Jonathan Carl

A Christian Perspective and Reflection on the Boy Scouts Membership Policy Changes

Recent membership policy changes by the Boy Scouts of America have forced many Christians and Churches to reevaluate their relationship with BSA. Here are some important questions and answers…

Key Questions for Boy Scout Leaders and Parents

Can you, or your child, take an oath that is inconsistently enforced and disingenuous?
Is the change in policy change "reverent" of God and His truths?
Is this policy change demonstrating "morally straight" behavior?
Are you genuinely and wholeheartedly willing to obey and support this Boy Scout policy with your presence and participation?
If you remain within the organization are you going to try to change the situation or tolerate it?
Are you comfortable with your child having an unrepentant and openly homosexual-inclined boy as their leader and example?
What will you do when homosexually-inclined adults and transexually-inclined individuals are incorporated into membership and leadership? This is the logical and historical path the BSA is on.

“The BSA is teaching our kids that when your values become unpopular, just change them.” John Stemberger, www.onmyhonor.net

Key Points for Churches Chartering Boy Scouts

What is the purpose of your ownership of a Boy Scout or Cub Scout Troop? Can you still achieve these purposes with the polarization that has occurred in the Boy Scouts due to their stance on accepting homosexually-inclined boys and tacitly approving homosexual behavior?
Are the missions of your church and the Boy Scouts headed in the same direction, or diverging apart? If diverging apart, is there any visible, approach hope of redirection and reunion in purpose?
What does your church membership policy say about homosexual sin? If you do not clearly state your position, do you understand the future complications and legal concerns your church will face?
Ensure you know and are able to communicate biblical truths on the issue of homosexual and heterosexual sin. Don't overlook heterosexual sin while highlighting homosexual sin. Expose all areas of sexual sin to God's truth. Don't expect non-Christians or nominal-Christians to understand Christian beliefs and Scriptural convictions. (John 14:26; 16:12-15, Ephesians 1:17-18, 1 Corinthians 2:10-13)
Morality does not save. Jesus saves. Trust Him. Share his love. Return love to those who hate you. Correct brothers and sisters in Christ with gentleness, but do not overlook the sins of those who claim the name of Christ.

Key Truths for Christians to Consider Concerning the Boy Scouts

Society is going to continue to head in a direction counter to God's Word. Are you prepared to stand firm? Do you know the truth? Can you communicate the truth in love?
Society is going to increasingly label legitimate Christians as a bigoted, intolerant, or worse. Do you fear the opinions of men or God? Will your godliness make you stand apart in this evil generation?
You are the key religious and moral leader of your children. Don't rely on Christian organizations, churches, or youth groups to raise your child to know God. Lead your child to love and know Christ. Will you?
The world is watching and listening. Be consistent. Are you going to call out the sin of homosexuality and ignore the porn addict in your house? Gloss over the seriousness of adultery? Overlook the heterosexual sin in your family? Lust after a passerby? Be holy as God is holy.

From www.gotquestions.org:

Points for Christian Parents of Children Identifying Themselves as Homosexuals

Help your child to see God's plan. God's plan is that they turn from their homosexual desires or any other sinful desires they have embraced. God's plan is better than any feelings they may have.
Help your child to know that you love them, no matter what. Truth must be communicated with love and concern. Desperately and fervently pray for your child. Show Christ's love to your child and any partners and friends they may have. See them as God created them, not for the wrong choices they have made.
Help your child to know there is hope. No matter how difficult the temptation and struggle, for those of us who are in Christ, He is stronger and greater than all of our sin. God can repair and heal.
Your child's greatest need is not to be "straight." Moralism does not save. Your child's greatest need is a saving and sanctifying relationship with Jesus. Jesus will cleanse their sin and repair their hearts if they turn their lives over to Him.
Don't hide in shame. It is true, some people will judge you and say stupid things. Open up with trusted brothers and sisters in Christ. Godly men and women will cover you with love and prayers.

Find more help at: http://www.pureintimacy.org/

"My prayers, go out to the parents and churches who have been forced to make decisions about being a part of the Boy Scouts organization. As Southern Baptists, our commitment to the Word of God and Christian values must take priority over what is ‘politically correct.’” Fred Luter, Southern Baptist Convention President

“Few, if any, are suggesting the Boy Scouts kick out boys based on their particular temptations. We don’t, and shouldn’t do that in our churches, much less in the Scouts,” Moore told Baptist Press. “But this change is more than this. It doesn’t speak in terms of temptations but in terms of the claiming of a sexually politicized identity as morally neutral.” Russell Moore, President-Elect, SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission

See for yourself what God has to say about homosexuality...
Romans 1:24-32 , Genesis 19 , Leviticus 18:22 , 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 , Galatians 5:19-21 , Ephesians 5:3-3 , 1 Timothy 1:9,10 , Jude 7

The best news available though, to the homosexually-inclined and all of humanity (we have all sinned), is that God's grace is sufficient to forgive us and cleanse us, should we choose to repent and turn away from our sins!

