Not a Camouflaged Soul

Category: General

  • Thoughts on Discipleship #5 – Politics

    I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we have an election of some sort coming up soon.

    And there are bound to be passionate people on both sides of the political landscape that are EAGER to let your group know EXACTLY where they stand. So how do we navigate this eventuality within our groups?

    First, we must understand that, as Christians, many of the topics of conversation within political circles tend to overlap with issues of great importance to the cause of Christ. Abortion, gender, homosexuality, the family, freedom of religion, healthcare, education, crime and punishment, and many others are being debated on the political stage with candidates and pundits on both sides saying what their base wants to hear. At the same time, followers of Jesus know that many aspects of these issues are settled because God declares them settled. But in a fallen world, public policy and sin that defies the will of God do not always coincide. And politics by its very nature divides. When these topics come up in our groups, we should avoid the political aspect and stick to what we know – the truth of God’s Word. Why take a hard line? Because of the divisive nature of political discussions and our goal of unifying those we lead on the basis of the Bible. 

    There are two ways political discussions in groups tend to go. One way is that people in the group disagree down party lines and, even if there is no outright animus, it is still a tense discussion. The other way is if a handful of people in the group agree and the discussion tends toward politics instead of scripture. It may be possible to have a third type of discussion, but I personally have never seen it.

    Second, focusing on the broken, fallen world we live in can be overwhelming if we count on politicians to fix things. That is not to say that elections are not important – they are. They are necessary, but it is also necessary to put our trust in our King. Look at what Proverbs 25:19 says: “Trusting an unreliable person in a difficult time is like a rotten tooth or a faltering foot.” If we put our trust in anyone other than God, we are trusting someone who is unreliable. And we do so to our detriment.

    Third, being informed about what is going on in the world is good, but letting that information control your life is not. We as group leaders must encourage our attendees to understand the folly of getting caught up in things of this world. 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” As the old song says… “This world is not my home. I’m just a’passin’ through.” If we are followers of Jesus, we have heaven to gain, glory to God! We don’t have to be bogged down with the troubles of this sin-filled world. And those in our groups who are not believers need to be given the hope that comes with faith in our Savior.

    Dave Brown, Director and Pastor-at-Large of WACMM, wrote the following:

    Whatever we’re called into the public arena to do, we must remember that redemption does not come to us on Air Force One, through the next slate of candidates, or by fervent political ideologies, as important as these things are. Instead, redemption comes by the sovereign grace of God in Christ Jesus—our sin-bearer, our wrath absorber, and our robe of righteousness.

    https://www.9marks.org/article/how-i-went-too-far-with-politics/

    May we proclaim that to our groups as well as to anyone with ears to hear. 

  • MY July 3rd

    I tweeted this today…

    “Today, July 5, is my spiritual birthday. The day I became a Christ-follower. I am so grateful for my salvation.

    Christ died on a cross and God raised him three days later. Because of that, whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Rom. 10:13). #doyouknowhim”

    I was saved at my mother’s bedside in Ashland, Kentucky, on July 5, 1981. My father passed away on July 5, 2018. He died as a result of small-cell lung cancer after a two-year ordeal.

    The dichotomy of my beginning my eternal life and my father ending his physical one on the same day of the year isn’t lost on me. But in reality, my father began his life in the presence of his Savior that day.

    My last conversation with him is burned into my memory. I wheeled him around the block of the home in Lexington, Kentucky where he was staying for treatment. He was confused – he thought that was his home. He could barely sit up straight in the wheelchair. But when I asked him about his faith, he was very clear. He told me that Jesus was his Savior.

    I am so glad that he no longer has that cancer and the other maladies that plagued his body those last couple of years. I know I’ll see him again someday, as a result of what happened on MY July 5th.

  • Thoughts on Discipleship #4

    Let’s talk about discouragement. 

    No aspect of ministry is easy! Often, there are struggles and opposition to contend with. In the New Testament, we read about the persistence of Jesus, the disciples, Paul, and others. Paul told the church in Corinth about what was endured in Macedonia: “…we had no rest. Instead, we were troubled in every way: conflicts on the outside, fears within”(2 Cor. 7:5). 

    In our context, leading a group has its share of difficulties. Maybe some just can’t commit to attending faithfully. Others are unwilling to hear the truth of God’s word. Perhaps some are unkind or critical. These and so many other facets of small group ministry can be disappointing, and that can lead to discouragement if we are not careful. And as there are those in our groups that are hurting and need encouragement, we are less effective if we are discouraged ourselves. 

    In Acts 14:21-22, Paul and Barnabas encouraged the disciples on their journey to keep the faith even though they would face hardships. Paul wrote this in 2 Corinthians 1:4: “He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 

    We know that we will face problems, though they pale in comparison when compared to those mentioned above. When we face problems, we must rely on God to comfort us so that we are then able to comfort others. Going through difficulties and dealing with discouragement prepares us for circumstances in ministry. We do not have to have gone through the exact situation as those who come to our groups. We do have to rely on the peace of God. Philippians 4:4–7 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

    1 Thessalonians 3:2 says, “And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith.” The word “encourage” is the Greek word parakaleō, which literally means “to call to” or “to call alongside.” It is the picture of coming up next to someone and getting involved personally. When group members are hurting, we must be willing to come alongside them – with others when appropriate – and help. Scripture, prayer, and encouragement can have an incredible impact on the lives of those we lead. But we must rely on God’s comfort so that we can be there for those who need us.