Christian Joe

Archive for the ‘Doctrine’ Category

I was reading the introduction to a book written recently concerning marriage and the family.  The author began with something that you will find in most Christian literature written today.  He began with the premise that we are living in a post-modern era and therefore living in a culture that believes truth is relative.  I used to believe this, but as we look at the spiritual, social, and political landscape around us, I have begun to wonder, “Is our society really post-modern?”  Another way to put it, “Does our culture believe that truth is relative?”  I am not so sure that is the case anymore; and yes, I do believe there is something worse than believing truth is relative.  What is worse than relative truth?  How about a reversal of truth whereby the culture proclaims that there is morality, there is truth, it is just that the truth they are talking about is the polar opposite of what God says is truth. One of the principles of a society where truth is relative is to suggest, “You have your truth, I have my truth-let’s just live and let be.”  But our society no longer thinks that way. As evidenced by the post yesterday, the society is not content to live and let be, but is determined to conform everyone to their standard of morality and truth.  Or the way the Word of God puts it, “Woe to them that call evil good and good evil.” (Is. 5:20).  In the “modern” era, men rejected absolute truth, in the “post-modern” era men ignored absolute truth, but now in the era we are living, men have redefined truth.  Now, it is not just that everyone can do his own thing, but if you insist upon Biblical truth, dogma, or Biblical literalism, you are not just considered wacky (post-modern)-you are considered evil.  If you desire to share the Gospel truth with an unbeliever, you are not just considered rude and intolerant, (post-modern) you are considered the enemy of “truth.”  Christians should do well to heed the reminder of Jesus, “Marvel not if the world hate you.”  I am still trying to think about what we should call this era if it is not post-modern, post-post-modern is just not creative enough, but whatever era we are living in now, we need to be on guard and arm ourselves with the mind of Christ.  Persecution is coming to those who hold to the God’s inspired Word (the Bible) as dogmatic truth.  The world has a gospel, it is just not the gospel of Jesus Christ found in the Bible.  In future posts, I would like to examine what the world’s gospel truly is.  Stay strong Christian.

It was a blessing to be able to speak at a youth conference in Grand Junction, CO, this past Friday.  There is nothing I enjoy more than preaching God’s Word to young ready hearts.  I often think that I could have been a youth pastor for the rest of my life and been totally satisfied ministering to young people.  While enjoying the opportunity to speak to the youth, I decided it was a good opportunity to cultivate the garden of the Johnson family and to spend some time recharging the batteries before the busy fall is upon us. So we went a few days early to Colorado and stayed a few days later in Colorado.  This was truly our first week long family vacation we had taken since our oldest son was born, and it was a blessing.  I am so thankful that while we were on vacation, God was not.  He was working in my heart and life challenging me concerning specific truths of Christian living.  In this article, I want to express some of those valuable lessons I learned while on a vacation.

First, I learned once again, that the discipleship of the children God has given me is the most important ministry I have.  It is easy as a pastor/minister to become so involved in study, preaching, visiting, and counseling to neglect my most important ministry responsibility.  God has blessed me with three disciples, and if I do not plan quality and quantity of time to shape their tender hearts to love God, I am not worthy to lead the church of God.

Second, I was reminded of the power and beauty of our great God in creating this world.  From the desert monoliths of the Colorado Monument; to the rolling, green pastures of the Western Slope of Colorado; to towering peaks of the San Juan Mountains, I was reminded that God is magnificent in all He does.  Eat your heart out Disney!  Do your best New York! I favor God’s hand over anything man sets his hand to work.  I was reminded while sitting beneath a 200 foot waterfall surrounded by majestic peaks and gently swaying Aspens, as the mist slowly moistened our faces, “The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead” (Rom. 1:20).  It occurred to me that if I am going to teach my children of the eternal power and divinity of God, I need to expose them to the creation by God.  As a conviction, my wife and I have determined to use the majority of our recreation time to introduce our children to the majesty of God’s creation, so that they will become acquainted with his eternal power and divinity.

Third, God reminded me of the refreshment available in worship of Him on His day, Sunday.  We had the privilege of attending Victory Baptist Church in Montrose, CO.  Sure enough in God’s Provident design, Pastor Jim Welch was preaching a sermon on the responsibilities of pastors to shepherd God’s flock.  As I listened to God’s under-shepherd unpack I Peter 5, I smiled thinking how God knew what day I, a pastor, would be vacationing in Colorado and planned the exact sermon to be directed at me on that day.  We had lunch with Pastor Welch and his wife, Paula (who is an excellent cook) getting to eat a fabulous dinner with elk meat.  It has been a while since I had elk, and it was delicious.  Oh, how refreshing to be able to be miles from home and still fellowship with the saints as brothers and sisters.

