MONK SMACKDOWN

Neal Pollard

There they were in “worship” in Jerusalem.  Your normal orthodox service, celebrating an ancient church feast, a somber procession, ornate priestly garb, kicking, punching, the breaking and destroying of tapestries and decorations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, occurred during the annual “Feast Of The Cross” celebration.  The combatants were Armenian and Greek Orthodox monks.  Every news agency known to man gave this brouhaha press coverage.  Police had to be called in to intervene and arrest offenders.  While a thousand points of application could be made concerning this “fight during church,” I point you to just three dealing with the obvious ironies of this situation.

The fight itself is ironic.  They were supposed religious people fighting about a religious matter.  It is ironic that their sharp disagreement came to blows.  It is ironic that they were fighting about matters that the Bible not only never addresses, but would actually militate against.  They were wrapped up in a fight that boiled down to prejudices, territorial rights, and personal prominence.

It does not matter who started this fight or even the reason behind it.  People saying they serve the Prince of Peace were disturbing the peace.  People at a service designed to honor the cross were bringing reproach upon the one who hung there.

While the Bible tells us we are soldiers (Eph. 6:10ff) fighting the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12), God does not sanction any ungodly tactic in order to do what He commands us to do, whether lying, railing, manipulating others, showing favoritism, gossiping, outbursts of anger, malice, bitterness, etc (Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 4:31-32; Js. 2:1ff).  Furthermore, our fight is with the devil (Eph. 6:12).  The poor world (and even erring brethren) have been taken captive by him to do his will (2 Tim. 2:25-26).

The cause of the fight is ironic.  They were fighting over who could and could not be present for their man-made religious service.  They were fighting over who could and could not be leading it.  Their battle was for things not even covered by the blood of Christ.

While there are times when we have to take an unpopular stand for truth, too often our battles are over matters that have nothing to do with right and wrong, truth and error.  Our fleshly tendency is to line up behind personalities and even defend tradition that has nothing to do with biblical mandates.  Not many years ago, I heard of a multi-congregational business meeting that came to blows due to some of the members being sympathetic to a preacher and others sympathetic to an elder in a judgment matter that occurred in another state.  Are you kidding me?

There are many worthy hills upon which to stand, fight, and even sacrifice-positively (getting more involved in evangelism, encouraging greater faithfulness, retrieving the fallen, building fellowship, the oneness and undenominational nature of the church) and negatively (instrumental music, women’s role, church discipline, marriage, divorce, and remarriage).  But, I’ve seen people in a “death match” over tragically unimportant matters.  In the carnage, I have seen weak and new Christians, young people, discouraged people, and the like.  These things ought never to be!

The place of the fight is ironic.  It was not a house where true worship was practiced, but it was in a supposed “house of worship.”  The scenes of fighting in a place that should be filled with praise and reverent celebration is completely ironic!

Jesus warned against bringing our fights into worship or of even having an ongoing problem with a brother or sister when we come to do so (cf. Matt. 5:23-24).  Holding grudges or being alienated from our spiritually family materially impacts the cooperative, communal nature of the very worship we offer God.  God can see more than the worship.  He sees the hearts and lives of the worshippers.  It’s not like He can’t see the state of our relationships with others.

What an embarrassment for this monk meltdown to make the news.  People will wrongly associate this with Christendom, and that hurts us as people will lump us right in there with the rest.  May we be so focused on biblical unity that we do not give anybody any ammunition to use against us.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7718587.stm

How Ugly Is Sin?

Neal Pollard

You have heard the expression, “Ugly as sin.”  Taking two of our fine young FPTC campers to the airport, I was talking with them about some unpleasant things we may see in life.  One of the campers says that the county in which he lives is reputed to be the worst in the nation for percentage of “meth” users.  You have seen the gruesome transformation caused in a person who continues to use methamphetamine–the lost teeth, sunken face, dark-circled eyes, skin blemishes, and more.  The transformation is horribly evident.  The conclusion we drew was that if all sin was that visibly ugly, we would not struggle with it.

