Killer Culture or Culture Killer

“Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened.  For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.  Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

1 Corinthians 5:7&8

Churches either have killer cultures or they have culture killers.  Having spent a lot of time around a lot of different cultures in churches it’s clear when a culture is thriving and contagious.  At the same time, it doesn’t take long for a culture to be cannibalized from within.

The Bible doesn’t mention building culture, but it’s implied in every letter to every church.  When Paul is instructing the church how to function, how to relate, how to do ministry, He is asking them to engage in building a culture that reflects the life of Jesus Christ.  He’s also reminding them that this is what the Spirit of God is constantly empowering them to do.  1 Corinthians 5 is one example where Paul is addressing an issue that is killing this churches culture.  “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump.”  Specifically, the church has tolerated behavior that is not even “tolerated among the pagans.” 

Our tendency, when reading 1 Corinthians 5, is to focus in on the “sexual sin” at hand.  It’s an appropriate read of the text, but we don’t think much about what we allow to go on in the church that would not be tolerated among the pagans.  Churches that understand this component of ministry build killer cultures that change the world.  Paul is warning this church of the arrogance that tolerates what God has rejected and embraces what God has forbidden.  Consider some other cultural components we are are called to embrace while rejecting their counterpart.

1.  high energy over apathy  (Romans 12:11)

“Do no be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”

Scripture warns us not to be “slothful in zeal but fervent in spirit,”  In many churches around the country, you will find people who care more about their personal passions than they do about the work of the Kingdom.  Nobody would debate that Jesus called us to live for His Kingdom.  Nobody would debate that Paul is instructing Christians to be marked by zeal for the work.  Yet, somehow we have allowed a culture of self centeredness to infiltrate our churches.

2.  submission over rebellion  (Hebrews 13:17)

“Obey your leaders submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will give an account.  Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

One of the marks of the culture at large that is an increasing problem is a Biblical understanding of authority.  We have traded a Biblical understanding of leadership in the church for a wild west version of I’m going to do what I think God wants me to do.  It’s not that God does not call people to do things, and maybe do things in different ways in the church, but there is a way to go about discerning that.  It begins by trusting church leadership to discern what God is doing, and know that people in authority will give an account for how they wield it.  Even as I write that, I have to pause at the responsibility I carry as a pastor.  Generally speaking, a church has a vision, the leadership guards that vision, and the people follow the leadership in the right direction.  To stay in a church where you don’t agree with the vision, or you are unwilling to follow the leadership is to kill that churches culture.  At the same time, if those of us who are leaders, do not lead with the zeal the effect is just as devastating.

3.  unity over individualism (Philippians 2:1-5)

“So if there is any encouragement…being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves…Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”

Paul warns the Philippians that doing things out of “rivalry” is counter productive to the work of Christ.  Have you ever been amazed at how many stories exist of churches that split because they couldn’t get past their “rivalries.”  What’s worse is most church splits happen over personal preference not doctrinal disputes.  Paul says, “but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”  I feel obligated to make a note that this passage does not negate leadership, rather it is just another characteristic of a killer culture.  When we lose sight of our passion for the “whole” the culture becomes fragmented and fragile.

4.  excellence over personal comfort  (1 Corinthians 10:31)

“So weather you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

We want people to look past mediocrity.  We can use “God’s work in God’s strength” as an excuse to give half hearted efforts to the ministry.  There are some who think the more ministry that can be accomplished by incompetency equates to more glory for God.  While this is true on one hand, Paul says everything we do, should be for the glory of God.  Specifically He is saying that if we do things, even mundane things for the glory of God, it will be used by God for people’s salvation.  The reason is because we don’t give an offense.  People know the difference between excellence, energy and passion, versus mediocrity, apathy, and indifference.  The problem with the   latter is none of these are “characteristics” of pursuing the glory of God.  Living for the glory of God forces us to lay aside what is comfortable.  We don’t want to sacrifice our liberty, time, blood, sweat, tears, or anything for God’s glory, because it’s hard to see the connection between our sacrifice and kingdom impact.  Healthy cultures are founded on personal sacrifice for God’s glory.

When any church understands the importance of building their culture, they become a force to be reckoned with.  It’s a process that starts with a few committed people and builds into a body of believers who refuse to settle for less than what God has asked of them.  Are you helping build a killer culture, or are you a culture killer?  Focus on Kingdom impact and choose energy over apathy, submission over rebellion, unity over individualism, and excellence over personal comfort.  Then sit back and be amazed at what God will do!

