The SermonAudio site of Eastside Baptist Church is on the verge of a milestone. We are only 45 downloads short of the 5,000 download mark. This is a ministry we are grateful to the Lord for. It has been help to members who are unable to attend from time to time and provided ministry near and far. If you have missed a recent Sunday at Eastside, you can catch up with previous sermons in the series of 1 Corinthians at SermonAudio. Be sure to share sermons with others, download them to an mp3 player, or listen on your computer.
Articles by Paul
Meeting House Bulletin (MHB001)
Over the next few weeks I’ll use this podcast format to fine tune and better discover podcast technology. My trial podcast is called Meeting House Bulletin (MHB) I’ll be hosting this test podcast at archive.org until I’m better informed on podcasting tech.
I’m still working on my main podcast, BridgeCast, to start on January 6, 2014. Until then… listen to and provide constructive feedback on the Meeting House Bulletin.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Robbing the Cross of Its Power
“I have no desire to rob the cross of its power. The preaching of the cross is, I know, nonsense to those who are involved in this dying world, but to us who are being saved from that death it is nothing less that the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18 (Phillips)
It is hard to explain the temptation that haunts this pastor to rob the cross of its power.
Here’s what I mean by that.
First, it is clear throughout Scripture that the primary, and really only, work of the pastor (and church he pastors) is the preaching of the cross. Yet the old nature is constantly at war with the message of the cross. The cross is a never ending message that the old nature must be crucified, his desires and passions are null and void or power. The cross is a message of foolishness and nonsense if the old nature has any hope of surviving.
If this pastor has any duty that has any real power, it is the cross of Christ.
This is why the apostle Paul argues this message to be a stumbling block to the Jews. Until the message of the cross is preached (by the broken messenger) and supernaturally heard (by the spiritually dead soul) then this cross is always in the way of the self-righteous attempting to please God without the cross.
This is why Paul states that this cross message is foolishness or nonsense to the Greeks. Unless the philosopher of this day, the debaters of reason and logic, the intellectual who claims to walk by sight and not by faith then the language of lawbreaking offender of God is simply foolish talk to him. In Athens, Paul (Acts 17) was mocked as being a cock sparrow for preaching the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
When I step into a ‘Christian’ bookstore or attend a conference I must do so with discipline. There are many clever ideas to duplicated only to prove powerless as a cheap imitation. I must plead with God to destroy any desire of my old nature that wants to rob the cross of its power.
I’ll have to always preach to myself that the preaching of the cross will always be a stumbling block and heard as nonsense and foolish talk to those who are perishing. But I am never given permission to abandon the preaching of the cross. I can’t love the unconverted more than God does and I don’t have a better message to give this soul than the one ordained by God (the cross) that can actually rescue the perishing.
If the church has any power at all, and she does, it is in the preaching of the cross. Why rob the cross of its ordained power to remove stumbling blocks or illuminate the path of sinners of their certain demise.
“The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord”. If there is any hope for the perishing it is the preaching of this one foundation. If there is anything this spiritually anemic culture of ours needs it is an invasion of cross preaching churches lead by cross preaching pastors.
Oh that these dry eyes of mine would refuse to be wooed by the wisdom of men and become a fountain of tears asking God for strength to not rob the cross of its power. May the glory of His name be the passion of the church.
Podcast Launch Date
Over the past year I’ve been preparing ideas, saving money to buy equipment, and now learning the technology to launch a podcast. The plan today is to launch the first weekly audio podcast on Monday, January 6, 2014. The podcast format will be a 20-40 minute broadcast every Monday (52 podcasts). Of course, a few plans may change before the launch but I will plan the year long podcast with this schedule…
1st Monday: Open
2nd Monday: Pastor Interview
3rd Monday: Book Review
4th Monday: Church History
5th Monday: Q&A
I’ll look forward to working on these ideas and communicating my thoughts in this format. I will continue writing and updating my blog.
Preach Christ or Nothing
It’s not unusual to read history of churches using a bar as a gathering place for a worship service, especially in the west, but not as a time to get a drink or two. An article that was posted over the weekend at npr.org has some churches thinking that it would be a good idea to bring the two together to attract a younger crowd at a church event called “Beer and Hymns”.
I know that some would defend this as a good idea. I have friends who will think ‘at least they will hear the gospel’ or ‘if just one person finds God this way it can’t be all wrong’ or the favorite ‘Paul became all things to all people so he might save one.’ Of course believers want to see all people everywhere find God. But there is a hellish lie that causes evangelism to abandon the one method sanctioned by God so that man might be saved.
