Consequences Pt 2: The Fall at AI

I'd like to go a bit further on this thought of consequences by taking a look at a particularly powerful example from the Old Testament (there are many!).

Let's look at what happened at AI.

Many of us are familiar with Joshua chapter one.  Moses the servant of the LORD was dead.  Joshua son of Nun was God's chosen successor.  Joshua was given the divine commission to lead the children of Israel into the land promised to them by God and wage war in order to dispossess the pagan nations that lived there.

You might recall the LORD's encouragement to Joshua:

Jos 1:3-9  Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.  4  From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.  5  There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.  6  Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.  7  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.  8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  9  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Amen!  All Joshua had to do was follow God's instructions (and command the people to do so) and God would be with him, protect him, and give him great victories in the upcoming battles!

I pray I'm not alone in thinking that this sort of blessing is often available for believers today! Yes, the ultimate victory of Christians is spiritual in nature, granted unto us through the blood sacrifice of Jesus.  Temporal victories pale in comparison to the glories of heaven!  Amen! 

But the church of Jesus Christ is still an army...one with a Commander in Chief (Jesus!)  The Body of Christ is still in a right now fight.  There are souls to be won and discipled, revivals to spark, generations to raise up, and devils to put to flight!  

Wouldn't it make Kingdom sense that God would bless obedience more than disobedience? (Deut 5:29; 1 Sam 15:22)

So back to AI.

After Joshua's commission, Israel miraculously crossed the Jordan (Josh 3).  Joshua then circumcised all the males in accordance with God's command and prepared for the first great test, the upcoming battle at Jericho (Josh 5).  And God brought them great victory there!  How could they lose with this sort of help...

Jos 5:13-15  And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?  14  And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?  15  And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

Given that Joshua's worship was not rebuked and the "holy ground" reference, many believe this was a pre-incarnate appearance of the LORD Jesus!  Anywho, after the wall came a tumblin down at Jericho (Josh 6), I'm sure there was elation in the camp of Israel.  The LORD was true to His promise!  Israel was unstoppable!  The Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites better watch out! (Josh 3:10)

Not so fast.

Out of hundreds of thousands of people in Israel, in the first verse of Joshua seven Scripture describes the sin of ONE man, Achan the son of Carmi.  Unknown to Joshua, Achan had taken of "the accursed" or dedicated things.  Joshua sent spies into AI.  The spies came back and said essentially, "Just send a few thousand troops Joshua.  There aren't many enemies; this battle will be easy."

It wasn't.  Israel was routed.

Joshua cried out to the LORD for answers.  Here is what the LORD said:

Jos 7:11-13  Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.  12  Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.  13  Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.

Israel's crushing defeat was a direct consequence of sin in the camp.

If you read the rest of Joshua chapter seven, you'll see the sad end for Achan and his family.  Praise God for grace in Jesus in the New Testament!  But the point here is obvious: Sin has consequences.  

Yes, Christians are redeemed.  Yes, positionally speaking our sins are cast from us as far as east is from west in Jesus.  Yes, believers are blood-bought and Holy Ghost filled.  BUT, is there room in our theology to take a sobering look around the church and the world and see the results of sin in the camp?

More later!

Consequences Pt 1

There has been a word burning in my heart for a few months now; a word concerning consequences.  I've been hesitant to write about it because the topic is kind of "downy" and I've been attempting to be more positive these days. :)

However, I keep running into this subject in discussions with good friends.  So here are some opening thoughts.  Scripture declares:

Gal 6:7-10  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

I love the NLT in verse seven:

Gal 6:7  Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.

Because of the overwhelming love, mercy, and grace of God (Hallelujah!), sometimes there is this thought in the mind of well-meaning believers: because God forgives our sin He also forgoes the assignment of consequences.  In other words, because we are positionally covered by the blood, we also practically escape punishment.

Now, thankfully, God doesn't give us the full measure of what we deserve.  Again, GRACE!  But do you know ANY father worth his salt who, for the love of children, does this?  Lord forbid!  Good dads love and forgive, but also discipline their disobedient children...for their own growth and good.  The writer of Hebrews describes this issue of parental consequences (or sowing and reaping) perfectly:

Heb 12:5-11  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:  6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  8  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.  9  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?  10  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.  11  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

God in love and mercy, exhorts (or encourages) us in the reality of chastening, rebuke, and scourging.  Doesn't sound fun but it comes from love!  Indeed, this is one way God deals with "sons" or His children: He disciplines them.  Earthly fathers do the same.  God sends consequences for "our profit."

