Are we losing our freedom in America?

I usually only discuss the Bible and matters of faith on this blog. However, I received a link from a good friend to an interesting short film (10 minutes long) called "Make Mine Freedom" that was done by Harding College in 1948. Watch this video and be amazed at how current it sounds to our present political condition in America. Are we losing our freedoms as we speak?

Why Are You Really Leaving?

There are different reasons why preachers leave congregations. There are various legitimate reasons for moving from one congregation to another as a preacher of the gospel. In this article I want to dispel some reasons you may think we are leaving and let you see why we are really leaving.

1. Are you leaving for more money? Hopefully you know me better than this. I don’t preach for pay; I preach because it is my passion. However, it is true that men of faith must “provide for their own households” (1 Tim. 5:8) and Scripture says preachers are to make their living from the gospel (1 Cor. 9:14). Churches must make sure they adequately provide for their preachers financially (1 Tim. 5:18). You have been an unbelievably generous church to us. You have always exceeded our expectations for compensation. This church has been far better to us financially than we deserve, and we will never forget that. Some preachers have to leave congregations for more money. Such is not the case with us. We are not motivated to leave for a salary increase.

2. Are you leaving because you are “advancing the preaching ladder?” Some people tend to view the church with the same criteria of the business world. Some preachers think that they need to “advance the preaching ladder.” Thus, some start as youth ministers, advance to preaching for a congregation of 100, and try to “move up” from there. God’s kingdom is a single body (Eph. 4:4). Each gathering of Christians is of equal value regardless of size. You may think, “Jonathan wants to move to a bigger church.” Let me assure you that is not our motivation either. In some ways I think moving to a bigger church will actually be a “step down.” I am not trying to “advance my preaching career” by leaving Spring Hill, that would be a selfish and prideful motivation. Preaching is not just a job for me; it is about God using me to the utmost in the work of his kingdom.

3. Are you leaving because you are frustrated with the work here? Absolutely not! God has done amazing things in the 5 ½ years that I have been at Spring Hill. This church is a completely different church now that it was then…and for the better! I see unbelievable spirituality in this church! I see the spiritual growth of people. I see unlimited potential and untapped resources sitting in our pews. I feel like the work of the Spring Hill Church is doing better now than ever. This was the single most difficult thing to leave when we decided to accept the work in Maryville. I will miss the spirituality of this congregation more than anything else.

4. Are you leaving because there is a problem in the leadership? The elders of this church are real men of God. They are Spirit-led men. They are men who have the humility and character of Christ. I love the elders of this church. They have let me be the preacher and focus on preaching the word. They trusted me to do the work of the evangelist, and let me do it without looking over my shoulder. Again, it is hard to leave a place where you work under such an understanding group of elders. The elders here are united in purpose and focused upon the real mission of the church. I beg all of the members of this congregation to continue to follow the guidance and direction of the elders here; they are truly watching for your souls (Heb. 13:17).

So why are you leaving…really? I want to be available for God to use me where I can be of the most benefit to His kingdom. I have always prayed that God would use me to the utmost in his work. Providentially, God opened a door to work in a place where there will be more resources and possibility for expanding the kingdom. Michelle and I believe this will be a great place for us to grow together spiritually as a husband and wife. We are blessed to begin a new work together and let God use us to his glory.

Foundational Doctrines: The Realities of Heaven & Hell

After death, your eternal destiny is sealed (Heb. 9:27-28). All souls enter the place of departed spirits to wait for the day of resurrection (cf. Luke 16:19-31). When Jesus returns, the righteous will be resurrected to eternal life (Heaven). The wicked, however, will be called from the grave to enter the resurrection of judgment (John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; Dan. 12:2-3). In this article we explore the afterlife and the realities of Heaven and Hell.

1. Heaven is an actual spiritual environment being especially prepared as the eternal residence for the saved. Jesus said that he was going to prepare a specific “place” for his disciples in the eternal realm where his Father dwells (John 14:2-3). God provided the current physical heavens (atmosphere) and earth (environment) as a place specifically designed for temporal beings to inhabit (cf. Gen. 1:26-31). At Jesus’ return this physical environment and atmosphere with all of its material elements will be disassembled and destroyed (2 Peter 3:10-12). New heavens (“atmosphere”) and a new earth (“environment”) will be provided that is specifically designed as the habitation of God’s immortal, saved people (2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 21:1).

