Don't Be Caught Off Guard!

Where Is the Church Heading?

I hear preachers and church growth experts say that the church is in trouble.

I suppose you could look at things that way. But there are some things written in Scripture that tell me that the church, the kingdom of God is here to stay.

When the kingdom of God was prophesied in the book of Daniel, it was described as “a kingdom which will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 2:44)

When Jesus responded to Peter’s bold confession of faith, He said, “upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades* will not overpower it.” (Matthew 16:18)

The book of Acts records the beginning of the church and its spread during much of the first century A.D. Whether one considers the opposition and obstacles described in Scripture or secular history, it is clear that Christianity continued to spread during difficult circumstances.

It is evident that there has been and always will be opposition to God’s church. However, God is more powerful than man and His church will not die out or disappear.

Where Is the Bible Heading?

That’s a silly question, right? Not really.

How can the head of a church organization affiliated with Christ make religious decrees regarding doctrine and morality that conflict with the Bible? It is truly baffling that some churches that claim to be of the Christian faith have denied the Bible or, at least, parts of the Bible. After all, the church was not the product of a man or a religious organization. The church was of divine design and came about through fulfilled prophecy. The church was established by God in spite of the confusion of man. It is mystifying how churches deny God’s word.

How can individuals claim to be devoted to Christ yet crave the personal testimony (stories) of average people over the saving message of the gospel of Christ in the Bible? Surprisingly, this man-centered, emotion-driven thinking is rooted in a philosophical shift in thinking from only a few centuries ago; a departure from God’s word. It is mystifying how man has become the centerpiece in many Christian groups.

It would seem that churches and individuals have overlooked that Jesus relied on the Scriptures as did his apostles. Jesus never denied the written word of God. Jesus depended on the Scriptures, quoted the Scriptures and explained the Scriptures. The apostles did the same.

The Apostle Paul wrote that “all Scripture is inspired by God….” (2 Timothy 3:16)

The Psalmist wrote, “The sum of Your word is truth….” (Psalm 119:160) Jesus echoed those very words in John 17:17.

Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” (Matt. 24:35)

The Bible is not heading anywhere; it is here to stay. The real question is about faith in God’s word. There are many voices speaking against God and His word. Some are subtle and inviting. Others are bold. We are sure to be caught off guard when we listen to those voices.

Jesus spoke of the return of the Son of Man and asked, “will He find faith on the earth?” The question remains. Your answer is dependent on the voice(s) to whom you are listening.

Don’t be caught off guard.


Mark Stinnett

October 10, 2021

* The “gates of Hades” was a metaphor for death.

What I Saw the Day We Didn't 'Assemble'

I think I'll remember Sunday, March 22, 2020 for a long, long time.

It began like any other Sunday. I started early so I could get to the church building and have some 'alone' time as I prepared my thoughts for Sunday worship. But it was not like any other Sunday. For one thing, I wore blue jeans; but that was not what made it memorable.

I stepped out the back door to walk to my car and the familiar sound of passing cars was missing. No, the streets were not desolate; no tumbleweed. But it was more like a hike in the woods; the sounds of nature. Yet that was not what made it a memorable day.

I turned half a block from my house onto State St. and drove three miles to the church building which is also on State St. All four traffic lights were green, and that almost never happens. I passed only one car, and that never happens. Yet, that was not what made it a memorable day.

I entered the church building and it was dark, just like any other day. However, I did not walk through turning on lights as I normally do on a Sunday morning. I did not unlock the doors. Government officials and health officials had recommended that group gatherings dismiss due to the Coronavirus.  No one would be coming that Sunday.

I had arrived two hours before meeting time. Meeting time? Yes.

I wanted to go back through my sermon one more time and get things set up before everyone started gathering.

We were not meeting at our church building; we were not even meeting together physically. One of our church members introduced me to a computer application that allowed multiple individuals to join in an interactive video conference call. It was different than streaming live or watching a worship assembly on TV. We could interact as if we were in the same room.

I know that this is not new technology. It is used in business and education all the time. But it was the first time any of us had 'gathered' online for a period of worship and fellowship. I was able to share songs via audio and video from my computer so that we could all join together in a period of singing. Other men of the congregation were able to lead the whole group in prayer and share thoughts when we paused for the Lord's Supper. At the end of our worship fellowship, we stayed in our virtual assembly to share prayer requests and relate updates relevant to our church group.

I saw something on that day that we didn't 'assemble.'