How ugly sin is to us depends upon the condition of our hearts.  We can become callused and past feeling (1 Tim. 4:2; Eph. 4:19).  We can become completely comfortable doing or knowing others are doing what the Bible unmistakably calls sinful (Rom. 1:32).  It is possible to commit “abomination” without even blushing, much less properly recognizing the ugly appearance of our own sins (cf. Jer. 6:15; 8:12).  But, with properly trained hearts, we see our sins as dirt (Ps. 51:2), disease (Ps. 38:3), and death (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1ff).  It startles us, shames us, and spurs us to eliminate it from our lives.

But, how ugly is sin to God? If we were to review the synonyms of sin, which God moved holy men to pen, we could not remain in doubt of the answer.  It is “sin” (an offense, guilt before God, miss the mark, an aberration or deviance), “transgression” (fall by the wayside, errors and faults with consequences), “iniquity” (injustice, wrong, not in harmony with righteousness), “error” (perversity, wickedness, wander out of the right way), “ungodly” (godless, without fear of God, actively opposed to God), “evil” (corrupt, malicious), and the like.  God likens it to a spot or blemish (2 Pt. 2:13), an illness (Mt. 9:12), and even a death (Eph. 2:1).  God tells us most clearly how ugly it is to Him when He says He cannot even look at it (Hab. 1:13).  Sin is so unsightly to God that He offered His most precious gift to satisfy His perfect justice regarding it (Rom. 8:3).  God does not indulge, tolerate, or “wink” at it (Acts 17:30).

The liar, fornicator, adulterer, gambler, pornography addict, proud, jealous, selfish, or similar sinner may not be physically, outwardly unattractive.  The Bible gives little merit or praise to such attractiveness.  Yet, it does depict sin as ugly!  It is as unappealing to God as the skid row bum is unsightly to us.  The discipline we need is to see sin like God sees it!

CORN DOGS, SAUERKRAUT, AND COTTAGE CHEESE

Neal Pollard

The food items above have one sure thing in common–they are all items I cannot even choke down.  Each of them are undesirable to me for different reasons, but they are all checked off in my gross column.  You may love them all, and if so, in the words of the great philosopher Briscoe Darling, “more power to you.”  I just do not.

Culinary tastes differ.  I enjoy mixing peanut butter and table syrup, using homemade biscuits to sop up this fine, tasty blend, but I realize I may not have a lot of company in that proclivity of mine.  Some things are healthier and more suitable to eat than others, but much of that is simply a matter of taste.

Sadly, there are people who have tried to lean on their human reasoning and experience, determining what they will and will not do and believe based on personal preference and taste.  They do not see Scripture as authoritative.  In our postmodern age, people have tried to make our culture–with its peculiar tastes, desires, and leanings–preeminent over God’s revealed truth.  When this is the case, a society can put sins like abortion, homosexuality, adultery, living together, modern dancing, immodesty, and greed into the palatable and even desirable category.  The same group may put godly traits of character like honesty, courtesy, commitment, conviction, faithfulness, and the like into the distasteful category.

I remember my dad preaching a sermon about “Cafeteria-Style Religion.”  Back in those days, cafeteria-style restaurants were more common and popular.  You walk in the restaurant, walk past meats, vegetables, breads, and desserts, putting only what you wanted on your tray while rejecting the rest.  The spiritual application of that, that people pick and choose what commands of God to obey and what to ignore, is even truer today than it was then.  Today, it is not just doctrinal matters but also moral matters.

We need to remember this.  Scripture itself speaks of a way that seems right to a man that leads to death (Prov. 16:25).  It is not in man to direct his own steops (Jer. 10:23). Paul had been responsible for Christians’ deaths, yet could say in Acts 23:1 that he had lived with a clean conscience before God to that very day.  God has left a complete revelation that has been preserved, despite what agenda-driven skeptics say.  Our task is to swallow that, but to spit out any alternative authority.

