Do You Know the Most Dangerous Person in Your Church?

Do You Know the Most Dangerous Person in Your Church?[1]

Erik Raymond

In addition to leading and teaching, pastors are called to protect or guard the flock (Titus 1:5, 9; 2:15; John 21:15–19). Therefore, it logically follows that it is important for pastors to know who is in attendance and membership within the congregation. There are obviously many practical reasons for this, but one is certainly to protect the flock from potential harm.

So I ask you, “Who is the most dangerous guy at your church?”

Here I am not so much aiming at an individual as I am looking at a type of person.

Sure, we all can spot the unbeliever who doesn’t fluently speak the language of Zion, we can identify the person from doctrinally anemic backgrounds because they keep cutting themselves with the sharp knives in the theology drawer, and of course, any Calvinist can sniff out an Arminian within 20 seconds.

But I submit that these types of people are not the most dangerous people who attend your church. At least, they are not in my experience.

Instead, the most dangerous person at your church is the apparently smart guy who is unteachable.

When I say "unteachable," I mean that he has it all figured out. He is the classic “Don’t confuse me with the facts, I know what I believe” guy.

This is the guy who seems to have a lot of biblical knowledge. He can drop the 30 lb. words and effectively argue his point. Very often, he is quite involved and appears to have things together. However, he is dangerous because of the reason you would not think; he is unteachable.

Let me give you some reasons why and how he is dangerous:

1. He Is Gospel-Eclipsing

The great commission has learning embedded in it (Matthew 28:18–20). This means that being a disciple is being one who is always learning. Therefore, to have it all figured out is to deny who you are. As Christians, we have to be people who are learning; this includes everyone from pastors to children.

2.  He Is Critical

If this guy is not being moved by the ministry of the Word, he is likely gathering bullets to shoot at leaders. He sits quietly during the sermons and teachings only to pick apart everything like a Monday morning quarterback. His unteachability looks the exact opposite of what James 1 teaches:

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore, put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:20–21)

(Please note this is not a repudiation of constructive criticism. This is desperately needed. There is a difference between constructive and destructive criticism, however.)

3. He Is Divisive

This is dangerous for the church in that it invariably brings division (Titus 3:10). This type of boiling pot eventually spills over, and when he does, he hurts unity and people.

In my experience, division in the church usually is a result of somebody being unteachable. This type of thing has a long legacy. Consider how Diotrephes liked to put himself first and stir up division. How did he do this? He did not submit to the teaching of the Apostles (3 John 9–10). He was unteachable.

This is obviously dangerous for his own soul but also for the church. Just as Diotrephes had influence in that congregation, so too the unteachable guy no doubt has influence in your local assembly. The influence of an unteachable guy is a vehicle for division.

4. He Is Joy-Robbing

A church that is teachable brings its leaders joy. A church or church member who is not robs them of joy. It’s that simple (Hebrews 13:7, 10). I can attest to the fact that this is very true.

5.  He Is a Time-Waster

Let me be careful how I say this. I don’t mean that labor in the ministry is a waste of time. But what I do mean is that unteachable guy is one who continues to take up pastoral leadership’s time with arguments. He just keeps resetting the same issue over and over again. He can find anything to nitpick and be critical about. So in this sense, he is a waste of time. Or, as Paul might say, the labor is in vain (Philippians 2:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:5).

So what do you do with him?

Pray for him

Forbid it that pastors become callous and unmoved themselves! The desire is for growth in the gospel. Therefore, pray (Colossians 1:9-14; 2 Peter 3:18).

Minimize his influence

Pastors should always be careful about who is appointed unto leadership. In this case, it would obviously make sense not to just put the Bible trivia champ in charge of teaching and leadership items. This is because the Bible trivia champ could also be a spiritual MMA champ on the side.

Watch him and the sheep

If this guy is a Christian, then he must be cared for, too. The pastor must do this while guarding and caring for the flock. This is the type of thing that keeps pastors up at night (see #4 above).

