I Follow Jesus, but Not Organized Religion

The Cry of the Religiously Self-Absorbed

When I was younger, the sentiment was more often worded as something like, “I need Jesus but not the church.” A previous generation heard “the Man but not the plan.” In our era, the wording of the sentiment is typically longer, but the reasoning is the same. Now, in some form or fashion, people feel like they need to make sure they say they love or follow Jesus, but they don’t want anything to do with “organized” religion. Tragically, what they don’t see is that this is the cry of those who want to be religious while, simultaneously, remaining self-absorbed. That may sound harsh, but the words and actions of those who use this type of language give away the game.

You Can’t Separate Them

Jesus stated, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18). Paul stated clearly that the church was bought by the precious blood of Jesus (Acts 20:28). Some will push back and say that these verses are talking about the church in some generic fashion, but not “organized religion.” To say such, though, is to avoid a simple step of logic. If Jesus built and bought the church and, thus, it belongs to Him, then what He states about the church is what goes. So, when you read the New Testament, what do you find? An organized church. You find congregations (all you have to do is read the letters to be reminded of that). You find elders overseeing those congregations. You find deacons faithfully serving those congregations. (Take a few moments to read Philippians 1:1 and also Titus 1:5).

And you find those congregations seeking to do their best to follow the organized teachings laid down by Jesus’s chosen penmen. It is impossible to separate Jesus from organized religion, because He put organization in place for the church of which He is the Head.

It Avoids the “One Anothers”

This year at Central, Noah and I are preaching a few of the “one another” passages of the New Testament. We’ve chosen 12 and we’re preaching one each month, but there are more than the dozen we are speaking on. The concept of the church being united and the wording of the phrase “one another” necessarily implies an organized religion. After all, if I don’t know who is part of “one another,” how can I obey the commands connected with that terminology. Certainly, some of them are to be done for all people. We are to love one another, but are also to love even our enemies. We are to be encouragers of all people. And so on.

But, just to take one example, to “stir up one another to love and good works” is couched in a section of Scripture that demands that Christians gather in assembly to worship God (Hebrews 10:24-25). That is a “one another” that requires organization, so that I know the ones with whom I am to assemble. (Which, to go further, then requires following the Jesus-given organized way of following what to do once we have assembled. cf. John 4:24)

It’s about “My” Faith

Just read or listen to those who talk about not wanting organized religion. While they so often scatter in a few Bible verses and a lot of spiritual-sounding phraseology, just keep letting them talk. Eventually, the underlying truth will be exposed. They will begin to talk about “me and God” (which, remarkably, is nearly always how it is worded…with “me” first). They will regularly speak of “my” faith or “my” journey. Submission to elders? Not a chance; at least, not if the elders try to lovingly point out something from Scripture that needs to change in their life. Defending controversial subjects? No way. That’s too harsh and unloving and, here it comes, we shouldn’t judge. But learning “my” truth? Or doing things in a way that makes “me” comfortable? Oh, of course. “Me and God got this.” It is religious self-absorption. I am going to do what I am going to do and then claim that “the church” was holding me back.

Conclusion

I know the context is talking about money, but the principle Jesus laid down in Matthew 6:24 is universally true: “No one can serve two masters.” The mindset behind “I follow Jesus but not organized religion” is simply a spiritual-sounding way to try to void Jesus’s words. I’ll follow Jesus…until His teachings start dealing with organized religion. Then I’ll do what I want. In other words, I get to play my own god. That’s why this sentiment is for those who are religiously self-absorbed. Follow Jesus. And be grateful He has given you an organized family in which to follow Him. That requires submission and humility, but God has always required such.

Adam Faughn

SAVED TO SERVE

     Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work” (John 9:4).

      We who, by the grace of God, are the saved in Christ, were saved not just that we might go to heaven, but that also we might work the works of God.  A believer’s life should be of use to God and man.  Time and again the Scriptures emphasize that we are saved to serve, and that God condemns, as much as any sin, the sin of doing nothing!

     Why, then, are we usually so lax in our Christian service? Why are so many inactive?  We want to point out that there are barriers to service which we need to emphasize and break down in order that we be effective laborers for Christ.

