Was the Letter to the Ephesians ONLY to the Ephesians?

Paul's letter to the Ephesians may have been much more of a general letter, for wider circulation.  We have a couple reasons to think this.  One is that there is nothing written specifically for that group.  No mention of names except Tychicus, the would-be letter carrier.  No personal greetings at the end of the letter.  No specific problems they needed to deal with like in many other epistles.  

The other reason comes from an interesting textual variant.  Some manuscripts contain the words that we translate "in (or at) Ephesus."  Other manuscripts leave it out.  The Marcion Cannon (a list of all the books he believed were part of the New Testament) called the letter "To the Laodiceans."  

But this sticky problem is not as simple as other textual variants among manuscripts.  In this case, early and late manuscripts include "in Ephesus" and early and late manuscripts just drop it.  Marcion's Cannon is somewhat early, although borderline in the middle of the period in question.  The construction of the sentence is awkward for a greeting if it's just dropped.  What's going on here?

F.F. Bruce, an outstanding biblical scholar, sheds some light on the matter.  He argues that this letter was probably intended to be widely circulated.  The location would be substituted in the spot were it says "in Ephesus."  Bruce cites Zuntz who said this was a rather common practice by government and royal letters during this time period.  (Bruce, 1984, 249-250.)

Think of it like a mail merge form letter that we might use today.  There might be a blank or something like [FirstName] where the substitution is intended to be made.  The only evidence that might counter this thinking is Ephesians 5:21-22 regarding Tychicus coming; but that is very light compare to other Pauline letters. 

So in Paul's original was there just a blank in the place were we read "at Ephesus"?  Not likely.  In the royal letters of this period, we can see that the original would contain a city name or region.  The person copying the letter going to a different city would make the change.  

In the case of Paul'l letter it seems this wasn't widely understood.  Most of his other letters were written to specific places.  People were copying those letters and circulating them widely (and maybe Paul didn't understand the nature of this circulation).  So when Paul wrote a letter intended for wider circulation, people just did what they did with every other letter.  They copied it word-for-word and didn't worry about it.  In the case where someone might have just left it blank, there may have been an effort to realize that the letter was for wider circulation.

What does this mean for us?  

Well, it might be what Christians love about Ephesians.  It was written for a wide circulation so it feels so applicable to every Christian.  Because it doesn't deal with specific issues of one church, it is easier to apply the writing directly to every church.  We don't have to do much to extract the timeless meaning before making application.  We could write, "To the saints who are at This Church or That Church or First Baptist Church of Somewhere, and are faithful in Christ Jesus" and the letter would still make perfect sense (with exception to slaves/bond-servants, but that too will make more sense when we get there).  

As you read this letter, see it as addressed to your local church and you, as a part of your local church. 

From among your own selves?

If you look at Acts 20:30, you will find that men will arise speaking twisted things and draw away the disciples, presumably from the church in Ephesus (based on context).  If that were not concerning enough, these men will come from either the elders with which Paul is speaking or from within the church in Ephesus.  But which is it Paul? 

It is difficult to tell from Luke's account.  

Before peeling back a layer of this less-than-clear sentence, I feel it is worth noting some things about this speech in Acts 20.  It's Paul's only recorded speech to believers and it has some remarkable and expected similarities to Paul's letters.  But at the time Luke wrote Acts, Paul's letters were not collected and would not likely have been available to Luke. Dr. Witherington sees the numerous parallels between this speech and Paul's Epistles as convincing evidence that Luke recorded this speak from Paul.  Likewise, a number of scholars see differences in the writing style of Luke and this speech, which lend to the credibility of the Lukan account and the validity of Luke's witness.  

Now, getting back to Acts 20:30.  

The ESV translates this verse (in part) as, "and from among your own selves will arise men. . ."  The NASB and the KJV do the same.  The NRSV says, "even from your own group will come. . ."  The NIV84 says, "from your own number" and the Holman says "from your number." The NET Bible translates this, "Even from your own group" with a footnote. (But let's be honest, what's NOT footnoted in the NET translation?)  

For those who can read the koine Greek or are curious, here's what it looks like in original language (Textus Receptus, NA27, and UBS4): 
καὶ ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν ἀναστήσονται ἄνδρες λαλοῦντες

The difficult part of the sentence is the word for the plural "you."  It's ὑμῶν (humoon).  It's like saying "all ya' all" in the South.  So Paul's saying from all ya' all, some men will rise up and speak twisted things.  

It was probably a little more clear for those who were present.  Have you ever been present at a sermon and then listened to it again on a recording?  There have been times when I've gestured to my Bible and said something like "This is God's Word."  The hearer of the podcast can't see that I'm pointing to my Bible.  Or maybe I've walked to different part of the room to make a point?  Or maybe there's something in the way I say something that might be lost in the recording, or even more so if it were transcribed.   

But before we get lost in translation, we should ask ourselves what the difference could mean. 

It is especially alarming if Paul is meaning that from the group of elders he is biding farewell, more than one will rise up, speaking twisted things that draw people away from the church in Ephesus.  But is it unreasonable?  Have you ever seen an elder of a church speak twisted things and draw disciples away from the biblical church?  

But if Paul is referring to someone else who will come, it is still troubling.  People within the church at Ephesus will begin speaking false things.  Maybe they will start a private meeting.  Maybe they will speak behind the back of the leadership.  Is this unbelievable?  How many bloggers might fall into this group?  How many church splits started because of these men, from within the local church?  

