Vision4Living

What a privilege it was for us to have the Weis family take it upon themselves to plan and support the second Family Leadership Summit sponsored by Vision4Living Ministries. The beautiful rolling hills of North Central Ohio provided a splendid backdrop for the “Summit”. The home of the Ric & Denise Weis family was the venue for a weekend focused on passing a vision for Christ to the next generation. Seven couples, one engaged couple, and several singles participated as we contemplated the significance of a biblical vision that will stand the test of time and discussed the practical aspects of having and imparting such a vision to our descendants. The necessity of a personal biblical understanding of the Gospel as the foundation for purpose and direction in life helped to lay the ground work for the topics discussed. Pam & Daniel shared testimonies of God’s grace and goodness in imparting such a vision to them, and small group discussion gave everyone the opportunity to personally grapple with the biblical issues involved. And the final message, “Vision for Living” challenged everyone to realize that vision directs life and that a vision for living must be thoroughly biblical.

The attendees included grandparents, parents, and singles. The parents where parents of younger and older children. The diversity of the group fit the variety of application. If you are interested in hosting such a “Summit”, please see the Family Leadership Summit page on our website.

Charles Cavanaugh

President, Vision4Living Ministries, Inc.

With the approach of June 21, many will be pondering what to get dad. It is true, dad’s can be hard to buy for. So, one of the challenges of Father’s Day is what to get dad: how to show him he is special.

But as a man and a father, I am much more concerned with what to me is a more pressing challenge, not for spouses and children, but for men. The challenge of Father’s Day for men is to be a worthy father, a kind of man who has a lasting influence on his descendants. “The just man walks in his integrity: his children are blessed after him” (Prov. 20:7). May God give us such men. Oh, to be such a man!

Paul often referred to himself and to Christians as “a man in Christ”. He was speaking generically of course and included both men and women. But for my purposes, I want to think a little bit about what it means to be “a man in Christ”. Speaking of himself and his Christian experience of being caught up into heaven he said; “I knew a man in Christ…” (2 Cor. 12:2). He also said; “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things are passed away, behold, all things have become knew” (2 Cor. 5:17). I want us to look at the qualities of “a man in Christ” as we see them in Paul and ask our Lord to make us such men.

First; “a man in Christ” is a man of humility. This humility is a holy, biblical understanding of my depravity, inability, and vulnerability. Paul always kept a healthy view of his sinfulness. That is why he could say with all honesty; “I am less than the least of all saints” (Eph. 3:8). Just a quick read of Romans 7 shows us he was acutely aware of his own struggle with the ever present enemy of sin. Such an awareness will help us maintain a proper sense of humility.

Second; “a man in Christ” is a man integrity. Integrity is not perfection, but it is honesty with myself, others, and God. There can be no pretense that I am more than I am or that I am somehow more holy than those around me, especially my family. They know better. Paul said; “And herein I do exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16). “Pray for us: for we trust that we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly” (Heb. 13:18). This is a man of integrity: the one who is honest with God and others and quickly deals with any offenses.

Third; a man in Christ is a man of charity. Charity is the old English word used to translate the Greek agape in the KJV. The old English translators knew that a man who loves is a man generous with money, things, and himself. “A man in Christ” is a giver, especially of himself. This is the evidence of his love for Christ and people. Therefore Paul could say; “…The things which happened unto me have turn out rather for the furtherance of the gospel” (Phil. 1:12). His life was given to Christ and others for the gospel’s sake. His love for Christ and his love for others were illustrated by his life of charity.

And so it should be for every man in Christ. Our lives our given to Christ, our families, and others because of our love for Christ. We willing lay aside our petty, selfish, grievances, and preferences for love’s sake.

Fourth; “a man in Christ” is a man of clarity. ” A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). Lack of clarity and focus and lack of vision lead to confusion and instability. The heart and soul of a man in Christ is clear in its focus. Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ…I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord…This one thing I do…” (Phil. 1:21; 3:8, 13).

Fifth; a man in Christ is a man of intensity. Dr. Art Glasser commented; “Passivity is an enemy.” C.H. Spurgeon said; “We cannot afford to live useless lives.” John MacArthur warned; “This is certainly no time for weak men, weak messages, and weak ministries.” With clarity of focus should come intensity of commitment. Again Paul speaks to this in Philippians; “I follow after…” (Phil. 3:12). Paul spoke of himself as being in dogged pursuit of Christ, His Kingdom, and His glory. “Whereunto I also labor, striving according to His working, which works in me mightily” (Col. 1:29). It was obvious to those around Paul that something owned Paul, and that something created in him a passion and intensity that was life-controlling. Men; the seriousness of our commitment will be expressed, at least in part, by the intensity of our passion. Our wives and children will notice.

Sixth; “a man in Christ” is a man of destiny. ” A man in Christ” is going somewhere. He is moving in a particular direction. Spiritual leadership is not seen so much by where you are as by the direction you are going. ” A man in Christ” is moving toward Christ and His will. He realizes that everything is preparation, and he lives his life with this in mind. We live moving ever closer to Christ, and anticipating eternity with Him. Therefore, life is lived and decisions are made with the next generation and eternity in view. Paul said; ” I press toward the mark for the prize…” (Phil. 3:14). “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:17, 18). The man in Christ lives with an awareness of his place in Christ’s kingdom now and an excitement and commitment to eternal glory with Christ.

May the Lord help us to be such men; men of humility, men of integrity, men of charity, men of clarity, men of intensity, and men of destiny.

