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

Abortion is a Religious Right

Photo by Yoel Ben-Avraham is registered under a creative commons license.

It doesn't take hidden camera videos of Planned Parenthood's operation to convince us of the truth.  We all know it.  Unborn babies are babies.  Giving them another name does not change the truth.  Calling the termination of a baby's life 'abortion' does not take away the fact that it is premeditated murder.   

But there's that sticky question of religious rights.  

Let us not forget that we have religious freedom in America and abortion is about religious rights.  Is it fair for one group of people who believe that all life is valuable and should be protected to trump the religious rights of those who believe they must sacrifice babies to their gods?  

Should our government have the right to stop a woman from killing her child on the altar of selfish desire, sexual irresponsibility, or the god she calls choice?  Can we truly expect our political leaders to hold fathers accountable for their actions when many men worship the gods of abandonment, unaccountability, and genital satisfaction?  Is it possible to regulate those who worship themselves?  In the religion of the American Dream, a life with a voice is more sacred than one who cannot defend him or herself.  Should it be legal to defend the voiceless when that very idea is in direct violation of some people's religious practice?  At what point does a human life mean more than these religious practices? 

In a time when we can protect sea turtle eggs and bald eagle carcusses, you'd think we could find a way to protect humans who can't protect themselves.  Sure, we've already put some restriction in place. The priests who perform the sacrifices must be licenced.  No back alley temples allowed.  And we certainly don't allow birth mothers who sacrificed their babies to sell the dead body parts after the offering.  This greatly restricts the religious practice of immoral greed, but it also places a deterrent upon the religion.  Could you imagine how fast that religion would be growing if we did not prohibit such a practice?  There would be profiting converts to that god every day!  

I respect religious freedom.  But at what point can we allow worship practices to do harm to others?  How long will we allow these various religions continue sacrificing other humans?  How long will we look the other way while this kind of worship kills babies?  The babies aren't given a choice in the matter.  They are forced to be a part of these religions and it costs them their lives.  

Abortion is a deplorable practice and it's wrong.  It must stop now!   

Apostolic Church Planting By J. D. Payne

Dr. J. D. Payne was our guest on "Salty Believer Unscripted" when he publicly announced a forthcoming book titled Apostolic Church Planting: Birthing New Churches From New Believers.  Naturally, I was interested so I was thrilled when  Payne's print publicist, Alisse Wissman sent me a pre-published manuscript of the book for review.  (It's a 8.5x11" printed manuscript bound in a presentation-style thermal binding.)  

Payne, J. D. Apostolic Church Planting: Birthing New Churches From New Believers. Downers Grove, Illi: InterVarsity Press, 2015.  

In his book, Apostolic Church Planting: Birthing New Churches From New Believers, Dr. J. D. Payne sets out complement his larger textbook, Discovering Church Planting: An Introduction to the Whats, Whys, and Hows of Global Church Planting with this much shorter book.  Payne also tries to answer additional questions and further mature ideas that were not as developed in the larger textbook.  "Naturally," writes Payne, "there is some overlap between the two.  If there weren't, you would be wise to question an author who writes two books on a subject with no continuity and much divergence in thought" (9).  Found throughout Apostolic Church Planting is the statement, "For more on _______ see chapter _______ in Discovering Church Planting."  Clearly the two books are highly tied, although both stand alone on the topic of church planting.  However, Apostolic Church Planting's illustrations are current, as to be expected; not that Discovering Church Planting is out of date.  In addition, Apostolic Church Planting better address the need for apostolic planting in North America.

Like every other book on church planting, Payne starts with the question, what is church planting?  Often, a person picking up a title that deals with church planting will already understand the answer to this question; but it seems appropriate that Payne address this issue.  Given the slightly different approach, size, and nature of this book, it is possible that this title could be the first book a future planter or planting team reads on the topic.  

Payne writes, "Throughout the Bible, we read of the birth of churches--after disciples are made.  Biblical church planting is evangelism that results in new churches" (15).  Right upfront, Payne defines planting as making disciples of those who did not previously have a relationship with Jesus, gathering them together, and then birthing a new church from this group.  Outside of his definition is the mission that takes a large group of believers and starts an instant church in another location (although he does not condemn this kind of work).  "Churches," Payne states, "are supposed to be birthed from disciple making" (16).  

Next, Payne addresses a biblical rationale for what a local church is and is not.  Having previously served as a professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, this is where his professor cap comes out.  And Dr. Payne wears it well.  As the book progresses, it becomes more and more practical, eventually concluding with some extremely applicable chapters.  Each chapter concludes with a summary, offering a concise snapshot of the primary points of the chapter.  At only 121 pages, this is a quick read.  

Apostolic Church Planting is easy to read but it is not an 'easy read.'  Church planting is hard work and Payne does not sugarcoat it.  It is clear that Payne is passionate about helping apostolic planters do the hard work of planting churches that actually advance the Kingdom of God.  Like his other books, Payne's style is a little dry.  You won't find witty anecdotes or clever writing, but you will find grounded, informative thinking, paragraph after paragraph.     

A potential weakness of the book is the lack of perspective from the church in Antioch.  Payne appears to use Paul as his primary source for apostolic planting, but Paul did not plant the church in Antioch.  In fact, other than knowing they were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, we have no idea the names of the men who planted this church!  While an argument from silence is not appropriate, it does seem as if disciples were made by these man who spoke to the Hellenists and preached Jesus. According to the text, some believed.  When Barnabas was sent to check it out, he determined that he and Saul could be of service teaching in Antioch.  Verse 26 calls this group a church (Acts 11:19-25).  It is difficult to know the timeline, but this example seems rather appropriate and a discussion from this perspective would bolster Payne's argument for apostolic planting rather than hiving off a group of disciples and transplanting them elsewhere.  But this is such a minor weakness it is almost not worth mentioning.  

Apostolic Church Planting makes a great book for would-be plant teams.  It's short, divided into easy sections, and offers a great deal of information worth discussing.  In addition, as the team has more questions or would like to work through a particular section in greater detail, they could consult Discovering Church Planting (and Payne tells them right where to look).  This book would also make a good introductory book for a Bible college or seminary course on church planting or missions (although it should be partnered with an additional textbook).  And Apostolic Church Planting is a must read for anyone considering church planting.  

As a church planter in a tough place, I highly recommend this book!  

You can order your copy of Apostolic Church Planting: Birthing New Churches From New Believers at Amazon.com.   

Dr. J. D. Payne is the pastor of multiplication for the Church at Brook Hills.  In addition, he's one of our favorite guests on Salty Believer Unscripted. Some of his other books include Roland Allen: Pioneer of Spontaneous Expansion; Missional House Churches: Reaching Our Communities with the Gospel; Pressure Points: Twelve Global Issues Shaping the Face of the Church; and Strangers Next Door: Immigration, Migration and Mission, among others.  You can also download three free ebooks at www.JDPayne.org.  

Seminary from the Mission Field

I earned an M.Div from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary's Distance Education program.  Translation: I was an online student when online education was taking a beating from brick-and-mortar highbrows.  I firmly believe I received an outstanding education, and the mission field was a large contributing factor.  I was not in a position to pack up and move; but even if I was, I wanted to remain on the field.  I was serving in ministry (full-time throughout most of my Master's season).  I was working with people.  And Salt Lake was (and still is) a lost city.  It made little sense to move from here to a seminary.  Why would I leave the field where I'm ministering to learn to do ministry?  So the option of online education looked good. 

Today, I have a missionary working with me in our effort to plant the Gospel.  He's on my staff at Redeeming Life Church although he's entirely supported by funds he raises from outside our area.  His name is Brett Ricley and he's a blessing.

Brett's official title is Minister of Outreach and Discipleship, but really, he does so much more.  He serves on our worship team, often as the leader.  He preaches about once a month, likely more in the future.  He's engaging in lots of evangelism.  He leads a House Fellowship.  Brett and I pray together a lot.  And he works closely with me to shore up my weaknesses, act as a sounding board, and sometimes call me out when I need called out.  He's faithful in all the little details and always seems happy to pick up the little behind-the-scenes things.  It would be tough to do this ministry without him.  So you can imagine how nervous I was when I suggested he go to seminary.  

By the grace of God, he too felt that remaining in the mission field was wise.  I know seminary will help sharpen Brett's field-test skills and offer him some new tools too.  (If it weren't so, I wouldn't have suggested he go.) But I also know that it might be financially difficult.  He raises all of his support just to remain in the field.  How will he manage to afford such an opportunity?  

I was in the same circumstance when considering Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary for a Doctorate of Ministry.  I encouraged Brett to apply and pray.  And I'm glad I did.  Brett was awarded the Caskey Church Planting Scholarship from Golden Gate.  This scholarship is specifically intended for church planters who want to remain in the field.  Thanks to this scholarship, Brett can enroll part time (because the scholarship doesn't cover enough for full time tuition) and continue to serve in Salt Lake City.  In addition, going through seminary this way means he'll not only be able to serve, but he'll be able to learn in real-life circumstances.  

Congratulations Brett!  

I'm extremely thankful for those that have made it possible for Brett to serve here.  I'm also thankful for Golden Gate and the Caskey Scholarship.  Please join me in praying for Brett's educational process as well as his financial support.  And, if you feel so inclined, he could probably use Amazon gift cards to buy books! 

Behind the Man, Jonah

Jonah is an interesting book.  While it's probably the most well known, it's not likely the most contemplated of the Old Testament prophets.  Most people know the story because of the great fish.  They've either rejected the narrative on account that they simply won't accept that God is a God of miracles, or they love the story because of the fish.  But Johan is not a story about a fish.  It's a story about a prophet of God and a great number of people who do not know God.  Jonah is a story about a complex man who struggles with his service to God, especially as it relates to his enemies.  At times Jonah is angry and in rebellion.  At other times he praises the God of his salvation.  He struggles to serve God who desires to save Israel's enemies.  Jonah, it seems, has forgotten that all the world will be blessed through God's people. (Genesis 12:1-3).  

Take a few moments and read the four chapters of the Book of Jonah.  Here are some points to consider.  

1.  Many people argue whether Jonah was a real guy.  They see this as a fictional narrative.  Maybe it's the story of the fish or maybe it's due to the literary quality.  In any case, we do find biblical evidence to believe that Jonah was a real guy and this was a real account.  We see that Jonah was serving as God's mouthpiece in the land of Israel (2 Kings 14:25).  Unlike the other prophets in the Bible, we don't have those sermons recorded.  The only sermon we have was preached in Nineveh.  Jonah said, "yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!"  We also find that Jesus treated the story and the sign of Jonah has a real thing.  (See Matthew 12, Matthew 16, and Luke 11).  In fairness, some argue that Jesus could be arguing the point of a parable like we might say a person is a prodigal son.  However, I don't agree with this argument given the context in which Jesus uses the sign of Jonah.  

2.  There is a remarkable literary quality found within the book of Jonah.  Look how word "arise" is used throughout the narrative. (Sometimes it's only translated as go, but notice the "get up and take action" feel.  Even as the sailors yell at Jonah, we are reminded of Jonah's initial call.).  Look at the places were God "appointed" a storm and a fish.  Look at the word "great."  A great city, a great storm, a great fish, but God is greater than these great things.  How about "to provide"?  That proves interesting too.  Or notice how Jonah "went down" into the belly of the boat before being carried back to his mission in the belly of a great fish.  This is a rich book with a tremendous literary quality.  

3.  Also amazing is the complexity of Jonah. He is filled with a range of emotions.  He flees.  He's angry.  He's thankful God saved him from drowning.  Jonah says he'll be faithful in chapter 2 only to be reluctant and a grumbler in chapter 3.  Then he's downright angry in chapter 4.  He is a complex man. 

4.  And finally, notice how this book brings the reader in.  It's a story that demands the audience respond.  The twists and turns shock us.  Jonah is called to go to Nineveh and he gets up and runs.  The city repents after a call that doesn't even include the word 'repent' or God.  It's simply a fact that the city will be destroyed and the people respond in amazing ways.  And then Jonah is angry at God.  When the book leaves us hanging on a question, it is really a question for the reader.  At the time, that reader may have seen Nineveh as his or her mortal enemy.  Today, we probably ought to think about this question in that context.  When Jesus says "love your enemy" we should think about who that person is.  Then we should realize that God cares about this enemy and may call us to be his agent to take a message of salvation to said enemy. 

Jonah can be read in no time and should be read a few times.  It's rich and has a transformative quality it we take it to heart.  I highly encourage you read and enjoy the book of Jonah.