In your opinion, does Ephesians 4:11 speak of a five-fold ministry or a four-fold one?

Your Question:

In your opinion, does Ephesians 4:11 speak of a fivefold ministry or a fourfold one? In other words, does ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους (pastors and teachers) refer to one office or two?

My Answer:

When we read in Ephesians 4:11 is that "he gave…some, pastors and teachers." Here "pastors and teachers" refer back to the single "some," describing two facets of the same work.

Now, the big question is: Who were these apostles and prophets? For we find that the Church was "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." Eph. 2:20 and further, even more disturbingly for we Protestants is that very Church is called "the pillar and foundation of truth" 1 Tim 3:15 Not, the Scriptures, mind you, but the Church.

So, I've got to be honest with you. When every Tom, Dick and Harry is a magisterium of one, I get a little nervous. Perhaps, it would do us all good to do a little research into church history and see what Christians before us taught; and please let's not start at 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses onto a Wittenberg Church door.There's more history before that, than afterwards.

Could we possibly learn something from our Catholic and Orthodox, yes, and Anglican brethren? What about the Apostolic Fathers— Clement of Rome or Ignatius of Antioch or Polycarp of Smyrna? What about the Greek Fathers—Irenaeus of Lyons or Clement of Alexandria or Origen of Alexandria or Athanasius of Alexandria? What about the Cappadocian Fathers—John Chrysostom or Cyril of Alexandria or even John of Damascus? Oh, my, we can’t skip the Latin Fathers, either. There’s that old tongues speaker Tertullian and oh yes, another one called Hilary of Poitiers . . . whew, I am running out of breath. Oh, did I fail to mention St. Augustine, a favorite of both Luther and Calvin?

The point is, we don’t have to scratch out our theology like chickens in a barn yard. Most of it has already been packaged for us and is there for the taking.

Now, as far as the Greek goes believe me I have terrible trouble with a God who expects me to ferret out these truths when we have perhaps over 4,000 manuscripts to choose from, and again every Thomas, Richard, and Harold has his opinion on that, too. Surely, there must be a teaching magisterium besides old Tom, and old Dick, and old Harry. We have better resources that just that of someone with a correspondence school diploma from Podunk Hollow pontificating on every nuance that suits their fancy.

101 Uses For Cow Dung

—Now, consider this

 "Yesterday's just a memory; tomorrow's never what it's supposed to be." 

Bob Dylan

Dear Partners in Missions—

I don't know about you, but some days just don't turnout like I think they should. Life if full of little annoyances, that's for sure! It's not those, however, that throw me for a loop, it's the big bad surprises. Like, sitting in a doctor's office, thumbing through an outdated Time magazine one minute, and in the next sitting across the doctor's desk and him gently breaking the news to you that you are full of cancer. Or picking up that annoying phone with a frame of mind to absolutely give that solicitor off, only to hear that one of your best friends has been killed in a car accident, or a relative has had a serious moral failure.

The truth of the matter is, however, we've all been there, and as Solomon said,

What has been is what will be,

and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun. (Eccl. 1:9 NIV)

So, bank on it, bad things will happen. The real test for us as Christians is what do we do when bad things come our way? You've all heard the old cliché "If you are served lemons, make lemonade." Well, that's good advice, but you and I can just drink so much lemonade. After a while, we get tired of the stuff. What then?

Want the answer? Here it is, find out new ways you can use the lemons. You would be surprised at that number of things lemons are good for, but I'll not bore you with those details. I would rather talk about cow dung.

Cow dung? Yep, cow dung. Now, I'll tell you why. There was nothing I hated more, when I was a kid than to step in a pile of the stuff. I absolutely hated anything remotely connected with cow pens, milking and such—not that I did a whole lot of it, but when on the few occasions that I was asked to help, I went squealing.
So, imagine my surprise, and curiosity when I got to India and found out that cow dung was a precious commodity. Villagers use it to polish their dirt floors with; burn for fuel; fertilize crops with; insect repellent; insulation for their houses; as an antibaterial agent (believe it or not); as a matter of fact one blogger list 101 USES FOR COW DUNG. Yep, 101 uses.