Where in all of the universe does God need to be dressed up and made attractive so that people will come to Him? Nowhere does this happen, except when some thieves in the church read a statistic of church attendance declining and they begin to think God needs help. Once we leave the sufficiency of Scripture we open the door for all kinds of poison.
A statement like this, “I’m not interested, frankly, in making more church members. I’m interested in having people have significant relationships around Jesus. And if it turns out to be craft beer, fine” will become a battle cry against the Lord Jesus Himself and the blind guides leading the way have a crowd of deaf minions waving their banner.
Full NPR article HERE (It will shock most of you. If you have the time, listen to the report too.)
Last week, Scott Brown posted this excerpt from Spurgeon on his blog (www.scottbrownonline.com).
“Mark you, in proportion as the modern theology is preached the vice of this generation increases. To a great degree I attribute the looseness of the age to the laxity of the doctrine preached by its teachers. From the pulpit they have taught the people that sin is a trifle. From the pulpit these traitors to God and to his Christ have taught the people that there is no hell to be feared. A little, little hell, perhaps, there may be; but just punishment for sin is made nothing of. The precious atoning sacrifice of Christ has been derided and misrepresented by those who were pledged to preach it. They have given the people the name of the gospel, but the gospel itself has evaporated in their hands.
From hundreds of pulpits the gospel is as clean gone as the dodo from its old haunts; and still the preachers take the position and name of Christ’s ministers. Well, and what comes of it? Why, their congregations grow thinner and thinner; and so it must be. Jesus says, “Follow me, I will make you fishers of men;” but if you go in your own way, with your own net, you will make nothing of it, and the Lord promises you no help in it.
The Lord’s directions make himself our leader and example. It is, “Follow me, follow me. Preach my gospel. Preach what I preached. Teach what I taught, and keep to that.” With that blessed servility which becomes one whose ambition it is to be a copyist, and never to be an original, copy Christ even in jots and tittles. Do this, and he will make you fishers of men; but if you do not do this, you shall fish in vain.“
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, The Soul Winner, (New York: Cosimo Publications, 2007) p. 227.
This is a powerful reminder from the Prince of Preachers to “preach Christ or nothing.”
I would rather use one way to reach a thousand than a thousand ways to reach one.
New Horizon International Ministry Report
Sunday at 12:30 pm (Mountain Time) will be a report on New Horizon International. You can join us for this ministry report in person at Eastside Baptist Church in Twin Falls, Idaho or live streaming (if we can figure out the technology) via Google+ or YouTube. Contact me for information on how to find the live stream.
To Obey Is Always the Better Reason
Over the past few decades there has been a lot of talk about dropout statistics especially among youth in our churches. Statistical data is always complicated to determine what the numbers really say. Some defenders of statistics argue that we should just simply trust the numbers; of course this is their argument until someone uses their statistics to support a different conclusion.
Recently Timothy Paul Jones posted an article at Family Ministry Today, The Infamous Dropout Statistic: Where It Came From And Why It’s A Problem. Timothy Paul Jones makes some good points about how most of us are prone to exaggerate data to somehow hope to give stronger support to our cause. A good reminder to this pastor to speak factually when using numbers and to give clarity when a statistic is not factually supported with data.
His article was a confirming piece for me in this way.
It is natural and even considered normal to use data to support or debunk a matter of interest. A decision to do something or reform a matter is only an honorable thing to do when it is in response to matter of obedience to your master.
There is no one I know who is not bothered by dropout rates of church goers. But if statistical data is the support for or against an issue, then we are likely willing to do nearly anything to change the trend or defend our ministry. If we are to “trust the numbers”, then we are at danger of giving our allegiance to another.
As an unconverted idolater, I’m a slave. As a follower of Christ, I’m a slave. Either position, I’m a slave.
This puts me in a vulnerable state of mind. I can only love one slave master. Now, I must decide to obey one or the other. It is right that a slave of Christ would grieve over dropout rates. After all, the under shepherd is charged to pursue the lost sheep. It is right that a slave of self seeking ways would grieve over dropout rates. After all, his paycheck is dependent upon a growing base to support the ongoing work and future pay raises will only come from a larger bottom line.
When I hear talk of change, or innovation I have a tendency to cringe. Usually because that kind of language is an attempt to get people to buy a product or buy into a philosophy.
