Church should be lifeboat in stormy season
By Wayne Thomas
Phenix City, Ala.
American society is navigating tumultuous seas, and its people are tossed to and fro by swirling waters of conflict. Friends, families and neighbors are dividing themselves and fighting for control of the helm of the ship.
Some make their choice by listening only to one source of information. Many assume their supposed enemy’s motives are malevolent and will ultimately sink the ship.
Others watch and wonder if there is a lifeboat to rescue them from the madness. They are hoping for another choice. Could it be the Church?
The Church is called by Jesus to be different. He draws distinctions between the Church and the world.
One unique attribute of the Church is love. Some may recoil and claim the church does not have a monopoly on love. However, biblical love is distinct from our modern understanding of it. Jesus tells His followers to not only love those who love you but also to love those who despise you. He wants His followers to have care and concern for those who oppose them.
Biblical love is also sacrificial, humble and unconditional. It is shown in Jesus’ choice to die for all of mankind. Followers of Jesus should demonstrate love of all people because they are fellow humans created in the image of God.
The Church is called to be unified and of one mind. Unity does not mean everyone in the Church should behave like automatons. The Church should be a place where diverse individuals are welcome to share their unique talents and spiritual gifts to serve a common goal: the Great Commission. Each member contributes as a part of the larger body listening to the head — Jesus.
People are looking for the biblical Church. They need a refuge from a sinful world. They need to see Jesus.
The American Church often is not a biblical sanctuary. Instead, it simply delivers more of what the world is serving in the guise of religion. It does not need to remain that way.
Followers of Jesus can choose to apply the Scriptures rather than only repeating them. They can return to prayer, humility and thoughtfulness as they consider decisions. They may choose to refrain from vilifying others made in God’s image who arrive at different decisions.
Jesus did not come to win victories for any political party or figure. He came to fulfill the Father’s will that mankind be reconciled to Him. Only when the Church looks to Jesus for direction can the love, unity and single mindedness take hold and the beacon of safe harbor shine.
Ways to honor your pastor
October is Pastor/Clergy Appreciation Month. How will you and your church show your gratitude to your pastor this month? Here are some ideas.
Share your skills and time.
- Babysitting
- Auto maintenance and repair
- Home repairs, maintenance and projects
- Decorating, painting and wallpapering
- Haircuts and beauty treatments
- Medical, dental and chiropractic care
- Lawn and garden upkeep
- Legal, estate and financial services
- Tutoring or lessons for children.
Provide fun, food and fellowship.
- Prepare a meal or baked goods for them (ask about favorite meals or certain foods to avoid).
- Give your pastor gift cards for restaurants, fast food or coffee shops.
- Invite your pastor and family to your home or a restaurant for a meal.
- Invite your pastor and family to go fishing, sailing, camping, hunting, to the gym, concerts, plays or sporting events. Offer to cover some or all of the costs.
- Offer your pastor’s family sports, concert or event tickets.
Pray faithfully for your pastor. Pray for:
- Intimacy with God
- Spiritual protection
- Emotional and physical well-being
- Genuine friendships
- Financial provisions
- Helpful mentors
- Quality study and prayer times.
Need more ideas? Go to blessyourpastor.org for additional resources.
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Letters to the Editor
In the Aug. 26 issue of TAB, Jennifer Davis Rash wrote in her editorial that she wanted authors to “own up front a particular bias or agenda,” presumably so readers would be forewarned.
I wonder if that is merely ventilating a frustrated dream or if there is some intent to do something about it.
The fact of the matter is that we all have multiple biases and agenda, some well-hidden even from ourselves. It would take an enormous amount of work to ferret out all these, and then the available truth would be so vast as to make it impractical to divulge.
Some basic things could be uncovered using a pre-publication interview or online survey, if people were willing to tediously answer all the necessary questions truthfully.
My experience with surveys is that they result in greatly misleading information because answer options do not allow suitable correct responses.
Bob Cosby
Birmingham, Ala.
I love the news from around the Southeast and the continued update on the persecuted church. Excellent.
