Of statues and kneeling...

The following is taken from a sermon I preached a few Wednesday nights ago to our church.  At the encouragement of some of our church members who found it helpful I have decided to post it to my blog.  I tried to edit it down while still including the Scripture references in full for ease of study.  Comments (even disagreeing ones) are welcome, but keep them civil, Biblical, and clean or they will be removed.

Much has been made in the news media of late concerning the Confederate statues in Dallas.  If you watch the news to see the protests and demonstrations it is clear that opinions run hot on both sides of the issue.  Being Christians doesn’t exempt us from having opinions and feelings on these things as well.  Obviously we are not OF the world in this or any other sense but we are IN the world.

In truth, the Christian opinion ought to be able to be the one that is readily sought by reasonable people BECAUSE it should always be the one that can be counted on to be founded upon and informed by rightly

interpreted Scripture.   Because we still battle our sinful flesh this is not always the case of course, but all things being perfect that is how it SHOULD be. But things aren’t that way and so we must endeavor to hold a Christian view on these matters and many many others.

I do not intend to tell you to be in favor of the statue removal any more than I intend to make a case for leaving them in place.  I do want you to help you separate yourself from either side of the history and instead look at the over-arching issue Biblically. 

Is there any problem inherently with these statues being in place?  Are they offensive?  Is their removal an attempt to re-write history?  I would say every one of those questions can be answered with a yes and a no depending on who you talk to about it.  Let’s get above the ground on the issue for a minute... try to see the forest in spite of the trees so to speak... What are some questions the Christian should ask themselves as they pray and study and come to a conclusion on this or any other issue in this world?

I’m going to suggest 3 and frankly, these can be used to help you make all sorts of decisions about everything from statues, to kneeling during anthems, to where you live, what car you drive, what job you chase after, etc...

1.) Does whatever view I choose help me glorify God and make Christ known?

1 Corinthians 10:31 - [31] So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (ESV)

I think that has to be the starting question... I think it simply must be the starting point for the Christian on making any decision.  I don’t care if it is deciding how you feel about this or whom to vote for or what food to order at dinner tomorrow night...   Does it help me glorify God or not?  This has to be where the Christian starts because, as Paul says Galatians 6, our boast is Christ.  So in whatever we are doing we want to highlight the superiority and excellencies and majesty of Christ! 
I cannot begin my reasoning based on my experiences... my experiences aren’t invalid and irrelevant, but they cannot be the starting point or driving force behind my worldview on ANY issue... why is that?

Jeremiah 17:9 - [9] The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (ESV)

Proverbs 3:5-8 - [5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him,...

Look at the blessed result we find when we do this...

...and he will make straight your paths. [7] Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. [8] It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (ESV)

I can’t begin with or let my experiences drive my views BECAUSE my experiences are driven by my memories... I’ll give you a silly example... I won’t eat at Chipotle... why?  Because I once ate at one and I bit into a piece of chicken that was cold and still raw on the inside, as a result I was very sick for a day or so.  Now, my experience with that gives me a terrible feeling when I think of eating there again... I can’t do it.  I understand that that is a silly and trite example but that principle carries over into other more weighty matters too doesn’t it?

Doesn’t Matthew 6 point me to that same conclusion?  Matthew 6:33 - [33] But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (ESV)

That’s a DIFFERENT question than, ‘how do I FEEL about it?’  Not seek first how I feel about something and decide based on that criterion. If you start with your emotions on the subject you are in severe danger of making an unbiblical choice.  I may feel a certain way about many things, but in Christ my emotions and my mind are to be in subjection to the Spirit’s guidance.  That’s the way that Christians are brought together in one accord concerning these things.  That’s how we are lead to know how to truly love one another... we submit to the same Holy Spirit.  He’s doing the same basic work of sanctification in all of us.

2.) How does my view help/hinder me from sharing the Gospel?

