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Wednesday, April 17, 2024

We Preach Christ

"Muzzling Christ"
"But We Preach Christ Crucified"

Message summary: I am thankful for the freedom to preach Christ, for "Salvation is found in no one else, as there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved”.

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"But we preach Christ crucified" (Romans 13:7). "Jesus is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone'. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:11,12). "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess  that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11).

Most of you reading our messages regularly know that in addition to this writing ministry we are also chaplains. Since the late 90's Brooksyne and I have worked with companies who call on us to be their chaplains. For the first several years we worked for a company (Marketplace Chaplains USA) that provides these services as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

In 2006 we began working independently directly for companies having at one time as many as 12 companies we served, but for the last several years as we approach retirement we have scaled back and presently work with only four. We know these owners directly and they want us to provide a Christian influence that will hopefully impact their employees.

We are free to "preach Christ" though we do so with sensitivity to individual employees and recognize those who welcome our services and spiritual input into their lives and those whom we simply befriend. Very few outright reject us. In one company we have befriended a Muslim man who seems to welcome our friendship.

This morning we will have an opportunity to share a devotional with the employees of a company.

Yesterday I attended a meeting with fellow ministers who serve in a variety of chaplain services; such as military, correctional, healthcare and hospice. As they opened up and shared about their ministries I learned how they deal with so many attempts to muzzle their voices in presenting Christ and the Gospel.

I've known for many years that healthcare chaplaincy is very pluralistic (a view that all religions are equally valid, there are many ways to God, etc).

But I was surprised how this plurality has impacted other forms of chaplaincy as well. A military chaplain told me they could get in trouble for just concluding a prayer using the phrase, "in the Name of Jesus".

I called Mark, a friend who served in the military and a retired chaplain. He told me it wasn't always this way but he recalls the muzzling of the Name of Jesus began in the 90's and has increased. We have been in ecumenical settings where we know this to be true but we've also known some leaders who have prayed in the name of Jesus anyway according to their biblical conviction.

But efforts to muzzle the Name and message of Christ go back to the earliest days of the apostles when they were brought before the Sanhedrin (Jewish court) and told by the high priest, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name (Acts 5:28). Yet they gave a classic answer of holy disobedience, "But Peter and the apostles answered, 'We must obey God rather than men'" (Acts 5:29). They were not muzzled!

Each one of my chaplain peers will have to use wisdom in navigating these times as faithful servants of Christ and His gospel. But I am thankful for the freedom to preach Christ, as "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved”.


Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying man Daily prayer: Jesus, Scripture tells us that at the last judgment those from every tribe and nation will bow upon hearing Your name. Every tongue will confess that You are Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  We, as the redeemed, look forward to that glorious day when all of creation acknowledges You as Lord. But our hearts cry out for family members and other loved ones who, having denied Your power in this life, will be forced to acknowledge You as Lord on that final day. Renew our passion for reaching those in our generation with the Word of Life, so that they will joyfully proclaim Jesus is Lord in this life as well as the next. In the powerful name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Why two titles for today's message? I couldn't decide which one to use.

Additional note: The specific prompting for today's message was a testimony by a veteran hospice chaplain yesterday. He shared how he had the opportunity to share with a dying Jewish woman who was an Auschwitz concentration camp survivor. After she shared her remarkable story with him the chaplain asked if he could pray with her and she agreed. He offered a prayer with sensitivity to her Jewishness using phrases like the God of Abraham, etc. However in his earnestness he mentioned Christ! It did not bother the elderly lady at all but her daughter, who was listening on, was offended that the Name of Christ was uttered and reported him to the authorities in his organization.

Actually I am baffled at how easily so many people are offended. I try to reverse roles. If I had a friendly conversation with a Rabbi and he offered to pray with me I would consent and expect him to use phrases he was accustomed to and part of his religion. I would see his prayer as a kind gesture.

Note: Tomorrow Brooksyne will share a personal experience regarding an attempt to muzzle her.



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"I Believe"  Watch on YouTube  Phil Wickham  (Brooksyne's note: When I saw that Stephen had selected this song I told him our choir would be leading it this coming Sunday and I am so pleased that we are. The words always speak to my heart, especially the line, "No, I'll never be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. How could I ever walk away from the One who saved my life!".

"There Is One Gospel"  Watch on YouTube   CityAlight

"I Choose Christ"   Watch on YouTube   Karen Peck & New River

Historical perspective:

Woodrow Wilson inscription
During WW1 Woodrow Wilson presented a Bible to servicemen with the above inscription (sorry for the poor resolution)

My aunt gave me a NT her husband (my uncle) was given, along with all soldiers in WW2. I am embarrassed to say I misplaced the testament itself! But here is the inscription:

"THE WHITE HOUSE - As Commander-in-Chief I take great pleasure in commending the reading of the Bible to all who serve in the armed forces of the United States. Throughout the centuries men of many faiths and diverse origins have found in the Sacred Book words of wisdom, counsel and inspiration. It is a foundation of strength and now, as always, an aid to attaining the highest aspirations of the human soul." Signed Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Paul at chaplain's meeting
Our chaplain's meeting was lead by Paul, a retired army chaplain.

Chaplain's meeting
Here's a photo of our gathering of chaplains yesterday.




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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version and a variety of other versions.



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