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The New Evangelicalism

9/21/2015

What is happening?

I understand that I am standing at a distance, looking out over the vast sea of the evangelical church, and from this vantage point I may not see things as clearly as I ought. Nevertheless, I am deeply concerned about the direction that some churches are taking. Admittedly, I am not the pristine example of a saint, nor do I hold to some notion that I am better than anyone else. I am not perfect and I do not lay claim to a higher value or more noble virtue than any other person in this world. I, as all men, stood in desperate need of the mercy and grace of Christ Jesus and found in Him a Savior.

However, I am watching a shift happening in churches that once held firmly to the word of God as the sole authority for all faith and practice, and I fear that cultural demands and shifting ethics have wormed their way into the bloodstream of the church. Even as Paul said, “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV).

So I ask: Has tolerance and the acceptance of moral relativism become the new form of evangelicalism? Certainly, the church wants to let everyone know that forgiveness and mercy are available to all who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. For even our Savior said, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37 ESV). Does this mean that Jesus will accept and embrace the moral divergences that are occurring in our culture today? Not at all! For Jesus, Himself, said, “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3 ESV).

There are churches today that recognize the changes taking place in the culture and have retreated to a position of acquiescence for reasons that are varied. Most of these churches seem to embrace the identity of acceptance—even agreement—with the culture so that, perhaps, they do not become the next target of the animosity of opposition. I read in the news about a Baptist church in South Carolina[1] that made the transition to a more cultural identification rather than a Biblical one, with one comment mentioned in the article about the “bigoted” Southern Baptist Convention becoming isolated in this new paradigm. This is just one of a myriad of examples that I could weigh you down with, but I will let you discover them for yourself.

In his masterful sermon titled, “We Will Not Bow,” Dr. John MacArthur gives the clear reality to why this transformation is taking place in our culture. Dr. MacArthur states, “The objective is not simply to redefine gender. The objective is not simply to redefine marriage. The objective is to destroy what God has designed.”[2] These “redefinitions” have taken root in the modern world, but should they be taking place in the church? My answer is a resounding: no. The church does not belong to the culture; the church belongs to Christ.

So, then, what can be done?

If you are a Christian, I strongly urge you to participate in the work of Christ. Proclaim the Gospel to this generation, tell people about Jesus, warn them of the coming wrath of God and show them His mercy and grace. If you are a pastor, stand up! Preach the word. The world will gather around those who will tickle their ears (2 Timothy 4:1-5). Do not be one of them. Do not comply with the demands of a fallen culture simply because it is the means of bringing in a larger crowd.

One last warning from our Lord Jesus, “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38 ESV).

We live in an adulterous and sinful generation. We live during a time of rampant self-interest where those who pander to the demands of a broken and sinful culture lessen the preaching of God’s word. Let us not be ashamed of God’s word.

I heard it said the sin that one generation tolerates, the next generation accepts, and the next generation exalts. This is the pathway to the wreck and ruin of a society. We are now in an era where the exaltation of fallen behavior is rampant, and the new evangelicalism has embraced the modern cultural identity. Hear the words from the prophet Jeremiah, “Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” (Jeremiah 6:16 ESV).

I will walk upon the ancient path—the true path of God’s word. Who’s coming with me?

Your Servant,

Michael

©2015 Michael Duncan

If you appreciate this article, you may like the novel: Shadow Remnant found in print and e-book format: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009XUQOOY.

[1] http://www.charismanews.com/us/51020-first-baptist-church-to-ordain-gay-transgender-ministers

[2] http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/80-425

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Can You Drink this Cup?

9/14/2015

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How many have said that they want to do great things for God? How many of God’s people want to reach heights of celebrated opportunity and scale tremendous mountains of glory? Oh, I think I can safely say that there are many who fall into that category.

One question:

Are you willing to pay the price to get there?

In the gospel of Mark, two disciples of Jesus laid claim to positions of prominence and requested that Jesus fulfill their desires. Let us listen in on the conversation found in Mark 10:35-40.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.