Before I tell you what I saw, I have to relate a recent experience I had while a part of a religious group on Facebook. I saw a few posts about a particular Bible verse about the Christian 'assembly.' Here's the verse (the discussion focused on the section in boldface type):

Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.Hebrews 10:24–25 (NASB95)

There were basically two views: Some insisted that the verse was a command for Christians to meet every Sunday. 'Going to church' was something a good Christian had to do. Their rigid stance makes me sad; I think they missed the point.

Those opposing that view countered with statements like: "It's not a command" and "It doesn't say every Sunday" and "It doesn't even say Sunday" and "It doesn't say anything about worship." Their rigid opposition makes me sad; I think they also missed the point.

Both positions stripped the Scripture of meaning. The command viewpoint made it something that even a robot or a dog could obey. The opposing viewpoint, however, lacked substance by merely pointing out what the verse 'did not' say. Those with both viewpoints approached the Scriptures as a legal document. Both figuratively rolled up the scroll of Scripture and whacked the other on the head. Shame! Shame on both!

As long as we discuss Bible verses in legal terms we will only construct religious traditions that are not unlike the traditions of the Jewish elders at the time of Jesus. Rather, we ought to search for meaning and relevance in all the things God has spoken. Why did God say anything about "not forsaking our own assembling together"?

I saw something on Sunday, March 22, 2020, that day that we didn't 'assemble.'

I saw Hebrews 10:25 in a deeper way because I was given a different perspective. For the first time ever we were kept from meeting together and it had nothing to do with inclement weather, building renovations, etc. Our circumstances profoundly emphasized that meeting together is important for the life of the church.

With the help of one of our tech savvy church members, forty-two families and individuals met together in an online video conference meeting. I started the meeting 15 minutes early and several had already joined the meeting. One couple amused us by volunteering to be official 'greeters' as other folks joined. After our 'scheduled assembly' many folks remained in the online meeting to chat. This didn't happen because we were "commanded" or because "we didn't have to meet every Sunday." It happened because we wanted to assemble together. No, actually, we HAD TO ASSEMBLE because that is who we are.

That little phrase, "not forsaking our own assembling together" IS God's way of telling us that coming together in the name of Jesus is rich and powerful. Our assemblies have meaning because of the intent of our hearts toward God and toward each other.

I weary of the voices of critics who tell us that our worship assemblies today are nothing like the assemblies of the 1st Century Christians. Maybe so, but God really did mean something in Hebrews 10:25 and I think I will never look at our 'church assembly' quite the same way. 

Our small congregation assembled online on Sunday, March 22, 2020. We prayed together; we sang together; we shared in the Lord's Supper together, we considered some thoughts from God's word together and we just sat around and talked together.

It was unusual in may ways. But we were together...and we are richer for our experience.
That is a day I will always remember.

And we will continue to meet online...every Sunday...until we can once again join together in person.

God was so wise in giving us instruction reminding us of the importance of being together. 

Mark Stinnett
March 23, 2020

Fixing "A House Divided"

The famous quotation, “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” is attributed to Abraham Lincoln from one of his debates against Stephen Douglas. He actually adapted his statement from Jesus who was responding to an accusation that He had cast out demons by the power of Beelzebub (a reference to Satan). He said...

How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished!
—Mark 3:23-26

How insightful and clever of Jesus to respond in that way. How wise of Lincoln to recognize that the words of Jesus were applicable in his day. How foolish we are when we cannot see how these words apply to our daily lives.

In a general sense dysfunctional families could be described as a house divided against itself. A child appeals to dad who overturns mom’s previous answer (or vice versa). The parents argue. Or, dad confides in one of his kids criticizing mom (or vice versa). Divided house.

Unresolved anger, constant disagreements and arguments; unwarranted criticism. He does his thing, she does her thing. Divided house.

Churches may be dysfunctional when there are unresolved differences in the leadership. Division in leadership will inevitably divide the congregation.

When a church is divided, whether it is because of the leaders, biblical teachings, prejudice, gossip or anything else, it no longer functions as “a pillar and support of truth.” It cannot grow spiritually and it cannot grow numerically. Young people are not fooled; they are not blind to the hypocrisy among adults; many (most) will leave a divided church. Divided house.

Did you know that a person can actually be a divided house? I am thinking about a person who is constantly battling decisions of the heart with no solution. For one person the battle is ongoing temptation. The evil is so alluring that she is determined to indulge, yet she does not wish to violate her conscience. Divided house.

For another person it is an honest but naïve struggle to know God’s will for himself. Indecision paralyzes him; he wants a sign. He is afraid to live and becomes ineffective in God’s kingdom. Divided mind; divided house.