Through the Grace of Our Lord,

Charles Cavanaugh

President, Vision4Living Ministries

http://vision4living.org/events/passion4christ-summit/speakers/

Vision4Living

Recently a current political figure was quoted as saying; “Never let a crisis go to waste.” The implication is that a crisis is an opportunity to implement one’s agenda. And there seems to be no end of crises at the disposal of those who are looking for an opportunity to exploit.

However, the greatest crises are not those of an economic type, in spite of all the hype to the contrary. The matters of gravest concern are those of a spiritual and biblical nature, and the more fundamental the issue, the more critical our response. Modern day Christianity in general, and Evangelicalism in particular, face a crises of the gospel; a crises that serious-minded followers of Christ cannot ignore or fail to address. The issue is no more basic than biblically defining the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we are to spread the gospel we must know what it is, for to spread a false gospel is to sow the seeds of confusion and destruction and turn the gospel from good news into bad medicine.

Much, if not most, of modern evangelicalism is busy addressing felt needs. Many believe and espouse that the gospel is a panacea for every possible ill or problem. If you have problems in your marriage, come to Jesus, and He will fix your marriage. If you are having financial problems, Jesus will resolve those for you. Are you struggling with emotional unrest? Jesus will give you peace. Whether Jesus is capable of doing any or all these things is not the issue. He certainly is. But these are not what the gospel is about. That is not to say such matters as those mentioned above are not real and important: they are. But they are not what the gospel is about, nor are they the basis for a biblical gospel appeal.

The word gospel literally means “good news”. And “good news” implies that there is bad news. One cannot fully appreciate the good news of the gospel unless he or she comes to grips with the bad news. It is like the old saying; “I have good news and bad news.” In this case, we need to hear the bad news first. The bad news is that we are sinners by nature (Eph. 2:3), held by the power of darkness (Col. 1:13), and enemies of God (Col. 1:21). The bad news is really bad because sinners have no means in themselves to escape this wretched condition, being blinded by the spiritual darkness that engulfs them and dead to spiritual realities (Eph. 2:1, John 3:3).

So what sinners (i.e. humans) need is not a salve for their felt needs but a Savior for their lostness. “Christ Jesus came to save sinners,” not to act as a Jeanie, an unseen psychologist, or financial advisor. And to be faithful to gospel, to Christ, and to the never-dying souls of men, women, boys and girls we must convince them biblically that they are enemies of God because of their sin and hopelessly alienated from Him. If they are to turn or repent, and they must (Luke 13:3), then they must know from what they are turning as well as to whom they are turning. They must flee from the wrath to come and flee to Christ. The gospel is not “ask Jesus into your heart”, a phrase which never occurs in scripture. The “good news” is that all sinners who turn from their sins and look in faith to Christ for salvation from their sins and their just penalty will be saved (John 3:18).

There is one last aspect to consider if we are to proclaim a biblical gospel. For the ultimate end in view is not the salvation of humans, as critical and delightful as that is. God’s ultimate concern is His own glory. He is glorified in the salvation of sinners. He is glorified in people bowing the knee to Him. He is pleased to glorify Himself in the salvation and transformation of human souls. His first thought and His last thought are not mankind. They are His glory. And He is pleased to let those who believe be part of that great ultimate purpose. “Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:9-11)

The time has come to turn from the easy-believism that has filled church roles with unconverted people who have no hunger and thirst for righteousness. The time has come for all true followers of Christ to love the souls of the lost by confronting them with a clear biblical gospel that is “the power of God of salvation to everyone who believes…” (Rom. 1:16).

Charles Cavanaugh

President of Vision4Living Ministries

We have just posted the registration form for the 2009 Passion4Christ Summit on the Vision4Living website. Sign up today and receive the early registration discount! Space is limited this year so be sure and reserve your spot!

For His Glory,
Vision4Living

http://vision4living.org/events/passion4christ-summit/

There once was a young man who was brought up in a godly home. His father was a great leader who had a heart for God and taught him in the ways of Jehovah. This young man had many siblings, but he stood out as one who had significant potential and seemed destined for leadership. He followed in his father footsteps, and, as a leader of God’s people, brought them to achievements far greater than they had ever reached. His wisdom astonished them as well as unbelievers all around. It seemed that nothing or no one could keep this man from achieving unparalleled success as a leader of God’s people and as a man of God. Anyone who would have questioned his wisdom, abilities, and future potential would have been subject to scorn, considered a spiritual novice at best, and an infidel at the worst. God’s blessing was evidently upon this man as seen through his inspirational writings and prolific achievements.

There were, however, chinks in the proverbial armor of this great man. Decisions were being made that were setting the course for future failure and destruction. In light of his great achievements and God’s obvious blessing, they appeared relatively insignificant, and sadly their effects were not immediately recognizable. While he made these unwise and unbiblical decisions, the residual effects of God’s blessing continued, and the work of God continued to flourish. But inevitable consequences were on the horizon, and God’s blessing would undoubtedly change into a curse.

Indeed, while this gifted and passionate man had begun well, his end was not blessed. The seeds of destruction had been sown and were growing into a full harvest. As his final days approached there was a latent and growing dissatisfaction which was causing an underlying division among God’s people. Earlier, unbiblical decisions had paved the way for the unscrupulous to have their influence. And this once great leader’s failure to reject compromise in critical areas resulted in irreparable weakness in his children. The heir to his great work was unable and unwilling to make wise decisions that would have solidified his position of leadership and broadened his influence. The result was a people divided and a work destroyed. The potential of a godly seed was greatly diminished and unbelievers were given cause and opportunity to blaspheme the true and living God.

Perhaps you have some thoughts on the spiritual journey of this leader. Who was he? What could have been done to avoid this tragedy? And what lessons can we learn to avoid this end?

Charles Cavanaugh

President of Vision4Living Ministries

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