Weak Leaders

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Weak Leaders
Rev. Tony Cooke

There’s a lot to be said for strength.  Given the choice, I think most everyone would say they prefer strength over weakness.  Everyone wants their health to be strong, their financial portfolio to be strong, their marriage and family to be strong, their church to be strong, etc.

There are also many great Scriptures about being strong.  Joshua was commanded six times to “Be strong and of good courage.”  Paul admonished the Ephesians to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Eph. 6:10) and he charged his young protégé, Timothy, to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:1).

Avoiding the Counterfeit

There is also a counterfeit strength that can masquerade as the authentic.  Only genuine strength—that which is rooted in the grace of God—will stand the test of time.  Counterfeit expressions of strength include arrogance, bravado, projecting an air of self-importance or an attitude of superiority, posturing, haughtiness, and intimidation.  These may produce certain results for a season, but they will ultimately crumble and fail.

Paul was speaking of counterfeit strength when he facetiously said that he was “too weak” to engage in a type of leadership that he deemed to be abusive and manipulative of people.  He was expressing concern over the gullibility of the Corinthians when he said, “For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face.  To our shame I say that we were too weak for that!” (2 Cor. 11:20-21).

Believers, and especially leaders, often sense pressure to present themselves exclusively in a positive light—to project the image that “I’ve got it all together and I’m large and in charge.”  Such facades are often superficial veneers for deep-rooted insecurity.  To honestly acknowledge one’s weakness or inability can seem to be a violation of making and maintaining a “good confession.”

Finding the Genuine

So how do we find the genuine strength that God wants us to experience?  It begins with acknowledging our own limitations.  Only then will we be able to identify and possess true strength.  Paul was a strong leader, but he was profoundly aware of his weaknesses.  Consider Paul’s statements that reflect his transparency and his high level of self-awareness:

  • “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.” (1 Cor. 2:3)
  • “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:10)
  • “For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.” (2 Cor. 13:4)
  • “…to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak.” (1 Cor. 9:22)
  • “Who is weak, and I am not weak?” (2 Cor. 11:29)
  • “for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.” 2 Cor. 12:11

While these Scriptures need to be qualified and read in context, there’s no doubt that Paul was not full of himself or flippantly self-assured.  He put no confidence in the flesh (Phil 3:3).  He also said, “…we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead” (2 Cor. 1:9). 

Paul was not consumed with his accomplishments or the fact that he had started a certain number of churches or that he had cutting-edge revelation from God.  Rather, he was humbled by an assignment that he knew he could never accomplish on his own and he realized that he was utterly and completely dependent on God’s ability.

Perhaps the comments of Luther and Wigglesworth shed appropriate light here:

Martin Luther said, “God creates out of nothing. Therefore, until a man is nothing, God can make nothing out of him.”

Smith Wigglesworth shared this: “I believe that God wants to put His hand upon us so that we may reach ideal definitions of humility, of human helplessness, of human insufficiency, until we will rest no more upon human plans, but have God’s thoughts, God’s voice, and the Holy Spirit to speak to us.”

Jesus said, “I can of Myself do nothing” (John 5:30).  The Amplified version of that verse reads: “I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord — but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders].”  If anyone could have ever rightly trusted in Himself or have felt self-sufficient, it was Jesus, and yet He utterly and entirely relied upon God.  He did not carry Himself in a haughty manner to impress others.  Rather, He was “gentle and lowly of heart” (Matt. 11:29). 

Not only did Jesus exemplify absolute reliance upon God, but He let us know that we needed the same sense of dependence.  He said in John 15:5, “…for without Me you can do nothing.”

So if You Feel a Little Weak…

To me, this is one of the most liberating truths we can embrace!  We don’t have to prove to anyone how wonderful we are, how perfect we are, or how spiritual we are.  This is no invitation to sloppy living or an excuse for not growing, but it enables us to know that God accepts us unconditionally and chose us in spite of our imperfect-ness.

If you feel weak, that’s OK, because:

  • “God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.” (2 Cor. 1:27)
  • “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.” (Isaiah 40:29)
  • “My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9, Message)
  • Of the Old Testament heroes of faith, we read, “…from being weaklings they became strong men and mighty warriors.” (Hebrews 11:34, Phillips)

It takes a very secure person to acknowledge his weakness and to rely totally in God’s strength.  It’s the kind of child-like faith expressed in the words of the song so many learned at a very young age: “Little ones to Him belong; they are weak, but He is strong.”  We’ve got to become comfortable with our inadequacy and His adequacy.

Some of these things may sound very paradoxical, and that’s exactly what they are.  Consider what Richard P. Hansenis said: “Paradox is the wild territory within which most ministers live and work. We see unseen things. We conquer by yielding. We find rest under a yoke. We reign by serving. We are made great by becoming small. We are exalted when we are humble. We become wise by being fools for Christ’s sake. We are made free by becoming bondservants. We gain strength when we are weak. We triumph through defeat. We find victory by glorying in our infirmities. We live by dying.”

I pray that you will be comfortable in your weakness and confident in His strength!

Treasure that is New – Treasure that is Old

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Treasure that is New – Treasure that is Old
Tony Cooke

I was in a church recently, and during the worship service the congregation sang some of the newer worship choruses. Then, there was a seamless transition into one of the beautiful old hymns of the church. It was a powerful and moving time of worship, and I appreciated the richness of both the new and the old—both were Christ-exalting, and His Presence was readily sensed in both.

While flying to the meeting the day before, I’d spent a couple of hours studying a verse in Matthew 13:52, where Jesus said, “…every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

The Wuest and the Amplified versions bring out some great shades of meaning in this verse:

· “…he dispenses with hearty enjoyment out of his treasure-house, things new as to quality and also things mellowed with age by reason of use.”

· “…a householder who brings forth out of his storehouse treasure that is new and [treasure that is] old [the fresh as well as the familiar].”

Jesus was commending those who were able to bridge the gap between their intense training in the traditions of the Old Testament with the freshness of New Testament discipleship. Jesus definitely “rocked their world” with His approach, and those scribes who were not open to a new perspective would have resented the reactions people had to Him. Matthew 7:28-29 says, “…the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

People, by nature, often tend to be “either-or” oriented. Many are inclined to embrace the old and reject the new, or to appreciate the new and discard the old. It can be a challenge to recognize value in both the old and the new, to see them as complementary, not as contradictory, and then to integrate them skillfully. I love that phraseology in the Amplified, “treasure that is new and treasure that is old, the fresh as well as the familiar.” If we really take to heart what Jesus said, it will make us more of a “both-and” type of person.

Someone wisely said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” One of the traits of successful people is that they are life-long learners. Wise, seasoned, and mature people are grounded in essential truths, but they are also open-minded and eager to learn—they don’t become complacent in thinking they know it all. What are some areas where we need to embrace the new and the old?

1. Theologically

I am not saying that we need to embrace some supposed new revelation which is contrary to Scripture, or for which there is no scriptural support. But as Jesus indicated, there is treasure in both the Old and the New Testaments. I once heard someone dismiss a statement from Proverbs by saying, “That’s not really important today because that’s Old Testament.” The passage under discussion, though, was not some part of the Law that was superseded at Calvary; it reflected the eternal wisdom of God. It was a timeless truth that transcended all covenants.

Paul acknowledged the enduring value of the Old Testament when he said, “…whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4) and, “…all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Cor. 10:11). There is treasure in the old as well as in the new!  It’s not either-or, it’s both-and!

2. Methodologically

We’ve seen an explosion of technology and new methods in recent years, both in secular society and in churches. Some can lose their bearings with the advent of new things. Geoffrey Chaucer (1342-1400), considered the greatest English poet before Shakespeare, said: “By nature, men love newfangledness.” This fascination with the “new” was seen clearly in Athens (Acts 17:21) where “…all the Athenians… spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.”

Those who lean toward defending tradition can rightly cite the significance of holding on to core values, maintaining timeless principles, and not jumping on every new fad that comes along. They can stand on such Scriptures as Proverbs 22:28, which says, “Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set,” and Proverbs 24:21 which states, “My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those given to change.” However, those who favor progress can quote Psalms 55:19: “Because they do not change, therefore they do not fear God.” 

As important as fundamental and unchanging truths are, there are times to change strategies and methodologies. In the 1800’s, the British army faced, for the first time, a crude but effective version of the machine gun. At that time, British soldiers fought in brightly colored uniforms and stood in long, straight lines. In their initial confrontation with the machine gun, 500 British soldiers were killed or seriously injured in minutes. What was the response of the commanding British officer? “Send me 500 more men!”[i]  This reminds me a bit of what Albert Einstein said: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

If we don’t embrace new strategies, approaches, methods, and expressions when they are appropriate, we may find ourselves stuck in the past and diminishing in effectiveness.  One individual said, “Little men with little minds and little imaginations go through life in little ruts, smugly resisting all changes which would jar their little worlds.” Again, we need see treasure that is new and treasure that is old. It’s not either-or, it’s both-and!

3. Relationally

I remember the words to a short, little song I learned when I was young: “Make new friends, but keep the old.  One is silver and the other’s gold.”

Relationally, we need to work hard to maintain old relationships and to build new ones as well. There is great value in both! I’m not saying that we should look at relationships merely in a utilitarian way (i.e., what we can get out of them), but the truth is that God uses our friendships and associations to impart important things into our lives and to elevate us to new levels.

Isaac Newton said, “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Whose shoulders are you standing on that are enabling you to see further? Of course, we can think of many great patriarchs and spiritual fathers who have inspired us (and we should honor and draw all we can from them), but what about also learning from younger people?

I remember hearing about the CEO of a large corporation who made it mandatory for all of his senior level executives to spend a certain amount of time each week with some of the young men in the company—not for the older men to mentor the younger men, but for the younger men to teach the older men about all the new technology that was transforming society and the corporate world.

May God give us the wisdom to find new treasures as well as old—the fresh and the familiar—when it comes to our lives and ministry. Remember, it’s not either-or, it’s both-and.

 

[i] This story is from “Strategies for Fast Changing Times,” by Nate Booth (Prima Publishing, 1997)

Trophimus and Our Need for Resilient Faith

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Trophimus and Our Need for Resilient Faith
Tony Cooke

trophimusIf you ask most Christians about the identity of Trophimus, you will probably get a blank stare or a shrug of the shoulders. Some, though, will remember him as Paul’s valued team member who was unable to continue journeying due to illness. We don’t know whether he died from his sickness, or if he recovered shortly after Paul’s departure. All we know is what Paul said in one passing reference.

“Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick” (2 Timothy 4:20).

Opponents of divine healing have been quick to point to this example (along with Job’s boils and Timothy’s stomach problems) to bolster their arguments against God’s willingness and desire to heal. There are five things I notice about this passage:

  1. Paul did not offer the slightest hint as to why Trophimus had gotten sick or had remained in a physically impaired condition.
  2. Paul ascribed no fault or blame upon Trophimus. Such as:
    1.   “He must not have had enough faith.”
    2.   “There must have been sin in his life.”
    3.   “He must have missed it somewhere.”
  3. Paul felt no need to defend the doctrine of healing or his own ministry. He didn’t express the idea that he had “failed” to get Trophimus healed.
  4. Paul did not try to make this into a theological or philosophical issue at all.
  5. Paul simply stated the fact of Trophimus’ illness as it existed at that moment.

I am addressing this topic because many believers have faced great anguish when someone they love has not recovered or even died in spite of much prayer. Some surviving loved ones have even been victims of judgmental attitudes and condescending remarks by rigid and insensitive believers.

Regardless of one’s theology about the role of faith in healing, I think that all believers will agree with Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 13:13, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Notice that Paul placed love, not faith, at the top of the list. If there are times when we don’t understand why something did not occur according to one’s faith, the least we can do is to make sure that we are walking in love toward those that are hurting, and release compassion, care, and concern—not speculative judgement—toward them.

A friend of mine, Pastor Larry Millis, once remarked, “The faith message is a very easy message to teach, but a very difficult message to pastor.” I think most pastors would agree with Larry. A traveling minister or a TV minister can present certain “ultimate” truths (absolute best-case scenarios), but they don’t have to live with the results of their teaching, or lack of results, as the case may be. They move on to the next town (or drive home from the studio), but pastors have to live and work with people through residual problems on a day-to-day basis. It’s easy to rejoice with folks when they experience the wonderful results of faith and answered prayer, but it is far more challenging to answer the tough questions when best-case scenarios do not occur, especially when we simply don’t know “why” or have satisfying answers.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m all for seeing the power of God intervening in every area of our lives, and I know first-hand that God is a healing God. But we’ve all seen situations where we simply had to “trust in the Lord with all of our heart and lean not to our own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

One situation that seems a bit mind-boggling pertains to John the Baptist. John, as you know, was the forerunner of Jesus, the one that Jesus said was “more than a prophet” (Matthew 11:9). Having been imprisoned, John heard of all the miracles and healings that Jesus was doing. It makes me wonder if John was a bit bewildered, thinking something like, “It’s wonderful that all of these other people are getting set free, but I’m still in prison. It’s great that everyone else is getting their miracle, but I haven’t received mine.” 

Could those or similar types of thoughts have contributed to John’s decision to send representatives to Jesus with the question (Luke 7:19), “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” I realize I’m speculating a bit here, but was John’s faith shaken when he saw everyone else seemingly getting their prayers answered while he remained in bondage?

Jesus’ response (Luke 7:21-23) is most interesting. “And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.’”

This makes me wonder if Jesus was saying, in essence, “John, don’t be offended because many others are getting blessed while you’re still in prison.” Just like Paul offered no explanation as to why Trophimus remained sick in Miletus, the Gospels offer no reason as to why so many were receiving miracles while John the Baptist remained in prison and was ultimately beheaded by an evil king.

If Zacharias and Elizabeth (the parents of John the Baptist) were still living, can you imagine how tempted they might have been to be offended themselves? Would Elizabeth have been inclined to think, “Jesus, how could you not set my son free after he introduced you and publicly promoted you? We are relatives of yours, and you didn’t even go visit John in prison!” Holding to a certain doctrine or theology is one thing, but when something so personal as the death of a loved one happens, a person’s trust can be greatly challenged.

What about Salome, the mother of James? Two stark verses (Acts 12:1-2) describe his death: “Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.” Nothing flowery about that remark; just a plain statement of fact. Most Christians never give much thought to those two verses, but we celebrate the next seventeen verses (Acts 12:3-19) which gloriously describe the deliverance of Peter from Herod in vivid detail.

Did you ever stop to ask yourself the question: “Why did Peter get delivered right after James was put to death? Why did one person get a miracle and the other did not?” Of course, there are thoughts we could present about the plan of God for Peter’s life, etc., but regardless of how theologically correct those answers might be, I doubt they would have done much to comfort the pain and agony that Zebedee and Salome would have experienced when their son was murdered.

If James’ parents were still alive at that time, I can only hope that the church (who rightly celebrated Peter’s deliverance) was as effective at “weeping with those who weep” as they were in “rejoicing with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15). I certainly hope no one came up to them and suggested that James (or that his parents) simply didn’t have enough faith.

The Bible simply does not explain why Paul left Trophimus sick in Miletus, why John the Baptist died in prison after hearing of the miracles received by others, or why Peter was miraculously rescued from prison but James was not. As much as people sometimes don’t like to hear it, there are still “secret things” that belong to the Lord our God (Deuteronomy 29:29).

There are instances in Scripture that clearly show us where the faith of certain individuals was an integral part of desired results being realized in the here-and-now:

  1. The woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:34)
  2. The centurion (Matthew 8:13)
  3. The lame man in Lystra (Acts 14:9-10).

But there are also examples given in Scripture where faith seems to be more of atranscendent faith, an over-arching faith in God Himself that stood strong in spite of specific results that were not realized or experienced.  Habakkuk, the prophet of the Old Testament, described an unconditional faith in God; a faith that transcended specific results (or lack of results) and yet still looked confidently and expectantly toward the future.

Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.