Paul said, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 - [19] For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. [20] To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. [21] To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. [22] To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. [23] I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. (ESV)

What did Paul mean by that?  To win Jews did he affirm ceremonial sacrifice as a propitiatory practice?  No.  He certainly confronted error and those who sought to distort the Gospel.  But He approached his ministry from the standpoint of what would help him best lost his fellow man. How could he best show them Christ?  Put yourself in proximity of a statue real quick.  You are a person who thinks they should be torn down.  They’re offensive... they are symbols of racism... the whole deal... you think they need to go.  So you go to exercise your 1st amendment rights and protest them... peacefully... the violent on both sides are an obviously sinful issue.  But you are doing it peacefully... just expressing your view... and once the rally concludes you are headed to your car and you strike up a conversation with someone who disagrees with you but they were there and they saw your behavior on display or your viewpoint on display... how will sharing the Gospel with them be affected by what you did there? That’s what Paul has in mind... in things that don’t pertain to Gospel clarity I am to put others first so that I gain an audience with that person to hopefully win them to Christ... do you see?  So if I go to Japan... and I am in a community that says... you need to wear this certain type of robe or it is culturally offensive to the people... well I’m not bound by any world law to do it... but if I am bound to the law of love as a Christian and I desire to win them... I’ll put on the robe. The flip side of that... you’re there demonstrating because you want the statues left alone... and you behave peacefully... when you leave... how will the view you hold affect witnessing to the lost person who disagrees?

You may be inclined to say, ‘well my view there shouldn’t bother them... that’s not about the Gospel...’ maybe it shouldn’t... but that isn’t the question we should ask... the question we ask is... is my particular view on this social issue a hill worth killing my witness to the lost in the other camp on?  Is it worth it to die, metaphorically, for this issue if it means my Christian witness will be damaged elsewhere. “Well that group doesn’t understand!” that’s a possibility... but that still isn’t your starting point as a Christian... How can I put myself last and others first? How can I model Christ to the lost?  No lost person is going to come to you and ask for the reason for the hope that lies within you because you demonstrated for or against a statue... but they just might if you responded to that and other issues in accordance with the love Christ has shown you.

3.) How does my conduct affect the “weaker brother” from Romans 14?

Let’s think about this... there are Christians lining up on both sides of the issue.   For whichever opinion on the issue is wrong... ok... whichever one is the wrong view... and I know a Christian who holds that wrong view... how can I reach them and love them as my “weaker brother,” as Romans 14 talks about, how can I reason with them and bring them to both affirm whatever is right and more importantly how can I help them grow in Christ?

In 1520 Martin Luther wrote a treatise called "The Freedom of the Christian." He began it with this paradox: A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.

Then he explained:

“These two theses seem to contradict each other . . . [But] both are Paul's own statements, who says in 1 Corinthians 9:19, "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all," and in Romans 13:8, "Owe no one anything, except to love one another." Love, by its very nature, is ready to serve and be subject to him who is loved.”

Galatians 5:13, "You were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Use your liberty to love by serving. That's what Paul says he is doing here in verse 19: "Though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave [or servant] to all." That's what Paul—and Jesus—mean by love.  Is it sinful to want the statues down?  Maybe, but not necessarily...  Is it sinful to want them to stay up?  Maybe, it could be, but not necessarily.

In your Christian freedom, but for love's sake, you try to overcome unnecessary, alienating differences that cut you off from unbelievers.  All the while you keep a vigilant watch over your heart to see if you are in the law of Christ.  Christ died to set us free. Free from the wrath of God, and free from the loveless limits of the law. Free for love and eternal life.  Are we using our freedom to make this good news plain? Or are we so culturally minded or are we so worldly that unbelievers don't know we have something radically different to offer than anything this world offers?  O may the Lord grant us to use our freedom to become the servants of all, that we might by all means save some! Examine yourself to see whether you are becoming more like Christ in your worldview or more like the world...

I’m not telling you to feel any certain way on this issue... you want the statues left alone?  Fine, make that case from Scriptural reasoning.  You want them removed?  Fine, make that case from scriptural reasoning. If you can’t do that, you need to take a long hard look at what you believe and why?

Personally, if it means giving me an avenue in to reach a lost person, I say take them down and quick!  At some point, the Christian has to decide that they are Christian first and that loving others is what God has called us to do.  In the eternal scheme of things, is a statue argument worth it?  In my estimation, I would say emphatically no.

