Category: Following Jesus

Have you ever noticed that each of the passages to the seven churches of Revelation (chapters 2 and 3) includes the following phrase: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the spirit says to the churches.”

I find that fascinating. To me, that indicates that while these two chapters are addressed specifically to those seven churches, the lessons we can discern from these chapters are also applicable to us today.

One of the first things I notice is that all seven churches are told by Jesus, “I know … [something about them].”

Jesus is intimately familiar with everything about our churches: what we do, what we think, how we feel – yes. But it’s more than that.

Jesus also knows how hard we work, whether we are persevering, what afflicts is, our financial strengths and weaknesses, our spiritual strengths and weaknesses, the persecutions we are going through, and who is persecuting us, the physical geography and history of where we are, how much we’ve matured or not matured, our reputation and whether it is legitimate, he even knows what we are capable of achieving, and what we falsely think we have accomplished or need.

In short, Jesus knows our churches – everything about them. Even if he is angry with a church that is doing everything wrong – Jesus knows them – from every angle.

And, when you come to the realization that the church is really just the followers of Jesus … that’s a very sobering thought. Jesus knows ME!

Walt Disney Pictures says that the story of beauty and the beast is the “greatest love story ever told.” I think that’s right. 

Over the last week and a half I have had the honor of witnessing some of the beautiful things, beautiful places and beautiful people God created. In contrast, I’ve also been saddened to observe the ugliness that has left its mark on this world in the form of people, places and things that are not aligned with God’s will. 

The Beauty of God Displayed in Farming

Leaving Amarillo, TX my wife and I drove through a small farming town. I was amazed to see the marvelous inventions and huge pieces of equipment that are used to grow and harvest everything from cotton to wheat. It was spectacular! God’s beauty was displayed in His willingness to provide for the needs of you and me. 

The Beast Displayed in Farming

That same day, we had lunch in Pueblo, CO with some friends of mine that I had not seen in more than 20 years. Matt is a police officer and Danette is his wonderful wife. While our conversation was fantastic, I was struck by the atrocities that were taking place because of the growth of another farming industry: marijuana. 

As soon as it was legalized in that state a huge wave of young adults moved in from all over the country. They did not know that most of the jobs were already taken. Homelessness, burglary, robbery, prostitution, and vagrancy have increased dramatically. 

A law that most people endorsed because they saw it as no big deal to allow people to grow six plants in their backyard has turned into a nightmare. Many cities are in danger of having brownouts because of all of the electricity needed to grow the plants. Crime is up. Car crashes are up. Heroin use has skyrocketed as people migrate from pot to something more substantial. 

The beauty of individual freedom has revealed the ugliness of the number of people who crave the use of a substance to provide a temporary escape from their troubles. It has placed a spotlight on how many of our friends and neighbors have an emptiness that they are attempting to fill with THC. How I wish they were seeking to fill that ugly void with the sweet and filling beauty of God. 

The Scenic Beauty of God

Traveling over 4000 miles took us through the panhandle farms in Texas, to the breathtaking Rocky Mountains of Colorado, across Utah’s striking plateau region, into the Mojave Desert of Nevada, alongside the Grand Canyon in Arizona, passed the mesas of New Mexico, and back to the lush green coastal plains of Texas. The variance in brush strokes, palette, texture and temperature made gasps of awe and wonder commonplace. Seeing the majesty of God’s creation firsthand made me appreciate the grandiose power and overwhelming beauty of my Lord. 

The Beast’s Grand Parody and Facade

Las Vegas glitters like diamonds. The bright lights, flashing signs, colorful billboards and huge architectural achievements are a sight to behold. Yet it is interesting to note that one of its biggest attractions is the graveyard of casino signs that have been tossed aside. Buildings are routinely demolished and replaced with something newer, better, shinier, and attractive. 

Mankind’s endeavor to make monuments to himself ultimately will fall into disrepair. They will eventually become outdated, gaudy, old fashioned, useless and abandoned. Even more sad is the realization of what these parodies of beauty hold inside. They are full of pleasures that only last for a short time, and are gone. The beast’s attempt to create grand things of admiration only cover the kinds of entertainment that satisfies a craving for a few minutes, hours or days – and then it vanishes – leaving people broke, broken, scarred, scared, alone and barely alive. My hope is that people will realize the physical and emotional pleasures of a season will never fill the spiritual and soulful cravings they truly desire. 

