YOU and GOD

Many years ago, Dr. Harold Lindsell authored a book entitled The Battle For The Bible” (Zondervan Publishing House, 1976). In the first chapter, Dr. Lindsell—former editor of Christianity Today and past professor at Fuller Theological Seminary—makes a candid confession. Dr. Lindsell traces the history of Fuller Theological Seminary, founded in 1947 on the conviction that the Scriptures are inerrant and infallible. Dr. Lindsell said that over the years, because of the influence of liberalism and Neo-Orthodoxy, some faculty members were retained who did not believe that the Bible was without error. Eventually, the seminary bent to pressure and adopted a new doctrinal statement that contained a denial of Scriptural infallibility.

Here are the words of Dr. Lindsell: “Fuller Seminary grappled with the problem and resolved it by changing its statement of faith to conform to the new reality. It used to profess belief in an inerrant Bible. It no longer does” (pp. 22-23).

Charles E. Fuller founded Fuller Theological Seminary. He believed, preached, and stood for an inerrant Bible. Independent, fundamental churches believe in a Bible that is infallible, inspired, and without error. But, just as many seminaries have succumbed to “higher criticism,” so it is possible that any church or school, in one brief generation, can surrender its foundational beliefs. Because of that ever-present danger, I believe there is a need, always, to be reminded of the subject of The Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

As to the third person of the Godhead, what was His role in giving us the written Word of God as we know it today? He did play an active and important role. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost; and the written Word, in like fashion, was born of the Holy Spirit’s supernatural work. So, consider: the Holy Spirit and Revelation, the Holy Spirit and Inspiration, the Holy Spirit and Illumination, and the Holy Spirit and Preservation.

1.  The Holy Spirit and Revelation: The Holy Spirit has always authored Revelation: “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me and his word was in my tongue.” (II Sam. 23:2) “And as for me, this is my covenant with them saith the Lord: My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth.” (Isaiah 59:21) “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son.” (Hebs. 1:1,2) God’s Word is inerrant and infallible because it is the Revelation of God to man through the Holy Spirit.

2. The Holy Spirit and Inspiration: Inspiration is that process whereby God’s Holy Spirit superintended the writing of Scripture so that using the individual personalities, characteristics and vocabularies of the more than 40 writers of the Bible, the product is infallible and inerrant—a divine, God-breathed Bible. It is a “more sure Word of prophecy” (II Pet.1:19-21) that was “given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Tim.3:16,17) So, inspiration of the Spirit assures us that the Bible is not just the thoughts of the human writers, not a product of a genius like Shakespeare, but a book given by God’s Spirit for doctrine (setting forth the right way); for reproof (warning us when we have gotten off the right way); correction (telling us how to get back on the right way); and instruction in righteousness (telling us how to stay on the right way).

3. The Holy Spirit and Illumination: By His Spirit, God illumines and enlightens the mind of the reader of Scripture so that every believer,  indwelt by the Holy Spirit, can understand that which otherwise would not be understandable. I Cor. 2:10-12: “God hath revealed them to us by His Spirit…even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”

4. The Holy Spirit and Preservation: His Spirit has inspired writers to pen the Book infallibly, and He has also sovereignly preserved the Book throughout the centuries against all onslaughts and attacks of the Devil—including burning, banning, scoffing, criticizing, and denying. Thomas Paine (1737-1809), in Age of Reason, predicted that “Fifty years and the Bible will be forgotten.” (But the press on which his rantings and railings were published was used for many years to print Bibles). Col. Bob Ingersoll, a militant infidel, lectured on the mistakes of the Bible, setting out to put the Bible out of business; yet Bob Garry, a Bible teacher, later used Ingersoll’s desk on which he wrote hundreds of Bible lessons. Infidel David Hume sneered, “Methinks I see the twilight of Christianity,” but Robert G. Lee said: “The trouble with Hume in his fuming was that he could not tell what time of day it was. What he thought was sundown going on midnight was sunup going toward noonday.” Lee further said, “The first meeting of the Auxiliary Bible Society of Edinburgh was held in the very room in which Hume died.”