I’m not one who is afraid of change. I’ve grown to embrace a life of change. There is always a need to change. But not how most want to push for it, or why thy want it.
If I am to be a well informed and responsible follower of Christ, then I must always be on a reforming path. I will be on a life long journey of putting my old slave master aside and redirecting my heart to obey my new slave master.
Because change is never ending, I have to use statistics carefully. They may be properly used to expose a problem, but they must not be trusted to offer a trustworthy solution. Statistics might give positive support for a wrong action or ungodly philosophy. I must discipline myself to obey Christ, my slave master, regardless of statistical data. My slave master did not charge me to be innovative with his work or ministry, he has called me to obedience.
How does it go? Welcome, creative and innovative genius or good and faithful servant.
New Horizon Baptist Church
Hey Eastside Baptist Church, meet our extended family in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Silas, Bianca and I had the privilege of gathering with our new church plant while there last Sunday. We will share more on Sunday, November 10, 2013.
Faith Comes By Hearing
Yesterday our first Proclaimer came in the mail. Here is a short video describing the Proclaimer.
Visit www.faithcomesbyhearing.com for more information.
My God, What Have We Done
Over the past couple of days I have been in dialog with a brother, Tony Jones, in Grand Coave, Haiti. He sent me a short article he wrote recently and gave me permission to post it here. He speaks to the matters in Haiti with the same tone as I do. The timeliness of the article is helpful as we work to establish our doctrinal agreement with New Horizon Baptist Church and a reminder that this work we are to be about is first and always gospel work.
My God, What Have We Done
by Tony Jones
HAITI
“My GOD” what have we done
Well Guys I woke up at 4 am and couldn’t get what I’m about to tell you off my mind.
I was thinking of my time spent in Cuba with the most beautiful believers I have ever met. They worshiped God like nothing I had ever seen before and they did it all with nothing. Most home churches in Cuba had no chairs, people either brought their own or they just sat on the floor. The government would not allow them to have any, instruments, music, loud speakers or microphones. Some of the youth would walk 2 hours just to go bring men and women to the services that were confined to a wheelchair. They would push them to the church and then take them all the way home again, rain or shine. All the while praising God for everything HE had given them, they were truly a family of GOD.
Cuba a land where Christians are still being persecuted, has no so called Christian Orphanages, Christian schools, Christian Universities, Christian adoption agencies, Christian radio stations ,Foreign Churches set up by rich American or Canadian Christian organizations, NGO’S and let’s not forget free food. Yet despite all this the gospel in Cuba is spreading like wildfire and the hunger for the HIM is immense. Now welcome to Haiti the land of plenty where there are more Christian missions and NGOS (Non government organizations) per capital than anywhere else in the world. Billions and billions of dollars have poured into this place and what has the outcome been. Well on a worldly view it has been a great place for corrupt Politicians, phony aid groups, NGO’S and yes even Christian missions to make allot of money. It is so typical of 3rd world countries, the rich making money off the backs of the poor. Now as Christians we need to look at what “our impact” has been on this Nation since we arrived. The first thing I must express to you is that “WE ARE NOT HERE FOR THE NEEDS OF THE HAITIANS, WE ARE HERE TO GIVE GLORY TO ‘HIS NAME ‘and HIS NAME only. Looking at what most of the mission groups are doing here I can see plainly that they have become crisis centered and not CHRIST centered. I’m sure when they first arrived they had the idea of bringing the gospel to every Haitian that would listen but after being here for a period of time they became so overwhelmed with the needs of the people they began to focus more on their physical poverty and less on their spiritual poverty. So now they have to build schools for the poor kids that aren’t able to go, build clinics for the sick that can’t afford the hospital, give out free food to the hungry and oh my let’s not forget all those orphans. I live in a town that has 5000 people and we have 9 so called Christian orphanages with more to come and guess what, 98% of these kids are not orphans. They have a parent that simply has given the child away because they cannot look after them, so why are these Christian groups calling them orphans when the fact is that most of them are not. Well you know what I wanted to find that answer out for myself so I talked with a friend of mine who works at one of these warehouses. He is new to Haiti and a little green you might say so after telling him my views and concerns about these so called Orphanages he had a meeting with the pastor who was the director of the place he worked at. After a lengthy conversation guess what, it’s now called a Children’s home. Gee I’m glad there was some conviction there, that pastor might have been a real one. Now I’m not saying that schools, orphanages, clinics etc are bad but they are only fruitful if “CHRIST IS THE CENTER” If you were to see the size of some of these orphanages and mission compounds and figure out what it must take to keep them operating, my goodness there is allot of GODS money being used just to keep these corporations operational. Because of this their focus is now on the mission and not on HIM!!!
