How should we overcome fear?

Fear is a universal subject that virtually everyone deals with.  It comes in every way imaginable.  Many of us dread the thought of facing the world the moment we roll out of bed in the morning.  Why do we have fear?  Many of us have experienced some kind of hurt at some point in our lives and we tend to avoid things that may potentially hurt us again.  Definition number one of Webster’s Universal Unabridged Dictionary (1996 edition) defines fear as – “a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined.”  According to Webster’s definition, you would have to wonder why some people actually attend their churches, since there are many pastors who spend a lot of time preparing messages just to stir up the consciences of their members…which listening to some of these messages could technically qualify as exposure to fear.

What kind of fears do we potentially face as individuals?  Our youth have pressures coming from all directions, be it their parents, teachers and peers.  How do they respond to situations where people may try to pressure them into compromising their morals and/or individuality...just to feel accepted?  As for unmarried adults, many of these people may face the fear of possibly being stigmatized or being treated differently – just for being single.  How do these individuals open their hearts and share their feelings with new people or strangers, knowing that someone may try to take advantage of them by playing with their emotions?  Of course marriage does not necessarily eliminate the problems of fear for people.  Rather, it can complicate the matters even worse by bringing in new fears, such as infidelity, the inability to support your family (i.e., job loss) or the loss of a loved one.  As for senior citizens, they have the fear of worrying about their retirements as well as wondering how the future state of the country may impact their children and grandchildren, due to the actions of Generation X, Y or Z.

What kind of fears may impact the local church?  Poor spiritual leadership may cause many churches to close their doors indefinitely.  Hypothetically, most churches want to stand up for the Great Commission of Jesus Christ by trying to embrace everybody in their surrounding communities.  Realistically, however, many people within local churches may prefer to have people walking through their doors who look and act like themselves.  Ask yourself, how many couples would feel comfortable having a person with a drug problem sitting next to them or one of their loved ones in church?  How many senior citizens would tolerate a Generation X, Y or Z person sitting next to them in church?  Would single people like to have their single groups used as prospective “watering holes” by outsiders who are looking for dates?  Do the young adults want a class busybody hanging out in their youth group and spreading rumors about all of their personal interactions? 

So the question remains, who is our biggest fear – ourselves, others, or God?  One of the most common things people fear is the world, especially since it has quite the reputation for being a tough, unforgiving place.  However, if we have God as the center of our lives, the Bible teaches the world is not our fear…although we should use wisdom when dealing with it.  Jesus Christ himself said we would have trouble in this world, but he also said we would have peace since he overcame the world. (John 16:33)

Look at the testimony of Stephen in the Book of Acts.  Stephen served God by ministering in the Jewish synagogues.  Stephen was extremely effective at stirring up the consciences of the Jewish elders.  So effective, that the elders later set up false witnesses who accused Stephen of blasphemy and had him stoned to death. (Acts 6:8-14; 7:54-59)  However, as Stephen was dying, he prayed the following words – “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:60 NIV)  Stephen’s testimony tells us that we should not blame others for anything they do to us, but forgive them…no matter how terrible the act.

Basically, our biggest fear is likely ourselves, especially in how we react to any given situation.  We need to focus on having our will submitted over to the work of the Holy Spirit, by allowing him to act as a compass for our personal lives.  Otherwise, if we allow other people to guide our conscience, the direction for our personal lives can be easily swayed back and forth at the discretion of others around us.  There is still a need for fellowshipping with others.  In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he mentions the importance of building others up, by utilizing the spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit has given to each of us.  He also reminds us, as we mature as believers, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. (Ephesians 4:14 NIV)    

Now if we have Jesus Christ as our advocate to God, then we can look beyond fearing God and others around us…even though, we still may suffer the repercussions from the actions of others.  If we consider ourselves mature, strong Christians, then the concept of reaching out to others – who may not act or look like us – should not be a question for our lives, but rather a living testimony of our personal walk with the Lord.  Do we focus on separating ourselves from the sinners of the world?  Or are we focusing on helping people separate the sin from their lives, by teaching them about Jesus Christ’s love for them.  Ultimately, we should reach out to all people, regardless of their walks in life, and share the love of Jesus Christ with them.  When it comes to overcoming fear, we need to reflect on the Apostle Paul’s words to the Philippians – “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13 NIV)

Should baptism be a condition for church membership?

