The Days AFTER Revival
Revival Services are a new thing for me as a still relatively young pastor. I have never led a church through revival services. I have been on staff at revivals. I have also preached revival services a couple times. But I have never been in the helm, I have never helped make the decisions that would shape the services nor have I ever been amid the work that makes a revival successful.
Tunnel Hill’s revival services were a lot of work, but I think the Lord was with us through all of it. My hope is that in the weeks, months, and years to come we will see the fruit of these services at our church.
But today I wanted to ask the question, what do we do now? Now that the revival is over? As I drove into work today, I was wondering what the next few days would bring and I was left with these insights.
1. Be Alert!
It is my hope and prayer that you attended our services and that you were blessed by all that happened there. However, I must warn you: We have an enemy that is going to try to rob you of any progress that you may have experienced as a result of revival.
1 Peter 5:8 reminds us of this enemy by calling him a “roaring lion looking for anyone that he can devour.” Please understand this, Satan, the Enemy, does not want you to have a closer walk with the Lord. And he will throw his whole bag of tricks to see to it that any growth or decisions that you may have made are undone.
This means he will use your fatigue, your friends, even your family to direct your attention away what God wants to do in your life.
But 1 Peter 5:8 tells us something else, it says, “Be sober-minded, be alert…” We must recognize the schemes of the devil and cry to God to give us the wisdom we need to not fall into his snares.
I had a friend recently tell me that he always viewed revival services as something a church did when their pastor needed a break. I certainly know where he was coming from. You bring in a guest speaker, the pastor gets to sit and listen during the message time, surely his life is easier during this week!
However, that was not my experience at all! Instead, revival services can be an exhausting endeavor for the pastor, his family, and the rest of the church staff. There are hours and hours of planning, praying, and working that goes into these services. On top that, there is worry and stress about people coming, volunteers showing up, and everyone staying healthy through the week.
I can say with confidence that your church staff, their families, and volunteers are exhausted by the time the last prayer is given.
Now is the best time to bathe them in prayer! Pray that they may be refreshed. Pray that their fire will not go out. Pray that they might be encouraged as they step back into their weekly roles. They need it!
3. Live like you have been revived!
The number one reason that a church has revival services is to see people’s lives changed. We want to see the lost get found. We want to see people repent from their sin and walk with the Lord. We want to see people surrender to God’s calling on their life.
It is our hope and prayer that the Holy Spirit has done something in you through these services to bring about a life change. Now it is time to live out that change!
My challenge to you today is this: Strengthen that which has been revived!!! How did God speak to you through these services? What are you going to do about? Set a goal, make some progress points, and then create a plan on how you are going to get where God is leading you.
Revival can be a flash in the pan or it can be a stone dropped in a lake. The first is here and then gone with no lasting effects. The latter, however, ripples until everything is feeling the effects of stone.
May God use you and these revival services to start something amazing in our world!
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What’s the Good Word?
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Call for Unity
Do we move to online?
Do we have in-person service?
How many services should we keep?
Should we do what the governor recommends?
Do we make changes or keep things the same?
Believe it or not, these are “hot button” issues, and both sides are present in the church while we ask these questions and try to answer them.
This creates a ground for division within the church, and we have to be ready for it. In light of that, I want to give you a few statements to keep in mind so that we can remain a unified church.
1. All of us are feeling this.
It was March 14, 2020 when our church decided to suspend in-person services in order to stop the spread. Eight months later and we have not seen much change in regard to the virus. Restaurants have opened and closed again, workplaces have moved virtual or instituted CDC guidelines, schools have yet to go back to normal, and retired people have seen many of their social circles closed. Every person who has lived through this pandemic has been affected in some way by the virus.
We are all tired. We are all upset. We are all scared.
Please do not enter into conversations with others concerning the virus with the idea that you are the only one struggling. Just because some do not seem to be affected in the same way that you have been does not mean that they are not struggling.
Instead, please show grace & compassion with everyone. Remember that everyone has struggled this year and be more concerned with their struggles than your own!
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;” (Phil 2:3)
2. Everyone’s need are different
This is made even more interesting when we think that all of these people may stand shoulder to shoulder in our sanctuary to worship God as one congregation. In fact, it is a good thing! God has made all of us different for the purpose of being a full representation of Christ’s body on earth. We are different, but we are called to use those differences as we work together for a common goal which is the Great Commission.