“Century follows century—there it stands. Empires rise and fall and are forgotten—there is stands. Dynasties succeed dynasties—there it stands! Kings are crowned and uncrowned—there it stands. Despised and torn to pieces—there it stands. Storms of hate swirl about it—there it stands! Atheists rail against it—there it stands. Profane, prayerless punsters caricature it—there is stands. Unbelief abandons it—there it stands. Thunderbolts of wrath smite it—there it stands. Flames are kindled about it—there is stands.” (copied)

To the glory of God—there it stands!

“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth shall pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law , till all be fulfilled.” (Matt. 5:18)

It was a moment almost frozen in time—much like Nov. 22, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated—when, shortly after noon on September 10, 2025, the news began to break that Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point, USA, had been felled by an assassin’s bullet at a rally in Orem, Utah. Like many my age, I was not a close follower of Kirk’s movement, but what I have learned about him in the past week or so has deeply impressed me because of his faith in Jesus Christ and his vibrant testimony for his Savior, and because of his devotion to freedom, our beloved America, his family, and his followers, multitudes of America’s youth whose hearts he captured by his ability to explain in his inimitable, non-combative way, why free enterprise, capitalism, and a constitutional republic—with a government that is not hugely overgrown and overreaching into the individual lives of its citizens—is the best option, hands down, of any government ever devised in the history of mankind. His enthusiasm, his apparent brilliance, his unapologetic Christian faith and testimony were nothing less than totally infectious to any open-minded person who has given any time to learning about who this “American original” was and what he was all about. One simply could not help loving the guy for all that he was, and for all that he was dedicating his life to.

Sadly, his life was suddenly, shockingly, and tragically terminated on an otherwise beautiful autumn day by a demented youth who, from what has been learned about him, had delved through “social media” deeply into the darkened world of the evil one. As a result, he became so confused, irrational, and given over to darkness that he believed Charlie Kirk was full of hatred because he stood for righteousness, freedom, liberty, faith, goodness, morality, and God’s peace. So he had to do whatever was necessary—murder, in fact—to silence this spokesman for virtue and values that all good men of every age have embraced. Thus, the premediated plan to kill Kirk before 3,000 of his followers in the quiet Utah Valley University town.

That merciless execution impacted all of America; it stopped us in our tracks. The pastor’s heart in me wanted to deliver, based upon spiritual truths and saddened realities, a message from God; but it has taken me several days to formulate in my head and heart what I might have said had it been my assignment to stand before God’s people on a Sunday that was much like September 11, 2001. Here is my brief but broken-hearted message:

1. On this Sunday, America gathers, almost in stunned silence—shocked, saddened, angered, depressed—as, once again, one of our own has been instantly, violently taken from his family, his friends, his followers, his church, his children, and his loving wife,  because he was bold and brave enough to unashamedly proclaim truth with a kind and patient attitude and acceptance, even toward those who thought he was wrong. What are we going to do in the light of this unthinkably dark deed? How do we react? What can we do going forward, knowing that the America that was once the home of the brave and land of the free, is today not so safe a place as it has been? It is in fact a dangerous place for those who, like Charlie Kirk, strive to preach truth, shine light, and spread hope—especially to America’s youth, whose minds have too long been subject to the poisonous teaching and preaching of professors and others who despise our democratic republic. Here is what I have, in my own heart, concluded. First, we all need to LISTEN. We need to give our undivided attention to what Charlie was propounding. What was he saying that enthralled great crowds of largely young people to gather round him in cities all across our land to cheer or to curse him? If we close our mouths and open our ears, we will hear the heart of a young American who has examined civilizations of the past and concluded that the constitutional government that our forebears fought for and handed down to us, through bloodshed and the sacrifice of every material comfort, is the most cherished form of governance—with its freedoms—ever devised and delivered to any nation past or present. Get a tape or text of Charlie Kirk’s messages, including the testimony of his family and faith, and listen. America, in the light of September 10, needs to lend a collective ear and just listen. Then, listen again, and again. Let it sink in.

