Two Sunday’s ago we dedicated both our worship services to a “question and answer session” so that our members, attenders, and visitors could text or email questions in real time. I promised to answer all questions, providing answers to those texted or emailed but not answered in the church blog. Here goes:
Should Christians get out of debt? This is a persistent, yet complex and nuanced, question. Proverbs is full of warnings about indebtedness, “the borrower is the slave of the lender (Proverbs 22:7).” On the other side of the coin you have, “The wicked borrows and does not pay back but the righteous is generous and gives (Psalm 37:21).” Then you have the warning about being security or “co-signing” on the debt of another in Proverbs 22:26-27. What you have here is a call to caution and an exhortation to wisdom. The message of the Bible on money and debt is in depth and considerable. The Bible says more about money than it does sin. Money isn’t sinful and neither is debt. However, both can lead to sin when abused. Today we have people who buy on credit with no plan to pay back. Psalm 37:21 implies that this is wicked. If you spend more than you can earn or pay back you end up “stealing” from those whose credit you default upon. But that said, debt is not necessarily wrong or sinful. Who can afford to pay cash for a house… a car? Not many. But often we buy more house than we need (or can afford). Some people by a car they can’t maintain or insure—or keep up the payments on. This is immoral. People run up student loan debt and blame the lender. Whose fault is this? When we enslave ourselves to others through debt we are at fault. So, avoid debt when you can. Pay cash for all you can. Save all you can. Only borrow (i.e. go into debt) if and only if you must for a house, a car, or anything else. Part of the pitfalls of our consumer driven society is a proclivity toward instant gratification. Delayed gratification through saving then buying is wiser.
What steps does Hillside take to assure elders are above reproach? Great question. First, we try and select the right people upfront. American churches often choose people based upon prestige, appearance, popularity, and outward likeability. God’s word in Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3 give very specific commands and qualifications for elders. We utilize a very careful process for selection using the Leadership Development Team, the Leadership Council, and the Elders. We interview the men, sometimes the spouses, and we try and assess character through confidential interviews with other in the congregation. Also, the Church Chair and one of the pastors interviews an individual and maybe his wife, as well. They elder candidate completes an extensive questionnaire and then goes into a training/assessment time with no guarantee he will become an elder. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure (as many churches learn the hard way). Next, all leaders here have to sign a leader-teacher profile that lays out what is expected of them from a moral, conduct perspective. After this, any elder or leader can be removed by substantiated, actionable claims or accusations brought by any member or regular attender. Naturally, the claim or accusation would have to be substantiated. Matthew 18:15-17 lays out Christ’s procedure and the constitution and bylaws spell out Hillside’s process. There is also a third level, mutual accountability. God’s word tells us “faithful are the wounds of a friend.” Staff and lay elders (regularly) speak into each other’s lives. From a congregational governance perspective, the elders are accountable to the people of Hillside, getting back to Matthew 18. Accusations or charges must first be made privately then the process escalates depending on the response. As for “above reproach” we find that defined in Scripture:
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive… (1 Timothy 2:2-4)
What is congregational governance and how is it different than elder rule? Elder rule is usually found in Presbyterian churches of different stripes. Essentially, the elders make all the decisions. There are no congregational votes. The congregation may vote to sell land or affirm the nomination of elders but they do not finalize their ordination. Hillside, depending on the outcome of this week’s vote will be going to a biblical model of congregational governance as laid out in the pastoral epistles (1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 and 1 Peter 5) and also in the book of Acts. Congregational governance involves leadership arising from the people who elect or nominate representatives who are then vetted and approved. You see this process modeled and laid out in Acts 6:1-6:
The “above reproach” is described by what follows:
• Faithful to his marriage;
• Clear headed (sober-minded);
• Respectable (dignified in conduct);
• Hospitable (friendly);
• Not a drunk or a drug abuser;
• Not prone to violence;
• Not a curmudgeon (not quarrelsome);
• Not greedy (a lover of money).
• He must also be a good father, not neglecting his children or their upbringing (manages his household well). Along this line, his children should be in church…
All of these are readily observable at almost every level of public interaction. Those in their small group can “view” this as well. The same applies to deacons, “Deacons, likewise” and deaconesses—dignified and not slanderers…
When you think about it, the moral and behavioral standards God lays out for all those who lead His church apply to all Christians. Elders do, however, incur a stricter standard (James 3:1).
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
We essentially follow a 21st century version of this procedure. Notice the selection (nomination) process. Notice the above reproach aspect (you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom).
Much of this has been lost on American Culture and popular culture. In many churches people are popularly elected without much thought of qualifications. But as you learned in our study of church matters, God has His standards, blueprint, and design. We do well to follow the Divine Manufacturer’s specifications. Churches were never intended by God to be pure democracies. Judges warns against people doing what is right in their own sight. So, in accordance with His specifications in 1st Timothy and Titus, Hillside chooses elders who shepherd the flock as the primary leaders and decision makers. We’ve had a hybrid business model for the past few decades. However, in teaching through the pastoral epistles, the Leadership Council and the Elders have sought to realign our governance with Scripture and so we now have a purer form of congregational governance but not elder rule. And we have term limits to deal with the possibility of elders becoming self-perpetuating. We have a congregational governance led by elders but not Presbyterian style elder rule.