And at the end of the day, people will be drawn away by false-spoken things.  By the time Jesus wrote the letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7), the church in Ephesus had already tested people who called themselves apostles and found them to be false.  The letter was to those who were not drawn away, so it might be that those calling themselves apostles were the ones speaking twisted things.  Maybe the Nicolaitans too.  

Paul's warning and charge remain the same regardless if he were referring to someone present at his speech or someone who wasn't.  In verse 31-32 he says, "Therefore, be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.  And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified" (Acts 20:31-32, ESV).  

This problem still exists to this day.  Men (and women) rise up and speak twisted things that draw people away from the Church.  The way to protect the flock comes from remaining alert, hold tightly to the gospel and admonishing one another to the point of tears, and being built up by the Word of God. 

Travis Kerns on the Send Network and Church Planting

The 19th and 20th Centuries in American Christianity are marked by the great mission movement.  Christians look to many giants of this era, like Hudson Taylor, William Carey, Amy Carmichael, Eric Liddell, Jim Elliot, and many others.  But apart from Native American reservations, nobody would have imagined the movement being needed in America.  The 21st Century is another story.

Today, Dr. Payne reports that there are actually unreached people groups in the U.S. Salt Lake City is one of those places, so I am a part of a movement to reach Salt Lake for the gospel.  One of our partners is the the Send Network of the North American Mission Board.  

Brett Ricley and I had the opportunity sit with Dr. Travis Kerns, the NAMB Send Network coordinator in Salt Lake.  We asked him a number of questions about his job with NAMB, church planting in Utah, and what people thinking about coming to Salt Lake as a church-planting missionary might need to be thinking about.  

And here's a kicker, I was able to put Travis on the spot and ask him about the rumors concerning a merge between NAMB and IMB.  If you know anything about that or are a fan of David Platt, you might find his answer rather interesting. We also chat within him about his forthcoming book, Saints of Zion.    

You can listen to our interview with Travis Kerns here. 

Grow Disciples

Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of The Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20).  In light of this Scripture, Jared Jenkins, Brett Ricley, and I set out on a journey of discussion that resulted in two podcast series.  23 episodes in all.  

The first podcast series is titled "Make Disciples."  You can read more about that, subscribe, or listen to episodes here.  

We just completed the second series called "Grow Disciples."  In this series, we sent out to interview a variety of pastors, writers, and ministers in an effort to find the best practices in the part where a new believer is taught all that Jesus commanded.  Our guests included some really amazing guys.  You can find this series on iTunes (or the non-iTunes feed) or listen to them here: 

Grow Disciples
-- Part 1, Introduction audio
-- Part 2, The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Discipleship audio 
-- Part 3, Motivating Christians with Dr. Howard Hendricks audio
-- Part 4, Motivating Christians with Dr. Howard Hendricks (continued) audio
-- Part 5, An Interview with Josh Saefkow audio
-- Part 6, An Interview with Dr. Tom Swanner audio
-- Part 7, An Interview with Danny Braga audio 
-- Part 8, An Interview with Bobby Wood audio
-- Part 9, An Interview with Justin Christopher audio
-- Part 10, An Interview with Travis Kerns audio 
-- Part 11, An Interview with Trevin Wax audio
-- Part 12, Conclusion audio

We are grateful for all of our guests.  In addition, you can find more podcasts like these in the Salty Believer Unscripted section of this website. 

Commit to Pray for an Unreached Place in 2016

At this time of year, many people make resolutions.  Often, these resolution are about self-improvement; but they certainly don't have to be so selfish.   Might you be willing to resolve to pray for the mission work in an unreached place?  Maybe just once per month for 1 year?  

I'd like to make this really easy for you.  

J.D. Payne and many others have identified Salt Lake City as an unreach place.  Most studies find that only 2% of the population is evangelical Christian.  I am working as a church-planting missionary in the West side of Salt Lake City and I'm the pastor of a new church called Redeeming Life Church.  It's hard work and I covet your prayers.  Will you resolve to pray for our work for one year?  Even as little as once a month?   

I'm starting a monthly newsletter.  It will include a brief update of what's happening in our mission field and how lives are being redeemed by the power of the Gospel.  It will also give you a good idea how to pray for the work.  When you see it arrive in your inbox, it will serve as a monthly reminder so you won't fail in your resolution this year.  Too easy!  (Click here to sign up.) 

* As an added bonus, I will give away a book each month (starting in January) by randomly drawing from the subscriber list.   The first book is Jeff Christopherson's, Kingdom First: Starting Churches That Shape Movements.  

Sign Up Here! 

Temples Made of Sand

It's funny when magazine articles and blog posts suggest that Christianity is collapsing.  Even funnier when they argue that it has run its course when they see a number of ordained ministers leaving their churches and heading to other churches that take a different view on marriage.  There are entire denominations running to the Shechemites, but that certainly doesn't mean it's the end of Christianity.   

We've been here before.

Inter-marriage was a serious and difficult problem in Nehemiah’s time.  God's people were marrying non-believers and the non-believers were drawing God's people to false gods.  It was how the people were pulled away from God, which led to the exile.  Solomon struggled in this (as Nehemiah points out in Nehemiah 13:26).  Ezra dealt with it (Ezra 9).  And we can find the same drama centered around inter-marriage in Nehemiah's day.   There's a loose string coming from the garment of a man named Sanballat.  Let's give it a tug and see what unravels. 