2. Secondly, we need to stand up. Millions have. Touched by Charlie’s wholehearted commitment to the cause of reaching our nation’s youth with life-changing truth, this young man, from the age of 18, made it his mission to stand up for America; to stand up for Jesus Christ; to stand up for the values that made America great: courage, honesty, integrity, truth, dedication, and loyalty to our flag and to the faith of our fathers. “God give us men! A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands.” (Josiah Holland)

3. Third, we need to speak up. Let our voices for righteousness, truth, freedom, and faith be heard, as did Charlie Kirk. Not loud voices that attempt to drown out the opposition, but steady, calm, reasoned voices guided by strong minds, as Josiah Holland prayed. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” (Provs. 25:11)

4. Fourth, let us ever look up…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Heb. 12:1,2) He is the One who promised to be with us always, “even to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20) He is our strength through His Holy Spirit, Whom He said would provide us with the power needed to fight the good fight. (Acts 1:8)

So, there it is, my friend. This is the hour millions of Christ’s followers have prayed for: “God give us revival. We perish without your help.” This just may be the beginning of His answer to our prayers. But we must do nothing less than to listen up, stand up, speak up, and look up. God help us.

“Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fray in public duty and in private thinking. For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds, their large professions and their little deeds, mingle in selfish strife, Lo! Freedom weeps, wrong rules the land, and waiting Justice sleeps.” (J.G. Holland, 1819-1881)

Lehman Strauss, in his book The Greatest Unused Power in the World…Knowing the Holy Spirit, lamented a half-century ago the widespread lack of knowledge, amongst Christians, of the person and work of the Holy Spirit: “Wherever I go in my travels, I meet people who ask questions about the Holy Spirit. To me this is an encouraging sign, because the correct understanding of the ministry of the Holy Spirit is basic to right Christian living,” the Bible teacher wrote. Other pastors and teachers have been equally concerned about the lack of sermons preached on the subject of the Holy Spirit, and the lack of books written about Him. Yet, His presence and person permeate the pages of Scripture from Gen.1:1 to Rev. 22.

He is introduced in the second verse of the Bible as the One who moved upon the face of the waters. John Owens, in his classic work A Discourse Concerning the Holy Spirit, states: “Without Him all was a dead sea; a rude unformed chaos; a confused heap covered with darkness; but by the moving of the Spirit of God upon it, He communicated a quickening, prolific virtue.”

From early post-apostolic days, elements of Christianity have wrought confusion concerning the blessed person of the Holy Spirit. I hope, in this post and maybe a follow-up, to set forth some basic reminders that create an awareness on our part to be daily dependent upon the “third person” of the Godhead who indwells every blood-bought believer.

First, some words of caution.

Always remember that we are studying about a person—not a “thing” or “influence” or unseen force. He is, in every way, a personality, and it is wrong to think of Him impersonally and to refer to Him as “it.”

Second, just as there is God’s Holy Spirit, there is Satan’s unholy spirit, active in this world today. The Devil always attempts to confuse and confound the thinking of men and women, especially with reference to the doctrine of the Trinity. It has been a demonic effort of deceit throughout all ages, and it will continue until the False Prophet and the Beast are thrown into the Lake of Fire at the 2^nd Coming, followed by Satan himself joining them in the Lake of Fire at the end of the Millennium. (Rev. 19:20; 20:10)

Third, remember that anything that causes one to exalt the Holy Spirit above the Son of God is unscriptural. Men must be pointed to the Lord Jesus Christ, who taught His disciples that when the Comforter would come “he shall testify of me.” (John 15:26).

God’s Spirit, then, was at work in creation, in the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, and in the work of God in the Old Testament times. And He is at work now in convicting mankind of sin, of righteousness and of judgment, and in the indwelling of church-age believers, encouraging and teaching, guiding and convicting them, and interceding for them before God’s throne of mercy, daily.

The Apostolic fathers universally believed in the deity of all three persons of the Godhead. II Cor. 13:14 was commonly confessed in the early church writings and gatherings: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.”