2. “Heaven’s grand opening” will occur at Jesus’ return and it will be a place of reunion and rest. The righteous dead are awaiting the “resurrection of life” that will occur on the final day (cf. Acts 2:34; John 3:13). When the Lord returns he will descend from Heaven to receive the dead in Christ first and then the disciples who are still living (1 Thes. 4:16-17). As Jesus returns to Heaven he will “bring with him” all of the saved (1 Thes. 4:14) where they will always be in the presence of the Lord (1 Thes. 4:17). In Heaven, God has “reserved” an inheritance for the saved (1 Peter 1:4), in that place filled with joy and bliss being free from sin, sorrow and pain (Rev. 21:3-4, 27). Heaven will be a place of sweet reunion (2 Sam. 12:23; Matt. 8:11) and a place of eternal rest (Rev. 14:13).

3. Hell is an actual spiritual environment originally prepared to punish the devil and his demons but will also serve as the eternal residence of the lost. Hell was originally designed as a place of eternal torment for the devil and his rebellious followers (Matt. 25:41). Satan’s rebellious angels are currently incarcerated in “eternal chains” until the judgment of the great day (Jude 6), when both they and their leader will be cast into the eternal lake of torment called Hell (Rev. 20:10). This is a place of “eternal destruction” where the inhabitants are “tormented day and night forever and ever” being away from the presence of the Lord (Rev. 20:10; 2 Thes. 1:9). Those that are not protected by their obedience to the gospel will also be consumed with flaming fires of vengeance (2 Thes. 1:8-10). Anyone who does not have their name written in the book of life will find themselves in eternal torment (Rev. 20:15).

4. “Hell’s gruesome opening” will swallow the wicked into a state of continual and eternal torment. Hell is a place of eternal torment where the fire is never quenched and even the “worms” cannot find release from their torment (Mark 9:43-48). It is a place where there will never be any relief or rest (Rev. 14:11). It is a place of “outer darkness” outside of God’s light; a place of “clinched teeth” beyond any hope of release (cf. Matt. 25:30). There is no hope for those who profaned the blood of Jesus and rejected his Spirit of grace (Heb. 10:28-31).

5. Every soul will spend eternity in one of the two final destinations of either Heaven or Hell. Every person will appear before Christ’s judgment seat (2 Cor. 5:10). You either follow Jesus and be saved, or follow your own way and be lost (Matt. 25:31-46). What will be your final destination, eternal punishment or eternal life? The choice is yours.

Foundational Doctrines: Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage

Divorce and remarriage is a very sensitive issue in the church today. Yet Jesus gives very specific instructions on the topic. Will we accept the seemingly “hard sayings” of Jesus and continue following him, or will we turn away (cf. John 6:60-69; Matt. 10:34-39)?

1. God intends for marriage to be a lifetime arrangement; He hates divorce. God’s original intention was for marriage to be between a man and a woman (Matt. 19:4). Leaving the families of their birth, a man and a woman are united together to form a family of their own in marriage (Matt. 19:5). This union is sealed by God and is not to be broken by man (Matt. 19:6). From the time of God’s original design in the beginning, mankind abused marriage and an epidemic of divorce (for any cause) began. Therefore, because men’s hearts were hard, God tried to get a handle on the epidemic by regulating man’s action with a “divorce law” (Matt. 19:7-8a). But this was never God’s original intent or design (Matt. 19:8b). God “hates divorce” (Mal. 2:16, NASB), because he intends for marriage to be a lifetime covenant between a man and a woman (Mal. 2:14; 1 Cor. 7:39; Rom. 7:2-3).

2. There is only one reason God will accept for divorce and then remarriage—sexual unfaithfulness. In his teaching, Jesus restores God’s original intention for marriage. Jesus teaching applies to all of humanity (“whoever” –Matt. 19:9), tracing its authority with God’s original purpose for marriage (cf. Mk. 10:11-12). If you divorce your spouse for any reason, except sexual immorality, a remarriage to another person constitutes the continual sin of adultery before God (Matt. 19:9). In addition, anyone who marries a person who has been divorced without this cause, is guilty of the on-going sin of adultery (Matt. 5:32).

3. When divorce occurs because of sexual unfaithfulness, only the innocent party may remarry without sin. Jesus gives an exception whereby a person might divorce their spouse and remarry another person without sin. This exception is “sexual immorality” (Matt. 19:9, ESV). This word is porneia in the original language and is a general word for sexual sin including adultery, fornication, homosexuality, or any type of illicit sexual intercourse outside of the marriage bond. In the event that such sexual unfaithfulness occurs, the offended individual has the right to divorce for this reason and subsequently remarry. Yet, even then forgiveness and restoration of the marriage (though not required) would be preferable, if possible.

