EFCA Statement of Faith, Article 9: What I Believe

Here is what I believe concerning Christ’s Return. Please regard this post here for further details.

“We believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivate the believer to godly living, sacrificial service, and energetic mission.” –Article 9, EFCA Statement of Faith 

            Jesus’ final recorded words promise us His return (Rev. 22:20). The gospel promises not only that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus has occurred in the past (1 Cor. 15:20-22; John 21:24), that its effects take place in our lives in the present (Philip. 1:6; 2:13; Col. 2:6-7), but also that there is a future element to our salvation (1 Thess. 4:17; 2 Tim. 1:12; Acts 1:11; Matt. 25:31-46). As followers of Christ we are to expect this “final fulfillment of salvation,” which will defeat the presence of sin, death, and suffering (Rev. 21:4-5). This is our blessed hope (Titus 2:13)!

The return of Christ will be personal. In other words, Jesus Himself will return to earth. On multiple occasions Jesus declared that He would return (Matt 24:44; 25:31; Mark 13:5-6; 24-27; 14:62; Luke 21:36; Rev. 22:20). Moreover, Christ will not have a mere “spiritual” return, but a bodily one. Jesus’ bodily return shows us that all things, not just the spiritual, will be renewed (Philip. 3:20-21; Col. 3:4; Rev. 21:5). The personal and bodily return of Christ points to His humanity and deity (John 20:28; Gal. 4:4). Jesus will also have a premillennial return. Specifically, Christ will return before the period of time when Satan is bound and no longer deceives the nations (Rev. 20:1-10). Jesus also warned us to expect great “tribulation” near the end of the age (Matt. 24:3-31). These events will lead up to His returning (Matt. 24:29-30). However, Christians can rest in God’s sustaining grace through these future events (Deut. 1:30-31; Rom. 8:35; 2 Cor. 12:9; Philip 4:13; Rev. 3:10).

The glorious coming of Christ cannot be predicted and is known only to God (Matt: 24:36). Jesus told his disciples to remain watchful (Matt. 24:42). Elsewhere, we know that the return of Christ is impossible to predict (1 Thess. 5:2-6). Peter also warns us that the second coming of Christ will come like a “thief” (2 Pet. 3:10). Thus, Jesus’ coming will be unforeseen and unpredicted by anyone.

In light of these truths, we are to have a godly response through our lifestyles (2 Pet. 3:11-12). Because the exact time of the coming of Jesus is unknown to us, we are to be focused on obedient faith (Rom. 6:16; Jam. 2:14; 1 Pet. 1:13). We are to watch in constant, diligent expectancy for the coming of Christ, and not become stagnant (Matt. 25:13; Eph. 5:15-16; Philip 4:5; 1 Thess. 5:6; 2 Tim. 4:8; Titus 2:13). Furthermore, we are to steward our time on earth faithfully (Matt. 25:24-30). The return of Jesus is to motivate us to godly living, sacrificial service, and energetic mission (Matt. 25:14-30; 28:19-20; Mark 12:1-11; 1 Thess. 5:9-11; Titus 2:11-15; 2 Pet. 3:14-15; Jude 21; Rev. 2:5; 10; 3:2). We do not know when Jesus will return, only that He will. Therefore, believers are to live as Christ did while on earth. Christians should be laboring in the plentiful harvest knowing that God desires none to perish, but all to reach repentance (Ez. 18:30-32; 2 Pet. 3:9; Luke 10:2). In summary, Jesus’ return is not only our great hope as believers, but also serves as great motivation for loving and serving Him faithfully.

Let The Process Begin…

Starting last month, I began the process of credentialing with the Evangelical Free Church of America, North Central District.

In short, after three years year of round table discussions, a biographical/doctrinal paper on the EFCA’s statement of faith, lots of reading, a licensing interview, an ordination interview, and some paperwork, I will have be ordained with EFCA. Why do this?

Well, for a few reasons. First, as a full-time minister I still need to be sharpened. Just because I read the bible daily doesn’t mean I always understand it perfectly. Pursuing credentialing will sharpen me biblically and theologically. Second, this is a great way to affirm my call to ministry, and moreover a great way to have a church body affirm my call to ministry. Finally, there’s something about me that loves to learn, and what better way to learn than this?

Please pray for me through this three-year (yes, three-year) process. And more than me, pray for my wife who will undoubtedly need grace upon grace to help me through this.

As I stated above, part of the credentialing process is writing a biographical doctrinal paper lining up with the EFCA’s statement of faith. I thought it could be a great discussion starter if I posted my paper’s here on this blog. There are 10 articles in the statement of faith, plus one article on current issues. So for the next 11 months you should see the current article and my beliefs concerning it.

Again, pray for me, my wife, our future baby, and our church.

Jesus Makes An Example Through His Grace.

This morning I meditated and studied 1 Timothy 1:12-17 and was admonished for my previous thinking on a certain matter.

My Senior Pastor and I have been having an ongoing discussion about God and His judgment toward sinners. Specifically, we have been discussing how often we desire for God to give us mercy so quickly, but then ask for swift judgment on those who sin against us.

Paul in his first letter to Timothy I feel addresses this issue when he says:

[15] The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. [16] But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
(1 Timothy 1:15-16 ESV)

In the previous context Paul explains his radical insolence toward Christ and Christianity in general (cf. Acts 7:54-60). From there Paul explains how because of his former ignorance, Christ extended mercy to him.

Now, when I think of someone being adamantly opposed to God (say, Bill Maher) I often get this feeling in my stomach that God should send swift (and rightful) judgment. But according to this passage in 1 Timothy, it seems as if God delights in making an example of sinners not by His wrath, but through His grace.

If history were rewritten, and the Apostle Paul was never converted to Christianity but rather struck dead (which, God did too from time to time; Leviticus 10:1-2, Acts12:21-23) we would all look back and think: “Yeah, saw that one coming.”

But for God to take someone like Paul who personally oversaw the murders of countless followers of Christ and make an example of him through the extension of grace beckons the response: “I didn’t see that one coming.”

So when I think about guys like Bill Maher, and specifically how I often desire that God would bring judgment on them, it seems more fitting according to 1 Timothy 1:12-17 to pray that God would make an example of them through His mercy, not His wrath. I mean, I know I would rather God make an example of me through grace, not judgment. Wouldn’t you?

Disappearing Daughters: The Great Double Standard.

Last Friday night, my wife Kelsey and I watched ABC’s report on mass, yet unheard of, genocide taking place in India. You can read the full report here.

Or you can watch it here:

I highly recommend that you either read or watch the story before continuing to read this post, but in case that you don’t here is a brief synopsis:

Essentially, each year millions of baby girls in India are either aborted or thrown in the trash because of the simple fact that they’re girls. In India, the family of a woman to be married is expected to pay a dowry to the groom’s family (although there are laws against this). Because a large amount of the population cannot afford this large financial “burden,” they seek to “dispose” of their daughter to release them of paying the dowry. Therefore, India is experiencing a rising gap between their male and female population. Indian couples often abort, kill, or throw away their baby girl in order to “try again” in hopes of having a boy. For this reason, ultrasounds in order to determine the sex of the unborn child is “illegal” in India, and so are abortions based on the child’s sex. However, as the report tells, many doctors and clinics around India ignore these laws altogether because of the large amount money involved in the “medical procedures” (up to $30,000 in some cases).

As we were watching this story, our hearts broke and mourned over the casual neglect and disregard of life taking place in India. Moreover, the reporter covering the story definitely did so in a biased fashion by painting the horrific picture of this crime (and rightly so).

But as we continued to watch, our minds seemed to lead to the same place at the same time: Why is this story only being covered in India? And, is it really that eye opening?  What I mean is this: everybody watching this story would agree that this is wrong. In other words, something has gone terribly awry in India’s culture and nobody would deny that. But what is the difference in the United States?

If an Indian couple chooses to abort a child simply because it is a girl, it is a crime and seen as a social evil.

If an American couple chooses to abort a child because it is an inconvenience to them, it is seen as their choice and a constitutional right.  (Oh, and don’t leave your “What if a woman is raped?” or “What if the child is going to be disabled?” comment–I won’t read them and your wasting your time and brains in the land of “what if.” Take your logical fallacies elsewhere.)

This is the great double standard. I do pray that India would seek repentance of this sin, but I also pray that this great evil would somehow in the Sovereign Grace of God be used to awaken the United States in her sinful, ignorant slumber concerning this issue.

End abortion. End the genocide.

Get Off Of Your Phone.

Our culture has an obsession with media. As a Youth Director I see it first hand. At any given time around 20 teenagers you can guarantee that at least two of them are texting, updating a facebook status, or looking at some sort of screen. Now before you quit reading this post thinking it to be just another anti-media rant, just hear me out.

I love media. I love being able to be in contact with people quickly. I love being able to hear of a story and then getting all of the details a couple clicks later. However, media and connectedness should never trump life in front of our eyes.

Last night, Kelsey and I went bowling. (Don’t ask me what the score was, I am too embarrassed!) As we continued to bowl a young family came to the lane next to us. There was a mom and dad, both in their younger 30′s, with two girls between the ages of 7-10.

As Kelsey and I continued to bowl we started to take notice of the said family. The two little girls screamed and giggled as they knocked over pins and got gutter balls, but at the same time the parents of the girls neglected to be as excited.

I glanced over to find mom and dad buried in their smartphones checking who-knows-what. The only time mom got off of her phone was to bowl herself–dad didn’t bowl at all.

The worst part of it all was when the older girl gently and slowly rolled the ball down the lane and actually got a strike, she screamed and ran back to her parents, and you guessed it: they didn’t even see it.

Now, it is really easy for me to be judgmental in a situation like this and to jump to hasty conclusions. But I have to question those parents: Was what ever you were checking on your phone worth it? Was it worth more than witnessing your daughter get a strike probably for the first time?

I have little doubt that the same couple probably lays in bed next to one another doing the same thing–and they probably wonder: I wonder why we are never intimate anymore? Or, Our marriage feels so distant…

And I will bet that 10 years from now, one of those daughters (if not both) will refuse to communicate with her parents, to which they will think: We did everything right? Didn’t we? 

Again, it is really easy to judge. But what I am trying to say is this: You can’t multi-task when it comes to media. Period.

I don’t care if you’re a woman and you think you can, the reality is: If you’re trying to have a conversation with me and with 10,000 others on your phone at the same time, I am no going to feel as important as your phone.

So, if you have a smartphone, do those closest (and I don’t mean facebook or twitter followers) around you a favor: turn it off. Before you know it, your friend/daughter/son/husband/wife/(Insert close relationship here_____) will be off to college/wanting a divorce/estranged/moving away/dead/(insert dramatic change here____).

Like I said, media is great, but face-to-face relationship is far greater.