David Whiting Live

Some Random Thoughts

Here are some random thoughts I've been considering this morning:

• I'm looking forward to a meeting about our Adult Bible Classes tonight.  We are revamping the program, evaluating what has gone well and what hasn't, and figuring out how to make that an important, vital ministry of our church.  Our ABC classes are on hold until January.
• I'm wondering if we should change the next "Church at the Beach" to the last Sunday in August instead of the first Sunday in September.  The advantage of the August date is that more people will be in town.  The advantage of the September date is that more people may be at the beach enjoying the holiday weekend.
• The FINAL worship services in our current auditorium will be September 13th.  It is almost 50 years of sermons, baptisms, weddings, funerals, special events...  We are looking for pictures and stories.  Were you married in our auditorium?  Send me a picture!!  Were you saved there? Baptized there?  I want to hear your story.  We look forward sharing some memories on that Sunday.
• I'm thinking about the details of having church in the gym for three months...  It has its challenges, but it should be fun.
• Our family is looking forward to visiting with Josh & Nannette Cropsey next month on our way to visit my parents in Iowa! 
• Church directory pictures started yesterday.  I'm looking forward to having that in my hands!
• I am beginning a "series within a series" on Sunday.  We will spend six weeks studying Israel's Famous Prophets - Elijah and Elisha.  Growing up, I LOVED the stories of Elijah and Elisha!
• I have been wondering how much we are willing to sacrifice of our personal preferences for the sake of the Great Commission. It seems to me that we LOVE to talk about the Great Commission; we will pursue it with those we know and love; we enjoy it if it doesn't require too much personal sacrifice.  But I'm wondering if we only practice and love the Great Commission when it requires nothing from us.  What have you sacrificed for the sake lost people - who are far from God?  What have I?
• Finally, the 10:30 service has been very full.  If some that attend 10:30 could attend 8:30 - it will help us a lot!! And if you can avoid back rows and aisle seats... sit close. 
• Oh - one more thing... if you don't sit up front regularly, you really need to try it when the auditorium is packed.  It is amazing hearing so many voices sing so loudly behind you.  I know that being in the back isn't even close to the same experience.  Try it sometime... I don't spit - much.

Totally Uncool Parents

My hometown newspaper had this ad in the classified section of the paper (The Des Moines Register):

"Totally uncool parents who obviously don't love teenage son, selling his car... Call meanest mom on the planet." Jan H. of Fort Dodge, Iowa.

I am so glad that I had "uncool, mean" parents like this (who were willing to discipline me in love).

My Wife Doesn't Believe Me!!

OK - I have a couple of clarifications about last week's video.  Last week I used a video that we made during the week to start my sermon.  It was an illustration using balloons and bullets... a rifle and a shotgun.  If you didn't see it - you can see it at the bottom of today's blog...

But - the point of this is that after the sermon, my wife has asked me several times, "How did you do that?  How did you get the one balloon to pop?"  In other words, she is REFUSING to believe that I SHOT that balloon!  And I'm hurt, I'm offended, and I'm shocked at her disbelief.  So - let me clear the record right here: I shot the balloon (believe me, through the rifle scope, it isn't that hard).  But it WAS me.  Apparently, I don't look like a hunter - because I've been asked the same question over and over this week.  Chris Mason and John McIntyre are my witnesses... 

There was one bonus that came from last week.  I was told that a teenage boy said, "I know this - I won't ask one of his daughters on a date - he knows how to shoot a gun!!"  So - that was a bonus... Here is the video, if you want to see it.  As always - if you receive this by email - click HERE or click on the title of the blog above.

Balloon Sermon Illustration from David Whiting on Vimeo.

Prepping for Sunday - An Amazing Story

 

Sunday we will be studying an amazing story with very relevant application. To best prepare for Sunday, you may want to read 1 Kings 21-22. The two kings we will be studying are Ahab and Jehoshaphat.

And, when you read - remember these two facts:

• About AHAB: 1 Kings 21:25 - There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife.
• About JEHOSHAPHAT: 1 Kings 22:43 - In everything he walked in the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.

Knowing these two facts, ask yourself why Jehoshaphat did what he did in 1 Kings 22. Enjoy reading! I can't wait for Sunday!

Next Thursday's Meal - We NEED some help...

