Leadership Thought: Why Your Good Works Will Never Get You to Heaven

Dear Friends

I remember taking a course on Evangelism a number of years ago while attending an Evangelism Explosion clinic in Fort Lauderdale Florida. One of the speakers made an interesting point in instructing those in the class when he said. "In witnessing to an unbeliever, you must tell people a hundred times that our salvation has nothing to do with our good works." 

Now the speaker was exaggerating to make the point that today there are still many people who think heaven depends on what they do and not what Jesus did, and so when sharing your faith with someone you need to emphasize again and again that no one can, or will be saved and go to heaven. because of what they do or did. Plainly put, good works have nothing to do with one's eternal destiny. Good works are not the root of our salvation, but the fruit of our salvation. 

Good works are the product of a person's life who has been saved by God's grace and who now simply wants to express his/her love to God for what He has done for them in granting them eternal life. 

There is no greater expression of this reality than when Paul writes to the Ephesian church and states, "For it is by grace, you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesian 2:8-9) . Yes, it is God's grace that saves you, or as someone writes acrostically, grace is God's Riches At Christ's Expense.

But you ask, doesn't what we do have anything to do with our salvation, and the answer is no; it has nothing to do with our salvation.  Salvation is all of Him and none of me, for as someone writes, "Nothing in my hands I bring, but simply to the cross I cling." 

But what about my works? Don't they count for anything? Yes, they count towards your rewards in heaven, but nothing more. Our good works are the loving result of our gratitude for what God has done for us in saving us.

Paul writes in verse 10 of Ephesians 2, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Our good works spring from the gratitude we share because of what God has done for us in saving us. Yes, as mentioned, they are the "fruit" and not the "root" of our salvation.

Pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie recently shared the following message in one of his devotions. "It may come as a surprise to some, but there will be people in Hell whom others would define as good people."

"On the other hand, there will be people in Heaven who lived bad lives, but they repented of their sin."

"You can be a good person, relatively speaking, but you’re not good enough. You may think you will get to Heaven on your own good works, but of course you won’t. That’s how you might end up in Hell."

"Being good doesn’t get you to Heaven. The Bible tells us, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23 NLT). But it also says, “There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone” (1 Timothy 2:5–6 NLT)."

"Jesus himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT).

"There’s only one way to Heaven, and that is being forgiven by God. Heaven is not for good people; it’s for forgiven people."

"So, the real question is this: Are you forgiven?"

"Have you said to God, “I know I’m a sinner. I know I don’t deserve to go to Heaven, but you’ve offered me this wonderful promise that I can go there some day. I want to. So, I want to believe in You”?

"That’s really what it comes down to. You have to admit your sin and believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sin. Turn from that sin. Ask God to forgive you of that sin and begin to follow Christ. When you do, you can know with certainty that you’ll go to Heaven."

Have you done this? He’s just a prayer away.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

Leadership Thought: Checklist for a Pulpit That Equips

Dear Friends,

Now that I am semi-retired, I have the freedom to worship in different churches on Sundays. I appreciate experiencing the variety of services-music, fellowship, preaching styles, and the overall reaction to visitors.

 One of the aspects I am particularly interested in noting is whether the pastor’s message provides a clear life application for the listener.

I might hear a well delivered message with excellent exegesis and a clear sermon outline, but frequently  one thing is missing- the message is lacking life application.

 It may be an excellent bible study, but it fails to equip the listener with specific and practical ways to live out the biblical truths of the message.

We are not only "to be hearers of the word but doers of the word," and helping the hearer translate what he hears into what he does is an important part of the teacher’s responsibility.

The Bible is clear about the responsibility of the pastor-teacher  to "equip the saints for the work of ministry," and pulpit teaching is a very important way that this goal is achieved.

One seminary professor who teaches preaching recently stated that leaving out practical application for the message is the number one problem in preaching today.

People may hear a wonderful message, but how will it make a visible difference in the way the hearer lives?  

Part of a pastor’s responsibility in preaching is to equip members for service, and he misses an important opportunity to equip his members to live out their faith when he fails to provide them with specific ways to do it.

Too often our preaching assumes that our hearers will make the connection between the 'what' and the 'how to'- the message and the ministry. We expect our hearers to figure out the application for themselves, but often they don’t know how to do this.

We may conclude it is the work of the Holy Spirit to do the application but are we not the tool of the Holy Spirit and are we not responsible to help hearers discover specific ways  the message applies to their lives?

