Ask the Pastor with J.D. Greear

In a special episode of the Ask Me Anything Podcast, Pastor J.D. has recorded a message addressing the recently published report from the Sexual Abuse Task Force of the SBC. Show Notes: One of the questions I’ve gotten a lot since the publication of the SBC’s Sexual Abuse Task Force Report on May 22 has been, what does it mean to be a part of a group of churches that has this deep sin in its past? Are you going to stay in that convention? First, I want to affirm that this is not the time to justify staying in the SBC or defending it. This is a time to lament and repent.  But, since I have been asked that question, I do want to take the time to answer it: The actions of those noted in the report do not reflect the will of the body. I’ve always thought of my presidency and work in the convention as trying to keep the messenger’s convention out of the hands of a few who do not reflect the attitude of the SBC and seek to impose their will on the SBC. I believe my role was to stand in that gap and say, “You cannot have the power of the SBC. The people don’t want that.” If there is one note of encouragement in all of this, it’s the fact the messengers themselves called for this report. This report was not imposed from outside or even called for by a leader—it was called for and voted on by the messengers. To note, the SBC has a rather unique structure that allows this. This would not be possible in most denominations. It is a biblical and wise safeguard. I want to be in a convention where the people have the power, because as we see, the leaders go corrupt quicker than the people!  We are already seeing the effect of change as new people come onto the Executive Committee.  The current Executive Committee staff did not know anything about some of the most egregious systemic failures, and that the current Executive Committee board and staff have already acted swiftly to refute and reverse what they can. The headlines aren’t clear about that, so our people aren’t either. So, what has to change?  People: This is a time to repent. Pastors: We need a commitment to raise awareness. Policies:  Commitment to transparency Shift of priority from protection of reputation of an institution to protection of victim Shift of benefit of doubt from leaders to victims Not allowing bureaucratic mumbo jumbo and legalese to keep us from doing the right thing Want to ask J.D. a question? Head to our Ask Me Anything hub to submit your question. As always, don’t forget to rate and review this podcast! Find Pastor J.D. on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

In this week’s episode of the Ask Me Anything Podcast, we listen in as Pastor J.D. talks about communion during a recent sermon. Show Notes: Three words arise out of Paul’s theology of communion that you should remember in every communion service Proclamation Participation Examination Proclamation (verse 26) Normally you think of me, standing here, as the proclaimer, and I am. But Paul says the Lord’s Supper is itself a proclamation—the bread and cup are like visual aids; a sermon prop Jesus gave us to help us better reflect on the gospel. The first thing communion proclaims is that we need to be saved! Second, the bread and cup proclaim that you can be saved! Third, we proclaim that suffering and death are not the end. This table proclaims, “Death is not the end! Poverty is not the end. Jesus rose, and he will return again.” This table proclaims that our hardship, like Jesus’ cross, is part of bringing God’s good plan into the world. Fourth, this table proclaims that this church is first and foremost a community of the forgiven. The Lord’s Supper is a sermon, a proclamation, that destroys all these divisions. Want to ask J.D. a question? Head to our Ask Me Anything hub to submit your question. As always, don’t forget to rate and review this podcast! Find Pastor J.D. on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