When it comes however, it is tough.  But there is something wonderful God does through chastening.

So I suppose my initial point in considering consequences is that Romans 8:28 still applies.  God does, in fact, allow the fruit of sin to manifest.  He nevertheless loves us and instructs us even in our failures.

But make no mistake.  The fruit of sin and rebellion DOES manifest.  God will not be mocked.

Yes the devil is busy.  Yes fallen angels are active.  Yes unclean spirits may be involved.  But when we sow unto our flesh, we reap corruption, but when we sow unto the Spirit we reap life everlasting. (Gal 6:8)  

These "natural" sinful consequences, in my opinion, plague the Body of Christ.  May the LORD help us practically live for Him in daily holiness.

More later! :)

Leaders who Overcome!

I gave the following speech four years ago today at an MLK Breakfast.  May it bless you! 

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First giving honor to Christ my King…to our hosts, to our Mayor, and to all other clergy, business and educational leaders, and distinguished government officials who serve the great City of Chesapeake and the surrounding cities…good morning!

My name is Carlton McLeod and I have the unbelievable pleasure of being the Pastor of Calvary Revival Church Chesapeake.  It is indeed an honor to speak to you this morning..I’ll admit to being surprised to be asked.  Surely, some of you heard Calvary Revival Church and thought Bishop McBath would be here…but no worries…I’m taller. ☺

Leaders Who Overcome

I’ve been given the distinct honor of speaking on a topic near and dear my heart….Leaders Who Overcome.  Not only that, but I’ve been given this honor in the context of celebrating the life and achievements of one of the greatest leaders of the 20th Century, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

So often, leadership is portrayed as the ability to accumulate things, fame, or notoriety.  Leaders we hold up as models are often brash, arrogant, greedy, and uncaring.  But I’ve been asked to speak on the “Leaders Who Overcome.”  The word “overcome” is steeped in both biblical and human history.  The ultimate connotation of overcome always has to do with defending and advancing a righteous cause or describes those who suffered for righteousness ultimately being vindicated.

Dr. King is a wonderful example.  Like many of you, I’ve always been impressed by Dr. King’s unbelievable tenacity, especially in the face of such opposition and with so many challenges.  But his belief in what he was doing—that it was a righteous and just cause that it was rooted in truth and that it was godly and honorable and loving and worth dying for—has always amazing me.  J. Oswald Sanders wrote that “Leadership is Influence.”  If this is true, then Dr. King influenced a nation, and in his case, for good of that Nation.  He overcame threats, actual violence, lack of resources, fears over his family, imprisonment, and even death.

And friends, as we examine this topic of “Overcoming Leaders,” I wanted to give you 5 characteristics of a true overcoming leader by quoting the words of Dr. King.

The Overcoming Leader is COMPELLED!

In his letter from a jail cell in Birmingham, Dr. King wrote:  “Beyond this, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Just as the eighth-century prophets left their little villages and carried their "thus saith the Lord" far beyond the boundaries of their hometowns; and just as the Apostle Paul left his little village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to practically every hamlet and city of the Greco-Roman world, I too am compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my particular hometown. Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid.”

This is so good.  As he sat in that jail, Dr. King poured his heart out.  Can you get a sense of his drive and determination?  

He wasn’t just mildly interested in freedom from oppression.  It wasn’t a hobby.  It wasn’t a cultural interest that would fade when the next issue came around.  It was a calling.  It was a deep-seated conviction.  It was a commission.

The Overcoming Leader feels called, convicted, and commissioned.  He or she refuses to settle for the status quo or cultural norms.  They are driven towards “what could be and should be.”  They cannot just “let it go.”  They must fight the good fight, keep the faith, and finish their race.

The Overcoming Leader COUNTS the COST!