The Biggest Problem Facing The Church Today

We showed “The Elephant Room” on Wednesday nights over the summer. The discussion was great, I recommend it as an activity for any church. During the last session, the men (James MacDonald, Mark Driscoll, Greg Laurie, Matt Chandler, David Platt, Steven Furtick, and Perry Noble) spent some time answering “rapid fire” questions.

There was one question that was skipped. I’m not sure why, maybe they felt like it was too lengthy, or they thought it was a stupid question. The question was, “What is the biggest problem facing the church today?” As the session ended, surprise surprise, the first question I was asked by someone from our church was, “Jeremy, what do you think the biggest problem facing the church today is?”

Without much thought, I answered, “poor ecclesiology.” That’s the seminary word for “how we understand or view the church.” This could get lengthy so let me try to speak plainly. Hopefully you will help reverse a trend that will ultimately have a huge negative effect on our ability to impact this world. Here goes.

People who are roughly in their 40′s and lower have a view of the local church that allows them to minimize their commitment level, which in turn diminishes it’s effectiveness.

Here’s a list that highlights the growing disregard for the importance of a strong commitment to a local body of believers, as well as it’s impact.

1. People take what they need from multiple churches various ministries but never invest any significant amount of time or energy in a local body.

God created us to be a “part of the whole” Yes yes I understand the “universal church” but I’m talking about the “local visible church” with a common vision and commitment. You have gifts that are designed by God to edify a local body of believers. When you take without giving, you deplete resources but never actually do anything to give back. It’s like expecting your ATM to keep giving you cash without making deposits.

Another major aspect of being well connected to a local church is support and accountability.  Church discipline, a Biblical mandate, is rendered ineffective when people can just go where they want when they want.  Spiritual growth is stunted when you don’t have a group of people who  walk with you through your highest of highs and lowest of lows.

2. People attend church when they feel like it or they have nothing better going on.

It’s actually a violation of a Biblical command. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet 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  The love of consistently gathering together to encourage one another should be something that grows in the church as time goes on. “all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Here’s a list of the lamest excuses I have ever heard for people not coming to church.

• We were up so late last night we couldn’t get up.
• We needed a break from church.
• Our child had a cold so we all stayed home.
• We didn’t feel like coming.

Church, and the gathering of God’s people, is something that is necessary for our survival as faithful believers until the day Christ returns.

3.  People upon discovering the church is led by and filled with men and women who are imperfect, make bad decisions, and even cause personal hurt, leave or start their own version of church.

Consider this passage in 1 Corinthians.  It’s a word written to people who have been hurt by people in the church.  ”Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers., but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? …Why not rather suffer wrong?  Why not rather be defrauded?”  1 Corinthians 6:5-7

Deciding the “organized church” is bad because you were hurt by an “organized church” is like abandoning your roll as a parent because your parents were bad.  We need parents, Godly parents, because God has ordained the rolls as a catalyst for a spiritual heritage.  We need the church too.  Paul’s instruction to the people of God is “Why not rather be defrauded?”  That’s a tough truth to swallow, but Paul writes his letter to the churches with an understanding that the one thing you can’t do is lose sight of how important the “church” is.

Is it really a surprise that God might actually want you to partake in the “fellowship of his sufferings” so you can become more like him?  Part of discipleship is learning to forgive, completely forgive when wronged, even defrauded.

4.  Families put kids in youth group at church “A.”  Mom serves in church “B.”  Dad’s doing Sunday mornings at church “C.”

Men don’t lead their homes any more.  They don’t understand their responsibility as the spiritual head of the house.  Women don’t understand that Biblical submission is not a lesser degree of personhood, but a resource of helping build strength and unity in the home.  Kids don’t know what’s best for them, that’s why they have parents. If you let a child pick their own youth group, chances are they will take the one that is the most entertaining and the least spiritually edifying.

#4 is somewhat cyclical.  If families would commit to a local church, they would grow in maturity.  When families grow in maturity they strengthen the local body.   It’s an upward or downward spiral depending on which way you are heading.

There’s a lot more but this list is good for now.  I’ll close with this thought.

The implications of what is happening in the church are not going to be immediately felt.  You may be a fairly mature believer who is confused when it comes to ecclesiology.  That doesn’t mean you will walk away from the Lord.  The question becomes what happens to the generation that follows you?  When your kids grow up believing the local church is not that important, they will likely forsake it to a greater degree.  Again, by God’s design, our spiritual health is directly connected to our commitment to the local church.