In light of this, let us think with a “both/and” mindset instead of an “either/or” mindset. Let us seek to understand each other, our needs, and our perspectives. Then, we can find solutions that meet our needs & further the Kingdom of God.
“For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.” (1 Cor 12:12)
3. Your pastor/church leaders are stuck in the middle
Every church is trying to find the balance between wisdom (keeping people safe from the virus) and faith (trusting God to protect His people). There are people on both sides declaring their position, threatening if they are not heard, and leaving because they do not get their way. This puts a tremendous toll on leadership who never thought they would see times like this and just want to see people love Jesus like they do.
So please pray for your leadership. Seek out ways to help them and encourage them as they work harder than they ever have before.
They need you now more than ever!
“But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.” (1 Thess 5:12-13)
These are certainly tough times and the church is being tested through it all. One day this will all be past us, whether here or in eternity. When that day comes, let us be found even more united that before; loving God and each other with all our hearts.
I hope these statements will help all of us do just that!
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Dear Young Woman
Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”
This is everything. Please understand that your purpose is not to have a perfect career, a perfect family, a perfect life. Your purpose is to worship God, and encourage others to do the same. Make God a true priority (not just on Sundays) and jobs, careers, and families will come at the right time. Which leads me to my next thought…
2. Be Patient
Don’t rush to grow up, meet “the one,” get married, have kids. Take time to be you. Wait on God’s timing, and God’s man for you. Better to wait longer and make the right choice than run into something that isn’t right. Remember, God wants what’s best for you. Period.
In the New Testament we read, “…Encourage the young women… to be sensible…” (Titus 2:4-5)
Let your good sense guide you, not your emotions. Letting your heart be your guide isn’t Biblical. The heart is deceitful. It is time for godly women to use their brains. As you interact with others, whether they be friends, boyfriends, or anyone else, let your emotions be a thermometer, not a thermostat. Let your emotions tell you what you’re feeling, but don’t let them define your actions and reactions. Stop. Think. Be kind, seek to understand before passing judgement, and don’t attribute to malice what can be explained by ignorance. Don’t assume someone is attacking you, but be gracious and forgiving.
4. Be willing to work hard
“Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people.” (Col 3:23)
Whether it is schoolwork, a part time job, or your first “real job,” give what you are doing the same effort you’d give if God was watching. Because He is.
As we read about the wise women in Proverbs 31, we find, “ She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.” This includes church… you are a valuable worker in your church, you have the freedom and autonomy to serve and serve well. Use it! You will grow more serving than sitting in a pew, and the blessings will multiply.
5. Stay Pure
The author of Hebrews says, “Let marriage be held in honor among all.” (13:4)
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Dear Young Man…
Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
I have no doubt that throughout your days as a youth that you were told about God’s love and our need to respond with love towards HIm. This certainly is true, but it may not fully prepare you to walk with God in hard times. God is love (1 John 4:8), but He is also just. (Deut 32:4)
This means that we are supposed to love God, but we are also supposed to fear Him. To fear God means to understand that He is powerful and should be respected as such. There are many things in life that may not strike terror in our hearts, but we know are dangerous. Therefore, we handle them with care and seek to understand them so we do not bring harm upon ourselves. Items like fire, guns, sharp items, and hazardous materials are all reminders of what it means to fear the Lord. We must acknowledge that God is our powerful, just Creator and approach Him with reverence and fear.
2. Be Teachable
Proverbs also says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov 1:7)
This proverb serves as a couplet, which means they go together as opposites. While the wise and intelligent fear God, the person who does not fear God (fool) will not take any form of instruction. It is a reminder that we should always be willing to learn and be corrected.
There is no question that you are smarter and wiser than you were just a few short years ago, but you also have a long way to go. Being teachable means admitting that you don’t know everything, and be willing to let someone else show you what they do know. It requires a lot of patience and humility. It is also the best way to learn to be a better employee, student, follower of Jesus, and man.
3. Be Diligent
Going right along with the previous proverb, we read, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.” (21:5)
It is good to be teachable and with that work hard. Going back all the way to Creation we read that God placed man in the Garden of Eden and told him, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it…” (Gen 1:28)
God intended man to work the land even before the Fall. We were created to do something with the world that God had given us! Even now, you are learning and growing in some sort of trade. You may be in school, working, or serving as an apprentice, but in every situation God is calling you to work hard and do your best.
