Tag: theology

What Does Our Mission Involve?

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Evangelism, Practical1 Comment

On Mission

To understand what our mission as Jesus’ disciples involves, we must look to Jesus’ mission. As His disciples, His mission is our mission. In other words, those Jesus reached out to are the same ones we are to reach out to.

After Jesus finishes preaching His Sermon on the Mount, He comes down and heals several different groups of people. The miracles He performs not only informs us of Jesus’ authority, but also His mission.

Who Does Jesus Heal?

In Matthew 8:1-17, Jesus healed a leper, the Centurion’s servant, a woman, those possessed by demons, and those who had all kinds of sicknesses.

Lepers were outcasts, Centurions were Gentiles, and woman were considered second-class citizen’s. Jesus miracles then tell us we are to go to the outcasts, the nations, and those society considers unworthy. Not only are we to reach out to these groups, but we are to go to the spiritually oppressed. In other words, we are to go to all people’s.

What Are We To Proclaim?

Matthew quotes Isaiah in verse 17:

This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

In order to understand Matthew’s use of Isaiah, we must realize disease, sickness, and spiritual oppression plagues us because of The Fall.

When Adam and Eve sinned, they plunged the entire human race into a corrupt world. Jesus’ death on the cross not only pays the penalty for our individual sins, but His sacrifice reconciles the world and brings about the restoration of all things.

Jesus’ death on the cross absorbed the sin bound up with our suffering.

If this is true, why do we still have sin and sickness?

It’s because we live in the already/not yet. Jesus’ earthly ministry and death inaugurates the kingdom, but sin will not be completely killed until He comes again.

Even though we still face the effects of sin, because Jesus took our illnesses and bore our diseases on the cross, we look forward to a time of perfection.

Conclusion

Since Jesus’ mission includes the restoration of all people’s, our mission as Jesus disciples should as well. We are to go to the outcasts, the nations, the second-class citizens, the spiritual oppressed, we are to go to all people’s.

We are to care for and share the gospel with them. We are to point all to the hope that is to come. The restoration of all things in Jesus Christ.

Questions for Reflection

  1. How are you reaching out to those Jesus calls us to be on mission to?
  2. What are some practical ways you would suggest to reach all kinds of people?

Resources

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Post adapted from my recent sermon, Jesus’ Mission in His Miracles.

How Can We Distinguish Between True and False Teachers?

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Church Life, Pastoral, Practical, Preaching6 Comments

Preacher

How can we distinguish between true and false teachers? Jesus provides us with a test in Matthew 7:15-20. He says,

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Beware of Sheep in Wolves Clothing

Jesus tells us there will be those who come as wolves in sheep’s clothing. They will act like Christians, sound like Christians, but they are not Christians. Instead they are wolves in sheep’s clothing, who want to do nothing but deceive those they are teaching.

Jesus tells us to “Beware” or “Watch out” for these teachers, which means we can’t accept everyone’s teaching before examining it and them. Just because they claim to preach the Word, doesn’t mean they do. Just because they claim to live by the Word, doesn’t mean they do. It is up to us to discern their fruit, which is their message and life.

Examine Their Message and Life

Given Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, we are looking for those who live by the narrow way and preach the narrow way. The narrow way involves all of what Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount. Some of which are a requirement to be:

  • Poor in spirit – We see a necessity to depend on God.
  • Act as Salt and Light – A witness for the gospel.
  • Deal with our anger, lust, and marriage problems.
  • Have speech that is true.
  • Don’t retaliate, honor others, and don’t seek self glory.

If a teacher is not willing to teach the narrow way, he is a false teacher. If a teacher is not willing to live by the narrow way, he is a false teacher.

True teachers live and teach the narrow way.

If the person we are listening to does not live by and teach the narrow way, no matter how entertaining, we are not to listen to them because they are a false teacher.

We Have Work To Do

Given Jesus’ command and warning, when we come to attending a church service, listening to a podcast, or watching a preacher on T.V. we have work to do. We can’t be a passive listener seeking entertainment. We have to be active.

Being active involves listening attentively to the message. Taking note of what is being said. Checking the Scripture as the preacher speaks. And finally, examining the message afterward.

When it comes to listening to a sermon, we have work to do. We can’t sit by idle soaking in the message because the person speaking to us might be a false teacher.