Julius Africanus, about 70 years after the last of the Apostles died, wrote: “We render thanks to Him who gave us our Lord Jesus Christ to be a Savior, to whom, with the Holy Ghost, be glory and majesty forever.” The early fathers had no reason to defend or define the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

But then along came the heresies, counteracted by creeds of councils that were convened to clarify the position of the church regarding the Holy Spirit.

First the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in God the Father Almighty and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord who was born of the Holy Ghost and the virgin Mary, crucified under Pontius Pilate and buried. The third day He rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of the Father; thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. And in the Holy Ghost, the holy church, the remission of sins, the restoration of the flesh.”

In about 325 A.D. the Nicene Creed was formulated to combat the heresy of Sabellius, who taught that the Holy Spirit was not a distinct person of the Godhead but was merely a way of manifesting God; and the influence of Arius, who taught that the Son was created by the Father, and the Holy Spirit was created by the Son; therefore, the Holy Spirit was a creation of a creature.

The Nicene Creed: “We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father, only begotten that is, of the substance of the Father, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten not made, by whom all things were made, both those in heaven and those on earth; who for us men, and our salvation, came down and was made flesh, and lived as man among men, suffered and rose the third day, ascended into Heaven, is coming to judge the quick and the dead. And in the Holy Ghost.”

If that were not enough, the Council of Constantinople, in about 381, added to the Nicene Creed the following: “We believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceeded from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together, is worshipped and glorified, who spake by the prophets.”

These concise statements were formulated to combat false teachings about the Holy Spirit. Confusion is sometimes still seen today—for example, in the way well-intentioned people speak of this person of the Godhead, almost equating Him to an influence: “Holy Ghost preaching,” or “Holy Ghost revival,” or “Holy Ghost praying.” The 21^st-century use of the word “ghost” differs considerably from the use that early translators of the Bible were familiar with. In John 14:26 the word for spirit, pneuma, is translated “Ghost,” and in John 15:26 the same word in the Greek text is translated “Spirit.” In 1611, when the King James Version was translated, the word Ghost—an Old English word that came from the word “gist” (spirit)—was used interchangeably with the word pneuma, spirit. Through the ages, “ghost” in the English language took on the meaning of an apparition, something we most likely do not want to get too familiar with. Thus, the false view that God’s Spirit is an invisible “power” or “influence,” not a real person.

(More on the Holy Spirit in a follow-up post)

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of me.” (John 15:26)

From the earliest days when God began to work with a “people” as a congregation, He has made it known that the manifestation of His glory is paramount in His dealing with believers.

When the tabernacle was completed, the “church” in the wilderness (Acts 7:38) watched as “the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” (Ex. 40:35) Similarly, when the majestic temple was finished by King Solomon hundreds of years later, “the glory of the Lord filled the house.” (II Chr. 7:1)

In time, because of apostasy and idolatry in Judah, “the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city [Jerusalem].” (Ezek. 11:23) But, in the fulness of time, when God sent His own Son into the world to tabernacle amongst His people, John the Apostle declared: “We beheld His glory.” (John 1:14) The glory of God that had departed from Judah returned in the second person of the Godhead so that once again, after centuries, His glory was visible.

In the ages to come, a final, dramatic, and visible appearance of God’s glory will happen when Jesus Christ, at the end of the seven-year Tribulation depicted in Revelation (chs. 6-19) will come in “power and great glory.” (Matt. 25:31)

At the present time, known commonly as the “Church age,” God is declaring and manifesting His glory in and through the Body of Christ—the called-out ecclesia, the Church: “Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” (Eph. 3:20)

So, the overriding theme of history in God’s dealings with His people is that His glory will dwell amongst them. In this present time, that is being fulfilled through the Church—His called out assembly—day by day, until He calls His Church to Himself, in the Rapture. If you are a child of God and are reading this, let me remind you that, because you have been bought with a price, it is incumbent upon you that you “glorify God in your body and in your spirit.” (I Cor. 6:20)

