Confronting Sexual Offences in Church

The Apostle Paul planted a church in Corinth. It was a city notorious for sexual promiscuity, even by the very lax standards of pagan Greek culture. Some of the men in the church continued to visit prostitutes even after their conversion. Paul warned them and told them to repent. 

But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. 1 Cor 5:11 NIV

He also warned that people who continued to practise such things would not go to heaven.

Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 
nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor 6:9–10 NIV

This message is still very relevant today. In recent years, we have seen scandal after scandal in prominent evangelical churches. So many celebrity preachers have been exposed. Often we see prominent preachers accused of sexually exploiting church members. What is even more shocking is the way church leaders so often protect each other, blame the women or children and victimise the victims.

Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the LORD detests them both. Pr 17:15 NIV

I don’t often write messages like this. I for years I suffered under harsh judgemental preaching, but we must deal seriously with abuse and injustice in the church. There is a difference between the faults and imperfections which we all have, and cruel abuse, scandalous crimes and the offences which destroy lives. 

Nevertheless, we must not condemn even horrible evildoers without being willing to forgive and restore the offenders to faith and favour. On the other hand, I do not believe this necessarily means we should let sexual crimes go unpunished. 

Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 1 Tim 3:2 NIV

If a preacher has committed sexual crimes or stained his reputation by sexually exploiting church members, it seems reasonable that his ordination should be cancelled, though he may be allowed to serve God and the church in other ways.

Perhaps the most serious sin in the Corinthian church was the scandalous behaviour of a man who was in a sexual relationship with his stepmother. 

Paul ordered that he should be excommunicated, but even then Paul was ready to forgive and show mercy.

The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. 
Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 
I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. 2 Cor 2:6–8 NIV

It can be difficult and painful to forgive people who have abused and severely damaged you. I saw a young woman on a YouTube podcast who had dealt with this very issue. Her father had treated her mother with physical and verbal cruelty. He had gone to bed with his wife’s mother, the girl’s grandmother. He then rejected the girl’s mother. The girl was brought up by her adulterous grandmother.

When the girl was 14, she saw her father having sex with her grandmother. She was completely ignorant and innocent and was shocked and confused.

Then she found a boy and had sex herself. It went from bad to worse.

When she was 19, she was trying to get her life together. She said she still loved her parents and grandmother and she had forgiven them for everything. It was not clear if she was a Christian believer at this stage, but I prayed for her to find faith in Jesus.

I was so inspired by her honest confrontation of her terrible experiences and her willingness to love and forgive.

So many people in churches have traumatic or shameful life stories. They need loving and inner healing. We must not sweep these issues under the carpet. 

We Need God in our Lives

 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Gal 5:16 NLT

What are the works of the sinful nature? The original Greek New Testament calls these the works of the flesh. 

There is nothing wrong with your natural flesh and blood, the organs of your body. God created your body and he does not make bad things. But when we let our flesh and blood direct our lives, things go wrong.

If you are a good driver, your car is a blessing, but if your car engine runs without direction from a driver, it can do untold damage.

God has given you a soul and a spirit, designed to direct your mind and body. If your soul and spirit are closely connected to God’s Spirit, and you are guided by the love and goodness of God, your mind and body will be a blessing.

I have recently listened to sermons about repenting of sin. We need that from time to time, but I had the feeling that something was missing. 

Repenting is not just about not doing bad things. It is not enough to avoid rage, hate and malice. God wants us to love, care and help, not just with outward deeds but moved by genuine concern for others. 

It is not enough to avoid revenge. God wants us to forgive people who hurt or threaten us. It is not enough to avoid bearing grudges. God wants us to love and bless our enemies.

When Jesus was dying on the cross, suffering unspeakable agony, tormented by vile verbal abuse, he cried out to the Father to forgive his tormentors. 

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” … Lk 23:34 NRSV

God wants us to stop doing bad things, but He also wants us to be perfectly pure, kind and loving like Jesus. If we think we can do all of this, we are sadly mistaken. Jesus was the perfect Son of God, God in human form. We are very faulty, flawed human beings. We learned what we know from faulty parents, faulty friends and faulty teachers. 

We can change some of our behaviour with human will power but we need fixing and rebuilding from the inside. 

Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. If we confess our sins, He will forgive us, but we do not have the power to be like Jesus on the inside.