The Holy Spirit may be speaking through us, but our people are not always making the connection between the message and their ministry. They may not know that every member is a minister, and so they wonder what the ministry looks like for them. How does what I hear help me impact and influence the lives of those around me? 

Pastors may spend large amounts of time developing their messages and yet spend little or no time providing specific ways the hearer can live out the truth of the message.

"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." (1 Corinthians 8: 1), and many of us have known believers who are storehouses of biblical knowledge, and yet are carnal and combative, always trying to hammer truth into people's lives. Such people are in desperate need of learning how to live out and apply the pulpit truths that can impact the lives of their friends and neighbors.

Some worshippers may have enough faith to move mountains, and yet if they don’t learn practical ways to express that love they gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13: 2)

Each Sunday, worshiping should come away from the service with concrete ideas of how to put into practice the message they have heard.

 I close with some questions teachers might ask to insure they are equipping members to link biblical truth with biblical action

1. Am I modeling the conviction that the Bible is an equipping manual?

2. Do I write equipping goals for each sermon?

3. Do I remind people that we are all learners called to use our gifts in ministry, and do I challenge and encourage them to accept their role as ministers?

4. Am I modeling that I am just a learner like everyone else, and that I too need to be equipped?

5. Do people walk out of the service able to verbalize specific things they can do to live out the message they have heard?

Those in the pulpit are the Holy Spirit’s tool to help equip every member for ministry. We are bridge builders, connecting the timeless truths found in God’s Word with today’s culture, and in doing so, helping transform hearers of the Word into doers of the Word.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

Leadership Thought: Are You a Missionary of in Need of a Missionary

Dear Friends,

The author Mark Cahill, a traveling evangelist, titled one of his books, The One Thing You Can’t Do in Heaven. He  points out that the one thing you will be unable to do is to share your faith with unbelievers, for there won’t be any there.

The only time you and I have to share our faith in Jesus is on this side of eternity, and I wonder how we are doing. 

It's easy to lose the kind of passion and zeal we once enjoyed when we first came to know Christ. 

Whenever we become aware of this happening, we need to ask God to restore that passion and zeal and to give us a greater desire and intentionality to share our faith.

The great preacher of yesteryear, Charles Spurgeon, asks a penetrating question. “Have you no wish for others to be saved? (If not)”, “then you are not saved yourself.” The One Thing You Can’t Do in Heaven, Mark Cahill, p 55. Now I wouldn’t go as far as Spurgeon to say you are not saved if you never witness,  but I do believe a lack of witnessing can be an indication of a lack of spiritual passion and maturity.

Would that more of us would be like the great missionary David Brainerd, who was  consumed by one ambition and that was to win souls for the Kingdom. He wrote in his diary,  "I cared not where or how I lived or what hardships I endured, so that I could but gain souls for Christ. While I was asleep, I dreamt of such things and when I waked the first thing I thought of was winning souls to Christ.” George Whitefield shared a similar ambition, when he wrote, “If God did not give me souls, I believe I would die.”

Evangelism must never become a special task for special people at special times, but it should be the normal task for all the church- all the time. It is a ministry for God's rank and file. Each one of us needs to be alert for opportunities to witness to others about our love for our Savior.

Peter writes, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with  gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Peter 3: 15-16).  

Danny Lehmann, author of Beautiful Feet: Steps to a Lifestyle of Evangelism, writes, “There is a difference between speaking truth in love and loving to speak the truth. Too many who could be followers of Christ are lost because someone bludgeoned them to death with the gospel truth. They may have spoken the truth, but they failed to do it in love, and so the lost remained lost, and the soul became hardened to future witnessing efforts.  We need to love people into the Kingdom with both our lives as well as our lips, and there is a need for both of these evangelistic approaches.”

Danny told how his friend Ray Comfort, another traveling evangelist, promised to give $1,000 if anyone could ever catch him without a gospel tract on his person. Once an inspiring opportunist grabbed Ray after he got out of a swimming pool- hoping to be an instant winner. Ray smiled as he pulled  a plastic - wrapped tract out of his swim trunks (Beautiful Feet, Danny Lehman, p. 15)

Ray Comfort is always ready to give a reason for the hope he has, and likewise we too should be ready as well. We don't need to pray for opportunities to witness, for they are all around us. We need to pray for boldness to seize and speak a word for Jesus. And yes, don't be caught without a witnessing tool.  So, get out that plastic bag, insert a “4 Spiritual Laws” or whatever witnessing tool you use, and get on with the task of gossiping the gospel.