I WANT To Sing

Neal Pollard

It is well-known to everyone who has been around this week for Future Preachers Training Camp or the gospel meeting that I have a serious case of laryngitis.  I normally lose my voice after a week of getting campers’ attention, playing sports, and attending a Rockies game.  This year, it struck before camp began by virtue of a minor head cold that settled in my throat.  Because I have continued to try to talk, I sound like the “Frog Man.”  While this has been a nuisance and inconvenience to my duties as director, the single greatest source of aggravation relates to my attempt and desire to sing.  I cannot stand to be in the worship assemblies, daily chapels, and devotionals where singing is taking place and not be able to participate. I try, but all I can manage is a nearly inaudible squeak as I vainly try to sing bass (the only part my voice will “hold together” enough to try).  At times, my throat has hurt too badly for me to even try that.

It is not that I consider my singing voice to be desirable.  I don’t want to flaunt my voice.  I want to blend it with everyone else’s in worshipping our God.  Now more than ever, I am at a loss to understand people not hindered by health and voice problems who choose not to sing in worship!  Do they lack the desire?  Are they embarrassed at their own perceived lack of “talent” for singing?  Is there a disconnect or disinterest?

When we remind ourselves that God desires our singing, we should long to do it to the best of our ability.  When we understand the key role we play in helping others worship and spiritually improve, we should enthusiastically engage (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19). When we connect singing with spiritual health, we will say with the writer of Hebrews, “I will proclaim Your name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise” (2:12).

It seems clear that when things are right between us and God, we will yearn to sing.  It is when we are far away from him that we lose the desire (cf. Psalm 137).  I sure hope my voice returns soon, for many reasons.  One of the main ones is so that I can return to singing praise to my God!

We Cannot Stop Speaking

Neal Pollard

 Two plain men, no distinguishing trait

Marked those uneducated preachers so bold

But what a mark such vessels would create

Who through their efforts let Christ’s story be told

They helped a poor struggler find lasting peace

But faced critical, skeptical foes,

Despite the adversity, they asked for no release

From their task, for they counted no woes.

“How could they be swaying this entire city

With a message so narrow and exclusive?

They’ve backed it up plainly, oh what a pity

For us if it’s believed; This to us is obtrusive.”

They scolded them harshly and told them to stop,

“Don’t declare this Man’s message of salvation!”

But the preachers His case they simply would not drop

They pressed on with such dogged determination.

What they said, oh the power and the pure simplicity

Though respectful, was with fierce dedication.

Fills our hearts with desire, our hands with electricity

Makes us want to join them in glad participation!

“We cannot stop speaking,” what a happy refrain,

About Jesus we must tell, share, and proclaim.

Be a Peter, a John, with The Message remain,

Pledge to never stop speaking in His name!

“Yale-Between Wadsworth And Sheridan”

Neal Pollard

Locals know that the title indicates the names of three streets, West Yale Avenue running east and west between Wadsworth and Sheridan Boulevards.  The church building is nearly halfway between the boulevards at the corner of South Lamar Street.  I drive that route daily, trying faithfully to observe the 30 MPH speed limit sign that is rigorously monitored by local law enforcement.  The cynic would say this stretch of road is a speed trap.  Those who have been ticketed on said stretch must reflect, ponder, and pray before talking about it.  Today, though, as I saw yet another poor sap pulled over by our men in blue, I thought about a few things.

First, that speed limit sign is clearly posted multiple times down that two mile span of road.  We are accustomed to not only a “speed grace” level, but we often find ourselves trying to drive as quickly as driving conditions will allow.  Those who think this way on Yale between Wadsworth and Sheridan are often surprised at how literally the police take that sign.

Also, despite how regularly Yale is patrolled here, people continue to get livid with you if you drive no more than the speed limit.  You think to yourself, “Don’t they know that Barney might be just behind that sign at the apartment complex!”  You may feel some measure of satisfaction if you’re lucky enough to see the guy in the sports car rip past you and into the waiting arms of the man holding the radar gun.  Despite how well-known this area is for nabbing those criminals going 33 or 34, people continue to be caught on a regular basis (doing 45, 50 or more).

Finally, it is tempting to blame the police officer or the government he serves and the law he seeks to enforce.  It wasn’t the officer breaking the law, it was you (and of course the five other guys going faster than you that the officer totally ignored to give you a ticket).  Never mind that he doesn’t pull over the people who are driving the speed limit (unless their registration is out of date).  He is a symbol of the law.  He’s the messenger.  But, he’s who we can see when we’re waiting for that slip of paper with payment options on it.