The Beauty of God in Man

Throughout the journey we saw people whose actions and words reflected their service to God: the cashier at McDonalds who said “God bless you” after giving me directions, my friend Matt who prayed for us before buying our lunch, and Deeanne – our Dennys waitress in Winslow – who worked so hard to serve us and be an example to her son. 

But, I think the Central Christian Church in Henderson had the biggest impact on me in terms of scale. It is a very large congregation who intentionally reaches out to those who are struggling in life. And, it’s doing a great job of spreading the gospel of Jesus. 

I witnessed two ladies follow the command of our Lord to be baptized – apparently that is so commonplace they have two baptistries (one inside for use between their four services and one outside). The halls were full of people who are trying their best to serve God where they were in life right now: homeless, strippers, prostitutes, drug addicts, alcoholics, gambling addicts, those recently out of jail or prison, unemployed, mentally challenged, and physically disabled all sitting next to – and being treated equal to – everyone else. Money, status, looks — none of them mattered because they all knew that the grace of God was the only thing that could save any of them. 

At one point I became overwhelmed by the outpouring of love the congregation had for each other and for God. Yes, I’ll admit it – I shed a tear or two during the services. The beauty of God’s plan of salvation does that to me sometimes: Jesus came to save us from our sins and transform us into His image — not select the best from among us as being “worthy” of His mercy.

I think “Central” gets that concept more than most. They don’t just invite those who are hurting – they intentionally seek them out. Pursuing the lost to bring them the Word of peace and love is not a concept simply spoken about and lauded, it is actively done in service to God. Central Christian Church is a beautiful group of people. 

The Beast is Never Satisfied

“Sin City”

“What happens in Vegas – stays in Vegas.”

“Just the right amount of wrong.”

My wife and I spent almost two days in Las Vegas, NV. We attended a spectacular circus, ate at some wonderful restaurants, worshipped with a fantastic church, and saw lots of shiny lights and fancy buildings. Many of the people we encountered were very nice. We also saw just a glimpse of the other side of the city.

Checking into our room we were asked if we would like a discount to some of the most popular shows in town: adults only comics, burlesque, male strippers, all-nude-reviews, even a comedy revolving completely around male genitalia. I won’t go into detail regarding the flyers that were regularly posted or handed out.

In short, Las Vegas feeds off of the weaknesses of humanity. It is a place that revels in the depravity of sin and promotes the concept that immorality is acceptable to society if it is restricted to specific places. Sadly, many good people have been tricked into believing it. 

Satan is very good at what he does. He entices people to engage in ungodly activities in a quest to satisfy the vacuum they feel inside. For some, it’s gambling and greed. For others, it’s sex and lust. Still others try to counter the vacuum with illicit drugs, excess booze, or gluttony. Regardless of the choice of indulgence, the beast is adept at disguising sin in such a manner that some people give it no thought. It’s the norm. It’s to be expected.  That is scary. Sadly, we have large communities who have fallen victim to the lie that feeding the vacuum with pleasure is an adequate substitute for what is really missing. 

The Problem According to a Wise Man

King Solomon was a wise man. That blessing allowed him to take creation and separate himself from it to look at it from different angles. Agriculture, Human Relations, Materialism, Science, and Religion to name a few — Solomon studied them all and gave us the results of his experiments in the book of Ecclesiastes. When it came down to comparing  God and Satan, or God and man, or the beauty and the beast, here are his conclusions:

“I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with” Ecc 1:13.

“I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after the wind” Ecc 1:14. 

Really Solomon? It’s that simple? You’ve studied everything that mankind can do and concluded it is meaningless? Yes. The Message says, “I’ve seen it all and it’s nothing but smoke—smoke, and spitting into the wind.”

But, what about making our mark on this world and impacting others? Can’t we do anything that would make God notice us and our good deeds more than our bad deeds? Can’t I be good enough, or did God simply make each of us a sinner from the day we were born? I might be stepping on some toes here, but Solomon answers those questions too:

“Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins” ‭‭Ecc ‭7:20‬. 

“Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices” ‭‭Ecc ‭7:29‬. 

So, what does that mean? Since we are all slaves of the beast (either Satan or our sinful lusts) shouldn’t we just enjoy ourselves while we can? Fortunately, Solomon’s experiment yielded more than just the observations that we are all sinners and that our efforts to impress God are worthless. He ends his masters thesis with some advice. It’s something we should take to heart:

“The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person” Ecc 12:13.