Responding to Ferguson...

Because I've been asked several times now what my thoughts were on Ferguson I decided to shoot off just a quick blog post to address it.  This article is not intended to prove one side's guilt or innocence.  It IS hopefully going to help you think a bit more Biblically through this and any issue.

I.) The truth will likely never come out -

It is a sad reality but the truth will likely never come out.  What happened that day?  Was he surrendering to the police?  Were his hands up?  Did he charge the officer and make an attempt to get his gun?  What were the full details?  Ready for this... I don't know, and neither do you.  We weren't there and it is ridiculous for you and I to speculate based on what we see on our social media feed.  That doesn't mean that those charged with upholding the law should not seek justice and it does not mean that those affected should not seek answers.  We should just know ahead of time that this is a possibility and for those of us who are largely unaffected personally by these events, we should keep it mind that in forming our opinions we may not be forming them based on fact but fiction fed by the media.

2.)  Vengeance belongs to the Lord - 

Vengeance belongs to the Lord.  The rioting response to this is equally wrong.  Many who were not even involved will now and are now suffering as a result either from being the targets of looters or as innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire of a tense situation. 

That does NOT at all mean that we should not seek justice.  Those who are peacefully protesting have that right and I encourage it.  Peaceful demonstrations and the urging for of justice through those situations can be extremely helpful when the demonstrating party maintains their resolve to seek justice in a peaceful manner even in the face of hostile opposition to their protests.  Looting and rioting only feeds the stereotype.  All those involved with this are doing is giving those who hold prejudice and bias attitudes a reason to congratulate and justify themselves when they stereotype someone of a different color.

3.) Racism is a sin on either side - 

Racism is a sin.  It is a sin for a "white person" to hold that view towards a person of another color as sure as it is in reverse.  I live in a very diverse area of the Dallas/ Fort Worth metroplex and I see examples of racism coming from all skin colors on all sides almost daily.  It is sad.  It is dangerous.  It is sinful.  Moreover, it is the illustration of man's sinful depravity.  Romans 1 says that it is when man considers himself wise that he becomes foolish.  There is one race.  Yes, you heard me clearly, there is only one race on this planet.  The human race.  To make a distinction between the human race based on skin color or geographical origin is not only sinful it is foolish.

God created but 2 people in the beginning; Adam and Eve.  That was it.  He did not create a "white" Adam and Eve, a "black' Adam and Eve, a "Hispanic" Adam and Eve and so on.  From them were all the nations of this world birthed.  Racism is a sin because it is hating your neighbor or your distant distant relative if you want to look at it that way.

4.) Before you open your mouth, don't -

I have thought long and hard on whether or not to say anything about this in a social media form.  I realize it opens me up for criticism from both sides.  I am not doing this for pats on the back.  I was raised by parents who taught me not to see color in the derogatory sense, my wife and I endeavor to raise our children that way.  Ferguson brings the sobering reality that not everyone was raised that way, not everyone raises their children that way, and my children will have to engage in thinking through these things just like I have had to unfortunately.  I say that to say, before you open your mouth to say something about this issue, please think long about it.  If you are reacting to the media drivel you probably have little to say that is worth saying.  Do not become a source for misinformation dissemination.   Don't blindly regurgitate everything the media feeds you.  They have an agenda on one side or the other.  Don't think for a moment that there aren't parties on both sides of the issue who are only concerned with advancing their agenda and exploit a families grief and loss to accomplish it, they do not care.  Those are the sources you will hear from on the nightly news.  Be very weary of them.  Remember news stations win awards and ratings based on volume of viewers and fast response to breaking stories, not on accuracy and integrity in reporting.  You are a consumer and they feed you what you want.