May I propose a paraphrase to the prophet’s words? “When everything that could possibly go wrong does, and anything that could possibly go right doesn’t, I’m still going to keep my faith in God Himself. Trusting God, for me, is not restricted to certain results nor deterred by any lack of results. My faith transcends any and all circumstances and rests only in Him. I will continue to rejoice in Him, and am confident that He will still make me victorious in the long-run.”

Does any of this mean we should not pray for specific results? Absolutely not! We should never forget that Jesus said (Mark 11:24), “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” We need to feed on these types of promises and keep our confidence strongly built up. We should expect great things from God!

But we must also have resiliency in trusting God.  Many of God’s choice servants (such as Trophimus, John the Baptist, and James, along with their loved ones) faced opportunities for discouragement, disappointment, and even disillusionment.  You and I may not know why certain things turn out the way they do, but we know that God doesn’t want us condemning others or condemning ourselves.  The greatest of these is still love!  We rejoice when outcomes are what we want, but if our desired outcome is not what we experience in a given situation, it does nothing to change the fact that He loves us with an everlasting love, that He is still good, faithful, and worthy of our trust, our devotion, our worship, and our praise.

Application: The Key to Transformational Communication

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Application: The Key to Transformational Communication
by Tony Cooke

tony cooke communicationAt one time, there were two great orators in ancient Greece: Cicero and Demosthenes. It is said that when Cicero finished a speech, people would say, “He speaks so well.” However, when Demosthenes had concluded an oration, the people would say, “Let us march!”

One of these men spoke beautifully and listeners were impressed with his oratorical skills. The other moved men to take action.

When we deliver biblical truths, are we simply sharing content (information), or are we helping people take action, enabling them to make wise application of the communicated truths? When we listen to or read Scripture, are we merely gathering facts, or are we looking for wisdom and direction on how to act?

Perhaps this distinction is why Booker T. Washington said, “An ounce of application is worth a ton of abstraction.” Winston Churchill expressed the significance of application when he said, "It is always more easy to discover and proclaim general principles than it is to apply them." More recently, it has been noted that the most important part of “doctrine” are the first two letters: “do.”

In his outstanding book (The Seven Laws of the Learner), Bruce Wilkinson devotes an entire chapter to “The Law of Application.” In it, he states: “…a biblical mindset for the Christian teacher is to teach not merely the content but the application of that content. Content relates to fact, information, and material. Application relates to wisdom, transformation, and maturity. Content is the ‘what’ and application is the ‘so what.’ Content is typically what is discussed during class and application is primarily what is done as a result of class. Content centers around ‘knowing’ and application around ‘being’ and ‘doing.’”

If we are to excel as biblical communicators, we need to be mindful of how people might be inclined to apply what we say. We can’t simply adopt the attitude, “My only responsibility is to deliver the information; then it’s up to the audience to decide how to apply it.” Great communicators speak with a view toward application.

For example, the first three chapters of Ephesians is predominantly all content, theological information, or “positional truth” as some have called it. In Ephesians 1-3 we find such truths as:

• We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places.
• He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.
• He made us accepted in the Beloved.
• In Him, we have redemption through His blood.
• In Him, we have obtained an inheritance.
• We have been made to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
• We were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, etc.

But Paul doesn’t stop there. In the next three chapters (Ephesians 4-6), we find out how we are to live in the light of the truths he just presented. Believers are to:

• Walk worthy of their calling.
• Maintain unity amongst themselves.
• Quit lying.
• Quit stealing.
• Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.
• Walk in love.
• Not let fornication, uncleanness, or covetous be named among them.
• Be properly related to one another (husband-wife, parent-child, employer-employee), etc.

In his introduction to the book of Ephesians in the Message Bible, Eugene Peterson eloquently writes, “What we know about God and what we do for God have a way of being broken apart in our lives. The moment the organic unity of belief and behavior is damaged in any way, we are incapable of living out the full humanity for which we were created. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians joins together what has been torn apart in our sin-wrecked world. He begins with an exuberant exploration of what Christians believe about God, and then, like a surgeon skillfully setting a compound fracture, ‘sets’ this belief in God into our behavior before God so that the bones – belief and behavior – knit together and heal.”

Responsible biblical ministry not only communicates the spiritual truths of who we are and what we have in Christ, but also provides guidance and direction as to healthy and appropriate application of those truths. It would be wrong to tell people, “If you quit lying and stealing, God will love you.” But it’s not wrong to tell people, “Because God has accepted you through His mercy and His unconditional love, there are ways to appropriately express your relationship with Him, and these include not lying, not stealing, not fornicating, etc.” That’s what Paul did. He covered both sides of the issue: content and application (or as Peterson described it, belief and behavior).

On occasion, Paul recognized that the information (content) he shared was being misapplied. Paul did not take the attitude, “Oh well, I put the truth out there. If people are misapplying it, that’s their problem.” No, Paul went to great lengths to make sure that people not only understood the content, but that they were applying it correctly.

Three specific examples come to mind:

  1. Paul had communicated with believers in Thessalonica about the return of Jesus. Some of those disciples not only believed Paul’s statements, but, because they thought Jesus’ coming would be immediate, actually quit their jobs and became busy-bodies. In a follow-up letter, Paul maintained the belief that Jesus would return, but promoted appropriate behavior (application) relative to that belief. He told them that if people were unwilling to work, they should not eat, and commanded them to “work in quietness and eat their own bread” (2 Thessalonians 3:10, 12).
  2. Paul had addressed the Corinthians about avoiding immoral associations, but some of the people apparently were taking his statements too far and were completely disassociating from all of society. In 1 Corinthians 5:10-11, he clarified what he meant and what he did not mean: “Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner – not to even eat with such a person.”
  3. Paul taught extensively that salvation is a gift based on God’s grace, and that God’s acceptance is not based on our works or our perfection. He taught that no matter how great our sin is, that God’s grace is greater. Some individuals twisted Paul’s teaching to mean that how they lived was of no consequence, and that we can even increase God’s grace in our lives by sinning more! Paul was aghast and angry that people would make such a perverted application of his teaching, and he set the record straight.In Romans 3:8 (NLT), he said, “And some people even slander us by claiming that we say,‘The more we sin, the better it is!’ Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.” In Romans 6:1-2, he picks up the same line of clarification and defense when he says: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”

These examples all illustrate that it wasn’t just content that was important to Paul; how people applied truth was equally crucial. When we read Scripture or listen to messages, we need to be diligent to seek healthy and appropriate application of what we hear. In other words, we need to ask what we should do with this information that would be right and pleasing to God.

When we speak, we need to be diligent to not just give people information, but give examples and illustrations of what the principles will look like when they are properly acted upon. Remember, it’s the doer, not the hearer, who will be blessed (James 1:25).

 

Reflections from Paul’s Journey Tour in 2006

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Reflections from the Tour (Paul’s Journeys – March 1-10, 2006)
By Tony Cooke

As we toured the sites connected with the ministries of Paul and John, I was deeply impressed with the toughness and tenacity of the early followers of the Lord Jesus. The Church was born and grew in an atmosphere of extreme hostility. Whether it was persecution from angry Jews, attacks from irate idolaters (such as the followers of Artemis in Ephesus), or vicious assaults from Roman Emperors (such as Nero and Domitian), the Church was a force that would not and could not be stopped.

I continue to marvel at Paul’s obedience and determination. Consider this small cross-section of his itinerary:

  • He went to Philippi in response to a vision from the Lord (Acts 16:9). People got saved, but he was beaten, imprisoned, and escorted out of town. He later referred to having been “shamefully treated at Philippi” (1 Thess. 2:2).
  • He then went to Thessalonica, where he also had positive results, but was run out of town by a violent mob. He said that they had “received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess. 1:6).
  • From there, he went to Berea where he again had positive results, but the Jews from Thessalonica traveled over 50 miles to attack him in Berea.
  • He went to Athens where he beheld gross idolatry. He shared the Gospel with the intellectual aristocracy of Athens, and had some converts, but was primarily met with indifference.

Paul then went to Corinth (Acts 18), began working secularly, and preaching the gospel on the Sabbaths. He had left Silas and Timothy up in Macedonia, and it appears his ministry in Corinth was somewhat limited until they showed up. He was having a degree of impact while preaching by himself, but something happened that kicked his ministry into high gear when his “team” showed up!

Acts 18:4-5 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.

Wuest renders verse 5 this way: Then, when both Silas and Timothy had come down from Macedonia, Paul was wholly occupied with and absorbed in the Word, solemnly affirming to the Jews that the Christ [the Messiah] is Jesus.

The Greek here literally says, “Paul held himself to the Word.” What a phenomenal mandate for the Church and for ministers today! We must be compelled by the Spirit, wholly occupied with and absorbed in the Word, and hold ourselves to the Word!

When his ministry intensified, persecution intensified also. The next verse says: 6But when they opposed him and blasphemed… When Paul was just sharing on the Sabbaths, he never evoked that kind of reaction. It wasn’t until his ministry of the Word intensified that he hit such a sensitive nerve.

The coming of Silas and Timothy somehow raised the level of Paul’s ministry in Corinth. I believe three things in particular elevated Paul’s effectiveness:

  • Silas and Timothy brought Paul a great report of how well the Thessalonican believers were doing. Paul had had great concern about them, and he was tremendously encouraged to hear of their abounding faith (1 Thess. 3:6-7).
  • Silas and Timothy also brought Paul an offering from the Philippian church. This freed Paul up so he was able to do more than simply preach on the Sabbaths. That’s not to say a minister should never work secularly if necessary – Paul did so when he needed to.
  • The very presence of Silas and Timothy was a great encouragement to Paul personally. Paul always preferred ministering with his “team” surrounding and supporting him.

Later, Paul wrote the Corinthians and described what ministry and serving the Lord had brought him (1 Cor. 4:11-13, NLT): 11 Even now we go hungry and thirsty, and we don’t have enough clothes to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home. 12 We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us. 13 We appeal gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world’s garbage, like everybody’s trash—right up to the present moment.

Ministry for Paul certainly wasn’t an ego-booster or a means to comfort and pleasant circumstances, and yet he had grown in grace to such an extent that when he referred to chains and tribulations that were awaiting him, he could confidently say, “None of these things move me” (Acts 20:24). Later yet in his ministry, he told King Agrippa, “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19).

What a challenge! May each of us have such a clear and compelling vision of God’s purpose for our lives… may we be unmovable and unshakable in obediently carrying out our assignment in the earth.

Trade-Offs, Pay-Offs, and Rip-Offs

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Trade-Offs, Pay-Offs, and Rip-Offs
Tony Cooke

Tony Cooke articleLife is full of trades. When you were a kid in the school lunchroom, you may have traded your peanut butter sandwich for someone else’s bologna and cheese. Maybe you traded your Willie Mays baseball card for someone else’s Hank Aaron card.

When a person goes to work, he trades his time and energy for a paycheck. Then he trades some of that paycheck for housing costs, food expenses, etc. When a person makes a trade-off, it’s because he anticipates a pay-off. He expects something of value in return. We engage in a trade-offs because we see something else as being necessary to our well-being and as greater value than what we currently have. We want a good pay-off, not a bad rip-off.

When a people bring their tithes and offerings to church, they’re making a trade-off for a pay-off. I’m not saying they’re only “giving to get,” but they believe the work of the church is worth their support… they believe in the mission of the church, and they also expect God to bless their giving.

Around the age of ten, I was on a vacation with my family and we stopped at a Stuckey’s… one of those roadside stores. They had a vending machine there, and inside that machine was a beautiful pocket knife. It looked so good, and I talked my parents into giving me the money to get one. I put the coins in, and what came out was a far cry from the one in the display case. Instead of that classy pocket knife, what came out was a cheap strip of dull tin in the shape of a knife with two plastic strips stuck on it to make up a handle. I was so disappointed, and I felt the sting of that rip-off for some time.

The fact of the matter is that there are both good trade-offs and bad trade-offs in this world. When we trade with God, it always results in a great pay-off. When we trade with Satan, it always results in a bad rip-off—he always has a bait-and-switch. The key to a successful life is learning to make good trade-offs.

Adam and Eve are an example of a couple that was involved in a trade-off! In Genesis 3:6 we read: “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”

Eve participated in this trade-off because she saw what she thought was going to be a great pay-off. She thought that accepting the serpent’s offer would make her better (like God), but she ended up trading innocence and right-standing with God for spiritual death and all of its deadly offspring. Her pay-off ended up being a rip-off!

Esau is another Bible character who made a trade-off that ended up being a rip-off. Issac had two sons, Jacob and Esau. Esau was the firstborn son, and as such, had the birthright. What did this mean?

  1. He was to have succeeded Isaac as head of the family. This was to give him authority and superiority over the rest of the family. He would have become the priest and the chieftan over the family.
  2. He would inherit a double share, a double portion of the estate.
  3. In his particular case, the birthright included the promise of future possession of Canaan and of covenant fellowship with Jehovah. Holding this birthright would place him in the ancestral line of the Messiah.

When Esau came in from the field, he was famished and sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. Genesis 25:34 (NEB) says, “Thus, Esau showed how little he valued his birthright.” Esau had something that was of enormous value, but he did not value it; he despised his birthright. He craved something that would bring him immediate gratification but long-range heart-ache.

Esau’s trade-off and rip-off had long-term consequences. Hebrews 12:16-17 (NLT) says, “Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.”

In cautioning against the immoral woman, Solomon warned his son against a terrible trade-off: “Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel” (Proverbs 5:9, KJV). The short-range pleasure of sin is never worth the long-term sorrow it brings!

Wise People Make Good Trade-Offs

Paul had achieved much in his pre-Christian life, but he made a great trade-off that resulted in an outstanding pay-off! In Philippians 3:7-9 (NLT), Paul said, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him…”

Paul traded…

  1. His prestigious reputation in exchange for Christ’s purchased righteousness
  2. His status in society in exchange for service in Christ’s Kingdom
  3. The praises of men in exchange for the praises of God
  4. His accomplishments in exchange for Christ’s assignment
  5. His personal past in exchange for his future in Christ

The world may have said that Paul “traded down,” but Paul knew that he had “traded up.” John Maxwell once did a message entitled, “You’ve Got to Give Up to Go Up,” and that principle is true in so many areas.

The Entire Redemption Process is One Big Trade-Off

What happened on Calvary was a great trade-off with an amazing pay-off! Jesus took our sin, our sickness, our poverty, and the curse. He traded all that He had and all that He was to take the punishment that we deserved. You can read about what He traded for in Philippians 2:5-11. We benefitted as well, and God invites every person to trade…

  1. The spiritual death that we inherited in Adam for the spiritual life that is in Christ
  2. Despair for hope
  3. Worry for peace
  4. Fear for faith
  5. The works of the flesh for the fruit of the spirit

When you accept God’s plan and God’s will for your life, you are trading your plan for His plan, and your will for His will. Your flesh may think that’s a terrible sacrifice, but it’s the greatest, wisest thing you can ever do with your time, your energies, your talents,  and your treasures.

Kenneth Hagin once said, “It doesn’t cost to obey God and dedicate your life to Him. It pays! It will cost you not to obey God. It may cost you in dollars and cents. It may cost you sickness, disease, and premature death. It may cost you heartache and sorrow. But, oh, thank God, it’s so good over in the perfect will of God, where you’re fully surrendered, fully dedicated, fully submitted to His will! It’s just so much better to obey God than to disobey Him.”

May God give us wisdom as we make good trade-offs, experience rich pay-offs, and avoid bad rip-offs!

The Challenge by Tony Cooke

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The Challenge Rev. Tony Cooke 

Someone once said, “There are no great people in this world, only great challenges which ordinary people rise to meet.”  Many of the extraordinary achievements and accomplishments in history have followed bold challenges that were issued by resolute leaders.

