Author Archives: Justin

Jun 16

The Gospel and Honduras

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In a few days 32 of us from Karns will be traveling to Honduras for a medical/evangelistic mission campaign. This is nothing new for Karns or most churches for that matter. Mission trips are a part of most churches’ summer activities. However, have you considered why many people are willing to travel overseas and share the Gospel of Christ? Below are a few reasons why I want to go and be a part of this mission experience.

Evangelism Is A Command. Before Jesus left earth and ascended back to heaven after His resurrection from the dead, He told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15). Jesus was not presenting an option to His disciples; He was presenting a command. This command was to go and share with others all Jesus had done through His death and resurrection. Jesus literally wanted His disciples to be witnesses (Acts 1:8) of the things they both had seen and heard. Friends, evangelism is a command we are expected to keep.

Evangelism Helps Save Others’ Souls. Perhaps the reason that Jesus stressed evangelism to His disciples was because He knew there was no other way to come to the Father except through Him (Jn. 14:6). Unless one repents of his sins, confesses Christ as the Son of God and is baptized into Christ, he will be eternally lost (Mk. 16:16). When we go about teaching others the Gospel plan of salvation, we help those individuals gain knowledge about a relationship with Jesus Christ. That knowledge can then lead a person to obedient faith. It is only through faith and obedience that one can come to have a relationship with Jesus. James said, “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (Jam. 5:19-20). When we take time to evangelize, we can help others find a saving relationship with Jesus.

Evangelism Increases The Church. What most people fail to understand is that the church is not some fancy building people go to on Sundays, but rather the church is the people. When we go about teaching others the Gospel and they obey it, the church grows. Think about the early Christians in the book of Acts. They were very evangelistic. The Bible says that 3,000 people obeyed after the first sermon was preached (Acts 2:41). By our standards today, this would be a mega church; however, this was not good enough for the early Christians. Those 3,000 went out and proclaimed Christ to their friends and neighbors and the church continued to grow. After a great persecution was brought on the church in Jerusalem, the Christians were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1). These Christians didn’t allow this persecution to be an excuse for quitting. Instead, they witnessed and testified concerning the Christ just as Jesus had told them (Acts 1:8). The church will grow when evangelism becomes a part of our daily lives as Christians.

Evangelism Brings About Joy. I do not know of any greater joy than seeing people obey the Gospel after having been taught the truth. The joy and excitement they show is priceless. I can’t count the number of young people I have witnessed put Christ on in baptism and come up out of the water with a sense joy and excitement. I recall one young person in particular who was so excited, he began to splash the water around him and yell, “Yes, Yes, Yes!” When that takes place, there is no greater joy! Of all the things that you and I could do, evangelism is one that can bring a great sense of joy to our lives.

I am excited about the work we will be doing in Honduras next week. However, we don’t have to go to Honduras to evangelize. We can simply walk across the street to our neighbors and talk with them about the Gospel. Have you taken time to share with others the story of Jesus and His love lately?

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Jun 07

What’s Your Nineveh?

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Has someone ever asked you to do something that you did not want to do? When I was in graduate school I had a couple of professors who asked me to write a 25 page research paper. Let me tell you, I did not want to write a 25 page research paper. I was busy with my job and trying to build a ministry at the congregation where I worked. I didn’t have much time to do the research required to write that kind of paper. So you know what I did? I wrote the paper anyway. Why? Because I knew I had to write the paper in order to receive a grade and pass the class. Sometimes we are called to do things that we don’t want to do, but we do them anyway because we know that’s what is in our best interest.

Unfortunately, there are other times that we are called to do things that we don’t want to do, so we just don’t do them. Jonah was a man who was called by God to do something that he did not want to do. In chapter 1 beginning with verse 1 we read, “The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying…” (v. 1).

Who Was Jonah?

Jonah was a prophet of God. We understand that a prophet was one who spoke on behalf of God to his people.  Jonah was God’s spokesman to the Northern Kingdom (Israel) about 800-750 B.C. He prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II who reigned from 793-753 B.C. The interesting thing about Jonah is the only other time we read about him in the Old Testament he had prophesied to the king of Israel about overcoming the oppression they had suffered at the hands of Hazael and Ben-hadad. The only other time we read about Jonah, he was prophesying good news. No doubt Jonah was a popular prophet. Now, God was calling him to go to the people of Assyria, the capital of Nineveh, and speak out against their wickedness. He did not know what kind of reception he would receive, but he was pretty sure it would not be the kind of reception he was use to.

The City of Nineveh

Nineveh was a great and populous city (3:3). It had 120,000 inhabitants. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria. The nation of Assyria was a very wicked nation. They were known for their cruelty to prisoners. In fact, they were so wicked, the Bible records that their wickedness reached God (Jonah 1:2). Nineveh was such a wicked city that the king of Nineveh himself, referred to the men of Nineveh as wicked and violent (3:8).  Listen to how Nineveh was described in the book of Nahum. “What sorrow awaits Nineveh, the city of murder and lies! She is crammed with wealth and is never without victims. 2 Hear the crack of whips, the rumble of wheels! Horses’ hooves pound, and chariots clatter wildly.3 See the flashing swords and glittering spears as the charioteers charge past! There are countless casualties, heaps of bodies-so many bodies that people stumble over them. 4 All this because Nineveh, the beautiful and faithless city, mistress of deadly charms, enticed the nations with her beauty. She taught them all her magic, enchanting people everywhere” (Nahum 3:1-4).

