What is important?

I want to comment after reading an interview between Dr Al Mohler and Les Puryear. Dr Mohler is a very articulate man and he is always able to get me thinking. The interview has many expected questions about Theology and denominational issues. However, the last question stuck with me the most.

Question: Is there anything that I haven't asked you that you would like to say to the people of the SBC and to small church leaders as well?

Dr. Mohler's Response: I would just hope, Les, that as we think about our convention we'd remember that it is a convention of churches. The most important thing is not what happens in the denomination's agencies and entities, it's what happens in local churches. If we do not have faithful, vibrant, scriptural, evangelistic, missions passionate local churches, then the denomination won't matter. If we do have those healthy churches, everything else will fall into place. That's what I hope to see and encouraged for the future. See full interview here

Dr Mohler is well known for being a supporter of the family. He is a council member on the Center for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. I am sure he would agree when I say that it goes even further. Just beyond the Church I think the most important place is the home.

Where do we spend a majority of our time? Where do our kids get their personal theology from? My suggestion is if we can't have a "faithful, vibrant, scriptural, evangelistic, missions passionate HOME then how are we going to get it into the Church?

I think every believer should create an environment in their home that fosters these aspects of a Christian life. Here are a few things to think about.

The Sufficiency of Scripture:

When I speak of the sufficiency of scripture, I refer to the fact that the Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Revelation 22:19).

Family Discipleship:

While the church is called to make disciples, it is clear that God has given the family as the primary discipling agent. Children are entrusted to parents for their spiritual nurture (Genesis 12:8; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 78:5-8; Psalm 113:3; Ephesians 6:1-4; II Tim. 3:14-15). God has given clearly defined roles to men and women in the home and in the church. While these roles have come under attack in our culture, God has not changed. Christians should embrace, teach, and celebrate these roles. (I Corinthians 16:13-14; I Kings 2:1-3; Proverbs 31, 12:4; Titus 2:3-5; I Tim 5:14).

A Biblical View of Conversion:

We should desire to see true conversion. We constantly proclaim and explain the gospel, and take our time with people struggling to understand what it means to follow Christ (Romans 3:23; 5:8; 10:9-14; Ephesians 2:1-10; Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46; 2 Corinthians 13:5, etc).

Christ Exalting Worship:

One thing is sure, we are to engage in Christ exalting worship through praying, preaching, Scripture reading, singing, giving, honoring and obeying God (John 4:23-24; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:18-20; Philippians 2:9-11; Colossians 3:16).

Biblical Worldview:

Christianity is not merely a religion, it is also a lifestyle, a philosophy; a worldview. We are to think biblically about every aspect of our lives (Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 10:5-6; Colossians 2:8; 1 Peter 1:14-16).

Biblical Community:

The Church is not a building, but a community of believers. As such, we are to live in fellowship and community with one another. We must do more than just occupy pews near each other on a weekly basis to call ourselves a church.(Matthew 18:15-18; Romans 12:3-18; Acts 2:41-47; 4:32-35; 6:1-7; Hebrews 13:17)

Missional Calling:

We must intentionally reach out to the lost in our community, our country and around the world by investing our lives and resources in missions and ministry as well as planting new churches (Matthew 28:19-20; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Acts 17; 1 Peter 2:9).

Blessings,
Brian