Sadly, that sometimes is not happening in the Church. Too often, in fact, some destructive, undermining forces are at work in the Church of the living God—forces that I have labeled “glory robbers.” Let me briefly, and without much commentary, mention just some of these glory robbers:

1. Rebellious pastors not subject to and serving Christ. A pastor’s first and foremost assignment is to minister to the Church so that in whatever he sets himself to do—preaching, teaching, counseling, visiting—he will do all to the glory of God and to the edifying of the Church.
2. Self-serving men who love to have the preeminence. (III John 9)
3. Insubordinate women who try to usurp authority. (I Tim.2:11ff.)
4. Carnal Christians who choose not to live in peace. (James 4:1ff.)
5. Immature believers who refuse to grow up in the Lord  (I Cor. 3:11ff.)
6. Disobedient Christians who will not quit sinning. (Hebs. 10:22ff.)
7. Indifferent saints who just want to “sleep!” (Romans 13:11)
8. Selfish saints who rob God in the way they give—or do not give. (II Cor. 8:19, 23; 9:13)
9. Independent Christians who try to circumvent God’s local church, i.e., no baptism, no membership, no accountability, no service. (Matt. 16:18)
10. Proud believers who do not pray. (I Pet. 3:12)
11. Careless believers who abuse God’s temple. (I Cor. 6:19,20)
12. Lazy believers who sit on their spiritual gifts. (I Pet.4:10)

What a holy occupation this is, to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. God made it known early in His dealings with those who were numbered amongst His: “I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all people I will be glorified.” (Lev. 10:3) He was glorified in Israel: “Thou art my servant O Israel, in whom I will be glorified,” (Isa. 49:3) And He assured us that even those who opposed Him would, in the end—by His power—glorify Him: “I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I am the Lord.” (Ezek. 28:22)

Jesus affirmed that when the world witnessed His own doing good works, the world would glorify the Father. (Matt. 5:16) Christ taught His disciples that when the Spirit of truth would come, He, the Holy Spirit, would “glorify me: for He shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” (John 16:14). Paul exhorted the saints at Rome that they should be “of one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 15:6)

So as believers occupied with doing His will by engaging in His work, done in His way, according to His Word—through His church now in this age—our daily employment in body and in spirit ought to be to glorify God. To do less is to “rob” Him of His due. He alone is worthy to receive GLORY and honor and power—for He has created all things for His pleasure. (Rev. 4:11) And, as Isaiah reminds his readers, “I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another.” (Isa. 42:8) Early on, He made it known to all that He was a “jealous God.” (Exodus 20:5—a word from God expanding on the 2^nd of 10 commandments, which stated: “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness.”) It was the breaking of this commandment, idolatry, that was Israel’s besetting sin, eventuating in their captivity, first to Assyria in 722 B.C. (the northern 10 tribes of Israel), and second to Babylon in 605-597 B.C. (the southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin). God’s glory mattered, as His people painfully learned!

Do you breathe to bring glory to Him? Do you strive in word and deed to glorify God? Are you glorifying Him through His church, the body of Christ? Did you see yourself in the list of glory robbers? If so, will you repent and begin this moment to declare with David that “I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.” (Ps. 86:12)

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (I Cor. 10:31)    

I am taking the liberty in this post to share with you some thoughts by the 19^th-century evangelist Charles Finney on the subject of “how to preach so as to convert nobody.” Here are 30 strategies to use if you aspire to ineffective preaching, according to Finney: 