1 John 1:9-10 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives."

Discover True Hope

"I don't think people can live without hope. What oxygen is to the lungs, hope is to our survival in the world. And the Bible is filled with hope." ~Billy Graham

Are Tempting Thoughts Sin?

"Christian, this is imperative for you to realize: When wicked or unclean thoughts first force their way into your mind, you have not yet sinned. This is the work of the devil! But if you so as much as offer them a chair and begin polite conversation with them, you have become his accomplice." ~William Gurnall

Elections & Voting - The Impact of Abortion Statistics

Here are some tragic abortion statistics and how they affect our elections process...

‎30,006,290 US Citizens cannot vote today...because they were killed by abortion from 1973-1993 (‎12%+ of the US Voting-Age Population).

‎230,000+ Kentucky Citizens cannot vote today because they were killed by abortion from 1973-1993 (‎7% of Kentucky Voting-Age Population).

Six Scriptural Reasons Abortion is a Problem

(Exodus 20:13)You shall not murder.
(Proverbs 31:8) Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
(Jeremiah 1:5) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
(Psalm 22:10) On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God.
(Psalm 139:13) For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
(Exodus 21:22-25) “When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman's husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. [23] But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, [24] eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, [25] burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

Three Statistical Reasons Abortion is a Problem in Kentucky

1. In Kentucky in 2005 the #1 cause of death was heart disease (10,572), #2 was cancer (9,943), & #3 cause of death was abortion (3,870).

2. In Kentucky (2005) there were 3,870 abortion deaths; more than due to stroke (2,103), accident (2,264), flu/pneumonia (996) or suicide (548)

3. In Kentucky in 2005, there were 3,870 deaths due to abortion; more than all of the combined deaths of those aged 0-44 (3,361).

Three Statistical Reasons Abortion is a Problem in the United States

1. # of American deaths in US military conflicts, 1776-present(236yrs)= 1,326,626; # of American lives aborted from 1973-2008(35yrs)=~50million

2. # of homicides in US from 1973-2008 = 589,945; # of abortions in US from 1973-2008, ~50,000,000

3. # of homicides in 2008 in US = 16,442, # of abortions in 2008 in US = ~1.21million

Christian Apathy

What makes the Dead Sea dead? Because it is all the time receiving, never giving out anything. Why is it that many Christians are cold? Because they are all the time receiving, never giving out anything. - D.L. Moody

Satan's Puppets

"When reproached and persecuted by wicked men, look beyond them. Spend your wrath on Satan, who is your chief enemy. Men are only his puppets." William Gurnall

Billy Graham - Daily Bible Reading

"Make the Bible part of your daily life, and ask God to engrave its truths on your soul." Billy Graham

Decline in the Global North Church & Growth in the African Church

"While 4,300 people may be leaving the church everyday in Europe and North America, 16,500 are coming to faith each day in Africa alone. The growth rate in China is just as dramatic." (Theology in the Context of World Christianity, Timothy Tennent, p.271)

Billy Graham Quote - TV vs. Bible Knowledge

"Today there are more people who know the words to a television commercial than know the words in a Bible."

Jesus' Names

Have you ever looked at the names of Jesus? Consider Jesus' question to his disciples, "Who do you say I am?" (Mark 8:29)

Here are some Biblical names for Jesus:

Who is Jesus?

Almighty † Author & Finisher † Beloved † Branch
Bread of Life † Bridegroom † Bright Morning Star † Carpenter
Chosen One † Chief Cornerstone † Door † Emmanuel
Eternal Father † Faithful & True Witness † Firstborn † God
Head of the Church † High Priest & Apostle † Holy One † Hope
Image of the Invisible God † Jesus † Judge & Ruler
King of Kings † Lamb of God † Last Adam † Light of the World
Lion of the Tribe of Judah † Living Water † Lord of Lords
Man of Sorrows † Master † Messenger of the Covenant
Messiah † Prince of Peace † Prophet † Redeemer
Resurrection & the Life † Savior † Shepherd † Shiloh
Son of God † True Vine † The Way, The Truth, & the Life
Wisdom of God † Wonderful Counselor † Word † Yahweh

Jesus is the Christ! To me, He is my Lord & Savior!

Who is Jesus to you?

The Olympics & Jesus

The Olympics are a great reference to understand the purpose of life! How? Well, simply look at how the apostle Paul spoke about them...