  • Addressing the vastly outnumbered defenders of the Alamo, Colonel William Barrett Travis drew a line in the dirt with his sword and said, “I now want every man who is determined to stay here and die with me to come across this line.” 
  • In Winston Churchill’s first address as Prime Minister to the House of Commons, he spoke of the “ordeal of the most grievous kind” that was ahead of them, and said, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.”  It was his courage and fortitude that set the benchmark to which the British people rose in their struggles in World War II.
  • In challenging the nation to put a man on the moon, President Kennedy said, “We choose to go to the moon in this decade… not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.”
  • Martin Luther King Jr. challenged his country when he said, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’”
  • Joshua challenged Israel when he said (24:15), “…Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.  But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
  • And what could have been a greater challenge than the one issued by Jesus in Luke 9:23?  “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

When some think about challenges, they primarily think about spiritual attacks from the adversary or the multitude of problems in the world.  God has called us to resist the enemy and to rise above the difficulties we face in life.  These are challenges to which the believer shouts a defiant “No!”

But there are other challenges that come to us in life, and those are the challenges that God gives us.  These are not attacks that come to steal, kill, and destroy, but these are opportunities that push us to new limits, stretch us, move us from our comfort zone, and invite us to become more than we’ve ever been before.  These are the challenges to which we must declare an emphatic “Yes!”

  • Noah was challenged when God told him to build an ark.
  • Abraham was challenged when God told him to leave his home country for an unknown destination.
  • Jonah was challenged when God told him to go preach to the people of Ninevah in Assyria, Israel’s great enemies.
  • Mary was challenged when God told her that she—as a virgin—would bear a Son who would be the Savior of the world.
  • Ananias was challenged when Jesus told him to go and pray for Saul of Tarsus, the greatest persecutor of the Church.
  • Peter was challenged when God told him to go into the home of Cornelius and share the gospel with a group of Gentiles.

All of these challenges not only resulted in obedience (for some, it was after initial reluctance), but also in creating a vehicle for blessing to come to others.  What are some of the challenges that God places before us today?

1.   God challenges us to go places we never thought He’d ask us to go.

The first thing that often comes to mind with the above statement has to do with missions and foreign countries.  However, most of us will never be asked by God to go to some remote part of the world.  We should, though, be willing to go wherever God says to go and to help those who are called to go to distant lands with the gospel.

Many think only of the “big things” that God asks a small percentage of people to do, and they overlook the seemingly “small things” that God asks of each one of us.  Where does God ask all of us to go?

  • Go the extra mile (Matthew 5:41).
  • Go and sin no more (John 8:11).
  • Go and be reconciled to your brother (Matthew 5:24).
  • Go in peace (Luke 7:50; 8:48).
  • Go home (Matthew 9:6; Mark 5:19).

Let’s talk for a moment about that last phrase: “Go home.”  Jesus made that same statement to a paralytic and to a demoniac who had both been healed.  While Jesus told His chosen apostles to go to the uttermost parts of the earth, He told others to simply go home.  Our relationship with God shouldn’t merely affect our life and work in the world, but it should profoundly affect who we are and how we act behind closed doors, around those closest to us.  Abraham Lincoln said, “I care not for a man’s religion whose dog and cat are not better off for it.”           

2.   God challenges us to give in ways we never thought He’d ask us to give.    

The point here is not about money, but about the totality of our lives.  In reality, there are only two things that God asks for: everything we are and everything we have.  Once we’ve truly given those to Him, everything else is easy. 

General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, was asked the secret of his amazing Christian life.  Booth answered, “I told the Lord that he could have all that there is of William Booth.”  That’s the kind of consecration Jesus desires.  In Luke 14:33, He said, “…any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”  

Whatever giving we do in life—financial and otherwise—needs to flow from a heart and life that is first given to the Lord.  That’s exactly what Paul indicated relative to the gift received from the Corinthians (2 Cor. 8:5).  He said, “…they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.”

3.   God challenges us to grow in ways we never thought He’d ask us to grow.

This principle really builds upon the first two.  When we go to the places God wants us to go, and when we give in the ways God wants us to give, we end up growing in ways God wants us to grow.

Job is a tremendous example of someone who grew in ways he never thought he’d have to grow.  After all the horrific devastation Job faced in his life, God asked him to pray for the three men who had spoken so harshly and judgmentally against Him.  Job 42:10 says, “And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.”

Some have focused on the fact that Job got his stuff back, but the greatest miracle isn’t that his wallet grew; the real miracle is that his heart grew.  Job overcame incredible anger and was able to pray for his friends.  That’s growth!

Gideon is remembered as the man who led Israel in overcoming the Midianites, and that’s true.  But prior to that, Gideon was a man who had to overcome his own fears, doubts, and inferiority.  He had to go (the angel said to him, “Go in this thy might.”), but before the going he had to grow.

If you go without growing, you’ll fail when you get there.  If you give without growing, your giving can be in vain.  Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:3, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”

God doesn’t just want us going and giving, He wants us growing.  God challenges us to go places we never thought He’d ask us to go, to give in ways we never thought He’d ask us to give, and to grow in ways we never thought He’d ask us to grow.  The only way for us to find genuine fulfillment in our journey is to obey God wholeheartedly in these areas.

Throwing Out the High and Low Scores by Rev. Tony Cooke

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Throwing Out the High and Low Scores
by Rev. Tony Cooke

When I was young, I remember watching certain Olympic events, such as figure skating and gymnastics, where judges were involved in “scoring” the athletes.  There would be a panel of judges from different countries and they would always “throw out” the high and the low scores.  I thought of that in the light of the flattery and criticisms (especially the criticisms) that we sometimes encounter in life.  Wouldn’t it be great if we could develop well the ability to “throw out” unjust criticisms (as well as ego-inflating flattery)?

Have you had someone “on your case” lately?  Does someone feel they’ve been appointed to be the “Apostle of Correction” over your life?  If you’ve been dealing with unjust and unfair criticisms, I believe this information will help you.  If you’ll learn how to “throw out the low scores,” you’ll be able to focus on who you really are and what you’re really called to do.

Abraham Lincoln certainly had to throw out the low scores in order to successfully lead the nation during his presidency.  In the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, Illinois, there is an area called “The Whispering Gallery.”  This is a darkened, twisted hallway where cruel voices speak against the President, and the walls are lined with the newspaper articles and political cartoons that slanderously attacked President and Mrs. Lincoln in very personal ways.

The press referred to him as a grotesque baboon, a third-rate country lawyer who once split the rails and now splits the Union, a coarse vulgar joker, a dictator, an ape, a buffoon, and other derogatory names.  One of his home-state newspapers called Lincoln “the craftiest and most dishonest politician that ever disgraced an office in America.”[i]

An editorial in the Chicago Times even ripped Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address with the following: “The cheek of every American must tingle with shame as he reads the silly, flat and dishwatery utterances of the man who has to be pointed out to intelligent foreigners as the President of the United States.”

How did Lincoln respond to the seemingly relentless torrent of attacks?  He said, “If I tried to read, much less answer, all the criticisms made of me, and all the attacks leveled against me, this office would have to be closed for all other business. I do the best I know how, the very best I can. And I mean to keep on doing this, down to the very end. If the end brings me out all wrong, ten angels swearing I had been right would make no difference. If the end brings me out all right, then what is said against me now will not amount to anything.”

Had Lincoln taken those criticisms to heart, I don’t think he could have ever performed his duties.  Biblically speaking, Jesus Himself was the object and brunt of so much hatred, that He took ownership of an Old Testament passage that says, “They hated me without a cause” (John 12:25).  Thank God that Jesus stayed focused on carrying out His assignment in spite of the opinions or criticisms of others!

JOSEPH: I think of the bitterness that was directed at Joseph during his early life.  His brothers sold him into slavery.  His boss’s wife falsely accused him and got him thrown into prison.  A man he helped in prison (Pharaoh’s butler) quickly forgot Joseph in spite of his promise to him.  Had Joseph taken these things to heart, he would have been a most bitter and demoralized man.  Instead, Jacob said of Joseph, “Archers attacked him savagely; they shot at him and harassed him. But his bow remained taut, and his arms were strengthened by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, by the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel” (Genesis 49:23-24, NLT).

For Joseph to succeed, he could base his identity and sense of destiny on one thing and one thing only: God’s assignment for His life.  He couldn’t base his identity or sense of destiny on the way his brothers treated him, the way Potipher’s wife lied about him, his imprisonment, or the negligence of the butler.  The only way we can overcome the fear of rejection is to value the constant approval of God over the conditional approval of people.  The opinions of other people simply can’t be allowed to rule your life!

DAVID: At some point, David had to come to terms with the spears that Saul threw at him.  One option was to internalize the trauma and say, “There must really be something wrong with me.”  From there, he could spiral into shame, inferiority, self-doubt, and humiliation.  Had David done this, he would have remained a victim of Saul’s whims, insecurities, and paranoia.  Or he could tell himself the truth and realize that the spears that were being thrown at him were due to a problem that Saul had within himself.  This would liberate David to realize that Saul’s anger was not a reflection of his worth or value, but rather, it was merely an expression of Saul’s unresolved internal dysfunction.

PAUL: Another Bible character that was intensely criticized was the Apostle Paul.  Even the believers in Corinth were registering their fickle opinions about Paul relative to other ministers, making Paul an unwilling part of a popularity contest.  Imagine the ticker at the bottom of the screen: “If you like Paul better than Apollos or Peter, dial 1-800-YES-PAUL.”  What was Paul’s attitude about such judgments?  He wasn’t moved by their criticisms or by their flattery.

1 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NLT) As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.

(Message) It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don’t even rank myself. Comparisons in these matters are pointless. I’m not aware of anything that would disqualify me from being a good guide for you, but that doesn’t mean much. The Master makes that judgment.

Kenneth E. Hagin said, “Paul had grown in grace to such an extent that he sought only to commend himself to God.  He was not influenced or affected by what others thought of him.  He did not get in bondage to anybody.  It was not a carnal independence — but a saintly dignity.  The law of love governed him.  He was not easily puffed up, nor was he touchy or resentful.  His spirit — where the love of God was shed abroad — dominated him.  Immature Christians will feel slighted or puffed up.  If they are criticized — or even imagine that they are — they are restless, uneasy, and full of self-pity.  On the other hand, if they are noticed and appreciated they feel lifted up and full of self-importance.  Baby Christians are self-conscious.  And ever conscious of what others are thinking about them.  Therefore they are ‘tossed to and fro’ childishly trying to be popular.  The mature believer is God-conscious.  And ever conscious about what God’s Word says about him and to him.  Because he is able to testify with Paul, “It is a very small thing that I should be judged of you or of man’s judgment,” he is free to walk in and voice his convictions.”[ii]

On a practical level, we should always be open to learn how to be better, and this may involve learning from and drawing redemptive benefit even from criticism.  But at the core level of who we are, we should never allow any criticism to lessen our intrinsic and infinite worth as God’s children.  We should never give others the right to demean our value or invalidate our destiny.   God is the One who has called us and it is to God alone that we will ultimately answer.  Lou Holtz said, “So what if someone wrote your obituary… that doesn’t mean you are obligated to die.”

How have you been doing with the opinions of others?  Are there some low scores you need to throw out?  Even denigrating voices from the past?  Are there some high scores that you need to throw out?  Has there been some flattery thrown your way that needs to be discounted?  Are you believing your own press-releases?

Remember that you are simply who God says you are and who God has made you to be.  You have nothing to feel inferior about and nothing to feel puffed up about.  You are a person of great value because God says you are.  You have great potential because He has gifted and called you.  Walk in that, and stay free from the bondage that comes from fearing people.

[i] “Lincoln on Leadership,” by Donald T. Phillips

[ii] “Growing Up Spiritually” by Kenneth E. Hagin

TCM is Ten Years Old!

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TCM is Ten Years Old!

tony cooke ministriesThis month marks the 10-Year Anniversary of Tony Cooke Ministries. On May 18, 2002, I headed to Virginia to preach our first official TCM service. This June will mark 32 years in ministry overall, and Lisa and I are both grateful for God’s goodness over the years.

    1. We’ve had the privilege of ministering in 46 states and 26 countries.
    2. Since 2007 (when our analytics system began tracking) we’ve had a grand total of 189,841 unique visitors to our web-site from exactly 200 countries/territories.
    3. In the last ten years, we’ve traveled a total of 1,184,946 miles, been on the road 1,926 days, and taught 2,621 messages.

As always, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for all the pastors who have allowed us the privilege of ministering to their congregations, and to those whose prayers, financial support, and encouragement has enabled us to carry out God’s assignment for us, that we strengthen churches and leaders.

Those who would like to give a financial gift to help Tony Cooke Ministries continue its work may do so by clicking here.

 

Teflon or Velcro by Tony Cooke

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Teflon or Velcro
Tony Cooke


teflon-velcro“I’m rubber, you’re glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you.” Did you ever hear that said on the playground as a kid? Today, we might be more prone to think of teflon and velcro.

Teflon is a non-stick coating that’s used on pans and other kinds of cookware. The idea of teflon is that nothing is supposed to stick to it…whatever is cooked on it will simply slide right off.

Velcro is a nylon or polyester fastener made of many very small hooks and loops. The two fabrics are pressed together and form a bond that resists separation. If pulled apart a “ripping” sound results. Velcro often replaces many types of snaps, clasps, zippers, and even shoe strings.

Things slide off teflon, while velcro grabs and holds.

Our spiritual and emotional health is heavily dependent on whether we’re teflon or velcro—on what slides off of us versus what sticks to us. In reality, we need to have both teflon tendencies and velcro tendencies in our lives. Some things need to slide off of us, and some things need to stick to us.

Toward the devil, we need to be teflon. We need to know how to let his words and destructive influences slide off of us. Toward God, we need to be velcro. We need to let all the things of God—His Word and His constructive influence—stick to us.

Consider this paraphrase of Isaiah 54:19 (NKJV).

No weapon formed against you shall prosper [it won’t stick to you, because you’re teflon], and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness [which sticks to them because they’re velcro] is from Me,” says the LORD.

We need to make sure we don’t get these turned around and mixed up. If we’re velcro toward the things of the enemy, and teflon toward the things of God, we suffer.

Teflon Christianity

When Jesus was tempted (Matthew 4:1-11), none of what the enemy threw at him “stuck.” Because of the life of God on the inside of Jesus, He was like teflon to everything that came against Him.

In John 14:30 (NKJV), Jesus said, “…the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.” The Message Version renders this, “…the chief of this godless world is about to attack. But don’t worry—he has nothing on me, no claim on me.”

During His ministry, no temptation or accusation of the enemy “stuck” on Jesus. This trait is not only a privilege reserved for Jesus, but He extended this protection to His disciples as well. Consider what Jesus told His followers in Luke 10:19 (NKJV): “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Nothing shall by any means hurt you! Is that what you’ve been experiencing? If not, perhaps you’ve not been teflon-coated (maybe teflon is just a modern illustration of the armor of God). In Mark’s version of the Great Commission (Mark 16:15-18), Jesus spoke of certain signs that would follow believers, such as casting out demons, speaking with new tongues, and laying hands of the sick for healing. But Jesus also said, “…they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them…”

Jesus was not advocating foolish practices, but he was telling His followers that as they went about doing the Father’s will, there would be a provision of protection for them—the attacks of the enemy wouldn’t stick!

In Acts 20, Paul spoke of the challenges that he knew were ahead of him. He even referred to “chains and tribulations” that he would face. But then he said, “But none of these things move me…” (Acts 20:24). In other words, he realized he would experience some of these things, but he knew they couldn’t stick! When the viper bit him (Acts 28:3), he shook it off into the fire and felt no harm.

How is your teflon coating doing?

  1. Are you able to deflect discouragement and unjust criticisms?
  2. Are you staying free from offense, bitterness, and unforgiveness?
  3. Have you released pain from your past that would hinder your future?

Velcro Christianity

When we speak of Velcro Christianity, we’re talking about having an aggressive attitude toward the things of God…a tenacity that seizes upon what God has said and refuses to let go.

Jesus spoke of the kind of person who brings forth fruit from the word in Luke 8:15 (MSG). “But the seed in the good earth—these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest.” This is a velcro attitude!