And remember, you are either a missionary or you are in need of one.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

Leadership Thought: At Omaha Beach-Six Minutes to Help You Remember

Dear Friends,

On this Memorial Day,  I encourage you to watch and listen to this six-minute video, "At Omaha Beach".

May we never let our Memorial Day celebrations, as wonderful as they may be, overshadow the real meaning and significance of this day when we remember those brave men and women who have served our country, many who lost their lives in doing do.

Ray Lambert was fortunate enough to survive and to share his experience as he landed on Omaha Beach that fateful day

Keep the Kleenex handy.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

PS Don't ever neglect an opportunity to say thanks to a servicemen or woman when you see them. Include also our police, fire workers and first responders. You will be glad you did and they will even be gladder

1.     www.facebook.com › Lori › videosOmaha Beach D-Day | Soldier Ray Lambert's vivid memories of ...

Nov 9, 2019 · Soldier Ray Lambert's vivid memories of Omaha Beach on D-Day told by actor Sam Elliott in this 6-minute video. 

Leadership Thought: How Will You Celebrate Memorial Day in a Way That Recognizes Its Meaning? 

Dear Friends,

Today we will celebrate Memorial Day. To me it is one of the most important calendar days of our year, and yet sadly, for many who celebrate it, it has become just another day off, an excuse for parties and family get togethers.

Every year I was a high school history teacher, I always showed my classes the first twenty minutes of the movie Saving Private Ryan to visually communicate to them the real cost that was paid for our freedom, a freedom which resulted in the loss of thousands of lives as our fighting forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, Omaha, Juno, Utah and Gold. 

Although I was never in the armed forces, I have a great appreciation for those who have served. My dad was a colonel in the army, my brother-in-law was a captain in the Marine Corp, and I have many close friends who served and risked their lives in Viet Nam.

Today, whenever I see someone in uniform, I am quick to express my thanks to them. I am truly grateful for those who have  served and are serving today.

As we gather today to celebrate this holiday, let me encourage you to take time to think, talk, and pray for those men and women who have served or who are presently serving in our nation's armed forces.

I send this devotional in hopes that you will take time to celebrate this special day in some significant way

To help you do this, I have included a message below that suggests five ways you can support families of fallen heroes.

If you are a veteran, I say thanks. I am so grateful for the service.

 Yours in faith and friendship,

 Tom 

 

Daily Devotional

Be a Hero to a Hero: 5 Ways to Support Families with Fallen Soldiers May 25

by Mara Rose Memorial Day often signifies the start of summer. Maybe it’s a day to find good deals at a furniture store or car dealership. Some might even look forward to having a day off of work, grilling outdoors with family or friends, and maybe catching a baseball game. But what is Memorial Day really about? I am a proud military wife to an American soldier. Each year I develop a deeper appreciation for this holiday because of the many sacrifices our military makes for our freedom. This year it takes on a new meaning for me - along with many others that have ever lost a loved one in the service. We’ve stood at the grave site of a fallen soldier. We’ve seen the American flag draped over the coffin. We’ve watched as their brothers in arms carried the casket. We’ve shed heartbroken tears at the funeral of a veteran, brother, daughter or friend. And we have felt the unbelievable pain from loss. Today is the day that we honor the memory of all our service members that are no longer with us today! Memorial Day is separate and very distinct from other holidays like Veteran’s Day - although they do have similarities. So what is the difference?  According to PBS, “Since the earliest ceremonies in small American towns following the Civil War, we have gathered on Memorial Day to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. As in those early days of laying wreaths and placing flags, our national day of remembrance is often felt most deeply among the families and communities who have personally lost friends and loved ones. The mission of Memorial Day is to reach out in support of all the soldiers and their families who have sacrificed so much for us.” On this day, we pay our respects and give thanks for those that have passed away on the battlefield and at home. It is a day dedicated to recognizing the men and women that served and paid the ultimate sacrifice. So before you start the grill and prepare your famous potato salad for the Memorial Day cookout - pray for the families and loved ones that are missing someone at their picnic table today. Pray for the ones that have lost someone special and might be hurting today. In light of those that given so much and lost their lives for our freedom, what can we do to support the families left behind and other living veterans? 1. Honor and remember those that have gone before us. Visit a war memorial in your area. Place flowers at the grave or honor their memory by paying your respects with family members of the fallen. 2. Donate your time, talents or resources to local reputable veteran organizations. Find an organization that honors and advocates for veterans and families that have lost loved in service to their nation. Some families will often hold a bake sale, cookout, and other events to help offset financial costs or raise awareness for veterans. Genuine support and reverence really goes a long way. 3. Support local Honor Flights. These flights provide the opportunity for older Veterans of WWII, Korean and Vietnam Wars to visit the national memorials to remember their fallen comrades. Check to see if there are Honor Flights in your area. 4. Volunteer at a cemetery or visit a Veteran home. You can volunteer to lay flowers or flags at a veteran or local cemetery. Maybe visit the aging Veterans in your communities to hear them tell their stories. Also check the VA website for specific Memorial Day needs by state. 5. Fly an American flag at your home or wear patriotic colors. Keep in mind that flags are typically flown at half staff today in honor of the service members. Also, if you see a flag that is damaged or not displayed correctly please kindly inform the business or neighbor so they may properly show respect. Learn more about properly displaying the flag with the American Legion. Providing real and tangible support now may even help prevent further loss of our nations finest before next Memorial Day. Your support can make a difference in the lives of those who are still serving today. Remember to thank God for the brave men and women that gave us all the freedom to enjoy simple luxuries like outdoor picnics and a Monday off work. Thank God for all of those that have served and are currently serving today. Watch a video featuring “The True Meaning of Memorial Day”, featuring a song that will always bring me to tears, “Amazing Grace”. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4 (NIV)