How closely that mirrors life!  We know that there is a law in place (Gal. 6:2; Rom. 8:2; Js. 1:25).  It is tempered by grace (Eph. 2:8), but some abuse grace (Rom. 6:1-2; Jude 4).  They refuse to submit to or take Christ’s will seriously.  And, how often will we find ourselves the object of others’ scorn, those mad at us for trying to follow what He says (cf. 1 Pet. 3:16; 4:4)?  Of course, we should not take satisfaction in the thought of the judgment that awaits the lost, but be assured that it will come.  Then, may we never focus our anger at the one who is trying to humbly trying to show us what Christ’s will is.  Such feelings should be reserved for the devil, the world, and ourselves, when we give in to disobedience.  Let us, “Therefore be careful how we walk, not as unwise men but as wise” (Eph. 5:15).

Oh, and watch yourself on Yale between Wadsworth and Sheridan!

 

THE STRUGGLE OF SUBMISSION

 

Neal Pollard

I confess to not knowing all the reasons behind some of the rules and protocol onboard the airplane.  Why do you have to power off your electronics?  Why must you have a seat when the plane is taxiing to the gate after landing?  I know what I am told, but that does not mean I necessarily see the logic as sound in every situation.  Having said that, nothing aggravates me as much as seeing fellow passengers flaunting the express command to cut off their phones.  I have seen people finishing texts even as the plane is leaving the ground.  Perhaps my feelings make me biased, reading the news story about the “rowdy” high school seniors from the Yeshiva in Flatbush in Brooklyn who were kicked off their 6 A.M. AirTran flight from LaGuardia  to Atlanta. According to an AP report, “Southwest Airlines, said in a statement that flight attendants asked passengers several times to take their seats and put their mobile devices away. The airline said that when some didn’t comply, the captain repeated the request. When that didn’t work either, the whole group of students was ordered to disembark for safety reasons” (David B. Caruso, 6/4/13).

Why do so many of us struggle with following the rules?  Children don’t want to obey parents.  Students don’t want to obey teachers and administrators.  Employees don’t want to obey employers.  Church members don’t want to obey elders.  Mankind doesn’t want to obey God.  This tendency is not only widespread, but has been timeless.

If we will honestly assess this problem, we will find that our biggest threat in this matter is internal rather than external.  Our biggest enemy in this is ourselves.  Certainly, James 1:14 applies to this struggle. We get carried away and enticed by our own lust.  With this, that ugly monster of pride swells within us, causing us to think, “Nobody can tell me what to do!” Let us remember Proverbs 16:18!  What a dangerous mentality.

Our perfect, innocent Lord faced a painful death on the cross at the hands of wicked men.  He did not complain of unfairness or decry His loss of rights.  He tearfully, humbly prayed, “Not My will, but Yours be done” (Lk. 22:42).  May we humble ourselves and follow His example in the areas of life that require us to submit to the rules.

A Second Chance

Neal Pollard

Have you ever wanted an opportunity for redemption?  Did you ever feel you deserved it?  Brian Banks was a highly recruited football player, heading to USC, when Wanetta Gibson accused Banks of raping her.  Her accusation was a lie, but his lawyer feared his “age, size, and race” would keep him from getting a fair trial.  Also, Gibson convinced him to plead no contest “to a crime he insisted he didn’t commit.” Thus, no trial and no evidence presented.  He received the maximum sentence allowed under the plea deal, but avoided the possibility of 41 years in jail. He was released after five years, and he had to register as a sex offender.  Last year, Gibson sent Banks a friend request on Facebook.  He did not accept, but messaged her asking why should would do that? She said she wanted to reconnect.  Banks slyly asked a family friend who was a private investigator to help him establish his innocence. She would go on to confess on tape that Banks was innocent of both the rape and kidnapping charge.  While she is in huge legal trouble now, Banks was exonerated and the charges against him dropped (via transcript from “Blindsided,” a CBS news feature at http://www.cbsnews.com).