1. Let your supreme motive be to secure your own popularity; then, of course, your preaching will be adapted to that end and not to convert souls to Christ.
2. Aim at pleasing, rather than at converting, your hearers. Aim to make your hearers pleased with themselves and pleased with you, and be careful not to wound the feelings of anyone.
3. Aim at securing for yourself the reputation of a beautiful writer.
4. Let your sermons be written with a high degree of literary finish. Let your style be flowery, ornate, and quite above the comprehension of the common people. Give your sermons the form and substance of a beautifully written, but never to be remembered, essay, so that your hearers will say, “It was a beautiful sermon,” but can give you no further account of it.
5. Be sparing of thought, lest your sermon contain truth enough to convert a soul. Make no distinct points, and take up no disturbing issues with the consciences of your hearers, lest they remember these issues and become alarmed about their souls.
6. Avoid preaching doctrines that are offensive to the carnal mind, lest they should say of you as they said of Christ, “This is a hard saying; who can hear it?” and lest you should injure your influence.
7. Denounce sin in the abstract, but make no allusions to the sins of your present audience. Avoid preaching especially to those who are present. Preach about sinners, and not to them. Say, they and not you, lest anyone should make a personal application of your subject.
8. Keep the spirituality of God’s holy law, by which is the knowledge of sin, out of sight, lest the sinner should see his own lost condition, and flee from the wrath to come.
9. Preach salvation by grace, but ignore the condemned and lost condition of the sinner, lest he should understand what you mean by grace, and feel his need of it.
10. Preach no searching sermons, lest you convict and convert the worldly members of your church.
11. Do not make the impression that God commands your hearers here and now to obey the truth.
12. Do not make the impression that you expect your hearers to commit themselves upon the spot, to give their hearts to God.
13. Leave the impression that they are expected to go away in their sins, and to consider the matter at their convenience.
14. Dwell much upon their inability to obey, and leave the impression that they must wait for God to change their natures.
15. Make no appeals to the fears of sinners; but leave the impression that they have no reason to fear.
16. Make the impression that if God is as good as you are He will send no one to hell.
17. Preach the love of God, but ignore the holiness of His love that will by no means clear the impenitent sinner.
18. Try to convert sinners to Christ without producing any uncomfortable convictions of sin.
19. Flatter the rich, so as to repel the poor, and you will convert none of either class.
20. Make no disagreeable allusions to the doctrines of self-denial, cross-bearing, and crucifixion to the world, lest you should convict and convert some of your church members.
21. Do not rebuke the worldly tendencies of the church, lest you should hurt their feelings, and finally convert some of them.
22. Make little or no impression upon your hearers, so that you can repeat your old sermons often without being noticed.
23. Be tame and timid in presenting the claims of God, as would become you in presenting your own claims.
24. Avoid all heat and earnestness in your delivery, lest you make the impression that you really believe what you say.
25. Do not rebuke extravagance in dress, lest you should uncomfortably impress your vain and worldly church members.
26. Preach the love of Christ, not as enlightened benevolence that is holy, just and sin-hating; but as a sentiment, an involuntary and indiscriminating fondness.
27. Do not preach with a divine unction, lest your preaching make a saving impression. To avoid this, do not maintain a close walk with God, but rely upon your learning and study.
28. Cultivate a fastidious taste in your people, by avoiding all disagreeable allusions to the last judgment and final retribution. Treat such uncomfortable doctrines as obsolete and out of place in these days of Christian refinement.
29. Lest you should pray too much, engage in light reading and worldly amusements.
30. See that you say nothing that will appear to any of your hearers to mean him or her, unless it be something flattering.

Note: Any preachers who have observed other methods in vogue that will almost assuredly result in the conversion of nobody, share them with me and I may post an addendum to this article in a future “You and God.” Finney pretty much covered the bases in these 30 points, but there are probably some newer, even more “effective” twists to “preaching” today.

(The article quoted above was published in The Ministry magazine, decades ago, and has been waiting in my files to be shared with you now.)

“Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” (II Tim. 4:2)

It was the Sunday before the Friday on which Jesus would be violently crucified. The occasion, as recorded in John’s gospel, chapter 12, is commonly called His “Triumphal Entry,” as Christ rode into Jerusalem on an ass’s colt while many people, with palm branches strewn before His procession, cried, “Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (John 12:12-19) Because of Zech. 9:9 and many other Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah—who would establish His throne and Kingdom in Jerusalem—there was a Messianic expectation amongst the people who had witnessed His miracles and heard His messages. The disciples were “in a fog” about it all, but John assures us that, in time, they too would remember the things written about Him “and that they had done these things unto him.” (v.16)

Sadly, many of those who cried “Hosanna” would, in a few days, join the mob crying “Crucify Him.” A literal kingdom was not going to be established at that time, and the King would indeed be crucified, dashing the hopes of those who expected that Christ would a lead movement that toppled the Roman government.