4. If a divorced person (unscriptural) obtains another “legal marriage,” God views such an arrangement as continual adultery. According to Jesus teaching, the person divorced for sexual sin does not have a right to remarry. Yet, often this occurs in our society. If a person obtains a legal marriage contract without scriptural grounds, God does not view this as a true marriage but rather calls it the continuing act of “adultery” (Matt. 19:9). Also, the common occurrence of “no fault” divorce in our society means that neither party would have the God-given right to remarry.

5. Sometimes marital separation is necessary for other reasons (i.e. spousal abuse), but remarriage is not an option. There are situations where couples need to separate from one another. Such instances would include spousal abuse. In such instances Scripture indicates that a separation (divorce) is possible (1 Cor. 7:10-16). But remarriage is not an option if sexual sin (as the cause for the divorce) is not involved.

6. Some people must live celibate lives for the sake of the kingdom. In our divorce saturated culture, Jesus teaching on divorce and remarriage sounds very strict (cf. Matt. 19:10). Relationship with God is more important than marriage and some may have to live celibate lives for the sake of the kingdom (Matt. 19:12; 10:37; Ezra 10:1-5).

Foundational Doctrines: Gender Roles in the Church

In today’s politically correct culture of feminism, many do not understand the individual roles that God has given both men and women in the church. In this article, we explore the foundational Biblical teaching of gender roles in the church.

1. God’s specifically designed and assigned gender roles. God intentionally designed men and women to be different. His design includes the functional roles that both men and women are to serve in life. Man was created first to serve as a steward of God’s creation (Gen. 2:5-9, 15), while the woman was specifically created to be a “helper suitable” for man (Gen. 2:18). The “firstborn” principle of man’s creation demonstrates God’s intention for man to be the spiritual leader of the home and the church (1 Tim. 2:13). Men and women have equal value, ability, and spiritual worth before God (cf. 1 Peter 3:7). However, God has assigned specific roles to each of the genders. Men are to lead in the affairs of the church (1 Tim. 2:8; 3:15). Women have been given the special task of management of the home (1 Tim. 2:15; cf. 5:14).

2. Women are not permitted to teach or do anything that “exercises authority” over men when the church gathers together. God assigned the role of spiritual leadership to the male gender. God created woman to be a helper to man in this pursuit and commanded her to voluntarily submit to his leadership (Eph. 5:24). God gives instructions about how men and women are to conduct themselves in the “affairs of the church” (1 Tim. 3:15). Men are responsible for taking the lead in worship, such as leading prayers (1 Tim. 2:8). Women must dress in respectable apparel and behave modestly so as not to distract men from their spiritual leadership (1 Tim. 2:9-10). Women are to learn quietly in the church with a submissive spirit (1 Tim. 2:11). Women are not allowed to be in any position of exercising authority over men in the church by teaching or any other perceived leadership role in a congregation (1 Tim. 2:12). This is not a cultural command limited to the first century but is rather God’s intended designed and assigned roles for the genders (1 Tim. 2:13-14).

3. Women are not allowed to have “speaking roles” when the church assembles together. When the “whole church” gathers together (cf. 1 Cor. 14:23), God has instructed that things be done in a decent and orderly manner (1 Cor. 14:40). Included in these instructions, God directed in all the churches that women should “keep silent in the churches” (1 Cor. 14:33b-35). Although there were female prophets in the first century church (1 Cor. 11:5; Acts 21:9), when the “whole church” assembles women are prohibited from having speaking roles.

4. God expects women to lead children and other women in the church. Just because God has assigned leadership roles to the male gender in the church assembly does not mean that women are to be passive and uninvolved in the work of God’s kingdom. Women were very active in the ministry of Jesus (Luke 8:1-3). Women served as active servants in the early church (Rom. 16:1-2) often working harder than some men (Rom. 16:6, 12). All Christians, men and women, are to be involved in personal evangelism (cf. Acts 18:26). Women should lead other women in study and prayer (Acts 16:13; cf. 17:4). In fact, Scripture directly instructs older women to teach and train younger women (Titus 2:3-5).

5. A woman can do anything in the church today provided she does not exercise authority over a man. God has specifically designed and assigned roles for the genders in his church. Man has been assigned the role of leadership. Women must submit to God’s wisdom in this matter. But when it comes to the work of the church, women can do anything that men can do provided they do not exercise authority over men.

