Pastor Wingate's Blog
Monday, March 1, 2010
2:10 p.m.
I am taking a section from my friend, Ray Pritchard's writting that bring home a truth about what we believe about Jesus does make a difference.
"During a recent trip to Portland, Oregon, noted atheist Christopher Hitchens laid down some seriously good theology. Most people recognize Hitchens as the author of the bestselling book God is Not Great: Why Religion Poisons Everything. Since the book's publication in 2007, Hitchens has toured the country debating a series of religious leaders, including some well-known evangelical thinkers. He is clever, acerbic, quick on his feet, and in general a very articulate spokesman for atheism. In Portland he was interviewed by Unitarian minister Marilyn Sewell. The entire transcript of the interview has been posted online. The following exchange took place near the start of the interview:
Sewell: The religion you cite in your book is generally the fundamentalist faith of various kinds. I'm a liberal Christian, and I don't take the stories from the scripture literally. I don't believe in the doctrine of atonement (that Jesus died for our sins, for example). Do you make and distinction between fundamentalist faith and liberal religion?
Hitchens: I would say that if you don't believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ and Messiah, and that he rose again from the dead and by his sacrifice our sins are forgiven, you're really not in any meaningful sense a Christian.
Sewell wanted no part of that discussion so her next words are, "Let me go someplace else."
This little snippet demonstrates an important point about religious "God-talk." You can call yourself anything you like, but if you don't believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross for our sins and then rose from the dead, you are not "in any meaningful sense" a Christian.
Talk about nailing it.
In one of the delicious ironies of our time, an outspoken atheist grasps the central tenet of Christianity better than many Christians do. What you believe about Jesus Christ really does make a difference."
Thursday, February 18, 2010
9:18 a.m.
Our Christian life is to be one of seeking. What should be the focus of our search? It should be the same thing as that for which David was seeking. That was communion with God. Above all else, David desired to be in the presence of God. He knew that he could find strength in His presence. He knew that "In His presence there is fullness of joy." The problem most have is that they know more about God then they know God. That is dangerous. From the context of Psalm 37, we understand that David had been facing some difficult circumstances. There were those who were against him, who opposed him on every hand, who did not wish to see him in any position of rule in the kingdom. Consequently, they made war against him and fought him constantly. Some of his opposition was extremely formidable, and it was enough to cause any man to be afraid. You might say David was under a good deal of stress. Yet in the midst of this, he knew where to turn. He knew that in God's presence, he would find the strength and spiritual stamina he needed to face these trying situations in life.
This is an important lesson for us. We must also realize that it is only in God's presence where we find the strength to face the difficulties of life. Just as in the midst of the parched desert of daily living David found an oasis in God's presence, so also can we. The aim of our heart ought to be to desire to seek God's presence in our lives. We must desire intimate, daily communion with Him because it is only in that life of communion that we will have our needs met. At the end of Isaiah 40, it says, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."
As we eagerly wait upon the Lord, basking in His presence, enjoying communion with Him, the promise is that we will renew our strength. Actually in the original, it says that we will "exchange" our strength. The idea is that through communion with God, we trade our strength for His. Then we can mount up with wings as eagles. Then we can run and not grow weary. Then we can walk and not faint.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
8:03 a.m.
I was reading the other day about the dispute between Paul and Barnabas, two good men who didn't see eye to eye on a situation and they split. What do you do? I like what Jim Chapman writes in his sermon entitled, "When Good Men Disagree, "When you face a disagreement with another Christian, as you surely will, attempt to disengage your emotions and objectively think through the answers to two questions:
What is the real nature of the difficulty? This is not an easy question to answer, but you must face it as honestly as possible. We all need to be careful here, because we have a built in tendency to push personality differences into the realm of doctrine or sin. It sounds far more spiritual to say that the other person is doctrinally off base or that he sinned against me than to admit that his personality grates on mine.
Is there a godly character quality that the Lord trying is to develop in me through this clash? Sometimes God in His grace (and in His sense of humor) throws us together with people who grate against us in order to sandpaper our rough edges. Let's face it. I don't need patience, forbearance, gentleness, and kindness when the other person sees everything my way! I don't need to learn to deny myself when the other person thinks that I'm a wonderful guy. But when there is a clash, God often confronts me with my selfishness and stubbornness. If I submit to Him and don't bail out of the difficult relationship, He will use it to develop those Christlike qualities in me. The Lord works good, even from our weaknesses and failures (Romans 8:28)."