The Solution from Jesus

Solomon spelled out the problem: we are sinners and just about everything we do to impress others is nothing more than folly and foolishness. The advice: fear God and do what He says. 

Unless you know scripture, that’s going to be pretty hard to do. What did God command me to do? Where do I get started? Do I have to read the whole Bible first so I can know what God wants? Is one rule more important than another? Is there a summary I can read now so I can begin right away? You aren’t the first person to ask those kinds of questions. 

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew‬ ‭22:36-40‬‬‬

Just in case you were wondering, those two commandments cannot be perfected. Nobody can follow them properly all the time. We all struggle. We all sin. We all need guidance and help on the road God has planned for us. But, God’s road is something that can’t be seen or adhered to unless we have someone ahead of us clearing the path and telling us how to walk. 

I’m happy to announce that we do have a trailblazer. He’s already walked the path to the very end and come back for us. He already defeated any and every beast that’s in the way. He is ready and willing to guide you in truth and life.  He wants to lead you. 

His name is Jesus. He is the only one who is able to help you pursue the Beauty and avoid the beast. And, in order to begin your journey you only need to do what He says. What does He say? That’s easy. If there is one thing Jesus says repeatedly, it is this: FOLLOW ME!!! 

(Matt 4:19, Matt 8:22, Matt 9:9, Matt 10:38, Matt 16:24, Matt 19:21, Mark 1:17, Mark 2:14, Mark 8:34, Mark 10:22, Luke 5:27, Luke 9:23, Luke 9:59, Luke 14:27, Luke 18:22, John 1:43, John 10:27, John 12:26, John 21:19)

Don’t be deceived into thinking that the name on a sign designates whether a local congregation of believers is “a true church” or not. There is only one church. Period. Jesus said in Matthew 16 that the church would be built oh this foundation: that Jesus is the Christ – the son of the living God.

Churches might be poor financially but rich spiritually like the church at Smyrna – they are still Jesus’ church (Rev 2:8-11). They could be following a false doctrine like members of the Pergamum church holding to the teachings of Balaam – Jesus still addressed them as His church (Rev 2:12-17). They may be like the church at Thyatira and have members who follow a false prophet that leads them into sexual immorality and idolatry – it was still a church of Christ (Rev 2:18-29). It could be a church like that at Sardis and full of people who are asleep and who are not finishing their work – but Jesus still called it His church (Rev 3:1-6). Or maybe it’s a church like the one in Laodicea – rich on the outside but poor and blind (Rev 3:14-22). The church in Corinth was full of worship practices that were not pleasing to God – they were still a church of God. 

Again, what did Jesus say the church was built on? The belief that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior, the son of God. Isn’t it interesting that this is the confession we make before being baptized? I don’t think so.

So what church in Revelation did Jesus threaten with removal of their lampstand (or removal of their recognized church-status)? Look at the Ephesian church (Rev 2:1-7).  Its actually quite frightening what they were guilty of: They were the one full of good deeds. They were the one that worked hard. They were the one that persevered. They were the one that could not tolerate wicked people. They were the one that tested for false doctrine. They were the one that identified false teachers. They were the one that endured hardship in Jesus name. They were the one that did not grow weary. They were the one that hated the practices of false prophets. Imagine that! The church Jesus threatened to disown did ALL of those wonderful things – and did them well! But they were still threatened with the removal of their lampstand. 

Wait a second! Aren’t those are the things many of us use to determine whether a church is “in good standing” or whether it is a “true church” or not. Isn’t it odd that Jesus used something else to make His decision and NOT those things that many of us use? So, why did Jesus threaten to remove their status as a church? Simple. They had forsaken their first love: the love we have for Jesus when we are first saved. The love based in the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the King, the Messiah, the SAVIOR – and the son of the living God. Doesn’t that sound an awful lot like what Jesus said the church was founded upon. 

Don’t be fooled into thinking that only local congregations that comply with the points we consider important are “sound” in God’s eyes.  Being part of a religion won’t get you to Heaven my friends. Being in a particular church won’t get you to Heaven either. Only Jesus is the way to Heaven, and only once we are in the right relationship with the King will we be a part of His kingdom on Earth – the church. 

Some might think the name on the sign in front of a building will indicate where true Christians worship. If THAT is what you think identifies a group of people who believe Jesus is the Christ – the son of God – I suggest you act like the Bereans (Acts 17:11) and study.