[24] Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. [25] Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. [26] So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. [27] But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV)

Races, athletics, running, boxing...involve suffering, discipline, and joy. The prize we race for in life is Jesus. He never fades, never loses value, and never ends. May we endure suffering in life by resting in Him...His power...His strength.

[12] Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12 ESV)

Let's strive after the crown of life...found in Jesus through faith in His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the grave. Jesus is our crown. Jesus is our life. Jesus is our prize. May we treasure Him more than any prize this world may offer!

The Importance of the Bible

"I learned the importance of the Bible and came to believe with all my heart in its full inspiration. It became a sword in my hand to break open the hearts of men, to direct them to the Lord Jesus Christ." Billy Graham

Audio of Sermons

Here is a great place to check out the audio and outlines of our church's past messages!
http://www.southforkbaptistchurch.com/sermons/

Attitude Check (Mark 7:24-37)

Attitude Check (Mark 7:24-37)

LISTEN HERE

A Self-focused attitude…
Looks out for #1
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. [2] For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, [4] treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, [5] having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2Timothy 3:1-5)

Doesn’t try to listen
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. (Proverbs 18:2)

Thinks they know the answers
The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. (Proverbs 10:8)

Is too proud to ask for help
o A fool despises his father’s instruction (Proverbs 15:5)
o Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool (Proverbs 28:26)

Is destined for destruction
o a fool is reckless and careless. (Proverbs 14:16 ESV)
o a fool flaunts his folly. (Proverbs 13:16)

Hides their foolishness
o the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. (Proverbs 17:24)
o the way of a fool is right in his own eyes (Proverbs 12:15)

A Christ-focused attitude…
Looks for Christ
[25] But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet.
[24] …he could not be hidden

Listens to instruction
[35] And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.
Seeks the answers
[32] And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him.

Is too humble not to beg for help
[26] And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter.
[28] But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

Is destined for life
[30] And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.
Shares the foolishness of the Gospel
[36] And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV)

The Love of Christ VS. The Love of Sin

"Jerome says one love extinguishes another – that is, the love of Christ much quench the love of sin." William Gurnall

Which love are you feeding? Watering? Growing?

God's Rest: Time (Mark 2:23-28)

http://www.southforkbaptistchurch.com/

Mark 2:23-28 (ESV) One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. [24] And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” [25] And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: [26] how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” [27] And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. [28] So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

Accept Christ’s Gift of the Sabbath

v.28 “So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath”

Genesis 2:3 “So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.”

Exodus 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

Exodus 31:12–13 “keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you.”

John 9:16 “Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.’”

Matthew 12:6-7 “I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.”

Enter into God’s Rest

v.27 “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath”

Colossians 2:16-17 “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.”

Hebrews 4:8-11 “For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. [9] So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, [10] for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. [11] Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.”

By Saying NO

By Saying YES

Prioritize Your Time

John 5:16-17 “And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father is working until now, and I am working.’”

Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.”

Ephesians 5:15-16 “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

Christ’s Authority: The Visible Creation (Mark 1:29-2:12)

Christ’s Authority: The Visible Creation (Mark 1:29-2:12)
www.southforkbaptistchurch.com

Come As You Are: Sick (Mark 1:29-34) ·v.30 “Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.”
·v.32-33 “That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door.”

(Mark 2:17) And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Seek God’s Authority Over Sin (Mark 1:35-39) ·v.37 “Everyone is looking for you.”
·v.38 “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”

The Centurion’s Faith - (Matthew 8:9-10) “For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.”

Desire Cleansing: Spiritual More Than Physical (Mark 1:40-45) ·v.40 “If you will, you can make me clean.”
·v.41 “Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, ‘I will; be clean.’”

(2 Corinthians 4:16) So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

Value Forgiveness More Than Feet (Mark 2:1-12) ·v.5 “And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’”
·v.9 “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?”
·v.10-11 “’But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ he said to the paralytic, ‘I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.’”
·v.12 “so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this!’”

(2 Corinthians 4:17-18) For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Christ’s Authority: The Invisible Creation (Mark 1:21-28)

Christ's Authority: The Invisible Creation (Mark 1:21-28)
www.southforkbaptistchurch.com

Do Not Rebel Against His Authority

Demon: v.24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”
Angel: Exodus 23:21 “Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, for my name is in him”
Diotrepehes: 3 John 1:9 “I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.”

"We need not so much to possess the message,
but to rather let the message possess us” R. Kent Hughes

Be Overwhelmed by His Authority

v.22 “And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.”
v25-26 “But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him”
Matthew 28:18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Be Filled by His Authority

v.27 “And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’”
Colossians 2:8-10 “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”
Luke 10:19-20 “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Display His Authority

v.28 “And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.”
Matthew 28:20 “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Mark 3:14-15 “And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.”
Titus 2:15 “Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”