      SELFISHNESS is probably the number one barrier to effective Christian service.  We are basically selfish and are more concerned about our own problems than about anyone else’s.  My ingrown toenail will possibly cause me more concern than my neighbor’s cancer.  My needs always seem much more pressing than the needs of anyone else.  Often, what God wants done must take second place to what I want done.  It is easier to sing “King of my life, I crown Thee now” than it is to crucify self and enthrone Christ in my life.  Lord, deliver me from SELF; help me tear down the barrier of selfishness in my life.

      PRIDE is another barrier to Christian service.  The thankless, often behind-the-scenes job in the Lord’s vineyard often goes begging.  Anyone can serve amidst recognition and praise.  It takes a true servant of Christ to serve when man does not see and man does not care.  There would be no limit to what the church could accomplish if we didn’t care who got the credit.  The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier teaches a great lesson—a nation’s victories are mostly won by the blood of nameless men.  So, also, in the kingdom of God, the real heroes are the humble, unheralded saints who serve tirelessly simply because they love the Lord.

      PROCRASTINATION is possibly one of the most common barriers to service.  All true Christians want to serve the Lord, but too frequently it is something that we regard as preferably done tomorrow.  From experience I know that I have lost opportunities because I delayed too long.  How quickly the night comes when no longer will work be possible.  How quickly the harvest season will be past!

      May the Lord, in His grace, give power to break down the barriers such as selfishness, pride and procrastination that we may get on with the Master’s work.          –Ron Bartanen

JESUS IN EXODUS

The Bible is the story of Jesus. The Old Testament declares Jesus is coming. The Gospels declare Jesus has come. The rest of the New Testament declares Jesus is coming again, be ready! Let us consider this truth by briefly noting how every book in the Bible declares Jesus. Let us consider Exodus.

The book of Exodus documents the departure of Israel under the leadership of Moses. Genesis ends with the family of Jacob (Israel) safe in Egypt. It was there that God would turn Jacob’s (Israel’s) family into a nation. Seventy souls went in (Gen. 46:27) and millions came out (Num. 1:46). We see Jesus foreshadowed/prefigured in several ways in this wonderful book.

The last of the ten plagues God visited upon Egypt to get them to let His people go was the death of the firstborn (Ex. 11). Israel was told what to do to be saved from this plague. If they sacrificed a lamb without blemish and put its blood on the doorposts and lintel of the door, the “destroyer” (Ex. 12:23) would not enter their homes. That is, because they were under the blood they would not be visited with death. The apostle Paul makes plain that this was a shadow of the Christ to come. In 1 Cor. 5:7, he wrote that Christ is “our Passover”. Christians are under the blood of Jesus and are saved from spiritual death.

Moses served as a prefigure of Jesus. Moses was sent by God to deliver Israel from Egyptian captivity. Though Israel had started as welcomed guests in Egypt, when the Pharaoh who “did not know Joseph” rose in Egypt Israel was enslaved and cruelly treated (Ex. 1:8-16). Moses led them through the waters of the Red Sea (“baptized into Moses” 1 Cor. 10:2) out of bondage. Jesus frees from the bondage of sin and death (Rom. 6:17-18; Rev. 1:5) all who will be baptized into Him (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27). The manna provided to Israel as they journeyed through the wilderness was a preview of our Lord Jesus. Jesus Himself said that He was the Bread of Heaven in John 6. He explained that as the manna kept them alive physically, He was able to keep them alive eternally (John 6:49-51). The Lord’s Supper we partake of every first day of the week is our memorial of the manna of His flesh and water of His blood.

The worship of the Law of Moses is all foreshadowing Jesus Christ and His kingdom. The Aaronic high priesthood was a type of Jesus (our High Priest-Heb. 9:11). The tabernacle which became the temple was a type of the church/kingdom to come. The holy place represented the church. The most holy place represented the presence of God, heaven. The veil was the flesh through which our High Priest Jesus would go to offer sacrifice for our sins (Heb. 10:20). The sacrifices of the priests and the applying of the blood upon the horn of the altar in the most holy place is a most poignant prefiguring of what Jesus would do for us.

Briefly we have considered how Jesus can be seen throughout the book of Exodus. He is the deliverer sent and the sacrifice given. He is the High Priest who nourishes His flock. He is the purpose of the Bible, our salvation. - By Rick McCurdy

Christiansburg church of Christ, Christiansburg, VA

Giving Meaning to Six Seven

A member here has been begging me to give a sermon on the popular phrase “six seven” heard among many youngsters. I’m always up for a challenge, but since my sermon times here have ended, I decided to write a bulletin article on it.