There was a troubling air abroad in David’s capital city at that very time—troubling indeed to the religious leaders, the Pharisees. So much so that they said, among themselves, “behold, the world is gone after Him.” (v.19) The answer may be obvious, but it deserves our attention: Why did his adversaries bemoan the fact that the whole world had gone after Jesus? I believe for the following reasons:

1.  His message was with authority. After His inaugural “Sermon on the Mount,” (Matt. 5-7) we read that the people were astonished at His doctrine: For “He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Matt. 7:29) When soldiers arrested Jesus, all He had to say was, “I am He,” and they fell to the ground. He spoke as never a man spake. (John 18:6)
2. His message had authenticity. It was bold. “But, lo, He speaketh boldly and they say nothing unto Him.” (John 7:26)
3. His message was believable. “Then said Jesus…will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou has the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:67-69)
4. His message had appeal. It appealed to the spirit: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63) His message also appealed to the sensibilities of his hearers: “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works sake.” (John 14:11)

So, His messages were unlike His audiences had ever heard before. As such, they were undeniable—for they were Truth. And they were buttressed by His miracles, which were demonstrations that were undeniable and done because of:

• Compassion (Luke 17:11): the only son of a widow was raised from his funeral bier.
• Consideration (Mark 6:30-43): Jesus fed thousands miraculously with five loaves of bread and two fishes, rather than sending them away hungry.
• Confrontation: A demoniac in Gadara, Matt.8:28, legions of devils were confronted by one who was greater than they.
• Constraint: A centurion’s servant healed from a distance by a word from Jesus, in response to the constraining appeal of the centurion. (Matt. 8:5)
• Concern: It was concern for Peter’s sick mother-in-law that caused Jesus to touch her hand, resulting in a fever leaving her at once. (Matt. 8:14)
• Comfort: The disciples, in a boat with Jesus during a violent squall, were delivered from dire distress by His words rebuking the winds and the sea. The comforted men marveled, saying: “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!” (Matt. 8:23-27)

Finally, the whole world was perceived by Jesus’ opponents to have gone after Him, I believe, because of His mission:

• Simply stated, His mission was to reveal the Father: “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” (John 14:9)
• And His mission was to do the will of His Father: “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me) to do Thy will, O God.” (John 14:9; Hebs. 10:7)
• Also, His mission was to “destroy the works of the Devil.” (I John 3:8)
• Finally, His mission was to offer Himself as Israel’s long- awaited Messiah/King. When Pilate asked Jesus if He were a king, His answer was, “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end I was born, and for this cause came I into the world that I should bear witness unto the truth.” (John 18:37)

So, yes. The whole world had gone after Him, as the Pharisees had bemoaned. But, not without reasons: His messages, His miracles, and His mission. 

How is it with you, in the light of these imperishable truths? Have you gone after Him? Have you put your faith in Him as your Lord and Savior? If not, claim this verse today:

“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12)

Health update: It is going on four years now since I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of white blood cells gone rogue that attack other cells and wreak havoc with one’s blood and bones. Since then, I have been on a treatment regimen that has held this cancer “at bay,” even close to remission—until about three months ago, when tests began to reveal that the cancer was again making a bid to get the upper hand and that a different treatment would be necessary. Many treatment paths are available for this cancer, and the treatment pathways are changing frequently due to new research. My doctors are consulting on which pathway to put me on, so I ask for your prayers for wisdom for the doctors and for God’s will above all. I am at peace with everything and want only His will, and Ellen is on the same page with me. Thanks for your prayerful concern.

Those are the words used to describe a weekly religious program conducted in the Indianapolis Perry Township (southside) public schools, by which hundreds of elementary school children are taught a basic introduction to what the Bible is all about, focusing on its foundational truths.