So, what's the point? Simple this, "If life serves you up something as unpleasant as a pile of cow dung, then get busy figuring out what you are going to do with it. Because, there is a little bit of good in every bad thing that happens."

Why do I say this? I say this from experience, and experience has taught me that I can not let the bad things that happen to me define me. How do you think someone gets called an old grump? I'll tell you why, it is because he or she has allowed the bad things in life to define who he or she is. I've got to be honest with you, I never felt compelled to get up before a congregation and brag about the stupid things that I have done in life and top the sweet little testimony off with, "But, I am glad Jesus saved me from all of that!"

No, I don't have any deep dark secrets. Sure, I've lied before; and so have you. But, I am not going to let lying define me, I better than that. And, if I thought hard enough I could probably come up with some more petty—as the Catholics say, venial sins; but I refuse even to let those define me. So what am I saying? I am saying that none of these things define me, but what I do or did with them does.
Making a mistake can either define you, or make you a better man. The choice is yours. The same goes for the bad things that happen to you, too. 

Remember, we're all on this journey  together,

Jim

P. S.  Several of my national friends from North East India would love to attend the Assemblies of God 100 Years Centennial Celebration that is scheduled for AUG 5-6, 2014, in Springfield, Missouri. Please pray for these men and if you wish to help let me know. Thanks!!

Some thoughts on Ephesians 4:11

When we read in Ephesians 4:11 is that "he gave…some, pastors and teachers." Here "pastors and teachers" refer back to the single "some," describing two facets of the same work.

Now, the big question is: Who were these apostles and prophets? For we find that the Church was "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." Eph. 2:20 and further, even more disturbingly for we Protestants is that very Church is called "the pillar and foundation of truth" 1 Tim 3:15 Not, the Scriptures, mind you, but the Church.

So, I've got to be honest with you. When every Tom, Dick and Harry is a magisterium of one, I get a little nervous. Perhaps, it would do us all good to do a little research into church history and see what Christians before us taught; and please let's not start at 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses onto a Wittenberg Church door.There's more history before that, than afterwards.

Could we possibly learn something from our Catholic and Orthodox, yes, and Anglican brethren? What about the Apostolic Fathers— Clement of Rome or Ignatius of Antioch or Polycarp of Smyrna? What about the Greek Fathers—Irenaeus of Lyons or Clement of Alexandria or Origen of Alexandria or Athanasius of Alexandria? What about the Cappadocian Fathers—John Chrysostom or Cyril of Alexandria or even John of Damascus? Oh, my, we can’t skip the Latin Fathers, either. There’s that old tongues speaker Tertullian and oh yes, another one called Hilary of Poitiers . . . whew, I am running out of breath. Oh, did I fail to mention  St. Augustine, a favorite of both Luther and Calvin?

The point is, we don’t have to scratch out our theology like chickens in a barn yard. Most of it has already been packaged for us and is there for the taking.

Now, as far as the Greek goes believe me I have terrible trouble with a God who expects me to ferret out these truths when we have perhaps over 4,000 manuscripts to choose from, and again every Thomas, Richard, and Harold has his opinion on that, too. Surely, there must be a teaching magisterium besides old Tom, and old Dick, and old Harry. We have better resources that just that of someone with a correspondence school diploma from Podunk Hollow pontificating on every nuance that suits their fancy.

Focus: The Key to Success

 

Now, consider this—

When Bill Gates first met Warren Buffett, their host at dinner, Gates’ mother, asked everyone around the table to identify what they believed was the single most important factor in their success through life. Gates and Buffett gave the same one-word answer: “Focus.”


Dear Friends, prayer and financial partners–

Let's admit it, just a whole lot of us–missionaries, pastors, and laity alike have a strong case of what I like to think of as spiritual ADHD. Let me explain.