Leadership Thought: If You Want to Live Longer, Connect with Others

Dear Friends,

I was in Walgreens when I came across a person in a military uniform. I walked up to him, and as I often do when I see a member of the military, I looked him in the eye and said, “Thanks for your service.”  And he responded saying, “Thanks, I appreciate your words,” and both of us quickly moved on.” 

Just a few words spoken between two people who never met before, but I experienced an immediate sense of connection between the two of us, and I felt good, and I had the sense he did also.

That is what happens when true connection takes place between people, even people who don’t know each other.

As I was leaving the store, I saw a disabled woman pushing a walker, and I took a few extra seconds to wait and hold the door for her, and she began profusely thanking me for my action. I don’t remember what we said to each other after that-not much of anything-but as we both walked away, I do remember having the sense in helping her we both connected  and that act also felt good to me and I suspect she felt the same.

I don’t share these two examples to draw attention to myself, but only to point out that it doesn’t take much effort-just a few seconds-to connect with people and experience the wonderful feelings associated with your action.

How important it is in life for all of us to look for opportunities to connect with one another

It has been said that we need to touch a person’s heart before we ask him for his hand,” and that is good advice for those interested in building relationships.

As a pastor, I am always encouraging our members to look for opportunities to connect with people they don’t know.

When every member does that, a large church becomes small and intimate, and a warmth of fellowship develops that possesses magnetic power to attract and retain visitors. Visitors may quickly forget the message from the pulpit, but they will never forget the warmth of the people who made them feel so much at home.

Churches plan and promote “Make a Friend Sundays,” but why does making friends only happen on special Sundays? Shouldn’t we all want to make a friend(s) every Sunday?

Making friends will not happen automatically.  As my mother used to say, “to have friends, you must always seek to be a friend.”

Connection takes some degree of intentionality, so I encourage you  to never leave church until you have spoken and connected with at least one person you don’t know.

Connecting with others is also good for your health. It can even help you live longer.

A large-scale research review found that low social connection has as much of an effect on our mortality rate as not exercising and is twice as harmful as being overweight. That review also found loneliness effects morbidity as much as smoking or drinking alcohol. Connecting with People- What It Is and Isn’t. Andrea Darcy, March 21, 2017-taken from the internet.

Let’s make Romans 12:10 our church motto: “Love one another with brotherly affection (and) outdo one another in showing honor.”

So, if you want to live longer, and make your church more attractive while doing so, just make it your goal to make every Sunday, “Make a Friend Sunday.” 

Yours in faith,

Tom

Modified and adapted from a previous Leadership Thought

Leadership Thought: A Visit to Those Battling Cancer and Words That Forever Changed My Ministry

Dear Friends,

It’s always nice to be remembered.  A few of you e-mailed me and asked if I was doing OK because they hadn’t received a Leadership Thought the last few days. I took a few days off to travel north to visit two of my wife’s best friends in Henderson Harbor, New York, who are both facing the challenge of battling  cancer as Jean and I did. It is amazing how close one becomes when you spend time with others  who are facing this life-threatening disease.