Lovingly aim to teach him 

Keep on keeping on (Titus 2:15).

Confront where necessary 

When there is sin involved, Jesus is clear (Matthew 18:15–18).

This type of thing weighs heavy upon pastors and church members alike. Therefore, even the consideration of such things should cause us to pause, evaluate our own hearts, and pray for receptivity of the word of Christ (James 1:20ff; Colossians 3:15).

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[1] http://www.sermoncentral.com/pastors-preaching-articles/erik-raymond-do-you-know-the-most-dangerous-person-in-your-church-1086.asp?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=BetterPreachingUpdate

I Will Not Sacrifice an Offering That Cost Nothing

1 Chronicles 21:24

In my reading lately I came to 1 Chronicles 21:24. It made me think.

"But King David replied to Araunah, 'No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that cost me nothing."

Because of David's sin of pride the Lord sent a destroying angel with a plague to go through the land. David repented when the angel got a certain point in the land and at that spot David was going to make a sacrifice to the Lord. The spot was the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. David asked Araunah for it and Araunah offered it freely, but David replied, "No, I insist on paying the full price..." It reminds me of Jesus sacrifice on the cross years later where He would pay the full price for my sin.

I see I must make my worship truly my own. Not just recite some words in a prayer book or sing the same old song but to be like David who said, "I will not take for the Lord what is yours."

David's worship cost him something. "...or sacrifice a burnt offering that cost me nothing." A sacrifice that cost nothing is not a sacrifice.My worship should not be cheep. The sacrifice that brought me into fellowship with the Father was very costly- it cost his Son on the cross; I belittle or even mock it when I respond with stingy and easy service or worship! How dare I complain about any church service in light of Jesus sacrifice, as if my puny sacrifices compares! I wonder when was the last time I gave service to the Lord that really cost me? When was the last time my wallet hurt for the kingdom or when was the last time I missed a meal for His service, and when did I get just plain worn out physically for Him? How many times have I said this church job or that Christian service it too hard? I think this verse suggest that it is at that point it when it is costly that sacrifice or worship begins.

The passage ends up with, "He called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him with fire from heaven on the alter of burnt offering,"verse 26-b. David honored God, and David's sacrifice was honored by the Lord. The plague was stopped, the angel put away his sword, and David got the answer from the Lord, and later the threshing floor became the site for the temple. God honors our sacrifices.

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It is a maxim from heaven, "Honour the Lord with thy substance." He who has a religion that costs him nothing, has a religion that is worth nothing; nor will any man esteem the ordinances of God, if those ordinances cost him nothing. Had Araunah's noble offer been accepted, it would have been Araunah's sacrifice, not David's; nor would it have answered the end of turning away the displeasure of the Most High. It was David that sinned, not Araunah; therefore David must offer sacrifice.

The land purchased was no ordinary piece of property. It the land where Abraham had laid his son Isaac on the Altar. ( gen 22)

David’s TWO greatest sins

If you and me were to ask what were the 2 greatest sins David had committed, we would reply Adultery with Beersheba and Numbering of the people. But out of these 2 great sins, God built a Temple. Beersheba gave birth Solomon who succeeded David on the throne and was allowed by the Lord to build the Temple.  On the land purchased, Solomon built the Temple for the glory of God.  David sinned against God to by numbering the people and as consequence he had sacrifice. David purchased the land where he sacrificed and the temple was later built by Solomon.

Where sin increased, Grace increases much more.

It was possible because David Confessed his sin and willing to go through the Correction and discipline of the Lord.