“As in so many experiences of the past, we were confronted with blasted hopes, and the dark shadow of a deep disappointment settled upon us. So we had no alternative except that of preparing for direct action, whereby we would present our very bodies as a means of laying our case before the conscience of the local and national community. We were not unmindful of the difficulties involved. So we decided to go through a process of self-purification. We started having workshops on nonviolence and repeatedly asked ourselves the questions, "Are you able to accept blows without retaliating?" and "Are you able to endure the ordeals of jail?"

Friends, the Overcoming Leader isn’t naïve.  They understand that there will be tremendous costs to their dignity, emotional strength, resources, family, and maybe even their bodies and their very lives.

Dr. King implied that he and those who would follow must be willing to present their bodies as living sacrifices to their righteous cause.  They worked through scenarios that outlined the possible and very likely sacrifices they’d endure.

Overcoming Leaders ask these types of questions of themselves: 

1. Will you be able to endure?
2. Will you be willing to maintain both your composure AND your integrity when opposition comes?
3. Is the vision worth more than my pride?
4. Am I willing to be seen as “going backward” in the eyes of my peers and contemporaries?  A popular American pastor once wrote:

The irony of being a leader with character is that your willingness to do what is right may jeopardize your forward motion.  Leading and being who you want to be don’t always line up.  But it is in those moments that you discover a great deal about yourself.  You discover what you value most.

The Overcoming Leader is CORRECT….he or she fights for what is authentically and morally TRUE!

When taken to task for breaking civil laws by using non-violent civil disobedience, Dr. King responded, “One may well ask, "How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?" The answer is found in the fact that there are two types of laws: there are just laws, and there are unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that "An unjust law is no law at all."  Now, what is the difference between the two? How does one determine when a law is just or unjust? A just law is a man-made code that squares with the Moral Law or the Law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the Moral Law.”

Although controversial, and indeed, anathema in our culture, Dr. King’s words here are authentically and morally true.

There are in fact just and unjust laws and the determination of such IS based on the Law of God.

Adultery is still wrong.  Bearing false witness is still wrong.  Dishonoring parents is still wrong.  Lying is still wrong.

A Leader who truly Overcomes lines up on the right side!  Hitler had a lot of influence, but he didn’t “overcome.”  He was evil and tyrannical.  By contrast, FDR, Churchill, and Eisenhower fought for a righteous cause…one in line with the Law of God.  

The Overcoming Leader understands that to fight for something contrary to the Law written on our conscience is foolhardy and destructive.

The Overcoming Leader is extraordinarily COMMITTED….willing to be called Extreme!

“But as I continued to think about the matter, I gradually gained a bit of satisfaction from being considered an extremist. Was not Jesus an extremist in love? -- "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you." Was not Amos an extremist for justice? -- "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." Was not Paul an extremist for the gospel of Jesus Christ? -- "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." Was not Martin Luther an extremist?  -- "Here I stand; I can do no other so help me God." Was not John Bunyan an extremist? -- "I will stay in jail to the end of my days before I make a mockery of my conscience." Was not Abraham Lincoln an extremist? -- "This nation cannot survive half slave and half free." Was not Thomas Jefferson an extremist? -- "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." So the question is not whether we will be extremist, but what kind of extremists we will be. Will we be extremists for hate, or will we be extremists for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice, or will we be extremists for the cause of justice?”

Amen Dr. King!

The Overcoming Leader understands that what he or she will advocate for, again, in line with the Moral Law, will increasingly be called extreme by purveyors of the status quo.

As one example, I believe we are beginning to lose sight of how an honorable society is built.  Instead of the bedrock of society being the family, with a father and mother who strive for integrity in their relationship and the raising and training of their children, it is becoming something else.  But may I say that those of us who advocate for the traditional family structure are increasingly being called extreme?

The Overcoming Leader must be able to deal with the hurt and pain of unfair accusation and keep teaching and leading.

And lastly, the Overcoming Leader is willing to CARRY a CROSS.

When Christ told his disciples that “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me,” I want you to be 100% assured that He wasn’t talking about gold chains! ☺

He meant they must be willing to die for Him.

There is no escaping this fundamental truth: the things truly worth fighting for are worth dying for.  

On April 3 1968, in Memphis Tennessee, Dr. King preached a messaged called, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.”  In his closing words, uttered just ONE DAY before he was murdered, he said:

“Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop.