The Reason We Should Make This Distinction

It is important we make this distinction because those who follow false prophets are headed down the broad road to destruction. Those, however, who follow true prophets are headed down the narrow road to eternal life.

You see, those on the broad road don’t want a narrow road message. Instead, they want their ears tickled. While, those on the narrow road don’t want a broad road message, they want to hear the true teaching of the Word.

So then, depending on who you are drawn to listen to, depends on what road you are following.

Question for Reflection

  1. What preachers are you drawn to – narrow road preachers or broad road preachers?

Resources

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Post adapted from my most recent sermon

Are You On the Broad or Narrow Road?

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn DevotionalsLeave a comment

Road Less Traveled

When I was in elementary school, I looked forward to that time in the day when we left our class room and went to the gym for P.E. Most days we would play a team sport. Basketball, whiffle ball, or something like that.

Our teacher would have us all line up behind a line. Two captains would pick who they wanted on their team. As your name was called, you would cross the line and join your captain.

Inevitable there was always an odd number, so one person wouldn’t get picked, which meant they couldn’t cross the line and join a team. You didn’t want to be that kid because you had to sit out and wait until the next game.

At the close of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus too is drawing a line in the sand. His line doesn’t determine whether you get to play a game or not. It determines whether you are in the Kingdom or not.

While that line has been there all throughout Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, it becomes even more pronounced at the end as Jesus draws a clear distinction between two ways of living.

The reason He ends in this way is to force us to examine our own lives to determine whether we can cross the line and join Him in eternity or not.

What is required for us to cross that line and join Jesus in eternity?

Jesus begins by drawing a distinction between two roads. He says in Matthew 7:13-14:

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Jesus’ command is for us to enter by the narrow gate, not the broad gate. To travel the narrow road, not the broad road. Jesus gives this command because one road leads to eternal life, while One road leads to destruction.

Only Two Roads

Notice Jesus only provides two roads. He tells us we are either on one or the other. No one is neutral. You can’t hangout between the two roads. Everyone travels either the narrow or broad road.

These two roads head to one of two destinations, which means not all roads lead to the top.

The Difference in the Two Roads

These two roads differ from one another. The narrow road is hard, while the broad road is easy.

Why is the broad road easy? 

It is easy because it is what comes natural to us. It doesn’t require we make any sacrifices. It doesn’t require we change our will.

Why is the narrow road hard?

The narrow road, on the other hand, is hard because it is unnatural. It requires we focus. We work at it. We change our will.

I was listening to a sermon this last week and the preacher said “When it comes to learning a second language, it is difficult for us, almost unnatural, whereas our first language is easy, almost natural.”

I can attest to that. In High School and College I learned Spanish. In seminary, I had to learn Greek and Hebrew. When it came to learning these languages, it was tough. Hours of focused work was necessary. I constantly flipped through vocabulary cards. As I studied diligently, there were times when I thought I would never get it.

When I spoke Spanish, or translated the Bible from Greek or Hebrew, conscious effort and focus was required. English, on the other hand, comes easy. Sure, I have to think about what I am saying, but not nearly as hard as with the others. It comes natural to me.

The same with broad road living. It is what comes natural to us. It requires no effort or focus on our part. Not so with narrow road living. It is unnatural and hard. It requires we exert effort.

How do we know which road we are on?

We can determine what road we are traveling by thinking about the distinctions we just drew.

If how we live on a daily basis comes easy to us, it’s natural to us, it requires we expend no effort, or we don’t have to change our will, we are probably on the broad road. If what we believe and the way we act is inline with society, we are probably on the broad road.

Take for instance the following topics.

  • The sanctity of marriage.
  • Sex before marriage
  • Lust
  • Exclusivity of Christianity

Each requires we pick one side or the other. Each has a popular opinion and a more restricted opinion.

Those on the broad road:

  • Reject the sanctity of marriage.
  • They reject the idea we must wait until we get married to have sex.
  • They reject the idea that lust is wrong.
  • They reject the idea that Christianity is the only way to God.

While those on the narrow road, take the opposing opinion, which is not always easy or popular. Nor is it what comes natural. Holding the narrow road opinion requires we consistently work at it. Above all, it requires our heart be changed by the gospel.

So we can tell what road we are on by looking at what we are doing. If we are doing what comes easy to us, and is natural to us, and if we are always inline with society, then we are probably on the broad road. However, if we are doing what is hard, if we have to change our will, if we are counter cultural, then we are probably on the narrow road.

Question for Reflection

  1. What gate have you entered through? What road are you on?

Resources

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Post adapted from my most recent sermon

How Should We Motivate Those We Lead?

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Leadership, Pastoral5 Comments

Old Brick Church

How should godly leaders motivate those they lead? The first king of Israel, Saul, provides a good case study.

Why Saul?

Saul, along with David, Samuel, and Jonathan are the main characters of the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. After reading through these two books, you might wonder why I chose Saul for a case study on leadership instead of Samuel or David. After all Saul is the inadequate leader the Lord rejects for David, who is the man after His own heart. I chose Saul not for his positive example, but for his negative. In other words, his actions show us how we shouldn’t lead.

Goliath’s Challenge

In 1 Samuel 17, Israel faces off against the Philistines. As they are set for battle, a man from the Philistine camp emerges who is 9 feet tall, decked in armor weighing 121 lbs, carrying a spear that is 15 lbs and as thick as the fat end of a baseball bat. Goliath is his name, and he is calling Israel to send a man to fight him in a winner take all match.

Goliath’s challenge is met with fear, anxiety, and distress. Not a man in Israel is willing to fight Goliath. Knowing the hesitancy of his men, Saul does what any leader would do. He attempts to motivate a man to take up the challenge.

How does he motivate his men?

In 1 Samuel 17:25, Saul promises the man who defeats Goliath great riches, his daughter’s hand in marriage, and freedom from taxes. Essentially, Saul motivates his men with worldly possessions.

Saul’s rewards were extended to all the men in Israel, not just a special group. Everyone in the army knows what Saul is offering, but none are willing to risk their lives against Goliath.

Saul’s motivation shows us what not to do

Saul’s actions show exactly why he was rejected as the king over Israel. He doesn’t trust God, nor does he lead his people to trust God. Instead he attempts to exploit his people’s idolatrous hearts.

Saul’s action are exactly the opposite of what a godly leader should do.

Godly leaders don’t push their people toward idolatry. Godly leaders pull their people away from idolatry toward God.

Why did Saul lead in this way?

He didn’t trust God. He focused on the challenge in front of him instead of remembering the Lord’s promises and His past victories. Not only had God promised them the land, but He had defeated the Ammonites, Amalekites, and Philistines under Saul’s rule already. Instead of reflecting on these things, he allowed his fear to take over.

What we learn

When we don’t trust God and lead out of fear, we start planning and thinking in worldly terms. We leave God out of the picture, and we attempt to lead guided by our own fallen intellect, which is woefully inadequate. Turning within and leading our people by exploiting their idolatrous hearts is not the answer. Instead we must turn ourselves and our people to God.

Question for Reflection

  1. How do you lead? Do you turn your people to God, or to the world?

Trust the Lord Daily

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Devotionals1 Comment

Sunrise

Trusting God is something we have to exercise daily, not just once in our life at our conversion.

The Story

In Genesis 12:10-20, a famine forces Abraham and his family down to Egypt. As they approached Egypt, Abraham comes up with a plan. He tells Sarai to tell the Egyptians he is her brother, not her husband. Abraham formulates this plan so he will not be killed by the Egyptians for his beautiful wife Sarai.

After Abraham and Sarai enter Egypt, the princes of Pharaoh praised Sarai to Pharaoh. She was taken into Pharaoh’s house to be one of his wives. Instead of killing Abraham, he was given riches. Sheep, oxen, donkeys, male and female servants, and camels were all given to Abraham for Sarai because it was thought he was her brother.

Shortly after Sarai moves in with Pharaoh, plagues begin. The Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his house for Abraham and Sarai. Sarai was eventually allowed to return to Abraham and they were ordered to leave the city.

The Analysis

Abraham failed to trust God. Just a few verses before, God made a promise to Abraham. A promise Abraham trusted. His trust was strong enough in God that he left his family and inheritance behind to go to a place the Lord would show him.

Certainly, time had passed between Abraham’s departure and the famine that drove them into Egypt. In that time, Abraham forgot the Lord’s promises. Faced with the uncertainty of death he forgot the Lord’s promise to make him into a great nation. He forgot the Lord’s promise to bless him. He forgot the Lord’s promise to take care of and provide for him.

Instead of leaning on God in this difficult time, he leaned on his own understanding and allowed his emotions to direct him instead of the Lord. After all, it was only logical Pharaoh would kill him for his beautiful wife.

Application

How often has your emotions or logic directed you to do something in your own strength instead of trusting God to provide? How often have you leaned on your own understanding instead of trusting God to provide?

As Christians, we are called to trust God everyday of our lives, not just at our conversion.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Do you trust God daily?
  2. Do you allow your emotions or logic to direct you instead of God?
  3. How does Abraham help you to see the futility of trusting your own plan instead of in God’s promises?

How Can We Celebrate the Resurrection All Year?

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn PracticalLeave a comment

Resurrection

Yesterday was Easter. If you went to church, you celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today, you can still celebrate the resurrection.

In my sermon yesterday, I challenged the congregation to celebrate the resurrection all year long. The way we do that is by living as resurrected Christians.

What do I mean by resurrected Christian?

In Romans 6:1-14, Paul tells us, when we profess Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are united to Him. His death becomes our death. His burial becomes our burial. His resurrection becomes our resurrection.

When God looks at believers, He sees a people who have already suffered His punishment, already died, and already been resurrected, which means He no longer see us as sinners who deserve punishment. He sees us as He sees His Son. He sees us as those who have been resurrected.

For those who have been united to Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, the penalty for sin is paid. The power of death is broken. They are resurrected to live in newness of life.

When we obey God’s commandments, live as if our old man has been crucified, the power of sin broken, as those free to serve and worship God, we live as resurrected Christians. When we live as resurrected Christians, we celebrate the resurrection everyday of our lives.

Three Ways Our Union with Christ Applies to Resurrected Christians

(1) Resurrected Christians know why they can obey God.

Christians don’t obey God because somehow they try harder than non-Christians. They obey God because:

(1) Sin is no longer their master.

They have been set free from sin.

(2) As well as their heart has been changed.

They have new desires. One’s that direct them to know God’s commandments and obey them.

So then resurrected Christians know why they obey God. It is not because they have pulled up their bootstraps and manned up. It is because of their union with the resurrected Savior.

Practically, this is important because if we believe the only way we can obey God is by our own efforts, we have setup a system that causes us to forget that our union with the resurrected Savior is what empowers us to obey God. That is going to cause us to be frustrated because we can’t obey God in our own power. To try to do so is futile. We must be united with the resurrected Savior.

So you may ask yourself:

  1. Why do I obey God?
  2. Is it because I try hard?
  3. Or is it because I know the bonds of sin have been broken and my heart has been changed?

If we are resurrected Christians, the second will be true for us.

(2) Resurrected Christians do not continue to live a life of sin.

This doesn’t mean we will not sin; we will. Instead it means our lives will not be characterized by sin. We will do all we can to follow God’s commandments.

  • We will read and know God’s Word.
  • We will gather with other Christians to discuss and learn His Word.
  • We will ask others to hold us accountable.
  • We will flee from sin.
  • We will know our struggles.

That is not to say that we will not be disobedient to God from time to time as Christians. Rather, it is to say that the continual pattern of a resurrected Christian is obedience to God.

So you may ask yourself:

  1. Is my life marked by continual obedience to God’s Word?
  2. Have I been faithful to live for God since I professed Christ?

If you are a resurrected Christian, then you will continually obey God.

(3) Resurrected Christians are motivated to obey God by the gospel

This means they do not obey in order to pay God back or earn their salvation. They understand they have been made a new creation. They know that the old man has been laid aside. They understand they are now freed from the bondage of sin and Satan. They know this has occurred because of God’s grace.

So instead of obeying to pay God back or earn salvation, resurrected Christians obey because they are free and thankful. They are overwhelmed with the thought that Christ would die for them. They are overwhelmed with the knowledge that they have been freed from the bondage of sin, Satan, and death. Their gratitude and freedom then motivates them to obedience.

So you may ask yourself:

  1. Am I thankful for Christ’s death and resurrection?
  2. Am I thankful I have been freed from the bondage of Satan, sin, and death?
  3. Does my gratitude and freedom motivate me to serve God and obey His commandments?

If it doesn’t, then you might want to consider whether or not you are a resurrected Christian.

Question for Reflection

  1. Do you live as a Resurrected Christian?

Resource

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