Gleanings From The Word

Category: The church

  • Programs Guaranteed to Grow Your Church?

    Programs Guaranteed to Grow Your Church?

    wooden toolboxes

    The church is full of program junkies. We seem to have a fascination for the “latest and greatest” from our best-selling Christian leaders or speakers. It comes from our heartfelt desire to see people come to Christ and the church grow. That’s a healthy desire.

    Oftentimes, there is solid meat in the product or program, but we tend to throw out the good things we have going for us and jump on the latest bandwagon without a second thought.

    I’m not going to name them, because some of them really work in certain situations. Yet, if you have been a believer for any length of time, you could probably name several of these fad programs without thinking too hard about it.

    The problem comes when we adopt these tools as “the” solution for the church’s problems. Then they become idols instead of tools. 

    Do not be afraid to try a new program or product, but weigh it out against what God is calling you to do and be. We are not called to be identical. Perhaps, it did work well at ”my old church”, but that isn’t a guarantee it will work at your new church.

    Just because First National Reformed Bapticostal down the road is running “How to Grow Your Church in Ten Easy Steps With No Effort” does not mean you have to do so. It may or may not work for First National Reformed Bapticostal Non-denominational Free Church., but remember that you are not First National Reformed Bapticostal, a non-denominational free church.

    The fact that your favorite televangelist is saying that his new book, “Jesus … Know Him As Only I Do,” is a “must read” does not mean your Christian walk will be incomplete without it.

    There is nothing wrong with new things or new methods. We need to always be checking that we are relevant (without ever compromising the truth) and be willing to adapt. Use them (or any other program or tool) as they fit, but do not confuse them with what the old snake oil salesmen cry, “Good for what ails you, and if nothing ails you, it is good for that too.”

    It is simplistic in a way, but the key to success does not rest in methodology. It rests in being obedient to God’s call for you and the congregation you are affiliated with. Churches grow and reach people by loving them, accepting them (but not compromising on their sin), and pointing them to Jesus Christ as the answer to their problems.

    Please understand, I’m not against programs or books. They can be great, they just aren’t the perfect solution for your church

    The Bible does not lay out a formal program, but it does lay out some principles.

    Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 24

    Maybe, just maybe if we did those two things well, we could fulfill our mandate as a church.

    Perhaps King Solomon was on to something when he said

    The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.  Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.  Ecclesiastes 12:11-14

    Use the tools that God makes available, but with wisdom and discretion. Try the Jesus plan first and foremost “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment and love your neighbor as yourself.”

    Until next time, may your life be filled with the love of Christ.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Every Member Is Necessary — 1 Corinthians 12

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  • What about the “new gospel”?

    What about the “new gospel”?

    manuscript fragment with the text "the Gospel of Thomas" superimposed

    My social media has been abuzz with a “newly found” gospel and claims that will revolutionize the church. It’s not the first time these things have gone around in circles. 

    What is this new gospel? It’s the gospel of Judas. Will it truly revolutionize the church? Let’s examine that claim.

    Despite the claims of some, this “gospel” is not news to the church. One of the early church fathers, Irenaeus, spoke of it around 180 AD. So, what did he have to say about it?

    “They declare that Judas the traitor was thoroughly acquainted with these things, and that he alone, knowing the truth as no others did, accomplished the mystery of the betrayal; by him all things, both earthly and heavenly, were thus thrown into confusion. They produce a fictitious history of this kind, which they style the Gospel of Judas.”

    This so-called gospel was already known to be fictitious 1800 years ago. It was the work of one of the groups of heretics known collectively as “Gnostics” from the Greek gnosis or to know. 

    Gnosticism was an early religious movement that taught salvation comes through secret, hidden knowledge (gnosis) rather than faith or grace. Gnostics believed the material world was not created by the true, highest God, but by a lesser, flawed divine being called the Demiurge — often identified with the God of the Old Testament. Human souls were seen as divine sparks of light trapped in corrupt physical bodies, longing to return to the true spiritual realm above. Salvation, in this view, meant awakening to one’s divine inner nature and escaping the material world entirely.

    The early Church firmly rejected Gnosticism because it contradicts core biblical truth — that God created the physical world and called it “very good” (Genesis 1:31), that Jesus came in real flesh (1 John 4:2), and that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone, not hidden knowledge (Ephesians 2:8-9).

    This pseudo-gospel was written by someone holding a faith that, from its inception, held differing beliefs from those of Christians. It is not Scripture, any more than many of the other false gospels that pop up periodically, such as the Gospel of Thomas, The Secret Book of James, The Gospel of Mary and many others. It was written by a false prophet.

    There is nothing “new” about these gospels. From the earliest days of the church, they have been recognized as non-Christian, heretical works at best, total fiction at the worst.

    The church will not be shaken to its core by this revelation. No doubt there will be some scholars who jump on the bandwagon and embrace it, but many of the same scholars already deny the authority of Scripture, many of Jesus’ teachings, and even the resurrection. They are Christian in name only.

    We need never worry about these attempts to “change” or discredit the faith. They are nothing new. Scripture warned us that these things would happen.


     And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.     Matthew 24:11-14


    For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds    . 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 


     But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.     2 Peter 2:1-2

    God is not surprised by the “sudden revelation” of this “newly discovered” book. His Word is not suddenly void because of the uncovering of an old heretical document. He remains God. He remains in control of all things. His Word is still the measure of truth. 

    If the gospel of Judas does not match up with the inspired Word of God, then it is the gospel of Judas that is wrong.

    The Word is truth and that will bring attacks to try and discredit it, but God remains sovereign.

    Until next time, rejoice that we have God’s inspired Word available to measure the counterfeit against.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

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    Gospel of Barabbas

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