In this week’s episode of the Ask Me Anything Podcast, Pastor J.D. answers a question from one of our listeners, Linda, about whether or not people of other faiths go to Heaven. Show Notes: For a while, the Hebrew “religion” was the only religion God had given—they were God’s chosen people in the Old Testament. The Apostles taught Jesus as the only way to salvation. Jesus’ interaction with Gentiles was very infrequent, and his statement about being “the way, the truth, and the life” was spoken to Jews, in a Jewish context. But that wasn’t a departure from the Jewish religion; instead, Jesus taught that it was a fulfillment of the Jewish religion. The Apostle Paul explains in Romans 4 that Jews in the Old Testament were saved in the same way we’re saved now—they just were saved by looking forward to the Messiah, and we’re saved by looking back at the Messiah. The bigger question asked is about sincere people in every religion. There are five general views on this: Universalism: Believing that God reveals himself to everyone, and so just by merely being human, all of us are saved. Pluralism: Everyone essentially believes in the same God, but has a different name. Inclusivism: Jesus is the only way, but faithful believers of any faith are saved Anonymous Christian Thesis: A person may not claim to be a Christian, but they might see the stars and the moon and all of creation and believe in a creator, and then God counts them as saved because they accept general revelation. Post-Mortem Evangelism: There is a chance to be saved after death… Jesus will witness to a person upon death to those who have not been evangelized. Exclusivism: You must have explicit faith in Christ and the gospel during your life to be saved. That last one is what I believe the Bible teaches. All of this is about bringing God glory (Romans 3: just and the justifier; Romans 9: wonder at his mercy; Isaiah: God would send salvation that his name would be great on the earth and all would know that salvation belongs only to God.) Want to ask J.D. a question? Head to our Ask Me Anything hub to submit your question. As always, don’t forget to rate and review this podcast! Find Pastor J.D. on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

In this week’s episode of the Ask Me Anything Podcast, Pastor J.D. defines what it means to be a multiplying leader. Show Notes: While a good leader can lead an organization for a time, the world is realizing the value of multiplying leadership that outlasts just one leader. This idea has been making the rounds even in the secular world recently, as businesses and other organizations have started to realize the value of multiplying leadership. Liz Wiseman’s book, Multipliers, is popular in the business world—her principles don’t claim to be rooted in Christianity, but they do show how much the secular world is “leaning in” to these principles. Some of you may think, “I wouldn’t count myself as a church leader, so do these principles really apply to me?” I promise you, they do! The gospel teaches us to be disciple-making disciples. No matter your stage of life, you and I are responsible to be disciple-making disciples. That’s how the Great Commission goes forward! I want to give you five words that help define what it means to be a multiplying leader: Clarity Familiarity Proximity Equity Humility Want to ask J.D. a question? Head to our Ask Me Anything hub to submit your question. As always, don’t forget to rate and review this podcast! Find Pastor J.D. on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

In this week’s episode of the Ask Me Anything Podcast, Pastor J.D. answers a question from a listener named Caroline who asks what the command to “be fruitful and multiply” means, especially for the single and infertile. Show Notes: Every few years at our church, we try to do a series on dating and relationships. When we do, I am always aware that well over half of the people listening to me are single, whether for a season or for a lifetime. A lot of times we talk about marriage as the “ultimate state” of Christianity, and if you don’t get there, something went wrong. But that’s just not the case at all. Here is the biblical truth, and it’s a little counter-cultural: earthly families are just temporary stand-ins for heavenly realities. Paul said that marriage is really just a picture of Christ and the church. It doesn’t mean it’s not important or that we don’t devote ourselves to it, but it is temporary. There are several examples throughout the Bible and Jesus’ life and teachings in particular that teach this. John Piper says: “Jesus was (in Matt. 19) calling out a new family where single people in Christ, or people not in traditional families, are still full-fledged family members on par with all others, bearing fruit for God and becoming mothers and fathers of the eternal kind. Marriage is temporary, and it will finally give way to the relationship to which it was pointing all along: Christ and the church…” So, marriage is not permanent, nor is singleness, nor is physical childlessness. Because of that, I would say that spiritual offspring is even more important  — more eternal — than biological offsprings because that is the ultimate fulfillment of being fruitful and multiplying. If you’re single, you can intentionally devote yourself to raising up spiritual sons and daughters in the faith. That is the fulfillment of that command. Now, to be clear: it’s ok to mourn the lack of an earthly marriage, or the lack of the ability to have biological children. That’s a real loss, and I completely understand that. But by God’s grace, even that very real grief can be overshadowed by a joy of having spiritual children and being a part of their lives. Want to ask J.D. a question? Head to our Ask Me Anything hub to submit your question. As always, don’t forget to rate and review this podcast! Find Pastor J.D. on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