Eleazar is an Old Testament figure who had a velcro attitude toward his assignment from God. When God’s people were attacked, we read, “But Eleazar stood his ground and killed Philistines right and left until he was exhausted—but he never let go of his sword! A big win for GOD that day” (2 Samuel 23:10, MSG). The NKJV says that, “…his hand stuck to the sword.”

Here’s a great lesson: If you’ll stick to the Sword, the Sword will stick to you! Eleazar didn’t just stick to his sword, but he stuck to his assignment. He was like velcro when it came to the Word of God and the plan of God for his life.

The believers who received the book of Hebrews in the New Testament were individuals who were in the process of becoming teflon when they should have been velcro, and vice versa. They were letting slip the promises that should have been sticking! And the pressures they should have been letting slide off were sticking. Consider these passages about what was slipping and what was sticking.

Hebrews 2:1 (KJV)
1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

Hebrews 3:6 (NKJV)
6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

Hebrews 3:14 (NKJV)
14  For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end…

Hebrews 10:35-36 (NKJV)
35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise…

A Time for Teflon and a Time for Velcro

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are examples of individuals who knew when to be velcro and when to be teflon. When threatened, they were velcro regarding their trust and confidence, and their consecration toward God.

Daniel 3:17-18 (NKJV)
17 …our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

That’s velcro, and because of their velcro toward the right things, God helped them have a teflon coating toward what would have destroyed them. Even though Nebuchadnezzar had the three men thrown into the fire, they were untouched.

Daniel 3:27 (NKJV)
27 …they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.

What are we being told? When it comes to the things we’ve received—the Word of God and our confidence—we can’t let these things slip away and slide off of us. We’ve got to be velcro. We’ve got to stick to some things and let some things stick to us!

When it comes to the pressures and problems of the world, we need to develop some teflon tendencies… we need to let those things roll off of us, casting every care upon the Lord.

A Tale of Two Basins by Tony Cooke

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A Tale of Two Basins
Tony Cooke

There are two stories in the New Testament that occurred within twenty-four hours of each other, and they create an amazing contrast of two individuals, two life-styles, two attitudes, and two perspectives. About the only common denominator between these two stories is that they each involve a basin of water.

These two stories serve as models or examples of choices everyone must make, and the decisions we make will dictate the course of our lives. In reality, everyone is living out of and according to the principles of one of these two basins.

Pilate’s Basin of Water: Abandoned Responsibility

water-basin-pilatesThe story of Pontius Pilate is most fascinating. As the Roman Governor of Judea, he found himself thrust into a situation he could have never imagined. The religious elite of his country came to him, vehemently demanding the crucifixion of one they claimed to be a horrible criminal.

Two statements reveal Pilate’s perspective of the matter.

Matthew 27:18 (NLT) tells us that, “He (Pilate) knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.”

Pilate declared, “I find no fault in Him at all” (John 18:38). Actually, in John’s Gospel, Pilate made this same statement three times to the religious leaders.

So what did Pilate do when he succumbed to political pressure and commissioned the execution of a man he knew to be innocent?

Matthew 27:24 (NLT)
24 Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing.So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!”

To Pilate, the basin of water that he called for, and in which he washed his hands, represents abandoned responsibility. Pilate did what was convenient and politically expedient for himself instead of operating as a man of principle and ethics. He followed the path of fallen humanity and declared himself innocent. But we need to keep in mind the truth that Paul articulated: “For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends” (2 Corinthians 10:18, NKJV).

Pilate certainly was not the first figure in human history who attempted to wash his hands in the basin of abandoned responsibility. Consider some of the others…

Instead of giving God a straightforward answer when asked if he’d eaten the forbidden fruit, Adam threw in some blame-shifting. “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it” (Genesis 3:12, NLT).

Having murdered his brother, Cain was asked by God about the whereabouts of Abel. Cain responded, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9, NKJV). Once again, we see abandoned responsibility.

Aaron tried to abandon responsibility after he had sculpted the golden calf. His almost hilarious response when confronted by Moses was, “‘Don’t get so upset, my lord,’ Aaron replied. ‘You yourself know how evil these people are. They said to me, ‘Make us gods who will lead us… So I told them, ‘Whoever has gold jewelry, take it off.’ When they brought it to me, I simply threw it into the fire—and out came this calf!’”

Moses himself had tried to wash his hands in the basin of abandoned responsibility when he tried to dodge the call of God by saying he was not eloquent and that he was slow of speech. Likewise, Gideon tried playing the “inferiority” card, and Sarah and Jeremiah tried copping out because of age issues. Sarah said she was too old and Jeremiah said he was too young. Though they all tried to evade responsibility, God did not accept their excuses and insisted that they embrace their assignments.

Jesus discussed the issue of people abandoning responsibility in the context of people who were invited to a great banquet. Instead of responding positively,“…they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I now have a wife, so I can’t come’” (Luke 14:18-20, NLT). The verses that follow reveal the host’s anger at the excuses, and his determination for people to experience his generosity. He told his servant, “Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.” (Luke 14:23-24, NLT).

What is the lesson? God is yearning for us to respond to Him positively; to willingly and wholeheartedly accept His truth, His admonitions, and His challenges for our lives. If we follow Pilate’s example by washing our hands in the basin of abandoned responsibility and declaring ourselves innocent, we are deceiving ourselves and are missing out on God’s blessings.

Jesus’ Basin of Water: Embraced Responsibility

water-basin-jesusShortly before Pilate called for a basin, Jesus had taken another basin and used it for a far more godly purpose. We read about this in John’s account of the Last Supper.

John 13:3-5 (NLT)
3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

Because of Jesus’ attitude and actions, because of His humility and obedience, this event speaks of a basin of embraced responsibility. Jesus’ act of servitude—washing the feet of His disciples—seems counterintuitive and contradictory to what Jesus knew. Review verse three again.

  • Jesus knew that the Father had given Him authority over everything.
  • Jesus knew that He had come from God.
  • Jesus knew that He would be returning to God.

With Jesus’ awareness of who He was, it seems like He would have called for a basin and had others wash His feet, but that’s not how embraced responsibility works. Kingdom responsibility is not about getting others to serve us, but about us serving others. I know that the phrase in verse four (He took off His robe) is a literal statement, but it reminds me of what Philippians 2:5-8 (TLB) says of Him.

“Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Christ Jesus, who, though He was God, did not demand and cling to His rights as God, but laid aside His mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men. And he humbled Himself even further, going so far as actually to die a criminal’s death on a cross. Yet it was because of this that God raised Him up to the heights of heaven and gave Him a name which is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Not only did Paul say we should have the same attitude that Jesus had, but the Lord Himself, when He washed the feet of the disciples, said, “…since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you” (John 13:14-15, NLT).

Pilate evaded responsibility, and were it not for his brief encounter with Jesus, he would be nothing but a footnote in a few, obscure historical books. Jesus embraced responsibility, and He is honored and worshipped by millions around the globe.

Winston Churchill said, “The price of greatness is responsibility.” If we want to be great in the Kingdom, we must embrace our responsibility of servanthood as Jesus did. This means no more excuses, no more cop-outs, no more blameshifting, no more ignoring or neglecting the mandates of heaven. Consider the following statements:

R.T. Kendall said, “When the Spirit is absent, our excuses always seem right, but in the presence of the Spirit our excuses fade away.”

Benjamin Franklin observed, “I never knew a man who was good at making excuses who was good at making anything else.”

D.L. Moody stated, “Excuses are the cradle… that Satan rocks men off to sleep in.”

Remember this. There are two basins, and each of us has a choice. Abandoning responsibility is easier at the beginning, but is fruitless in the end. Embracing responsibility is more difficult at the beginning, but is glorious in the end.

Tact and Diplomacy by Tony Cooke

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Tact and Diplomacy – Keys to Building (Not Burning) Bridges
Rev. Tony Cooke

A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. Proverbs 15:1-2

“Never cut what you can untie.” – Joseph Joubert

 

A CASE STUDY OF INSENSITIVITY

Most people who know the Bible are aware that there was a time when the Kingdom of Israel split, but many do not recall what event prompted the division.  The split occurred when King Rehoboam demonstrated insensitivity and harshness toward those under his care and “answered them roughly.”

Rehoboam’s influence as a leader was drastically diminished because he lacked diplomacy and tact in dealing with people (he lost 10 of the 12 tribes), and the saddest part is that he had been told by wise advisors exactly how to relate properly to those under his care (2 Chronicles 10:7): "If you are kind to these people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever.” 

Relationship break-ups can occur for many other reasons also, but we don’t want to overlook and miss this important lesson in tact and diplomacy.

 

BUT I DON’T WANT TO BE A PEOPLE-PLEASER

Many balk at the thought of “pleasing the people” because they think of the insincerity that is spoken of in Colossians 3:23.  They don’t want to be like the slick, artificial, two-faced flatterers they have seen who seek to smooth-talk their way to the top.  In spite of this, there remains a positive side of pleasing people.  Consider these two passages from Paul’s writings:

…Just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:33)

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. (Romans 15:2)

The motive in pleasing people is the key.  Paul wasn’t in a popularity contest (Galatians 1:10), wasn’t obsessed with being politically correct, and he didn’t seek to please people for personal gain.  Rather, he sought to build bridges that would further Kingdom purposes.  He was very deliberate and intentional in this (see 1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

 

CONTENT, TIMING, AND TACT

Effective communication, one of our greatest tools in building positive relationships, involves three key components:

  • Content (What we say)
  • Timing (When we say it)
  • Tact (How we say it)

Unfortunately, many people have seemingly focused exclusively on content, while ignoring the vital components of timing and tact.  What we say (content) is important, but we are not just told to speak the truth, but to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).  Love doesn’t only consider the content or the accuracy of the message, but also considers the well-being of the hearer and cares enough to seek the best way to communicate the truth.  In this article, we’re focusing on tact, and it’s essential to realize that even the greatest content can be significantly undermined if we don’t exercise wisdom and sensitivity in how we communicate that content.

Tact is defined by Merriam-Webster’s On-line Dictionary as:

  • sensitive mental perception
  • a keen sense of what to do or say in order to maintain good relations with others or avoid offense
  • skill or grace in dealing with others
  • implies delicate and considerate perception of what is appropriate
  • stresses dexterity and grace in dealing with new and trying situations and may imply success in attaining one’s ends.”

I heard a rather quirky, imaginative story that illustrates the significance of tactfulness.  A king called in one of his seers to inquire of his future.  The seer answered, “You will live to see all of your sons dead.”  Hearing this, the king flew into a rage and ordered the seer to be put to death.  The king then asked a second seer the same question.  This seer said, “You will be blessed with a long life and die at a ripe old age.  You will even outlive all of your family.”  The king was delighted and rewarded the seer with gold and silver.  Both seers reported the same basic fact, but only one of them had tact in the way he communicated his message.

 

GREAT WISDOM

In discussing the reasons ministers fail, Gordon Lindsay said, “…one of the greatest causes of failure is the lack of thoughtfulness or tact.  Many ministers have possessed every qualification for service except this one.  And why do they lack it?  It is largely because they have not taken time to master it.  Tact is thoughtfulness of others; it is sensitivity to the atmosphere of the moment; it is a combination of interest, sincerity, and brotherly love—giving the other fellow a sense of ease in one’s presence.  In a word, it is Christian love—the practice of the golden rule.”

Oswald Sanders, another great spiritual leader, said, “The original meaning of the word tact referred to the sense of touch, and came to mean skill in dealing with persons or sensitive situations. Tact is defined as ‘intuitive perception, especially a quick and fine perception of what is fit and proper and right.’ It alludes to one’s ability to conduct delicate negotiations and personal matters in a way that recognizes mutual rights, and yet leads to a harmonious solution.”

J.G. Randall stated, “Tact is a number of qualities working together: insight into human nature, sympathy, self-control, a knack of inducing self-control in others, avoidance of human blundering, readiness to give the immediate situation an understanding mind and a second thought.  Tact is not only kindness, but kindness skillfully extended.”

Baltasar Gracian said, “Cultivate tact, for it is the mark of culture… the lubricant of human relationships, softening contacts and minimizing friction.”

Bible Commentator, Alexander Maclaren remarked, “Kindness makes a person attractive. If you would win the world, melt it, do not hammer it.”

Another wisely said, “Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy.”

If any person ever realized that it was impossible to please everyone, it was President Abraham Lincoln.  He led the United States through its most difficult and divided days.  Realizing the importance of maintaining good relationships whenever possible (and sometimes it wasn’t possible) and avoiding all unnecessary offenses, Lincoln said: “The sharpness of a refusal or the edge of a rebuke may be blunted by an appropriate story so as to save wounded feelings and yet serve the purpose.”  In other words, Lincoln knew that he had to make tough decisions that not everyone would agree with, but he went out of his way to communicate those decisions and positions in ways that would cause the least amount of damage and would hopefully facilitate ongoing, positive relationships.

Consider the following Scriptures that deal with graciousness in communication.

  • The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. (Isaiah 50:4)
  • A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. (Proverbs 25:11)
  • Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24)
  • So all bore witness to Him (Jesus), and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. (Luke 4:22)
  • Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Colossians 4:6)

 

THE LIMITATIONS OF TACT

It would be misleading to give the impression, though, that tactfulness and diplomacy is a magic wand that will guarantee unqualified success in every situation.  Paul indicated that getting along with people was not always possible.  He said, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).

The fact that you do your part, exercising wisdom and graciousness, is no guarantee that others will automatically act the way you’d like them to.  People marveled at the gracious words that were uttered by Jesus, but He was still crucified.  John was known as “The Apostle of Love,” but he still ended up being exiled to the Isle of Patmos.  

Regardless of the reactions of others—whether they do the right thing or not—we still have a responsibility to become the best communicators that we can be, walking in kindness and wisdom, and doing everything within our power (and with God’s help) to build the best relationships with people that we possibly can.

May God give us wisdom as we purpose that our words will minister grace to all that hear them.

Taking Out the Garbage

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Taking Out the Garbage Rev. Tony Cooke

Everyone’s trying to make it in life, aren’t they?

  • A Woman’s Morning Prayer: “Dear Lord, so far today I am doing alright.  I have not gossiped, lost my temper, been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or self-indulgent.  I have not whined, grumbled, cursed, or eaten any chocolate.  I have not over-charged on my credit card.  However, I am getting out of bed in a few minutes, and I will need a lot more help after that.  Amen.”
  • Little Suzy expressed concern about making it in her prayer.  She said: “And dear God, before I finish, I want you to take care of mommy, take care of daddy, take care of my sister and my brother – and please, God, take care of yourself, because if you don’t we’re all sunk.  Amen.”
  • And a man who was trying to get on top of things in his life confided, “My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start.  So far today, I have finished two bags of chips, and a chocolate cake.  I feel better already.”

Chips and cake may sound like a good solution, but one of the great keys to truly making it—to living in victory as a believer—has to do with getting the garbage and things that are detrimental out of our lives.  That brings us to the topic of this article… “Taking Out the Garbage.”  Multiple scriptures address issues that believers need to eradicate (with the help of God) from their lives.

  • Hebrews 12:1 – “…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.” (NLT)
  • 2 Corinthians 7:1 – “…let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (NKJV)
  • Ephesians 4:22 – “…everything — and I do mean everything — connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it!” (The Message)
  • 2 Timothy 2:21 – “…whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.” (Amplified)

What is the garbage that we need to make sure we get rid of?  Let’s discuss a few of these items using G.A.R.B.A.G.E. as an acrostic.

G – Guilt

Guilt can be a cruel taskmaster, always reminding us and condemning us of sins we’ve committed or good things we failed to do.  It is natural to feel guilty when we’ve done wrong, but it is supernatural to know that Jesus bore our guilt for us so that we can be free.  Freedom from the tyranny of guilt begins when we believe that Jesus’ blood is greater than anything we’ve done wrong.  As the old hymn says: “Grace, grace, God’s grace.  Grace that doth pardon and cleanse within.  Grace, grace, God’s grace.  Grace that is greater than all my sin.” 