They said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”

Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

“We are able,” they said.

Jesus said, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

What boldness! What a brazen request. It would seem as if James and John wanted to stand in grand display, taking positions of great prominence and honor. Nevertheless, there is a catch. I want to point out three things that Jesus says to His disciples that all of us must hear when we go seeking glory.

First, they were ignorant. Jesus said, “You do not know what you are asking.” Clearly, James and John thought they knew exactly what they were asking! However, when we ask Jesus out of our own desire for prominence rather than seeking the glory of God, we will always ask amiss. James learned this truth along the way when he writes in James 4:3, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”

Second, it is up to God. Again, Jesus said, “…but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” It is not wrong to have grand ambitions and great purposes, but many often forget that the life surrendered to Christ is a life that is set to do God’s will not the will of self. Paul said it this way in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Third, there is a cost. Once more, Jesus said, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” What is the “cup?” What is the “baptism?” It is the cup of sacrifice, the willingness to lay down one’s life for the purpose of God. It is the baptism of suffering and a determination to endure the anguish of faithfulness to the last. It is the willingness to surrender that says, despite the grip of sorrow that pours forth like great drops of blood, there is no turning back. Paul says this in Philippians 3:10, “…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…”

One of the great truths found in Scripture, and one often ignored, is that the greatest opportunities for service in the Kingdom of Christ come at a cost. The price tag is suffering. The privilege of sitting at the right hand or the left of Christ is given to those whom God has appointed, but the cost of sitting there is to drink to the last the cup of our Lord Jesus Christ and follow Him in this world.

Do not think, for a moment, that there is a glory and a grandeur waiting for you if you are unwilling to endure suffering for Christ’s sake. Those who are considered great pillars of faith from God’s word are also those who endured greatly. Moses, David, Joseph, Abraham, Paul, and so many more were ready to go through the fires of affliction to get there.

Consider, as we close this out, the words of Peter from 1 Peter 2:21, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”

So remember, when you ask Jesus to elevate you, listen closely, for He will ask you, “Are you able to drink this cup?”

©2015 Michael Duncan

For further reading on following Christ, read - A Life Worth Living found here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HVI3XTY

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The Boulder

9/11/2015

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There is a fable of a man who was told by God to push a mighty boulder. The man looked at the steep hill that stood before him and threw his weight against the stone. He struggled and tried and fought against that huge monolith, but to no avail. Day after grueling day, the man faithfully went to the stone and, with all his might, pushed against it. Despair began to set in. He feared that when God returned and did not find the boulder at the top, that the Almighty would be furious. Yet, tearfully he blistered his hands against that rock as he obeyed the command of God.

God did return many months later and found the man tired and sorrowful. “Why, my child, are you in such despair?” God asked. The man replied, “Forgive me, Lord, for I have failed to move the stone even one inch up the hill.” God smiled and reached His hand to pick the man up from his despair. “My dear son, I did not ask you to push against this boulder that you should change it but that it should change you.” Perplexed the man hung his head, “I don’t understand, Lord.”

God stood the man on his feet. “Look at yourself. See how strong you’ve become; see how faithful you have proved yourself. Your callused hands can now grasp difficulty without being harmed. Your legs are powerful and can carry you on the path of faith. Your arms are strong and can now lift others up.” The man, in humble understanding, smiled at how God had loved him. “Come, my child,” God said, “for you are now fit for service in the kingdom of heaven.”

The faith and character that God will build in your life is of great worth in His sight. And the final product is simple: a mature, Christian life. The Father has purposed us to grow in Christ and as we persevere we walk along the path that will build His life in us. He will take us down the rough road of suffering until the life of His Son is formed in us. God is preparing each one of us on this path to maturity. Or, as James says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness" (James 1:2-3 ESV).