Looking at Nehemiah 13:28-29, there is a curious thing about the relationship between the the son of the High Priest, Eliashib to Sanballat.  It says the son was also the son-in-law of Sanballat, making this guy’s father (Eliashib) the High Priest and his father-in-law (Sanballat) the governor of Samaria.   This also suggests that Sanballat’s daughter was a Horonite like her father.  

But in Nehemiah 10 they had covenanted not to marry outsiders.  They agreed that they would stand on the truth of God's Word. But this son-in-law married a Horonite.  

Why is this a problem? 

The position of High Priest was handed down through family lines.  So there was a potential that this guy could become the High Priest, if not for Leviticus 21:14-15 (which says of the High Priest, "A widow, or a divorced woman, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute, these he shall not marry. But he shall take as his wife a virgin of his own people, that he may not profane his offspring among his people, for I am the LORD who sanctifies him" (bold added for emphasis).  

Josephus gives us more.  In his writing, Antiquities of the Jews, (Book 11, Ch 8), Josephus states that the son of the High Priest, Manasseh was instructed to divorce his wife or he would be driven away from the altar of the Lord.  (This is still in violation of Levitical law, but it seems they were prepared to make some exceptions.) Josephus continues, 

“Whereupon Manasseh came to his father-in-law, Sanballat, and told him that although he loved his daughter Nicaso, yet he was not willing to be deprived sacerdotal dignity on her account, which was the principal dignity in their nation, and always continued in the same family.  And then Sanballat promised him not only to preserve to him the honour of his priesthood, but to procure for him the power and dignity of a high priest, and would make him governor of all the places he himself now ruled, if he would keep his daughter for his wife.  He also told him further, that he would build him a temple like that at Jerusalem, upon Mount Gerizim, which is the highest of all the mountains that are in Samaria; and he promised that he would do this with the approbation of Darius the king.  

“Manasseh was elevated with this promises, and stayed with Sanballat, upon a supposal that he would gain a high priesthood, as bestowed on him by Darius, for it happened Sanballat was then in years.  But there was now a great disturbance among the people of Jerusalem, because many of those priests and Levites were entangled in such matches; for they all revolted to Manasseh, and Sanballat afforded them money, and divided among them land for tillage, and habitations also; and all this in order every way to gratify his son-in-law.” 

So if Josephus is correct, Sanballat gave his son-in-law a high priesthood in an unholy temple and made him the governor of Samaria.  Then as other priests and Levites married foreign women, Sanballat gave them money and land in Samaria.  

Does this account not seem like some of the actions we're seeing today?  The concerning part is the lasting ramifications of building temples to the god of our own desires. 

Remember the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4?  In verse 20 she references a dispute regarding the most holy hill for a temple.  It’s possibly a reference to Judges 9:7 and it’s definitely a reference to the reality that Samaria had a temple of their own . . . on Mount Gerizim.   

Josephus also states, “Now, when Alexander was dead, the government was parted among his successors; but the temple upon Mount Gerizim remained; and if any one were accused by those of Jerusalem of having eaten things common, or having broken the Sabbath, or of any other crime of like nature, he fled away to the Shechemites, and said that he was accused unjustly” (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 11, Ch 8). 

So it would seem that there was a liberal temple where one could go if he violated God’s Law but still wanted to feel holy and continue to worship the god of self.  It was this same temple that came about because a son-in-law of Sanballat wanted to be God’s high priest but not follow God’s Law.  And it seems nothing has changed today, has it?  

Casting Lots

What is going on when the Bible mentions casting lots?

A simple word study in both the Hebrew and the Greek shows us that the term comes from a variety of different words.  It would be like if we said "draw straws," flip a coin," or "played rock-paper-scissors."  As a reader you get the idea what we were doing even if the procedure was as different as the words we use.  And the practice was as different as shaking arrows to looking a livers (Ezekiel 21:21), to tossing stones in the lap (Proverbs 16:33). 

They cast lots on a few occasions in the Bible.  It's found in both the Old and New Testaments.  Here are a some locations where you can read about lot casting: Leviticus 16:8; Joshua 18:6-10; 1 Chronicles 24:31; 1 Chronicles 25:8; 1 Chronicles 26:13–14; Nehemiah 10:34; Nehemiah 11:1; Esther Esther 3:7; 9:24; Job 6:27; Psalm 22:18; Joel 3:3; Obadiah 1:11; Jonah 1:7; Luke 23:34; John 19:24; and Acts 1:26.

At times, it seems casting lots was acceptable to God, even commanded at times.  (Numbers 26:55; 33:54; 34:13; 36:2).   God allowed it to determine his will.  Remember when the disciples replaced Judas (Acts 1:26)?  Or when the Israelites were dividing up the land (See Joshua 18 for example)?  In Nehemiah 11:1, we read that they cast lots to determine who would live in the city and who would remain out in the country. Dr. Charles Fensham says that Nehemiah might have been practicing leadership wisdom having them cast lots in Nehemiah 11.  In his commentary titled, The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah (Eerdmans, 1982) he writes, "By casting the lot it is no longer Nehemiah who forces them to live in Jerusalem, but it is the will of God.  So they could not bear a grudge against him" (243).  And we see non-believers casting lots, such as the sailors who wanted to know who caused the storm in Jonah (Jonah 1:7) and the soldiers that divided Jesus garments (Matthew 27:35).  

Should we cast lots today?  