The leaders of conquered cities were often tortured and horribly mutilated before being executed. They tortured adults by skinning them alive and leaving them to die in the burning sun. They were truly an evil people. However, the interesting thing was that God loved the Assyrian people even with all their wickedness. He wanted Jonah to go and cry out to them about their wicked ways.

Jonah Tried to Run From God

God called Jonah for a mission and Jonah ran. He ran down to Joppa and boarded a ship to Tarshish. Most scholars believe Tarshish was on the southern tip of Spain, on the edge of the Mediterranean world.  Tarshish is about 180 degrees in the opposite direction of Nineveh. It was known as a place where the presence of God was absent. Apparently, Jonah thought that he could escape to this place and avoid what God was calling him to do. It seems that Jonah either doesn’t know or just doesn’t remember the words of David when he said, “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there” (Psa. 139:7-8).

Jonah doesn’t want to answer this call from God. As we continue reading we find out that Jonah would rather die than go to Nineveh to preach (v. 12). However, God wouldn’t allow Jonah to die b/c He had an assignment for him. The fish that swallowed Jonah was part of God’s grace. Grace on the part of Jonah and also grace on the part of the Ninevehites. God was calling Jonah to go and preach to the people of Nineveh.

What Is Your Nineveh?

Many times we are just like Jonah.  Think about what it is that God is calling you to do right now that you just do not want to do?

  • Evangelsim – God has called each of us to be a witness for Jesus (Acts 1:8). He expects us to tell others of His son and the salvation that can be found through a relationship with Him. Are you answering God’s call to evangelize or is this your Nineveh?
  • Selflessness/Generosity – God has called us to be generous toward others (I Tim. 6:17-18) and toward the Lord (I Cor. 16:1-2). Are you answering God’s call to be selfless and generous or is this your Nineveh?
  • Action – God has called each of us to action. Unfortunately, many Christians make excuses instead of answering this call. Are you active in serving the Lord or are you a person who has an excuse for your lack of service (LK. 9:59-62)? Is action your Nineveh?
  • Forgiveness – God has called each of us to forgive those who sin against us (Matt. 6:14-15). Have you forgiven those who have wronged you or hurt you? Is forgiveness your Nineveh?
  • Repentance – God has called you and me to repent of our wrong doing. The Bible teaches that unless we repent we will all perish (Lk. 13:3). Have you answered God’s call to repent from the things in your life that hinder your relationship with Him? Is repentance your Nineveh?

Perhaps you would rather try to run from God than answer His call. If you learn anything from Jonah learn this: You can run from God, but you can’t outrun God. Jonah found out that he had to answer God’s call even though he didn’t want to. The day will come for you and me when we will stand before God in judgment and be faced with answering His call, whether we want to or not!

Now that’s Something to Think About!

May 27

No Greater Joy…

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Last weekend Miranda and I traveled to Middle Tennessee for a couple different reasons. First, Miranda’s great aunt had passed away, so we went back to attend her funeral and be with family. However, the funeral was not our only reason for going back to Lewisburg. You see, we had already made plans to be in Lewisburg last weekend because of graduation. Several of our former students reached this milestone, and we went back to celebrate with them.

As I sat through the ceremony and watched these kids who I had spent almost six years working with, I couldn’t help but be proud of them and the young people they have grown up to be. Watching the ceremony and talking with the students afterward, I was reminded of something the apostle John wrote in his letter we refer to as 3 John. In speaking to Gaius, John said, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth” (v. 4). Just as John was proud of those converts and believers he had worked with, I, too, was proud of these students and many others we were fortunate enough to see while we were there. Seeing who they are and what they are becoming is such a blessing to my life.

Many of you who are parents have experienced similar feelings. You are proud of your children! Have you ever taken time to stop and realize it’s the same way with God? As our heavenly Father sits on His throne in heaven, David tells us He looks down upon the “Sons of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God” (Psa. 14:2). Just as I was proud of those students and many of you are proud of who your children are and what they have become, God is also proud of His children (you and me) when we do good and become who it is that He wants us to be. When we choose to put Christ on in baptism, our Father is proud. When we choose to live a life of service to others, our Father is proud. When we choose to tell others about His great love, our Father is proud. When we choose to live a faithful life to Him, we bring Him no greater joy!

As I traveled back to Knoxville on Sunday afternoon, I reflected upon my life. I thought about the joy I felt watching those students become young people I and so many others were proud of. Then I asked myself the question that each and every one of us should ask ourselves, “Am I living my life in such a way that my heavenly Father can look down from heaven and be proud of me?” If the answer to that question is no, then we have something to work on. May we all live in such a way that brings joy and honor to our heavenly Father…for there is no greater joy!