However, diligence is not just found in your profession. Be diligent in your pursuit of God & His will. Be diligent in fulfilling the Great Commission. Be diligent to love your neighbor.
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15)
“He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.” (Prov 17:27)
Social media has been a tremendous blessing to young generations, but also a dangerous place. Young people can connect with friends all over the world and keep relationships going even when distance is a problem. However we have also seen how a comment made in anger or an immature joke made years ago can ruin a person’s career or relationship.
We must be very careful with our words because words matter. It is often much better to leave something unsaid, than to say it and have it twisted against you. This is not to say that we should not share our opinions, but we should reflect on our words and ask if they bring peace or conflict or if there is some way they could be misunderstood.
Choose your words carefully, and do not allow them to be a stumbling block for anyone as they seek the Lord.
5. Stay Pure
Finally, Solomon says, “It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself If his conduct is pure and right.” (Prov 20:11)
More than ever our culture pushes the idea that relationships should be casual, uncommitted, and sexual. We create apps that encourage “hooking up” and we chastise anyone who takes relationships seriously. The result of this has been a huge number of young people who battle depression, rejection, and feelings of worthlessness.
Even in “Christian” circles, there are far too many young people who want all the benefits of marriage without the commitment of marriage. This lack of commitment cheapens everything and encourages the disposable society that has caused so much pain.
But God has called us to take our relationships and our own purity seriously. As you date, remember that you are looking for a lifelong help-mate. Seek the one with whom you can build a life, and when you find her, make a commitment before God to live that life together.
“Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth.” (Prov 5:18)
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Hiding in the Kitchen
Recently, I watched a reality television show where a successful restaurant owner went into businesses that were struggling in order to help them get back on their feet and become profitable.
In every episode, the host would place cameras around the building in order to see how the business functioned. He would watch the leadership, keep track of customer service, and make sure the food that was served was safe. The host would also arrange for the business to get busy to see how they handled stressful situations.
As I watched multiple episodes, I began to notice a theme. Often these struggling businesses would have an owner/operator who would go back to help in the kitchen when things got crazy. The problem was that may not have been where he/she needed to be. When he/she did so, their hosts & waitstaff would start to panic, customer service declined, and people grew unhappy.
The host often made this observation, “He/She is hiding!!!”
What did he mean by that? These people were supposed to be leading their business. They should have been organizing, encouraging, and helping everyone do their very best. Instead, they slipped off to the kitchen where they would be safe and avoid problems, while still looking busy.
This led me to consider my own leadership. How often do I slip away when the going gets tough? How often do I do things that make me look busy, but do not help the mission of the church? How often do I seek safety when I should be meeting challenges head on?
I also thought of the church. How often does the church retreat to the safety of the sanctuary, worship service, or Bible study? Do we avoid problems around us? Are we satisfied with just looking busy instead of fulfilling our mission?
So how do we get out of the Kitchen?
Here are three ways that we as the church can face challenges head on…
Peter wrote to the church these words, “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
(1 Peter 2:12)
This means more than just “virtue signaling”. This is a call to do what is right every time & not just when no one is watching, but also when everyone is watching; even if that means standing alone! Christian are called to be different; trailblazers when it comes to justice & righteousness. We do not do what everyone else does. We do what is right… every time & every day.
Wait, how is this any different than the first point?
They are certainly in the same camp! Not only should our behavior be excellent, but we should strive, as the church, to improve the lives of people around us. We “do good” by loving people; caring when they are hurting, giving them a hand up when they fall, even providing shelter when they are in danger.
Jesus said it this way, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”
(Matt 5:43-45a)
When Jesus calls us to love both our neighbor & our enemy, He is calling us to actively seek the betterment of EVERYONE around us!!
There is no area in which the American church is more timid than the sharing of the good news.
Sure, we like to learn how to share the good news. We like to pray about it. Some may even be okay with sending people to the pastor to hear it, but very few are willing to daily, boldly share the Gospel.
Church, we are hiding in the kitchen instead of facing the situation. There is a lost & dying world all around us. One more Bible study will not make a difference, but the church telling people about Jesus will!!!
Talk about Jesus as you go through your day. Talk about your salvation as you encourage others. Talk about how a Christ-led life has made the difference in you!!!
And pray!!! One last thing to remember is this: Prayer is never hiding in the kitchen, but be sure to put your prayers in action!!!
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Creating a Road
Roadways were very important in biblical times. They allowed for people to travel quickly and safely from one place to another. If a person needed to move from one place to another without a roadway, they knew that their trip would take longer and they would likely meet peril along the way.