What exactly did the Bereans study about? The same message Paul delivered to the Thessalonians: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you was the Messiah” (Acts 17:3). Wait a second – isn’t that basically the same premise that Jesus built His church on? Well, yes it is my friends. Yes it is. 

“Names” of the church:

The church – too many times to list

The Way – Acts 9:2; Acts 19:9; Acts 19:23; Acts 22:4; Acts 24:14; Acts 24:22; 2 Pet 2:2

Church of God – Acts 20:28; 1 Cor 1:2; 1 Cor 10:32; 1 Cor 11:16; 1 Cor 11:22; 1 Cor 15:19; 2 Cor 1:1; Gal 1:13; 2 Thes 1:4; 1 Tim 3:5

The church Jesus built – Mat 16:18

The church in Jerusalem – Acts 8:1

Church throughout Judea – Acts 9:31; Gal 1:22

Church throughout Galilee – Acts 9:31

Church throughout Samaria-Acts 9:31

Church at Jerusalem – Acts 11:22

Church at Antioch – Acts 13:1

Church at Cenchrea – Rom 16:1

Churches of the Gentiles – Rom 16:4

Church in their house – Rom 16:4

Churches of Christ – Rom 16:16

Whole church – Rom 16:23

Churches of the saints – 1 Cor 14:33

Churches of Galitia – 1 Cor 16:1; Gal 1:2

Churches of Asia – 1 Cor 16:19; Rev 1:4

Churches of Macedonia – 2 Cor 8:1

Church of Laodiceans – Col 4:16

Brethren in Laodicea – Col 4:15; 

Church in Laodicea – Rev 3:14

Brethren in Nympha – Col 4:15

Church of Thessalonians- 1 Thes 1:1; 2 Thes 1:1

Church of God in Christ Jesus – 1 Thes 2:14

Household of God – 1 Tim 3:15

Church of the Living God – 1 Tim 3:15

Church in Ephesus – Rev 2:1

Saints at Ephesus – Eph 1:1

Church in Smyrna – Rev 2:8

Church in Pergamum – Rev 2:12

Church in Thyatira – Rev 2:18

Church in Sardis – Rev 3:1

Church in Philadelphia – Rev 3:7

Church of the firstborn – Heb 12:23

True people of God – Rom 9:6

Have you ever gone somewhere and met someone who told you that they have heard of you? It’s happened a few times in my life. The first thought that goes through my mind is, “Uh oh. What did they hear about me? Did they hear that I was a pig at the buffet? Did they hear about that time I forgot to do something important? Did they hear about my inability to play guitar well, or that I hurt someone’s feelings, or that I said something I should not have?” Yep, panic starts to set in. Are you that way too — assuming the worst?

I’ve been teaching for more than a decade now. Accordingly, I sometimes hear about a student before we meet each other. I love it when a student tells me something like, “I hope you get my brother next year. I’ve been telling him about you, and he is excited. But you need to be tough on him because he doesn’t like to do his homework.” Sometimes a teacher will tell me about a student who might need to be transferred to my Pre-AP class because of a strong work ethic. What people hear about others can be good — or it can be bad. It’s called a reputation. Accordingly, while some reputations are big others are small, some are strong while others are weak, and while some are positive others are negative. Ultimately, it is simply an opinion someone has based on what they’ve heard from others. 

However, sometimes the things we do have a bigger impact than just creating an opinion. Occasionally, our actions can influence a person in regards to what they do or believe. That’s huge! Maybe they want to be like us, they might want to be the opposite. Maybe our lives impact some important decisions that somebody needs to make. And sometimes, well, sometimes our example can stimulate change that lasts for generations. This is different than just a reputation. It’s more powerful, more important, more eternal.

The apostle Paul makes reference to impacting others in 2 Corinthians 10:15-16. The apostle speaks of an area of influence where followers of Jesus spread the gospel message. Depending on the version you read, he may call it a territory, region, province or a field. Strong’s calls it a “sphere of activity.” I like that a lot — but it’s much more than just the circle of influence we have on those who are intimately close to us. In context, Paul is telling the Corinthian church that while they were currently the outer edge of his missionary efforts to spread the gospel, as their faith grew he expected that outer edge to expand.