When Jesus was executed, his natural body died, but his spirit lived on. Three days later her returned to this world with a supernatural immortal body. He appeared to his friends and disciples and spent 40 days with them before he returned to heaven. 

A week later the Spirit of God came upon 120 of His followers and changed them from the inside.

Now you and I can have the same blessing, the Spirit of God living inside us and rebuilding our human nature, so we can be more like God on the inside.
If you really want to put your life in God’s hands, just ask Him. He will not turn you away.

Jesus invites us today to come to him to be changed and to have a new life with himself.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28 NRSV

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 
Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Lk 11:9–13 NIV

Your Words Can Set You Free

 Jesus demonstrated not only God's power, but also God's consistent commitment to healing.

Curses are conveyed through words. They must be cancelled through words. 
God wants to set you free with HIS words of blessing, but the devil wants to take you captive again with HIS words. 

You often do not hear the devil's words directly from demons, but from other people. There are people who attack you repeatedly with harsh words. It is good if you can avoid such people. 

But you hear the devil's words very often in your own thoughts. You must defend yourself by not agreeing with these thoughts.
 
The worst thing is when you repeat these witchcraft spells aloud with your own voice. Then you curse yourself.

What is the antidote and how does it work?

You can redefine yourself with truth. 

Have you sinned? Then ask God for forgiveness and he will forgive you. But that is only the beginning. Then you must forgive yourself. Please forgive yourself!

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 
If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 Jn 1:8–9 NRSV

Are you unsure whether you truly belong to God?

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jn 3:16 NIV

Do you believe in Jesus? He died for you. Have you given your life to Jesus? Then you are a beloved child of God. 

But it is possible that the message of Jesus is only a religious truth for you, but not a personal reality, not something you experience in your everyday life.

If you are in this religious no-man's-land, you can take these words of Jesus to heart.

Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. Rev 3:20 NRSV

Jesus does not want to offer you mere religious beliefs. A life based solely on doctrines is only religion.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28 NRSV

If you have truly found Jesus in your life, you can redefine yourself.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Rom 8:1 NRSV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! 2 Cor 5:17 CSB

Have you made peace with God? Then you can claim God's blessings in the Bible. You are no longer inferior, no longer a failure, no longer condemned. 

You can think words of blessing about yourself and speak them aloud, and you must. Bless yourself again and again, again and again, especially in bitter hours. 

Push with your thoughts and words against the current of your previous life.

Don't say, ‘My life is like this and will never change.’ NO. I am getting out of this mess!!! And my escape to freedom is already well underway!!

Small Steps Great Blessings

 In the past, God raised up outstanding preachers, missionaries and heroes of faith in this world. I think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Reinhard Bonnke and Billy Graham. 

Evangelists and Bible teachers are still important, but God's purpose is to equip completely unknown and seemingly ordinary people to establish His kingdom in the end times. God wants to work miracles through you and me. 

History books tell us about great generals who won important battles, but who actually fought? The foot soldiers. Without foot soldiers, pilots, technicians or sailors, famous leaders are powerless.

A young Christian began to pray every morning at 6 o'clock in church. Gradually, other Christians came to pray with him. The Holy Spirit began to bless the entire congregation in a wonderful way.
 
A pastor had a desire to evangelise in his town. He wanted to preach on the radio, but he had little money. Someone in his congregation realised that the pastor needed a computer, and he gave the pastor his first computer. Now this preacher has a weekly radio program. 

I was working in the garden recently. I hurt my back. In the middle of the night, I lay awake in bed. I prayed that Jesus would heal my back. I received an impulse from the Holy Spirit. I had to get up and anoint my own back with olive oil in the kitchen. I lay in bed for a few minutes and then obeyed. When I got up in the morning, my back was much better.

An Indian Christian woman had a friend who was Hindu. She invited her friend to attend her church service. The pastor gave the Hindu woman a New Testament and she read a little every evening. One evening, Jesus himself came into her bedroom and spoke to her. Then she was no longer Hindu.

A friendly invitation. A small gift. A wonderful visit from Jesus.

Jesus wants to use your small acts of obedience to save people.

What can you do today or this week? Move forward step by step.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 NIV

God Cares about All your Problems

God cares about everything in your life. He is thinking about you all the time. 