5.) A man has died -

A man has died.  Michael Brown has died.  Whether he provoked the shooting or was a victim of racial profiling is irrelevant at the end of the day when we get to the root of it that a man has died.  If he was guilty in the situation and you want to celebrate "justice"  I would first ask you to consider what you define as justice, but second I would submit that a life has ended.  While execution (and this was not an execution regardless) has to happen in the course of justice and we celebrate justice, we must keep it in a right focus remembering that a life was ended.  He has died and now when the next big story comes along and the media vans drive away, the family still has to feel this pain and live through this pain forever.  Let's say a video is produced tomorrow that shows the whole thing and Michael Brown is clearly the aggressor and the Officer is vindicated, it is not like the family will see the video and then say, 'well we are sorry he's dead but he had it coming'.  NO!  They will grieve and hurt regardless.  The media wants you to be desensitized to the human element of this story but before you speak on it remember that there are real families involved and real feelings being experienced and your words should be tapered with that in mind.

6.) A man's life is over - 

No, not a repetition of the previous post for emphasis, but the officer involved, whatever his reasons were for shooting, he made the choice to end a man's life.  I have spoken with Police Officers and soldiers who have had to make that decision to pull the trigger and they have all without fail said that they feel that decision almost every day of their lives.  Even if this Officer is cold-hearted and doesn't care about what he did, his family and loved ones will be impacted whether they agreed with his actions or not.  Again, justified for what he did or not, this will have repercussions on him forever.  His career and life to a degree are over.  Yes, he still has his physical life unlike the deceased, but at what value will he have that?  He will always have to live in fear of retaliation. I am not in any way comparing the pain him and his family feel to that of Michael Brown's, of course not, I am merely pointing out again that everyone involved in this is real humans with real pain felt.

8.) Pray for the family, pray for justice -

While we sit back and wait to see how this plays out we, as Christians, need to be concerned with praying for chiefly the pain of the family for the loss of their loved one.  They are hurting and will not even be able to start the real work of grieving until some of this passes over.  The real hurt of this will start when the media and looting and other noise stops.  Pray for them.  Pray that there will be people in their life at that point to point them towards Christ who is the only source of real comfort and hope in these and all situations.  Pray that they figure out how to live life through the pain that will never ever fully go away.

My point is that Christians should be the most careful in their responses to this and any similar issues.  Let's focus on talking about and thinking through the facts that we DO know about the case and avoid jumping on the bandwagon of speculation with Fox News or CNN.  

Pray for peace in that community and the Nation at large.  Pray for the individuals involved in this and its resolution in any way and pray for their families.  Pray that God awaken our Nation to the sinfulness of sin and foolishness of man.  Pray for God to raise up faithful Christians in Ferguson who will share the sin-forgiving, life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ with the residents of that community. That and only that will bring the changes that we so badly desire to see in Ferguson and anywhere else.


Your comments will be allowed, I moderate all before approving their posting.  If what you have to say is inflammatory or derogatory in any way it will not be posted, sorry.  Please be sure that what you have to say adds to the discussion or just keep it to yourself.  The last thing we need is more fuel on the fire of an already tragic and tense situation.

***A word to the family of Michael Brown.***

In the highly unlikely event that my little blog should reach the eyes of the Michael Brown family.  Please know that no matter what the circumstances were, this was still the tragic loss of a life.  A life that was dearly loved by his family and friends I'm certain.   A life that will be sorely missed for years and years to come.  I am praying for you.  I am praying that during the times when the tears seem to flow endlessly and the pain seems unbearable that you will lean all the harder upon the strength of the Lord Jesus Christ.  No one will better comfort you in your despair than He.  In that light, should this somehow reach you, I would like to offer to send you a gift in hopes it will help aid you in the process of grieving.  Please feel free to contact me through the comments on this blog or by email faithbcpastor @ gmail.com.

America's Problem...

Let me begin by saying that I am not in any way a supporter of Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson.  While I agree with their basic premise that all ethnic groups deserve equal protection and rights, I do not always agree with their tactics and statements.  But my fellow conservatives seem to be missing the point and so I decided to offer some thoughts to them.  Conservatives tend to think that only liberals are to blame... but just isn't true.

Disclaimer aside, they are not the problem.  Their tactics, misguided as they are, are not the problem.  I make this statement because in the fall out from the Zimmerman

Trial many people who were supporters of George Zimmerman are blaming Mr. Sharpton and Mr. Jackson for the riots and hype surrounding the trial and its verdict.