David George
President, WMU Foundation
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Quotes from ‘The Rope’
In a world where the persecuted church (people who literally face death) still gives everything to meet together physically, … the gathering of the church is a big deal. The love of our brothers and sisters and encouragement we can give to them in that gathering (and elsewhere as well) is one of the main ways the world will know we are in Christ.
James Hammack
The Bible has some strong words to say about our tongue and the consequences of what we say. James 3:8 says, “It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” …
It is our choice to speak death or life to someone. We have that choice. Sometimes the best response is no response. Proverbs 17:27 says, “A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.”
So the next time you receive the unexpected “gift” of a fire-fueled message, stop and take the time to pray. Ask God to help you understand where the other person is coming from and the best way to respond. You will never go wrong when you speak life to someone.
Amy Hacker
—From theropetab.com
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Show your appreciation for those who work among you, set an example for you in the Lord and instruct you.
1 Thessalonians 5:12, ISV
Trials are nothing new in the human domain. The COVID-19 pandemic is only another flavor of difficulties and struggles which dot the framework of living. There is good news, however.
The Greek word “poikilos” (“various, manifold”) is used in 1 Peter to refer to life’s difficulties (1:6) and to God’s grace (4:10). In other words, for every type/flavor of “trials” we encounter, there is a matching type/flavor of God’s “grace” to make it more bearable and meaningful.
William Barclay puts it this way: “Our troubles may be many-coloured, but so is the grace of God; there is no colour in the human situation which that grace cannot match. There is grace to match every trial and there is no trial without its grace.” No wonder then the superlative significance of the classic Christian refrain: “Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”
Morris Murray Jr.
Jasper, Ala.
My employer recently made us all get tested due to two people having tested positive for COVID-19. “This is stupid. I don’t have it,” I thought. But I got swabbed, and I am positive. I feel like I always do — no symptoms at all. I don’t look sick. I’m fine on the outside, but on the inside, there is a virus I can’t see or feel.
And then it hit me: You may look like a Christian, but are you? You may act like a Christian, but are you? People, you may look fine on the outside, you may feel fine. But if Christ isn’t on the inside, you are sin sick. One day, you will face a test not with a horrible nose swab but with Jesus Christ Himself. Will He find you positive as a child of God?
Pastor Kevin Morrison
Bethabara Baptist Church, Northport, Ala.
The SBC’s greatest evangelistic problem is not that more of us don’t witness to our neighbors. Our greatest problem is that more of us don’t look and live like Jesus.
Chuck Kelley
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From the Twitterverse
@jdanielatkins
Why do we have to nitpick and be so divisive about everything? I’m tired of it. We’re trying to lead our churches through a pandemic and minister to our communities. Stop.
@brocraigc
Conducting three funerals this week. Real or imagined, deaths, in my circle of friends and influence, seem to have increased during these days. I’m reminded of John Flavel’s statement: “A grave with Christ is a comfortable place.” Thanks be to God.
@PriscillaShirer
Sisters and brothers, be careful not to interpret familiar, expected or popular things as automatically being holy things. Let’s ask the Spirit to cleanse our spiritual palate, pique our spiritual senses and give us discernment to know what’s really Him and what’s just not.
@dailyspurgeon
The reason why the Church of God exists is not her ecclesiastical regulations, her organization, her formularies, her ministers or her creeds, but the presence of the Lord in the midst of her.
@BurkParsons
I am always surprised by Christians who seem surprised by the wickedness and hypocrisy of the world.
@JackieHillPerry
One of the appeals of idolatry is that with it, creating our own version of god means we can tame it. A created thing can only do what we allow it to do, unlike the true God who isn’t manageable. He can’t be put on a shelf or told to hush. We want to worship what we can control.
@BillyGraham
“Most people yearn for one thing more than anything else: inner peace. Without it they have no lasting happiness or security.”
@jburnham549
You will never kneel before the throne unless you first bow at the manger. Lord, give us humility.
@JohnPiper
“It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Heb. 10:4). With one sentence the entire Old Testament religious system is turned into a shadow of a coming Reality.
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