Just in case you are not familiar with the popular trend, “6 7” (pronounced “six-seven”) is a viral, nonsensical slang term and internet meme popular with Gen Alpha. It has no fixed or literal meaning, often used just to confuse adults, answer random questions, or act as a playful inside joke. It is often paired with moving palms up and down in an alternating “so-so” or “maybe” motion.

When it first became popular, our youth would speak and act it out in front of me just to watch my befuddled reaction. They took joy in my frustration that it has no meaning whatsoever. Well, I’m here to change that. Let’s use the Bible and give “six seven” some sense instead of senselessness. The next time someone mischievously or lightheartedly uses the phrase in front of you, why not respond, “Well, the book of Galatians gives some real meaning to six seven.” Then quote or show them Galatians 6:7 which states, “for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

The emphasis of this verse is that every action has results and consequences. In fact, the very next verse in Galatians 6 notes, “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (v.8). “Six seven” to the Christian can be a reminder that our life has meaning and purpose and that we need to do things with eternity in mind. It can also be an admonishment that we need to be sowing seeds that will reap the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23).

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)

- Edd Sterchi

God’s Divine Institution

In the first 4 chapters of Ephesians, the Lord’s apostle (Paul) gives some brief attention to a divine institution called the church, the church that belongs to Jesus. There are some today who speak of the importance of the church, but not in the same way the New Testament does. They speak of the importance of attendance but only in respect to “attend the church of your choice.” 

The importance of the church in the New Testament is great. In Ephesians 4:11-16, we receive guidance from the Holy Spirit concerning a significant function of the local church. The Lord gave gifts unto those He chose for the purpose of building up the body of Christ, the church (1:22-23). Those who received gifts of the Holy Spirit are men in positions of leadership and responsibility. They had significant roles in the church to teach (4:11), with the immediate goal of edification (4:12), teaching the brethren to pattern themselves after the Lord Jesus (4:13-15). The corresponding result of that teaching would be (and is) glory to God (4:16). 

The elders (also known as bishops / pastors / presbyters) of the Lord’s local church of Christ needs to give attention to those within, not to those outside. This is an important point to emphasize. There are many “policemen” in the brotherhood who seek to point out the failings of others (individuals and churches). Their benefit to the Lord and the brethren is minimal, if any exist at all. Probably, it is more accurate to say they cause more harm than good. Those who are part of this “policemen posse” refuse to see themselves as the problem but instead see themselves as “sound brethren” (or “faithful brethren”) faithful to the Lord in all respects seeking to thin out the chaff (as they determine it).

Many in the secular community don’t fail to see this arrogant and holier-than-thou approach. Some even respond with something like this: “There they go! Fighting again! I’m glad I am not a member of that church!” (note the exclamation marks)

Within the local church, let us give attention to the Lord, His Word, and how each of us within that body can better serve the Lord and each other, as we remember the two great commandments of the Lord (Matthew 22:34-40). Remember, furthermore, there are some in the world and brotherhood who seek the local church’s impairment. Give them no attention, but serve the Lord faithfully in action, worship, understanding His will (cf. 1 Cor. 15:58).

“Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17, ASV). RT

The Flood Sand Dunes

Words of Wisdom and each ended with: John T. Polk ll www.johntpolkll.com 

“For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water” (2 Peter 3:5 NKJV). People treat the world-wide flood in Noah’s day (Genesis 6-9) as a local flood. About one-fourth of the western part of the State of Nebraska has grass-held sand dunes, some over 300 feet high, known as the Sand Hills. It can only be explained as sediment from a great flood. Since there is no ocean nearby to explain this huge beach in the middle of dry land, a person must “willfully forget” about the flood in Noah’s day. It is explained by fantasy “billion-year Evolution,” faith in God. Facts are with faith!

Vanity of Vanities

“‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher, ‘Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.’ What advantage does man have in all his work Which he does under the sun? A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth remains forever” (Eccl. 1:2-4).

What is this life? That is the fundamental question asked in the Book of Ecclesiastes, which leads the reader through a series of inquiries dealing with the absolute emptiness of this existence. A season comes and a season goes. A man dies, a child is born. The rain falls down, flows to the sea, and once more returns to the clouds. What is the point behind all of it? Naturally, that question would mean nothing for an atheist that does not believe in God. “The mysteries of the world which meet man as a moral being remain, under this view of the world (atheism or pantheism), altogether without solution. For the moral order of the world presupposes an absolutely good being, from whom it has proceeded, and who sustains it” (Keil and Delitzsch. Commentary On The Old Testament. Vol. 6, 179).