Now that’s Something to Think About!

May 17

The Story of Our Lives

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I received this email and thought I would share it. I hope you enjoy!

On the first day, God created the dog and said, “Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past.  For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.”

The dog said, “That’s a long time to be barking.  How about only ten years and I’ll give you back the other ten?”
So God agreed……
On the second day, God created the monkey and said, “Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh.  For this, I’ll give you a twenty-year life span.”
The monkey said, “Monkey tricks for twenty years?  That’s a pretty long time to perform.  How about I give you back ten like the dog did?”
And God agreed……
On the third day, God created the cow and said, “You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer’s family.  For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years.”
The cow said, “That’s kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years.  How about twenty and I’ll give back the other forty?”
And God agreed again……

On the fourth day, God created humans and said, “Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life.  For this, I’ll give you twenty years.”
But the human said, “Only twenty years?  Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?”
“Okay,” said God.  “You asked for it.”
So that is why for our first twenty years, we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves.  For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family..  For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren.  And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.
Life has now been explained to you.
There is no need to thank me for this valuable information.  I’m doing it as a public service. If you are looking for me I will be on the front porch.

May 13

American Idols

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This is an article I wrote for a friend as part of his blog. He has asked several youth ministers to contribute to a project entitled, “Hot Topics for Teens.” Below are my thoughts on idols from a teenagers perspective.

When you think about idols, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s a statue of a fat man sitting with his legs crossed, perhaps it’s a big shrine dedicated to someone or something, or maybe it’s just a picture of someone prominent to whom people worship and pay tribute. When I think about idols in our culture today, I think of things and objects that many times go unnoticed. Sadly, Americans have made everything from money and objects to people and things idols today. Consider some of the most popular “American” idols from a teen perspective.

Money

It’s one thing to like money, but quite another to be in love with money. Many people spend their lives working to earn just a little bit more so they can buy this or that. They simply love money. Listen to what the apostle Paul said about money, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (I Tim. 6:9-10). When we allow money to become a god in our life, we run the risk of falling away from God. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth” (Matt. 6:24). We only have room for one God in our life.

Possessions

We use our money to buy things that we really don’t even need. We are always looking for the bigger and the better. Sadly, too many have allowed material possessions to become a god in their lives. Jesus was approached by a man asking, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus told him to keep the commandments. The man informed Jesus that he had kept the commandments since he was young. Jesus responded, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Lk. 18:22). What the Bible says next is a sad reflection of many so called Christians’ attitudes today: “But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich” (Lk. 18:23). This young man allowed his possessions to possess him and become a god in his life. Many times we do the exact same thing. We can’t allow material possessions to replace God. We only have room for one God in our life.

Status

Who are you? Are you a star athlete? What about a cheerleader? One of the smart kids? Are you popular? A class officer?  Someone everyone in school likes and respects? Or are you just one of the many students who sometimes go unnoticed and overlooked? For many teens and adults alike, who we are or for what we are known is a big part of our lives. We want to have a status of which we are proud. We want to have a status among our peers that is accepted and respected. The important thing for us to remember is, “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (I Sam. 16:7). Who we are in the eyes of our friends is not nearly as important as who we are in the eyes of God. The only status that truly matters is that we are faithful children of God. We only have room for one God in our life.

Have No Idols Before Me

It doesn’t matter whether or not our idols are money, possessions, status or something completely different; God has been clear, “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I the Lord your God, am a jealous God” (Ex. 20:3-5). Anything that comes before God in our lives is considered an idol. If we want to be pleasing to God, we must rid ourselves of the idols that occupy our lives.

Idols Are Worthless

Idols have no value in our lives. God, through the prophet Jeremiah, told his people the idols they were following after were worthless (Jer. 2:5). Why? What was it about their idols that made them so worthless? They were worthless because they were unable to protect the people who worshipped them. The idols that Israel had begun to follow after were nothing more than manmade gods, they were worthless. Sadly many people of Israel never came to this realization. Let us learn from the people of Israel about the worthlessness of our idols.

God Is All You Need

Friends, we must make a point to clean house when it comes to the idols in our lives. Remember the words of Jesus, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24). We have to deny ourselves and give up those things in our lives that get in the way of our relationship with the Father. We may think we can’t live without them, but we are wrong. Jesus went on to say, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26) We may gain wealth, popularity and friendships with the idols we allow in our lives, but that doesn’t profit us anything in the end. Unfortunately, for those who practice idolatry of any kind, they will not inherit the kingdom of God (I Cor. 6:9-10; Eph. 5:5). Remember, we only have room for one God in our life.

Your Challenge

Sit down and make a list of all the things in your life that you have elevated to idol status. Spend time in prayer asking God to help you with the struggle you are having of allowing these “idols” to dominate your life. Begin today tearing down these idols and replacing them with a time of Bible study and prayer.