Well, if we're honest, many of us already "cast lots" from time to time.  It's like flipping a coin or playing rock-paper-scissors to determine who has to change the baby's diaper or run to the store to get milk.  We don't get too concerned when a referee cast lots to see which team will kick off first or when we roll dice to determine who will go first in Monopoly.   However, we don't see it practiced in the Bible after God sent the Holy Spirit in Acts 2.  In matters of spiritual discernment, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us.  As we seek God's will, we have much more to go on than the flip of a coin or the casting of lots.   

Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen

Too often, we don't want to accept that ministry costs money, most ministry anyway.  There are some that grow offended at the mention of money, but I wonder if they take offense when they read what Paul said about it in 1 Corinthians 16:1-3?  Most ministry requires resources and resources often need to be raised. 

I have a deep desire to plant a self-supporting church in Salt Lake, but as Redeeming Life is getting started, we need a little help.  It's like the wire rack around a tomato plant or scaffolding on a building under construction.  So I have had to engage in yet another pastoral necessity that I didn't learn in seminary: fundraising.  Along my recent journey, I was turned on to Henri Nouwen's Spirituality of Fundraising (Upper Room, 2011).  You can purchase it or you might be able to find an electronic copy on the Internet. Either way, if you're in ministry and need to raise support, you need to find this book.   

Nouwen takes the awkward thinking out of the idea of fundraising with biblical explanation.  In addition, Nouwen demonstrates that having money can be just as awkward as asking for money.  Henry Freeman reflects on Nouwen's work in this brief video, "Making Space for Wealthy (and well-known) People at Your Table." 

Reflection on Henri Nouwen's "A Spirituality of Fundraising"

Nouwen's book is short and easy to read.  Missionaries and church planters really need to have this book among their resources.  And if you're a person with money, this book has the potential to help you think about how to best engage in Kingdom work what God has bless you with.  There is a place at the table for you.  I highly recommend this book. 

And if you've stumbled on this page because God has blessed you with resources that you'd like to use to partner with God's mission in Salt Lake (see what I'm doing from the book?), there's an opportunity to help us get a foothold in our mission to see Salt Lake redeemed by the power of the gospel.  Learn more here.  Or if you'd rather support a missionary in Salt Lake, I'd like to encourage you to consider Brett Ricley.  Learn more here. 

Goal Analysis by Robert F. Mager

It would not normally be my practice to discuss books that are difficult to find or out of print on SaltyBeliever.com, but Goal Analysis by Robert Mager is worth mentioning.  It is, from the best I can tell, not written by a Christian, nor is the audience intended specifically for Christians.  It's something of a business book, used in understanding how to evaluate affective goal statements.  I was required to read the 2nd edition as part of a project seminar for my doctoral studies.

But I suppose before I say more about Mager's book, I should clarify what I mean by an affective goal statement.  Mager would say it's something like, "We want our employees to be better citizens in the community," or "our employees are serious about safety" or "we desire to foster creativity within our students."  In church leadership today, a statement might be something like, "Loving God. Loving People," or "Real Life Transformation."  What do these kinds of statements really mean?  When you get right down to it, they are hard to define and even harder to measure.  How do you know your employee is a good citizen?  How do you measure how much a member of your church loves God?  What is the criteria to say a student is creative?  How do you measure an attitude?  

Mager calls affective goals that seek to change or improve attitudes, feeling, and those subjective things you just can't physically observe 'fuzzies.'  They're hard to measure, and that's the bottom line.  

The purpose of Goal Analysis is to turn difficult, unmeasurable fuzzies into well-defined, measurable statements that can be observed and analyzed.  Or put another way, Goal Analysis is a system that aids in getting at what the fuzzy really means and then measuring observable actions that highly lend to thinking the affective goal is happening internally along with the physically observable actions happening externally.  

Why would a church leader want to pick up this book?  Any church that has an affective mission statement or has created a number of fuzzy goals should seriously think about reading this book. In fact, Mager has an example of a church and the church's goals in the book.  They wanted to be a church of "loving service, unselfish devotion, sincere fairness, enlightened honesty, confiding trust, merciful ministry, unfailing goodness, forgiving tolerance, and enduring peace" (100).  If the pastor was to ask six people to provide a list of those in the church that were meeting these objectives and those who were not, what criteria would be provided so all six people could successfully come up with the same list?  How does a church know how merciful they are, and how will they know when they've achieved their objectives?  Mager helps zero it in. 

While the title sounds extremely boring, Mager is an engaging writer and the book is an easy, quick read.  I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to improve goals that are ill defined and fuzzy. 

What is Reformation Day?

Martin Luther, November 10, 1483 - February 18, 1546.

On October 31, 1517 a German monk nailed a list of 95 grievances against the Roman Catholic Church on the door of All Saints Church in Wittenberg, Saxony. The monk was Martin Luther, the grievances are technically called The Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences, and October 31, 1517 (Reformation Day) often marks the opening bell of the Protestant Reformation. 