The atheist is confronted with a problem that is not solvable: what is the point behind it all? If we are to believe that there is no God, no afterlife, and no spiritual existence, then we are all just animals on this insignificant planet flying through space.

The difference between believing in God and not is that when we have something meaningful to believe in, it gives us purpose. If God does not exist, then why be nice to anybody? Why not simply steal, obey our animal instincts, and do whatever we can to survive? Atheism makes all of our meaningful pursuits meaningless. Whether or not God exists, monuments are torn down, headstones crumble, and our names will disappear. If there is a God, then we have something more to look forward to than decaying in the ground.

“Vanity of vanities” is a phrase used to signify something with absolutely no point behind it: it serves no greater purpose. Vine describes it as “emptiness as to results,” like the way a man works in Ecclesiastes. “What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun?” (1:3). When we think about how much we have to work in this world, and how little we end up receiving from it, all we can say is “Vanity!”

Indeed, since the sin of Adam mankind has had to toil for his food (Gen. 3:17-19). For an entire season, a person may work in the field, and it may take months for a plant to mature and yield fruit. But all it takes is a few moments to eat that fruit and a pestilence or swarm of locusts can destroy a year’s supply of food in a day. So much work for nothing!

When confronted with such vanities, it is tempting to lose heart and consider ourselves hopeless. Yet we are given hope, even in the midst of such downright sadness. We need to realize the point being made by Solomon. He was a man with so much wealth and wisdom that he thought he could answer the age old question: how can I be fulfilled in this world? Only after so many years of exploration and experimentation did he finally realize that the only answer is that there is no fulfillment in this world. He could not be happy with wealth, knowledge, sex, alcohol, monuments, or power. We can only be happy seeking our true purpose.

“The conclusion, when all has been heard is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person” (Eccl. 12:13).

Paolo Di Luca (Bridge Street Church of Christ; New Martinsville WV)

Eat the Scroll

Ezekiel 3:10–11

Most of us have had a moment when we knew exactly what God wanted us to do, and we still hesitated. Not because we didn’t believe him. Because we didn’t feel ready.

That’s where Ezekiel found himself. God gave him a vision of a scroll, and on it were written words of lamentation and mourning and woe. Then God told him to eat it. Not read it. Eat it. “Feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it” (Ezekiel 3:3, ESV). Ezekiel obeyed, and the scroll was sweet as honey in his mouth. But the message inside it was bitter. It was a warning of judgment for a people who had turned away from God, and Ezekiel had to carry it in his own body before he ever spoke a word of it.

Here’s what makes this different from a simple call to obedience. God wasn’t just handing Ezekiel information. He was asking him to know this message in his heart and feel the weight of it in his gut, and only then to speak it faithfully, whether anyone wanted to hear it or not. “Son of man, all my words that I shall speak to you receive in your heart, and hear with your ears… and speak to them… whether they hear or refuse to hear” (Ezekiel 3:10–11, ESV). The people Ezekiel was sent to were stubborn and rebellious. This was never going to be an easy assignment.

If we’re being honest, most of us have felt the weight of that same tension. We know someone who needs to hear something true, and we know it might not be received well. So we stay quiet. We tell ourselves we’re not the right person, that we don’t have the words, that someone else is better equipped for this kind of thing.

But notice what Ezekiel didn’t have going into this. He didn’t have a strategy. He didn’t have confidence in his own strength. What he had was the word of God inside him and the power of God’s Spirit lifting him up to stand and speak. That’s still how it works. God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called.

You don’t need a specific skill to serve him. You don’t need a title or a platform. Paul put it simply: we’re called to present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship (Romans 12:1). That’s it. He’s the one doing the work through you.

This doesn’t have to be a planned event or a difficult conversation you’ve been dreading. It can be as simple as answering honestly the next time a coworker asks why you go to church, or telling a neighbor going through something hard how Jesus has actually shown up in your life this year.

Jesus said to go and make disciples, teaching them everything he commanded (Matthew 28:19–20). He didn’t say to wait until it felt comfortable. The scroll is still sitting in front of us. The only question is whether we’re willing to eat it.

Jeff Arnette