A – Anger

We know that it’s possible to be angry without sinning (Eph. 4:26), but too often, unresolved anger ends up hurting people.  Medical science has proven that angry people are at greater risk for health problems, and it doesn’t bless others, either.  A lady once came to Billy Sunday and tried to rationalize her angry outbursts. “There’s nothing wrong with losing my temper,” she said. “I blow up, and then it’s all over.” “So does a shotgun,” Sunday replied, “and look at the damage it leaves behind!”

R- Resentment

Closely connected to anger is resentment.  One person said, “Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.”  Comedian Buddy Hackett once said, “I’ve had a few arguments with people, but I never carry a grudge.  You know why?  While you’re carrying a grudge, they’re out dancing.”  Choosing to forgive doesn’t mean that what the other person did was alright; it means that you’ve chosen to no longer be a victim.  It means that you are setting yourself free from the wrong suffered.

B – Blame

John Killinger tells about the manager of a minor league baseball team who was so disgusted with the center fielder’s performance that he ordered him to the dugout and assumed the position himself.  The first ball that came into center field took a bad hop and hit the manager in the mouth.  The next one was a high fly ball, which he lost in the glare of the sun—until it bounced off his forehead.  The third was a hard line drive that he charged with outstretched arms; unfortunately, it flew between his hands and smacked his eye.  Furious, he ran back to the dugout, grabbed the center fielder by the uniform, and shouted, “You idiot!  You’ve got the center field so messed up that even I can’t do a thing with it!”

Blameshifting—not taking personal responsibility—has been around a long time.  Adam got the ball rolling when he blamed Eve (and God) for his involvement in their disobedience (Genesis 3:12).  If we mess up, we need to ‘fess up, so we can move up!  We’ll never move up if don’t take personal responsibility when it’s the appropriate thing to do. 

A – Anxiety

The word “worry” is derived from an old Anglo-Saxon word meaning “to strangle or choke.”  Isn’t that what worry and anxiety do?  They choke the joy out of living.  Corrie Ten Boom said,

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.”  Jeremy Taylor said, “It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent.”  Isn’t it wonderful that we serve a merciful God who has invited us to cast all of our cares upon Him?

G – Grumbling

Ouch!  How often do we fall into this trap?  It’s hard to grumble when you’re thankful, and it’s hard to be thankful when you’re grumbling.  Mark Twain said, “Don’t complain and talk about all your problems.  80 percent of people don’t care, and the other 20 percent will think you deserve them.”  Seriously though, Scripture is pretty clear on this one:

  • Philippians 2:14 – “Do all things without complaining and disputing.”
  • James 5:9 – “Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned.”
  • 1 Peter 4:9 – “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”

E – Envy

I read about an individual who got a new bicycle when he was in fifth grade.  He was thrilled about his new bike and was thoroughly enjoying it, until he rode down the street and found out that his neighbor had gotten a fancier bike.  He lost his joy when he became envious of his friend’s nicer bike.  Envy truly is a scourge!  It causes us to focus on what we don’t have to the point that we miss seeing the blessing and taking pleasure in what we do have.

Stay Positive!

In speaking of the garbage we sometimes need to get out of our lives, it’s important to mention that we don’t want to focus too much on the negatives, nor do we always want to be on “excavations” to find the problems in our lives.  Rather, we want to focus on Jesus.  As we draw near to Him, obey Him, and act on His Word, the positive things we receive from Him will help drive out the negatives. 

God’s ultimate goal for our lives is summed up well in what Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24:  “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”

May your life be blessed and garbage-free!

Awakening the Sleeping Giant By Tony Cooke

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Awakening the Sleeping Giant

Awakening the Sleeping GiantAt the end of two WWII movies, Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) and Pearl Harbor (2001), Isoroku Yamamoto, Admiral of the Japanese fleet, says of the attack, “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” History bears out that his concern was well-founded.

Today, there is another sleeping giant that is being awakened… that also needs to lay hold of a great resolve. It is the Body of Christ!  I’m not implying that the everyone in the Church is slumbering; certainly many are alert, awake, and active. But how close is the Church to fulfilling its actual potential?  Is the influence we are exerting in the earth remotely close to what it could be?  What about our serving and our giving?

I believe that God is leading us toward a great corporate awakening! This is not to under-estimate the significance of leaders. Leaders play a huge role in teaching, inspiring, and modeling what it means to be a fully-activated, fully-engaged believer.  

But consider these amazing statements by men of God in the last two centuries about the tremendous role that ordinary believers will have in the last days:

Mordecai Hamm (the minister who led Billy Graham to the Lord): “God gave me a revelation of the last days. It is the laymen that will reach the world.” He went on to call laymen “…the sleeping giant of evangelism.”

George Washington Carver: “…there is going to be a great spiritual awakening in the world, and it is going to come from… plain, simple people who know—not simply believe—but actually know that God answers prayer. It is going to be a great revival of Christianity, not a revival of religion. This is going to be a revival of true Christianity. It is going to rise from the laymen, from men who are going about their work and putting God into what they do, from men who believe in prayer, and who want to make God real to mankind.”

Charles Price: “Laymen will be His most important channel—not the clergy, or the theologians, or the great gifted preachers, but men and women with ordinary jobs in the ordinary world.”

Dwight L. Moody: “If this world is going to be reached, I am convinced that it must be done by men and women of average talent.”

Tommy Hicks: “God is going to take the do-nothings, the nobodies, the unheard-of, the no-accounts… He is going to take every man and every woman and he is going to give to them this outpouring of the Spirit of God.”

Let me stress again that these statements do not reduce the significance of leaders in the work of God. Those in the five-fold ministry will always have their role as described in Ephesians 4:11-13. These spiritual leaders were never intended to do all the work of the ministry, but rather, to equip the saints – every believer – to do the work of the ministry.

Perhaps that is why, on the day of Pentecost, when Peter spoke of the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, he did not say that God would pour out His Spirit on a few, select preachers, but upon all flesh.

Acts 2:16-18
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 
17’And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants 
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.

Notice how well this covers the spectrum of humanity. The outpouring was not for one specific category, but for sons and for daughters, for the young and the old. The outpouring wasn’t just for an elite class either, but for menservants and maidservants.

Notice also that this outpouring wasn’t just for the purpose of personally blessing the recipients, but rather to release an “expression” from them. “They shall prophesy…” is the expression that is spoken of here, and that was the primary expression that Joel, speaking in the Old Testament, would have been familiar with.  

In the New Testament, though, we find a greater diversification of expressions that are not simply for the preachers. Consider what Paul shared with the Roman believers:

Romans 12:4-8
4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

As we consider this list, we realize that these are not “offices” so much as they are functions, and we realize that at least some of these are things that any believer can and should do as a part of their normal Christian life. For example, any of us can (and should) give, serve, and show mercy to others, not because we have a “special gift,” but simply because we’re believers.

However, above and beyond the normal functions of a believer, this list reveals to us that some people have a special grace to do some of these things in a very “gifted” way. For example, every believer can serve (minister), but some people seem especially graced, gifted, and called to serve in ways that are exceptional and beyond the norm.  

What would a church look like if all of its members (or even a majority) were truly expressing the gifts and graces within them?  I’m not simply referring to what happens during a church service. What if all these energized believers expressed His grace and gifts in their relationships both inside and outside the church?

Imagine entire bodies of believers gifted, graced, and overflowing in these areas:

  • Prophecy – This is simply an inspired utterance that edifies, encourages, or comforts another person. It doesn’t have to be done publicly or in a church service. It doesn’t have to be religious-sounding with phrases such as, “Yea, thus saith the Lord, my little children…”
  • Ministry – This is simply serving, a heart-felt meeting of the needs of others.
  • Teaching – We understand the five-fold gift of teacher, but what if a multitude of graced believers would explain and expound to others the things they had learned from the Word?
  • Exhortation – A strong, persuasive urging that calls one to come near.
  • Giving – We can all give basic tithes and offerings, but some are graced and called to give above and beyond the norm. Those so gifted will make significant contributions in underwriting Kingdom works.
  • Leading – While there may be one Senior Leader in a church, a church typically needs many who have leadership skills who can assist in overseeing and directing various outreaches and ministries of that congregation.
  • Mercy – Some seem especially gifted to show compassion toward and to help the poor, the hurting, the struggling, and the afflicted.  

Can you picture a massive army of believers who are flowing efficiently in these and other areas?  By the way, I think the above list is a representative sampling; not a comprehensive list of all the areas where believers can be graced. Our prayer is that countless believers around the world will know the fulness of the Spirit, and in turn, express His “manifold grace” formally through positions and informally through relationships, both inside and outside the walls of the church. May we, the Body of Christ, truly experience a great awakening!

 

Shallow Faith – Myths About Spiritual Maturity (Part 2) by Rev. Tony Cooke

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To read Part One of this article, click here.

Shallow Faith – Myths About Spiritual
Maturity (Part 2)
by Rev. Tony Cooke

Last month, we introduced the topic of “Shallow Faith” and presented some of the myths about spiritual maturity.  In particular, we identified three factors that don’t automatically or necessarily make a person spiritually mature.  They are: Time (having been saved a certain amount of time), Proximity (having been around church or spiritually mature people), and Appearance (having an outward form or look of spirituality).

We also brought out Paul’s statement about maturity (or perfection) being a continual quest.  He said in Philippians 3:12, “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.”  In other words, maturity is more of a moving target than it is a settled state.  Once a person concludes that he’s reached ultimate maturity, he’s more likely to have simply been lulled into a condition of deception and spiritual stagnation.

This month, let’s look at some of the other myths surrounding the idea of spiritual maturity.  Let’s consider four other factors that don’t necessarily or automatically, in and of themselves, bring maturity.

MYTH # 4.  TRIALS automatically make you spiritually mature.

James 1:12 tells us, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation…”  Unfortunately, we’ve often read and interpreted that as though it said, “Blessed is the man who experiences temptation.”  Many people who’ve merely experienced temptations, tests, and trials have come out of those experiences disheartened, discouraged, and defeated.  It’s not the trial that brings the blessing, it’s the enduring of it that enables us to grow and mature.  To endure means to abide under, to stand firm, to persevere, and to bear bravely and calmly.  It’s been said that trials will either make us bitter or better, and I believe we have a choice in what our outcome will be.

Trials are a bit like weights.  No athlete was ever made strong by weights.  It’s what the athlete does against those weights (lifting them and exerting pressure against them) that makes him strong.  Likewise, it’s our response to the adversities of life (acting on the Word of God, trusting God, persevering, casting our cares upon the Lord, etc.) that brings maturity and development into our lives.  Trials provide an opportunity or occasion for us to do these things, but the trials themselves don’t necessarily produce that maturity in us.

That’s why we should see trials as an opportunity to trust God and to see Him do wonderful things for us and in us.  I think that’s why Paul expressed the following in Romans 5:3-4: “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” 

MYTH # 5.  KNOWLEDGE automatically makes you spiritually mature.

There is a lot to be said for knowledge (Hosea 4:6; John 8:32; 2 Peter 1:2, etc.), but that’s another lesson.  While knowledge can be a great source of blessing in one’s life, knowledge alone—the mere accumulation of information— doesn’t automatically create spiritual maturity in a person’s life.  Knowing Bible facts doesn’t take the place of acting on or being transformed by truth.

Paul said that the Corinthians were “…enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge…” (1 Corinthians 1:5), but shortly after that, he said of the same people, I…could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. …for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? (1 Corinthians 3:1, 3).

The Corinthians had knowledge, but that knowledge had not translated into spiritual maturity in their lives. 

In speaking of meat sacrificed to idols, Paul said to this same church, “Yes, we know that "we all have knowledge" about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes” (1 Corinthians 8:1-3, NLT).

The Apostle James strongly emphasized that it’s acting on the Word of God, not merely hearing it or knowing it that counts.  Consider what he said (James 1:22-25 – Message Version): “Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God — the free life! — even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.”

I say this with compassion, not to make fun, but I remember a person I interacted with a couple of decades ago who had an amazing intellectual grasp of the Bible, but his life was a disaster.  He could finish quoting any Scripture that I brought up, but for some reason, none of his knowledge translated into a fruitful or transformed life.

MYTH # 6.  SPIRITUAL GIFTS automatically make you spiritually mature.

In our last point, we mentioned Paul’s assertion that the Corinthians were carnal, not spiritual.  He even referred to them as spiritual babies.  He didn’t simply refer to them being enriched in knowledge in 1 Corinthians 1:5, but consider what else he said about them in verses 6-7:

“…that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift…”

There was such an abundance of the operation of spiritual gifts in the Corinthians church, especially the utterance gifts, that Paul devoted an entire chapter (1 Corinthians 14) to the proper use of prophecy, as well as tongues and interpretation.  In the chapter before, he stressed the fact that no matter how many spiritual gifts or how much knowledge you have, if you aren’t developed in and exercising the love of God, everything else is in vain.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

When you stop and think about the Corinthians—a group of believers who were enriched in knowledge and had an abundance of spiritual gifts—it’s amazing that they were getting drunk at communion services, were suing each other in secular courts, and were full of strife and division.  Apparently, they saw spiritual gifts as toys, not as tools.  When used properly, spiritual gifts can greatly help in edifying the Body of Christ and bringing us to maturity, but in and of themselves, they don’t automatically make us spiritually mature.

MYTH # 7.  MINISTRY automatically makes you spiritually mature.

Serving God is a wonderful thing, and it’s such a privilege when the Lord calls and graces us to function in some type of ministerial capacity.  It’s important to keep in mind, though, that just because a person happens to have some type of gift with which to minister, that doesn’t mean that his or her character has necessarily developed along with the gift.  As a matter of fact, some people mistakenly see ministerial activity as a substitute for personal development.

I heard a minister say years ago that, “In the process of becoming great ministers, some become lousy Christians.”  It’s really a sad thing when a person becomes proficient in preaching the Word but deficient in living the Word.

In reading Luke 10:38-42 (the story of Martha and Mary), it’s obvious that Martha is a good woman who has a real inclination to serve.  In the midst of that serving, though, she is distracted and seemingly envious of Mary.  Jesus told her she was “worried and troubled about many things” and validated the decision of Mary to simply sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to His Word. 

It’s not that Jesus does not appreciate those who serve, but He valued the personal development that Mary was submitting to and experiencing.  Perhaps Jesus was mindful of the fact that people can get burnt out serving if they don’t have a vibrant relationship with Him that underlies and fuels their serving.  Perhaps the position He took simply reveals the priorities that He holds.

SUMMARY

Many of these things (time, proximity, knowledge, etc.) can certainly contribute to our spiritual maturity IF we are applying ourselves to obedience and IF we are allowing Christ-likeness and the fruit of the Spirit to be developed in our lives.  But we must not allow ourselves to be lulled into a sense of carelessness and assume that these things are substitutes for or will automatically make us spiritually mature.  May God help each one of us move into true maturity in Christ!

A Shepherd’s Heart by Tony Cooke

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A Shepherd’s Heart
Tony Cooke

Shepherd's Heart“A Shepherd’s Heart” is a term you’ll hear used from time to time, and what a beautiful expression it is. One of the most frequently used images in the early church was that of a shepherd with a lamb. I took the above picture at an exhibit that was set up in the Flavian Amphitheater (the Colosseum) while visiting Rome.

It is true that not everyone who has the title of pastor has a shepherd’s heart (Ezekiel 34 painfully and graphically reveals this), but one of the great privileges in my life is to have known so many wonderful spiritual leaders who truly do have and exhibit a shepherd’s heart. They have served God and His people relentlessly, lovingly, and effectively.

I might also add that there are some who don’t necessarily have the title of pastor, and yet they beautifully express and convey a shepherd’s heart through many different avenues (such as prison ministry, hospital visitation, nursing home ministry, or simply by caring for and ministering compassionately one-on-one to people).