Why was the monk so concerned? First, it should be said that he was also a professor and did a great deal of study.  He studied the Bible in a time when Scripture was often unavailable.  And second, he grew concerned about what he saw because he read his Bible. Studying God's Word, it became clear to Luther that Pope Leo X had steered the Catholic Church far from the doctrines taught in the Bible. For example, ideas of salvation and grace were dependent upon the mercy of Pope Leo X rather than Jesus Christ and his resurrection. We see the error of this false teaching in 1 Timothy 2:5-6, which reads, 

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” 

It should probably be said that at the university where Luther taught, it was actually a common practice to nail a thesis for discussion to the large door.  This was a way to signal an intellectual discussion or academic debate.  It is believed that Luther was not originally intending to fire such a bullet but instead start a conversation.  However, the thesis launched much more conversation than Luther intended, possibly because the printing press had recently been invented and allowed a publisher to remove the thesis from the door, print it, and distribute it to a wider audience than the university.   Regardless of the intention, The 95 Thesis launched a discussion that still lives today.  

On this, the 497th anniversary of the 1st Reformation Day, take a moment to ask yourself, first, is Jesus Christ your mediator before God or are you depending upon another (or maybe some specific works)?  Also ask yourself, are you studying God’s Word, reading the Bible like that German Monk who took a step of faith and changed the world?

Happy Reformation Day!  

{This is reposted from from a SaltyBeliever.com post from two years ago, on this same day.} 

Drugs Blacken the Roses

I am a missionary.  In March of 2015, my family and I moved away from an affluent neighborhood in Salt Lake City to go where God called us.  In Utah, they name things after geographic places from the Bible.  You can go to Moab.  The Jordan River cuts right through the center of Salt Lake. They even call the area the land of Zion.  Only they forgot one.  If they really wanted to be honest, they would call the area where I now live, Samaria.  

The biblical Samaria was a place of shame.  Jews didn't travel through Samaria.  They didn't talk with Samaritans. Remember the parable Jesus told?  It was far more revealing because it was one of these "less than" Jews that helped the beaten man when the religious Jews would not.  Remember the woman at the well?  The well was in Samaria because she was a Samaritan.  It was the place those living in Jerusalem prefered not to think about.  And when they did, surely stereotypes drove their discussion.  Racism was a part of it, as were bloodlines and family ties.   It was a matter of money.  It was about pride.  But for the Samaritans, it was about shame.   Samaria was a place relegated to the insignificant.  

I live in Samaria, Utah.  The west side of Salt Lake City, specifically west of I-15, North of I-15, and East of I-215 is a pocket that's entirely different than the rest of the Salt Lake valley.  It is given names it doesn't deserve by people who have never been here.  The communities are actually called Rose Park, Fairpark, Westpointe, Jordan Meadows, Poplar Grove, and Glendale, but most people call it 'the hood.'  I call it home.  When politicians talk about doing something with the homeless population, they talk about pushing them west, to Samaria.  When the more affluent area wants to relocate the State Penitentiary to make way for high-dollar industry, Samaria is where it goes.  

But this area is not really like most urban areas of big cities.  Most of the people living here are hard working, blue-collar types.  They are good people.  Many of them are older and retired because the place was different when they first moved here but they never had the money or desire to leave.  I don't blame them -- I love Rose Park.  But there is a problem that's blackening Rose Park.  Drugs.  

As a church-planter in Utah, most outsiders ask me questions about the LDS.  I'd like to show you a different side of Utah and the LDS in a "This is Life" episode with Lisa Ling called "Unholy Addiction."  

What you saw here does a nice job sharing one of the problems we are dealing with in our mission field.  I have met enough drug dealers in this area to start a Baseball league.  Seminary never taught me what crack smells like when it's being smoked. I didn't take a counseling class about grandparents raising grandchildren because of overdoses; but now I know a few families like this and most of them are LDS.  The little retired lady that lives next door sells prescription drugs out of the house she's lived in for more than four decades. And it's as if nobody cares about any of it.  As long as the rest of the valley doesn't have to know about it, it stays just as it is.  

But we believe God wants to redeem this place by the power of his gospel! 

This is a good community full of good people and I love them.  Our church loves them.  Because Jesus loves them.  Sadly, there's a drug problem threatening to kill Samaria.  We have teams out on the street, praying for and with people.  They are sharing the gospel.  We are praying walking our neighborhoods and getting to know our neighbors.  And we're seeing people get saved.  

Some of the new believers in our church family and many of those not yet in the family have addiction problems; so I want to start an addiction recovery class.  We need to start a class, or maybe more than one.  I believe it will draw many, many people and we will do it in such a way that it is driven by the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Will you pray for our area and our recovery ministry?  Will you join us in prayer for the many people in bondage in part to the drugs ?  Will you pray for our ministry needs, specifically, for a building.  

We have a tremendous need for space we can use not just on Sunday, but throughout the week.  Among many other ministry things we plan to do, we will have an addiction recovery ministry.  We can get into a strategically-located, 6,000sqft building for less than $2,000 per month.  (You can learn more about it and see a video here.)  But as a new church and a new mission, we do not presently have funds for this opportunity.  

Is God asking you to partner with him to help us see this happen in Samaria?  If so, please consider helping us financially.  You can make a financial donation on The City, our online communication system by following this link:  https://redeeminglife.onthecity.org/give.  (Please select the "Properties and Equipment" fund in the dropdown options.)  Or you may send a check to Redeeming Life Church.  901 Nocturne Drive.  Salt Lake City, Utah 84116.

May God bless you!
Bryan Catherman
Salty Believer and Pastor of Redeeming Life Church

Anything but the Bible

"Who's to say she's not talking with angels?"  the guy said.  He had just told me about his mother's conversations with people who are not there.  Sadly, she's in an advanced stage of Alzheimer's disease and the stories are sad.  The man, trying to justify her behavior in some way, made an argument that she might be able to engage in some kind of super spiritual behavior more advanced than you or I.  