What a lesson to learn. I have written down those two questions. They are both good to remember, to be sure, disagreements will come, just be prepared to act godly.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
8:24 a.m.
If you have not checked out the sermon section on our website sight, we now have it in mp3. It is not limited any longer to windows format. Many have requested it so we have been able to accomplish it. A big thanks to Kevin Quinn and his work.
This morning's "Daily Bread" by Joe Stowell spoke to me and if you have not read it, I have part of it for you.
"A friend once told me, "In my lifetime I've seen a lot of things change, and I've been against them all!" Perhaps he overstated the point, but many of us would agree that we don't like change—especially if it involves altering our habits and attitudes.
That's one reason Jesus was so unpopular among the Pharisees. He challenged their long-established system of good works and self-righteous living. Consider the incident when the town "sinner" entered the home of the town "saint" in Luke 7. Simon the Pharisee wasn't impressed with the woman's lavish display of affection for Jesus. Reading Simon's self-righteous thoughts, Jesus immediately challenged his flawed perception of his own goodness by telling the story of two debtors—one who owed much to his master and one who owed less. "Which of them will love him more?" Jesus asked (v.42). Obviously, the one who had been forgiven more. Speaking to Simon's I-feel-pretty-good-about-myself attitude, Jesus said, "to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little" (v.47).
The challenge is clear. Lulled into thinking how good we are, our love for Jesus wanes because we have forgotten that we too are among the ones "forgiven much." And when that happens, ready or not, it's time for a change!" —Joe Stowell
Monday, January 25, 2010
9:29 a.m.
Yesterday morning I played a six minute you tube video by S.M. Lockridge entitled, "He's My King." Many have asked for the site. Just click on "My King" and it will take you to it.
We are in the last week of the month. How are you doing with all those New Years resolutions? I trust the ones you made with the Lord are still on track. If you have messed up, just fresh today, as someone once said, "he is the God of the second chance." I like that but I have also found out He is the God of the third, fourth, fifth and beyond that chance as well. Isn't it wonderful to have a God of such grace?
Thursday, January 21, 2010
10:29 a.m.
I came across a blog by Al Mohler and the time children spend online, whether it be internet, iPods or mp3 players. It is something that is controlling our youth. Click on Kids and it will take you to the blog.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
8:28 a.m.
I have been reading 1 Corinthians 13 about love. I am read some interesting observations I want to share with you.
Love does not envy- Generosity
This is the sin of those who think others have too much and they have too little. By contrast, love is generous. It does not begrudge others their gifts. How do you respond to the good fortune of others? If they do better than you, if they prosper when you don't, if their family seems happy while yours is torn apart, how will you react? If they achieve what you cannot, if they gain what you lack, if they win where you lose, then the truth will come out. Can you lose gracefully? Can you walk away from the contest without bitterness? If you live long enough, you'll probably find someone who does what you do better than you can do it. You'll meet people with your talents and your gifts-only much more of them. You'll find people who surpass you in every way. What will you do then? This is one test of love. And if you live long enough, you are certain to encounter people who are less talented and less gifted than you in every way, yet they seem to catch all the breaks and end up ahead of you in the great game of life. How will you respond when an inferior person passes you by? This is an even sterner test of love
Love does not boast – Courtesy. "Vaunteth not or doesn't parade itself."
It does not brag is not pompous or conceited. It has no exalted opinion of itself. It is not eager to gain the applause of others. The Greek word translated "boast" means something like "windbag." It has within it the idea of the person who must continually talk about himself in order to impress others.
Sometimes we would be better off saying nothing at all.
Once upon a time, a turtle wanted to spend the winter in Florida but he knew he could never walk that far. He convinced a couple of geese to help him, each taking one end of a piece of rope, while he clamped his vise-like jaws in the center. The flight went fine until someone on the ground looked up in admiration and asked, "Who in the world thought of that?" Unable to resist the chance to take credit, the turtle opened his mouth to shout, "I did-"
Sometimes it's a good idea to keep your mouth shut.