Each week, 4^th and 5^th graders who volunteer to give up a recess or lunch period (with parental consent) are transported to a site where trained teachers give them part of an hour’s worth of instruction in Biblical matters. The hope is that each student will grow in faith, in knowledge of God’s Word, and in learning ways of holding to and practicing their faith in our world. (Some classes are conducted at the schools, either before or after school.)

Perry Township has cooperated for the past many decades in allowing the WRE (Weekly Religious Education) classes to function. Students who choose to attend these sessions do not miss any of their core classes. The emphasis is on “common aspects of the Christian faith, such as belief in God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, and learning how to worship God from the Bible.” It is hoped that the students will “learn, serve, grow in their Christian faith.”

The Bible-centered curriculum, produced by Pensacola Christian College, zeroes in on the following themes: God’s creation, God’s fallen world, God’s promises/rescue plan, God’s Messiah/Savior of the world, Jesus’ work on earth, Jesus’ finished work, and Jesus’ work continues through others.

A total of 37 lessons are planned and prepared by a dedicated staff of 15 to 20 teachers. Perry Township Religious Education Association (PTREA) is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers. No fee is charged, and all expenses are covered by contributions from individuals and churches.

In Perry Township, where our church—Thompson Road Baptist Church—is located, a substantial percentage of students are children of parents who have immigrated (for asylum) from Myanmar. Most are of the Chin community. The student population in our schools has been  burgeoning the past couple of decades—calling for expanded school facilities and, in some cases, translators. In fact, the mission field has literally come to America! Right to our very own neighborhoods. How to reach this group—despite culture and language barriers—is challenging for schools and churches in our township.

Most evangelical churches in our neighborhoods have responded by allowing the Chin churches (most are of Baptist origin because of Hudson Taylor’s work as a missionary to Burma) to meet for worship in our facilities, during an agreed-on time when the founding assembly is not meeting. We have found that, for obvious reasons, the Chin people usually prefer to have their own churches rather than assimilating into our English congregations. Thus, PTREA has an opportunity to meet, love, and teach the Bible to many of the children who are Chin by nationality.

Here is the stated purpose of the PTREA: “To help each child become aware of God, grow in an understanding of God, and respond to Him in faith, love and service to others.” They hope to attain this goal by making available to the children of Perry Township the opportunity to “learn to use the Bible intelligently and independently; share discussions, worship, and learning with their peers at their weekly meetings; find ways to apply Christian principles to their everyday lives.”

A TRBC deacon, Bob Boone, is the PTREA director; he is assisted by another longtime TRBC member, Mrs. Shelli Grossman, retired head of special education for Indianapolis Public Schools. These two individuals work tirelessly to recruit and train teachers, prepare lesson plans, and organize class plans for the year. One of our long-time TRBC bus drivers has driven a bus for PTREA for many years, taking students from their school to their class sites and back. All 11 Perry Township elementary schools participate in PTREA, so that about 300 4^th and 5^th graders voluntarily attend these Bible-oriented classes. About 65 % of the Perry Township school population are of Asian, Hispanic or other racial descent (35% are Caucasian), as opposed to about 35% statewide. So, again, our neighborhood schools are literally multi-racial and multi-national. We are living in the midst of a “foreign” mission field that has been transported, transplanted, to the southside of Indianapolis. Thus, PTREA is a critical missionary endeavor—an unusual and unique opportunity. Any locals who are reading this should know that more volunteers are needed. Contact Bob Boone at bboone1025@aol.com if you are interested.

PTREA is, of course, deeply grateful for the cooperation and consideration given to this outreach by the superintendents, past and present, of our township schools. This ministry is “unique” in that most public schools do not encourage or endorse such endeavors in this day. The excellent relationship enjoyed by local churches, pastors and dedicated laymen—who are trying to reach our school children with Biblical truths—is not taken for granted. The relationship has been cultivated over many years, thanks be to God.

“That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them (“the praises of the Lord, and His strength, and His wonderful works that He hath done”) to their children.” (Ps. 78:4-7)