Over the years, I've heard my fair share of these stories.  The argument typically includes an opinion of a spiritual possibility followed by the statement, "who is to say it's not true?"  By no means does this surprise me.  It's the driving force behind pantheistic paganism and there are many pantheistic pagans in America, especially in the West.  What makes me batty is when I hear this argument from people who will not allow the possibility that anything written in the Bible might be true.  'Who's to say the single opinion of one person couldn't be true. . . but there's no way the Bible is true.'  In other words, the person is saying,  "I will not even consider the possibility that the Bible is true because it's not my idea." 

And there's really more behind this than truth.  It's really about submission.  If I can create spiritual truth, I'm really just trying make myself a god.   But if there is a spiritual truth that I don't create, it's more a matter of accepting that truth and then submitting by life to that truth.  Now, for those that want to say no, I guess I could just ask, "who's to say it's not true. . ."        

Christian Poser

Ken Osmond, 1962.  Actor who played Eddie Haskell on "Leave It To Beaver."

Not too long ago, Jared Jenkins and I recorded a 2-part podcast we titled "Christian Poser."  I'm not sure you could call our unscripted discussion a rant, but it certainly contains something we are beginning to get fired up about.  There is something to be said for the Christian who doesn't live the life the Bible calls the Christian to.  At the same time, we recognize we are all Christian posers in one way or another.   

What is a Christian Poser?   Well, it might help to know what the definition of  poser: 

Poser. noun. a person who acts in an affected manner in order to impress others. 

Now, what is a Christian poser?  You'll just have to listen to the podcast.   

-- Part 1, What is a Christian Poser? audio
-- Part 2, What Should We Do About It? audio

For more podcasts, please consider subscribing to the podcast feed.  You may subscribe to the Salty Believer Unscripted podcasts here:
iTunes  | Non iTunes

They Will Persecute You

IMAGE: RICH PEDRONCELLI/ASSOCIATED PRESS

The recent shooting in Oregon is disturbing. For Christians it is even more so, given that reports are stating that the shooter was targeting Christians.  This may cause fear, but Jesus says fear not. Be encouraged!

As Jesus was preparing to head to the cross, he gave his disciples some encouragement.  He was preparing them for what was coming.  (John 13-17).  At one point, he said, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20).  As if that wasn’t encouragement enough, later he said, “The hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God” (John 16:2).  And he said, “The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered” (John 16:31).  Feel encouraged?

Sometimes living in America we struggle to realize the reality of these statements.  On occasion, we read stories of Christians in such circumstances, but it is often only passing reminders.  Rest assured, Christians all over the world know Jesus was speaking truth because they experience it daily.     

But there is encouragement.  In John 14:18 Jesus reminds us that we are not orphans.  We are part of the family of God and we will never be left alone.  Jesus is with us.  And we must remember that we have the great Comforter—the Holy Spirit (John 14:25-31).

And we must remember that Jesus has already won this fight.  Before praying, he concluded his final instructions to his disciples saying, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). 

In this life, you will be persecuted (if you're following Jesus), but take heart, Jesus has already overcome! 

Asking the Right Questions of my Sermons

What exactly is a sermon?  How does a sermon differ from a lecture?  A motivational speech?  Answers vary.  

What is the point of the sermon?  Is it to teach people what the Bible says?  Is it change lives?  Or maybe it's just to give people a morning to feel better about themselves?  Yes?  No?  Again, answers land all over the board. 

Answers are a dime a dozen, but asking the right questions can be invaluable.  

I'm on a quest to improve my preaching.  This includes how I study, delivery, passion, and many other aspects of preaching.  It also includes regular evaluation.  And it includes some questions I've started asking of all my sermons.  

Some of these questions come from other preachers, although I can't remember who asked what question.  In any case, I ask the following questions of all my sermons.  If I can't answer any of them to a satisfactory level, sermon prep is not finished. 

Here's my list: 

1.  Where is Jesus in this text? 
2.  What is the "gospel turn," that is, the tight, wheel-squealing corner that jars us back to our need for the gospel. 
3.  What do the hearers presently think (before the sermon). 
4.  What does the text dictate they should think?  How does this impact their world view? 
5.  What is the single biggest idea of this text? 
6.  What does this text dictate that a believe do?
7.  Can my biggest point (or all my points for that matter) be stated in a single sentence? 
8.  Is the point(s) stated in such a way that it is memorable? 
9.  What should I see if this sermon is "effective" or "hits the mark"? 
10.  When should I expect to see the "results" of this sermon?  

I'm always on the hunt for good questions, so if have good questions you ask yourself before you preach a sermon or teach a class, I'd love to hear from you.  

Serendipity Bible: For Personal and Small Group Study

Why do Bible teachers regularly try to reinvent the wheel?  Is it our ego?  Do we hold an idea of the teacher that he or she must be the creator of every idea we teach?  I wrestled with these questions when I was turned on to the Serendipity Bible: For Personal and Small Group Study. 

Zondervan publishes the Serendipity Bible using the NIV84 or the KJV translation.  Basically, it’s a book with lots of pre-made group discussion outlines.  Every chapter (and sometimes there are more than a outline per chapter), has icebreaker questions, text study questions, and application questions. Most of the time they’re great.  If you want to lead a small group study or just study with your family, this is a great resource that can save you some time.