 It’s good to be back home once again after driving five and a half hours through a torrential rainstorm, and I wanted to say thanks to those of you who wrote and wondered how I was doing. 

I would like to ask for your prayers as I will soon be entering the hospital for a heart catheterization that will hopefully address some breathing issues I have experienced in the last few months.

A few years ago, I attended the funeral of a dear friend whose words  in 1969 changed the direction of my life and ministry. Those words came from the lips of Dick Armstrong, who had been a professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, Dick recently passed away at age 94.

Dick enjoyed a varied career in both the secular and religious worlds. He was a professional baseball player, an accomplished pianist and composer of music. He was the director of public relations for the Baltimore Orioles baseball team, and the first person to introduce the idea of team mascots to professional sports, his Mr. Oriole being the first professional team mascot to appear on the field. Dick, who had pastored one of the largest churches in the Presbyterian denomination, was also a prolific writer who authored seven books and had been working on three others at the time of his death.  Dick was the most amazing and multi gifted man I have ever met. His obituary filled a full page of the Princeton, N.J.  newspaper. 

I first met Dick thorough the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, while he was serving as President of the National Trustee Board for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Our interests in sports and faith provided a natural attraction and thus began a friendship that we maintained for almost 50 years.  Living in the Princeton area provided me the opportunity of visiting with him on a number of occasions, and I never left our times together without feeling encouraged and inspired to be a better person and a better pastor.

But now about those words that changed the trajectory of my life and ministry. Dick had been serving as interim pastor at the Cedar Park Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. He called and asked me if I would be interested in pastoring  a church like Cedar Park.  The church had been a predominately white church, but it was now located in a community that was  80 percent black and facing the challenge of reaching out and serving this rapidly changing racial community.  

 At the time I was serving a small church in Syracuse, New York. I knew little, if anything, about urban ministry, and having grown up in a predominately white community of Watertown, New York, I felt totally incompetent and unprepared for the kind of ministry this church needed. Dick was persistent, however, and on two different occasions he called and encouraged me to at least explore the possibility of ministry. Each time, I politely told him I was not interested. 

After our third conversation, however, he closed with the words that changed my thinking about my direction for ministry. Dick said, "Tom, I believe you're the man for this ministry." 

Dick believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. He had confidence in my abilities at a time when I felt totally inadequate. I couldn’t get those words out of my mind. “Dick believes in me!”

Belief in someone is a powerful force in shaping one's life, and it was those nine words, and, of course, the power of the Holy Spirit that changed my attitude about my limitations and inadequacies. I accepted Dick's challenge, pursued the position and eventually was called to become Cedar Park's pastor. The next seven years of my ministry were life changing for me and my family as our church would become one of the few fully integrated churches in Philadelphia.

During that time, I grew as a pastor in ways I never could have imagined.

Dick’s words were powerful and life changing. They became the positive push that changed my life and my ministry.

Words can do that. They can become "the wind beneath our wings" that enable us to soar beyond the limits of our expectations.

The Apostle Paul fully realized the power of the 'positive push' when he exhorts us "To encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are already doing. " 1 Thess. 5:11

Is there someone in your life who would benefit from your words of encouragement?

Why not drop them a note or pick up the phone and give them a call? I promise you that you will be glad you did, and so will the person you contact. Who knows but what your words might be as life changing as Dick's words were for me.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Pastor Tom

Leadership Thought: Who Wants to Be a Servant?

Dear Friends.

The other night at our Life Group, we were discussing what it meant to be a servant. We all agreed it is much easier to act like a servant when we can choose the time and condition of our service, but it is much harder to reflect a servant’s spirit when someone asks or demands our time and place of service.

I remember the times when I pastored churches and was always willing to serve in the most menial of ways- thinking nothing about helping to clean up a bathroom when needed. But when I became a pastor with 20 other pastors in a huge mega church and was told to clean up a bathroom, my servant attitude changed. It’s one thing when you get to choose whether to be a servant; It is another thing when someone tells you to be a servant.

I think of the example of our Lord who is our model of servanthood. He willingly chose to wash the dirty feet of those disciples knowing one would betray Him, and one would deny Him and all would forsake Him.

What a stark reminder our Lord has left us of what it means to be a servant. We are to be his 'foot washers.' 

Fulfilling the role of a servant will never be easy. It will often be painful, and thus easily avoided by even those possessing the best of intentions.

A businessman asked a friend, “How do you know if you are a servant.” Wisely, his friend, replied, “By the way you respond when you are treated like one.”