And I don't mind.

Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!

And so I'm happy, tonight.  I'm not worried about anything.  I'm not fearing any man!  Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!!”

The Overcoming Leader, in the truest sense of “Overcoming” is willing to lay his or her life down.  

May each of you, by God’s providence, be given a cause about which you will live so passionately.  It might be your family and children.  It might be serving others in other countries.  Perhaps it will be helping to restore godly principles to America.  It might be to raise up an authentically honorable civil government that serves the people well. 

Whatever it might be, may we all be so blessed to find such a thing, and by the grace of God, may you all my friends, OVERCOME!

Thank you for your attention, and God bless you.

Some Thoughts on Contentment from 2008

The following is from a message I preached at a local church in 2008, right after the financial crash.  Somehow, these words seem appropriate to me in 2018.  I believe now is a wonderful time to recapture one of the greatest blessings Christ has given His people: the supernatural ability to be CONTENT.

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From a prison cell, the apostle Paul wrote:

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  5  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.  10  But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.  11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  12  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  14  Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.  15  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.  16  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.  17  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.  18  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.  19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  20  Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Philippians 4:4-20)

When we are thinking clearly and biblically, most of us realize that there is something in our Kingdom experience that often seems missing.  Where are the true and biblical serenity and rest Christ promised us? (Matt 11:28)  Despite our hollering, shouting, dancing, naming and claiming, declaring, goal-setting, and achieving, MANY of us remain agitated, weary, negative, “dis-eased,” down-trodden, disgruntled, and discontent.

Could it be that our relentless pursuit of “a better life” (normally defined by earthly prosperity) causes more frustration than it cures?  Why?  Because once you are “there” it still doesn’t satisfy.  Despite the tons of books, music, and seminars designed to help the Christian feel more fulfilled, we still are clamoring for more.

And this was all fine and dandy until….the bottom fell out.  Why is it that we tend to seek the blessings of contentment only when times are bad?  Do you think we have allowed our success-driven cultural principles to intrude upon the Gospel?  I submit that Contentment is part of our spiritual heritage as Christians, and is essential to grow and develop in the things the Lord cares about.  Remember that this letter was likely written from a Roman prison.  Throughout this “prison epistle,” Paul demonstrates supernatural contentment by encouraging free people to rejoice!

How do we recapture Contentment?  Here are some thoughts:

1. By embracing that being a friend of God is enough.  “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Heb 13:5)
2. By realizing that contentment is rooted in character rather than circumstances.  “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Tim 6:6)
3. By quieting the noise of the world. (1 John 2:15-17)  The world markets lust, selfishness, and pride.  If you view God or approach God wanting your own way (your will not His), praying for yourself all the time, or wanting self-exaltation, contentment will remain elusive.

The Benefits of Contentment from Philippians 4:

1. With Contentment, you are able to rejoice, despite circumstances. (v4)
2. With Contentment, you can be gentle to others, even when you are mistreated. (v5)
3. With Contentment, your perspective shifts to the eternal. (v5)
4. With Contentment, you are better able to defeat worry and anxiety. (v6)  You see faith differently.  Expectation is balanced with Sovereignty, which is more biblical than making demands on God.
5. With Contentment, your prayer life and changes. (v6)  You are able to petition God with thanksgiving regardless of how the prayer is answered.  Remember that even with His promises, God doesn’t always give us time markers.  So regardless of your faith level, waiting is much easier and more joyful with Contentment.
6. With Contentment, you become more centered and peaceful. (v7)  Blessings come with the very presentations of petitions before the results!  This in itself (says the man in prison) produces the peace!
7. With Contentment, your thought life shifts. (v8)  You become less frantic and focused on problems, and instead, you embrace things that are true, honest, pure, and lovely.
8. With Contentment, you can have peace in hard economic times. (v10-12)
9. With Contentment, you can walk in the strength of God despite what is going on around you. (v13)
10. With Contentment, joyful, abundant, consistent, giving is released into the Kingdom of God. (v14-19)  A discontent person will find it hard to give because a discontent person is focused on receiving.  A discontent person assumes a spiritual posture of holding.  A content person has a spirit of releasing.

May our LORD grant us great contentment in 2018!