Fourth, God reminded me once again of the wonderful partner he has given me to enjoy all of my life with, my beautiful wife.  Being with her and the children 24/7 reminded me of what I miss every time I go to the office or am out late on a call or in a meeting.  God reminded me of her faithful ministry to our children and to me.  God taught me that I do not express my gratitude to my dear wife enough.  She truly is the glue that holds the Johnsons together.

I am thankful that even when “vacationing” God is still teaching and growing us.  He lovingly admonishes us to “seek first the kingdom of God.”  And “No good thing will he withhold from them who walk uprightly.”

If, as a Christian, I believe that God is supreme over nations and governments. . .

and if, as a Christian, I live in a nation that allows me freedom to express my belief in God. . .

Then I have a duty to be a patriot by proclaiming the sovereignty of God in America.

If I am to be a patriot for the glory of God . . .

And I believe that God is glorified through the gospel of Jesus Christ . . .

Then I have a duty to declare that gospel and live out its implications boldly and passionately.

I am pondering that the most patriotic thing that a Christian can do is not protest injustice, not run for political office, not campaign against evil-doers, not engage in political rhetoric (although these all might be good and wholesome, but I am speaking of the most patriotic duty), but rather the most patriotic duty is to speak the evangel to my neighbor, my post-man, my barista (I don’t have one but some of you do-I get my coffee from the gas station), my co-workers, etc.

The gospel of grace which promises to redeem sinners, justify the guilty, forgive the fallen, and make new the destitute will be the only thing that can stem the decline of the United States of America.  God make us good citizens by being passionately evangelistic Christians.

Happy Belated Birthday, USA.  And may God truly bless America only through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The Lord has used some people recently in my life to teach me about priorities.  I am not talking about priorities when it comes to human beings, but rather priorities as a minister of the Word of God, a preacher, if you will.  These are not new things, just things that I need to put in remembrance.

1.  My personal walk with God.
It is far too easy for a minister of the Word to become so focused on bringing fresh bread to the people of God’s pasture, that he ceases to feed his own soul with the Word.  Couple the eating with fervent prayer and we have a full meal.  Often I find myself thinking about what the church needs or what my duties are and how to accomplish those duties, meanwhile failing to spend much time in personal reflection and attention to my walk with God.

2.  My family.
This is cliché I know, but it is still true.  The pastor’s family is his walking résumé.  Most other professions do not require a family in submission to God’s teaching both in word and in conduct in order to continue at the job.  But the Bible clearly gives a requirement that the pastor’s family walk with God.  For this to happen I must be real as I live out what it means to be a Christian (notice that I did not say, “what it means to be a pastor”); and I must be really there (there is no substitute for the often presence of a father with his family).

3.  Exposition of Scripture.
My chief responsibility as a minister of God’s Word is to accurately know and proclaim the entirety of God’s Word within its context.  I must spend the bulk of ministry engagement in analytical study and prayer over texts of Scripture.  I must wrestle with original intent, grammatical wording, and logical relationships.  I must deepen my understanding of historical interpretations and original languages.  I must consult other men of God both living and dead who have wrestled with the same texts.  By the grace of God through the Holy Spirit, I must boldly proclaim the intent of a text and provide implications for how this ought to impact all who hear or read.

4.  Systematic teaching of Doctrine.
Along with exposition of Scripture, I must make it my delightful duty to study and prepare systematic teaching of the Word of God.  My job is not to change people, persuade sinners or saints, or to make clones of myself; but my job is to teach all who have ears to hear the manifold wisdom of God unfolded in a systematic, understandable fashion.  If I must part ways with those with whom I have been privileged to minister to, I must depart with the doctrines of God and grace firmly rooted in their hearts so that they might continue to teach others long after I am gone.

5.  Continued Discipleship of other men.
The things that I have learned of God, I must commit to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also.  This means that I must prioritize my time to teach the teachable, to study with those looking for answers, not those who imagine they have all the answers.  Jesus Christ taught multitudes, ordained 70, discipled 12, and devoted much time to only 3.  All were important to the ministry and to our Lord.  Instead of trying to build large congregations where crowds can get only a taste of Christianity, I must devote the bulk of my attention to those so satiated by the Word, that they will be able to feed others.