I have seen amazing answers to prayer. When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I cried out to God. Years later, my medical specialist said the tumours had not grown and he thought I would probably never need treatment. That is wonderful. Cancer treatment can have very unpleasant side effects.

But what about little things?

I have a weakness in my lower back. I am 76. When I get up in the morning, my back often feels stiff and uncomfortable, even occasionally painful. I often do easy stretching exercises and that helps a lot. 

One night, I was restless all night. My sleep was not peaceful and I woke up with a sore back. When I went to bed the following night, I remembered God’s promises to heal my infirmities. I laid my hand on the sore place and quoted the Bible promise.

“… they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mk 16:18 NRSV

I slept peacefully and next morning my back was much better. After simple stretching exercises, I felt quite comfortable.

If you belong to Jesus, he is interested in everything in your life. He cares about the big problems and also the little problems.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Rom 8:31–32 NKJV

Disciples are Learners, not Perfect

 A true Christian is a disciple. That means someone who learns and never stops learning.

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Jn 8:31–32 NRSV

Some Christians imagine that they have complete grasp of the truth, so that they never stop correcting misguided people and especially Christians who think differently. People like this are no longer teachable, not open to learn. They are no longer true disciples, but dogmatic know-alls. 
 
If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it. 
But if anyone loves God, he is known by him. 1 Cor 8:2–3 CSB

What does that actually mean? 

Bible knowledge is worthless unless we are in a humble and loving relationship with God, unless we are constantly led by the Holy Spirit and allowing God to teach us how to understand what He is saying in His word, the Bible.

If I think I can rebuke other Christians, then I must love and respect other Christians, and I must be teachable myself.

Jesus said we must remain in His Word.
What does it mean to remain in His Word?

Some Christians hold fast to certain beliefs and proof texts, and they use these teachings to rebuke other people. This was the case with the Pharisees who persecuted Jesus and Paul.

Jesus and Paul were able to rebuke misguided people, but their approach was primarily characterised by mercy and helpfulness.

Are you an encourager? If you don't encourage those around you with love every day, you've already gone wrong somehow. Maybe you also have some days that aren't so positive. I do too. Paul also knew that he was still on his journey and had not yet reached his goal.

I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be. Php 3:12 The Living Bible, Paraphrased

Do you always focus on doctrines and proof texts and want to teach other Christians and give the impression that you are always right about everything? Then you are on the wrong track.

Paul taught misguided Christians, but he was always humble and motivated by love.

I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 
For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel…. Rom 9:2–4 NIV

Jesus also rebuked his Jewish contemporaries with harsh words and threatened them with the flames of hell, but his heart was still moved by love.

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 
and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. Lk 19:41–42 NIV

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Lk 13:34 NIV

When we are indignant because of false teachings, we must always return to this love and mercy of God so that we do not become proud and self-righteous.

God is Better than you Think

 If you believe in Jesus and trust God with all your heart, you need not fear death.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? Jn 14:1–2 NRSV

When Lazarus died, his sister was devastated.

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Jn 11:21 NIV

Jesus comforted her with the promise that our life does not end with earthly death.

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 
Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jn 11:23–24 NIV

Martha already believed this, but Jesus wanted to reveal something even better to her. 

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 
and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Jn 11:25–26 ESV

She believed this to some extent, but Jesus wanted to far exceed her expectations.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Eph 3:20 NKJV

Lazarus had been dead for four days, but Jesus brought him back to life, not just restored, but no longer sick.

No matter how weak your faith may be, Jesus wants to help you.

No matter how strong your faith is, Jesus wants to exceed your expectations.

God is better than you think. 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jer 29:11 NKJV

How this Atheist Surgeon Became a Believer

 Dr Michael Egnor is an experienced American brain surgeon. He chose this profession because he wanted to understand the meaning of human life. He did not believe in any kind of spiritual or supernatural reality. He was convinced that we are only biological machines.

He had studied various branches of science but he started to think that the theory of evolution was not supported by hard evidence comparable to other scientific theories.

Then he found that patients often were not mentally disabled after brain surgery, even when large parts of their brain had been removed. He started to wonder if we might be something more than biological machines. 