I am grateful that my family was committed to a local Church.  We attended church every Sunday, my closest friends were the kids who’s parents also attended our church. My youth group was my biggest spiritual influence next to my parents.  I caused a lot of trouble in that church. I saw a lot of failure.  I also learned that my church was like my family. Without the support I found there, I don’t think I would be where I am today.

So, what is your view of the local church?  We need a generation that values the local church so much that it is unwilling to abandon it, and passionate about making it all that it is supposed to be.

Ready 4 Easter?!?!

www.easteratharvest.com

Things creep up on us. It happens all the time. Easter is just a few weeks away.

I’m praying we are ready for the opportunity the Lord gives us, to be the body of Christ in the middle of our city, representing the Grace of God to a lost world.

Easter is an opportunity! It’s a moment in time when our people can say, “Hey, where are you going to church this Easter?” You can actually say it as if it’s assumed that people will go to church on Easter and nobody bats and eye. It’s almost too easy…but it’s important to remember why we want to seize the opportunity.

It’s a moment in time where people will actually come to church, willingly, as if it’s a normal thing.

24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” – 1 Cor 14:24&25

We forget that anytime a non believer comes to church, they are exposed to the presence of God.

Easter is an incredible opportunity for us to bring our friends to a place where they can encounter God, and Lord willing surrender their lives to him.

Are you ready for Easter? Grab a friend, neighbor, co-worker, invite them to church this Easter, and watch what God will do in their life!

Not Good Enough

“Not Good Enough” are hard words to hear.  They are harder words to hear when, from your perspective, you have been doing a pretty good job.

The church at Ephesus was doing a pretty good job. At first glance you would likely make it your home church.  When John wrote his letter to this church in Revelation 2:1-7 this church had 40 years of history under it’s belt.  It was not an easy 40 years by any means.  They started out on fire for Jesus (Acts 19:19&20)  They existed in an extremely pagan culture.  In spite of the pressure, they had remained faithful to the name of Jesus Christ.  Take some time and seriously read what Christ affirms about this church.  (Revelation 2:1-3&6)

If we put Christ’s affirmation in a list describing what this church had going on it would look something like this.

• Willing to labor to the point of exhaustion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• Enduring well for the long haul.
• Maintaing a joyful acceptance of the hard work for the kingdom.
• Discerning in the leadership they follow.
• Unwilling to accept false doctrine or bear with evil men.
• Solidly committed to the name of Christ.

Would you have ever thought that a church that had this much going on was “not good enough.”  They are hard words to hear, nevertheless, the words of Christ to this church are along those lines.  “But I have this against you…”

It’s not a subtle hint at minor changes or a polite suggestion that can be taken or left.  It’s a rebuke that comes with a stern warning.  The warning is something along the lines of, “if you don’t make some changes I will stop allowing you to be a light that shines for my name sake.”

When the church ceases to love it has become “not good enough.”  You can run down the list; theologically sound, “check” working hard for the Gospel, “check” enduring without growing weary, “check” discerning in doctrine and leadership, “check.”  However all these great things are still not good enough if that “first love” is lost.

We have a tendency to think that returning to “our first love” experience requires some sort of deeply touching move of God.  We tell our selves, “when God moves in me again, I’ll be on fire for Him.”  We act like we long for those early days of intimacy, we talk about how great it was, but we fail to understand that getting back there is not about feeling something again.

“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.” -Revelation 2:5

The formula is simple and it doesn’t require one ounce of emotion.  Remember, Repent, Return.

Remember what you did when He first made himself known to you.  I don’t know what that looked like for you, but for me I would share the gospel with anyone.  I couldn’t wait to be with God’s people in worship on Sunday or any day for that matter.  I longed for the time I could be in church hearing from Him each week.  I couldn’t wait to help someone who needed some spiritual strength, or encouragement.

Repent from where you are at right now.  What has gotten in the way of these things.  I’d like to suggest we traded , steps of faith for measurable security, abandoned worship for the appearance of dignity, and self sacrifice for idolatry.  When you recognize the things you have pursued instead of the things you did out of Love for Christ, you need to repent.  They are not the “easy to identify” sins.  They are the things we have justified as worth our time.  Repent.

Return to the life you lived before.  Whatever you did when you first met Christ, you need to start doing it again.  Did you share boldy?  Did you worship freely?  Did you serve tirelessly?  Did you follow faithfully?  Did you care graciously?  Return to the works you did.

I want to be “good enough” to be a true light for Jesus Christ.  Do you?  What did you do that you don’t do?  Do it!