Does it really make a difference if we require someone to be baptized, in order to become a member of a local church?  Jesus Christ gave us the following instructions in his Great Commission – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:20 NIV)  Are we teaching people to be disobedient if we do not require them to be baptized as part of church membership?  If a local church is a reflection of the one true holy apostolic, universal church, should it consist solely of a group of baptized believers who observe baptism or a group of believers who observe baptism? 

In the New Testament, we find many examples of people being baptized immediately after a profession of their faith.  On the Day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter responded to the crowd of people with the words, “’Repent and be baptized…’’ and those who accepted his message were baptized.  (Acts 2:38, 41 NIV)  After meeting with the Apostle Philip, an Ethiopian eunuch professed his faith in Jesus Christ and had Philip baptize him in water found along the road next to his chariot. (Acts 8:34-38)  At a jail where the Apostle Paul and Silas were imprisoned, the jailor and his family were immediately baptized after receiving the message of salvation. (Acts 16:29-33)  The question arises, although most people were immediately baptized after receiving the message of salvation, is baptism synonymous with church membership?

On the other side of the subject, the New Testament also includes many examples of salvation having more importance than baptism.  The Apostle Paul made this point clear by saying, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel….” (I Corinthians 1:17 NIV)  While Jesus Christ was nailed on the cross, a criminal on an adjacent cross asked Jesus to remember him in his kingdom and Jesus responded by saying – “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43 NIV)  Before being baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus Christ replied that baptism is a step of obedience – “’Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’” (Matthew 3:15 NIV)  The Apostle Paul reiterated this point by saying our salvation comes though faith in Jesus Christ and not by any works of righteousness on our own part.  (Ephesians 2:8-9)  

The topic of baptism, and whether or not to make it a condition for church membership, is sometimes perceived as a point of confusion among various churches.  The reason many Christian leaders mandate baptism as part of membership is to ensure that people will be obedient to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.  Of course, baptism should be faithfully taught as an important step of obedience for all believers.  However, below are a few factors church leaders should consider in their decisions to teach baptism or mandate baptism as part of church membership.

1.      When a local church makes baptism a condition for membership, it contradicts the definition of the one true apostolic, universal church – all who come to repentance and acknowledge Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. (Romans 10:9-10)

2.      If a mandate for baptism comes across as contradicting the mission of the church, some people, especially strong-willed people, may end up leaving the church and possibly anything to do with organized religion – because they begin to doubt the credibility of the Word of God and/or the sincerity of the church leaders.  As for people, from this same group, who may remain in their respective churches, many of these individuals may end up sitting in the church frustrated or find themselves in compromised situations.

3.      Making baptism a condition for church membership often sets the precedence for people to be obedient to church leaders, rather than the Holy Spirit.  This is why you often find churches full of “baptized believers” sitting around and doing what appears as nothing, because they are waiting for the next command from their church leaders…not the Holy Spirit.  Some individuals may even find their spiritual act of obedience to the Holy Spirit quenched because they are manipulated or forced to do things in situations where they should be seeking God’s guidance.  Thus, you have the Apostle Paul’s warning to the church of the Thessalonians, “Quench not the Spirit.” (I Thessalonians 5:19 KJV) 

When local churches take a natural act of obedience and turn it into a rule, they may inadvertently set the wrong example to their surrounding communities and country by teaching people to turn natural acts of good behavior into excessive laws.  Obviously, there is a need for laws and order.  The Apostle Paul makes this clear with the words, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” (Romans 13:1 NIV)  However, we need to take caution that a denomination or religious affiliation does not attempt to place church “into a box,” since excessive rules may end up trumping the work of the Holy Spirit.  As a result, many churches may end up being led by teachers and not necessarily leaders, because many of the potential natural leaders of the church end up leaving over their issues with organized religion…not necessarily God.  

If churches want to make a real difference in making a positive impact in their communities, then they need to ensure that people are being taught how to obedient to the Holy Spirit.  Since baptism is a step of obedience, and one of many steps of obedience, churches should use the baptismal ceremony as an opportunity for showing people how they should ultimately trust in the Holy Spirit and the Word of God for guidance in all areas of their personal lives.  Once people come to the humble realization that they cannot do everything on their own and God is the one who can actually change people, then we will have a better understanding of Jesus Christ’s Great Commission – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:20 NIV)

Do our actions quench the work of the Holy Spirit?

How serious are we for reaching people, regardless of their backgrounds, and teaching them to trust in the Holy Spirit?  Does the possibility exist that many of our churches may need an overhaul?  The Apostle Paul instructed the church of the Thessalonians to, “Quench not the Spirit.” (I Thessalonians 5:19 KJV)  The Prophet Isaiah used similar words to describe the passionate heart of Jesus Christ, “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” (Isaiah 42:3 NIV)  Do our actions guide people to trust in the Holy Spirit for their lives?

What is the quickest way to kill a child’s natural desire in helping around the house?  If you are lucky enough to have a child that loves to help you with the housework, you should avoid taking advantage of the situation by turning his or her natural desire of giving and replacing it with a list of chores.  Even though your child may want to help you, he or she may become your worst nightmare because you possibly quenched his or her spirit.  This same analogy can be applied to the church.  There are many people who will dedicate a large amount of the time, talents and resources to the church because of the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives.  However, once the local church oversteps its boundaries…the work of the Holy Spirit may be quenched as a result.

If we are serious about reaching the lost, then it is essential that we do not quench the work of the Holy Spirit.  We should avoid trying to “change” people, but rather focus on making a difference in their lives by teaching how to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  In other words, we should make a difference in others and depend on God to make the changes.  Otherwise, we are depending on our own rules to change people.  We must have confidence that our Christian leaders are teaching by example, so we can listen to them for guidance in applying the Word of God to our personal lives.  

What are a few warning signs that a local church, denomination or religious affiliation may be overstepping its boundaries and inadvertently quenching the work of the Holy Spirit?  How would an outsider perceive Christianity based off our examples?  Ask yourself, does the local church represent a group of “baptized believers” who observe baptism and communion, or a group of “believers” who come together to observe baptism and communion?  Does our worship represent a true awe of God or has it become trite?  Do our prayers focus on real issues or are they just skillfully crafted words?  Does the sharing of our financial resources represent the systematic adherence to a legalistic standard or an expression of love by giving out of thankfulness and gratitude to God?

One of the key questions we must ask ourselves – how big is our God?  Or do we have God in a box?  Most of us believe that God is awesome enough to create our universe out of nothing.  We believe the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ can save the world from its sins.  However, do we believe that the Holy Spirit can change people or do we believe that we need rules to change people?  Is there anything we are doing that may be quenching the Holy Spirit’s work in others around us who desire to know Christ?  What can we do to focus our testimony on helping others around us?

For starters, the Holy Spirit has entrusted every believer with a spiritual gift, or gifts, to use in keeping the “spiritual flame” alive in everyone around us.  The local church is intended to be alive and we should feel a heartbeat.  People should want to seek out our local churches because of the Holy Spirit working inside each and every believer.  Someone may have the gift of encouragement for helping people get through their trials and tribulations.  Another may have the gift of mercy and help those who are unable to physically or mentally take care of themselves.  Yet another person may have the gift of helps and always be ready to help others, who in turn can have their time freed up to share their spiritual gifts and individual talents with other people more efficiently.  The gift of leadership or government is essential for motivating others and running things in an organized manner.  Likewise, the gift of discernment is necessary for protecting the church from internal and external problems as well as maintaining doctrinal purity.  The missionary gift, or the gift of apostleship, allows the gospel to be taught over cultural barriers.  The gift of teaching helps apply the Word of God to our lives.  The list goes on.  Whatever spiritual gift(s) you possess, the Holy Spirit will use your natural talents as an outlet for your gift(s) as an expression of God’s love for others.

As individual believers, as well as groups of believers coming together as local churches, our main concern should be teaching people how to submit their lives over to the work of the Holy Spirit …not necessarily any particular denomination or religious affiliation.  In the workplace, does your boss continuously coddle you…even after you have been trained and been with the company for a while?  The same applies to the local church setting.  Do you expect the church to keep on pampering to your every whim and woe after being a Christian for a long time?  Worse yet, does your church go out of its way to ensure you keep getting coddled, instead of helping you grow as a mature believer?

In summary, people must sense love in our lives as well as our local churches.  The Apostle Paul uses the words, “Love must be sincere…Honor one another above yourselves….” (Romans 12:9 NIV)  The passionate heart of Jesus Christ is evident with the words of the Prophet Isaiah, “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” (Isaiah 42:3 NIV)  As Christians, we need to follow the example of Jesus Christ and avoid quenching the work of the Holy Spirit in others, by being proactive and utilizing our God-given individual talents and entrusted spiritual gifts to help restore the smoldering wicks in the hearts of people within our communities.  Ultimately, when we submit our will over to the Holy Spirit, we help other people understand the importance of depending on God for all aspects of their lives and bring glory to God the Father…not any particular religious institution.

How do our actions impact people around us?

In the New Testament, we find Jesus Christ describing the church as – “For where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am with them.” (Matthew 18:20 NIV)  If Jesus is concerned about the smallest group of people gathering in his honor, just think about how much he cares about reaching out to all people.  Too often people today say the church needs an overhaul or that it is lacking a heartbeat.  How serious are the leaders of our local churches when it comes to reaching out to all people, regardless of their backgrounds?  Conversely, are we personally taking time for others or do we find it easier to just let our church leaders do all of the outreach work?  What impact, if any, does our personal life have on others?  Do our individual interactions with others really have any implications on how they may view the local church as well as God?  

In the Old Testament, we find the Prophet Haggai telling the Jewish people to reconsider their ways, after they laid the foundation of the temple and then sat around for 16 years doing nothing.  The Lord Almighty speaking through the Prophet Haggai said, “… These people say, The time has not yet come for the Lord’s house to be built.” (Haggai 1:2 NIV)  The Lord Almighty continued with the words, “You have planted much, but harvested little.  You eat, but never have enough.  You drink, but never have your fill.  You put on clothes, but are not warm.  You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it…Give careful thought to your ways.  Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored….” (Haggai 1:6-8 NIV) 

In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he makes it clear that Jesus Christ is the only foundation of the one true holy church with the following words, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ."  (I Corinthians 3:11 NIV)  Likewise, the church is comprised of every single person who believes and follows Jesus Christ, each of whom has his or her own special purpose in the church.  The Apostle Paul uses rhetorical questioning to explain the following analogy of comparing the growth of the church to process of growing a plant.  “For when one says, I follow Paul, and another, I follow Apollos, are you not mere men?  What, after all, is Apollos?  And what is Paul?  Only servants, through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task.  I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.  So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” (I Corinthians 3:4-7 NIV)  The Apostle Paul further elaborated how each one of us should be careful how we build upon the foundation of the church.  (I Corinthians 3:10)

The ensuing question remains, what are our motives for building this church of believers – our own motives or God’s will?  How a local church interprets Hebrews 13:17 can be considered one of the main factors in determining if it will ultimately end up flourishing, failing or plateauing.  Does the church decide to apply the Word of God in a legalist, permissive or authoritative teaching style?  The author of Hebrews gives the instructions, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.  They keep watch over you as men who must give account” (Hebrews 13:17a NIV)   A more accurate interpretation of this passage, based off the original Greek language, would be – Have confidence in them that have the rule over you, and be willing to listen, for they watch over your souls and must give account.  In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, he explains how everyone must submit to governing authorities with the disclaimer…we are to do what is right in the eyes of God, since each of us must ultimately give an account of our own actions to God. (Romans 13:1-4; 14:12) 

Each and every person who calls him or herself a believer and follower of Jesus Christ has an important role in the local church, no matter how great or miniscule his or her contribution(s).  Therefore, each of us need to consider our own personal actions and how they impact others, be it in the church environment, our home, our workplace or any other place we may interact with others.  As fellow builders of God’s church, we should try to follow the example of Jesus Christ and honor him by avoiding any behaviors that may stifle the work of the Holy Spirit in another person’s life as well as our own.  In addition, our lives should emulate the passionate heart of Jesus Christ by finding ways to make a positive difference in others and ultimately bring glory to God.  As for a closing thought, if we were intentionally making friends with unbelievers like Jesus Christ did, would that change our approach for coming together as a church?

Does God reveal himself in everything around us?

Often people ask the question, if there is a heaven and we stand before God, can we plead ignorance of not knowing who God is by saying we never knew?  In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, he says “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that we are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20 NIV)  What does this mean?  God has made it obvious to the entire world that there has to be a creator that created every living and inanimate object in this world of ours.  God has purposely left evidence of his handiwork on all of creation, in order that seekers will be able to search for him.

What difference does it make if God is the creator or creation, or he does not exist at all?  The author of the Book of Hebrews, presumably the Apostle Paul, explains “…without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Romans 11:6 NIV)  Basically, the text says that all who seek God must acknowledge that he is the creator who rewards all who diligently seek him. 

When it comes to science, the Laws of Thermodynamics prove that there has to a creator who created our universe.  The Second Law of Thermodynamics tells us that the amount of usable energy in a closed system, such as our universe, will slowly be transferred into unusable heat.  If the energy floating around our solar system has always existed and never had a beginning, then why, after an infinite amount of time, does our solar system still have such vast amounts of usable energy?  If this law is not true, then why do people keep trying to find ways to conserve our resources…unless they are limited?

God also revealed himself through the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.  Consider how the Bible consists of 66 books written by over 40 different authors during a period of approximately 1500 years.  These books have stood the tests of time in their historical, doctrinal and spiritual accuracy with one another as well as the overall theme of the Bible.  The Apostle Peter explained how the Bible is the inerrant, infallible text of God with the words, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.  For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.  (II Peter 1:20-21 NIV) 

In addition, according to the teachings of Christianity…the only religion that believes the entire Bible is inerrant and infallible…God revealed himself to the world in the triune nature of three persons – God the Father, God the Son [Jesus Christ], and God the Holy Spirit.  Jesus Christ was born of a virgin birth, walked among our forefathers as a man, and chose to live a life of perfect holiness and obedience while enduring suffering, persecution, and ultimately crucifixion on the cross, as an atonement for the sins of the world in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah.  Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and mankind.  He has promised to return visibly and personally for the purpose of fulfilling his redemptive promises.

In summary, God did not spare his chosen people – the Jews – for their unbelief. (Romans 11:20-21)  Why should he treat us any different?  Repentance and faith in Jesus Christ are synonymous with one another.  The Apostle Paul explained to the church elders in Ephesus that he “…declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:21 NIV)  People naturally try to seek out answers, whether trying to fill a void in their own personal lives with things of this world or by searching out and reasoning with God.  If someone is really searching for answers, God can send that person a missionary, a vision, an angel or even a Bible.  God has revealed himself through creation and his inspired, inerrant and infallible word…the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.  If we have never tried to search out God and seek his fellowship, then we are the only ones to blame because we are “...without excuse.” (Romans 1:20 NIV)