Every Thursday we supply a meal for our construction crew.  Our small groups have been doing a GREAT job of sacrificially supplying a substantial lunch meal that makes the guys look forward to it every week. Any Wednesday that I'm walking through the building - the guys always ask, "What's for lunch?"  And I almost never know... but they keep asking anyway!  So - THANK YOU - to our small groups!!

But here is a need: NEXT THURSDAY (July 16) is the first Thursday that we don't have a small group scheduled to provide a meal.  There was some confusion, but it resulted in a Thursday without a meal.

I am hoping that someone (or a group of people) may want to give some money so we can buy the guys some pizza, salad, wings, and Coke.  With $100 or $120 - we can get all the guys pizza, wings, salad, and pop.

If you are willing to pay for it - or give $10 or $20 to it - let me know.  We don't want to miss a Thursday of supplying the guys with a meal.  It might not be as big of a hit as some of the incredible meals your small groups have supplied, but every guy likes pizza - right?  We've done it once or twice before - and it worked out well.

American Flags and Church - part 3

One final thought about American Flags and Churches.  (You can read the previous posts HERE [part 1] and HERE [part 2].)The biggest reason that I don't want an American flag on the church platform is because of the law.

According to Section 175k of the U.S. Flag Code, "When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience."

There are two problems that Section 175k creates for follower of God when it comes to a church meeting. 

• First, if a stage has an American flag and a Christian flag - the Christian flag - BY LAW - must be in the subservient position.  The American flag must be in the "position of superior prominence."  I am NOT an American first and Christiana second.  I am a follower of Christ - first and foremost.  Having an American flag on the platform is a pet peeve.  Having an American AND a Christian flag on the same platform will require me to violate my conscience (by having the Christian flag subservient to the American flag) or break the law (by not giving the American flag the position of prominence).
• Second, the flag - even if the only flag on a platform - is required by law to hold a position of greatest honor on a platform. God has exalted above all things His Name and His Word (Psalm 138:2). I don't think we should exalt any THING except His Word during a church worship service. At a sporting event, graduation, public ceremony, and any secular program or event - I love that the American flag is honored and given the place of superior prominence, but not a service specifically dedicated to worship God, teach His Word, and introduce people to Him.

OK - that should explain why I don't like American flags on church platforms.  But maybe it's just me.

By the way, I discovered a few years ago that the only time a Christian flag can be displayed "above" an American flag is on a Navy ship during a chapel service.  Other than that time - the Christian flag MUST fly below the American flag.  I would rather the Christian flag NOT fly than have it submit to any country or government.

American Flags and Church - part 2

This is a continuation of yesterday's post on American Flags and Church.  You can read part 1 HERE.

There are several reasons that I am personally opposed to having American Flags on church platforms.  Here (at random) are some thoughts:

• The primary reason I'm opposed to American flags on a church platform is because of the singularity of purpose of a church service.  We have gathered to worship God - not to worship or admire a country.  I think everything we do needs to be purposeful and intentional.  And as good as patriotism is - I'm not sure that needs to be a standing value we have when our priority is the worship of God. I am fine and great with displaying our patriotism and national pride at school events, sporting events, and concerts.  But in a place where the sole purpose is to worship God? I think an American flag given a place of prominence is out of place.
• American flags were first displayed in church by Catholics. About 150 years ago, Catholics were accused of being more loyal to the pope than to our country.  So they began displaying American flags to prove they could be loyal to both the pope and also to our country.  Two world wars and churches who sponsored Boy Scout troops increased the popularity of displaying the flag from platforms.
• I would think that Baptists would have been among the latest of adopters of flag display--as it was Baptists who fought and died for the proper practice of Separation of Church and State.
• I remember visiting with a pastor from Germany, and I asked him what he notices about American church services that seems different to him.  He instantly responded with this statement: "It seems to me that Americans confuse patriotism and worship." I totally agree - especially in some old-fashioned, Bible-thumping, King James only churches. They seem to be over the top with Patriotism. 
• Those churches often sing, "God Bless America" - and I can't get this question out of my mind, "With where our country is morally - CAN God bless America?"
• Another reason I don't like flags on a church platform is that the flag represents a "banner" of our loyalty and our authority.  The true banner that we follow is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• And when the word "freedom" is mentioned in church - I don't think American freedom should be the primary thought that comes to mind.  When people at North hear the word "freedom" - I want them to think about being free from sin's power, free from sin's penalty, free from an eternity in hell. Those are the primary thoughts of freedom I think we should have.  I think American flags can distract us from the greatest of freedoms (spiritual freedom) - to political freedoms.