Years ago, I compiled a list of some of the traits of a pastor’s heart…traits that I wanted to see developed in my own life. This list included:

  • having the same attitude and the same tender mercies toward people and the church that Jesus does
  • seeing people from God’s perspective and through Jesus’ eyes
  • loving with an absolute and determined love
  • seeking the welfare of people and putting the well-being of others before myself

Moses clearly exhibited a shepherd’s heart toward the people of Israel even when they had gotten into gross disobedience.

Exodus 32:31-32 (MSG)
31 Moses went back to GOD and said, “This is terrible. This people has sinned—it’s an enormous sin! They made gods of gold for themselves. 32 And now, if you will only forgive their sin. . . . But if not, erase me out of the book you’ve written.”

What Moses said reminds me of Paul’s statement concerning the Jewish people in Romans 9:2-3 (NLT): “My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ! —if that would save them.”

Loved for centuries, the 23rd Psalm vividly portrays what is released into our lives when we follow the Lord. Because He is our Shepherd, we have…

  • Provision – We shall not want.
  • Rest – He makes us to lie down in green pastures.
  • Peace – He leads us beside the still waters.
  • Restoration – He restores our souls.
  • Guidance – He leads us in the paths of righteousness.
  • Protection – We will fear no evil because He is with us.
  • Comfort – His rod and His staff comfort us.
  • Satisfaction – He prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies.
  • Anointing – He anoints our heads with oil.
  • Abundance – Our cups run over.
  • Confidence – Surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of my lives.
  • Union – We will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

All of these flow from the heart of Jesus, the Great Shepherd. When we allow Him to live through us, He can release and minister a sense of these virtues through us toward others.

The Prophet Isaiah (40:11, NLT) said, “He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.”

Jeremiah had seen some bad examples of shepherding, but he envisioned a day when godly shepherds would be established (23:1-6). What did the prophet see happening through these leaders?

  • The flock will be gathered and returned to their folds.
  • The flock will be fruitful and increase.
  • The flock will be fed.
  • The flock will no longer be in fear, nor shall they be dismayed.
  • The flock will have no more lack.

It’s been sadly noted in modern times that some preachers, “…love crowds, but hate people.” That is not a shepherd’s heart! Jesus made it clear that real shepherds don’t just love the sheep (plural), but they love sheep (singular). In Matthew 18:12-13 (NLT), Jesus said, “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away!”

Also, consider the amazing insights from what Jesus taught about His own role as as the Good Shepherd.

John 10:10-14
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.

The lessons here are powerful!

  • The good shepherd has the flock’s best interests at heart. He came that they might have life and have it more abundantly.
  • He gives his life for the sheep.
  • He has a sense of responsibility toward the flock. It is said of the hireling, “…whose own the sheep are not…”
  • He continues with the flock. He doesn’t flee like the hireling when he sees the wolf coming.
  • He cares for the sheep.
  • He knows his sheep.
  • He is known by his sheep. Verses 4-5 in the NLT read, “…they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

Paul expresses a shepherd’s heart in many statements throughout his epistles, but perhaps none more striking than what he said to the Corinthians. “Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children. I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me” (2 Corinthians 12:14-15, NLT).

In his first epistle (5:1-3, AMP), Peter calls Jesus “the Great Shepherd” and urges the under-shepherds to care well for the flock. In the Amplified, he refers to the “elders… the pastors and spiritual guides of the church,” and tells them to: “Tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is [your responsibility], not by coercion or constraint, but willingly; not dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits [belonging to the office], but eagerly and cheerfully; Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian living) to the flock (the congregation).” In short, those serving as spiritual leaders are to pattern themselves after the Great Shepherd!

If you are a pastor reading all of this, you may find these descriptions daunting. Keep in mind this simple truth: You are God’s servant and heaven’s ambassador, but you are not the Messiah and you are not the Holy Spirit. Lynn Anderson said, “Good spiritual leaders know full well that they are only shepherds, not saviors; they know they are leaders, but not lords; they understand that they may be skillful guides, but they are not gods.”

Warren Wiersbe observed, “…we can adopt the ‘CEO approach’ to pastoral leadership and distance ourselves from our people without ever paying the price of compassion, but that approach is very unlike Jesus Christ. Compassion is costly, but a hard heart costs even more. God help the church whose shepherd has no love for the sheep.”

This is not to bash good leadership and administrative skills, nor is it to imply that a lone pastor must single-handedly tend to every need amongst the congregation. In a healthy congregation, many people are releasing the love of God to one another. Hence, all of the “one another” scriptures (encourage one another, comfort one another, pray for one another, etc.).

Good management, structure, and delegation are great things in a church, but a good “business head” never takes the place of a loving shepherd’s heart. Even when several help and assist in ministering to the needs of God’s people, those laborers need to have at least a touch of a shepherd’s heart as well, so they can work together effectively, representing Jesus and the pastor—His under-shepherd—well.

Perhaps in the course of your ministry you have been discouraged or wounded, and perhaps you’ve even become angry, cynical, or jaded. If you have found yourself ministering more from hurt or frustration than from the Presence of God, that’s an indication that you need to spend some serious time with the Great Shepherd and reclaim the joy, the passion, and the purpose that God put in your heart in earlier days. Isaiah 42:3 (MSG) says, “He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant, but he’ll steadily and firmly set things right.”

If you are a non-pastor who is reading this, please don’t be critical of your pastor for not “measuring up” to these ideal standards. Pray for your pastor, and realize that he or she may be dealing with pressures and challenges you know nothing about. Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a perfect pastor, and likewise, there is no such thing as a perfect congregation. We could also write about “the perfect church member,” and we’d find that not too many would measure up to that either. Both imperfect pastors and imperfect church members need to pray for each other, and as Ephesians 4:2 (NLT) says, “Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”

Let me close with words from Hebrews 13:20-21 (NLT):

“Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”

Shallow Faith – Myths About Spiritual Maturity by Tony Cooke

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Shallow Faith – Myths About Spiritual Maturity by Tony Cooke

I often hear spiritual leaders express concern about the lack of depth in peoples’ faith.  Shallow Christianity is marked by the five C’s.

  • It is CASUAL, not committed.
  • It is based on CONVENIENCE, not on covenant.
  • It knows COMFORT, but not the cross.
  • It is COMPROMISED, not consecrated.
  • It produces CARNALITY, not Christ-likeness.

Growth and maturity are the normal and expected outgrowth of an initial decision to follow Jesus.

  • Ephesians 4:15 (NLT) – …we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ.
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:3 – …your faith grows exceedingly…
  • 2 Peter 3:18 – …grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
  • 1 Peter 2:2 (NLT) – …you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation.

If we are not experiencing progress in our spiritual development, we should seek God diligently to discover why and to stimulate our advancement in the faith.  Francois Fenelon said, “There is nothing that is more dangerous to your own salvation, more unworthy of God and more harmful to your own happiness than that you should be content to remain as you are.”

Gelet Burgess remarked, “If in the last few years you haven’t discarded a major opinion or acquired a new one, check your pulse.  You may be dead.”  John Rooney stated, “The quickest way to become an old dog is to stop learning new tricks.” 

WHY NO GROWTH?

So why do some not grow as God desires?  Perhaps it’s because we mistakenly believe that certain things automatically bring spiritual maturity that really don’t.  Let’s look at some of these common myths.

MYTH # 1.  TIME automatically makes us spiritually mature.

Time is certainly helpful when it comes to spiritual growth, and it presents a framework in which growth can occur.  But time alone is no guarantee that growth has taken place or will take place.  Ed Cole said, “The popular notion is that maturity comes with age. Not true. You get old with age. Maturity comes with the acceptance of responsibility in every area of your life.”

This truth is evident in the remark made to the Hebrew Christians (5:12), “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.”  That’s quite an indictment!

The remark about coming to a place of needing milk seems to give the impression that the Hebrew Christians had actually regressed instead of progressed.  We need to be certain that we are moving in the right direction in our spiritual walk.  Abraham Lincoln once said, “I walk slowly, but I never walk backwards.”

In the Old Testament, we see a young man named Elihu who sat by respectfully (and quietly) while four older, more seasoned men wrangled unproductively.  He finally said, "I am young in years, and you are very old; Therefore I was afraid, and dared not declare my opinion to you. I said, ‘Age should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’ But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. Great men are not always wise, nor do the aged always understand justice.” (Job 32:6-9)

I understand that there is a wonderful “seasoning” that can come through time and experience, but we’ve also seen young people whose souls have been wonderfully touched by God, and we see in them wisdom and character beyond their years.  I believe this is what David had in mind when he said, “That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth…” (Psalm 144:2).  Time alone doesn’t make you spiritually mature; it’s what you do with and during that time.

MYTH # 2.  PROXIMITY automatically makes you spiritually mature.

Proximity refers to closeness, and in this context we’re speaking about being close to a godly person or to a group of believers.  Again, this can help, but it doesn’t guarantee maturity. 

  • Judas was close to Jesus. 
  • Ananias and Saphira were a part of the church.
  • Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:13) believed the gospel, was baptized, and even “continued with Philip,” but he certainly didn’t mature the way God desired.
  • Felix (Acts 24:25-26) conversed often with Paul. 

Ecclesiastes 8:10 (NIV) gives a gripping and sobering account of those who were “around” a godly atmosphere, but never changed.  It reads: “I saw the wicked buried — those who used to come and go from the holy place…”

While it’s good to be in close relationship with believers and to be actively involved in a place of worship, we must have more than proximity; we must allow ourselves to be transformed by the Word and by the Spirit of God.  Proximity doesn’t take the place of an obedient life!  We are deceived if we think that just because we have an anointed pastor or a godly friend, or attend a great church that we are automatically spiritually mature.  Those can be very helpful, but they don’t take the place of growing in obedience, in our character, and in our relationship with God.

MYTH # 3.  APPEARANCE automatically makes you spiritually mature.

How many times have appearances been misleading?  How many times did we see something that looked like a good deal, but it fell apart?  How many times have we seen someone who seemed to be very impressive and perhaps even put them on a pedestal, only to later discover some less-than-admirable traits in their life?

Jesus warned against judging by appearances when He said, “Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously.” (John 7:24, Amp)

Even the prophet Samuel nearly fell into the “appearance trap.”  When looking at Eliab (David’s brother) as a prospective king, God told him, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

(1 Samuel 16:7).

It’s important to realize that carrying a Bible, wearing fish lapel pins, having a Jesus bumper sticker, and speaking Christian-ese are no indicators of true spiritual maturity.  Outward appearances don’t necessarily constitute inward quality.  In 2 Corinthians 5:12, Paul referred to, “those who boast in appearance and not in heart.”  The NLT renders that phrase, “…those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart.” 

TO BE CONTINUED…

Next month, we’re going to look at four other factors that don’t automatically make us spiritually mature.  In the meantime, let’s continue a true pursuit of what God wants us pursuing in our own lives. 

Remember what Paul said in Philippians 3:12 – I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

That reminds me a bit of the statement that one person made, “Don’t be yourself.  Be superior to the fellow you were yesterday.”

To read Part Two of this article, click here.

Serving God: Seven Questions Every Christian Should Ask

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Serving God: Seven Questions Every Christian Should Ask
Tony Cooke

Seven Questions to AskOne of the most common statements I hear from pastors pertains to the need for workers—for committed, reliable, and consistent volunteers. Every pastor’s dream is to have an overflowing army of eager, joyful volunteers. When I think of this, I am reminded of David’s words: “Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power” (Psalm 110:3 NASB).

One commentary says the literal meaning of this verse is, “Thy people are free will offerings.” (1) Another says this word (volunteer) refers to “an entirely cheerful readiness” and says that Messiah’s people will be, “…ready for any sacrifices, they bring themselves with all that they are and have to meet him. There is no need of any compulsory, lengthy proclamation calling them out: it is no army of mercenaries, but willingly and quickly they present themselves from inward impulse.” (2)

Even if it weren’t for this passage in Psalm 110, we would know that God’s will is for His people to serve Him effectively. Jesus Himself said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38 NKJV). If believers are to fully mature and to become all that God wants them to be, they will be laborers and workers. Ephesians 2:10 (MSG) says, “He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.”

Pastors can and should teach about the importance of good works (e.g., Titus 3:8), but ultimately, the impetus and motivation to serve must come from within the hearts of believers as they allow God to do His work on the inside of them. I’ve long enjoyed the Amplified Bible’s rendering of Philippians 2:13: “…it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.”

I believe with all of my heart that we are going to see an army of workers arise—men, women, and young people—whose hearts God has touched to serve Him. Leaders and mature believers need to be ready to guide, direct, and mentor these fledgling servants, and perhaps one of the things we can do is to help them ask the right questions in order to get started and to stay on the right track as they serve God. With that in mind, here are seven questions people should ask as they seek to begin serving the Lord.

1. What Is My Level of Spiritual Consecration?
As you consider that, let me ask you some other questions. Are you 100% sold-out to Jesus? Are you willing to sacrifice your comfort and convenience for someone else’s benefit? Is there anything you’re not willing to do for Jesus? Is there anything that you feel would be beneath you? In days gone by, it was not uncommon to hear people at the altar praying and dedicating their lives to God. A common, heart-felt prayer was, “God, I’ll go where you want me to go. I’ll do what you want me to do. I’ll say what you want me to say.” Serving becomes easier when you’ve totally and completely surrendered all of your life and all of your heart to God. Consecration was clearly modeled for us in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus prayed, “…not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42 NKJV).

2. How Is My Servant’s Attitude?
Many will say they want to be like Jesus, but have they really considered what that entails? Jesus communicated plainly what it means to have a “kingdom attitude.” Matthew 20:26-28 (NKJV) says, “…whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

3. What Is My Level of Practical Availability?
A person can have all the ability in the world, but it will avail nothing if he or she does not have availability. I understand that people are busy, but have we become so busy that we have no time to serve God? We speak of giving God the first portion of our income, and that is good, but wouldn’t it be outstanding if all of God’s people gave Him a good portion of their time as well? Make it a priority to order your life in such a way that you can give God ample time in worship and in work. Make “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33) a reality in your priorities and in the scheduling of your life.

4. Am I Willing to Work?
Work is not an unspiritual word. When the Holy Spirit spoke in Antioch, He said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2 NKJV). Did you notice what their spiritual calling entailed? It was a call to work! Serving God doesn’t involve simply sitting around and having warm, fuzzy feelings and thinking about holy things. God calls us to work. Paul said, “I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me” (Colossians 1:29 AMP). Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NKJV). People will never see our good works unless we work! As I was writing this, I saw a social media post by Jeanne Cook in Panama. She relayed that her missionary husband, Dennis, was cleaning bat dung out of the radio station attic that they had built in the jungles of Panama. She wrote, “Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. It is not all preaching and teaching on the mission field.” Jeanne is so right, and it’s not all preaching and teaching anywhere else. Ministry is work.

5. What am I Good at?
God has given each of us certain skills, aptitudes, and gifts. It’s not the purpose of this article to try to delineate between natural abilities and spiritual gifts, but let me simply propose that we use whatever abilities and resources we have for the glory of God and for the betterment of others. A pastor told me about a man who came to him wanting to preach in his church. The pastor had never met this man and didn’t know him at all. While he did not need help in the pulpit, the pastor discovered that this man was also an electrician and let him know that they had a major project underway and that the church needed a skilled electrician. Fortunately, the man was gracious enough to lend his natural skills to the church, and did an excellent job serving the church through that avenue. God can use your natural skills for His glory.

6. What are the Needs and Opportunities Around Me?
Some Christians struggle because they don’t feel like they have a specific leading or a direct word from God regarding what they’re supposed to do. Others feel that if they are to do something significant for God, it must be something that is far-away and spectacular. John Burroughs said, “The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are.” If you don’t know what to do, find someone who is doing something for God and simply begin to help them. Specific direction may come later, but in the meantime, you’re being helpful and productive. Jesus said, “…if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” (Luke 16:12). In short, bloom where you’re planted.

