Do We Really Anticipate Christ’s Return? (part 2)

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(Today’s post is the second in a series about anticipating Christ’s return.)

The Importance of Last Words

If you have stood at the bedside of a loved one facing imminent death, you never forget their last words.

The most common last words often affirm love for a spouse or a family member. Here are a few quotes from the lips of famous people facing imminent death:

When Michael Landon’s son knew that his father’s death was imminent, he is reported to have said, “It’s okay, Dad. It’s time.” Michael responded, “You’re right. It’s time. I love you all.”

Leonardo Da Vinci: “I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have.”

Winston Churchill: “I’m bored with it all.”

Comedian W.C. Fields, when asked why he was reading a Bible on his deathbed replied: “I’m looking for loopholes.”

Frank Sinatra, famous for those lyrics, “I did it my way,” is reported to have said, “I’m losing.” (Ponder the stark contrast between the bravado of the song with Sinatra’s last regret.)

D. L. Moody: “This is my triumph; this is my coronation day! It is glorious!”

Jesus, just moments before he ascended to heaven, responding to his disciples’ question about his second coming, said: “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:7)

Those words—Jesus’ last words—should affect every moment of our lives if we truly love him and anticipate his second advent to earth. Jesus virtually ignored their request for details about his future return, but he reminded them of his promise to send the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ last words consisted of two promises: The disciples would “receive power” and they would “be his witnesses.” Both promises were guaranteed by the Holy Spirit who would not only be with them but dwell in them.

Those words were barely out of Jesus’ mouth when he was “lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” The disciples stood there, mouths gaping, when two angelic messengers appeared and said, “… why do you stand here looking into heaven? This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

That’s all they needed to know about Christ’s return at the moment. Anticipation of Jesus’ return became—and still ought to be—motivation to follow Jesus obediently. It was the assurance of Christ’s resurrection and the anticipation of his future return that enabled Paul to endure persecution and to courageously face martyrdom.

The question facing me today is whether anticipation of Christ’s return motivates me to follow him and influences my decisions and my priorities?

It’s easy to verbally affirm that I believe Christ will return physically and visibly just like he departed that day while his disciples trembled with awe-inspired amazement. However, it’s not my words but my actions that confirm whether I truly anticipate Christ’s return. Am I like Noah who anticipated the promised flood and faithfully constructed the great life boat to save him and his family? Or am part of the distracted multitude caught up in the routines of life until it was too late and the door was closed? (See Jesus’ warning in Mathew 24:36-42)

Jesus also told a story about three employees entrusted by their master to manage his investments while he was on a long journey. Each employee heard the master’s promise to return and to reward them if they were faithful. Two invested wisely. One ignored the maser’s instructions. All three expected the master’s homecoming. Two with anticipation. The other with dread.

Which employee do I reflect in my daily life? You don’t know for certain, and I can even deceive myself. The Lord knows.

It is not for me to know the times and seasons surrounding that climactic historical moment when the resurrected and ruling Jesus appears again. It is for me to obey His command to make disciples. It is for me to submit to the Holy Spirit who gives boldness and wisdom.

Approaching the big 80—4 decades—I realize that I have few years left. I pray almost daily that I will finish strongly. So whether Christ returns first or I die, I want live with anticipation of that encounter with Christ when He will evaluate my life.

So, do I truly believe Christ may return any moment?

When I reflect on Jesus’ last words, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…”, I hear this inner voice: “What about V and G across the street? What about A and L next door? Do they know Jesus? Do they know He is coming back to judge everybody? Do they know that I know Jesus? Have I been His witness here on SW 24th Street?”

When I can affirm those questions, I will then be living as if I truly believe Christ may return today.

Do We Really Anticipate Christ’s Return?

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The January, 1970 edition of “The Shoppers Compass”, a free circulation sent to every mailbox in Morrow County Ohio, included a frontpage column entitled “The Sound of the 70’s—a Trumpet.” Mr. Walsh, a conservative Catholic and owner of the paper had asked me to submit an article to be included in every edition.

Anti-Vietnam war protests, nuclear threat and the Civil Rights movement dominated evening television newscasts. I felt confident that Christ’s return was imminent, and I wasn’t alone. Hal Lindsey’s best seller, The Late Great Planet Earth, reflected the focus of a majority of evangelical Christians.

Obviously, my confidence that the rapture was certain to happen at any moment proved to be wrong. There was no angelic trumpet blast that year and no rapture that decade. Nor since. However, I still anticipate Jesus’ visible, physical return.

Or, do I?

My former confidence in a pre-tribulation-rapture has been replaced with something less specific, and I am not alone. Men who preached and wrote books “proving” the rapture of The Church would happen prior to the seven-year tribulation are now writing books predicting a mid-tribulation or even post-tribulation return of Christ.

One thing is obvious: nobody knows for certain when Christ will return to earth. We should have realized that because Jesus warned His curious disciples, “…concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, not the Son but the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36, esv)

The prophecy of Christ’s return appears throughout Scripture. I am confident that He will return to earth, and I still believe it could happen any moment.

Or, do I?

I no longer draw timelines on charts nor dogmatically preach that Jesus will return prior to the great tribulation. I avoid debates on the subject that tend to create more heat than light. Not that prophecy isn’t important, but I realize no biblical scholar knows every detail about the timing of Christ’s return. How arrogant to dogmatically claim that I have the inside track on God’s timeline. We tend to adopt a particular position such as pre-tribulation and then see every potential verse as a “proof text” to support our views. Verses that others use to support a different view. Seems to me it’s better to say something like, “As I understand this particular passage, I believe it points to or supports a pre-tribulation or a mid-tribulation return of Christ.”

Conservative theologians hold a variety of eschatological positions about the return of Christ including premillennial, postmillennial and amillennial. The differences between each of these is so great they cannot all be correct. Each may contain errors in their understanding of future events surrounding the return of Christ. However, each of them agrees on one fact: Christ will literally and physically return to rule on the earth. I agree with them.

Or, do I?

I say that I believe Christ may return today, and I can recite the ancient creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Powerful statement! Christians since the 1st Century have declared those truths.

But, do I really believe that He will come to judge the living and the dead?

That’s the challenge! That’s where rubber meets the road. That’s the fork in the road—the dividing line between living or dead faith. Between foolish or wise? Between sheep and goats. Professing or possessing. Between lovers of theology and those who truly love (anticipate) Christ’s return.

So, the answer—the proof in the pudding–as to the question whether I truly believe that Jesus may return today will be demonstrated by my actions or lack thereof.

Amidst the chaos in our culture and global unrest, many of my friends say they believe Jesus will return very soon. Sometimes I nod my head but prefer to ask them, “Do you really believe that?”

In future posts, I will be sharing biblical examples on how we ought to be living if we truly believed that Jesus will return to judge those who are still alive and those who have passed this way before us.

The Christian Cancel Culture

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Alistair Begg, respected Bible teacher, recently shared an illustration about counsel he had given to a grandmother regarding whether to attend her grandson’s “gay marriage.” The response to Begg’s comment was swift and severe. In essence, Begg was cancelled by many followers of his radio messages and by other respected Christian leaders.

I am not writing to debate whether Allister’s counsel was appropriate, but I am concerned about the message that has been given to the secular culture. Cable News channels picked up the story focusing on Begg’s words and the immediate harsh response from former friends and supporters of Alistair.

Things haven’t changed since the 1st century church in Corinth. We still tend to divide the body of Christ over gifted teachers. No longer is it Apollos or Peter or Paul (1 Corinthians 3:4) but gifted authors or radio/TV preachers. The preacher may not be seeking honor.

We can dispute Alistair Begg’s counsel but not his motive. Only God knows our motives. Did Alistair seek to appease a grandmother or to appear to be more open minded to our sexually perverted culture? Or, did he truly and prayerfully seek to understand Scripture as it relates to the issue? Only God knows! Paul warned about playing “judge” over one another for there is only one final judge over each of us. As servants of Christ, each of us must give an account for what we have said and done. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5)That includes Pastor Begg and his critics.

Paul warned the Corinthian church to expose and remove a church member guilty of sexual immorality—to not to even eat with such a person. (1 Corinthians 5) Christians are to live a holy life because our body is the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit. However, Paul also warned that we are not responsible to judge unbelievers. After all they are spiritually dead and totally addicted to sin.

True believers are called to flee immorality and to not abuse grace or the freedom that we enjoy in Christ. 1 Corinthians 8 through 10 lay out principles that are relevant to Alistair Begg’s decision to say what he said and has defended. It doesn’t necessarily make him right, but he deserves the opportunity to defend himself. There is no specific biblical text to support or refute his counsel to the grandmother. Jesus befriended sinners and ate with them, but He never excused sin. He did call for repentance and forgave them, but first he befriended them,

1 Cor. 11 also seems to relate to the controversy.  Paul corrected the Corinthian church for abusing of the Lord’s Table by the way they treated one another while sharing the common cup and loaf that are meant to portray unity and authentic love. Has a member of the Body of Christ and a faithful teacher of Scripture been treated unjustly?

Finally, I am drawn to the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians—that beautiful description of love—sandwiched between two chapters dealing with the proper us of spiritual gifts. I grieve when I remember the severe treatment that I/we evangelicals once leveled at our charismatic brothers and how our verbal battles were observed by those outside the Church. I wonder, what did they witness?  Christ-like love or noisy gongs and clanging symbols?

Was Christ-like love demonstrated toward Pastor Begg? Was kindness? The love that endures and bears all things?

Has the Church reflected the “cancel culture” that we claim to despise when a well-respected pastor and radio teacher is cancelled so abruptly and publicly?

Seems to me, once again, we have given the secular culture evidence to justify their negative perception of evangelicalism and of the Christian Church and to cancel us.

I long to for the evidence of Jesus’ words: “By this they (the world) will know that you are my disciples that you love one another.”

I encourage your feedback, and I wonder how many followers may cancel me as a result of this post.

Depreciating the Value of Children

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A 2017 U.S. Department of Agriculture report estimated the cost of raising a child was $233,610. That figure from an editorial by Janie B. Cheaney in the February 2024 edition of World Magazine caught my attention, but it was Cheaney’s closing sentence that captured not only my mind but my heart. (I’ll share the almost electrical sentence later.)

First, I shall revisit Psalm 127:
“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” (Psalm 127:3–5, ESV)

I understand that Psalm 127 was composed by a poet living in an agrarian culture when sons labored alongside their fathers to raise livestock and to harvest fruit and grain. Modern city dwellers seldom need children as co-laborers to provide for the family.

The Bible consistently values children and calls for the protection of orphans. Jesus delighted in children and rebuked his disciples for attempting to keep them at bay. A child served as Jesus’ example of “saving faith” when he said that unless we come to God as a child, we cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

China, Japan and several nations are facing a potential economic crisis because of low birth rates. Their population is aging with fewer young people to replace their elders who are dying. After decades of China’s “one child policy” and now, even with government funding encouraging parents to have more children, the decline in childbirths continues. It is no longer a matter of the cost of rearing a child but the inconvenience of parenting.Sadly, that is not just a China problem or mindset.

Cheaney points out that estimating the cost of raising a child began after Roe v. Wade. Coincidence? Reproductive freedom—the slogan of today’s culture—has become a license to eliminate anybody that makes life less convenient. Today it is a baby; tomorrow? How about the infirm and elderly?

So, now, I share Janie B. Cheaney’s parting shot:
“When did we start talking about what they cost instead of what they’re worth?”

Missing on The Ballot

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The name of a leading presidential candidate was missing on the ballot in New Hampshire so his supporters wrote in his name. The candidate from the other party is presently involved in a legal battle to keep his name on the ballot in Colorado. But, one thing is certain, the Messiah’s name will not appear on any ballot in any state.

You probably noticed that I didn’t identify either candidate by name. My intention is to demonstrate that neither party or candidate can make America Great in the eyes of God.

Do I lean toward one party? If you’ve followed my posts here on Standing on The Promise, it should be obvious because of my strong conviction about the sanctity of all human life. One party supports legal abortion for any reason by any method and at any time during pregnancy. The same party seems committed to destroy the sacredness of marriage and the priority of the family. I consider each of those issues a direct assault against our Creator.

So, my question is “what would make America great again?”

That word “again” suggests America was once great or at least greater today. I believe America was founded upon biblical principles, but we have never been a perfect nation. No human government has been perfect—not even Israel under the rule of David. Imperfect politicians can’t create utopia.

A couple of decades ago, evangelical leaders that were critical of the president, said a president’s moral character mattered. Today, some of the same evangelical leaders, when asked if moral character of a president matters, they answer “no.” My question is how can this double-speak come from the same evangelical mouth?

So, what will make America great? Will it be a robust economy? Borders that are safe? Will a strong military make America great? Will the rule of Law in our cities make us greater? Will the return to “blind justice” regardless of color, gender, economic status or political persuasion make us greater?

To all the above, I say “yes!” But I’m not holding my breath considering our current, dysfunctional government.

The greater question is how can we who claim to follow Jesus help make America great? Get involved. Vote. Pray fervently. Pray for all in authority, not just the president. It’s always safe to pray God’s will be done because it will be done. Even if that means my candidate may lose.

So how can we pray for our nation? I suggest we begin by praying for the Church. Some churches have drifted so far from biblical truth they no longer have a message that transforms. Pray for pastors and congregations to humble themselves and to confess their lukewarmness and lack of compassion. Pray that the Holy Spirit will convict and call us back to God.

“Repent, remember and return” was Jesus’ challenge to five of the seven churches in Revelation 2 & 3. The church in America is in desperate need to listen to Jesus’ harsh evaluation.

Repent! Turn back and walk in truth.

Remember! Remember who we are and to whom we owe allegiance. Remember how amazing the gospel of salvation by grace alone once seemed.

Return! Return to your passionate love for Him and for one another. Return to the authority of God’s Word.

No political party or presidential candidate or slogan can save America from imploding on itself. Our hope must not be in a politician or a party but the one savior and Lord who will return again—not as a baby in swaddling clothes but in royal robe and golden crown. He will bring the peace we pursue. He will make new all that was broken through sin.

Sadly, His name is not on the ballot, but one day everyone will submit to Him as Supreme Ruler and judge.

Do you know Him?

Are you as passionate about Him as you are for your favorite presidential candidate?

 A Lasting Legacy

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“Finish Strongly!” That’s been my stated goal since retiring from full-time ministry. I prefer to call it retreading, because I can’t imagine a pastor or any believer discarding their spiritual gifts or passion to proclaim the good news. I know that I can’t. I appreciate the extra free-time to read the Bible more leisurely—not seeking sermon fodder—but for the sheer pleasure of new discoveries. Having read through the five books of Moses over the past several months was an amazing journey.

The final chapter of Deuteronomy describes the death of Moses when the 120- year-old veteran climbed Mt. Nebo to meet with the Lord one last time and to see the Promised Land. Standing on the summit of Nebo on my first visit to Israel and Jordan, I tried to imagine Moses’ emotions while he was observing the land but knew that he would not enter it. Instead, he died there on the summit. His race finished. Israel mourned Moses’ death for thirty days. Imagine what people were saying about this great leader who for forty years had led them through the wilderness.

What others may say to my face or behind my back is not as important as their eulogies after I’m dead. That will be my legacy—how I will be remembered. But far more vital is what the Lord will say about me.

Moses’ legacy is captured in this Spirit-inspired eulogy:

“… there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.” (Dt. 34:10–12, ESV. emphasis mine)

Moses was the prophet par excellence—the greatest of all the great prophets throughout history. He was greater because of his intimate relationship with Yahweh who is so glorious that no human eye can tolerate. Yet, Moses’ relationship with God grew so deep they spoke as “a friend with a friend.” However, it wasn’t always so intimate. To appreciate Moses’ relationship with God, we must consider the roots and the life experiences that shaped the great prophet.

Moses was the third child of a Hebrew peasant family living as immigrants and slaves in Egypt. He was sentenced to death at birth but was spared by his mother’s ingenuity and the grace of God. He was adopted by an Egyptian princess and enjoyed royal wealth. He was educated in the wisdom of Egypt and on the fast track to political greatness, but he remained a Hebrew at heart. At age forty, his sense of justice turned him into a fugitive in the wilderness where the “son of Pharaoh” became a common shepherd. Forty years enduring sandstorms, severe heat and solitude.

Drawn by curiosity over a burning bush, Moses’ first conversation with the God of Abraham began with a severe warning: “Take off your sandals. This is holy ground.” Moses “hid his face for he was afraid to look…” (Exodus 3:6) The conversation did not end but would grow more and more intimate through experiences such as the plagues that God released upon Egypt to break the stubborn will of Pharaoh. Moses, with the “staff of God”, would lead Israel forty years performing miracles at God’s command.

But it was the occasional encounters with this amazing God on the summit of Sinai that drew the two friends more tightly together. Still respectful, but no longer shaking with fear, Moses became so bold that he would ask to see God in all His glory. (No one dared ask, nor could they survive such exposure.) The Lord invited Moses to meet on the summit where Moses would be protected while seeing only God’s “passing” glory. Another line had been crossed and the friendship deepened until Moses would meet with God, “as friend with friend” in their “meeting place”—a tent outside the camp.

Finally, on the summit of Nebo these two “best friends” met for the final time before Moses’ death. Imagine with me this final conversation as God pointed out landmarks and borders of the Promised Land. Last words are important. Precious. Memorable. I know, because I have stood with families around the bed of a loved one as he or she slipped into eternity. Even the breathless silence of the occasion is holy.

Here’s what the Holy Spirit records after the news of Moses’ death on Nebo:

“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.” (Joshua 1:1–2, ESV. emphasis mine)

If you continue to read the rest of the above quotation, Moses will be called “The servant of the Lord” again and again. Please note that Moses is called, “The servant”—not merely “a servant”—of the Lord. Forty difficult years, God’ faithful servant led a band of rebels and faced natural disasters including drought and plagues as well as military attacks. His leadership was challenged; even his own brother and sister criticized him. Moses never resigned his post but finished strongly to hear these words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

But, the rest of the story is even better.

Almost 1,500 hundred years later, Jesus invites his three closest friends to join him on a hilltop where they will be startled by an amazing sight. Jesus was transformed into brilliance almost beyond description—perhaps like a burning bush—and Moses was also standing there with the Lord Jesus, the God he had met on Sinai. The prophet par excellence was standing in the Promised Land with his best friend at last.

In Revelation 11, we discover Moses as God’s prophet once again performing miracles in The Promised Land. He will be martyred and his death celebrated. But a loud voice from heaven will call, “Come up here!”

Can you imagine the conversation between these two best friends that will follow?

That’s a lasting legacy.

The Missing Link in a Chain of Three

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Like any race, the object of a relay race is to win. Winning means the last runner must finish, and finishing requires each preceding runner to successfully pass the baton to the one who follows. Failing to pass the baton is to lose. Race over! No celebration. Only regret.

The Christian life is a relay race. Passing the faith to those who follow is critical. There is no celebration if a child drops out of the race because the stakes are much higher than failing to receive a ribbon. Turning from the Faith brings eternal loss.

In previous posts, I have shared four reasons children may abandon the Faith of their parents. Today I want to consider how to encourage our children and grandchildren to adopt our faith as their own. First, we must teach our children biblical truth so they recognize what is false. Also, sharing our stories about God working in our lives is important. When Israel neglected those responsibilities, the third generation after the exodus abandoned God.

Jesus chose twelve men to be “with” Him and intentionally equipped them to become the second link in a long chain. Thirteen men sharing life 24/7 was demanding. Imagine the time away from family and career over a period of a couple of years. Imagine the fear of becoming vulnerable and allowing others to see you in your real skin not just your “Sabbath-go-to-Synagogue” attire. Imagine exposing your biblical ignorance and your impatience when weary or when the schedule keeps changing. Imagine Jesus exposing your pride and prejudice and competitive spirit.

But, imagine also the excitement and adventure of witnessing “out-of-this-world” miracles. Blind eyes seeing. Lepers leaping. Walking on water. Serving thousands from a boy’s sardine lunch. Here’s a difficult one: imagine witnessing your amazing teacher and miracle worker hanging on a cross, but on Sunday morning touching His resurrected body and breaking bread with Him in the Upper room.

Sharing life together and listening to the Master Teacher transformed eleven disciples. Judas chose the deceitfulness of riches and abandoned the mission, but eleven men had gripped the baton and continued pursuing the mission that changed the world.

That had always been Jesus’ strategy: “make disciples” who make disciples. That was Paul’s modus operandi with younger Timothy:“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:1–2)

It is through personal relationships that robust faith is passed from generation to generation. Every believer ought to be intentionally connected with a more experienced believer and a less experienced believer. That is biblical discipleship. Biblical preaching and teaching are essential for a healthy church. While programs can be valuable tools, they can’t replace mentoring. Every authentic Christian is a link in the chain. The problem is the missing links. 

We must continue gathering corporately to worship, to be taught biblical truth and to encourage one another. A Christian without a local church is a contradiction. Even those with physical conditions that prevent church attendance ought to be connected with a church family.

If intentional relationships are essential in passing the Faith to those who follow, why are we content with church attendance? Why do we neglect Jesus’ command to make disciples?

Perhaps because mentoring requires taking time to meet with another believer, and requires self-disclosure of our personal lack of biblical knowledge and our struggles. If we haven’t been discipled, it feels intimidating. I understand those fears and once excused myself from the rigor of disciple making. Whatever our reason, the greater risk is failure to pass the Faith to the next generation

Having served as a pastor for nearly 50 years, I know the satisfaction and joy as well as the discouragement that comes with mentoring a younger less experienced person. I have seen the fruit of mentoring and the consequences of neglect.

I was only 23 years old when I became the pastor of Pulaskiville Community Church, a small rural church in Ohio. I was a recent graduate of The Moody Bible Institute and was planning on seminary the following year, but God revealed a different plan. Preaching Sunday morning and evening plus teaching the adult Sunday School class and leading the youth ministry stretched me. Then there were other ministry demands like hospital and home visitation. However, my passion and gift of teaching resulted in establishing a Saturday morning men’s training time. We studied theology, Bible interpretation and practiced preaching to each other. From that small group of men, four eventually became pastors. Others began to serve as elders. From the youth group over a dozen attended Bible colleges and some became pastors or missionaries. Two men would eventually serve as the pastor of Pulaskiville Community Bible church where I had mentored them. Those seven years were some of the most fruitful years of ministry because we were living out Paul’s instructions to equip faithful men who would repeat the cycle by training other faithful men. I still communicate with some of the men with whom I invested Saturday mornings. I understand John’s comment, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 4)

I did not start a similar training ministry at Powellhurst Baptist Church in Portland where I would serve 13 years because Western Seminary and Multnomah School of The Bible offered biblical training. One of the seminary students also served as our church custodian so we spent significant time in my office or doing ministry. Bob, remains in contact with me because of the time we spent one-on-one in my office.

I served as pastor of The First Baptist Church in Bend Oregon almost 25 years. We began a ministry called Foundations for anyone who wanted tools to help them understand and apply Scripture. Men that aspired to serve as elders were connected with one of our elders as a mentor. To my knowledge, the only man who completed all the studies in the elder tract and met consistently with his assigned elder, became and still serves as an elder of what is now Foundry Church. Gaining knowledge and sharing life with his mentor made the difference in Asustin’s life.

Pleasant Home Community Church, where I presently attend, has a strategy for providing theological training accompanied with mentoring. Today, as I tiptoe into my 80th decade, I am meeting with two young men to study the Bible and share life. These meetings with younger, eager believers, are the best hours in my schedule.

Jesus said a disciple, when fully trained, will be like his teacher. Jim, one of the new converts that participated in the Saturday morning classes at Pulaskiville and later served as pastor of the church, recently asked if I was still using the NASB. I remember emphasizing back in the 1970’s that NASB was the most accurate English translation. Jim still clings to his NASB, but I had to confess that I was now using the ESV.

If we want our children and grandchildren grip the baton of faith, there is no better way than investing time in one-on-one mentoring/discipling relationships. Jesus trained men to become apostles and charged them to train others by teaching them to observe or obey all that He had commanded. Verbal instruction and reading good books are valuable resources, but you can only teach someone to obey something by spending time with them.

Three critical links—three generations—are necessary if we are to pass The Faith to those who follow. The problem is the missing second link.

Paul equipped Timothy who taught other men. John wrote to “fathers’ and “young men” and to his “dear children”.

That is our task as parents, grandparents and as pastors today.

Mentoring: Passing The Baton of Faith

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Why children abandon their parents’ faith has been the focus in the previous three posts. The problem is not unique because, as they say, “history repeats itself.” The third generation after Israel’s amazing exodus from Egypt abandoned their parents’ faith. Here’s the account: “…there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. …And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers.” (Judges 2:10)

I have shared three reasons children may abandon the Faith:

Failure to share our God-stories: Like the example in Judges 2:10, children may abandon the Faith because it no longer seems relevant. They have heard ancient stories about things God has done millennia ago, but do they know how God is working in their family today? It is vital that we share our personal stories about God’s provision and protection.

Affluence: Both Moses and Joshua warned Israel not to forget the Lord when they enjoyed abundance in the land. (See Deuteronomy 8:10–18 and Joshua 24:13) Prosperity and peace come with the inherent risk of forgetting that God is the giver.

Individualism: Without koinonia– mutual sharing of life with other believers- faith tends to cool like embers removed from the flame. Israel no longer lived together in one place under the strong leadership of Moses or Joshua. Dispersed throughout the land, each person began to do whatever they desired.

The absence of intentional personal relationships:

Reading through Exodus, I discovered another potential reason Israel may have dropped the baton of faith: the lack of intentional relationships. Some people call it mentoring; Jesus called it making disciples. After spending a night in prayer, He chose twelve men from the large multitude “so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.” (Mark 3:13–15, emphasis mine)

Jesus didn’t just lecture them but shared life with them. They traveled together and ate together like family. If you were asked to share an example from the Old Testament of two men who deeply loved one another and shared life together who would you suggest? Elijah and Elisha? David and Jonathon? Consider Moses and Joshua. What I discovered about their relationship, from the first mention of Joshua in Exodus 17:9 through the conclusion of Deuteronomy 34, impressed me so deeply that I want to share it with you.

Moses chose Joshua to lead Israel in the battle with Amalek

Shortly after Israel had crossed the Red Sea, the Amalekites attacked Israel before these former slaves had time to form an army. They had little military savvy.

The situation with Amalek was urgent so Moses chose one man, Joshua, from over 600,000 men of military age to lead Israel in the battle. I wonder why Moses chose Joshua. All we know about him is that he was young—somewhere over 20 years old—and was from the tribe of Ephraim. Had Moses observed something about Joshua during the exodus or at the Red Sea that set him apart. Did Moses pray before He chose Joshua? Perhaps young Joshua had tagged behind the much older Moses like a child admiring his hero.

Whatever Moses’ motivation, he provides a model for mentoring. An older, more experienced man reached out to spend time with a younger less experienced man, and a deep relationship was forged between them. Here are Moses’ first recorded words to Joshua: “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” This was the same staff that was transformed into a serpent and was raised before releasing plagues against Egypt. The Red Sea had parted before this staff. Exodus 17:8-15 describes the battle with the Amalekites from the perspective of the nearby hill. Israel prevailed when Moses raised the staff toward heaven as a demonstration of trust in God. When Moses grew weary Aaron and Hur supported his arms. After Israel had defeated Amalek, Moses built an altar to commemorate Joshua’s overwhelming victory. Their relationship was firmly established that day and would continue grow more intimately.

Moses and Joshua were united in their pursuit to know God

Both men met with God on Mt. Sinai: “So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God.” (Exodus 24:13*) Note that Joshua is now called “Moses’ Servant.”  They would spend 40 days together on Mt. Sinai.

These two friends also frequently met with God in the Tent of Meeting—a tent outside the camp where “The Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.” (Exodus 33:11)

Perhaps you’re familiar with this account of Moses’ intimate relationship with God at the Tent of Meeting, but did you also notice that Joshua sometimes remained in the tent after Moses had departed? Joshua is not only described as Moses’ assistant but also as “a young man.” This is repeated in Numbers 11:28: “And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth…”

To have been commissioned to lead the battle against the Amalekites, Joshua would have to be at least 20 years old, and we know Moses was at least 80 years old so I’m beginning to imagine a father/son relationship. This is confirmed when Moses named Joshua like a father names his son: “And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua.” (Numbers 13:16) Moses changed his young friend’s birth name from Hoshea, meaning “salvation” to Joshua meaning “Yahweh saves”. The name stuck.

Moses publicly commissioned Joshua to finish the mission

After Moses was disqualified from entering the Promised Land, God charged Moses to pass the baton to Joshua. Here are clips from this historic transfer of authority:

“So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. …And Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and made him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation,” (Numbers 27:18, 22)

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, the days approach when you must die. Call Joshua and present yourselves in the tent of meeting, that I may commission him.’ And Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the tent of meeting. … And the Lord commissioned Joshua the son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. I will be with you.”” (Deuteronomy 31:14, 23)

“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.” (Deuteronomy 34:9)

What an amazing picture! Imagine this 120-year-old veteran publicly transferring leadership to his “adopted” son. Moses probably felt some regret from being disqualified, but he also experienced great pride in the man his adopted son had become after 40 years sharing life together. The next scene, shortly before Moses’ death, is even more precious. Moses had composed his swan song to present to the nation, but he didn’t have to sing a solo because Joshua accompanied his mentor: “Moses came and recited all the words of this song in the hearing of the people, he and Joshua the son of Nun.” (Deuteronomy 32:44) Imagine this father/son duet proclaiming God’s faithfulness.

Joshua reflected his mentor

Jesus taught that “A disciple… when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40)

That is evident from Moses and Joshua’s relationship. After Moses’ death “… the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life.” (Joshua 4:14)

Joshua, like Moses, had warned Israel against turning away from God when they enjoyed prosperity. Like his mentor, shortly before his death, Joshua summoned Israel to remind them of God’s rich blessings and to warn them: “A long time afterward, when the Lord had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies, and Joshua was old and well advanced in years, Joshua summoned all Israel, its elders and heads, its judges and officers, and said to them, “I am now old and well advanced in years. And you have seen all that the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is the Lord your God who has fought for you.” (Joshua 23:1–3)

Because of Joshua’s leadership, “Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the Lord did for Israel.” (Joshua 24:31)

However, at this point in the story, something is missing. There is no record of Joshua mentoring a younger man. Probably because Israel now lived remotely from each other so there was no strong central leader. So “there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. …And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers.” (Judges 2:10)

Are we in danger of repeating history today? Yes, if we fail to share our “God-stories” and succumb to the deceitfulness of riches. Yes, if we seek to build healthy churches apart from discipleship, we are at risk. It is through personal relationships that the baton is safely passed from generation to generation. That was Paul’s modus operandi: “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:1–2) Note the father/son relationship between Paul and Timothy.

 Every true Christ-follower ought to be connected with a more mature experienced believer and a less experienced believer. That, I believe, may be our greatest weakness today. Have we short circuited the mission by replacing mentoring relationships with proclamation and programs? Can we follow Christ and ignore His model and command to “make disciples?”

Mentoring takes time and involves risks, but the joy of watching someone grow spiritually is like that of a parent when their child continues to do as he has been taught. At least that’s the way John felt: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 4)

Next week I plan to share my personal experience with the joy and fruit of intentional personal relationships.

*All Scripture passages are from the ESV Bible.

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Focus on the Handoff

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In the previous post, I shared how Israel’s failure to pass on the stories about God’s deliverance from bondage and His provision in the wilderness resulted in their grandchildren abandoning the faith. Here’s the sad account:

 “When Joshua dismissed the people, the people of Israel went each to his inheritance to take possession of the land. And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the Lord had done for Israel. …And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. …And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt.” (Judges 2:6, 7, 10*, emphasis mine)

The obvious question is “Why?” Why did Israel fail to pass the baton of faith to the third generation? Why are children that have been reared in Christian homes and churches are abandoning the Faith in greater numbers today? Is there a correlation between the biblical account and today? Trying to “get into the biblical story,” I discovered clues as to why Israel dropped baton of Faith.

Affluence- enemy of faith

The generation that survived forty difficult years in the wilderness had to leave their camp every morning to gather their “daily bread” and every Friday gather sufficient for the Sabbath. Every time they broke camp to follow the Cloud, they had to trust God to lead them to potable water. But they were no longer pilgrims in the wilderness. They were now home enjoying the abundance of a land “flowing with milk and honey.” A land suitable for their herds and flocks and blessed with fertile fields of grain.

The survivors had personally experienced a story that was so exciting they couldn’t help but pass it on to their children. Although their children knew the story well, they failed to pass it on to the next generation. Perhaps the children, now living in houses rather than tents and enjoying fresh produce instead of boring manna, found the story irrelevant like Moses had warned:

“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (Deuteronomy 8:10–18*, emphasis mine)

Before Moses died at age 120, he had passed the baton to Joshua who would lead the people into the Promised Land.

Years later, Joshua, “old and well advanced in years,” summoned the people together and rehearsed in detail the story of God’s provision during the wilderness trek and the conquest of the land. He also warned them about forgetting God while enjoying prosperity in the land. ((You can read Joshua’s challenge in Joshua 23 & 24*.) Here is an excerpt: “God gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant. Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:13–14*)

Joshua also set up a memorial stone to remind the people of the covenant they had affirmed. He also “wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. And he took a large stone and set it up there under the terebinth that was by the sanctuary of the Lord. And Joshua said to all the people, ‘Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the Lord that he spoke to us. Therefore it shall be a witness against you, lest you deal falsely with your God.’ So Joshua sent the people away, every man to his inheritance.” (Joshua 24:26–28*)

The people returned to their homes with Joshua’s warnings ringing in their ears. The rest of the story is captured in these words: “And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. …And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt.” (Judges 2:10, 12*)

The third generation drifted into the trap Moses and Joshua had warned against. Life was good and the living was easy so they forgot that God was the source of all their blessings. In the midst of abundance, there was no need for faith.

Sound familiar?

Throughout history, trials such as war, drought and economic depressions have brought nations and individuals back to God. In times of peace and prosperity, we tend to drift. We divide and quarrel.  

Isolation- the enemy of faith

Perhaps another factor that resulted in Israel’s drift was they became less connected with each other. They no longer lived together as one big family. Everyone was living within the borders of their tribal land. Everyone was busy in their own pursuits. Sounds like 2023, doesn’t it?

The life of faith is meant to be lived in community, but we value individualism. Away from the corporate flame, we become embers destined to cool. We need each other, especially as our culture become more secular and hostile. Persecution removes walls and draws Christians together. The author of Hebrews encouraged a persecuted church to stir up one another by consistently gathering together. (See Hebrews 10:24, 25)

Israel dropped the baton when life was good and everyone was in pursuit of more. Are we any different? Israel also failed to pass on their stories about God’s provision. Have our children witnessed our confidence in God? Have they heard our stories about God’s provision? Have we set up memorial stones—family traditions—to remind our children and grandchildren how God has led, protected and provided?

This morning, I was reading in Leviticus and discovered another example of parents using traditions to pass the story on to their children. Every Israelites was to dwell in rustic shelters made of branches of trees for seven days during the Feast of Booths so that their children would experience the story of God bringing their ancestors out of Egypt and providing for them while they lived in tents because they needed to know that “I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 23:42, 43)

I believe there may be another clue in the story of Moses and Joshua to illustrate why the baton of Faith was dropped back then and continues to be dropped.

But, that’s another story for another post.

*All Scriptures are taken from the ESV.

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Twenty Meters Separate Victory from Defeat

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Paul compared the Christian life with running a marathon because it requires endurance. It is not a team effort; each athlete must push through pain and fatigue to finish the 26 mile course. However, the marathon of life doesn’t end predictably at the 26 mile-marker. It may be 70 plus years or less. Each runner must finish the course that has been set out for him.

Compare another race, the 4 x 400 meter relay, with the Christian life. The 4 × 400, considered by some to be the most exciting track event, is traditionally the final event of a track meet. Teams consist of four athletes; each running a lap around the oval track. The race is often won or lost in a 20-meter section or box where the baton must be transferred from one runner to the next. The critical hand off occurs three times during the race, and dropping the baton results in instant disqualification.

In life’s relay, each generation has been charged to pass the baton of Faith to the next generation. Like any relay race, passing the baton is critical. Biblical history is filled with examples of one generation failing to pass the baton of Faith to those who followed. The most obvious example is stated in Judges 2:6-10:

“When Joshua dismissed the people, the people of Israel went each to his inheritance to take possession of the land. And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the Lord had done for Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110 years. And they buried him within the boundaries of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of the mountain of Gaash. And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.” (Judges 2:6–10, ESV, emphasis mine)

Note several observations from Judges 2:

  • The conquest of the Promised Land had been completed, and the members of each of the twelve tribes had dispersed to their assigned borders. Each had an amazing story to share.
  • The generation that bravely fought to claim the land had witnessed God’s hand in victory and continued to serve the Lord as long as Joshua and their parents were alive.  
  • The third generation after the conquest no longer “knew the Lord or the work he had done for their grandparents and parents.” The second generation had failed to pass the baton of Faith to those who followed.

Those observations are still relevant. Each believer has experienced God’s faithfulness and has their own personal “God-stories”. Each person in our small home group has shared concern for their children and grandchildren, and we pray that each of them will truly “know” and follow the Lord. Regrettably, many young people who have been raised in Christian homes and Bible-believing churches drop out of the race after leaving home.

The obvious question is “Why?”

It’s easy to blame secular public education. However, even children who are home-schooled drift away from their parents’ faith. We wonder why the proverb, “train up a child in the way he should go” failed? Well, after all, it is a proverb not a universal promise or a guarantee. Obviously, the odds are greater that a child trained in God’s Word will follow the Lord than a child that has been neglected like a weed.

Why this attrition? Perhaps, because the human heart is bent toward rebellion. The Proverbs also teach that truth, and Jeremiah’s diagnosis rings true today: “The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked.” We’re predisposed from birth to pursue our own way. The first rebel. Satan, has perverted our culture, and the assault against moral decency and the nuclear family is pervasive.

Like all older men, I remember “the good old days.” Things were certainly better when I was a child.

However, I believe there is a more subtle, yet pervasive reason for abandoning the Faith. Perhaps we parents have failed to pass on our stories about God’s of faithfulness. We need to continue teaching our children and grandchildren the old stories about God parting the sea for Israel and about providing water in the desert. Our children need to hear the ten most foundational words in the Bible: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Let us teach our children to memorize truths like, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” We must continue to teach doctrinal truth because theology helps us know God better.

The Bible is filled with amazing stories of what God has done in the past. But do our children witness what God is doing in their parents’ lives? Have we failed to recognize God’s provision? We don’t pray for sufficient food to feed our family because the cupboards and the freezer are full? Has life been so good that we don’t feel the need to cry out to God in desperation?”

A life without challenges tends to leave us spiritually weak. It is in the midst of trials like those Israel faced—giants and Jericho’s—that faith becomes personal experience.

Let us, who have been the recipients of God’s provision and faithfulness, share our stories lest there arise a generation that doesn’t know God or what He is doing today. We must tell our stories lest God becomes an ancient myth who is no longer relevant.

I believe passing on our stories is so critical that Mary and I have written our family story—we call it “God’s story—so that we can pass it on to those who follow.

In this marathon relay of life, the baton contains both the ancient stories and contemporary evidence that God is still working in our lives today. There is no “20-meter box” in which to pass the baton between one generation and the next. None of us knows when our race will end, but it will probably not be 110 years like Joshua.

It’s always the right time to be passing the baton to those who will run the next leg of the race.