching through 1 Corinthians 8 and 9, the principle of setting aside personal freedoms and rights in order to serve others in love has been particularly highlighted these past few weeks. Even when something is your "right" in the Lord, if it would cause others to stumble in sin, it would be better to refrain so as not to stumble your brother. The general principle involved is that we are to look not merely after our own interests, but also to the interests of others (Phil. 2:4).
In the first chapter of Spiritual Leadership, Sanders astutely reminds his readers that leaders are held to this general principle with a higher accountability. Leadership is all about serving others and not just looking after your own selfish ambition or desires. It is giving up of yourself in love. This instruction from Sanders' book is not new, but a timeless principle that I know I need to be constantly reminded of. Especially if you are in leadership, how are you using your position to serve others in the Lord? How are you giving up of yourself in love for others?
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Standing on Biblical Convictions
As I was searching through the news today, I came across an interesting article about Indianapolis head coach, Tony Dungy. He is apparently, but not surprisingly, taking a lot of heat for accepting an invitation to speak at a banquet for the Indiana Family Institute, which is supported by Focus on the Family. The group is one of the strongest opponents of same-sex marriages in the state and a firm supporter of the state marriage amendment.
Regardless of how I might feel about the Indianapolis Colts, I cannot help but hold Coach Dungy in high regard and great admiration. Nowadays, one hears much of alleged Christian athletes, but apart from a spattering of WWJD bracelets and an occasional prayer after a touchdown, not too many of these celebrities are seen making bold stands for clear biblical values. Coach Dungy obviously knew he would face much animosity because of his association with the IFI, but still courageously stood up for what he viewed as the "Lord's side" on the marriage issue.
Too many Christians today shy away from taking the same kinds of stands. Certainly as the culture we live in becomes more and more tolerant of lifestyles and practices that are blatantly against Scripture, it will become proportionately more difficult to have biblical convictions without facing harsh attacks from those around us. We are living in an age where those who speak up about certain biblical convictions are labeled as promoting hate speech. Christ's words are becoming more evident with each day, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you" (John 15:18).
Regardless of how I might feel about the Indianapolis Colts, I cannot help but hold Coach Dungy in high regard and great admiration. Nowadays, one hears much of alleged Christian athletes, but apart from a spattering of WWJD bracelets and an occasional prayer after a touchdown, not too many of these celebrities are seen making bold stands for clear biblical values. Coach Dungy obviously knew he would face much animosity because of his association with the IFI, but still courageously stood up for what he viewed as the "Lord's side" on the marriage issue.
Too many Christians today shy away from taking the same kinds of stands. Certainly as the culture we live in becomes more and more tolerant of lifestyles and practices that are blatantly against Scripture, it will become proportionately more difficult to have biblical convictions without facing harsh attacks from those around us. We are living in an age where those who speak up about certain biblical convictions are labeled as promoting hate speech. Christ's words are becoming more evident with each day, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you" (John 15:18).
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Reflections from Shepherds Conference
While some might see it as just jumping on the bandwagon, I do not take for granted what I have been privileged to receive over the years through the ministry of Grace Community Church. Growing up since 8th grade at Grace, I was privileged to be under the preaching ministry of John MacArthur. Listening to him twice every Sunday, once in the morning service and then again in the evening service, I was given a rich foundation upon which I have been able to build not only my personal spiritual growth, but also the pastoral ministry that God has graciously granted me over the years.
The blessing in recent years has been to take various leaders and members of Lighthouse to the Shepherds' Conference and show them what it is like to get a veritable wealth of teaching through such faithful preachers as John MacArthur, R. C. Sproul, Al Mohler, Mark Dever, J. Ligon Duncan, John Piper, Eric Alexander, Jerry Vines, C. J. Mahaney, as well as the Grace Church pastoral team and the faculty of The Master's Seminary. I can't think of a better conference to attend where not only is the teaching rich, but the fellowship is warm, the singing is incredible, the music is enriching, and the service of the members of Grace Church is exemplary. I know there is no perfect church and having been a pastoral intern at Grace, I was able to see some of the inner workings that showed its frailties and weaknesses. Nevertheless, I would have to say that for a church as big as it is and as long as it has been around, there has been a legacy of faithfulness that has been carried which I know is hard to find.
