Jerks For Jesus

Next month will mark my 50th anniversary in 
pastoral ministry.  I have been blessed to serve six churches over that time. In the first of the six I was associate pastor. In the next four I was a bi-vocational pastor in single staff churches. Then for 18 years I have served as a full time senior pastor in a multi staff church. Suffice it to say that it has truly been a learning experience - and believe it or not, - I am still learning.  I'll probably write more about that later this Spring.

 So as the son of a pastor/evangelist, and with 50 years in pastoral ministry myself, and a lifetime spent in Baptist Churches, I have a somewhat unique perspective.  Sometimes I feel like the guy my old friend and ministry colleague, Doug Virgin, was fond of quoting - "I've been to five county fairs and a goat roping and I've seen some stuff!"

I have a rough, unedited manuscript of a book I hope one day to have published. It's a compilation of many of those experiences, both good and bad that I have had as a PK and as a pastor, myself. I try to share Biblical truth and sprinkle in some humorous stories along the way. Unfortunately, there is nothing funny about some of those experiences.  In fact, some of them are downright heartbreaking and ugly.  Some of the instances show folks who claim to be followers of Christ as absolute jerks, and judging from the fruits they exhibit, likely unregenerate. 

My son and I have joked that there seems to be a large, but unorganized group of individuals who pop up in almost every church, and across all denominations. We call them "Jerks for Jesus" and there seems to be at least one or two in every church.  But it is really no joking matter.  One chapter of the coming book bears the title "Jerks for Jesus".  Don't worry - the names have been withheld to protect the guilty - but they are certainly known to our Heavenly Father. The truth of the matter is that they are not "for Jesus" at all.  They're just jerks. 

I can honestly say that the vast number of individuals in the flocks I have served are people whose lives have been changed through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Christians are certainly not perfect, but they do have the Spirit of the Lord dwelling in their hearts and they are seeking to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet no matter how hard we try, there will always be one here or there who have "slipped in unawares" and their true un-Christlike character eventually shows through.  Sadly, one of the excuses some people give for not attending church is because of "the hypocrites" who may be there.  Sometimes the offenders are open and their behavior is there for all to see. But sometimes the Jerks are more covert and insidious.

Most pastors I know have received some sort of hateful communications from anonymous sources at one time or another. The critics are quick to point out their grievances but too cowardly to sign their names.  Those of us who have been around for a while understand that this behavior just comes with the territory and is an occupational hazard. With most pastors, unsigned hate letters usually end up in the trash.  But there are times the hateful types of communications are directed to other church members - and that is truly sad.

In one church I have served, a member once showed me a letter they had received in the US Mail. It regarded a family member of the person to whom the letter was sent.  The letter referenced the family member who had earlier offered a solo in a worship service at the church. The writer was cowardly enough that he or she did not sign the letter.  The person who received the letter showed it to me - so I am not going by hearsay. I actually saw it. The message was hurtful to say the least. I noticed that the letter was printed, so the handwriting would not be able to be identified.  Here is what the text of the letter said:

(addressee's name)

          I hope (relative's name) is feeling better. It sounded like (he/she) was in pain.

          BTW - ask (him/her) what they did with the money (his/her) mother
          gave (him/her) for singing lessons.

          I know of a good ENT Doc if (he/she) is able to go see him.

                                                        (unsigned) 

I'll let you be the judge.  Is this the type of communication a brother or sister in Christ would send to another member of the Church family?

I think we can all agree it is not!  

Jesus tells us it is "from the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks".  Someone who's heart is right with God would never think of being so cruel to "one of these little ones". The sender may have thought it was cute, and obviously intended it to be hurtful to both the recipient and the subject. Even though the sender was such a coward that he/she didn't sign their name, an omniscient God knows not only who wrote and sent it, but also knows the evil intent of their heart.  

I don't know if the writer was a member of that church or not, but they had obviously been there when the subject sang.  One can only pray that the individual who penned such a brief but hateful epistle has since come to know Christ as Savior.  

C'mon Man!

 Let me say unapologetically that I am a sports fan.  Not like I was when I was a kid, of course, but still one who loves the spirit of competition and teamwork.  I no longer idolize the pro sports stars like I did as a young Cincinnati Reds fan in the early 60s but I still enjoy watching them play.  The big money and spoiled millionaires of today's professional sports leagues have turned many of us off.  I have gradually become more interested in the college football and basketball than the pro variety.  And, having a grandson who is a college football player and another who is a high school roundballer, naturally I have a strong interest in their endeavors. I follow their teams and teammates and consume all the information I can on their opponents.  I love it when athletes play hard, give it all they've got, and "leave it all on the field (or court)".

Being a Christ Follower and a Pastor, I am always encouraged when a well known athlete, be it pro or amateur, publicly profess their Christian faith. Christian role models are great thing in sports or any other endeavor. It's refreshing to all of us to see a Tim Tebow or Steph Curry with a scripture verse printed under their eyes or on their shoes.  However one thing that really rankles this old pastor is when they adorn their shoes or uniforms with Philippians 4:13.  Most of us are familiar with that verse.  " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (NKJV)  Now that is a direct quote from God's word. It is powerful and encouraging. So, one may ask "why would you have an objection to an athlete giving honor to Christ and quoting scripture?"  Because that verse is NOT about sports and athletic competition!

Nor is it about being able to accomplish great feats or reaching desired goals.

The old saying in the real estate business is that the three most important factors in the marketability of a property are "Location... Location... Location".  

Likewise, when reading, studying and quoting scripture, three of the most important factors are

Context...Context...Context!

According to Merriam Webster, context is a noun that refers to "the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in term of which it can be fully understood and assessed".  If we are to rightly divide the Word of Truth when it comes to this  verse, we must consider:

* The Human Author
* To whom it was first penned
* The circumstances surrounding the writing
* And the theme of the passage - using verses that come before and after,
* To understand the true message of the passage

The setting here is that Paul the Apostle is in prison in Rome.  He is writing this letter to the church in Philippi, which was born on Paul's second missionary journey.  The first believers in Europe were saved in that Macedonian city.  They were dear to Paul's pastoral heart and the theme of this letter is one of Joy. Interesting that he writes so eloquently about joy when he is a prisoner of Rome for no other reason but his faith and and testimony of Christ.

After encouraging the Philippian believers to meditate on things that were "Just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy" he reminds them that the resulting inexplicable peace of God would "guard their hearts through Christ Jesus".  Then Paul gives them personal thanks for financial support that the church had sent to him.  Remember, that prisoners in that setting were not given adequate supplies, clothing, etc as prisoners in our jails are today. The brothers and sisters in Philippi had sought to help him. Later on in verse 16 he acknowledges their previous support for him when he was in Thessalonica. Paul rejoiced at their love and generosity, but now look what he says in verses 11 - 13 as he gives them his perspective regarding his material needs.

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Paul reveals here the secret of his contentment. He says in verse 12 that he has lived in various financial situations. He has lived humbly and has also lived in prosperity.  He has been both hungry and full. He has lived in great need and has also been abundantly blessed.  Question would be obvious.  How could he be content when experiencing all of the ups and downs of his life?

The answer - " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

This is a powerful message of the sufficiency of Christ for His children.  It has nothing to do with making touchdowns or three point shots.  It has everything to do with the contentment and peace that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is sad that such a beautiful message of God's Grace has been cheapened to a sports cliché or someone's idea of "magic words" that enable you to accomplish the hard stuff.

Never forget Paul's admonition to the young man, Timothy. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Tim 2:15)

What does the Bible say about itself?  For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) 

So, by all means read the Word, memorize scripture, quote it whenever you can, but PLEASE remember context, context, context!