When I was a boy, raised in South Texas, of course, my mother used to say, "Jimmy, stay focused. Stop running around like a chicken with your head cut off!" (Of course if you have never seen a chicken's head cut off, and for them to get up and run around around headless until they bled out, you will not understand the idiom. But, believe me, it does happen.) In any event, mother's advice was just what a young fellow with ADHD (before we even had the term) needed. Now, mind you, I was smart enough–had test enough to prove that, but focused I was not!

Staying focused has taken years of self-discipline; and every once in a while the old attention deficit disorder takes over. Ample proof of which is in the number of books laying around in my office that are only half read. Oh, I'll read them, after I get over the boredom, that is.

How about you? Any unread books laying around? Not fully reading a book is one thing; however, running around like a chicken with its head cut off is another thing altogether. Let me explain.

Once I was invited to speak to a group of missionaries, and stayed in the home of one of the families. During the course of the week I noticed that the gentleman spent well over 50% per cent of his time chauffering about, picking up groceries, running a family member here and there, standing in long lines to clear customs in order to pick up a package from the post office--in other words, running around like a chicken with its head cut off, and never really accomplishing anything worthwhile as far as  I could see. I said to him, "Friend, no disrespect, but how much would it cost to put someone on a rickshaw to do most of these things?" Less than a quarter, I was told. "And, what would it cost to hire someone to do this?" That came to about $10 dollars a month. Then, I asked, "Why don't you just hire someone to do this?" The reply? "They'll pad the bill and I don't like anyone cheating me."

"Okay, I said, let's take this one step farther. How much could they pad the bill daily?" That came to somewhere in the neighorhood of another quarter. I said, "Friend, you spend more on gas than they steal from you. So, stop it!"

By the way, he's still my friend, but I don't think he ever stopped it!

Well, so much for advice. But, you get the point.

Blessings, and remember— I am with you on this journey,

Jim

P. S.  Several of my national friends from North East India would love to attend the Assemblies of God 100 Years Centennial Celebration that is scheduled for AUG 5-6, 2014, in Springfield, Missouri. Please pray for these men and if you wish to help let me know. Thanks!!

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder hits epidemic proportions among 80% of church goers!

“We talk of the Second Coming; half the world has never heard of the first.” – Oswald J. Smith

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is more frequently diagnosed now than ever before, I believe because medical science has in more recent times come to a better understanding of the behavior. And, the truth of the matter is that some kids are not just being mean or naughty because they want to, but because they have to--yeah, you read me right.

Now, if you have the patience (which is a polite way of saying, if you don't suffer from a severe case of ADHD) perhaps it would be helpful to read a good definition of the disorder. Here it is –

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a problem of not being able to focus, being overactive, not being able control behavior, or a combination of these. For these problems to be diagnosed as ADHD, they must be out of the normal range for a person's age and development.

Boring, isn’t it? Yet, I dare say that more poor innocent souls (particularly that of children) have been harmed by those in authority not understanding the problem. Parents get frustrated. Even some pastors scold unruly kids from the pulpit—but since that is not the politically correct thing to do these days, you see less of that; although, most will admit that usually the first thought that enters their mind if they are entirely honest  is, ‘We have a moral problem here. Someone needs to sit that kid down and give them a good scolding.’ There was a time, when there was a problem years ago, that in severe cases so-called demons were cast out once nothing else seemed to work. According to a most recent documentary that I watched on one of the news channels, exorcism is still practiced on kids in countries that I prefer not to name as it is simply not fair to do so. Reminds me of the Salem witch trials in colonial Massachusetts colonial back in the late 1700's. Wrong then, and wrong now—that’s for sure.

Why is it that we religious often—perhaps, most often—have a tendency to demonize any and every thing that appears to be just a little bit off center from our worldview? Well, in my opinion, it is because we don’t really want the responsibility or take the time to understand the real cause. Then if we do—here I go again—ADHD sets in. Yep, that’s right, but this time it us.

Ask the average professing Christian (now, I’m talking about that statistical 80% of church goers who just sit on the sidelines as spectators and do nothing, or very little at the most) and you will get a blank stare and then have to listen to a fumbled excuse as to why they cannot at this moment get involved … perhaps, later, but not right now.