Then something terrible happened to him. His wife had a baby boy that was disturbingly abnormal. He did not respond with eye contact with his parents. He showed no awareness that his parents were people. It was if his mother and father were just pieces of furniture.

Dr Egnor was terrified that his son might autistic. He was afraid that his son would not love him, that his son did not even know he existed as a person.

When his son was nearly 6 months old, he was working in a Catholic hospital. He went into the chapel on day and knelt to pray.

He pleaded with the God that he did not believe in.

“God. I don't know if you exist, but if you do exist, could you take this away from me please. This is something I can’t deal with. I can’t have my son be autistic and not know me.”

And then he heard a voice, the only time in his life this had happened.

The voice said:
“But that’s what you are doing to me.”

So suddenly he believed it was God speaking. He told God he would not do it to Him any more. 

“I won’t be autistic to you. But please make my son not autistic to me.”

 A few days later, his six-month-old baby started responding normally. He grew up to be a normal, intelligent university student.

From then on, Dr Egnor believed in Jesus. He now teaches publicly, that we are not just biological machines but living souls created by God.

Interview with Dr Michael Egnor

 

Prophecy. Hearing from God and Telling Others

 Prophecy is hearing from God and telling others.

Some Old Testament texts would indicate it is better never to prophesy at all than to make a mistake when claiming to speak for God.

But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—that prophet shall die.” Dt 18:20 NRSV

But as we read the New Testament, we see strong instructions encouraging all believers to prophesy, not only church leaders.

Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. 1 Cor 14:1 NRSV

How strange, that the Old Testament should warn against prophesying unless you know that you know that you are a true prophet who infallibly hears the exact words spoken by God.

How strange that the New Testament, inspired by the same Holy Spirit should encourage all believers to prophesy. Surely God knows that we will sometimes make mistakes! Surely He knows that we often only partly understand what He wants to tell us!

Scripture seems to put us in a no win situation. If we boldly encourage everyone to prophesy, are we encouraging false prophecy, confusion and condemnation?

Many Christian leaders today are intimidated by this problem. They teach prophecy is no longer for today. This teaching is without biblical evidence.

Others water down the concept of New Testament prophecy so that is just another word for preaching or general exhortation. 

There is plenty of New Testament evidence to suggest that God still appoints believers to hear messages from heaven and to tell others what they hear, not with the same authority and literal accuracy as scripture but still representing a direct message from God.

Others only allow pastors, elders or leaders to prophesy. But this too is dangerous. If prophecy comes only from leaders, and church members are not supposed to question their authority, then errors will go undetected and mislead many.

The best solution is for leaders to encourage all believers to learn to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to learn to discern between the leading of God, their own thinking and the voice of dark spirits.

My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. Jn 10:27 NRSV

Bible knowledge is essential but knowledge is not enough. 

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. Jas 1:5 NRSV

Jesus Calls us to be The Salt of the Earth

When you eat at a good restaurant, we enjoy the good food. No one praises the salt, but if the salt is missing, you don’t enjoy the food.

What did Jesus say about salt?

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. Mt 5:13 NKJV

Salt enhances the flavour of food, but if the salt is or contaminated, it is no use. If you give food to the needy, you are serving people, but also God, because God cares for people in need. On the other hand, if you give food that is contaminated, stale, sour or tasteless, you are just a hypocrite.

Jesus said we must love our neighbour as we love ourselves. If you give food, it should be food that you would be happy to eat yourself.

There are many ways to be kind and helpful, but your kindness must be motivated by the love and truth of God. If you do good deeds to be noticed and praised, the people you help will not feel good about it.

Properly used, salt does not draw attention to itself but rather draws attention to the flavour of the food.

In the Bible, salt is a sign of a covenant. Helpful deeds and evangelism must be an expression of the love of Jesus, coming from your dedication to God.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 1 Cor 13:2–3 NKJV

The Apostle Paul also spoke about salt.

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Col 4:6 NKJV

Here, salt is associated with grace, unconditional love and kindness, sharing the goodness of God without being judgemental. The way we talk to people must be kind, understanding and respectful.

Salt is good, but too much salt draws attention to itself and spoils the food. This is like harsh legalistic religion and aggressive bible bashing. It can correct sin but the resulting moralistic character can be more harmful than the sins of the flesh.

We must be always be kind, understanding and respectful.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Mt 7:1–2 NIV