Remember, Paul is talking to a church full of new converts. They were not very mature, yet Paul told them that as they grew in their walk with Jesus, he expected the territory of Christ to expand as the gospel was spread. From the NASB, “… but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you …”
So, that begs the question: are the borders of Christ’s kingdom growing because of your efforts? Or is your lack of effort causing the kingdom of Jesus to remain stagnant or even shrink?

I encourage you to take a self-inventory.

1. Did I talk about Jesus today with someone who is not actively seeking the Lord?

2. Did I invite someone to church this week?

3. Did I share the gospel with someone this month?

4. Did I ask someone if they would like to study the Bible with me this quarter?

5. Did I talk to my neighbors about creating a neighborhood Jesus class this year?

6. Did I help save anyone in the last five years?

7. Have I suffered a life changing persecution for the sake of righteousness?

8. When was the last time I was slandered, reviled, hated, ostracized and insulted because of Jesus?

9. Did I spend more time arguing with other believers than helping those in need?

10. Did I debate some inconsequential point of doctrinal opinion instead of reaching out to the lost?

11. Did I build up the church or tear it down?

12. Did I forget that even if I convinced the worst of sinners to stop their wickedness, that they are still headed to Hell if they don’t know Jesus — yet the one who has given their life to the Lord and while trying to shed their old ways continues to struggle is “new every morning?”

13. Have I substituted having a good reputation for expanding my sphere of activity?

14. Do I limit my sphere of activity solely to people I am related to or to my best friends?

15. Is my evangelism limited to inviting people to gospel meetings?

16. Do I concentrate on talking to Christian background people and avoid speaking to Muslims, Buddhists and Athiests? 

I know. I KNOW!!! This is a hard lesson. And, I am chief among those who have poor responses to almost every single one of those. So, my friends, join me. Do something. Get up! Speak to everyone about Jesus – especially those who have no idea who He really is – those who need Him the most. 

Don’t know how to speak to others? Fill up your heart with Jesus and you won’t be able to stop your mouth from talking about Him (Matthew 12:45b). We just need to trust and obey. By immersing ourselves in the words of the Word, we will produce good fruit. Luke 6:45 says, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart.” So study. Pray. Prepare yourself. And then increase the sphere of your activity. 
 

I recall stopping in the middle of my sentence to watch Carlos fidgeting with something under his desktop with both hands. It occurred in my 6^th grade Math class, and I had recently changed seating assignments to intentionally place some of the more troublesome students next to the model students who would ignore their attempts to talk. So, here was Carlos the troublemaker, sitting next to Destiny the model student – who was looking straight ahead. And, I simply stared at him.

He was so involved with whatever it was under his desk that he didn’t even notice that the class was totally silent and everyone was watching him. I quietly made my way to the front of his desk and cleared my throat to get his attention. He slowly looked up, and I asked him to place both hands on the desk. As he did, I noticed that he wasn’t holding anything, but there was a string or something coming from under his left hand. That was – odd.

He just smiled at me with his hands flat on the desk. When I asked him to turn his hands palm up, his smile went away. He gradually turned his hands over and there it was. A sewing needle and thread woven through the calluses of his left hand. Carlos weakly attempted a grin while he looked at me. Destiny continued to look straight ahead. I called the front office. An 8^th grader office aide escorted Carlos to the nurse and the principal’s office. The whole incident took less than five minutes, and I got back to teaching – or so I thought.

Immediately after Carlos left the room, Destiny put her hand straight up in the air. I smiled at one of my star students as I asked her what she wanted. The short conversation we had will be forever imprinted in my brain – and it’s a story I continue to tell my classes every year.

“Mr. Baulch,” she began, “you need to send me to the principal too.”

“Why do you need to see the principal?” I asked.

“Well … why did you send Carlos to the principal?” she replied.

“Because he had a big sewing needle stuck in his hand that he shouldn’t have brought to school” I answered.

“Well … it was my needle. So you need to send me to the principal.” By this time, her voice had started to shake a little.

“Destiny,” I calmly began, “I’m not going to send you to the principal. Even if the needle was yours, you weren’t the one playing with it.”

“But,” and the tears finally started, “it was mine!” And then the longest sentence I’ve ever heard began. “My mom said a lady is always prepared for a clothing emergency and she told me I had to have a needle and thread in my purse and so I always do and I opened my purse to get my pencil and Carlos saw my sewing kit and he grabbed it from my purse and I was going to stop him but I didn’t want to disturb class and he played with it and you caught him and he went to the principal and the needle was mine and I should go too!”

