“Maybe, if they had a Pastor…”
| Typically, Father’s Day rolls around and accordingly we acknowledge the importance and sacrifices of fathers. Sometimes, we even throw shout-outs to Father-God. But recently, something occurred to me as I watched a conversation unfold on social media. A Christian friend of mine posted that Christians should go to Church… and, oh my, within a very short period ignorant, irresponsible, and unbiblical comments – from “Christians,” mind you – came pouring out! Here are just a few of their comments and positions: “I don’t have to go to church to be a Christian!” “I’m old enough to read and interpret the Bible on my own!” “God is everywhere!” “God and I have an understanding!” “Church is wherever two or more are gathered!” “I don’t go to Church because it’s full of hypocrites!” “I don’t need a Pastor!” It’s important to note that each individual comment was NOT supported by scripture. This a clear example of opinion-based and feeling-based Christians, yet God calls us to be Word-based Christians (2Tim 3:16; Col 3:16; 2Tim 2:15; Ps 119:11; Jms 1:21; Rom 10:17; Jn 17:17; 1Pe 2:2; Mt 22:29). (Read “By what authority do you speak?”) What does this have to do with Father’s Day, you ask? Well, the same alarming tendencies and consequences of un-fathered children – loss of identity, insecurities, inferiorities, anger issues – are resident in un-fathered Christians. The un-fathered (natural realm and Church realm) walk in great disconnect from identity, order, validation, affirmation, heritage, purpose, answers, strength, guidance, protection, and boundaries. They are orphaned, disinherited, prodigal, rebellious, and bastards. And these same un-fathered folks are great liabilities in society and in the Church. (Read “Bastards and the Removal of Statues and Flags”) God gave His people spiritual fathers – Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers – for the “equipping of God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” (Eph 4:12-16) Read that again! So much is being shared here! God assigned spiritual fathers for the perfecting of the Saints! And, the Apostle Paul acknowledged sons in the faith, making him a spiritual father. (1Tim 1:2; 1Tim 1:18; 1Cor 4:14-17; Php 2:19-22; 2Tim 1:2; 2Tim 2:1; Tit 1:4) So, why the resistance? For starters, I would submit that Hebrews 12:8 says that “if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” Translation: the bastard child cannot endure chastening and correction. On top of that, shepherds (Pastors) are like sheepdogs. They guard the flock. However, even as wolves don’t like sheepdogs, neither do the sheep. Good sheepdogs set boundaries and keep order. These sheepdogs also, at times have to nip at the ornery sheep’s feet to keep them in line… for their safety. This is certainly not popular. (I can already hear some of you countering with “abuse of power,” and all that. Just remember that both wolves and sheepdogs have power. However, the difference is one uses that power to protect and the other uses that power to prey.) Scriptural support for attending Church: 1. God gave the five-fold ministry (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers) FOR THE PERFECTION OF THE SAINTS! (Eph 4:11-16; Jer 3:15) 2. Christians are invited into fellowship with His son (1Cor 1:9) 3. Christians are called to be connected to the vine (Jn 15:4-5; Ac 2:1) 4. Non-Churched Christians are disconnected from the body (1Cor 12:27; Rom 12:4-5) 5. Christ died for the Church (Eph 5:25; Ac 20:28) 6. Christians are called to be part of a LOCAL assembly (Heb 10:24-25). The Greek word for assembly is episunagōgē, which is related to synagogue. Take careful note that agōgē means “to lead,” as in the the Spartan agōgē program of rigorous education and training that was mandated for all males, which led them into warriorship. Every Christian should crave this type of assembly. 7. God gave Pastors (Eph 4:11-16; Jer 3:15) 8. No Pastor = no spiritual father = fatherless (1Cor 4:15-16) 9. Bastard Christians (Heb 12:6-11) are reluctant to follow fatherly leadership because it’s foreign to them. 10. Power/Safety in numbers (Deu 32:30; Mt 18:19-20) Here are some questions for those un-fathered: 1. What Christian, in their right mind, would reject an invitation from Christ to fellowship with his Bride? (1Cor 1:9) 2. Why are criticizing and rejecting what Christ purchased with His own blood? (Ac 20:28) 3. The Church is Christ’s Bride. Why are disrespecting and rejecting His Bride? 4. Who’s your daddy? (Lol!) Not your biological father, not your heavenly Father, but who is your spiritual father? Who is your Pastor? Self-imposed bastardization? (Heb 12:8) 5. Who’s shepherding your soul? (Heb 13:17; 1Pe 5:1-3) 6. Why are you being prodigal with the grace of God? (Lu 15:11-24) 7. Generally speaking, society generally accepts the authority of parents over their children. Why don’t Christians accept the authority of a spiritual father over them? (Heb 12:8) A final thought. Every university requires their students to satisfactorily complete 101 classes in every major before those students can sign up for 201, 301, and 401 classes. My point is that most Christians are quick to spout their opinions about 201, 301, and 401 topics, but they don’t even have solid answers for the 101 stuff. This is because these same Christians have not been properly discipled, mentored, and fathered, i.e. properly pastored. On that post I alluded to earlier, I did share some comments and the majority of this info. However, to-date, there has not been one, single reply. Hmmm? Maybe, if they had a Pastor…By the way, it’s okay to tell your Pastor, “Happy Father’s Day!” ▪My YouTube videos addressing a wide range of topics ▪Make a Donation ▪Remember to Share this Newsletter |