7. Am I Willing to Take Initiative?
Arthur Ashe said, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Be a person who is eager to help others and to accomplish. Don’t wait for someone to ask you to serve; proactively look for and embrace things that need to be done. Albert Hubert said, “Parties who want milk should not seat themselves on a stool in the middle of the field and hope that the cow will back up to them.” Don’t be afraid to start with small things. If you see a piece of trash on the ground that needs to be picked up, pick it up. Lean into action, not away from it. Embrace responsibility, don’t shun it. Act, and believe that God will bless all the work of your hands. If there is something more specialized or more targeted that God wants you doing, He will certainly lead you to it and open the appropriate doors in due time.

When Believers Everywhere Begin to Serve…
The untapped potential in the Body of Christ is incalculable. When Christians mobilize and engage as faithful servants, I believe we’ll see a fulfillment of what George Washington Carver predicted years ago. “…there is going to be a great spiritual awakening in the world, and it is going to come from… plain, simple people who know—not simply believe—but actually know that God answers prayer. It is going to be a great revival of Christianity, not a revival of religion. This is going to be a revival of true Christianity. It is going to rise from the laymen, from men who are going about their work and putting God into what they do, from men who believe in prayer, and who want to make God real to mankind.”

May it be so, and may it be soon.

(1) Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

(2) Keil, Carl Friedrich and Franz Delitzsch. Commentary on the Old Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1996.

Seven Thoughts on Prayer by Tony Cooke

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Seven Thoughts on Prayer
Tony Cooke

thoughts on prayerThis article presents seven simple thoughts on prayer, and then shares insights from different individuals. I didn’t feel that a lot of explanation or amplification was needed on these.

1. Prayer is not a religious ritual.

“Real prayer comes not from gritting our teeth, but from falling in love.” (Richard Foster)

“I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk about, when I lie down and when I rise up. And the answers are always coming.” (George Mueller)

"Unless I had the spirit of prayer, I could do nothing." (Charles G. Finney)

"Beloved, it is not our long prayers but our believing God that gets the answer." (John G. Lake)

“There is no need to get to a place of prayer; pray wherever you are.” (Oswald Chambers)

2. Prayer is not a one-way conversation.

“God must speak to us before we have any liberty to speak to him.” (John Stott)

“The true spirit of prayer is no other than God’s own Spirit dwelling in the hearts of the saints. And as this spirit comes from God, so doth it naturally tend to God in holy breathings and pantings. It naturally leads to God, to converse with him by prayer.”
(Jonathan Edwards)

Jesus said in John 15:7, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”

3. Prayer is not a matter of talking an unwilling God into doing what you want Him to do.

"Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance, but taking hold of God’s willingness."
(Phillips Brooks)

“Prayer is not a means by which I seek to control God; it is a means of putting myself in a position where God can control me.” (Charles L. Allen)

“A sinning man will stop praying. A praying man will stop sinning.” (Leonard Ravenhill)

"I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me. His face, that hitherto may have been strange and intolerable to me, is transformed into the countenance of a brother for whom Christ died, the face of a forgiven sinner." (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

Remember, we don’t pray to change God. Prayer allows God to change me.

4. Prayer is not a substitute for action.

“Prayer will become effective when we stop using it as a substitute for obedience.”
(A.W. Tozer)

"I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs."
(Frederick Douglass)

“We Christians too often substitute prayer for playing the game. Prayer is good; but when used as a substitute for obedience, it is nothing but a blatant hypocrisy, a despicable Pharisaism…To your knees, man! and to your Bible! Decide at once! Don’t hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to God, quit consulting flesh and blood. Stop your lame, lying, and cowardly excuses. Enlist!” (C.T. Studd)

5. Prayer is not informing God about things He didn’t know.

“Prayer is not designed to inform God, but… to humble man’s heart, to excite his desire, to inflame his faith, to animate his hope, and to raise his soul from earth to heaven.” (Adam Clarke)

6. Prayer is not an exercise is hyper-technical precision.

Some get excessively concerned about technicalities when they pray. Granted, we want to pray accurately, according to the truth of Scripture, and according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. But people can get so caught up in hyper-technicalities that they get off track when it comes to simply trusting God.

• Was I binding when I should have been loosing?
• Was I interceding when I should have been supplicating?
• Was I praying to the Father when I should have been talking to Jesus?

As Corrie Ten Boom said, “Nestle, don’t wrestle.” The simplicity of David’s faith is expressed beautifully in Psalm 131:1-2 (NLT): “I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.”

7. Prayer is not a peripheral activity of the church.

“Prayer is not just getting ready for Christian service. Prayer is Christian service.”
(Adrian Rodgers)

“It is obvious that Paul did not regard prayer as supplemental, but as fundamental—not something to be added to his work but the very matrix out of which his work was born. He was a man of action because he was a man of prayer. It was probably his prayer even more than his preaching that produced the kind of leaders we meet in his letters.” (Oswald Sanders, from Dynamic Spiritual Leadership)

"I would rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach." (Charles Spurgeon)

“You could remove the powerful preaching from our church and it would still continue. You could remove the administration of pastoral care through the cell group system and the church would still continue. But if you remove the prayer life of our church it would collapse.” (David Yonggi Cho)

May your walk with Him will be rich and sweet!

Seasoned or Poisoned?

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SEASONED OR POISONED?
By Tony Cooke

Have you ever noticed how many different stories and references there are in the Bible about God’s people encountering situations involving some type of poisoning?

* Exodus 15 – God’s people encountered the bitter waters of Marah – The Lord showed Moses a tree – when it was cast in the waters, they were made sweet.

* Numbers 21 – Serpents in the wilderness were biting the people – God had Moses put a bronze serpent on a pole – whoever looked on it was healed and lived.

* 2 Kings 4 – Elisha and the sons of the prophets were eating stew when they cried out, “There is death in the pot!” Elisha had them put some flour in the pot, and “there was nothing harmful in the pot.”

* Mark 16 – Jesus said that his followers would “take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them.”

* Acts 28 – After the shipwreck incident, Paul was gathering up sticks for a fire when a viper “fastened on his hand.” The natives expected Paul to die, but he shook off the serpent into the fire and suffered no harm.

One of the first things we notice is that God consistently provided His servants with an antidote, protected them from poisoning, and even turned bitterness into sweetness, but I have to ask, “Why so many stories about bitterness and poisoning? Are there additional lessons, principles, and applications we can draw from these stories?”

Not to overly spiritualize these stories, but I am reminded that life is full of experiences that have the potential to embitter us, fill us with resentment, and leave us feeling the ache of regret. I believe that God is just as interested in us being free from that type of poisoning as He was in protecting His people in these biblical accounts.

We’ve probably all heard the phrase that life will make us “bitter or better,” and in the same way, I believe that how we respond to God will determine whether we end up “seasoned or poisoned.” In the situation with Paul, I love the fact that he not only shook the snake off his hand into the fire, but shortly after that, he laid his hands on the father of Publius and ministered healing to him and to many on that island (Acts 28:1-9).

If anyone ever had a right (naturally speaking) to feel sorry for himself, it was Paul. He had been faithful to God, and yet he was being transported to Rome as a prisoner when he endured the horrible and extended storm at sea that resulted in shipwreck; he even had to swim to shore to survive. It was cold and raining when he was picking up the sticks for the fire, and then the snake bit him. It was not a good month for Paul’s ministry newsletter!

However, instead of being poisoned, Paul shook off the snake and ended up taking that same hand—the very one the enemy tried to inject with venom—and used it to bring blessing to others. Paul was truly seasoned by grace, not poisoned by adversity!

What are some of the potential poisonings that we are exposed to today?

* Betrayal – someone you trusted and thought was on your side turns against you
* Disappointment – someone doesn’t do what you expected them to do and leaves you frustrated
* Broken promises
* Rejection
* Disrespect
* Ingratitude – you go out of your way to help or serve someone, and your actions are not appreciated and are disregarded
* Someone is insensitive to you or fails to recognize your basic needs
* Criticism
* Someone lies or gossips about you
* Someone undermines you – they work against you instead of with you
* Your convictions and values are disregarded
* People place unreasonable demands and expectations on you, and then belittle you when you can’t fulfill them
* False accusations – You are blamed for things that weren’t your fault

All of these are things that can poison us if we let them. How we respond to such potential hurts reminds me of the widely circulated story (I don’t know its original author) that you may have heard.

SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP

A farmer owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer’s well one day, and the farmer, hearing the mule braying, rushed over to see what had happened. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

At first the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back … a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back, he could shake it off and step up.

So this he did, blow after blow. “Shake it off and step up … shake it off and step up … shake it off and step up,” he repeated to encourage himself.

It wasn’t long before the old mule, battered, dirty and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of the well. What seemed like it would bury him actually blessed him, all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

How do we know if we’re seasoned or poisoned? Consider some of the following contrasts:

A Seasoned Individual

Trusts

Open-hearted

Releases hurts

Scars

Thankful

Heals Others

Proactive

Resilient (rolls with the punches)
A Poisoned Individual

Paranoid

Closed-off

Accumulates hurts

Wounds

Resentful

Poisons Others

Reactive

Fragile (no bounce)

 

What can we do?

1. Make a decision! Make the decision that you will let life season you, not poison you! Someone said, “You make your decisions, and your decisions will make you.”

2. Walk in the power of forgiveness! Dale Carnegie said, "When we hate our enemies we give them power over us – power over our sleep, our appetites, our happiness. They would dance with joy if they knew how much they were worrying us. Our hate is not hurting them at all, but it is turning our days and our nights into hellish turmoil."

3. Live free from envy and embrace a life of gratitude. A.W. Tozer said, “A grateful heart cannot be cynical.”

4. Monitor your expectations. Are they realistic? Many times, the sense of disappointment we experience is intensified by our unrealistic expectations. For example, if we think that everything will always go our way and that everyone will always treat us nicely, we’re setting ourselves up for disillusionment.

5. See the bigger picture. Charles Noble said, “You must have long-range goals to keep you from being frustrated by short-range failures.” Instead of focusing on immediate situations, we need to consider the long-term perspective, especially the eternal ramifications of our lives. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope"

I believe that all of these principles are part of finishing our course with joy! May God help each of us as we become well-seasoned followers of Jesus.

Don’t Sell Out Harry by Tony Cooke

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Don’t Sell Out Harry!
By Tony Cooke

A group of friends went deer hunting and paired off in two’s for the day. That night one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under an eight-point buck. “Where’s Harry?” “Harry had a stroke of some kind. He’s a couple of miles back up the trail.” “You left Harry lying there, and carried the deer back?” “It was a tough call,” acknowledged the hunter, “but I figured no one is going to steal Harry.”

This hunter sold-out Harry, his friend, for a prize deer! While the story is meant to be humorous, it parallels something that’s not funny at all in real life. As Christians, we have a holy calling, and we can’t sell out our core values for things that seemingly promise instant gratification. We need to have strong core values—principles that please and honor God—and then carry out those values in our lives and ministries.

Walking in integrity means choosing principle above popularity, convictions above convenience, and ethics above expedience. Edward R Lyman said, "Principle – particularly moral principle – can never be a weathervane, spinning around this way and that with the shifting winds of expediency. Moral principle is a compass forever fixed and forever true."

Stephen Covey said, "You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage – pleasantly, smilingly, non-apologetically – to say ‘no’ to other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger ‘yes’ burning inside. The enemy of the ‘best’ is often the ‘good.’"

May you be blessed and strengthened as you serve the Lord with integrity and with clarity of principle!

Reflections on Scandal

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Reflections on Scandal
Rev. Tony Cooke

What happens when scandal hits the church?  The following is not meant to be judgmental or condemning of any individual, but is simply meant to remind us of the seriousness of our Christian witness—especially for those in positions of leadership and responsibility in the church. 

I recently recalled the very sobering story of David’s sin and the resulting fallout.  We know that David received forgiveness (2 Sam. 12:13), and thank God for that.  If it weren’t for the mercy of God, where would any of us be?  Even though Nathan pronounced God’s forgiveness toward David, there were also some very strong consequences articulated.  Let’s look at three of them:

1. Nathan said, “The sword shall never depart from your house” (2 Sam. 12:10).  That’s sobering!  It’s important to understand that spiritual forgiveness doesn’t immediately eradicate all of the consequences of our actions.  If I go out and rob a bank tomorrow, I believe God would forgive me, but the courts probably would not.  I would embarrass my family and destroy the trust that people have placed in me.  Trust is the currency of ministry, and without credibility, our ability to influence lives is greatly diminished.  Yes, David received forgiveness, but the ramifications he experienced socially, relationally, and politically following his sin were massive, horrific, and long-term.

2. God did not look at David’s sin as a mere yielding to temptation; it was much deeper than that in God’s eyes.  In reference to David’s act of disobedience, God said, “…you have despised me…” (2 Sam. 12:10).  God takes our obedience (and our disobedience) very seriously and very personally.  Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).  God is never impressed with our words if our actions are wrong. 1 John 2:4 states, “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”  Before there was a Great Commission, there was a Great Commandment, and that involves loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Real love for God produces obedience to Him.

3. Another very sobering statement is, “…by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme…” (2 Sam. 12:14).  We know that the Gospel is true whether a particular minister lives right or not, but society as a whole tends to judge the message by the messenger.  When Paul spoke of those who preach one thing and live another (Romans 2:21-24), he ended those remarks with: “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,”

Beginning in Matthew 18:6, Jesus begins to talk about “offenses,” and he addresses the very serious consequences of offending “one of these little ones.”  The words (used six times in these few verses) translated “offend” and “offense” are “skandalizo” and “scandaloon” in the Greek.  This is where we get our English word, “scandal.”

Scandalous behavior by Christians brings offense and causes people to stumble.  It disheartens and confuses baby Christians, alienates those who may have been considering Christianity, and gives great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme.

Again, what I am writing is not meant to project condemnation toward anyone who has missed it.  We are to be proponents of mercy and restoration (Galatians 6:1, James 5:19-20).  I am simply summarizing what was a stark reminder to me of the seriousness of our calling and the mandate that we must embrace regarding godly living if we are to preach the gospel.  This is not a time to rise up in judgment against others; it is a time to examine our own hearts in godly fear.

Warnings against sin go way back.  When Cain was angry and jealous toward Abel, God said, “You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master” (Gen. 4:7, NLT)

Even Paul, as spiritually developed as he was, didn’t trust his flesh.  He said, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:27).  Spurgeon’s words also ring true yet today: “Whatever call a man may pretend to have, if he has not been called to holiness, he certainly has not been called to the ministry.”

Someone described the deceptive and destructive power of sin this way: “Sin will take you farther than you want to go! Sin will keep you longer than you want to stay! Sin will cost you more than you want to pay!

 

SAYING “NO,” SAYING “YES”

I believe our destinies are primarily formed, not by the circumstances we encounter, but by the choices we make.  Our character and future are shaped, for the most part, by what we say “no” to, and what we say “yes” to.

 

Abraham said “NO” to Sodom’s riches, and “YES” to God’s promises.

Joseph said “NO” to Potiphar’s wife, and “YES” to faithful service.

Moses said “NO to the treasures of Egypt, and “YES” to a heavenly assignment.

Elisha said “NO” to Naaman’s silver, and “YES” to selfless integrity.

Daniel said “NO” to the king’s delicacies, and “YES” to godly consecration.

Nehemiah said “NO” to compromising negotiations, and “YES” to unwavering persistence.

Paul said “NO” to being burdensome to the churches, and “YES” to sacrificial love.

Jesus said “NO” to comfort, and “YES” to the cross.

 

Jesus expected us to have a strong “yes” and a clear “no.”  Both He and James said, “…let your ‘Yes ‘ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’  If we find ourselves torn or tempted when it comes to doing the right thing, it’s important that we come back to our core values and remind ourselves of who God has called us to be.  Roy Disney said, “It’s not hard to make to make decisions when you know what your values are.”