One of the greatest servants I wished I could have met is a little boy named Chad, who Chuck Swindoll describes in his book Improving your Serve.

“Little Chad was a shy, quiet young fellow. One day he came home and told his mother, he'd like to make a Valentine for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. She thought, ‘I wish he wouldn't do that!’

She was used to watching the children when they walked home from school. Her Chad was always behind them. They laughed and hung onto each other and talked to each other, but Chad was never included.

Nevertheless, she decided she would go along with her son. So, she purchased  the paper and glue and crayons. For three whole days, night after night, Chad painstakingly made 35 Valentine's.

Valentine's Day dawned, and Chad was beside himself with excitement! He carefully stacked them up, put them in a bag, and boldly bolted out the door.

His mom decided to bake him his favorite cookies and serve them up warm and nice with a cool glass of milk when he came home from school. She just knew he would be disappointed...... maybe that would ease his pain a little. It hurt her to think that he wouldn't get many Valentines’ - maybe none at all.

That afternoon she had the cookies and milk on the table. When she heard the children outside, she looked out the window. Sure enough, here they came, laughing and having the best time, and, as always, there was Chad in the rear. He walked a little faster than usual. She fully expected him to burst into tears, as soon as he got inside.

His arms were empty, she noticed, and when the door opened, she choked back her tears.

‘Mommy has some warm cookies and milk for you.’ But he hardly heard her words. He marched right on by, his face aglow, and all he could say was, 'not a one... not a one.’ Her heart sank.

And then he added, ‘I didn't forget a one, not a single one!’"

Each time I recall this little story I find myself thinking, I wish I could be like Chad, and yet I have such a long way to go to possess his servant’s heart.

Servanthood starts in the mind, with a simple prayer of three words: “Change me, Lord.” That's my prayer for today, and I hope it's yours as well.

As I close, I suggest we be reminded of those words of Jesus, who said, “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” (John 13: 15)

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

P.S. The call to be a servant has no expiration date for our status as servants never ends

Leadership Thought: Why Some Good People Won’t Go to Heaven

Dear Friends

Some movies one never forgets. One of those movies for me was the “Jesus Revolution.” I remember watching it three years ago in a North Carolina movie theater with Dr. Bob Whitesel, a church consultant friend,  and his wife.

It’s based on a true story about pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie who following in the footstep of the late Billy Graham has become one of the world’s most respected evangelists

It’s a powerful story, and if you haven’t seen the movie, I encourage you to do so.  I remember sitting in the movie theater that night, with tears streaming down my face, as I recalled the time when my life forever changed when I accepted Jesus Christ while attending a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Conference in 1962 in Lake Geneva Wisc.

Greg is a southern California pastor who leads a mega church while also traveling all over the world leading evangelistic crusades.

He also writes a devotional that I look forward to reading each day and recently he addressed the question  “Why good people won’t go to heaven,”

I share it with you today in case you happen to be one of those “good people” who’s anticipating heading to heaven because of  the good life you have lived.

Greg writes, “There will be good people in Hell. When I say, “good people,” I mean people who trusted in their own human efforts, people who trusted in their own personal reality, and people who trusted in the religious things they did.”

“Jesus issued a very clear warning in Matthew 7:22: “On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name’” (NLT).

“If we updated the passage, the people might say, “Lord, Lord, we were baptized in Your name and received communion in Your name.” But the answer still would be the same.”

“But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws’” (verse 23 NLT). These are good people Jesus is talking to. These people paid their taxes. These people recycled and put the right trash in the right can. These people drove Priuses and ate kale and didn’t damage the environment. They’re good people.”

“They’re just not nearly good enough. That’s why the apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8–9, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (NLT).”

“Jesus never said that if you live a good life, you’ll go to Heaven. But here’s what Jesus did say: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NLT). He doesn’t want us to work ourselves to exhaustion, trying to be good enough to earn salvation. He wants to give us rest and assurance. He wants us to accept the gift of eternal life He offers.”

“For people with a mature faith, this is a simple review. A chance to celebrate God’s mercy—that is, His kindness and compassion—and His grace—that is, His undeserved favor. But it’s also a reminder that there are people—people you know—who believe that their good works are good enough for God. People who believe that because their good outweigh their bad, they will be welcomed into Heaven. People who believe that growing up in a Christian home and attending church make them Christians.”

“People who will be stunned to hear Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:23.”

“People who need a mature believer to help them understand what it means to make a personal commitment to Christ: to confess that they’re not good enough to earn salvation, to turn away from their sin, and to accept Him as Savior and Lord.”

