This week i am speaking at Americ'a Keswick Bible Conference, Whiting NJ. What a joy to share in God's Word with these dear people who desire to maximize their vacation and grow in their knowledge of the Bible. I would commend any family desiring to instill the value of a Christ-centered vacation to look at Keswick, or Harvey Cedars or Sandy Cove -- it is well worth the week!
My job this week is to preach four messages on the book of jude. A few years ago i preached ten full messages on the book in a series entitled - "Detecting Spiritual Terrorists." The title is intriguing in light of the day in which we live. Not a day goes by when we don't hear about a car bomb or "raising the threat level." Since 9-11 these have become familiar phrases. Yet the Bible talks about "spiritual terrorist" in Jude calling them apostates.
An apostate is a person who prentends to be a believer and gains acceptance in the church with the intend to relationall, doctrinally and ministrially do harm. Peter, John and Paull said in their epistles -- "THEY ARE COMING!" Jude announced they are here!!
I have to be honest - I thought this would something novel to preach. I mean how many series on jude have you heard other than the one I did at NewSong in 2006? I thought i would bring a new conversation to the dinner table -- i mean have you had causal conversation about an Apostate lately? And seeing i was on sabbatical, i did not want to produce a brand new series of messages, so i re-worked four messages and put a power point presentation together.
But what I have discovered is that Christians are concerned about their churches. The first message i asked how many are long standing members of church - 95% raised their hands. Second question - "how many are CONCERNED with your church?" 90% indicated at one level or another they are burdened by the condition of their church. That is sad!
MAny after my sessions are asking really great questions and have stories to tell how people have come into their churches and cause all kinds of problem. They embed themselves in the fellowship and then gain acceptance and some get into leadership. It is not long that they start ascerting their influence and take the church down the path towards lukewarmness.
One pastor told me an unbelieveable story about dealing with a church leader and how he almost caused a church split. One of his fellow-leaders had said to him..."I think he is an apostate." This pastor admitted that at first I did not believe him, but now he is convinced it is truly possible!
With the lack of Biblical literacy and woefully lackluster discernment in the Body - we are open game for savvy apostates. Our task is to deepen our doctrinal understanding; watch out in our flocks for those luring away those who are weak and vulnerable; and especially those who speak poorly of our pastors, elders and leaders.
As Jude warned us -- we are the "CONTEND FOR THE FAITH!"