 

The Trouble of Bitterness

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;”

- Hebrews 12:14&15

Most Christians who find themselves in trouble have no idea that the source of their trouble is bitterness. If the root of your trouble is bitterness, the weed will keep growing until the root is removed. Scripture is clear, bitterness brings trouble. It’s trouble impacts every relationship that God intends for His glory.  So…what’s troubling you right now? I’m guessing there might be a root of bitterness that is driving you away from God’s grace. God’s grace is the foundation of healthy relationships.

Here’s a formula. High expectations mixed with low levels of patience cultivates fertile ground for the root of bitterness. Read it again because it’s important. If your expectations are high and your patience is low,  you are bitter or you are about to be. If you’re bitter than you’re in trouble, and if your in trouble…well it’s an endless cycle.

Let me make it real practical. Is your marriage in trouble? You probably have high expectations for your spouse but your patience has run out…now you are bitter. Is your ministry in trouble? You probably have high expectations for where it should be but your patience has run out…now you are bitter. Is your relationship with your kids in trouble? You probably…okay, you get the picture. High expectations mixed with low levels of patience leads to bitterness. I know you want to explain to me or anyone who will listen that it’s more complicated than that, but no matter what you say, you can’t escape this reality.  You have run out of the patience and the root of bitterness has brought it’s trouble.

Do you know there are some people that think the way out of this cycle is to lower your expectations. We say things like, “I guess I need to expect less out of my husband.” “I guess I need to expect less out of my ministry.” “I guess I need to expect less out of my kids.” Stop!!!!!

We don’t serve a God that tells us to lower our expectations, in fact, in light of Christ’s redemptive work, Christians should have the highest expectations of any group of people on the planet. We should expect our wives to be Proverbs 31 women. We should expect our ministries to yield abundant fruit. We should expect our kids to have a hunger for the Lord. God’s remedy is not for us to lower our expectations but to supply us with patience while he works in process.

Ahhhh patience. I heard someone say you should never pray for patience because if you do God will make you a modern day version of Job. Patience is a mark of the Holy Spirit’s empowering work in you. Pray for patience. Pray for love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, self control and yes, pray for patience. It’s patience that allows you to remain faithful while living with people in process.

It’s okay to want your spouse to be the person God wants them to be…but are you patiently walking with them in a relationship of grace or are you impatiently making them pay for every failure? It’s okay to want a ministry to thrive, but are you patiently casting a vision and bringing people along or are you complaining that nothing is ever as it should be? The root of bitterness brings trouble. Okay last time; HIGH EXPECTATIONS MIXED WITH LOW LEVELS OF PATIENCE IS FERTILE GROUND FOR THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS!

If the trouble you are experiencing is due to the root of bitterness, it’s time to fall back onto, or as Hebrews says, make sure you don’t fall short of God’s grace. If you do, this trouble you face will never go away. Give an abundance of grace, to your spouse, to your children,  to the church and be patient as God works to meet your expectations for people in process.

Holiness and Liberty

What does it mean to be holy?  We’re living in a time, where a large segment of the church looks more and more like the world.  We know we are not called to flee the world, to look completely different, or so unrecognizable that they can’t get past the “strangeness” of who we are in order to hear the Gospel.  Remember the awkward 80′s of “Go Against The Flow” and “Lord’s Gym” T-shirts.  Yeah, I’m thinking that a shirt with a roided up Jesus doing a push up, with a cross on his back under the bold letters of “LORDS GYM” is not going to win me a lot of opportunities to share Jesus.  I mean what do you say, “Yeah, my Jesus loves to pump iron and get ripped so you should get to know him.”

Having said that, we are not called to be fully engaged in the world.  We are “resident aliens” this world is not our home, and Christ has called us to live differently.  It’s a difficult balance, living in this world, and meeting people where they are at, while calling them to surrender their life to Christ, and flee the very bondage they will otherwise never get out of.  What is a Christian to do?  Here’s a few suggestions.

His Mission is Our Mission.

If holiness, in your mind, is about personal betterment or self development or ruining your fun, I think your missing the boat.  Holiness is always about engaging God in the mission He’s called us to.  Holiness, as Paul said, is setting my self apart so I can run my race well.  Paul’s race was about preaching the Gospel and helping people grow into maturity.  If you are not passionate about evangelism, passionate about discipleship, and passionate about living your life for the glory of God, holiness becomes irrelevant.  You can’t pursue holiness in a vacuum, holiness has the purpose of pointing people to God because we are saved from the mess and bondage of this world.

Our Liberty as a Tool.