© 2015 Michael Duncan

For more information on spiritual growth and maturity, pick up the workbook: "Starting Out: A Study Guide for New Believers" here ~ http://www.amazon.com/dp/1482694328

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Finding Forgiveness

9/2/2015

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“Father, forgive them…” ~ Luke 23:34

These three words from Jesus on the cross encapsulate the entirety of His ministry. His whole purpose for coming to earth was to glorify God, to magnify the truth and to sanctify souls through the mercy that He paid to provide. All of this, and so much more of what Jesus did on earth, is finalized in those three words: “Father, forgive them.”

When Jesus said, “Father, forgive them,” there were two men close by who heard it—namely, two thieves on crosses. Unlike the masses of humanity that were spewing hatred and malice as they passed by, unlike their own hearts that railed against the punishment inflicted on them, these two men heard from the One Man who was unjustly punished and yet spoke words of compassion for his executioners. Jesus’ words did not fall to the ground without having an impact, for one of those two thieves found forgiveness.

So, what does it take to find forgiveness? Two things:

First, you must Believe It.

Sounds simple enough… but there is something more to this. To believe Jesus can offer you forgiveness is first to believe that you need it. Many people dismiss the idea that forgiveness is necessary because they simply refuse to believe that they’ve done anything wrong. The skewed moral and ethical compass of our world always points to the standards of humanity rather than the standards of God as the measure of right and wrong. Therefore, if the only criterion used to determine sinfulness is based upon what the world considers sinful, then it is easy to skirt the issue because the standards are pre-built by a sinful condition. But thief #2 did not see it that way. “And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done no wrong” (Luke 23:41). Paul reiterates this truth in Romans 3:10, “…as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one.’” For those who believe that they have done no wrong, they will never see their need for forgiveness.

Then, to believe Jesus can offer you forgiveness is to believe that He actually has the authority to forgive. Jesus does have the authority to forgive because He is God. Though I highly doubt that they meant to, the scribes and Pharisees of His day gave Jesus an opportunity to prove it. In Mark 2:5-12 we read:

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

You must understand that the one who has the right to forgive is the one who was wronged in the first place. I do not have the position to forgive a man who wronged someone else; I can only forgive a man who wronged me. However, with every sin committed by man, with every offense done in this world, God is wronged. Has Jesus been wronged by you? Of course He has, even as David said in Psalm 51:4, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.”

Second, you must Receive It.

Again, it sounds simple enough—and it is—but there is still a bit more to it than first meets the eye. For, to receive forgiveness, you must go to the One who offers it and humble yourself. This might be the most difficult reality of them all, for we are a proud and stubborn people as a rule and would more likely want to try to hide our sins rather than confess them. If, however, you have come to that place of knowing the situation before God – that you are a sinner – then you are on the right track. Do not, then, let your pride decide that you can fix the situation on your own. Too many people have forsaken the grace of God for the works of men, determining that they can “work off” any necessary debt before God and cleanse themselves. I met a man who told me that he would come to Jesus when he has finally “cleaned up his act” because he believed that God would not forgive a man who doesn’t. Nevertheless, that’s the problem: if you could clean up your own act, there would be no need for God to forgive you. Paul said in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Then, to receive forgiveness, you must trust the One who offers it. This is the work of faith—to trust God’s word and know that all things He has promised is true. Is God reliable? Is God trustworthy? Can you take God at His word and know for certain, without any hesitation of doubt, that if He promised you forgiveness, then you will receive it? Consider the words of Hebrews 6:17-20.

So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf.

The steadfast reliability of God is the anchor point for faith. If God cannot be trusted, if God ever determined to change His mind, then all that He spoke concerning the promise of forgiveness is set into question. However, God is the truest, most certain and unfailing Savior! He has never failed to accomplish all that He has promised and so you and I can approach Him in humility and confession of sin, knowing that in Christ we have mercy and will receive from Him a full pardon. For John said in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Finding forgiveness is simple: you have to believe it and you have to receive it. Do not let your pride hinder your moment and divert you from receiving God’s grace and mercy. I want to close with the call from Isaiah 55:6-7.

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

©2015 Michael Duncan

For further reading and study on the topic of finding forgiveness and walking in a new life with Jesus Christ, pick up A Life Worth Living in Kindle or print at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HVI3XTY

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