Am I right on target? Sure, you know I’m right.

Years ago, I preached a sermon which I entitled, ‘Commission Immunity.’ The thought was that just like in medicine we find that immunity sets in when Christians are over exposed to the challenge of missions. Mention missions, or a new building program, or launching a new evangelistic effort to reach the lost, support a feeding program or minister to derelicts wandering aimlessly on our city streets, and you get that stare—that 80% stare which ends up with a lame excuse that says, “I want to. I know I ought to. But I am really too busy, right now. Perhaps, later.”

Attention deficit disorder, pure and simple. What is really being said is, “I really can’t multitask because I can stay interested or committed long enough to do so. Got too much on my platter.” So, what do they do? Well, at best they throw a few extra bucks in the offering plate, hoping that that will atone for their negligence. But don’t get your hopes up, it’s only pocket change. Thank God for pocket change, however. It will put a gallon or two worth of gas in some missionaries or church vans fuel tank. Every little bit helps. But that is not the point. The point is that we cannot buy our way out of our God ordained obligations.

Now, please understand that I am not attaching hardworking skilled laborers, moonlighting just to make ends meet. No, not at all. And, I don’t have that focused entrepreneur in mind, either. This is not a generic blanket thrown out there condemning each and every one that on surface appears to fit snuggly into that proverbial 80% that I mentioned. Again, no not at all! I am not talking about or asking anyone to fit into my mold of what I think is the proper level of involvement that you or they should be involved in. As a matter of fact, there are many hard working Christians anonymously involved in any number of worthy causes. And, I must say that as a father I am tremendously proud of our children who—if the real truth were known—have never sought the limelight but have contributed significantly in both time and money for some very worthy causes; yet for the most part have do so under the radar of public recognition. That goes for some wealthy businessmen that I happen to know who down through the years have worked and given to charitable causes anonymously down through the years. I commend them for that. This also goes for those dear souls with limited income who give what they can, and pray as they ought.

What I am saying however—really as more of a caution, than a rebuke—is take care, stay focused, or as the old Texas saying goes, “Keep your hand on the plow. Your eyes on the row ahead. And keep plowing.” Eventually, if you do, you will get the job done, and missions and the church will be the better for it; and for certain, so will the rest of the world, including you.

I am yours for the journey,

Will someone please give me a break!

Consider this –

“I have never been lost, but I will admit to being confused for several weeks.”—Daniel Boone, American Frontiersman

Often when listening to the lame excuses some of our political leaders give us, particularly on such crucial issues as the recent incursion into Iraq by the al-Qaida linked Islamic terrorist group is mind boggling. I sit in total amazement as our Secretary of State with a straight face mouths off the words,

"[While, I am] not taking anything I hear to the bank … there is a capacity to have a new government that could be a unity government that could reflect a greater capacity for success."

Good luck! Mr. Kerry. The last time I remember anything that could match this is when way back in 452 AD Pope Saint Leo the Great negotiate terms with Attila the Hun; and believe me Attila had nothing on these guys.

Well, in any event, we have to give the Secretary of State credit for trying to beef up the image of a failed policy; but unfortunately if history has taught us anything, it’s a lost cause. Shiites and Sunnis—along with a few Kurds thrown in for good measure, have fought for centuries, and I suppose still will until the end of time. One would think that after a while these factions would self-destruct, but they haven’t. Ever wonder why? I have, but I don’t have the answer except to say in the words of Scripture—

“And you know what restrains him [speaking of the old Devil, of course] now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming …” (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8)

Oh, some say, that just religious metaphor. Really, then you haven’t a clue who that man of sin is. There’s just a whole lot that I don’t agree with Hal Lindsey on, but he got one thing right—Satan is alive and well on planet earth.” So, as much as I would like to think differently, I cannot help but see dark clouds on the horizon. Therefore, once again, in the words of Scripture—

 . . . encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb. 10:25b)

Now, I am yours for that journey,

What do the words, "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" really mean?