In this week’s episode of the Ask Me Anything Podcast, we listen in to a recent sermon where Pastor J.D. answers a question about how we know where the Holy Spirit is leading us. Show Notes: In Romans 15, Paul gives us a great example of what it looks like to be led by the Holy Spirit. As we look at that text, we discover that all of us have a part to play in the kingdom of God. All of us are called to ministry. The call to leverage your life for the Great Commission was included in the call to follow Jesus. Jesus’ last words to his disciples were, “GO and make disciples.” A lot of Christians are waiting on a still, small voice when they already have a very clear verse. Not everything that comes from Heaven has your name on it. The Spirit of God does reveal to us in dynamic and sometimes mystical ways exactly what your part to play in the kingdom of God is. Three ways to find out what your calling is: Through prayer Through engagement in ministry Through involvement in the local church Want to ask J.D. a question? Head to our Ask Me Anything hub to submit your question. As always, don’t forget to rate and review this podcast! Find Pastor J.D. on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

In this week’s episode of the Ask Me Anything Podcast, Pastor J.D. answers a question from a listener about how important it is that someone’s doctrine be correct, and whether it’s worth confronting friends or family about. Show Notes: We’ve talked before about separating out doctrinal issues by order of importance, but I want to hone in on that to answer this question.  An Australian theologian named Michael Bird identified three levels of beliefs in the church—I’ve found this really helpful:  Category (1) Matters essential for salvation. (think: the doctrine of Christ, the way of salvation) Category (2) Matters that are important to the faith and the integrity of the church. Though not necessarily essential for salvation like category 1 issues (think: inerrancy of the Bible; our understanding of sexual morality and gender and marriage, which are very serious issues.) Categories 1 and 2 are things Paul would tell us to divide over. (By the way, what to believe about items in these 2 categories are almost always spelled out clearly in Scripture) Category (3) Matters of indifference. These are debatable things, preferences, convictions about the best application of Christian principles, and political philosophies. We’re not saying there is no right and wrong in this category, just the importance of agreement in these things does not rise to a category 1 or 2 level. Paul refers to this as “disputed matters.” So to your question about when to approach someone on these issues, I think it’s always fair to have discussion about theological differences. This can help you catch onto the other person’s point of view while explaining yours. But I definitely think it’s important to talk about first-order issues with friends and family who claim to be believers. In fact, that’s the most loving thing you could do. Because while it feels good to claim to be a Christian and to not have to believe any of the hard teachings, that’s a false sense of security and it is out of a place of love. And that gets to the how question: you should always do this out of a place of love for the other person, you should always do it respectfully, you should always let them present their point of view… but you should also be clear about what Scripture says. Pastor J.D. referenced an article by Justin Taylor, linked HERE. Want to ask J.D. a question? Head to our Ask Me Anything hub to submit your question. As always, don’t forget to rate and review this podcast! Find Pastor J.D. on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

