The Christian Heathen

Let me be a little sarcastic in this post, even though it will make some kind of sense. There is no such thing as a Christian Heathen, but the term should be used for people who act like Christians and Heathens at the same time. We all know who these people are and in fact if we were honest, we may even fit the bill at times ourselves.

So, here goes my top five lists of Christian Heathens. They are in no particular order.

1: The shouter and curse person at the same time. Sunday services are filled with Praise the Lord and Hallelujah. These people are shouting the isles down with good "church" words. However, once Sunday is over with, their other language kicks in. "Christians" who can curse worse than a sailor, and I was a sailor and I honestly say I have heard these people use language that I never heard while stationed on a ship  in the early 80's. The bible says "You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks"   Matthew 12:34 (ESV).
2: The Prayer and the gossiper at the same time. Prayer services are just beginning and Sister so and so and Brother so and so are taking prayer requests down on their notepad. They are tearing the prayer walls down praying for someone's addiction and terrible habits. Once church is over with they are on the telephone sharing such stories all in the name of God. "At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention."  I Timothy 5:13 (NASB).
3: The spiritual food and secular food at the same time. The Pastor just said A-men. The Saints are shaking hands and hugging necks. They are getting in their vehicles and heading to their local restaurant. Once they walk in the door, they assume the minimum wage girl behind the counter should drop what they are doing and run to wait on them. They (church) wait in line because other Pastors have dismissed their congregations.  They get up to the counter and the action begins. Now, remember this Saint has just come from Church. Also remember this behind the counter minimum worker has not been in church. So, they start their order. Something happens and the food is wrong. The God loving all peaceful Saint blows a gasket and complains to the other saint in line who is getting frustrated b/c they have to wait awhile and number 2 above starts. They voice their opinion as to the satisfaction of the worker and go to their tables. To show these workers they are totally fired up ill with them, they leave their trash on the table to teach them workers a lesson. Now, I wonder what would happen to their church if that worker came and left their trash on their pew? Just saying. "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29 (ESV).
4: The Teacher and ball player at the same time. Brother so and so is the sunday school teacher for the junior boys class. Man, he loves his job. He takes the boys fishing and camping and they just love him. He is the best God fearing man in the church; until Saturday afternoon. That is when he takes his own son to the ball park to play baseball. The umpire is awful. Blind as a bat and can't find the strike zone. All the opposing fans love to come to this park, because they know that fan will let it all out at the umpire. He is spitting and fussing and his face is red because he called out his son. What nerve he must have. He goes to the fence and let's him have it. He high fives the other dads while they are talking about the umps and  how terrible they are. Yessir, he is a great Sunday School teacher. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29 (ESV).
5: The communion drinker and other drinks at the same time. Communion service just concluded. An awesome time in service. The stale crackers and grape juice hit the spot because of the symbol it stood for. he was excited about what the Lord was going to do in the church. Just last night he bought the crackers and juice for church today. Tomorrow he goes back to the same store and buys his alcohol and chips. He will now have another communion time with his lounge chair and television set. The same person who rung him up yesterday rings him up today. She is puzzled as to the difference, but he says, "it's ok to have a drink or two."  "But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.  You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.  For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit ^[b]while yet in his mother’s womb." Luke 1:13-15 (NASB).  
I don't think this person (not John) is great, do you?

We all have problems. Lord knows I have my fair share of them. However, you and I are representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ. I realize that I have done some terrible sins (have you?) and I am glad that God said David was a man after God's heart. That gives me hope for my terrible sins. I ask that you forgive me for what I have done to you and I will likewise. I do not want to miss heaven over something as small as a sin. I am reminded of the missionaries who never really got to preach to the South American Indians back in the early days of the 50's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Auca), but as a result of their sacrifice, such Indians came to Christ.

People are watching you and you must ask yourself a very simple question. Am I living for Christ on Monday just as much as I am on Sundays?

Man is the leader of the house

Let me start this blog off by stating that I am not a male chauvinist pig. I am stating what I feel is wrong with married couples today, and such “wrongs” are filtering into the church, which is causing problems. We do not have men who are leaders in their households anymore because they are either afraid of their wives or they are unlearned. The Christian man must bring back the love of Christ in the household by being what God intended him to be. 

 I will use three scripture verses to make my argument and I trust you will accept them.

I Corinthians 11:3 in the English Standard verses says “But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.”

I Peter 3:7 in the English Standard verses says “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”

Genesis 3:16 in the English Standard verses says “To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you”

Now, that we have them out of the way, let me make another disclaimer. I am referring in this blog to a husband and wife team where both parties are Christians. I am not referring to a situation where the wife is saved and the husband is not. However, that can be discussed at another time, but I still think Genesis 3:16 can still fill in for that situation as well. Getting back to my point. I was in the store the other day and I saw a friend of mine. We did our usual pleasantries and finished our conversation by talking about church. I inquired where he attended and his reaction surprised me. He told me the church and I said , “oh, I thought you were a (name of denomination).” His reply, “Well, I use to attend so and so church, but my wife threw such a hissy fit, that I just started going where she was going.” I asked him was he happy and he said no. I then felt like I had to say something and I did. I asked him how come he did that. His response was just as sad. I want to keep peace in my household.

Now, let’s understand this. The husband is the spiritual leader of the household. I did not say that, but the Word of God says that. Women, your husband is the spiritual leader of your household and you must and I strongly say it that way; you must adhere to the program that they are following. 

True story. My wife and I were the pastors of a certain church before the year 2000. We had a precious lady who attended, but her husband didn’t attend. He was lost and just never came to church. Neither me, nor the previous pastors could reach him. A new pastor moved into the town to pastor a different denominational church. That man said and I quote, “I will go to church if we go to that church.” The wife came to us and asked our opinion. Without reservation, we said GO Be with your husband in that church. That church believed in Christ and ours did too. She went to that church with her husband after attending our church we pastored for many years. He got saved and is now a leader in that church.

When the husband fails to be the leader of the house or rather, when he allows the wife to be the spiritual leader of the household, then the house is living wrong. The man of the house should step up to the plate and be the spiritual leader that God’s Word instructs him to be. I Corinthians 11:3 in the English Standard verses says “But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.”

Wives should submit themselves to their husbands according to the Word of God. This should not be a difficult task if you are serving Him (Christ) faithfully. You may think it is difficult, but once you walk with Christ and follow his commands, then I share that your home will be different.

One last story. My wife is a preacher. She is a great preacher. When she was a teenager many years ago (sorry hun), she was preaching. There was a woman in the church whose husband would not allow his wife to come and here my wife preach.  The woman apologized to my wife who was a teenager then and my wife said no problem. The woman honored her husband. He is saved today.

So, to all you wives out there and to all you husbands out there. Are you following the Word of God in truthfulness or are you trying to please your household?