Foundational Doctrines: Congregational A Cappella Singing as Worship

In the majority of congregations of the churches of Christ today, we maintain that God desires congregational a cappella singing as worship to Him. We stand opposed to the use of instruments of music in worship. In this article we examine this concept as one of the fundamentals of our faith.

1. What we offer to God as worship is a serious matter of respect to Him. The way that we choose to express worship to God either respects or disrespects Him. It is possible to be sincere in our religious actions, yet worship “in ignorance” (Acts 17:22ff) and our worship can become “vain” (Matt. 15:9) if it is motivated by our own desires rather than a desire to please God (Col. 2:23). Worshipping God by presumption, rather than by his spoken word, is equal to idolatry (1 Sam. 15:22-23). God feels severely disrespected and dishonored when we present offerings of worship to Him that he has not commanded (Lev. 10:1-3).

2. In the New Covenant, worship to God in “spirit and truth” is essential. In the Christian age, God still takes our worship to Him very seriously. Jesus instructs us that “true worshippers” MUST worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24). Sincerity and emotion are essential in worship, but so is truthfulness. God’s word is truth (John 17:17). We can only worship “in truth” when we know God has specifically asked for something as an offering of worship. Unlike the specific Old Testament laws of worship, God has communicated his desires in the New Covenant by the actions and writings of Jesus and His Apostles (2 Thes. 2:15; Philippians 3:17, 4:9).

3. Using only Scripture as our guide for faith, we can be certain that congregational, a cappella singing is an acceptable offering of worship to God. The New Testament is clear that we must be careful that we “offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28-29). God is still serious about the types of things we offer Him as worship, and there is worship that God finds “unacceptable.” The first covenant had many “regulations for worship” (Heb. 9:1). It is beyond dispute that God commanded instrumental music as worship to Him in the Old Testament (2 Chron. 29:25). But the Old Law was merely a “shadow of good things to come instead of the true form of these realities” (Heb. 10:1). John Price (interestingly a Reformed Baptist) gives a great summary of the issue: “(1) The Old Testament Temple worship in all of its outward ceremonies and rituals has been abolished; (2) We must look to Christ and His apostles alone for the worship of the church; (3) With no command, or example, or any indication whatsoever from the Lord Jesus that He desires musical instruments to be used in His church, we have no authority for their use” (Old Light on New Worship page 57).

4. We cannot be certain that using instruments in worship to God pleases Him; therefore it cannot be done “by faith.” As Christians we must walk by faith not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). Walking by faith means following God’s word alone for our religious practices (Rom. 10:17). We can be absolutely certain that congregational, a cappella singing (without instrumental accompaniment) is pleasing to God and can be done with confident faith (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 14:15; Heb. 13:15). It is impossible to have such confidence about instruments of music.

5. For about the first 1200 years of church history, instruments of music were not commonly used in worship and were condemned by church leaders. As late as 1260, Thomas Aquinas wrote that the Catholic Church did not use musical instruments because doing so doing would be to “fall back into Judaism.” In 1880, John Spencer Curwen wrote about men still living in his day who could remember when most all Protestant denominations (including Methodists, Independents, and Baptists) were opposed to musical instruments in worship.

We're Moving to Maryville!

The announcement last Sunday (August 30) that Michelle and I are leaving Spring Hill came as a great shock to many people. The last 5 1/2 years have been fantastic. Spring Hill is a great congregation comprised of spiritual disciples of Christ. It is a church with endless possibilities led by a Spirit-filled eldership. Deciding to accept the opportunity at Maryville, TN was an extremely difficult decision that took weeks of prayer to reach.

Michelle and I are convinced that God is leading us to move to the work in Maryville, TN. Maryville is located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains just south of Knoxville, TN. with a population of about 60,000 (if you include the adjacent city of Alcoa). The congregation has about 500 members with 8 fantastic elders. You can view their website here: www.maryvillechurchofchrist.org. Dan Chambers, their former preacher, did a marvelous job at Maryville before recently taking the work at the Concord Road Church of Christ after Phil Sanders left to work with the In Search of the Lord's Way television program (with Mac Lyon).

Michelle and I ask that you pray for us in this transition. We will face many challenges such as selling our house in this strained market. We have faith that God will provide and we are working hard to cast our anxieties upon Him. Pray for us! Please also say a special prayer for the elders at Spring Hill as they search for the next preacher to advance the work in this great community.