“Destiny,” I said with a smile, “I appreciate your honesty, but I’m not sending you to the principal.”

With an incredulous look in her eyes she pleaded, “Well … can you at least give me a teacher detention?”

I just shook my head and replied, “No.”

“Well,” she wiped her eyes and sat up, “then I’m giving myself a detention for tomorrow morning. I suggest you be here at 7:45.”

I just smiled and nodded my head that I would see her there.

Destiny was the kind of student every teacher loves to have in their class. Honest. Well behaved. Motivated. Smart. Curious. A real treasure.

When I saw her in the halls during her 7^th grade year, I noticed that she had started hanging out with some of the more troublesome students. I approached her and asked her if she would mind if I gave her some advice. She just smiled, hugged my neck and listened to my warning.

“Destiny,” I began, “you are such a nice young lady. But, this year I’ve noticed that some of the young ladies you associate with get in trouble a lot. That concerns me.”

“Oh Mr. Baulch,” she replied, “I’m okay. They’re just my friends. I don’t do anything bad! And maybe I can influence some of them to behave better!”

During her 8^th grade year I was teaching 8^th grade History. Even though we were both in the 8^th grade hall, I rarely saw Destiny. I think she was embarrassed because instead of her being a good influence on them, she had been the one that was influenced by her new friends. She got in trouble a lot that year. So, even though I kept an eye out for her when I could, she was nowhere to be found. I guess I reminded her of the light she used to be, and that made her uncomfortable.

I heard things got worse in high school. It makes me sad. I sometimes wonder if I could have said or done something that might have had a more positive impact on her. Maybe I could have just quoted from the Bible and left out where I got the words. I don’t know.

So, I’ll tell you my friends. The Bible is clear. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’” It was good to know then, and it’s good to remember today. Be careful.

** note ** – student names were changed to protect their privacy.

 

Have you read the letters that Jesus’ brothers wrote? James and Jude – wow!

Talk about a tough childhood! Can you imagine being the younger brothers of – quite literally – the most perfect son that ever lived? “I see you got an A- in conduct. You’re not like Jesus huh?” Or maybe, “You call this a clean room? You should see Jesus’ room!” How about, “Aww. Look at you trying to get everyone in line to taste the new wine — that Jesus just made out of water.”

Yes, that would have been hard. Yet, they probably adored their brother. They brought their mom to see him during His ministry – not that it worked out too well! But, I suppose they were probably close to their mom when Jesus was arrested and crucified. Maybe they were some of the first ones Jesus visited after he was resurrected. 

So maybe that explains the tone of their letters. Both are pretty straightforward and to the point! Jude is the most concise: stop using grace as a reason to continue in sin. James touches on several topics, the most famous being that works are evidence of your faith. You see, Jesus’ brothers knew what it was like to question the Savior status of Jesus. So they understood the need to stop taking the cross for granted – their own flesh and blood had died for them. 

Regardless which one you choose, the next time you’re feeling like you’ve got this whole “living for Jesus” thing packed in a nice convenient box — read James or Jude or both. Submit yourself to, not only the Savior part of Jesus, but also the King part! Jesus isn’t satisfied with you to simply avoid sin and rejoice in grace. No. 

Jude 1:22-23 says, “… have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.”

Wow. Here are your instructions from Jude: be a merciful evangelist — seriously? That’s a tall order that I’m just not sure I’m able of even trying. 

James 1:21-22 says, “Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.”

‭‭Aww man! Here is what James tells us: get rid of the rest of that sinful stuff in your life that you kept from the start … and then get off the couch and start actually doing what you’ve been commanded to do! 

That’s really tough – I’m still “putting aside” things I’ve struggled with for more than 40 years. And I have a nice sofa – and church pew. 

What about you? Are you ready to stop sitting on the sidelines? How many people have you actually brought to Jesus in your lifetime besides family members? Are you satisfied with that? Is God?

Stop inviting people to church and (when they don’t come) say that you did everything you could. Is that going to be your parting remarks as they receive their sentences to eternity in Hell?

I wish I was just preaching to you – my dear friend. But, actually, I’m preaching to myself more than any readers of this blog. Pray for me. Please. I’m hoping to begin my “merciful evangelist” role soon – I need focus, strength and courage. Again – please pray. I’ll fill you in on the details as they happen. 

