The New Adventures of an Old Preacher

Recently I caught a segment of the old seventies sitcom, Good Times, on TVLand. This particular episode was about a pregnant teen girl. The segment I saw was a conversation between this girl and Thelma, the teenage daughter of the Evans family upon which the program centered.

As I listened to this scripted conversation between two actors in the 1970s I was amazed. Thelma basically preached a sermon. As she asked the girl about what it was like to be pregnant, she shared her convictions about abstinence and waiting until marriage. She spoke of how her parents might react and how she respected them. It wasn’t preachy, but the message was clear- sex before marriage was not the wisest choice.

Could you even imagine that type of conversation occurring between two TV character’s now? I can’t. If there were such a conversation now between two TV teens- one of which being pregnant- it would probably focus on whether or not to abort.

Much has changed in thirty years- which brings me to the title of this post. Is this evidence of a slippery slope?

As a preacher I have heard this term and the idea it represents being spoken of numerous times and usually I have dismissed it. Mainly I have not liked the context of its usage. For instance, I heard the slippery slope used in a camp board meeting to prevent campers from wearing knee-length shorts. Someone actually suggested that shorts would lead to campers having sex in the woods and therefore should not be approved. To me that was not a slippery slope, but a leap completely off the mountain.

Another time the slippery slope blocked the use of overhead technology to project songs during worship. If we did that, we were told, the next step would be “rolling in the aisles”- whatever that meant.

So I have not been a big adherent to the slippery slope idea.

But then I watch this old TV show and compare it to the junk we are served now. Wow. It does seem we, as a society, have slipped morally. As much as I dread saying it- because I always have dreaded hearing it in a church setting- I do wonder what may be next.

I have two young children. What will they be watching in thirty years?

All of this takes me back to Christ’s familiar words in his Sermon on the Mount. We are called to be salt and light in order to witness kingdom values to a world slipping down the slope into lostness.

For if there is anything that can stop the avalanche- it is God.

“Time is filled with swift transition.” Remember that old song?

Well, today is my five year-old’s last day in preschool. Next year it is on to kindergarten for her. Wow! I can hardly believe it.

Then there is my almost two year-old. She will start preschool in the fall. The delivery room just seems like yesterday.

What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 

Remember that verse in the epistle of James? I realize now more than ever that I am living it.

We all face passages of some type. What I realize now much more than ever is how much I need God with me when I face them.

This is an old bulletin article of mine that I recently revamped and revisited in our Gateway bulletin.  

This was Paul’s charge to young Titus. (Beginning in Titus 2:1) Paul believed and emphasized “soundness” and “sound doctrine” throughout his pastoral epistles. He knew and understood the importance of being “rooted and established.” So he instructs Titus to instruct and teach sound doctrine! In Titus 2:2-10 he reveals what this sound doctrine is all about. 

“Teach the older men” Paul begins, “to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.” “Sound doctrine” as defined by Paul in this text is about sound and healthy behavior. It is more about how we act then what we say. 

“Teach the older women” comes next. To them he details what sound doctrine means in this way:

• Be reverent in lifestyle
• Don’t be addicted to wine
• Do not slander anyone
• Teach only what is good
• Especially teach the younger women to love their husband and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to take care of their home, to be pure and submissive God’s way.
• So that God will get the glory

“Encourage the young men” Paul continues. They too should know and practice sound doctrine. For them this means:

• Being self-controlled
• Setting proper examples by doing good
• Showing integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech
• All of which cannot be condemned 

Even the Christian slaves were to know and understand sound doctrine. They too were to express soundness through their behavior and interaction with others. “So that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.”- (Vs. 9)  

Linger over that last sentence. It says more than just a sentence full. For too long, too many have used the crutch of “sound doctrine” to justify harshness and behavior that is anything but attractive. This is exactly not what Paul is teaching us in this chapter. 

Sound doctrine is about Godly behavior and healthy teaching. It is about presenting Christ through a Godly, balanced lifestyle which is attractive and appealing. It is about demonstrating the grace we teach by actually living it. Each of us- young, old, men, and women- has a particular and specific calling in accomplishing this. We should not take it lightly

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” (vs. 11) Our goal is to get this terrific message out by teaching and living “what is in accord with sound doctrine.”

I have been on the road again. This time to north central Arkansas for a niece’s graduation. Got to enjoy some awesome fishing while up there too. I also was able to swing by and spend Mother’s Day with my mom in Greenville, MS.

Back in my office I just read the latest issue of Preaching magazine. Michael Duduit, the editor-in-chief wonders in his article on the back page what if airlines were like churches.

Catholic Airlines- In the event of a problem, your overhead compartment will open and rosary beads will drop down.

Baptist Airlines- We don’t serve any alcohol, but we have a great “dinner on the concourse”.” Just bring along a covered dish with you e-ticket.

Seventh-Day Adventist Airlines- We only fly on Saturday.

Christian Church Airlines- We fly planes the way they used to fly planes!

Presbyterian Airlines- All worshippers shall remain in an upright and locked position.

Episcopal Airlines- We will take off as soon as we decide who owns the planes.

Church of Christ Airlines- Those other guys arn’t real airlines. We’re the only real airline.

Pentecostal Airlines- The flight attendant will present the safety information in an unknown tongue, requiring another flight attendant to interpret.

Evangelistic Airlines- If we don’t have a full flight, we go out and get some more!

Calvinist Airlines- When your destination already has been decided.

Arminian Airlines- Even after you’re on board, you can still get bumped from the flight.

Secular Humanist Airlines- We’ve got a plane full of people, but no place to go!

Have any to add?

I firmly believe God has laid out a life plan of ministry and spiritual accomplishment for each of us.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10

Personally, I believe God made the arrangements for my ministry in Vilnius, Lithuania. I am equally convinced that he prepared me and Gateway for each other. He did not force any of this to happen, but he prepared for it to happen. Being open to his will, it did happen.

The same is true of anyone open to his leading. He makes the arrangements to put us where our ministry gifts can be fully utilized.

I call it his “for such a time as this” leading.

We all remember Queen Esther’s story. Consider how all the events surrounding her fell into place enabling her to be in a position to bravely save her Jewish race from near extinction.

Mordecai, the man at the center of the storm, recognized Esther’s opportunity. He told her:

And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? - Esther 4:14

God knew. She was in that position for that moment. Being open to that, she thwarted evil plans and Haman the hangman became Haman the hanged man.

God knows what we are positioned for too. He is even now making arrangements for our moments of ministry. He is busy preparing us and others for “such a time as this.”

Are we open to them? Are we expecting them? Will we, like Esther, be brave enough to make the most of them?

Enlighten the eyes of our heart, Lord!