When you stop and think about it, even Christmas is a “no” and “yes” proposition.  In the manger, God was saying “no” to our hopelessness, our abandonment, our demise, and our destruction.  He was saying “yes” to our hope, our rescue, our reconciliation, and our resurrection.  Thank God that He said “yes” clearly and unmistakably!

RSVP

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RSVP
Tony Cooke

rsvpWe’ve all seen these initials. When you receive an invitation to a wedding or to some other type of formal event, these initials will likely be on the card. RSVP is derived from the French expression répondez s’il vous plaît, which means “Please Respond.” To honor such a request and to let the host know whether or not you are coming is a simple courtesy that allows an event planner to know how to prepare.

If it is proper to respond to earthly invitations, how much more should we respond appropriately to God’s Word?  Our purpose in responding to God is not to inform Him of something He wouldn’t otherwise know.  After all, He’s the God that knows “the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10).  He is a God who initiates, and He desires people to respond.  2 Peter 1:5 (NLT) says, “…make every effort to respond to God’s promises.”

It becomes evident as we study the Bible that there is both a God-side and a man-side of every issue.  Consider John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” 

What is the God-side of that verse?  God loved the world and gave His only begotten Son. 

What is the man-side of that verse?  If we believe in Him we will not perish but have everlasting life. 

In order for us to properly understand any biblical topic properly, we must always consider that God initiates AND that He expects us to respond.  To ignore either God’s part or man’s part in the equation will lead us to an imbalanced perspective of the truth.

Consider the God-side and man-side of Ephesians 2:8-10.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Grace refers to God’s initiation toward us and on our behalf.  Faith is man’s response to what God in His grace has provided.  But even the faith with which we respond to God did not originate with us.  Paul said that God’s grace and faith are gifts from God.  We know that faith comes by hearing the Word of God, but had God not given his Word we would have no basis or ability to respond with faith.  Nevertheless, a faith response is necessary to appropriate and to receive what God in His grace has provided.  Paul went on to say that God prepared good works beforehand (His initiation) that we should walk in them (our response).

Believers who only think of the God-side of things may bristle at suggestions that they embrace work, responsibility, obedience duty, etc.  They may be quick to declare: “It’s ALL grace.  I have been delivered from all that.  I’m not under bondage.  I don’t have to do anything to earn my salvation!”  I must agree with them in part.  We certainly don’t engage in any kind of “works” to earn our salvation.  However, we certainly do engage in works to express our salvation and to respond appropriately to the salvation that has been freely given to us.  The Bible says it plainly: we are to walk in the works God has prepared for us.

Paul, the Apostle of Grace, told believers in Philippi (2:12) to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”  Notice that he did not tell them to work for their salvation, but to work out their salvation.  He wasn’t telling them to try to earn their salvation, but he was encouraging them to express the salvation that they had freely received.  Paul also advocated works in writing to Titus (3:8).  He said, “those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.”  These are good works, not dead works, but they are still works.

Likewise, Jesus (the Author and Initiator of salvation) told His earliest disciples (Matthew 5:16) to, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Even after His resurrection, Jesus did not tell the believers (Revelation 2-3) that He just wanted them to know that they were unconditionally accepted and that nothing they did mattered because of grace.  No, He told them (all seven churches), “I know your works.”  He specifically commended certain good works, and identified specific bad works of others.  He warned some of them in very strong terms to change their behavior.  How they responded mattered to Jesus!

We said earlier that there is a God-side and a man-side of every issue.  If a person only embraces the man-side of Scripture, he certainly would be imbalanced.  Assuming that everything depends on him and his efforts, he would be relying on his own strength, striving compulsively and frantically to keep all the commandments, and trying to earn acceptance through his performance.  This is certainly not what God has in mind for our lives, and such individuals would be under much bondage, fear, and insecurity.

However, if a person only recognizes the God-side of Scripture, he is going to be in the ditch on the other side of the road.  He is going to mistakenly think that God’s actions make his responses unnecessary.  He might think, “Well, Jesus died for my sins, so I’m automatically right with God.”  If you carry that type of thinking far enough, you’ll end up with universalism (“Since Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, everyone is going to be saved because God’s side covers everything; man’s response or lack of response is inconsequential”).  Such erroneous thinking elevates the God-side of Scripture but completely ignores clear biblical teaching about the necessity of man responding affirmatively toward God and His Word.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians illustrates perfectly the need for balance.  Chapters 1-3 are predominantly about the God-side of salvation (who we are and what we have through Christ and because of His work).  However, Ephesians 4-6 predominantly focuses on the man-side of salvation (how we are to live and walk in this world).  When we refer to the man-side (obedience) we are speaking of responding appropriately to God’s free gift and expressing that salvation through our lifestyle. 

A balanced Christian is not one who lives only in the spiritual realities of Ephesians 1-3, nor in the behavioral commandments of Ephesians 4-6.  Rather, he lives in the entirety of Ephesians 1-6.  He realizes that he’s been “accepted in the beloved” and “seated with Christ in heavenly places.” He has ALSO begun (with God’s empowering grace) walking in love, finding out what is acceptable to the Lord, giving thanks, treating one’s spouse properly, honoring one’s parents, etc.  He has also (with God’s empowering grace) stopped lying, stealing, fornicating, being covetous, etc.

When you RSVP… when you respond appropriately to God… you first recognize what He has done for you in His grace.  You recognize that Jesus – while you were yet a sinner – died for you, and that He has made available salvation, justification, and acceptance as an absolutely free gift.  There is no work or performance-oriented thing you can do to earn or merit His forgiveness.  But there’s more to responding than to God and His Word than simply accepting His free gift.  How else do we respond to Him?

  1. Repentance is a part of RSVP. 
  2. Getting water baptized is a part of RSVP. 
  3. Getting filled with the Holy Spirit is a part of RSVP. 
  4. Becoming a fully-committed disciple of the Lord Jesus is a part of RSVP.
  5. Growing in the Word is a part of RSVP. 
  6. Praising and Worshiping God is a part of RSVP.
  7. Getting involved in a good church is part of RSVP.
  8. Becoming a generous giver is a part of RSVP.
  9. Ministering to others is a part of RSVP.
  10. Evangelizing and sharing the love of God with others is a part of RSVP.
  11. When we miss it, acknowledging our sin and receiving His forgiveness is a part of RSVP.

When the Word says, “Please respond,” our response should be, “Thy will be done,” and then we should do it.  Responding appropriately and obediently to God is exactly what God is looking for in our lives.  God’s grace doesn’t eradicate the need for an appropriate response.  Rather, His grace is what empowers us to respond in ways that please Him.  May grace and faith work powerfully in your life to make you all that He intends for you to be!

 

Samson: Deliverer, Grinder, or Entertainer by Tony Cooke

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Samson: Deliverer, Grinder, or Entertainer
Tony Cooke

Samson DelivererThroughout history, God raised up various deliverers to get His people Israel out of bondage and other difficult situations. These deliverers experienced various levels of success, but the effect of their efforts was always limited and temporal. Many times a deliverer would be used by God to get Israel out of difficulty, and shortly the people would forget God and get into trouble again. God would then raise up yet another deliverer. Of course, Jesus came as the Ultimate Deliverer who came to save not only the nation of Israel, but all of humanity from the penalty and power of sin.

One of the deliverers that God raised up was Samson. Before he was born, the Angel of the Lord told Samson’s mother, “he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines” (Judges 13:5). The Bible tells us that as Samson grew, “…the LORD blessed him. And the Spirit of the LORD began to move upon him…” (Judges 13:24-25).

Most Christians recall the great exploits of supernatural strength and the great victories that Samson wrought when the Spirit of God came upon him, and most remember the fact that he lost his focus and failed to guard the anointing of God that was upon his life (with some help from Delilah).

After Samson’s head was shaved (indicating the violation of his vow and consecration to God), Delilah said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” So he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him” (Judges 16:20).

Operating now in his own strength without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, Samson was overcome and taken captive. The very next verse reads: “Then the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza. They bound him with bronze fetters, and he became a grinder in the prison” (Judges 16:21).

From Deliverer to Grinder
There are two amazing things that happened here.

    1. First, the Philistines gouged out the eyes of Samson. Would it be accurate to say today that when the enemy begins to overcome a leader, the first thing he wants to do is to take away the vision of that leader? 
    2. Second, having lost his vision, Samson became a grinder. Here was a man born with destiny to deliver a nation, and now he is doing the lowest, most degrading and hardest type of work in the prison; grinding corn.

Samson had not been born to be a grinder; he was born to be a deliverer! What led to his downfall? A study of Samson’s life reveals that he was inclined toward compromise, self-indulgence, and self-destructive behavior. In a sense, Samson was his own worst enemy.

Serving God was never meant to be a “grind” for us! How often have we taken comfort and strength in what Jesus said? “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Though often taxing, how did the Apostle Paul keep ministry from grinding him down? “For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me” (Colossians 1:29, AMP).

Whether we preach or serve behind the scenes, ministry was meant to be a joy and a great privilege, not a grind!

From Grinder to Entertainer
What happens next is incredible. The Philistines began to rejoice in their god and celebrate the downfall of the man who had inflicted so much damage on their ranks when he was functioning as the deliverer God intended for him to be. Speaking of the Philistines, Judges 16:25 says, “Everyone was feeling high and someone said, ‘Get Samson! Let him show us his stuff!’ They got Samson from the prison and he put on a show for them” (Message Version).

The man that God had gloriously anointed to deliver Israel had gone from his high calling to being humiliated in chains as a prisoner-slave, and now he is being mocked as a cheap entertainer. How the mighty can fall!

But Something Happened…
While Samson was on his downward spiral, something happened that no one expected. Right after he became a grinder, Judges 16:22 says, “However, the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaven.” Even though Samson had become disqualified (see 1 Corinthians 9:27), it seems that there was a time here when Samson began to be re-qualified. Perhaps in the pain of his bondage he cried out to God, repented, and re-positioned himself to once again become a deliverer. In the midst of his truly tragic situation, God still found a way to bring triumph!

Judges 16:27-30 (NLT)
27 Now the temple was completely filled with people. All the Philistine rulers were there, and there were about 3,000 men and women on the roof who were watching as Samson amused them. 28 Then Samson prayed to the LORD, “Sovereign LORD, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.”  29 Then Samson put his hands on the two center pillars that held up the temple. Pushing against them with both hands,  30 he prayed, “Let me die with the Philistines.” And the temple crashed down on the Philistine rulers and all the people. So he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime.

We have to read this story in its historical context. Samson lived in violent times, and he’s certainly no example of New Testament mercy or forgiveness. But there are vital principles here that we need to embrace. As Paul said of other Old Testament stories, “Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them” (1 Corinthians 10:6-7).

The Outstanding News
It is so wonderful that God has allowed us to partner with the Lord Jesus Christ in His on-going work in the earth. We are the Body of Christ and He is reaching, loving, and serving humanity through us. While He is certainly THE Deliverer, we have the privilege of participating with Him as He continues to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10).

If ministry has become a grind to you, or worse, if you feel like you’re just entertaining people, this is a great opportunity to “let your hair grow again” and reclaim your sense of destiny and purpose in the earth. Together with the Lord Jesus Christ and through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, you were born to embody and proclaim the liberating, delivering gospel. You were born to be a deliverer, not a grinder, or an entertainer.

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* While in Singapore, I taught four sessions each day, and spent two sessions listening to the students preach, evaluating them, and giving them feedback. One of the young men who preached is named Nehemiah David. He is from India, and some thoughts in his message really stirred my heart. I’m borrowing some ideas from his message, and I want to give him proper credit.

The Right to Think! by Tony Cooke

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The Right to Think! by Tony Cooke

New Testament leaders such as Jesus and Paul wanted believers to be thinkers.  Specifically, they wanted them to think through issues scripturally.  Paul did not say we were to be transformed by the removing of our minds, but by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2)! In Isaiah 1:18, God said, “…let us reason together.”  Reasoning is a good thing as long as we’re reasoning with God, not against Him!
 
When Paul preached in Berea, Luke noted (Acts 17:11), “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Notice that these believers were not condemned for checking things out against the Scripture, but they were commended for it.

When Luke said they “searched” the Scriptures daily, that is not a reference to a casual glance.  That word means, to investigate, examine, judge, interrogate, inquire into, scrutinize, sift, and to question.  In other words, they were truly diligent students of the Word of God.  They weren’t mean-spirited about it, but they valued truth based on Scripture.  When Luke described these believers as “fair-minded,” he was using a term of honor that meant they were well-born or noble-minded.

In contrast, this reminds me of a minister I heard more than a decade ago who was introducing a supposed “new revelation.” As he spoke, it was apparent that he was defensive of his doctrine, and in presenting it, he portrayed anyone who would question his teaching as being religious like the Pharisees.  His line of self-protective thought was essentially that, “Religious spirits have always opposed and persecuted new truth.  People persecuted Jesus and Paul, and they’re probably going to persecute me.”

There was no middle ground in his presentation.  Either you embraced his teaching because he claimed that God had revealed it to him, or you were a Pharisee being motivated by a religious spirit.  There was no encouragement for people to evaluate his teaching against Scripture, and to think for oneself was not an option (at least not one that he presented).
 
Great ministers want people to be more committed to Scriptural truth than to human personalities or human approval!  Howard Hendricks said, “When you see me stop following Christ, stop following me.”

Peer Pressure The pressure to compromise one’s inner-convictions and conform in order to be accepted by a group can be very strong.  A very sad Scripture illustrating this is found in John 12:42-43.  The Apostle said, “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him [Jesus], but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”
 
One of my favorite characters in the New Testament is Barnabas.  He was truly a good man!  I admire the fact that he was an encourager, and was always pulling for the underdog.  

  • His generous spirit encouraged the apostles (Acts 4:36-37).  
  • He believed in Paul when nobody else did (Acts 9:26-27).
  • When many were skeptical of the conversion of the Gentiles, he saw the grace of God in their lives and encouraged them (Acts 11:22-23).
  • When Paul refused to give Mark a second chance, Barnabas took the young man under his wings, restored him, and helped cultivate him into a great minister (Acts 15:37-39).

However, in spite of Barnabas’ great character, there was a time when he (and Peter) got off-track, and peer pressure was a factor.  Paul said (Galatians 2:11-13): “Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.”
 
The Phillips Translation of verse 13 says, “…the force of their bad example was so great that even Barnabas was infected by it.”  We often think that peer pressure is an issue that only teen-agers face, but Barnabas might well have attempted (at least initially) to justify his gaffe by saying, “But everybody’s doing it, even Peter!”

This situation illustrates the truth that our sense of discernment must go beyond whether someone is a good person.  Jessie Penn-Lewis wrote in the early twentieth century: “Every believer must test all teachers today for himself, by the Word of God and their attitude toward the atoning work of Christ, and other fundamental truths of the Gospel, and not be misled into testing ‘teaching’ by the character of the teacher.  Good men can be deceived, and Satan needs good men to float his lies under the guise of truth.”

As a believer and as a leader, there are times in my life when I am going to have to decide:

  • Am I going to stand on principle or yield to peer pressure?
  • Am I going to conform to group expectations or make a stand based on conscience?
  • Am I going to place human acceptance and approval above faithfulness to Scripture?

Mob Mentality In Acts 19, the silversmiths in Ephesus were successful in stirring up a large number of people, but the description of their gathering is most interesting.  Acts 19:32 says, “…for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.”  The Message version renders this, “Most of them had no idea what was going on or why they were there.”
 
Believers must be thinkers!  We can’t blindly follow something just because it’s the proverbial “flavor of the month.”  When we hear things, even from good people, we need to be like the Bereans and search the Scriptures.  Because we value truth, we’ll make sure that what we embrace lines up with both the consensus and the spirit of the Scripture. We won’t allow ourselves to be pressured to accept something without reasonable support and solid precedent from the New Testament, and we won’t be moved by “proof texts” that are wrenched out of their context.  Then, as we cling to truth with clear convictions, may we also courageously and confidently stand on those convictions.