The good thing is that a divided house can be repaired. God has appealed to families in His word by describing the roles and responsibilities of husbands and wives, of parents, of children. God has described the roles and responsibilities of church leaders. He has also instructed His people on how to love one another and preserve unity in the family of God.

God has clearly described His will for His people and it applies to every individual. You’ll not find any kind of “Moses, deliver my people” message directed to you by name. So, you are free to choose a college, a career, a mate, a mission, or whatever. Just choose. Live for God.

The idea of Satan casting out Satan is almost laughable. Yet among God’s people a house divided against itself is quite sad. A house divided does not stand...it will be destroyed.

Do you know how to repair a divided house?

Open the Bible and find your role as it applies to your divided house (family, church, self). Then, in humble faith accept your role just as God has instructed...and live for God.

Mark Stinnett

March 1, 2020

Who Helped You?

He glared straight at me as he publicly thanked individuals in the congregation by name for visiting him while in the hospital. I had not visited him, no doubt the reason for the glare-stare.

I know that I was supposed to be embarrassed, after all, I was the preacher and preachers are supposed to visit everyone in the hospital. The trouble was, his public ‘show of gratitude’ was the first I had heard of his trip to the hospital.

Have we misunderstood how the church functions? I would have to shout, “Yes!”

I personally think preachers are largely to blame. Many preachers, not all, but many really like being in the spotlight. They want to be the sage-on-the-stage Bible-answer-man, leader and promoter of all programs, building supervisor, Sunday School superintendent, church counselor, music man, information gateway, and the keeper of the calendar. (Perhaps I exaggerate, but you get the point.)

Without exaggeration, a spotlight on the preacher fosters an unhealthy view of the church and a skewed view of the role and responsibility of the members of the church.

When a check is sent from our congregation to support a missionary or assist fellow Christians in a disaster, we ALL participate. Even if none of us are able to leave town to help, we participate through our finances.

The Apostle Paul expressed joy for the Christians in Philippi for their “participation in the gospel.” They had not accompanied him to the mission field, but had sent him some sort of assistance, probably financial. It is worth noting that he credited the entire church for their assistance. ALL had participated.

If you needed someone to give you a ride, you wouldn’t expect everyone to give you a ride. Let’s take it a step further. What if the preacher was not the one who helped you; what if it was not one of the elders, or one of the deacons? Does it count only if someone ‘official’ gave you the ride? (That’s silly, but you get the point.)

Paul described the way the different members of the church function in the context of spiritual gifts. He said that the Spirit of God distributed spiritual gifts according to God’s will. He went on to use the human body as an illustration saying that the foot is no less a part of the body just because it does not function as a hand. Likewise, the ear is no less a part of the body just because it is not an eye. 

My friend was upset with me for not visiting him, yet several others had visited. That was as silly as my injured hand feeling neglected because my ear did not tend to it.

Here are two things Paul wanted us to know about the way the body of Christ functions:

God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.
Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.
—1 Corinthians 12:18, 27 (NASB95)

We must understand that when any fellow Christian helps us in a time of need, it is Christ extending assistance through His body, the church. While it is proper to show gratitude to an individual, don’t just thank the ‘hand’ that helped you, thank the head of the body, Jesus Christ in whom we are all connected.

And when you are the helper, remember, it is Christ providing help through you (unless you covet the spotlight). So, give Jesus the credit.

We’re in this together; keep focus on Jesus.

Mark Stinnett

September 29, 2019

A Good Example

Math teachers know the importance of examples. Without examples many students are unable to understand mathematical concepts.

A basketball coach calls his team together and asks for the ball. “Look how I position my hands on the ball. Look at my feet; see my stance? Watch as I follow through with the shot.” He is an example.

Blueprints for buildings, maps, patterns for clothing, pictures, sketches: We look at them, study them, follow them. There are many different kinds of examples that guide us in life.

Good examples insure success. Jesus was the supreme example of life. By following His example we are able to please God and live better lives.

The Apostle Paul referred to the Old Testament as an example for our learning. For example: We can study the characters whose lives are recorded in the Bible and learn from their faith, their righteousness, their humility, their goodness, but also from their mistakes.

Peter encouraged the elders of the early church to be examples; visible representations of right living. Paul, was an example to the preacher Timothy.

Not only do we find examples in Scripture, many good examples are right here, at home.

Who in your life stands as an example...

• of service?
• of courage?
• of mercy?
• of humility?
• of love?
• of prayer?
• of wisdom?
• of patience?
• of joy?
• of holiness?

