Biblically Answering Concerns:
Many Christians today do not have Holy Spirit revelation of the spiritual warfare involved in the battle for the souls of mankind. (The Bible Exposition Commentary) Those who take seriously this battle have the same revelation as the Apostle Paul, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
Paul answers his critics and defends his ministry in 2 Corinthians 10:1-18. (The Bible Exposition Commentary; Matthew Henry Commentary; The Bible Knowledge Commentary; Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary; New Bible Commentary; A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory; The Pulpit Commentary; The Expositors Bible Commentary) Often those exercising the gifts apportioned by Christ (Ephesians 4) find themselves facing walls of resistance. (The Bible Exposition Commentary) These walls of resistance are birthed forth by the cancers of traditionalism and legalism which are transmitted on to others in the Body of Christ, often causing the lack of ability to enjoy a new work that the Lord is doing. Just as the Apostle Paul was led of the Lord to overcome people’s resistance and vindicate his ministry, true preachers of the Word of God must purpose to demolish false arguments. Every Christian ministry moving forward in the work of the Lord has critics – Preachers of the Word like Paul have every right, just like Paul to vindicate their ministry and show that their work is called forth by God. (Barnes Notes; New Bible Commentary)
Paul, a man of God who paid the price gives us the Solution: “…We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Our minds are Satan’s stomping ground – true victory for those in the work of the Lord begins with pulling down strong holds that corrupt the thinking. Joyful Christianity is achieved by choosing to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. (The Pulpit Commentary; The New American Commentary; The Preacher’s Outline Bible) The only sword that the Holy Sprit can use to guard the Christian’s mind and spiritual heart is the Word of God. (Ephesians 6:17) The Christian’s guard is to take captive his thoughts and allow his thoughts to be conformed to the whole counsel of God’s Word. (Thru the Bible Commentary)
Here Are Some Concerns Brought to Our Attention:
1.) Where the Exercising of Spiritual Gifts
2.) Proselytizing
3.) What Expressions of Love Have You Shown
4.) Spiritual Office
5.) What Credentials Allow You to Publically Preach God’s Word?
6.) Who Are You Accountable To?
7.) Will You Endorse Our Church?
8.) Money and Time on Publishing the Word of God
1. Concern: Why did you not continue to exercise your spiritual gifts within and through the Body of Christ that meet at CrossRoads Church (as of February 2009 Crossroads Church)? After resigning from being overseer (Acts 20:28) (or rather the worldly view of Pastor) of CrossRoads Church in December of 2008, I met with three board members of the EMF on February 6, 2009 in my home. We discussed our vision and our desire to exercise our gifts from the Lord in and through the Body of Christ who attend church at 313 W. Lincoln St. in Norton, Ks. The three board members were handed a “CrossRoads Articles Informational Packet” and a bulletin that clearly showed our Biblical vision. Our intention was to raise funds, write messages for CrossRoads Church (which are placed in the Norton Telegram) and oversee a website for CrossRoads Church that teaches the Word of God. Their written response:
After spending much time in prayerful research and connecting with men of God who had proved faithful to the Word of God in ministry for 30+ years, the Lord blessed me with three ministries who showed us Biblical “Fellowship” and “Partnership.” The ministries were:
1.) Media Spotlight
2.) Sword Publishing
3.) Gordon Humphry (Christian Webmaster)
On Sunday April 19, 2010, Pastor Ronald Scheimo, congregational appointed Deacon Roy Harshbarger and Elder Don Malcolm met with me in my home. They were not in agreement with the three Board of Directors of the EMF. They would like to see us return to CrossRoads Church.
Closing Summary: After 20+ years of prayerfully studying the Word of God, working with many different churches and denominations and after consulting with quality Para-church ministries – we feel the Lord would have us reestablish CrossRoads Ministries focusing on building a Preaching/Teaching Website so we may have a ministry that reaches out to this modern day world. Based of these Scriptures:
The word “devote” (proskarteréo) means to occupy oneself diligently, to pay persistent attention to, (Analytical Lexicon of the Greek Language) to persist, keep on with devotion, (Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains) or to give constant attention to. (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament)
The Lord’s Blessing: We now have a website that is growing weekly in the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. We have heard from Muslim countries, pastors who visit our website. We are equipping evangelists, pastors and teachers to preach and teach the Word of God in the USA and in different parts of the world. In Norton County Kansas we lead in getting the Word of God outside the church walls and we have signed another contract with a secular paper enabling us to publish the teaching of God’s Word. SermonCentral tells us that we have nearly 12,000 viewings on our messages (growing weekly). We are non-denominational and as of March 10, 2010 we are the 22nd most read out of 825 non-denominational contributors. Out of the 66 contributors in the state of Kansas we are the 5th most read. For this we do praise the Lord.
2. Concern: Charges have been made against CrossRoads Ministries. The charge: “Proselytizing.” Someone was upset with us for sending out our Biblical teachings.
Proselytizing is defined as, “1.) To convert someone to one’s own religious faith. 2.) To induce someone to …espouse one’s doctrine. 3.) To convert (a person) from one belief, doctrine, cause, or faith to another.
Doctrine is defined as, “1.) A principle or system presented for acceptance or belief, as by religious or philosophic group. 4.) Archaic- Something taught; a teaching.”
Espouse is defined as, “2.) To give one’s loyalty or support to (a cause, for example).” (All three of these definitions come from “The American Heritage High School dictionary.)
I think of the Christian’s Commission, “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 20:18-10) Muslims, Hindus, and many other non-Christians do not appreciate Christian missionaries “proselytizing” their people. However, God’s Commission outweighs the views of mankind or of ministries that are intimidated by aggressive ministries. Sadly, the word “Proselytizing” is used to bring a dark cloud over the work of those who are not in a certain denomination, religious fellowship or group of people. The Pharisees and Sadducees did all they could to bring a dark cloud over the work of the Apostle Paul and Jesus Christ. All the apostles paid dearly for taking the Gospel where they were called. Just as there were Christian theologians who paid the high price (their lives and imprisonment) to get the Word of God to us in a language we can understand, there will always be a price to pay when introducing a new work for the Lord. All new works cause an offense in the local church.
What matters is what God’s Word says, not the concerns of mankind. The Pastoral Epistles tell us that a Biblical overseer, “Must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine (didaskalía) and refute those who oppose it.” (Ephesians 4:1-16) (Titus 1:9) Those possessing the Christ apportioned gifts for bringing unity in the Body of Christ are told to “…teach what is in accord with sound doctrine (didaskalía).” (Titus 2:1) The soldiers of Christ who are called to preach the Word are exhorted to “Watch their life and doctrine (didaskalía) closely.” (1 Timothy 4:6)
“Doctrine” (didaskalía) that counts for eternity means: “to teach or give instructions from God, divine teaching.” (The Complete Word Study of the New Testament; Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains)
Soldiers of Christ who are called to, “prepare God’s people for works of service, so the Body of Christ may be built up until they reach unity in the faith and …knowledge in the Son of God so they may become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:12-13) preach and teach through the Holy Spirit gift of “prophesying.” “Prophesying” (propheteia) in Romans 12:6b (NIV) is “…not primarily prediction but communication of revealed truth that will both convict and build up the hearers.” (The Expositors Bible Commentary) It is a special gift that enables the preachers (Ephesians 4:11) to expound the Holy Scriptures. (Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon) This Holy Spirit gift enables the proclaimer of God’s Word to declare the Lord’s purpose, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the hurting and afflicted. (Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon; The Pulpit Commentary) This gift enables the preacher to make known the will of God, which is designed to influence men. (Barnes Notes)
All Christians are to consider the gift of prophesying as an important endowment for edifying the Body of Christ and for the purpose of proclaiming God’s truth to those who are without Christ. (1 Corinthians 14:1;31) It is those who have Holy Spirit revelation of this gift who get the most out of the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. The Holy Spirit gift of “prophesying” is a gift to be exercised among the church universal (all Christians around the world) for the purpose of maturing believers. All who are prayerfully doing their best to present themselves “to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) are to be allowed exercise their gift in turn without interruption “so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.” (1 Corinthians 14:31; Under the Headings “Prophecy and Orderly Worship”)
According to the whole counsel of God’s Word we have every right to let people know about our ministry call and give people an opportunity to be exposed to our teachings. In order for us to be obedient to God’s Word, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace,” (Ephesians 4:3) and fulfill our Biblical charge, (2 Timothy 4:1-2) we put these Important Notices with our teachings.
· Important Note – If you wish not to receive any further e-mails from CrossRoads Ministries, please let us know by “replying” to this e-mail: Put UNSUBSCRIBE in the “subject” line and Include your name and e-mail in the message portion of your reply.
The
Lord’s Blessing: Nearly every week we hear from
someone who expresses their appreciation for getting to read our
teachings, they are pleased that we spend a great deal of time
preparing our messages (100 hours per message). Often we hear
from people who attend other churches, they contact us because
they feel confident that we can give them a Biblical truthful
answer to hard questions. For this we do praise the
Lord.
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3. Concern: What expressions of love have you shown? This is a very important question considering Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35) “Our love to one another must be free and ready, laborious and expensive, constant and preserving…” (Matthew Henry Commentary) In saying “command” ( entolé¯) Jesus is giving clear instructions along with a direct order. (The Complete Word Study Dictionary; Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains) John 13:34 lays the guide by which we are to govern our expressions of love, “As I have loved you…”
Hopefully, I have answered this very important question. It is impossible for me to achieve everyone’s expectation of the ministry I oversee with the Lord. Therefore, I strive to let the Word of God be the source which the Holy Spirit uses to set the course of my relationship with Jesus Christ as I endeavor to achieve my part of the Great Commission.
4. Concern: Call yourself an evangelist, but do not call yourself a Preacher/Teacher! This concern must first be answered with the written Word of God, “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13)
These passages of Scripture hold truths that must be grasped by the Body of Christ if she is going to enjoy the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. These are the Ascension Ministries appointed by the Lord, Jesus Christ. (The Relevance of the Ascension Gifts in the Life of the Church, Dr. Ezra Coppin; Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary; Matthew Henry Commentary; Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary; The New Bible Commentary) Notice it is He who gave these gifts to the church. The organization of the church is not mere human arrangement; its officers are of Divine appointment. (The Pulpit Commentary) It is Jesus Christ, who appoints men and women to these places of Biblical authority for the good of His church in order to advance His kingdom among men.” (Matthew Henry Commentary: Ephesians 4:11) This should answer the question of who tells who what office they exercise for the edifying the Body of Christ. Let me direct, it is Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit bringing revelation and illumination of the Word of God who appoints, enables and gives direction regarding these much needed Ascension gifts. (Ephesians 4:7-10)
To Biblically address this statement there are three key words that must be addressed, 1.) Evangelist, 2.) Preacher, 3.) Teacher
Evangelist ( euaggelisté¯s) is a preacher of the Gospel. He is often not located in any particular place but travels as a missionary to establish churches. (The Complete Word Study Dictionary; Vines Amplified Expository Dictionary; Dictionary of Biblical Languages With Semantic Domains; Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament; The Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament) At the present I do not have the time or opportunity to move from place to place to establish churches or travel enough to make a living for my family and keep an Evangelistic Ministry operational.
Preacher ( ké¯rux) is a herald or proclaimer. The word denotes one who is employed by God in the work of proclaiming salvation and righteousness. (The Complete Word Study of the New Testament; Vines Amplified Expository Dictionary; 2 Peter 2:5 declares Noah as a preacher of righteousness) “A ‘preacher’ or ‘herald’ is a man who makes a statement and who says: ‘This is true.’ He is a man who brings a proclamation that is not his own, but which comes from the king.” (Daily Study Bible Series: The Letters to Timothy…”) In Paul’s day, “the term ‘herald’ was used for a messenger vested with public authority, who conveyed the official messages of kings, magistrates and etc. These messages gave public summons or demands. In the New Testament ‘herald’ signifies ‘God’s ambassadors,’ the proclaimers of the Divine Word. So the ‘preacher’ is one who makes public proclamation for the King of kings. He is not to air his own opinions or debate other people’s ideas but proclaim the Word of God. What a glorious privilege and responsibility.” (The Expositors Bible Commentary) By the grace of God for nearly 20 years I have done this.
Teacher ( didáskalos) means to instruct. (The Complete Word Study of the New Testament; Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains) The term occurs fifty-eight times in the New Testament. From this it is concluded that in the Christian Church teachers (didáskaloi) have a special function. (Acts 31:1; 1 Corinthians 12:28-29; Ephesians 4:11; James 3:1) “These didáskaloi are to be viewed as interpreters of God’s salvation. To them [fall] the duty of giving progressive instruction of God’s redeeming purpose” [and will for His church] (Ephesians 4:1-17). (The Complete Word Study of the New Testament) “They were” [and we are to be] “teachers of the truth.” (Vines Amplified Expository Dictionary) Considering that prophets, pastors and apostles are to be able to thoroughly teach God’s Word, “there is a growing consensus that prophets, pastors and apostles are a sub-group with a larger group of teachers” [in regards to the church universal]. (The Complete Word Study of the New Testament; The New Bible Commentary)
In studying the word “teachers” in the context of the day it was written, William Barclay, lecturer in the University of Glasgow writes, “The people who were coming into the church came straight from heathenism; they knew nothing about Christian living, except that Jesus Christ had touched their hearts. Therefore these teachers had to bring understanding to new believers about the Christian faith and life.” It is the duty of Bible teachers to teach the whole counsel of God’s Word so people may be instructed in the Christian faith and life.
All of our messages are written in Biblical Topical Illustrative Commentary format: The focus is on a Biblical topic, using Scripture to interpret Scripture, studying the Scripture within the time it was written, having key word (Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, English) meanings with illustrations. We strive to fall under the standard set by God’s Word, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
A clear Biblical examination of the work I do with the Lord indicates clearly that I am blessed with the call to preach and teach God’s Word. This is a privilege I do not take lightly. Ann Taylor said, “I can see that you spend a great deal of time in prayerful study of God’s Word before preaching, I appreciate that.”
5. Concern: What credentials allow you to publically preach God’s Word?
“Credentials” as defined by “The American Heritage High School Dictionary” is, “Evidence or testimonials concerning ones right to credit, confidence, or authority.”
In order to Biblically answer this concern, the conditions under which the question was asked must be brought to light. It is my understanding the people bringing forth the question felt that I had no authority to publicly preach or rather publish God’s Word in Norton County, Kansas and beyond.
The Holy Spirit brings my thought to the writings of the Apostle Paul to Timothy, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Timothy 4:1-2) Before the giving of this charge, Timothy was reminded of his knowledge of Paul’s teachings, Paul’s way of life, Paul’s purpose, Paul’s faith in Christ and Paul’s sufferings, etc.
Everyone who cares to give a fair evaluation of the ministry I oversee for the Lord, knows our website makes it easy for everyone to know about my teachings. They become aware of my new life in Christ, know my focus in life, my purpose, faith in Christ and afflictions that have come upon my family. The authority I have is the same as it is with all Christians, through the giving of “The Great Commission.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
My charge is “…Preach the Word.” “Preach” (kerússo) means to especially preach, publish or announce religious truth, the gospel with its attendant privileges and obligations, in this gospel dispensation. (The Complete Word Study Dictionary; Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament; Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon: Wuest Word Studies in the Greek New Testament) Truly, the Lord has enabled CrossRoads Ministries to publicly proclaim the written Word of God. Pastors, high quality para-church ministries, Christians and non-Christians have expressed their appreciation and thankfulness for having the opportunity to read our Bible teachings on a regular basis. For This We Do Praise the Lord!
I believe this is a clear answer to this concern.
6. Concern: Who are you accountable to? Let us begin with where accountability counts, “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12) “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13) I walk in the same fear and trembling as the Apostle Paul, “No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:27)
Our website gives full accountability to all who may inquire. We are in full accountability to those who show true Biblical fellowship and partnership with us. Thus far that is “SermonCentral.” There are different pastors who have knowledge of my calling and progress in my labors with the Lord. We have an application that can be filled out by anyone wanting to get on the ministry team of “CrossRoads Ministries.” You will need several years of theological training to be able to fill this application out. We choose to have advisors who are appointed by the Holy Spirit of Christ to be overseers of the Body of Christ. (Acts 20:28)
7. Concern: Will you endorse our church? We point people to ministries who have by accountability or through observation shown the maturity of the Apostle Peter: Ministries that:
· Are Matured By the Holy Spirit
· Have Hearts That Seek After God
· Get Revelation Through Prayerful Study of God’s Word
· Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit
· Accountability that can be Substantiated
In order for you to have a full understanding; I have a message available, “A Peter Revelation” covering the theme “The Enjoyment of Ministry Accountability”
8. Concern: Why do you spend so much money and time on publishing the Word of God? The vision of setting my devotion to the public proclamation of God’s Word came from 1 Timothy 4:13-14, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift…” I was intrigued by the story of great Christians who sacrificed the time needed to get their complete sermons in their local papers. I sought the Lord in fasting and prayer for ten years before our first CrossRoads Article was printed in the Norton Telegram. Now, by His grace and enabling we have contracts signed with the Norton Telegram, full sermons on two different websites, one of them being a powerful Preaching/Teaching website of our own.
I believe it is good to have nice facilities in which Christians may congregate for public worship. I see the great need for sending missionaries out into the world. However, I believe the church fails greatly in the public proclaiming, like a “herald” the preaching and teaching God’s Word. I believe the church is out of balance when more money is spent on buildings and programs in comparison to what is spent on proclaiming and publishing God’s Word in a way that it gets it outside the church walls and set before the eyes of the public. That is where my devotion lays. I know it is not a popular vision.
A.W. Tozer was a man committed to putting into writing all God laid upon his heart. His calling was so disliked in his day, he literally preached himself out of every church in Chicago. To this date his writings are used greatly of the Lord to bring people into the Holiness of God.
My hope and prayer is that when I am long gone – our teachings will be influencing people for the glory of God, Christ Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Matured Ministry
Is Substantiated
Holy Spirit led ministries have accountability that can be substantiated. Acts 11:4 says, “Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened” Acts 11:12b says, “…these six brothers also went with me…”
Acts 11:2 gives the heart attitude of those overcome with the cancer of legalism and traditionalism, “So when Peter went to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him.” Just as Peter was called to break traditional ministry, ministries on the cutting edge face criticism from church attendees who have not taken the time to gain Biblical understanding.
I love the way the New American Standard Bible puts it, “But Peter… proceeded to explain to them in orderly sequence…” Peter gave a full and fair accountability without argument or apology. Holy Spirit illuminated Christians have such a conviction and understanding of their revelation from God that they have no problem presenting and substantiating their ministry to those who may criticize their work. They are able to do so because they are devout, God-fearing people who have a respect for the ministry of Jesus Christ. They are able to tell you how revelation came to them as they prayerfully sought the Lord and took time to listen to His instructions. Their ministry is birthed from the whole counsel of God’s Word, thus their revelation can be explained and supported from the Word of God, because the Bible is the sword of the Holy Spirit. They have such an illumination of their calling they are able to pray through to completion that which God calls them to do. They are able to test their work by the Word of God, they are able to share how God used them and they are able to substantiate their ministry. Acts 11:12 tells us that there were six men who could bear witness to the work God had done in Cornelius’s home.
When Christians are exposed to ministries of Biblical accountability, they are to die to their own opinions, throw off spiritual traditionalism, legalism, and denominationalism, and rejoice in what God is doing. Acts 11:18 says, “When they heard [Peter’s full accounting], they had no further objections, and praised God…”
Please note: Biblically answering your concerns takes a great deal of time. Therefore, please take all comments and concerns to the Lord in prayer before contacting me or commenting publically on this Christ-centered / Word-filled ministry.
In His Service,
Preacher/Teacher Terry L. Laughlin
Unashamedly Believing, Preaching and Teaching God’s Word