Amazing Grace by John Newton (1725-1807)
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures."
Thank God for Pastor John Newton. Being dead he yet speaks.
Chris Connally
Romans 8:28
Friday, July 24, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Our Silence Is Deafening
The Church is called by Paul "a pillar and buttress of the truth." (I Timothy 3:15 ESV) To the Church is given the task of promoting and defending the very gospel itself. This task is no small one, and should be taken very seriously by all, especially those who claim the mantle of elder or pastor. We take upon ourselves a very serious responsibility when we mount the pulpit and step behind the lectern to deliver the precious gospel to our congregations. This is why James warned: "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." (James 3:1 ESV) This sober warning is given to communicate the seriousness of the role of teacher. Paul exhorts us to preach the Word of God. We have been given this mandate to preach, not what we would preach, but what God has commanded we preach. We are to preach no more or less than what God has revealed to us in His Word. When we hear one proclaiming something as truth we are to be noble Bereans and search the Scriptures for ourselves to see if these things be so. If Scripture reveals these things to be truth we are to embrace those teachings, but if they do not stand up to Scriptural scrutiny they are to be rejected.
Our silence becomes deafening when we know something to be in error but we allow that error to continue unchallenged. As pastors-elders-teachers we must remember our calling and the serious responsibility it carries. We are not called to do the comfortable thing or to take the easy way. We are called to preach the Word of God, and without apology proclaim it's truth while decrying the error that is taught in God's name. We are called to protect the flock from wolves that would destroy them and their faith. When we allow false teaching to go unchallenged we are not fulfilling our responsibility to protect the sheep God has entrusted to us. How many shepherds have given their lives to protect their flock from attacking wolves? How many have lost everything including their flocks because they would not abide false teaching? How many have remained silent in the name of protecting their flocks? How many use the cloak of compassion to hide their cowardice? It is much easier to ignore false teaching than it is to confront it. It is easier to sit idly by hoping that it will just go away. We justify our silence with the notion that confronting false teaching may hurt some in our congregations. Or even worse, we justify our silence with the excuse that "to stand against false teaching may cost me my Church, and then what good would I be able to do?"
Where in the independent baptist movement would I start breaking this silence? How about the 'doctrine' that the King James Bible is THE Word of God for the English speaking peoples? The proponents of this false doctrine claim that all other versions of Scripture are perversions and in essence pronounce an anathema on anyone who uses them. Some even go so far as to claim that anyone who was 'saved' using a version other than the KJB is not truly 'saved'. This false teaching has been elevated to a place of doctrinal status in our movement, and that without one single verse of Scripture to support it. One could also start by confronting the perverted belief that by repeating a prayer at the end of the Romans Road one is saved no matter what fruit their life is marked by after profession day. If these two examples do nothing to stoke your fire there are plenty of other issues to choose from.
If you fear the consequences of speaking the truth so much that you keep silent then you are in the wrong business. Being a soldier of the cross may not be for you and you should ring the bell and leave the ranks of pastor/teacher.
Proclaiming the truth is a costly business and one should count the cost before taking on the mantle of preacher. We are not in a popularity contest but are involved in spiritual warfare. This warfare calls for soldiers to endure hardness, loneliness, ridicule, and scorning. We are to proclaim the truth in love, but love should never be used as an excuse for silence.
God help us!
Our silence becomes deafening when we know something to be in error but we allow that error to continue unchallenged. As pastors-elders-teachers we must remember our calling and the serious responsibility it carries. We are not called to do the comfortable thing or to take the easy way. We are called to preach the Word of God, and without apology proclaim it's truth while decrying the error that is taught in God's name. We are called to protect the flock from wolves that would destroy them and their faith. When we allow false teaching to go unchallenged we are not fulfilling our responsibility to protect the sheep God has entrusted to us. How many shepherds have given their lives to protect their flock from attacking wolves? How many have lost everything including their flocks because they would not abide false teaching? How many have remained silent in the name of protecting their flocks? How many use the cloak of compassion to hide their cowardice? It is much easier to ignore false teaching than it is to confront it. It is easier to sit idly by hoping that it will just go away. We justify our silence with the notion that confronting false teaching may hurt some in our congregations. Or even worse, we justify our silence with the excuse that "to stand against false teaching may cost me my Church, and then what good would I be able to do?"
Where in the independent baptist movement would I start breaking this silence? How about the 'doctrine' that the King James Bible is THE Word of God for the English speaking peoples? The proponents of this false doctrine claim that all other versions of Scripture are perversions and in essence pronounce an anathema on anyone who uses them. Some even go so far as to claim that anyone who was 'saved' using a version other than the KJB is not truly 'saved'. This false teaching has been elevated to a place of doctrinal status in our movement, and that without one single verse of Scripture to support it. One could also start by confronting the perverted belief that by repeating a prayer at the end of the Romans Road one is saved no matter what fruit their life is marked by after profession day. If these two examples do nothing to stoke your fire there are plenty of other issues to choose from.
If you fear the consequences of speaking the truth so much that you keep silent then you are in the wrong business. Being a soldier of the cross may not be for you and you should ring the bell and leave the ranks of pastor/teacher.
Proclaiming the truth is a costly business and one should count the cost before taking on the mantle of preacher. We are not in a popularity contest but are involved in spiritual warfare. This warfare calls for soldiers to endure hardness, loneliness, ridicule, and scorning. We are to proclaim the truth in love, but love should never be used as an excuse for silence.
God help us!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Happy Birthday to John Calvin July 10, 1509-May 27, 1564
500 years ago today one of the great reformers in the history of the church was born. He lived some 55 years accomplishing much by God's amazing grace. Being dead he yet speaks. Thank you Lord for Pastor Calvin.
Chris Connally
Romans 8:28
Chris Connally
Romans 8:28
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