Love is not proud – Humility. The Bible says love is "not puffed up." Love hides from itself. That means love does not have an inflated opinion of itself. It is not filled with hot air. As I think about the truly great people I have known, they have all (on one level at least) seemed rather ordinary. They dressed and acted like real people.
When someone has to dress or act or talk like they are somebody special, it's because they're trying to convince themselves. With those who are truly great, what you see is what you get, which is how it ought to be with all of us.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
8:42 a.m.
I was speaking with someone recently who asked the question, "What is a cult and how do we distinguish the difference between a cult and true Biblical Christianity?
I came across these questions several years ago about false doctrine and cultic practices and I want to share them with you.
1. Is the Bible alone, and in its entirety, God's word?
A false church will add to, or take away from, the Bible as God's only inspired revelation to mankind. They may use the Bible, but not believe it to be entirely accurate or complete. They may have other sources of divine revelation such as an additional book(s); a leader who claims direct revelation from God; and the acceptance of dreams, visions, etc, as God reveals messages to them. (John 8:31-32; Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12; Rev. 22:18-19)
2. Is Jesus Christ both fully God and fully man?
A false church will usually teach that Jesus was not God, or perhaps even that as God, He was not fully man. They may view Jesus as merely a great teacher, prophet, a sage, a philosopher, a charismatic revolutionary, or even an angel. (John 1:1, 2, 14; Luke 1:35; Rom 3:24-25, 4:25, 8:34; Col. 2:9; 1 Pet 1:3-5; Heb 9:24; 1 John 2:1-2)
3. Is salvation received as a free gift by faith alone in Christ alone?
A false church does not believe that salvation is a free gift from God received by simply believing that Jesus Christ died on the cross as payment for our sins.
They may also teach that Jesus Christ is not the only way to God, that believing in other religions and their leaders can save you. (John 3:3-7, 14:6; Acts 16:30-31; Rom. 11:6; 1 Cor. 16:3; Eph. 2:8-9)
4. Is salvation guaranteed once it is received?
A false church never offers the assurance of salvation. With such groups, you never know for sure if you are going to be saved. Salvation is not eternally secure, not guaranteed once it is received, and even the receiving of it may be uncertain. (John 3:16, 10:28; Rom. 8:1; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:13, 4:30; 2 Tim. 2:13; Jude 24).
5. Does this group allow and encourage you to remain an active part of your unbelieving family and friends?
Many false churches attempt to totally separate you from your "unbelieving" family and friends, those people who are not part of that church. They pressure you to interact only with other members of the group. This isolates you from those people who love you most and know you best, and could potentially show you what is wrong with that church and what it believes.
6. Does the group have a leader who is viewed as an equal with other members of the church?
False churches often have leaders who are viewed and treated as a "Messiah," who are on a "pedestal" above the rest of the congregation. Such leaders may demand to be called by titles such as "apostle" or "prophet," may live an extravagant lifestyle, and may even claim special divine revelation directly from God.
They may likewise make ludicrous claims concerning their contact with Satan (for example, physically wrestling with him in their study). Their primary motivations are a lust for money, and for power over people. Sexual lust can also play a major role in what they do. This is all in contrast to the truly spirit-filled pastor-teacher who humbly struggles to use his spiritual gifts, as an equal part of the body of Christ, with the rest of his congregation. Such a Biblical leader studies and teaches the Scriptures as God's only complete and accurate revelation to mankind. He lives a lifestyle that reflects the way that the rest of his congregation lives.
7. Does the church teach all of God's word and avoid over-emphasizing only certain doctrines?
False churches or teachers often focus upon only certain doctrines in the Bible and leave out the rest. May we always be fair and just with scripture and never put words in the month of God.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
8:23 a.m.
Someone once asked "When was the last time the presence of God quickened your pulse?" that is a great question. It is easy to get bogged down with the routine of life and even going to church, that we forget why we are there.
I have found in my own personal devotions it is easy to let the mind wonder an d even when I should be concentrating on the eternal I ma not. I then ask the Lord to forgive me and start all over.
Every time we get with the Lord we ought to be in awe of Him. If you have not met with Him today, do so quickly and don't leave His presence until you stand in awe and your pulse is quicken.