As you know I sell coffee to most of the missions here in town as a way to help support our work. Each time they have a team arrive they allow me to come in and tell my story but of course I’m edited and can’t tell them everything. Heaven forbid I tell them about the children I’ve known that were sacrificed in voodoo ceremonies, oh know lets tell them about how many Haitians apparently got saved last month at their church and how everything is just rosy. I have spoken to hundreds of Brothers and Sisters that have come here on short term mission trips and I am amazed how naive they are. They have been coming here longer than me but because of the rules and regulations apposed on them by the mission they know nothing about Haitians or what goes on outside that big wall surrounding their compound. Most missions do not even allow their employees to approach you; this was my experience when I first arrived here. Guys if you’re not allowed to speak to the Haitians or get to tell someone about Christ then what are you doing here? I’ll tell you what you’re doing here, your cutting the grass, painting up some buildings on the compound, giving out free food that makes the Haitians dependent on you, building homes for Haitians while the Haitian workers watch as you take their job away , welcome to the mission field.
And oh boy you get to go home and tell everyone how you were so blessed to be on that trip and it has changed my life forever then 2 months down the road you’re sipping on that Horton’s coffee and your trip has become all but a vague memory. You were nothing more than a part of the growing industry that I call Missionary Tourism. So seriously guys you must ask yourself if you go on a mission trip what can I do to further HIS kingdom, how am I going to impact the spiritual lives of the people you will come in contact with. If the Mission group you are going with does not allow you to interact with the locals or give you a chance to lead someone to Christ then cancel the flight. A good Mission organization is not one that picks you up in an air-conditioned bus, gives you 3 meals a day, free internet, air conditioned rooms and has a lounge area for you to rest after working for them all day at their compound. No a good mission is one that “LEADS HEARTS DIRECTLY TO CHRIST”. You’re not going there to spread the gravel you’re going there to spread the Gospel. If you look at most Mission compounds here in Haiti you would think that being a missionary is more about success than sacrifice. Okay enough of that, what needs to change. I can tell you that Haiti does not need another foreign mission, this country is living proof that “MISSION CENTERED EVANGELISM DOES NOT WORK it must be “CHRIST CENTERED”. They already have enough Modern Day “Profits” here. So let’s look at the world’s first missionary, JESUS himself. This guy walked for miles, took ships and rode around on donkeys much like the mountain people do here in Haiti. He had twelve good guys that more or less stuck by HIS side and everywhere they went they told everyone the good news. HE didn’t need a 5 acre compound to bring them to him; no” HE went to them”. Did he get 3 meals a day and the best imported steaks in town, I’m sure he didn’t. Did he stay in the places that had all the comfort, I don’t think so. HE was with the people and gave them what they needed, not like the groups here who give the people what they want. So now take this blueprint and duplicate it here in Haiti, no more huge compounds, no more 3 million dollar budgets that some mission organizations have, no more paying the fuel bills for the huge generator that keeps the lights on, no more maintaining the 26 vehicles owned by the mission and no more payroll for the foreign directors that run the mission from their comfortable offices back home.
So what then? Easy, just a group of GOD fearing people that wants to see lives transformed and be devoted to HIM. People who care nothing more than to see HIS name proclaimed throughout the world, without all the gimmicks man thinks it takes to lead people to HIM. I want brothers and sisters that are actually concerned about their monthly gift, knowing that it is being used for HIS purposes. This is the group that I want to be a part of; I can tell you I can do more for the kingdom with $100 than any of these missions can with $1000. I will never bring a so called work team to this country; instead I will bring discipleship teams.
The last thing this place needs is another group of Christian contractors. Everything we do has to have Kingdom value; feeding hungry kids without giving them the gospel is wrong. Sponsoring teachers at schools without the children hearing the gospel is wrong. Bringing anyone here without giving them a chance to share the gospel with a Haitian is wrong. What kind of an investment is a good investment for the kingdom? To train and equip nationals with the tools needed for them to go back to their towns or mountain villages to disciple the people. As you may know this is something that I am working on right now. Guys do you want to go to heaven with a hand full of ashes or do you want to have crowns that we can throw at HIS feet and say “YOU ARE WORTHY” Does HE not deserve the reward for HIS punishment.
Lord Bless: Tony