6.  Give further teaching to saints personally as needed.
Another way this has been expressed is with the word “counsel.”  Counseling is private teaching from the Word of God. Those who don’t desire to find the answers in the Word of God will not generally appreciate the type of counsel I can give.  I am not a therapist or counselor in the modern use of the word, but I can point people to Jesus Christ.  He has the answers to every problem, and he has given us the answer in His Word; ours is to obey.

7.  Facilitate proper worship of God and service to God.
A duty of mine as a minister of God’s Word is to help God’s people understand the true meaning and purpose of corporate worship and to facilitate such.  By facilitate, I mean both by example and principle, provide a God-honoring method and motive for pure worship in public reading, music, giving, serving, and prayers.  This mostly happens when we gather on Sunday to honor the Lord.  This, of course, implies that I would be confident in what God-honoring worship looks like from Scripture and be willing to model and gently urge toward that kind of worship.

8. Faithfully lead the church in spiritual direction.
This includes leading the church in administrative and policy decisions that enable us to more fully do the work of the ministry.  By example and teaching, God can use me to help the church make Biblical decisions that will set the direction for the church.  This is a far cry from a dictatorship, but rather through giving principles and then urging others how to practically follow those principles, God can use me to spiritually guide the course of the ship.

You might notice that some duties that ministers do are not included in my priorities.  I believe that we have confused what it means to be a pastor with a Christian at times.  I did not include my duties and priorities as a Christian in this list, but this does not mean that a pastor is exempt from them.  They are a given no matter what position I would hold in an assembly.  These would include (but not be limited to) evangelism, edification of others, service in the physical needs (the building, etc), visiting the sick, praying for one another, fellowshipping with saints, attendance to church services, Bible studies, discipleship, etc.

Consider this post as a work in progress, as this is my understanding with the Biblical knowledge I have at his time.  I have intentionally put these priorities in what I believe to be order of importance.  Although I did not quote Scripture, I believe that Scripture supports what I have written.  “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enable me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.” -I Timothy 1:12

I have been studying the use of the words “anger, wrath, hatred, fury, indignation” in the New Testament of the Holy Bible.  Although, there are several words used in the original languages (Greek) that correspond to these translations, there are three common Greek words and their derivatives. Orge-noun and orgidzo-verb which are translated wrath, anger, indignation, fury-but most commonly “wrath”; miseo/misos which is translated as hate, hatred, etc.; and thumos  which is translated passion, wrath, or anger (I only referenced the passages referring to “passion that stirs up anger”, not sensual passion).

Although these words are used at times interchangeably, they are not completely synonymous.  I won’t go into the details of the comprehensive word searching and studying of each passage, but I did want to draw a few applications  from my study.

Thirty one of the ninety-three instances (or thereabouts) refer specifically and uniquely to God’s wrath and anger in judgment.  Most if not all of those references refer to ultimate or final judgment upon unbelief. Fifty-one instances reference mankind and anger, wrath, or hatred.  I broke down these instances categorizing them as Command/Principle and Example/Illustration. Read the rest of this entry »

I am going off-grid for a while as we move into our new house.  I will be back in a few days with a few thoughts that have been rolling around in my little brain.

Yesterday, as I was studying the book of Romans for the series we just started at church, I was overcome with the wealth of counselors I have available.  I was sitting at my office, reading chapter 1 of Romans pondering some truth penned by the Apostle.  Knowing how good it is for believers to be able to discuss Spiritual things and especially to hear others’ points of view concerning particular texts, I invited R. Kent Hughes in for a visit.  As we began to look at the text together, John MacArthur stopped by to chime in. Then it was such a blessing to have William Newell rest himself on the desk and point out some things we had missed.  John Murray stopped by for a visit.  And the great Donald Barnhouse had a lot to say (as usual), once he starts going it is hard to get a word in edgewise!  John Phillips, Griffith Thomas, Bruce, Godet, and even John Calvin himself had a few things to say.  As I looked around at the multitude of counselors surrounding me, I thought, “Wow, I am so blessed to have devoted, Godly, mentors such as these men to help me understand the text of Scripture, what great insight they bring.”  And as good as all their words may be, the greatest voice of all penetrating the dark recesses of my mind was Spirit of Truth himself, always expounding the Word. I pray that I will have ears to hear the Words of the Spirit and the wisdom to digest the interpretations of my counselors.

