Pastor Britt's Blog

First, I know it has been a while since I “blogged” and I hope to do better in this new year!

I began a study last night in prayer meeting in the book of Galatians.  I was struck again concerning the warning from the apostle Paul, “…if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.”  Wow! those are strong words for a pluralistic culture that says it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere. 

It is important that we get the gospel “right”!  That Jesus died for our sins, that He was buried and rose again from the dead…and that all who trust in Him have their sins forgiven and are given the gift of righteousness by which one can stand before God acceptably.  For by grace are we saved by faith and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God not by works!

One of our very observant church members recently asked me a question concerning the tension between John 19:31-36 and 1 Corinthians 11:24.  In the latter passage Paul quotes Jesus as He instituted the Lord’s Supper,  ”This is my body which is broken for you.”  Of course John 19 indicates that none of Jesus’ bones were broken.  

There are a couple ways in which people handle this.  1) The word “broken” is not in the more modern translations, and some would argue that it is not in the best Greek manuscripts and was added later.  So the argument is that “broken” is not authentic, and is a later gloss.  

2) Others conclude that since it does not indicate in 1 Corinthians 11:24 that any of Jesus’ bones were broken, there is no real contradiction.  So “broken” means that His body was broken in terms of being beaten, whipped, pierced, and crucified.  Also, the word behind “broken” in 1 Corinthians 11:24 is not the same Greek word used for “breaking” bones in John 19:31-36.  In fact, the word used in 1 Corinthians 11:24 is used elsewhere exclusively for breaking bread.  The word does not require us to conclude that any of Jesus’ bones were broken. 

Whether we should read, “This is My body which is broken for you”, or “This is My body which is for you”, the meaning is clear.  Jesus gave His life, and shed His blood for our sins!

The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ, not to produce decisions for Jesus Christ.  A disciple is a follower.  If our goal is to make disciples of Jesus Christ, we should be up front with people as to what that means.  Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”  It will not do to tell people they will be saved if they pray the sinner’s prayer only to inform them later that they must submit to Christ’s Lordship and follow Him.  Those who would trust Christ must trust Him as both Lord and Savior!  

Now we know that God is the One Who saves, but we must remember that our mission is to make disciples, not to produce decisions.   

I recently read a letter to pastors regarding the invasion of worldliness into our churches.  This is certainly a legitimate concern.  But we must also properly distinguish between adopting worldly practices and following cultural norms.  The letter provides a case in point when the writer quotes a veteran missionary who bemoaned the fact that two other missionaries came to a church service in sport shirts.  “They would not go to see the Governor that way.  Yet they come to the palace of the King of kings with no respect on whom they are meeting.” 

I would like to make a few observations then state a concern I have.  First of all a church building is not the palace of the King of kings.  Secondly, it is not clear that God prefers ties over sport shirts.  Thirdly, and more impotantly, citing this example leaves the impression that wearing a sport shirt to a church service is worldly.  Putting those observations aside, my concern is that we are in danger of emphasizing the externals, and in so doing teaching our people (maybe unintentionally) that outward conformity is more important than inward transformation.  Certainly, inward transformation affects our lifestyle.  And it is certainly possible to dress immodestly and therefore dress in a “worldly” way.  But truth is, it is possible that those two missionaries dressed in sport shirts have more love and respect for the Lord than does the veteran missionary in a coat and tie.  Let’s remember, men (even Christian men) look on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart!

“How can a man be righteous before God?” is the question Job posed in chapter 9, verse 2 of the book bearing his name.  It is an important question since the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God (1Cor.6:9).  Many suppose that one can be righteous before God by doing righteous things.  But as the prophet Isaiah wrote centuries ago, “all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” (in Isa.64:6). 

It is obvious we cannot be righteous or justified (declared righteous) before God by our good works.  For by the works of the law no human being will be justified in God’s sight (Romans 3:20).  We are not righteous nor can we become righteous before God by our own works or through our own merit, but thanks be to God that He has made a way for our sins to be forgiven and for us to be righteous in His sight.  He did that through His Son, Jesus Christ, who died and rose again.  He is the answer to Job’s question!

For He (God the Father) made Him (Jesus Christ) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

We were blessed as a Church this past Sunday to Have Jason and Sharon Nightingale with us.  Jason travels around the country “speaking the Word of God” in the churches.  Actually his ministry is not preaching per se, but he memorizes scripture and dramatically recites them.  He quoted James in the morning service and the book of Revelation in the evening.  He and his wife also organize orphanages around the world in Africa, India and South America.  He shared that ministry with us on Sunday as well.  It dawned on me that I have done not very much, if anything at all for orphans!  James 1:27 says, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” 

I would highly recommend inviting the Nightingales to come and minister to your church.

Well, since I am now a blogger, I figured I ought to determine what one is.  It is a person who keeps and updates a blog.  Next question.  What is a blog?  “Blog” is a contraction of the term “web log” which is an online journal with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material.  Some of my “other material” will include answers to some questions I might be asked by the people of Hillside, material I did have time to “fit” into Sunday’s sermon (lol), and other meditations or musings in the Scriptures.  I look forward to using this log to give expression to some of my Biblical and Theological reflections.  My prayer is that people will be helped in their understanding of the Bible while being equipped and encouraged to live their lives according to its teaching.  Stay tuned.