Banks deserved exoneration.  While it might have been that Banks was not totally innocent, he was not guilty of the charges against him.  He had to do time for a crime he did not commit.  It cost him time and the ability to prepare himself for a career that would pay handsomely.  Now, it seems, he will have that chance.  The Atlanta Falcons have invited him to try out for middle linebackers.  Most believe he will make the roster and could eventually start.  He got a second chance.

Our situation is really the opposite.  We were guilty of the charges against us (Rom. 3:23). There were no mitigating circumstances.  The facts in the case are ugly (cf. 1 Jn. 2:15-17; Js. 1:13-15).  We deserved the harshest penalty.  But, Jesus, a totally innocent Man, was put to death for our crimes.  Because He arose, we have the opportunity to be completely pardoned.  Not only that, we stand to gain a fortune too great to count that will endure for eternity (Mt. 25:46).  We have a second chance, not because we were found innocent.  We have a second chance because His blood makes us righteous!  Praise God for second chances.

Snapshots of the Suffering Servant

Neal Pollard

Snapshots serve a fascinating purpose, to show moments of time from the unique perspective of the one taking the pictures.  No more graphic Old Testament pictures are revealed than those found in Isaiah 53.  How many have chosen this passage to read while reflecting on Christ’s great sacrifice during the Lord’s Supper?  Have you ever began your reading further up, at the end of Isaiah 52?  Here are some powerful, additional snapshots of the suffering servant.  In these few verses, there are compelling snapshots of the Savior.

• He would be wise–”behold My Servant shall deal prudently”
• He would be royal–”exalted and extolled and be very high”
• He would be enigmatic–”Many were astonished at [Him]“
• He would be brutalized–”His visage was marred”; “His form more than the sons of men”
• He would be the atonement–”So shall He sprinkle many nations”

From His ministry and warm reception to His horrendous death, Jesus is depicted as the most unique One.  Only He could do what He did because He is the only One of His kind–all God and all man all at once.  Give thought to beginning your reading at Isaiah 52:13 some time when you are reading the poignant prophesy in the following chapter.  This is simply further reinforcement of the great love God has for us in giving Jesus for our sins!

I Am Naming The Worst Facebook Speech Offenders Among My “Friends”

Neal Pollard

Perhaps you have heard the latest flap about “sexist hate speech” that has purportedly gone unpunished by the social media giant Facebook.  Activists and advertisers are teaming up to pressure Facebook into addressing particularly pages that “celebrate violence against women.” Facebook has resoundingly responded with a cadre of new or improved guidelines to eliminate such appalling rhetoric.  While some are crying foul over perceived first amendment trampling, most see the move as desirable and necessary (via CNN online article by Doug Gross, “Under pressure, Facebook targets sexist hate speech”).  This is the world, but even the world gets that there are lines in speech that should not be crossed.

Of course, the Christian has a much higher standard when it comes to what speech is appropriate.  Well before the line that is crossed by talk that glorifies rape and sexual violence there is the line that is set by Christian courtesy, love, meekness, holiness, and several, similar qualities. Sadly, after over four years of having a Facebook page and seeing on my news feed the comments of “friends” that are mostly Christians, I have seen some lines crossed by those who know better.  Let me name some of the worst offenders:

–Chronic Contradictor

–Compulsive Complainer

–Unsolicited Buttinsky

–Chip On-The Shoulder

–Relentless Ranter

–Suggestive Speaker

–Boldfaced Boaster

–Condescending Christian

–Self-Proclaimed Unqualified-Expert

–Worst-Assuming Writer

–Attacker Under-The-Guise-Of-Humor

–Worldliness Glorifier

I am positive that you have other “friends” within your Facebook circle different from the ones I singled out to you.  For ourselves, may we choose the needed, endangered qualities of restraint, forethought, kindness, thoughtfulness, and any similar trait embodied in the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-24).  Facebook feels anonymous, but it is not.  Just because we can type it without looking someone in the face as we say it to them does not make it acceptable.  Let us dedicate ourselves to using every forum of influence we possess to encourage and assist everyone under the “sound” of our “voice.”