The worst part of this trial in the social media sphere is that these hateful comments on both sides are coming from those who call themselves Christians. 

While they are not helping the problem, they are NOT the problem.  To blame them is to ignore a much larger issue.

It is no secret that racial tensions are running high in this country.  I am an avid proponent of the benefits of social media outlets such as facebook,

twitter, etc, but for every "good" thing these outlets accomplish, an equal and sometimes greater evil is accomplished as well.

In the course of President Obama's two terms in office I have witnessed an alarming trend on social media outlets.  People (supporters and opponents) referring to the President as merely "Obama". 

Not "President Obama" or even "Mr. Obama" (if they desire a less respectful address).  Even resorting to nicknames such as "Obummer".  Again these things are seen coming from those who call themselves believers.

Whether you agree with the President or not does not give Christians (or even American citizens) the right to show disrespect to his office and authority.

Romans 13 tells us that all authority has been ordained by God for His purposes.  Sometimes those

leaders are Godly and lead the Nation towards Christ in their decisions, sometimes they don't.  Sometimes they are God's blessing on a Nation and sometimes they are God's judgment.

Regardless of which way you feel President Obama is for our Nation, he is for better or worse our President.  He has been given authority and we are to show the respect due to that office.

That does NOT mean that we must agree with all that he does or even be silent about our disagreement with his views.  It does not mean that we must comply if he tries to legislate something the Bible deems immoral.  It does, however,

mean that we must voice our disgruntlement in the proper way.  That begins by respecting the office and more importantly the God who has ordained that authority.

I do not agree with much of what our President does, but President Obama is not the problem with America.

The news media plays its part in all of this of course, but even THEY are not the problem with America.

So what is America's problem?  Are you ready?  The answer may surprise you...

The problem is sin.  Sin is the problem.  More specifically, people who act on sinful temptations and given in to the desires of their flesh.  Everyone, from President Obama, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, George Zimmerman, Republicans, Democrats, you, and me, everyone wakes up every morning and resumes a battle with our flesh.

Sin causes racism, race baiting, murder, lies, hatred, bigotry, blasphemy, and every other kind of evil you can think of.

In fact, it is a battle that we may set aside as we sleep but our enemy attacks even in our dreams.  Ever had a dream wherein you did something immoral?

The enemy I refer to is not Satan, it is you and me.  Satan may lay a snare before us and he is certainly crafty foe.  But it is us who give in to his temptations and willingly place ourselves into his snare.

So where do we go from here?  Let me make 2 suggestions.

What will fix the problem?

1.) The problem of sin will NOT be dealt with through political and social activism or well-stated arguments.   Refuting Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, or exposing the George Zimmerman's or even the Trayvon Martin's of the world will not fix this.

Attempting to deal with the problem of sin with clever argumentation will produce the same result as placing a band-aid on a crack in the Hoover Dam.  Eventually, probably sooner than later, it will burst through with a much larger problem.

Don't we see that trend in the escalation of the vigilante justice mindset that grips people on both sides of any hot issue.

2.) The problem of sin HAS been dealt with through the Person and work of Jesus Christ!  Amazing!  So what do we do now?  We, those who are in Christ, need to point people to the Savior!

Use God's Law, the great equalizer among all mankind, to bring the knowledge of sin (Romans 5:8; 6:23; 7:7, Exodus 20; Ephesians 2:1-10) and then point them to the kindness of God to have sent Christ.  Who came and took the wrath of God for our sin so that we could be forgiven (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The Gospel is the answer for racists, racism, greed, murder, drugs, public schools, gang violence, snobbery, lies, pornography, adultery, lusts, or any other problem that faces our society.

Jesus Christ is the only One who can truly chance hearts, minds, and desires.  Only through HIM will this world change.

Christians, let's be sure that we are passionate about the wrong and sinful things in this world.  Let's be passionate about social injustices, but let's never let those things elevate themselves above the saving message of our Lord Jesus Christ.