BTW, Romans is amazing once again!  It never gets old.

“But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas and destroy Jesus.”–Matthew 27:20

As I was reading the account of Christ’s passion this morning, I was burdened by this phrase.  What a contrast in persons! Barabbas had stolen from their tables, he was a thief.  Jesus had fed them with bread and fish, he was a giver.  Barabbas had mutilated.  Jesus had healed.  Barabbas had murdered.  Jesus had raised the dead.  Barabbas loved his own flesh and hated others.  Jesus had hated his own flesh and loved others.  Yet they spared Barabbas and destroyed Jesus.  We cannot miss the importance of this verse in all of the passion account.  This is the crux of the Gospel.  To doom oneself to hell, we must reject Jesus and embrace sin (Barabbas), but to have eternal life, we must reject sin and embrace Jesus.

What would drive the people to such a ridiculous choice?  Two verses prior gives the answer clearly.  “For envy they had delivered him.”   Jesus was a lot of things, but he was not what the people wanted him to be.  They wanted a political savior, a social hero.  They wanted a miraculous king.  They wanted a submissive puppet.  They did not want a bleeding sacrifice.

Fellow-Christians, Paul says that we can be partaker of his sufferings.  A part of those sufferings are rejection because of envy.  Some will reject you simply because you are not what they think you should be.  Some will reject you because they seek Barabbas but destroy Jesus.  Notice also, that it is the multitudes persuaded by the elders.  People are fickle. They will follow that which is most popular.  The elders knew that and knew that if the multitude was not behind them, they would get no where with their diabolical scheme.  So they bent the will of the multitude to destroy Jesus.

Burdened saint, don’t be discouraged if the “multitudes” are against you.  They were against Jesus Christ.  In a few short days, multitudes in Jerusalem would realize what had been done and 8000+ would repent and believe on the Lord Jesus.  The rejection of Christ by the multitude takes place only weeks before the greatest advance of the church in all of New Testament history.

Forward, Saints! press on!  In due season you will reap if you faint not!

Ever wonder why churches, which are comprised with a majority of Christians, have seemingly insurmountable problems and constant battles with flesh and world?  I was reading a book by F.B. Meyer, Changed by the Master’s Touch, and was challenged with something that I have known before, but was refreshed in today.  Meyer is pretty good with words, so I will just quote what he writes.

“My Church!” From eternity Christ loved her. By His blood He redeemed her.  Through His Spirit and by His Word, He is cleansing her.  One day He will preset to Himself ‘a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing’ (Ephesians 5:27).  The Holy Spirit is completing the Church in these last days and preparing her to be forever with the Lord.

The Church is the special object of hatred to the dark underworld of fallen spirits, which our Lord refers to as ‘the gates of hell.’   Jesus clearly anticipated the long and weary opposition that would be directed against His Church.  The Church can only overcome ‘by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony’ (Revelation 12:11). “

This is very well put.  If a church does not struggle individually and corporately with sin and worldliness, then there is something to be feared.  I am afraid of the day when Satan and his demons no longer hate the church and trouble her.

“Forgiveness is not leaving a dragon  with something to live down but offering to live through the situation together.”
-Marshall Shelley   (note- dragon is a difficult person in the context)

True forgiveness is a difficult discipline in the life of a Christian, but it is important to remember that true saints will forgive.  A mark of a false-Christian is an unwillingness to let go of other’s wrongs for the sake of Christ.  Forgiveness was the mindset of Jesus Christ as he willfully committed the wrongs against His own self on the cross by uttering those now famous words, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  Did they know what they were doing when they crucified the Christ?  In one sense, yes, they knew they were hanging an innocent man-one who was not common criminal.  Yes, they knew that Jesus claimed to be Messiah, the inscription above his head was written in Latin, Greek, and Aramaic.  Did they know that he claimed to be the Son of God? Certainly, which is why the Jews Crucified and the Roman’s mocked.  So what did they not know?  They did not know that they were doing the work of Satan.  They did not know that they were instruments of the Great Deceiver who was bruising the heal of the seed of the woman (Gen. 3).  They knew they were wrong, but they thought they were wrong for the right reasons.

We must not forget that when people wrong us sinfully, they usually do not realize they are doing the work of Satan; just as we don’t understand we are deceived by the Wicked One when we sin against our brother.  We must forgive them, for they know not what they do.

I am a little “rambly” today, but I trust my dear reader(s) will get the point.  Praise God we are forgiven, now let us forgive others.