There’s a lot of debate about Christian liberty in the church today.  Can Christians drink, can they smoke, do they have to go to church regularly.  My experience tells me most people who are beating the drum of Christian liberty, are not passionate about winning people to Christ, at least not as passionate as they are about having the freedom to engage in the things the world engages in.  I know, there are people who might read this and feel judged, but ask yourself.  In your pursuit of enjoying your liberty, how many times is the enjoyment of liberty for liberty sake, and how many times is it actually tied to an attempt to share the Gospel with someone.  Paul did not promote fellowship in churches where “food sacrificed to idols” was enjoyed in the name of liberty.  It was something Paul allowed for in certain situations to maintain the ability to preach the gospel.

Most of the Christians I have known who have beat the drum of liberty the loudest, are not at the fore front of preaching the gospel and winning people to Christ.  They were usually people that were wanting stick it in the face of the up tight and overly conservative Christians who they think are no fun.  If you’re the exception to this than don’t be offended, I’m not talking to you.  Paul’s liberty was a tool…always.  If he exercised his liberty he only did it so he could get to the main thing, preaching the Gospel.  Christians are not under the Law, but that doesn’t mean they are not called to Holiness.  Holiness is to become so consumed with passion for God’s mission that everything you do, is a tool to strengthen your effectiveness.

The Testimony of a Changed Life.

Nothing is more irrelevant than a person who says they have given their life to Christ, yet displays no signs of outward transformation.  In fact I’d argue that this isn’t a genuine conversion.  I think some Christians want to try to communicate to the world, “You can give your life to Jesus, and not change a thing, look at me, I still do everything I used to do but now I have Jesus.”  Following Jesus is not like following Gandhi, or some mystical philosopher.  It’s not about having a friend to go to that gives you advice once in a while.  Following Jesus is about confessing we are sinful people, and knowing we need a savior, then surrendering your life to God.  Following Jesus is about giving up everything for the sake of His Kingdom.  Following Jesus has such high demands it required everything, and Jesus himself said, if there’s something in this world that you love more than me, hit the road, you can’t come with me.

I don’t know exactly how to balance liberty with holiness.  What I do know is holiness comes first.  Holiness is a life set apart for Him to use as He sees fit.  His ultimate purpose is going to be for you to preach the gospel and strengthen God’s people.  When you have given the commitment to this the appropriate place in your life, you will know how to handle liberty.  Liberty is freedom to do what you need, save sinning, in order to preach the Gospel.

Pastor Jeremy

Nothing Worse!

Have you ever played the game, “Would You Rather?”  We used to play it all the time.  More often than not the game centered around two really awful things that you had to pick between.  “Would you rather eat an earthworm or have a dog lick your mouth clean after eating a peanut butter sandwich?”  I’m not sure what the point was but clearly it laid the  foundation for the popularity of shows like “Fear Factor.”

Most Christians would say there’s nothing worse than not knowing Jesus Christ, unless they had just read 2 Peter 2:21. 

“for it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.”

The context of this passage is a warning about false teachers that were a part of the church.  Somewhere along the line they determined it was better to follow after their own sensuality than the call to be a disciple.  In this process, they began to preach “LIBERTY” to others yet they themselves were slaves of corruption.

I read a book by a guy that claims to be a follower of Christ.  He shares candidly his disappointments with the church, and his reasons for leaving it.  He goes on in great detail about his and others experiences with sin and perversion.  As the book progresses, you can almost smell his conscious being seared as he grows progressively more comfortable in his new found “liberty.”  Wait!  Did you catch that?

Yes they are still around today.  There are people who beat the drum of “liberty” while they are bound as slaves of corruption.  Apparently people think if you describe it as your “journey” and commit to an ongoing “conversation” about it, it’s no longer what Peter is talking about.  (See the latest interview with Jennifer Knapp on Larry King.)  There’s are entire churches and movements based on this kind of thought.  I could go on, but I’m less burdened for them and more burdened for their victims.

In a passage that’s rich with theological implications,  It’s easy to miss the simplicity of it’s application.  There are “many,” “unstable souls,” “barely escaping those who live in error,” who have the potential to be led astray.  If we believe what scripture says, we need to get serious about how we care for the “unstable” and “barely escaping.”  We need to get serious in our commitment to speaking the truth in love.  We need to get serous about the call to make disciples.  When we have an opportunity we must do what we can to bring spiritual strength to the people around us.  If we don’t they may be led on the conversational journey that leads to a deadly liberty.  Peter is crystal clear, there is nothing worse!

Pastor Jeremy