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| John just got baptized! God has changed his life dramatically in such a short time. To God be all the glory! (Donate: https://cinami.org/missionary/guerra-nick-sandy/) |
| a. For reinstatement of Brig ministries (Wednesday night Bible Study and Friday morning Sexual Integrity & Restoration (SIR) classes. Pray for the dissolution of confusion and that ungodly strongholds be broken over the Brig. I continue to ask the Lord to either super-naturally reopen these doors or to help me let it go. b. Pray for our leaders who are standing in the gap while Sandy and I take a break. Pray for their strength in the Lord. We are also still praying for mature, qualified families and Permanent Personnel to co-labor with us in this northern-most, remote area of Okinawa. Henoko/Schwab outreach carries a constant rebuilding nature due its high turnover rate and operational tempo. We continue to graduate souls as they finish their time here, so we literally have to labor and rebuild a new congregation every six months. Pray for our strength, wisdom, and resources as we continuously gather more souls. c. Pray for our current schedule, i.e. finances, resources, wisdom, strategies, and strength: ▪ Sun: Share/Report Christians In Action ministries ▪ Mon: Radical & Relevant (R&R) @7pm ▪ Wed: Pray for Reinstatement of Brig Christian Fellowship (BCF) @7pm ▪ Thu: Publish Think On These Things newsletters ▪ Thu: Publish YouTube Videos (Channel: YahwehHasASon) ▪ Fri: Pray for Reinstatement of Sexual Integrity & Restoration (SIR) @9am ▪ Sat: Zebulun Christian Discipleship Center (ZCDC) @6pm ▪Make a Donation ▪My YouTube videos |
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In closing…
| My daughters continue to honor me greatly. I am in awe at their multiple giftings and talents. They’re extremely intelligent, athletic, driven, witty, honest, brave, ambitious, and beautiful. They each have a solid, godly foundation and they carry the light of Christ. Honestly, they made our parenting jobs easy. Watch “Love is not a chore. It’s an opportunity.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnt5b5WvJiI&t=5s) |
| Saints, Sandy and I cannot thank you enough for your support and encouragement. Y’all really do motivate us to keep going. So, Sandy and I have finally ironed out all the details and have hit all the wickets, thus we’ll be traveling to the US tomorrow for some long overdue time off. We will fly directly to Austin, TX to rendezvous with our son-in-law and daughters. Once there and rested, we’ll arrange visits to Albany, GA (Sandy’s folks) and Camp Lejeune, NC. Please keep in mind that any time I leave island, I have ministry gaps to fill. Several men have stood up to stand in the gap for us, so please remember them in prayer. Also, travel to the US is extremely expensive and is never in our missionary budget. Just roundtrip air for two, car rentals, and food is approximately $8k. (This doesn’t even include entertainment and miscellaneous.) Please consider supporting this travel with your prayers and financial donations. Being full-time missionaries in Japan is quite expensive and quite taxing. Compounded with the nature and location of our outreaches (remote and northernmost), and the dynamic of constant rebuilding every six months, it makes for a special calling and anointing. We are quite unorthodox, so we tend to go where, do what, and say things that most other ministries won’t. Not bragging on me, but the Christ I’ve experienced has emboldened me to love people so much that I unapologetically engage them with the truth and power of His Word. Every week I am amazed at the Kingdom fruit being harvested here. Your monetary gifts and contributions literally enable us to keep going. Financial offerings can be made online through Christians In Action. Or, you can mail contributions to the address listed below. I declare that God, Who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the when Christ Jesus returns! (Php 1:6) <*{{{{>< In His promises! Nick & Sandy, Bond-servants of Christ Contributions can be sent to: Dominic Guerra (Acct# 426) c/o Christians In Action, Missions International 1300 E. Shaw Ave., Suite 135 Fresno, CA 93710-7904 ▪Please ensure Acct #426 is annotated on your contribution so the funds can be allocated correctly. ▪Please share/forward these newsletters at your discretion. ▪Make a Donation |
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