Who in your life stands as an example of marriage? 

We commonly mark significant milestones in marriage, such as a 50th wedding anniversary. We might enjoy a celebration with cake and punch, fun photos featuring fond memories, and other festivities. Such celebrations are good. I wish there were more.

The celebrations, however, are just that, celebrations. They last a few hours. The celebration is not the marriage; it applauds the marriage.

Think about it: Fifty years.

Fifty years of marriage is a long and wonderful time.

I have attended a few 50th celebrations and I have enjoyed the memories of family members. Their stories might make you think that those fifty years were easy. Yet anyone acquainted with life understands that every marriage is made up of good times and difficult times; joys and trials.

Relationships are difficult: different individual needs; different wants. It takes dedication to the Lord, commitment to each other, and self-sacrifice in order to make a marriage last fifty years.

Some in our church family have reached a milestone of 50 or 60 years of marriage. What an accomplishment! Some of our widows and widowers enjoyed long marriages that would have made it to ‘50’ were it not for the death of their spouse. All of these Christians are worthy examples of marriage for all who are younger.

Paul has reminded us that the marriage relationship of a husband and wife is like the relationship of Christ to his bride, the church (Ephesians 5). So, when we look at the marriage examples of the Christians couples in our congregation, they are teaching us two things:

• The meaning of honor and devotion to the Lord as well as to their marriage vows; and
• The relationship of Christ and his church.

We are being shown steadfast love, commitment, and sacrifice. We should hold these individuals up as present-day visible examples. We should follow them as they are following Christ.

We must each commit to being a good example for others to see and follow.

Mark Stinnett

Are You a Member of 'The Church of the Church'?

Americans, in general, do not know much about royalty, at least not from personal experience. So, I’m not sure how it sounds to you that a royal prince would dethrone his father to assume power as king. It is not necessarily unheard of, but that is not how things are supposed to go.

Yet, it just so happened that the most beloved king of Israel was temporarily dethroned by one of his sons. King David angered his son Absalom when he took no action to bring justice in a sinful situation involving Absalom’s blood sister. From that point forward, Absalom, his son, was filled with anger and hatred toward David.

When it was clear to King David that Absalom had won the favor of Israel, he fled Jerusalem to save is family and the people of the city. Then Absalom and his followers entered Jerusalem and he assumed the throne.

Absalom immediately asked, “Give your advice. What shall we do?” He was advised to send an army in pursuit of his father. He was assured that there would be peace in the land when the army returned victorious.

So the plan pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel.
-- 2 Samuel 17:4

How does that strike you? Did you know that Absalom’s chief adviser was also King David’s chief adviser? Had the elders of Israel not been among those who cheered the victories of King David as he defeated Israel’s enemies?

It is true that Absalom had been manipulative, but it pleased the people to dethroned David and set Absalom in his place.

• Absalom was not God’s anointed.
• His chief advisor did not consult with God.
• A sympathizer of King Saul mocked King David as he fled Jerusalem saying that God was behind it all. Yet, God was not.

When people rule God’s people, things always go very badly. Whether it was God’s chosen people in the Old Testament, Israel, or God’s chosen people today, the church, God is the true ruler of His people. The church of God must never be ruled by the church (the people).

God used men as prophets, priests, and kings to lead his people. Yet, Moses led by the voice and will of God. Gideon would not allow the people to make him king. David, God's anointed, always consulted God. Even when God first allowed a king over Israel, He knew that Israel had rejected Him as King!

In the ‘new Israel,’ God’s church today, He has provided roles of leadership: elders (pastors), deacons, preachers and teachers. However, Jesus Christ is the Head of the church and there is none other (Colossians 2:8-10). Even the great Apostle Peter referred to himself as a ‘fellow elder’ and Jesus as the ‘Chief Shepherd’ (1 Peter 5:1, 4). He held no position in a church hierarchy.

Many voices in God’s church today advocate change. Others are ready to fight to preserve the old ways. Who is right? Does it matter?

Whenever you hear voices promoting change which mirrors changes in American society, is that from God or man? If the majority voice insists on no change, but only to appease, is that from God or man? The church of God is a monarchy with Christ as King. We please the King.

Near the beginning of the Book of Revelation Jesus rebuked a church for being too conservative, for lacking love (2:1-7). He rebuked another church for being too tolerant (progressive) (2:18-29). What would he say to your congregation? Is your congregation just another self-ruled, please-the-people ‘Church of the Church’? 

The only way to answer is with an open Bible! 

What is the church? 

Open the Book! 

Read...

Think.

Mark Stinnett