Why do I share this? Because my hope is that Lighthouse could be such a church where a legacy of faithfulness to a high view of God and the sufficiency of His Word would be carried on for generations. I hope to see my children and my grandchildren be able to grow and be ministered to as well as minister in continuation of a family commitment to serve the Lord. Just as Joshua proclaimed boldly, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," it is my hope that my family will be able to carry on from one generation to the next the greatness of God (Psalm 145:4). I will also hope to be more faithful to share my thoughts and bring encouragement and exhortation to those who would make the time to read such humble offerings in light of the other high level entries that one can find elsewhere.
The blessing in recent years has been to take various leaders and members of Lighthouse to the Shepherds' Conference and show them what it is like to get a veritable wealth of teaching through such faithful preachers as John MacArthur, R. C. Sproul, Al Mohler, Mark Dever, J. Ligon Duncan, John Piper, Eric Alexander, Jerry Vines, C. J. Mahaney, as well as the Grace Church pastoral team and the faculty of The Master's Seminary. I can't think of a better conference to attend where not only is the teaching rich, but the fellowship is warm, the singing is incredible, the music is enriching, and the service of the members of Grace Church is exemplary. I know there is no perfect church and having been a pastoral intern at Grace, I was able to see some of the inner workings that showed its frailties and weaknesses. Nevertheless, I would have to say that for a church as big as it is and as long as it has been around, there has been a legacy of faithfulness that has been carried which I know is hard to find.
Why do I share this? Because my hope is that Lighthouse could be such a church where a legacy of faithfulness to a high view of God and the sufficiency of His Word would be carried on for generations. I hope to see my children and my grandchildren be able to grow and be ministered to as well as minister in continuation of a family commitment to serve the Lord. Just as Joshua proclaimed boldly, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," it is my hope that my family will be able to carry on from one generation to the next the greatness of God (Psalm 145:4). I will also hope to be more faithful to share my thoughts and bring encouragement and exhortation to those who would make the time to read such humble offerings in light of the other high level entries that one can find elsewhere.
The Great Trump Card
Pastor John mentioned to me this afternoon that Al Mohler posted an article on his blog about the church and the home. This is a tremendously helpful article for anyone trying to find the balance between ministry and family. Much of what Dr. Mohler shares is what Pastor John has already been sharing for the past few years, but sometimes it helps to hear it from a respected seminary president from outside our church.
It is a challenge to families to consider having a higher view of church in a practical sense. It is easy to talk about loving Jesus and living for Him. It is understandable that believers should be studying the Bible regularly, praying, and attending church on Sundays. These things are obviously going to take up some measure of a family's time. Many families today complain, however, when the church puts additional activities on the calendar because they infringe upon "personal family time." Considering all the other things families are typically involved in and committed to, it is no wonder little time is left for the church. Families must consider what is important in the end. What kind of message do we want to give our children about what are the right kinds of priorities? People wonder why there is a moral decline in the lifestyles of children in the church, and why children today seem more and more disinterested in church! Perhaps it is because parents have not demonstrated to their children that church is more important than music lessons, sports, shopping, and weekend trips.
It is a challenge to families to consider having a higher view of church in a practical sense. It is easy to talk about loving Jesus and living for Him. It is understandable that believers should be studying the Bible regularly, praying, and attending church on Sundays. These things are obviously going to take up some measure of a family's time. Many families today complain, however, when the church puts additional activities on the calendar because they infringe upon "personal family time." Considering all the other things families are typically involved in and committed to, it is no wonder little time is left for the church. Families must consider what is important in the end. What kind of message do we want to give our children about what are the right kinds of priorities? People wonder why there is a moral decline in the lifestyles of children in the church, and why children today seem more and more disinterested in church! Perhaps it is because parents have not demonstrated to their children that church is more important than music lessons, sports, shopping, and weekend trips.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