I love the United States of America and the principles it was founded on: freedom, unalienable & individual rights, justice, a representative government, equality, popular sovereignty, property ownership, separation of powers, free enterprise, checks and balances, the pursuit of happiness, limited government, and even … federalism. I can hear my dad in my head yelling, “States’ Rights!” as I’m typing this. 

So, don’t get me wrong here. I served in the military for several years. My grandfather was a war hero. I even teach United States History. But, I want to ask something a bit controversial: wouldn’t your life be better under a monarchy? Seriously! Think about it. 

If you could pick one king who was perfect in every way, who never made a single bad decision, who always remembered the poor and downtrodden, who expected everyone to work with the talents they were given and was perfectly justified and correct every single time — would you surrender everything to serve that king? 

If you totally trusted the king, you wouldn’t need all of the principles the USA was founded on. I wish I could sarcasticly say, “Good luck with that!” and then keep on living the American Dream. However, the king exists — and his name is Jesus!!! And guess what! His nation is NOT the United States of America — or even Israel for that matter. Listen to Jesus’ own words before Pilate hands Him over to be crucified. 

“Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”

“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” 

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. 

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.””

John‬ ‭18:33-37‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So, the kingdom belonging to Jesus DOES exist, but not in the world as we know it. His kingdom is from Heaven. Now the question is this, which nation has priority in your life? The nation of the USA with all of its political upheaval? The country we live in that declares our freedom gives us the excuse to freely sin? The nation that says we are free to express ourselves by retaliating against those who either hurl insults at us or make us suffer because of our faith? Do we pick THIS kingdom …

… or the kingdom of Heaven with its eternally perfect king? What if the USA turned into a dictatorship that abolished the constitution? What if it decided following Jesus should be illegal? What if it passed laws that declared bad – good; and declared good – bad. Would you rebel?

Choose my friends. Which one do you consider “home” and “country” most often? Are you a slave in God’s kingdom, or a slave to the “religious freedom” and riches of the USA? I sometimes need to be reminded that “I’m just passing through” and “this world is not my home.” Maybe we need to read what the apostle Peter wrote more often.

“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul … Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God … But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. 

Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:11-25‬ ‭NIV‬‬ (edited for length)

Choose wisely my friends. Either the eternal monarchy of Jesus — or the temporary democratic republic of the USA. 

There are some verses in the Bible that you just don’t highlight too often. Like the one about loving your enemies (Matt 5:43-44). Maybe the one about selling everything and giving it to the poor (Mark 10:21). And the ones following the beatitudes that warn the rich, full, laughing, and well thought of (Luke 6:24-26). Or the one telling you that you will be hated because of Jesus (John 15:18-20). Oh Jesus – you say some difficult things that I sometimes just do not want to hear.

But, Jesus isn’t the only one with some hard teachings. Have you read the NIV version of Philippians 1:27 lately? “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Seriously Paul? Whatever happens? WhatEVER happens? WHATEVER happens – I am supposed to conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ?!

So, when somebody cuts you off on the highway and almost causes a wreck – we conduct ourselves in a worthy manner? Or, when the budget that was so carefully planned gets thrown to the wind because of someone else’s mistake – we conduct ourselves in a worthy manner? Really? It’s that simple Paul?

What about when your five year old tells you that someone comes over to your home to spend time with your spouse in the bedroom while you’re gone? We just “conduct ourselves” in a worthy manner? Maybe our career just ended against our will and we’ve just spent all of our savings because of a legitimate healthcare emergency – what was that you expected of us? Oh yeah – that we conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Seriously?

What about when you get the call that your parent has suddenly died and you never had a chance to say goodbye – we simply “conduct” ourselves? Or, what about the lady who gave herself to Jesus a week ago, and then she suddenly comes to the realization that she ended the life of her own children before they were born? Is she expected to merely conduct herself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ? Really Paul?

No – Jesus wasn’t the only one with some difficult instructions. I honestly don’t know how to conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. What am I truly “worthy of” anyway? I’ll tell you what I’m worthy of – Hell – that’s what I’m worthy of! That’s what I deserve – because I’m a sinner and I’ve disappointed God more times than I can fathom.

But thanks to the mercy and grace of our Lord – I suddenly find myself as a representative of Jesus himself. What a task. What an unobtainable and huge undertaking! I am supposed to conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ – no matter what happens.

Paul ends this train of thought with these encouraging words (Philippians 1:27-29): “I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.”

Conduct on my friends – conduct on. In the name of Jesus – conduct on.