Friday, January 8, 2010
8:36 a.m.
I trust Jesus as my Savior when I was 11 years old. There was no "big" sin in my life but I knew I was a sinner and needed to trust Him. I was the first one saved in my family and a few months later my parents trusted the Lord.
As I got into my teens I started to see others trust the lord that were coming out of drugs or some other "great' sin and there was a great change in their life. I didn't have that and wondered if I was missing something.
That is not true. I have found that it doesn't matter if you trust Jesus early or later in life, you still have a story to tell.
What we think to be the slightest sin sent Jesus to the cross. Every one of us was defiled on the inside and the blood of Jesus cleansed us.
If you weren't saved out of a life of "great" sin you were still in need of a great Savior because your sin was still great. Thanks to God who gave Jesus, his unspeakable gift.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
9:11 a.m.
1 Corinthians 13 deals with Biblical love. Paul tells us how important love is for the believer. He said it didn't matter what he could do, if he didn't have love it was nothing.
He tells us love does not delight in evil. It takes no pleasure in wrongdoing, is not glad about injustice, and is not happy when evil triumphs. And it takes no joy in hearing evil openly discussed. Love is never glad to hear bad news about another person. Love never says, "Well, they finally got what they deserved." Love is never happy to hear that a brother or sister fell into sin. Love does not enjoy passing along bad news.
This certainly goes against the grain of modern life. We all know that "Bad news sells" and that good news goes on page 34. That's why they put those supermarket tabloids right by the checkout counter. We all want to hear the latest juicy gossip about our favorite celebrities. True love isn't like that. It turns away from cheap gossip and unsubstantiated rumors. And even when the rumor turns out to be true, love takes no pleasure in the misfortunes of others.
Love rejoices with the truth. This is the flip side of the previous phrase. Love takes joy in what is true and good and right and holy and pure. Love cheers whenever the truth wins out. It is glad to know that suspicions were unfounded. Love believes the best and is glad when the verdict is "Not guilty."
We live in a world that talks about love in the generic sense of "I love you and why don't we roast some chestnuts over an open fire?"
But the kind of love the Bible talks about is in short supply. And even in the church, we tend to pass right over this passage because we've heard it in so many weddings that it seems more romantic than realistic.
How can we live this way? How can we truly love without envy, without a quick temper, without seeking our own interests, and without thinking evil of others?
The answer is, we can't in ourselves because we have no power to live this way.
It is all dependent upon the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Start today by surrendering to the lordship of Jesus over all.
That's why it doesn't work to say, "Let's give it the old college try and really go out there and love everyone we meet."
We will never talk ourselves into loving like this, and the sooner we admit that fact, the better off we'll be. This isn't some kind of rah-rah competition where we try to prove our love by our enthusiasm.
Sooner or later we have to get down to the bottom of things and admit the truth. "O God, I hate my husband. I hate my wife. I can't stand my children. My parents are driving me nuts. I hate the people I work with and I don't like the folks at church. I don't love my neighbors and I can barely stand to see my own family. O God, help me. I don't love anyone right now. And even though no one else knows it or sees it, I'm an angry person, filled with bad thoughts and completely lacking in any kind of love. If you don't help me, I will never love anyone because I know I can't change the way I am. Lord God, please help me. Change me. Let your love flow through me. If you want me to love others, you're going to have to do it through me because I can't do it myself."
That's the kind of prayer God loves to answer.
Let me read this passage by changing a few words.
"Jesus is patient, Jesus is kind, Jesus does not envy, Jesus thinks no evil, Jesus is not quick-tempered, Jesus does not rejoice in what is evil."
If we want to love, we need more of Jesus in our lives. Run to the Cross. Stand there and behold the One who died for you. Look to Jesus. Stand next to him. Let his love fill your heart. If you will come close to Jesus, his love will begin to fill your heart and you will find yourself filled with supernatural love for others. Your life will begin to change as Jesus becomes preeminent in your heart.
Take some time this week to consider the eleven qualities of love in this passage. Think about them one by one. How do you measure up?
Where you are strong and where are you weak? Which qualities stand out as the greatest need in your life right now? And ask God to help you grow strong in love.