 Recognize these words?  –

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. 

Sure you do. They are from The Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776). And, I have been told—and believe it to be so—that these words, form the most well-known sentence of the American language. We all know them. These words are fighting words, too. Blood has be shed on battlefields around the world protecting what these words mean to us as Americans. Our country is also flooded daily with people risking their lives to cross our borders in pursuit of the dream of a better place, a better home—a place where these words can be realized. Few of us, however, stop long enough to really understand what these words mean. In this case, when the object of liberty is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, we should point out is not the pursuit of pleasure. 

Why is that, some may ask?

Well, the answer is a simple one. Pleasure is only a means, in fact pleasure is only a pursuit of happiness. And really, you can't pursue a pursuit. The pursuit of pleasure ends up being a pursuit of unhappiness. Need proof, read the book of James. Or, perhaps, better yet, turn on your television, go to the celebrity news channel—what do you see? Happiness? No. you see the pursuit of pleasure. Not happiness.

Isn’t it amazing that in our egalitarian world--democracy, if you please—we seek happiness through pleasure . . . the pleasures of a bigger house, of riding in a big yacht, or visiting the sites of France or Micronesia or some exotic place—wherever, it seems for some is better than home. 

Friend, when we make pleasure an end in and of itself, we find not happiness, but unhappiness. A bigger home, or a bigger car, or designer clothes, and trips abroad may bring pleasure but in the end they will never bring happiness.

Oh, you’re preaching to the choir. Oh, no, not really. Our pews are filled with people that don’t know the difference. Feed them a gospel of prosperity, and some of them might even get rich, but please don’t tell them that this is happiness, because in the end they will learn differently, and be the worst for it.

Wise old Solomon said years ago –

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. (Proverbs 17:1 NIV)

And, you know what? He’s right.

So, mom and dad, children and grandchildren—all the family, July 4th is just around the corner, so why not take a little time out before then to reflect on these words—

“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”

And, ask yourself, what do they really mean, and am I really in pursuit of Happiness? If you are, we all know where you can find it. That place is at the foot of the Cross.

Now, I am yours for the journey,

Full of cliches or the Holy Spirit, which is it?

Personally, I am convinced that I could become a pretty good writer, if I didn’t let ego get in my way—maybe perhaps, even a pretty good preacher. Who know? The truth of the matter, however, is that I am not alone in this fault. My suspicions are that many of us are in the same boat.

Now, let me explain:

Far too often I am willing to sacrifice the real meat of truth on the altar of my ego by simply choosing a cute phrase to express a profound truth when something more prosaic is required. My prayer is that God will deliver me from cheap trivialities and convenient clichés. Preaching and writing is not hack journalism, reporting on the work of the Kingdom, but rather living it.

James writes, concerning prayer—but I think it also goes for preaching and writing:

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much"(James 5: 16)

Not any man's prayer; not the prayer of a profane sinner, for God hears not sinners; nor hypocrites and formal professors: but the righteous man, who is justified by the righteousness of Christ, and has the truth of grace in him, and lives soberly and righteously.

"Effectual, fervent prayer"— not just any prayer but effectual, fervent prayer. That goes for preaching and writing as well.  Any hack can talk about the truth of the Gospel, but it takes a righteous man to convey its message.

May we be ‘doers of the word, and not hearers only.’ May we not sell out our ministry to sensationalism or quick fixes—crowd drawing techniques.
Let us instead, like Paul,

Go in God’s strength not our own. Let us proclaim God’s purposes, not with brilliance of speech or intellect. Let it be our secret determination to concentrate entirely on Jesus Christ and the fact of his death upon the cross. Let us, like Paul preach as necessary in nervousness and even when sick and shaky. Let us preached not with the attractiveness of the clever mind, but rather demonstrate the power of the Spirit! For truly, it is plain that God’s purpose is not that any person’s faith should rest upon man’s cleverness but upon the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:4-8 Adapted & paraphrased)

What more can I say or desire?

I am yours for the journey,