However, roadways made things easier and faster. This meant that people were more willing to travel, which expanded their ability to do just about everything.
Have you ever thought that God has been opening up a roadway for the lost to hear the Gospel? As people have gone through this pandemic, they are longing for good news, for hope, for comfort. People are more willing to listen; especially to someone who brings good news!!!
So bring the good news to those who may have just a few months ago been unable to receive it. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” (Romans 10:15)
The idea of a river in the desert would have been a sort of oxymoron. A desert is defined by a place with no water, and God is promising to bring a limitless water supply to a place known for its lack of water.
This means God is making fundamental changes in the world. Do you know people who are in a spiritual desert? They are without God, without hope, without comfort. God has made a way to change them completely!!!
Through the Gospel, God is giving people living water that will renew them and restore them to a right relationship with Him & with his fellow man!!!
“Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14)
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The Introvert, The Extrovert, & The Church
Let me begin this post with a disclaimer: I am not a psychologist. This blog post is based on observation and my own opinions based on those observations. Please do not attempt to self-diagnose based on this blog post alone.
Great. Now let’s define the terms:
Introvert –
An introvert is a person who seeks solitude in order to rest, recharge mentally, and become refreshed. This solitude can include immediate family members, but rarely includes people outside of one’s own family. Restful activities may include sleeping, reading, watching TV at home, housework, home projects, or any other activity that can be done independently.
Extrovert –
An extrovert is a person who seeks community in order to rest, recharge mentally, and become refreshed. They do so by engaging with groups of people whether they be friends or strangers. They will look beyond their immediate family unit for such interaction. Restful activities may include going to a busy restaurant, attending a concert or sporting event, attending festivals, or participating in group projects.
Now, these terms are not the same as…
Shy / Cautious –
Shyness is defined as being reserved or having or showing nervousness or timidity in the company of other people.
Outgoing / Confident –
Outgoing is defined as friendly and socially confident.
Often we associate introversion with being shy and cautious, and we associate extroversion with being outgoing and confident. However, this is not always the case. In fact, you can find people who are a mixture of any of these two pairs. These people all come with different needs and they express those needs in different ways.
As the church, we need to be able to identify and understand each group in order to minister to individuals effectively as well as care for the flock as a whole.
Romans 12:10 says, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor…” As we do this, let us learn how to love well by understanding ourselves and the people God has called us to love.
So what do these combinations look like? Let us start with the obvious:
The Outgoing Extrovert
The outgoing extrovert loves being around people and has no problem getting the conversation going. They enjoy the spotlight and they are quick to put themselves in situations that require lots of social interaction.
In church life, the OE will be quick to volunteer and they have no problem being front and center. They view everything at the church as a party. When visiting a new church, they will be quick to make connections and plug into groups
If you are one: The church needs you!! Don’t hesitate to take the lead, but leave room for others. Please understand that teaching means studying & preparation. You can probably get by with confidence, but only for so long. Bring enthusiasm to all that you do, and be careful to not let your “gift of gab” turn into gossip.
How to love them: The OE loves & craves social groups. Invite them to things, especially gatherings around the Bible. Encourage them to use their gifts to greet and get to know visitors. Don’t be in a hurry with OEs; take the time to have a meaningful conversation even when it might be inconvenient. When communicating with an OE, a text is good, but a call is usually better.
The Shy Introvert
The shy introvert prefers being by themselves. To the SI, starting a conversation is a terrifying thing. They do enjoy tasks that can be done solo. Even extremely complicated & skilled jobs are no match for an SI who is able to concentrate. SIs tend to be very empathetic and deep thinkers.
In church life, they are more than willing to help but being in front of people is scary. SIs typically do not like being in the midst of a large group. Fellowships, concerts, and morning worship are not their favorite time, but they do enjoy small groups and accountability groups if they do not have to initiate the conversation. SIs are often the backbone of the church, unseen but indispensable.
If you are one: The church needs you!! When you look around the church, you may feel like only the outgoing people are important, but that cannot be further from the truth. There are so many roles in the church, some of which are probably being overlooked. If you are not sure how you can serve & you do not want to ask, attend a business meeting and see where you might fit. Your empathy and awareness of other people’s emotions are crucial to unity within the church. Find a person who will speak for you (like Moses did) and help others see the bigger picture.
How to love them: Please understand that for an SI to even come through the door is an act of courage. Always take time to notice them, but do not overwhelm them with lots of people. The SI will not fight to be heard. Even in a one-on-one conversation, the SI will not speak up. If the other person interrupts and dominates the conversation, they will shut down and cease to converse. Seek above all else to be a listening ear and occasionally a voice for their great ideas. Be a consistent presence without being an overwhelming force, reassure them that they belong and help them find that place.
Now, let us take a look at the less obvious pairs:
The Outgoing Introvert
Yes, this is a thing This is often called an “extroverted introvert” or an “ambivert”. The OI looks like an outgoing extrovert, but they eventually burn out. The OI can “turn on” their outgoing personality for social events. They know how to work a crowd, start a conversation, and make friends. However, all of these activities leave them exhausted. They may enjoy it, but it is definitely work for them. OIs will occasionally disappear for rest & relaxation away from people. If an OI is forced to be “on” for too long, they will crash; shutting down for several days or longer in order to recover.
In church life, they are more willing to be up front, but they may be less quick to volunteer. An OI will usually say things like, “If you need me, I’ll help.” Often, they will do just about anything, but long-term commitments are stressful. Like a shy introvert, they prefer small groups and accountability partners, but it may be hard to tell since they navigate a crowd well.
If you are one: The church needs you!! You are a bridge builder. You can start the conversation but then move things on to another person. Don’t feel bad when you need to rest, rest is a good thing! It’s okay to turn down opportunities, but don’t get too comfortable saying no. Seek out a few meaningful relationships in the church and invest in those.
How to love them: You will probably think an OI is an OE until they disappear. Please don’t read their absence as anger or disapproval. They will be back when they are ready. It is important with an OI to keep communication lines open even when they are not responding. Keep them in the loop, assure them that they are not forgotten, and be ready when they reemerge. Like the shy introvert, be a listening ear and seek to know the person even when their outgoing personality is not turned on.
The Shy Extrovert
The shy extrovert is often mistaken for an introvert; even by themselves. The SE craves human interaction, and like the outgoing extrovert, they can struggle if they are isolated for too long. However, the SE prefers not to initiate conversation. This means they enjoy being a part of the group, but not necessarily in the spotlight. They enjoy festivals, concerts, and crowds, but they prefer to be just another face in the crowd. They will speak up in a group situation, and they will assert their position, but they may not seek out the conversation.
In church life, the SE is a faithful attender who likes to see people and be a part of any group. They want to be included in the conversation without being put on the spot. They are happy to serve, especially with friends. They are great on committees because they can speak their mind without being intimidated.
If you are one: The church needs you!! Your presence contributes so much to the warm, friendly atmosphere of the church. The church is a relational place and you help facilitate those relationships. You encourage talks to go deeper and you bring great insight into all that you do. I know there is a temptation to just stay home because it is easier. However, this is not what is best for you. Much like exercise, what may be hard to start will actually make you feel better when it is over. Also, be careful with expectations. There will be times you feel let down because a relationship did not live up to your expectations, show grace in every situation.
How to love them: The SE wants to be included. They may not say it, but they do. Sometimes you have to push them out the door, but do so with a lot of love and understanding. Invite them to everything you can. If they do not come, then follow up with them. Text messages and emails are okay, but they actually do better when it’s face-to-face. Do your best to keep them from isolating. Isolation is not good for them. Be gracious when they slip into it and when they come out of it. They need caring people around them.
My prayer is that we can use a list like this to learn how to love each other; not label each other. In the end, all of us need to be quick to show grace to others regardless of our personality.
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Eph 4:32)
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Go to Church
If you don’t know what to do…
Go to Church.
If you cannot stand all the bad news…
Go to Church.
If you feel like your life is out of control…
Go to Church.
If you are looking for purpose…
Go to Church.
Go to church and let the Word of God wash over you through the music, the reading of Scripture and the teaching time. Let God speak to you directly from his book, the Bible. He will give you direction and purpose. He will remind you that He is in control even if you may feel like you are not. He will give you good news of good things. That is what the gospel is, good news that Jesus came to save us all!!!
If you are confused…
Go to Church.
If you are in suffering…
Go to Church.
If you feel like a failure…
Go to Church.
If you feel like you are all alone…
Go to Church
Go to church and share with others what you are going through. They may not be able to fix it, but they can walk with you through it. As you share, you will soon discover that you are not alone. Others have gone through similar things, and many may still be going through similar things. Lean on one another, encourage one another, pray with one another.