“You can be that mature believer. You can share the gospel truth. You can help them see the futility of trying to earn salvation through good works. You can point them to Jesus’ sacrifice—the gift of God that makes salvation possible. The question is, will you?”

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

Leadership Thought: Is Your Church Really a Friendly Church? 

Dear Friends,

Not everyone comes to church like a recent first-time visitor who visited our church. The greeter, recognizing a nervousness about him, did everything he could to make him feel comfortable. He introduced himself, told the visitor how glad he was that he had taken the time to visit, and then proceeded to walk him into the church while looking for someone else to introduce him to. The person happened to be our audio-visual director who was standing with her 92-year-old mother. The mother, sensing the visitor's high level of anxiety, simply put her hand on his back in an effort to calm and comfort him. With that loving touch, our visitor burst into tears and cried out, " I need Jesus." 

The greeter, who was still standing by, then introduced him to one of our pastors who prayed with him and then he walked him over and introduced him to one of our elders who invited him to sit with him during the service.

The young man related he had recently purchased a bible and had been reading through the New Testament. He had just read about Jesus being baptized by John and recognizing the word Baptist in our church name- we are the New Monmouth "Baptist" Church- he decided to visit and find out more about what it meant to be Baptist.

So much for the word 'Baptist' being a pejorative description that might frighten some  from  attending our church; instead, it turned out to be the very reason our friend walked through our doors.

The irony of this was he did so, not knowing we were a non-denominational church which had left the denomination over 30 years ago.

I shared this story to point out how important it is for church members to look for visitors and then go out of their way to make them feel comfortable. 

Long ago I remember reading that if someone new visits your church and leaves having been introduced to at least five people, there is a ninety percent chance they will return a second time to worship. 

I often tell people that “every member is a minister.” Ministry takes place from the pulpit to the pew, and from the pew to the pulpit, but it also takes place from the pew to the pew as members reach out and share the love of Christ with one another.

I always try to impress our church that body life (caring for one another) is the life of the body. A church is not a church where members don’t love and care for one another

Our first goal in communicating with guests (and by the way I never call them visitors) is to help them relax and feel comfortable. Sharing the love of Christ within the body is the responsibility of every member. 

I encourage people to pray before walking through the church doors-and part of that prayer should be "Lord help me be used to minister love to someone I will meet today. Ask the Lord to help overcome your shyness and step out in faith and find someone in the body you can care for and don’t leave the service until you do so.

If your church is not growing, maybe it is because you are not friendly enough

"Oh, but Tom, our church is a friendly church." Is it, or is it just friendly to people who have been attending for 15 years or more? What about the new person who visits? Will he/she feel it is friendly? Will they leave after having been introduced to at least five new people

When you meet and converse with someone new to the church don't leave them after talking with them. No, introduce them to someone else who will hopefully do the same by finding someone else to introduce them to.

In one church I know the pastor introduces the service with these words: "If this is your first time here, we're glad you're here. We want you to take a deep breath, sit back, relax, and enjoy the service."

In other services the pastor may ask the congregation to turn around and give someone a hug or a handshake. This hug or handshake may be the only physical touch they get all week, and we know that human beings need touch. Introducing yourself to one another provides a great way to help raise the comfort level for your guests.

Whether or not you wear an official greeter badge does not exempt you from finding someone who is present and taking the initiative to make them feel glad they came. Yes, you hold the key to making someone feel welcomed, valued, and accepted.

The next time you see someone new in church, walk up and introduce yourself and imagine that they have a sign hanging around their neck that says, "Please help me feel important."

Don't miss your Sunday ministry, it may be the most important ministry you'll ever have.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

P.S. Pastor Rich Warren writes "A guest's first 12 minutes dramatically influences whether they're coming back or not. You never get a second chance to make a first impression."

Leadership Thought: A Book That Every Believer Should Read

Dear Friends,

I love reading books and books have played a significant role in shaping my ministry.

A few years ago, I was asked to share the ten most significant books on ministry that I had read, and one of those books I included on my list was a secular book on leadership called, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.

It's written by John Maxwell, an evangelical believer, who has written more books on leadership than anyone in the world, and while it is written in non-spiritual language, the teaching of Jesus bleeds through it's every page. Plain and simple, I believe, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership is a book that everyone should read.

But you say, "Tom, I am not a leader," but I would disagree because every living person is a leader. You are either a good leader or a bad leader, but you are a leader for leadership is nothing more and nothing less than influence, and every living person is influencing someone. The question is, are they influencing others in a positive or negative direction?