In addition to questions for every chapter, the Serendipity Bible also contains 60 small group study plans on various topics.  These plans each include 6 lessons and each lesson points the teacher to a chapter or section of text.  Once there, the teacher or group discussion leader simply needs to use the chapter questions.  

Teachers and preachers might ask why they would want to use this book.  "I've been to seminary;" they might say, "I know how to write my own lesson plans."  The teacher may be concerned that the class will think less of him or her because of this book.  First, the teacher or preacher who asks these questions needs to examine the purpose of teaching.  Is it for the teacher to look smart or for the class to learn something and grow closer to Christ?  Second, if there is a helpful resource that may improve the quality of learning, why would a teacher opt not to use such a tool?  If nothing else, why not consult the questions and at least see if there's something helpful?

But maybe the best reason for using the Serendipity Bible is that it's extremely reproducible.  Nearly any believer could take this material and lead a Bible study or discussion around the text.  The teacher could easily hand the Bible to someone else and encourage him or her to lead.  In 2 Timothy 2:22, Paul encourages Timothy to teach men who can teach others.  If this instruction also applies to us--and I think it does--than the Serendipity Bible is a useful tool for teaching others to teach future teachers.  

Here is a sample taken from Psalm 51: 

Icebreaker Questions: 
1.  Do you recall getting caught with your “hand in the cookie jar” as a child?  As an adult?  What happened each time?  
2.  Read aloud Psalm 51. 

Getting Into the Text:
1.  In how many ways did David sin (see 2 Samuel 11:1-27)? 
2.  In light of his arrogance, adultery, deception, and murder, how does he dare approach God?  What does he feel? 
3. Murder is a capital crime under Jewish law.  Why also adultery (see Deuteronomy 22:22)?  
4. Since such sins involve others, what is the meaning of verse 4? What does this show about the nature of sin? 
5.  How can an unborn child be considered “sinful” (v. 5)?  If God created all things “good,” why does mankind tend to sin (See Romans 5:12-14)?  
6.  In light of all this, what does David ask God to do (vv.7-12)?  What is “cleansing with hyssop” (see Leviticus 14:4-7)? Why does David request this? 
7.  How does David hope to escape God’s wrath (vv. 13-17)? On what basis does he hope for a restored relationship? 
8. Why does David generalize his prayer to include the whole nation (vv. 18-19)?  What does this say about the nature of sin? 
9.  What kinds of sacrifices does the Lord desire in verses 16-17? In verse 19? When is a broken spirit or contrite heart enough?  When are acts of sacrifice due? 

Application Questions:
1.  Has covering up sin backfired in your life?  How have you seen God’s mercy when you owned up to your sin?  
2.  Are there really any victimless crimes?  How do personal failings affect God? Others? Self? Society?  
3. Are you more sensitive to sin and brokenness in yourself as a Christian then beforehand?  Why?

You can purchase the Serendipity Bible: For Personal and Small Group Study here. 

"Prof" Howard Hendricks on Motivation

Sometime in the Summer of 1970, "Prof" Howard Hendricks spoke to a group of students from Campus Crusade for Christ.  He spoke on motivation and his lecture was recorded.  

A 13-year-old boy listened to the recording of that lecture over and over again.  In fact, he memorized it and applied it to his ministry for years.  He later became a student of Dr. Howard Hendricks at DTS.  Imagine his delight when, more than 40 years later, the cassette tape (for those of us who remember what those were) was found in his mother's belongings.  Even better, he now has the ability to share the lecture that was instrumental in his ministry success over the years. 

My friend had the tape remastered and made into a digital copy.  He sent it to me with the idea that Hendricks' lecture might prove helpful for my ministry.  I listened to what to the Prof who taught at DTS for more than 60 years had to say about motivation back in 1970.  Then I listened to it again.  My friend was spot-on right! 

How could it be so simple that one lecure could rock my thinking?  How could we be missing it today?  I listened again.  Nine things.  Nine, simple things.  Amazing!  

Hendricks looks at what really motivates a person within the Christian life.  If you are in any position of leadership, or you want to faithfully follow the teaching of Jesus and be a disciple that makes disciples, you really need to listen to Hendricks' lecture.  I mean it. 

Download or Listen Here:
Dr. Howard Hendricks on Motivation

*Thanks Dr. Swanner for sharing this lecture with me and allowing me to post it here. 

Encourage! An Evening With Dave Earley

I don't usually like to use SaltyBeliever.com to promote events from others ministries I'm a part of, but I'm the pastor of Redeeming Life Church in Salt Lake City and I am really excited that our church is bring a personal hereo of mine, Dave Earley, to our ministry area.  Here's the Info: 

 

ENCOURAGE! An Evening With Dave Earely  

This will be an evening of prayer, worship, and excellent teaching.  If you attended the UISBC Missions Conference this year or have read any of Dave's books, you'll know Dave's passion for prayer and its vital importance in all aspects of life and ministry.  You don't want to miss this great opportunity.  

7:00PM, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015
AT GRACE CITY CHURCH (SALT LAKE CITY)
335 BUGATTI DRIVE
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84112
(FREE ADMISSION)

(Due to limited resources, we cannot offer childcare for this event.) 

Dr. Dave Earely is Lead Pastor of Grace City Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. Grace City is focused on being a catalyst for spiritual awakening and revival in Las Vegas and throughout the world. Prior to launching Grace City, Dr. Earley served as Chairman of the Department of Pastoral Ministries and Church Expansion at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He also served as Director of the Center for Ministry Training at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and the Director of the Center for Church Planting at Liberty University. Prior to teaching at Liberty, Dave was the founding Senior Pastor of the New Life Church of Gahanna-Columbus, Ohio. New Life started in his basement with 12 people and grew to nearly 2,000 in weekly attendance with over 100 small groups. 