If you are grateful…
Go to Church.
If you just need to celebrate…
Go to Church.
Go to church and praise God for all the good things that He is still doing in your life. Celebrate with others. Celebrate what God is doing in other people’s lives. Give thanks because everything good that we experience comes from God. Make much of the God who loves you! He loves you so much that He gave you eternal life through Christ Jesus.
So, go to church. Not just because it’s the “right thing to do”, but because of what you do while you are there! Go when you are hurting. Go when you need help. Go when you want to thank God for all that He has done.
And go all the times between, because you never know when one Sunday will change your life!
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Defending the Faith
This morning I opened up my computer to read the news that Ravi Zacharias had passed away. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Dr. Zacharia’s work, he was a very well known apologist who spoke at college campuses and throughout the world regarding the Christian faith.
Often, Dr. Zacharias would take questions from the crowd as part of his lectures. My fondest memory of his lectures comes from this time. A young man approached the microphone with a question regarding original sin and the depravity of man. He asked, “Why do Christians believe that people are evil and incapable of doing good? I feel like I am a good person and I think most people are good. Why doesn’t Christianity focus on helping people be better instead of telling them they need saving?”
Ravi Zacharias grinned and slowly approached the microphone. “Let me ask you a question,” he responded, “Do you lock your doors at night?”
A roll of laughter went over the crowd and his point was made. The young man at the microphone said that he believed people were good, but his actions contradicted his words. Dr. Zacharias went on to explain his theological standpoint and how it could be seen in humanity.
Dr. Zacharias’ life is a powerful reminder that the church needs to know what she believes and be able to defend those beliefs. Here are a few things that I have learned from Zacharias’ ministry that I hope you will take away from it as well.
1. Defending your faith means knowing what you believe.
If there is one undeniable truth about Zacharias, it was that he knew his stuff. If we go back 70 years it was easy to go through life as a Christian without being challenged. Today Christians have their beliefs challenged daily. We are challenged by our peers, challenged by our leaders, and challenged by our culture. If we do not have a strong grasp of what we believe and WHY, then we are going to be set up for some major challenges.
Unfortunately, there is no shortcut to knowing your stuff. Yes, the Holy Spirit works in and through us to make the Gospel known (Mark 13:11) However, this is no excuse to be ignorant of our faith. We need to read, even study, our Bible. We need training and discipleship in order to stand firm when we are challenged. Paul said it this way to Timothy, “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.”
Notice that Paul commanded Timothy to trust in the Spirit, but do the work also!
2. Defending your faith means knowing what they believe.
Dr. Zacharias also was very diligent to understand the viewpoint of the opposition. Zacharias was well known for his ability to field any question that the crowd would throw at him. This meant that he had to know the viewpoints of his opposition and speak knowledgeably of them. He sought to not merely create a “straw-man” argument but to honestly engage with their ideas & show why Christianity was superior with a more consistent worldview.
Every Christian should be able to do the same or at least be willing to learn. This means we need to listen to others; their concerns and their beliefs. It also means that we cannot put ourselves in a safe little Christian bubble where our beliefs are never challenged. Many have done so and future generations suffer when we stick our heads in the sand. Instead, engage with opposing viewpoints. Take the time to learn their beliefs, and ask questions to make sure there is understanding. Be willing to postpone the conversation while you go to Scripture and other resources to make a case.
We will discover that many people want to have an honest conversation. Peter said, “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you…” (1 Peter 3:15a)
3. Defending your faith means doing so with love
Peter 3:15 finishes with these words, “yet with gentleness and reverence.” Peter wanted the Church to understand that the goal of “making a defense” was to win the person to Christ; not just win the argument.
Dr. Zacharias understood this as well. His gentle voice and even temper did much to show people the love of Christ. He did not lose his temper. He did not insult his opponents. He did not attack people on a personal level. Instead, he loved people and he wanted to see them leave every conversation closer to Christ than when they began.
As we carry on, we should also seek to love first. Let us graciously engage the culture with love and a strong argument. It should be our goal to win souls; not arguments. If we keep this in the front of our minds, then there is nothing we cannot do for the Kingdom of God.
Thank you, Ravi Zacharias. You have had an impact on my life and many more. I rejoice in knowing that you are rejoicing at the throne of the Father as we speak.
Until that day…
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