In his book John's  shares 21 leadership principles that are key to being a successful leader, and I would like to share some of his thoughts from one of his chapters he calls "The Law of Empowerment," in which he discusses how one can become an ‘empowering’ leader.

 Whether from a secular point of view or a spiritual point of view, this principle of empowerment is essential if one wants to be an influencer of people. 

As believers this is our mandate. We are called to be influencers; we are called to be salt and light as we traverse about doing kingdom business

I would like to share a few lessons from John's chapter on empowering  leaders that hopefully will be helpful as you and I seek to make a positive difference in people’s lives. 

John writes, "To lead others well, we must help them to reach their potential. That means being on their side, encouraging them, giving them power, and helping them to succeed....... Leading well is not about enriching yourself- it's about empowering others...."

"In cultures where you have to fight to make something of yourself, the assumption often is that you need to fight others to maintain your leadership. But that reflects a scarcity mind- set. The truth is that if you give some of your power away to others, there is still plenty to go around." 

"When I teach the law of empowerment, I usually ask a volunteer to come up so that I can show visually what happens when a leader tries to keep others down instead of raising them up. I ask the volunteer to stand in front of me, and I put my hands on his shoulders. Then I began pushing him down. The lower I want to push him, the more I have to bend down to do it. As I push him lower, I go lower. That's the same way it is in leadership: to keep others down, you have to go down with them. And when you do that, you lose any power to lift others up."

“Leading others well is not about enriching yourself- it's about empowering others. The empowerment leadership model shifts away from position power to people power”

“Weak leaders worry that if they help subordinates, they themselves will become dispensable. But the truth is that the only way to make yourself indispensable is to make yourself dispensable. In other words, if you are able to continually empower others and help them develop so that they become capable of taking over your job, you will become so valuable to the organization that you will become indispensable. That's a paradox of the law of empowerment......"

"The number one enemy of empowerment is the fear of losing what we have. Only secure leaders are able to give themselves away. Mark Twain once remarked that great things happen when you don't care who gets the credit. But I believe you can take that a step further. I believe the greatest things happen only when you give others the credit." 

"The truth is that empowerment is powerful- not only for the person being developed, but also for the mentor. Enlarging others makes you larger."

John's words are a powerful reminder of what I am called to do and to be as a follower of  Christ if I want to positively influence and impact others.

Jesus has equipped and empowered us to do His work in His way. He has called us to make a difference, and empowering others is part and parcel of that call. I hope you and I will do our best to fulfill it.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

Leadership Thoughts: How Would Your Church Be Different If You Were the Minister?

Dear Friends,

I heard about a woman who was visiting church one Sunday. The sermon seemed to go on forever, and many in the congregation fell asleep. She liked to meet new people, so after the service she walked up to a very sleepy looking gentleman, extended her hand in greeting, and said, “Hello, I'm Gladys Dunn.” To which the man replied, “You're not the only one ma'am, I'm glad he's done too!”

When you and I walk out of the service on Sunday morning our service is not done. In fact, our service has only just begun as we walk through those doors.

We are fond of reminding people at our church that every member is a minister, and every saint is a servant. You and I are called to serve, to be contributors, not just consumers. Your job is the same as mine: we are called to connect with people and share Christ’s love in word and deed.

We often distinguish between clergy and laity, but in the early church there was no such distinguishing difference. In the Book of Acts, the story of the early church, everyone saw themselves as ministers. It was during the Dark Ages that the difference between clergy and laity crept in.

One of the rallying cries of the Reformation was that every member of the Body of Christ is a minister. Peter wonderfully describes our role as believers when he writes, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

How many ministers do we have at our church? We have around 250 ministers and 3 equippers. We are all in this together.

As pastors we are called to “equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12). The word “equip” is the same word used to described what James and John were doing when they were preparing their nets in Matthew 4:21. They regularly repaired their nets, in order to make them effectively useable. Their nets were being prepared for future service; not just stored away to be forgotten.

Every member in the family of God is a minister and every servant is called to serve. Every Sunday service should be a meeting of the Ministerial Association.

What would your church look like if every member served the way you serve? How would your church be different if everyone was eagerly seeking to be equipped for ministry and was looking for opportunities to serve?

Servants serve, members minister, and when this happens the church becomes the New Testament Church with a sanctuary filled with sold out servants looking and longing for ways to fulfill their calling as His ministers.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom