mrtonyfrench

Why do we have so much trouble in our local churches? Why are dissension, disunity, and incessant complaining so common in our churches? These things sap the strength of the church and keep us from experiencing true blessing and growth. But what causes them?

Let me offer three possible reasons for the trouble in our local fellowships. This list is not exhaustive by any means. There are many reasons churches struggle. Let us focus on these three for the sake of brevity.

1) We are still sinners. Though we are Christians and though we are in Christ we still struggle with our own sinfulness and our own selfishness. Therefore, when we don’t get our way we complain and stir up conflict. Christians sometimes fall into old patterns of sin which causes strife and pain. We will not be complete until we are in the presence of Christ. We’re still sinners and we need to remember that fact.

2) We don’t communicate. We don’t like having the difficult conversations that sometimes arise amongst family. Instead of asking for clarification and seeking to understand, we jump to conclusions and assume the worst of our fellow Christians.  Then, we talk about these situations to anyone and everyone who will listen. Pretty soon, sides form and you have a full-scale conflict. Failure to communicate has doomed many churches to irrelevancy and decline.   

3) Not everyone in the church is a Christian. Even those who claim to be Believers may actually be lost and unconverted. Jesus said there will be tares among the wheat. He promised that false believers would exist with genuine Christians until the time of judgement. (Matthew 13:24-30) False Christians can stir up dissension easily and effortlessly.

These aspects of church trouble I have mentioned are possible in every realm of the church. Even Pastors, Staff Members, Deacons, and church leaders are not immune. We all must be on guard against those entities which would divide us.

Tony French

How can we overcome trouble in our churches? Division, strife, and fighting are ever-present problems in the fellowship. How do we move past these enemies of unity?

Let’s look at three steps we can take to accomplish this goal.

1) Forgive one another. We are sinners who are in constant need of forgiveness. Christians will hurt each other from time to time. The need for forgiveness is great. We must offer forgiveness and receive forgiveness in order to vanquish trouble from the congregation. Read Matthew 18 and you will see Jesus’ treatise on forgiveness.

2) Communicate with one another. When we hear something that someone supposedly said or did, don’t assume too much. Perhaps you are not hearing the entire story. Give people in the church the benefit of the doubt. Don’t assume the worst about others. And if you have questions, GO ASK THEM!

Paul tells us that Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)  Communicate and get to the bottom of the story. You’ll be glad you did.

3) Be patient with one another. Not everyone in the church is at the same spiritual level. Recognizing that fact will go a long way in helping us to be longsuffering. Be patient, be kind, and understanding. It’s not easy. But such actions are worth the effort.

Jesus reminds us that we will always have trouble. (John 16:33) He also teaches that He has overcome the world. We can overcome trouble when it inevitably arises. Forgiveness, communication, and patience are a must in this process. May God bless you as you seek unity in the church.

Tony French

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Ephesians 2:1-10

This passage of Scripture teaches us the difference that Christ’s salvation makes in our lives. And the contrast could not be more striking. The comparison of our former selves to who we are now is amazing. Of course, the word amazing is one word we use to modify God’s grace because God’s grace makes all the difference.

Before we knew Christ as Savior, we were dead in our sins. We were deceived by the evil one. We were disobedient to God and sought after our own selfish ways. To put it succinctly, we were without hope of any kind without Jesus. We were doomed.

But God, who is rich in mercy, sought us, convicted us, and saved us. We were made aware of our sin and of our need for the Savior. We were saved by grace and made alive to a new spiritual life. Jesus raised us up so that we may glorify God for all of eternity. He has redeemed us to show forth the glory of God in the heavenly places. We are created in Christ Jesus for good works. We are placed in Christ to live as He would have us to live.

What amazing grace has been bestowed upon us. We were unworthy and undeserving. Yet, God’s grace is enough to save us, seal us, and secure us for all of eternity. Rest in these principles dear Christian. God’s grace is enough!

Tony French

Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”  Luke 24:31-32

Jesus appeared to Cleopas and an unnamed disciple after His resurrection in the Gospel of Luke. He explained the story of redemption to them as they walked the road to Emmaus. Jesus’ identity was hidden from them until they reached their destination. After they arrived, Jesus reveals Himself in a dramatic scene and disappears. These disciples walked back to Jerusalem to report their encounter with the resurrected Jesus.

The statement “did not our hearts burn within us” has powerful overtones for us. The word “burn” can also be translated ablaze. Our hearts should be ablaze for Jesus as well. However, too often our hearts are cold, hardened, and stubborn. How can we change that fact in our lives? Let us consider three ways our hearts may become on fire for Jesus.

First, we must spend time with Jesus. These disciples allocated a good portion of the day to be with the Savior. The distance between Emmaus and Jerusalem was approximately 12 Kilometers or around 7.5 miles. Jesus explained many principles to them as they walked along. They listened as He taught and their hearts were set on fire.

We must also spend time with Christ. We do so by reading His Word, by prayer, and by being with His people. As we become more aware of His presence in our lives and spend more time with Him, our hearts are transformed.

Second, we must learn what Christ says and seek to obey His Word. The Son of God has revealed His Word to us. The Bible teaches us all that we need to know for Godliness and holiness. But we must also obey the Scriptures. We ought to put into practice those precepts we have learned. A growing, obedient heart will be set aflame by the power of conformity to the will of God.

Finally, we must tell others about the resurrected Savior. These followers of Christ were willing to turn around and go back to Jerusalem. They were willing to undertake this dangerous nocturnal journey so that others might know that Jesus is alive.

May we have the same to commitment to report the good news to others in our day. Telling others about Jesus ignites our hearts and sets them ablaze for Christ. In light of all this, our prayer should be “God, replace our cold, hardened hearts with hearts that burn for You.” Let it be so!

Tony French

Our identity in Christ is vital to our spiritual growth. Remembering who we are in Jesus keeps us grounded and grows our faith.

Unfortunately, we tend to forget what Christ has done for us. We don’t keep the facts of God’s mercy in the forefront of our mind. Today, let us be reminded of who we are in Christ. Our faith matures and our hearts grow closer to Christ when we remember whose we are.

1) We are saved.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9

2) We are justified.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.   Romans 5:1

3) We are redeemed.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.   Ephesians 1:7

4) We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16

5) We are secure.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

Child of God, remember what you have in Christ. Dwell on the good things God has done for you. Remember whose you are.

Tony French

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:3-5

The Apostle’s letter begins with a thunderous proclamation. Many great and wonderful things are declared over God’s people in the book of 1 Peter. This platform will not allow a robust and detailed explanation of these three verses. Allow me the privilege of mentioning a few of the blessings Christians have received through Christ.

We have received mercy. God, who is blessed eternally, has given us mercy when we actually deserved wrath. Christ died for the ungodly so that the ungodly may be made holy. (Romans 5:1-10) It is not because of any goodness in us that Christ extends His grace. He is merciful to Christians in spite of us and not because of us. 

We are born again. Through the mercy of our Lord we have been saved and sanctified forevermore. We have a hope that flows from the resurrection of Christ. As He was raised up, we shall be raised up. (1 Corinthians 15) Death will not have the ultimate victory in our lives. Jesus always hast the final say!

We have been given an inheritance. Much is included in this inheritance such as the presence of God, the promises of the Lord, and a home with Christ for all eternity. Christians are protected by the Almighty’s power and all will be revealed when we are glorified in Christ Jesus.

Be edified today, child of God. Your past is forgiven, you have power for the present, and your future is secure. May we say with Peter, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Tony French

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:7

The Savior has come. Sing hallelujah!

The Savior has arrived. Let us give thanks to the Lord.

The Savior is here. There is now hope for the hopeless.

The Savior has come. There is help for the helpless.

The Savior has appeared. The forgiveness of sins is possible.

The Savior has entered. Jesus takes away our guilt and gives us His righteousness.

The Savior is with us. And He is with us forevermore!

May God bless you all with a glorious Christmas Season.

Tony French

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, o Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.   Ephesians 2:20-21

Glory in the church! Christians must recall that one of our primary missions is to glorify God in the church. Churches are to glorify our Head, the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s understand a few ways that God may receive glory in church through our lives.

1) We glorify God through worship. We worship through song, fellowship, prayer, giving, and God’s Word. We are giving praise and glory to our Savior as we engage in these joyful practices. We are ascribing ultimate worth to the King of kings when we worship Him. Let us hear the word of the psalmist on this matter—worship the lord in the beauty of holiness!

(Psalm 29:2)

2) We glorify God through obedience to His commands. If we call Jesus Lord, we must obey His commands. James commands us to be not just hearers but doers of the Word. (James 1:22) Seek to obey the principles and precepts found in Scripture. Give glory to God in this matter.

3) We glorify God through sharing the good news. We ascribe glory to His name by telling others about what God has done for us. Testifying to our salvation and sharing the gospel bring glory and honor the One who gave His life for us. Share and tell so that Jesus will be glorified in your witness.

May Jesus be glorified in the church forever and ever! Amen.

Tony French

Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.  Psalm 103:1-5

Bless the Lord. The command to bless and praise God is given often throughout the Psalms. The author gives us several reasons to bless the Lord in this passage. Let us examine three.

1) We should bless the Lord because He has forgiven us. God offers pardon full and free through the Lord Jesus. One of the great benefits of Christ is His forgiveness. May we bless His holy name.

2) We ought to bless the Lord because He has redeemed us. We were separated from God and a slave to our sins and appetites. Jesus redeemed us and set us free to live in a way that honors and pleases God. We are no longer slaves to our sin, fear, and passions. As a result, may we lift high the name of Jesus.

3) We need to bless the Lord because He satisfies us. Jesus gives true satisfaction that lasts. We find true contentment in Christ. That doesn’t meant that life will be perfect or trouble free. It does mean that the contentment we have in Jesus will sustain us, help us, and guard us during the difficult times. When you have Jesus, what more do you need?

Bless the Lord, people of God. Bless His name for His forgiveness, His redemption, and His satisfaction. He is worthy!

Tony French 

We need learn to hear God’s voice and learn to obey. Our witness and testimony as Christians depend in large part on our obedience to Christ. How does God speak to us? God does often speak to us audibly but He does speak. Let us examine a few ways this week.

1) God speaks through His Word. Psalm 19:7-8 tells us The law of the Lord is perfect , restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. We need to see Scripture as God speaking to us. Every time we open the Bible let us understand that God is teaching us and revealing truth to us. The Holy Scriptures are the primary means by which God speaks to us. Therefore, commit to reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God each day.

2) God speaks through creation. Psalm 19:1 teaches us The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Paul also declares For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20) Be reminded every time that you view creation that God made all things and upholds all things. Examine the world around you and hear the voice of God.

3) God speaks through Jesus. Hebrews 1:1-2 reminds us that God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. Jesus is the fullest, most robust means of God speaking to us. The Bible constantly points us to Jesus in creation, redemption, and ultimate restoration. Look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

4) God speaks through the Holy Spirit. John 14:26 declares to us “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. The Spirit of God lives in Believers and teaches us the truth of God. Listen to Him as He leads you and guides you.

God is speaking to you, dear Christian. Are you listening? And are you obeying?

Tony French