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ARAUNAH'S THRESHING FLOOR

© 2006 by Jerry L. Croasmun
Read -- 2 Samuel 24:16-25 and 1 Chronicles 21:15-22:1

"Then Solomon began to build the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the place provided by David. He began building on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign."
-- 2 Chronicles 3:1-2 (NIV)

Having lived in Utah for over thirty years I have watched with envy and with some amusement on numerous occasions when the state's predominant religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, announce they have selected and purchased a site upon which to build a new temple. Surrounding property values usually increase after the announcement and many scurry to get in on the real estate action. In 2 Samuel 24:16-25 and 1 Chronicles 21:15-22:1 we read about Araunah the Jebusite who was approached one day by King David regarding a real estate deal also.

King David sought to purchase Araunah's threshing floor as we read in 2 Samuel 24:21, "Araunah said, 'Why has my lord the king come to his servant?' 'To buy your threshing floor,' David answered, 'so I can build an altar to the LORD, that the plague on the people may be stopped.'" And in 1 Chronicles 21:22 we read, "David said to him [Araunah also known as Ornan in some translations], 'Let me have the site of your threshing floor so I can build an altar to the LORD, that the plague on the people may be stopped. Sell it to me at the full price.'"

David did not wake up one morning and just decide that as king he wanted more property, but rather was instructed by the Prophet Gad to go to Araunah the Jebusite and buy his threshing floor. In 2 Samuel 24:18-19 we read, "On that day Gad went to David and said to him, 'Go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.' So David went up, as the LORD had commanded through Gad." This land purchase deal was ordered and ordained by God. As we read in 1 Chronicles 21:15, "And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But as the angel was doing so, the LORD saw it and was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, 'Enough! Withdraw your hand.' The angel of the LORD was then standing at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite."

Araunah tried to give the threshing floor land to King David. I am unsure as to what his motives were. Afterall, he had just seen the hand of the angel of death and possibly had a touch of fear or maybe he was positive that this was God's plan and he was in full agreement with King David building an altar. We may never know; however, we do know irregardless of the reasons why, Araunah was very willing to sell his threshing floor to the king. In 1 Chronicles 21:23 we read, "Araunah said to David, "Take it! Let my lord the king do whatever pleases him. Look, I will give the oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for the wood, and the wheat for the grain offering. I will give all this."

King David refused Araunah's offer to give him the threshing floor. David knew his actions had caused destruction and the presence of the death angel and he knew the threshing floor had to be purchased. Because of David's actions, according to 2 Samuel 24:15 and 1 Chronicles 21:14, there were 70,000 men of Israel who had lost their lives. No, David could not accept the threshing floor as a gift from Araunah. Now I know many people probably feel as I do that no matter the purchase price it was nothing to David who, as king, had everything he needed. Yet, in 2 Samuel 24:24 we read, "But the king replied to Araunah, 'No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.'" And also in 1 Chronicles 21:24 we read, "But King David replied to Araunah, 'No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.'"

"I will not sacrifice that which costs me nothing," is a good lesson for even us to learn today. David knew that a true sacrifice had to cost him something. Many sacrifices have taken place on the land known as the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite since King David purchased it and first built an altar unto the Lord. In 2 Chronicles 3:1-2 we read, "Then Solomon began to build the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the place provided by David. He began building on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign." The land upon which the threshing floor of Araunah once stood is one of the most controversial pieces of real estate in existence today. Many groups still desire control and claim ownership of the land. Yes, what was once the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite is now part of the temple mount in Jerusalem, Israel.

The only other place in the Bible where Mount Moriah is mentioned is found in Genesis 22:2 where we read of another sacrifice one which took place long before King David was born. "Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.'" Wow, God is good. May He continue to open our eyes and hearts to His eternal truths found in His holy word.

In Romans 12:1 we read, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." We are called to offer ourselves unto the Lord. Araunah had to sell or give up his threshing floor so that the king could build an altar unto the Lord. Abraham, in Genesis 22:12, had to be willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac to prove his love and fear of God. We too must give up our lives so that Christ might live through us.

A threshing floor according to the dictionary.com website is, "a floor or area on which grain is beaten out." I believe, God is calling us today back to the threshing floor; a place of separation. May we prepare our hearts for the day as we read in Matthew 25:31-32, "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." And in Luke 3:17 we read, "His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

I pray that you have been blessed by reading this devotional article and also pray that God will lead us into areas of greater intimacy with Him as we study His holy word. Amen.

A TRUE SACRIFICE COSTS!

THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP:  What Following Christ Requires

TEXT:  Matthew 16:24-27

INTRDOUCTION:

A.  The words of our Lord here are powerful, profound, life challenging and life changing.

B. Consider what is involved in following Christ

I.  FOLLOWING CHRIST REQUIRES CHOICE

A. “If any man will come after me…”

1.     There are conditions: “If” - and a choice must be made:  “will”

2.     But there is opportunity afforded to any and all: “any man”

B.  We must make a choice to follow Christ!

1.     The Lord neither forces nor forbids man to come.

2.     Some choices are good, some bad; some easy, some hard; some inconsequential,

some eternal in implication!

                3.  I’ve long been convinced that we pretty much do what we choose to do!

II.  FOLLOWING CHRIST REQUIRES SELF-DENIAL

A.  “Let him deny himself…”

1.     Not just a denial OF self, but denial TO self – from self to Christ!

2.     We are solider of Christ – and a good solider doesn’t think of saving self, but of

winning the battle!

                S:  Yes, you have one more thing I want – I want YOU – You, yourself, too – All are  mine –Now

I’ll let  you use these things for the time being, but remember, they are all mine, just as

YOU are mine – whenever I call for them, you must give them up, for they belong to me.

C.  ILLUS:  We have all heard that young people today don’t want “the old values and religious practices of the past” – Interestingly, in 2000 the Phillips Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant for a study of the relationship between young people and Christian orthodoxy – the study dealt with values, worship styles, and lifestyles among generations X and Y – Last fall the study was published and the results somewhat surprising – the study showed that “young adults reject the immorality of American culture and racy television shows that are in prime time.  They are also looking for worship that is less showy and entertaining and involves more personal reflection” (Christianity Today, 8/5/02 – cited in Does God Exist? Jan-Feb 2003)

1.     What does all that mean?  Simply this – there must be a cost to Christianity to make it worthwhile and fulfilling!

2.     A religion of convenience and ease doesn’t satisfy - and a religion that costs nothing is worth just that!

3.  2 Sam. 24:24, David offered to buy a threshingfloor, wood, and oxen to make sacrifice to God – the owner offered to give it to him for free – but David insisted on paying fifty shekels of silver – WHY? He said, “…I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing.”

III.  FOLLOWING CHRIST REQUIRES CROSS-BEARING

A.  “…and take up his cross”

1.     Take up your cross voluntarily:  John 10:17-18 (READ)

2.     Take up your cross sacrificially:  Matthew 10:34-38 (READ)

B.  Jesus took His cross!

1.     Poem, They borrowed a bed to lay His head, When Christ the Lord came down,

They borrowed an ass in the mountain pass for Him to ride to town.

But the crown that He wore, and the cross that He bore were His own.

He borrowed the bread when the crowd He fed, On the grassy mountainside,

He borrowed the dish of broken fish with which He satisfied,

He borrowed the ship in which to sit, to teach the multitude;

He borrowed the nest in which to rest, He ne’er had a home so crude.

He borrowed a room on the way to the tomb, the Passover lamb to eat,

They borrowed a cave, for Him a grave, They borrowed a winding sheet.

But the crown that He wore and the cross that He bore were His own,

        The cross was His own.

2.     Jesus took His cross – and tells us we must take ours!

3.  But how are we able?  The poem continues…

                The thorns on His head were worn in my stead, For ME the Savior died,

                For the guilt of my sin the nails drove in, when Him they crucified.

C.  When you think about the COST of following Christ, think also of the cost of NOT following

1.     What will it cost to NOT follow Him?  Salvation, fulfillment, hope, purpose, eternity! 

2.     POEM,

You’ve counted the cost of following Christ and find it too much, you say;

        But what of the cost of rejecting Him and turning His love away?

It will cost you far more than money can buy, it will cost you a lifetime of pain;

        And then when you life on earth is done, you’ll have to start paying again.

For the cost of rejecting Christ, my friend, is not paid at the close of life;

        You’ll pay with your soul at the bar of God, your conscience will cut like a knife.

It will cost countless ages away from the Lord and leave hopeless pangs of regret.

        Oh think once again and turn to Christ, ere judgment forever is set.

IV.  FOLLOWING CHRIST REQUIRES FOLLOWING CHRIST

A.  “…and follow me”

                1.  I don’t mean to sound redundant, but think about it:  some have the idea they can be a

                                “Christian” and do what they want – No!

                2.  “Follow me” means we walk as He walked; talk as He talked; live as He lived; do as

He did; serve as He served; love as He loved!

3.     “What Would Jesus Do?” is not merely a question adorning a bracelet or T-shirt – for the Christian, that question and its answer directs the life!

B.  We must persevere in following!

1.     ILLUS:  A young boy grabbed his snow shovel and started to clear away snow after a big downfall – A neighbor hollered and asked him, “Young man, how are you going to clear away so much snow?” – “By keeping at it,” replied the lad!

2.     That’s it!  In following Christ, we’ve got to “keep at it”!!!

CONCLUSION:

A.  Why is it important?  Verse 26

B.  Judgment is coming!  Verse 27

John M. Brown, Flatwoods church of Christ

P. O. Box 871

Flatwoods, KY  41139

The Christian in a World of Technology

• The Christian in a World of Technology by Mark Roberts
• Dangers and Temptations of Technology by Darrell Trammell
• Using Technology to Spread the Gospel by Zach Olsen
• Facebook and Christian by Tony Mauck
• Should Christians Be on Facebook? by R.C. Sproul Jr.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF INTERCESSION

Apostolic Restoration A message to all members of Apostolic Restoration GREETINGS TO ALL MEMBERS: For the Next week or so we are going to be focusing or prayer and especially in the area of intercession!  Please keep posted as we begin to explore what the life of an intercessor is all about. For the next month I challenge you to change your life in a dramatic and radical way!  Change is Good!  Many times we fight change!  Ultimately, when we surrender and let the Lord do the changing then we can't understand why we resisted in the first place.  So relax and let this be an adventure as we discover some interesting ideas about intercession! God's ultimate ministry in the plan of salvation Intercession   THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF INTERCESSION One of our greatest privileges and responsibilities is to share in Jesus' intercessory ministry.    "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy strength" (Dt 6:5, our translation). Thou shalt have God choose each member of an intercessory prayer group. Thou shalt not intercede without first hearing God. Thou shalt be as specific as possible. Thou shalt have expectant faith. Thou shalt love thy enemies. Thou shalt expect spiritual warfare. Thou shalt commit thyself to intercede for a set period of time. Thou shalt change thy life-style. Thou shalt not be too rigid about some of these guidelines. To continue on with article Click here With Much Love,  Julia Garrett, Administrator Visit Apostolic Restoration at: http://apostolicrestoration.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

To be a Formula-Christian - Romans 11:33

We as Christian should avoid the pitfall of being a formula Christian. We are surrounded by literature that promises me the secretes of victory, as if God can be reduced to a method for our victory and successful life. Everywhere we turn we discover ‘steps to this’ and ‘steps to that’  ...Christian who are privileged to share a new insight of God are quick to build it into a formula.

In order to avoid this we must keep in mind Paul’s expression in Rom 11: 33.

God will not let Himself be boxed into a recipe. How often I have discovered that when I attempted to use some else’s formula, it did not work for me. God’s dealing with us are strictly personal.

There are general and basic principles of course, but the application is always personal. That’s’ why someone else’s spiritual secrete is mystery to me.