In this week’s episode of the Ask Me Anything Podcast, Pastor J.D. answers the question, “Should I get married or not?” Show Notes: The first consideration for “Should I get married?” is… Do I have the gift? First, realize that most people have a wrong conception of spiritual gifts–they assume that a spiritual gift is some kind of lifelong assignment that God stamps you with when you leave heaven, like a personality trait. Spiritual gifts don’t work like that, and definitely not the gifts of marriage and singleness. I’m going to show you this more when we study 1 Cor 12, but a spiritual gift, a charisma, is a special empowerment that comes on you for a time for some spiritual assignment. ALL of us are single for time, which means all of us, for a time, have the gift of singleness and God will give us the spiritual empowerment to do it well.  You don’t look within and mystically see if you’ve got the gift of singleness. Don’t make it complicated. If you are single, you have the gift of singleness. At least for the moment. How do I know? Because you are single. And God will empower you to do it well. And if you are married, you have the gift of marriage. And you can know that because… you are married. Even if you felt like it was a mistake, you have the gift now, and God will give you the spiritual power to do it well.  The second consideration for “Should I get married?” is… “Is it the right time?” There’s a really interesting verse in this chapter that really confuses people, but when you understand it in context it really makes sense: 26 I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. He goes on to say, “If you are married, stay married. If you are single, remain single.” And at first, it sounds like Paul is telling single people, “Don’t ever seek to get married.” But that’s not what Paul is saying. Paul says “in view of the present distress” remain as you are. Paul was writing in a particular era of history where persecution against Christians was at a fever pitch. Here’s what it means for you: There can be situations, eras, in your life that make it more advantageous for you to wait. For example: In a season where you’re trying to finish your education or get established in your career. Or maybe God has called you to focus on a mission assignment.  Or maybe you need time to heal from something. During those seasons where it is wise to wait, you can trust God that he’ll give you the spiritual gifting to wait. One of the reasons to be closely involved in the church is that other people can help you see when those times are. When it’s time, don’t wait!  I love what Paul says in vs. 36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. But whatever you do, vs. 37, Paul says, “…be firmly established.” Let me follow Paul’s lead here and talk to the guys, since guys are typically the ones to take initiative in relationships.  Guys: Be firmly established. Are you going to marry her or not? Make up your mind.  And, guys, if you know it’s not time for you to get married, be firmly established and don’t lead her on. Get on with what God is doing in your singleness. Girls, you too—don’t lead the guy on. Dating is a road that leads to marriage, and if you’re not ready for the destination, stay off the road!     Want to ask J.D. a question? Head to our Ask Me Anything hub to submit your question. As always, don’t forget to rate and review this podcast! Find Pastor J.D. on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

In this week’s episode of the Ask Me Anything Podcast, Pastor J.D. talks about whether or not gambling is morally wrong. Show Notes: Gambling can seem harmless. You throw a little bit of money on a sporting event, on a slot machine, or on a lottery ticket… what’s the harm in that? I am going to draw distinction between Las Vegas-type gambling and a $20 office pool. Gambling is at least a $44 billion dollar industry in the US–and that’s just the legal gambling, to say nothing of off-the-books gambling. In fact, as more and more states legalize gambling, it’s getting worse. Some studies say up to 10% (6-9%) of young adults experience problems related to gambling. And gambling has some big moral ramifications.  Three primary problems with it:  First, it goes against the work ethic in Scripture.  Second, the gambling industry intentionally takes advantage of the poor.  Third, gambling is addictive.  Honestly, you need to use your own personal judgment on these. I realize it may sound ultra-spiritual, but this is exactly the kind of issue where the Holy Spirit guides us. What may feel totally right to one believer may feel morally wrong to another. Al Mohler: https://albertmohler.com/2012/02/20/when-the-accounts-are-called-a-christian-understanding-of-gambling  Wayne Grudem, Politics According to the Bible, pp. 550-551  Want to ask J.D. a question? Head to our Ask Me Anything hub to submit your question. As always, don’t forget to rate and review this podcast! Find Pastor J.D. on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

In this week’s episode of the Ask Me Anything Podcast, Pastor J.D. answers a question from a listener named Barbara. She asks what passages and method he uses when he shares the gospel with people. Show Notes: There’s not a set way to share the gospel, and there’s certainly no “magic bullet” formula that’ll work every time. I wish there was! However, there are several helpful tools you can use to help you share the gospel. You don’t have to know how to answer every single question to be able to share with someone. But it does help to have somewhat of a “plan” if you’re not used to doing it. Here are some tools that I find helpful: Romans Road Taste & See (a resource from The Summit Church) The FISH method: (Build) Friendships Initiate spiritual conversations Share the gospel: Romans 6:23 Help them believe Again, none of this offers some kind of secret formula that’ll automatically make someone get saved. But all of these help you package the gospel clearly, and it can be helpful to know what you’re going to say before you say it. And the golden rule of evangelism: Don’t be weird. Just be yourself. Talk about what God has done in your life. Here is a link to The Summit Church’s Taste & See document, a resource he mentioned in the podcast. Want to ask J.D. a question? Head to our Ask Me Anything hub to submit your question. As always, don’t forget to rate and review this podcast! Find Pastor J.D. on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.