Just some random thoughts. One last thought - I'll save for tomorrow... this is getting a bit longer than planned.

American Flags and Church - part 1

If you've ever noticed, at North - we have the American flag on the platform only three times a year: the day before Memorial Day, the Sunday closest to July 4th, and the Sunday closest to Veteran's Day.  When I first came to North, the American and Christian flags were on the platform all the time. 

Probably one of the regular "complaints" I receive is why we don't always have the American and Christian flag on the platform. 

Before I give some reasons - let me say this clearly: I am a proud American.  I love my country.  If I had been called upon to serve in a war, I would have done so willingly and with pride.  I am one of those people who take off my hat and stand respectfully whenever and wherever I hear the National Anthem at sporting and other events. I don't even like to talk at my house while someone sings it on TV before a sporting event. I've given my children "the lecture" my father gave me at a Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball game when I was a child: "Thousands have died for our freedom, this is but one way we will show respect and love for those who died...."  I've given the same lecture to my daughters.  I also get very annoyed when people abuse the national anthem when singing it.  I'm sure they are great singers and popular in their particular genre of music, but PLEASE - just sing the national anthem in the traditional way.  Showcase our country - not your voice.  OK - enough on the pet peeves.

I do love my country. There is no where else I'd rather live.  I am so thankful for Veterans who have served, and young men and women who have died - for the country I love.  For all our faults, I would not want to live anywhere else.

But - I don't see a place for patriotism during a service devoted to worshiping God.

More on this tomorrow...

Functional Hyper-Calvinism

I read some great news recently...  According to Outreach Magazine - here are the top five multiplying churches (churches planting churches):
1. Redeemer Presbyterian (New York, NY)
2. Mars Hill Church (Seattle, Washington) - note: NOT Mars Hill in Grand Rapids, MI
3. NorthWood Church (Keller, TX)
4. Perimeter Church (Atlanta, GA)
5. Spanish River Church (Boca Raton, FL)

What makes that "good news" to me is that four of those five churches are Reformed in their soteriology (Calvinistic). Months ago, I blogged about "New Calvinists" (you can read that HERE).

When I first fell in love with the doctrine of God's Sovereignty in college - it slowly began to bother me that Calvinists didn't seem very evangelistic (again, read the article on "New Calvinists" above).

That is what makes the above news fantastic.  I've always believed that those who believe most firmly in God's sovereignty ought to be the greatest and most fervent of evangelists (that certainly is true in history).  And it is good to see it happening in our country - - - finally!!  We are the ones with hope that those who are appointed for eternal life WILL believe!! (Acts 13:48)  All we have to do is run the Gospel test on them... over and over and over.

I know a lot of Calvinists, but I have yet to meet one that would call themselves a "hyper-Calvinist." I've often said, "A hyper-Calvinist is someone who is more Calvinistic than I am."  That is most people's definition. No one would admit to being one themselves. But I remember hearing someone warn about "functional hyper-Calvinism." I like that phrase.

Some thoughts I've heard and that come to my mind now:

• Don't make heroes of pastors who are great preacher and theologians, but whose churches are not evangelistic. They are talking about the gospel without living it out. They are functional hyper-Calvinists.
• What we celebrate we become. And if we celebrate those with strong theology but weak witness, that is exactly what we will become - functional hyper-Calvinists.
• Churches with strong theology but little mission are like a bodybuilder with huge theological arms, but tiny, spindly missional legs. Don't make that exciting. Don't celebrate that.  That is functional hyper-Calvinism.
• With Hyper-Calvinists or functional hyper-Calvinists, the result is the same: God is not honored and given the glory He is due. 
• Churches need to be biblically-faithful, culturally-relevant, counter-culture communities for the Gospel and for the Kingdom.

Four out of five of the quickest multiplying churches (establishing church plants) are Calvinistic!  May that tribe increase!  Zeal WITH knowledge - what a concept! (Romans 12:2)

Dead Kings Still Teach - Getting Ready for Sunday

If you are interested in being ready for Sunday morning - take a few minutes to read the following passages:

• 1 Kings 14:1-20 (about Jeroboam)
• 1 Kings 15:25-34 (about Nadab & Baasha)
• 1 Kings 16:1-34 (about Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri, and Ahab)
• 1 Kings 20:1-43 (about Ahab)

We will be studying six northern kings.  Reading these passages will best prepare you for Sunday.  I can't wait!