What is ordination? Ordination is a recognition or affirmation of an individual’s call to ministry. There may or not be a ceremony. In the West, Europe, and the United States is used to involve a pastor coming to a church, or an elder being appointed, and after a couple of years being confirmed in his new role by the laying on of hands (as in 1 Timothy 4:14). Nowadays it’s more of a procedure where there is a council that questions the ordination candidate on Bible knowledge, knowledge of systematic theology, and practical theology. There may (or may not) be a questionnaire, a paper to write, and an oral exam or discussion. In the U.S. there are IRS regulations as well for pastoral tax deductions for those who are either ordained or licensed. Licensure is akin to ordination but is temporary, renewed each year, until ordained. It’s is usually done by the local church where a res0lutin is passed. It’s also done by agencies for new missionaries or parachurch workers. Ordination can be done by a church, an association, a denomination, or a mission organization. In New Testament times it was done by the local church (1 Timothy 4:14).
Given the current socialist agenda, what is our Biblical responsibility to stand for our rights, uphold the value of human life, and protect our jobs / livelihoods? This is a complicated question (this seems to be my mantra these days). We are to willingly suffer hardship for the sake of Christ:
3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. (2 Timothy 2:3-7)
We have to be careful:
Biblically, as we see from OT to NT we can protect life and property from thieves. At the same time, when it comes to being mistreated for the sake of the gospel, we want to be very careful making statements or acting (reacting). Here are the passages we might want to consider in the face of persecution.
Luke 6:27-35: “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Matthew 5:38-46: (Sermon on the Mount): “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Peter, along these lines, warns us to suffer as Christians, not as murderers or trouble makers:
1Peter 4:12-19: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Peter earlier writes:
19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 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. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:19-22)
As a student of history, from what I can tell, we remember that the founders predicated the longevity of the republic to the necessity of maintaining a Judeo-Christian ethic. I'm afraid that such an ethic is pretty much a thing of the past in Western Civilization (including our beloved country). I know that people like to quote 2 Chronicles 7:14 in hopes of a revival: 14, "if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14)."
This is a promise made exclusively to Israel at the dedication of the Temple during Solomon's reign. Israel is the only Covenant Nation and the only heir to such promises. Now, there is a principle there for us, if we repent, God forgives. But 2 Chronicles 7:14, refers also to the land promises of the Abrahamic Covenant, of which only Israel is a beneficiary.
When we look at God's dealing with other nations (nations besides Israel), He employs them for a season but they all come with "expiration dates." You see this in Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the statue, which Daniel interpreted. You see this in the book of Acts. Acts 17:26 explicitly teaches this (as the rest of the Scriptures testify): "And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place... (Acts 17:26)."
For example, God raised up Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon to chastise Israel. He raised up Cyrus and Persia to eventually send Israel home from exile. He raised up Alexander the Great and Greece to give the civilized world a common language, which became the language of the New Testament. He raised up Rome to build highways all around the world so that the gospel could travel (even though Rome built these roads for military travel and commerce). Paul and the Apostles used these roads to spread the Gospel. None of these empires exist today. God raised up countries like England and the US to stabilize the world and send missionaries abroad. But now we are living in a post-Christian age. What we see is (not to be crass or callous) that countries as we know them, throughout history, are like paper cups... they fulfill their purposes and become disposable, like the cups in the church's watercooler.
As we move into our study of the book of Revelation, we will see what God has to say about the prophetic future. But one thing is certain, post rapture and with the return of Christ, whatever end times theology a person subscribes to, the only country with a future is Israel.
Jesus tells us that we will be persecuted... I'm sure persecution is coming. We know how "the Book" (the Bible ends). One thing is clear, the anti-Christ will overwhelm "the saints" who come to Christ during the tribulation periods. Daniel 7:21 and Revelation 13:7 make this clear:
And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear: 10 If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword,with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. (Revelation 13: 6-9)
20 and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. 21 As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom. (Daniel 7:21).
A servant is not above his master or a student his teacher. They persecuted Christ, they hated Christ, they'll hate us and persecute us. Were it not for the return of the Savior (see Daniel above), we'd be hopeless on earth in this time. But again, this life is temporal, and heaven, not America, is our home. I love my country. I love my wife. I love my daughters and my sons-in-law. But I love Christ more. We are to embrace the sufferings of Christ (2 Timothy 2:1-7).
When persecution comes, and it will, I will resist it with every legal means at my disposal. I'm a big fan of the second amendment. If someone breaks into my home to steal and rob and threaten, well... I'll leave that to your imagination;). But I will not fire a shot in self-defense against persecution. I might flee. I might move. But Daniel provides us an example, as does Jesus. When Jesus was persecuted, He uttered no threats. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return... but kept on entrusting Himself to the One who judges righteously:
20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 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. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:20-22)
We have been blessed with a comfortable life, here in America. It looks like that is about to change in a " the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away kind of way." The question is, "will we follow Christ in the difficult times?" I'm often asked "are we living in the tribulation period now?" Short answer: "not by a long shot." Otherwise, with Roman persecution, the plague in Europe, WWI, WWII, the Holocaust, et al, it would have have to begun almost 2,000 years ago...
But difficult times are ahead. People will turn on us because of the Gospel and people will turn to us for the Gospel. The larger question is "Will we be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us, with gentleness and respect?"
I think God is about to judge the country we live in (because of abortion, homosexuality, etc...). It will be hard to watch, difficult to live through, and impossible to stop. We have to remember that our citizenship is in heaven.
We are about to study 2 Timothy (Hanging in in the Hard Times). I'll be addressing some of this then. In the meantime... I hope this helps in some way.
TO BE CONTINUED!