Dave is the author of twenty books to include, 
- Prayer: The Timeless Secret of High Impact Leaders,  
-  Disciple Making Is . . .: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence, 
- Ministry Is . . .: How to Serve Jesus with Passion and Confidence, 
- Pastoral Leadership is...: How to Shepherd God's People with Passion and Confidence and, 
- The 21 Most Effective Prayers Collection: Featuring The 21 Most Effective Prayers of the Bible, The 21 Most Encouraging Promises of the Bible, The 21 ... and The 21 Most Amazing Truths about Heaven.  

In addition, during the day on September 22nd and 23rd Dr. Dave Earley and Dr. Tom Swanner will be conducting two sessions of the Multiply Group training (formerly known as Launch) as part of their Church Planting Experience (CPX).  CPX is a six month training to help plant new churches. CPX is linked with NAMB, Multiply, and LCPN to provide assessment, training, funding, networking, and coaching. These two sessions are also free and we'd love to have you join us.  The session on the 22nd is on fundraising and the session on the 23rd is on building leadership teams.  If you are interested, please me (Bryan Catherman) for more details.

Who Is The Real Enemy?

Photo by Aurelio Arias is registered under a Creative Commons License.

Not too long ago, I preached through the book of Jonah at Redeeming Life Church.  (You can listen to those sermons here.) As most pastors do, I broke it into four sermons, one chapter per week.  At this point, I'm not so sure that's the best way to break it up, but it works.  

When most of us think of Jonah we think of a great fish.  Some of us start debating the possibility of a big fish before we even try to comprehend the God who created and appointed that fish.  And we often forget that God also appointed a tempest, a plant, a wind, a worm, and most importantly -- a man to go proclaim God's message.  

I'm still struck by how reluctant Jonah was.  He was afraid, yes; but he was also unwilling.  He was unwilling to see or be a part of God mission to forgive and save Jonah's perceived enemies.  But who was the real enemy? 

It's hard to avoid the complexities in our world today.  We wrestle with issues of gay marriage, abortion, other religions and cults, politics, drug dealers, pornographers, and so much more.  Watching many Christians, I wonder if they have the same heart as Jonah?  Would they rather see God destroy their 'enemies' rather than save and redeem them?  Have we become a church of Jonahs?  I hope not. I pray not. 

At the heart is a grave misunderstanding.  It seems we've forgotten who the real enemy is.  The enemy is not Planned Parenthood.  The enemy is not the LGBT community.  Society is not the enemy.  The hard life of the street is not the enemy.  Our neighbor... not the enemy.  Hollywood?  Nope.  The government?  No.  The local church? Wrong! 

1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober-minded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."  I wonder what would happen if a zookeeper let a lion free in your workplace?  Would you just go about your business as normal?  How about if there was a lion in your neighborhood?  I suspect you wouldn't be out mowing your lawn if there were a lion sitting on your front step stalking you. We'd be making phone calls.  We'd be going for guns.  The news media would be there.  And we probably won't be too concerned with the little things. 

We do have a real enemy.  There is a lion prowling around.  Ephesians 6:10:-20 tells us what to do: 

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." 

Let us not forget who the real enemy is, and let us be ready when the lion comes to u

Make Disciples

At least five times in the Bible Jesus puts his disciples on mission to proclaim the gospel and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16, Luke 24:46-48, John 20:21, and Acts 1:8).  The text in Matthew gives us an interesting instruction:  Make disciples and teach them all that Jesus commanded.  This suggests that making disciples in about inviting a lost person to be a Kingdom citizen and then teaching him or her the Kingdom ethic in which we are called to live.  

Over the past few months, Jared Jenkins, Brett Ricley, and I have been discussing both sides of the Great Commission coin.  This discussion resulted in a Salty Believer Unscripted series called, "Make Disciples" and will likely be the seeds of another series called, "Grow Disciples."  

In this series, we stick to the evangelism side of making disciples and deal with six spheres of evangelism as Joel Southerland teaches.  We fully recognize that it would be gross negligence to see someone saved and then just abandoned them to learn and grown alone; however, we kept this series to the first part of making disciples--sharing the gospel and introducing lost people to Jesus. 

All three of us grew in area of evangelism during this series and we've shared our journey along the way.  I learned how necessary a wide variety of methods is when we live in a world so full of diverse thinking and attitudes.  We have and are trying all of these methods at Redeeming Life Church to find out what works for us in our context.  It's been extremely interesting and informative.  But through it all, I've really come to see the importance of simply being faithful. 

You can find Salty Believer Unscripted on iTunes, subscribe to the non-iTunes feed, or listen here: 

Make Disciples
-- Part 1, An Introduction audio
-- Part 2, Snatching Some From the Fire audio
-- Part 3, A Biblical Relational for Missions and Evangelism audio
-- Part 4, 6 Spheres of Evangelism audio
-- Part 5, Prayer audio
-- Part 6, Personal Evangelism audio
-- Part 7, Revival audio
-- Part 8, Event Evangelism audio
-- Part 9, Service-Driven Evangelism audio
-- Part 10, Sunday Service Excellence audio
-- Part 11, A Mission to the Nations audio