Bold as Lions: TCLEM/FCPO-Denver Newsletter

We had a lively discussion at last week’s Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry Bible study during Part 2 of our current 3-part series on the character of our lives as Christians and as Christian servant-warriors. Jim Wattles’ study on being an “overcomer” was recapped in last week’s newsletter and in the January 11th post here on our website. This week I’ve recapped my study on being “radical” Christians and cops (see below) as we prepare for this Thursday’s concluding study that I’ve entitled “Bold as Lions.” If you’re in the Denver area, please join us tomorrow night (Thursday, January 19th) at Calvary Chapel Aurora (www.calvaryaurora.org for directions). I will of course recap that study in next week’s newsletter – stay tuned!

Speaking of our website, I’ve posted the latest prayer requests -- many of them urgent -- in the next post below. Please join us in praying for our colleagues. There are also updated local meeting schedules ("eyes left"), announcements and a plethora of other “411.” Check back frequently! With that…

Message RECAP: Radical Cops, Radical Christians

In our culture, the term “radical” is often misused and misapplied, especially as it relates to those who claim the title “Christian.” Rosie O’Donnell on The View said “As a result of the [9-11] attack and the killing of 3000 innocent people, we invaded two countries and killed innocent people… Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America where we have separation of Church and State.” Seriously?

Merriam Webster by contrast correctly defines “radical” as: “of or relating to the origin: fundamental” and “forming a basis or foundation.” It is also derived from the word “root.”

Folks, the foundation of Christianity is Jesus Christ and His root injunction to “love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34). Is our radical Savior calling YOU to be a radical follower?

Tulsa PD Captain and Ten-Four Ministries Director Travis Yates, in a recent response to a support organization seeking to link their website with his (www.tenfourministries.org), wrote, “…a very important tenant to following Christ is His own words in John 14:6, that He and He alone is the only way …please understand that I mention this in love. The support of... that are not of the Christian Faith is only leading law enforcement down the path of destruction. Whether that is Muslim, Catholic, Psychology, etc., anyone that does not promote Christ alone for salvation, is wrong . Jesus Himself said this and I hope you understand that we cannot support anything outside of that. I understand that making that statement may not be popular or win us a lot of friends but it is the most important thing in life -- What is salvation? Our first responders need to know that. They need to know there is a truth and only one truth and most importantly they need to know what that truth is and it is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ…Thank you again for your e-mail and I pray that you understand why we couldn't link to your organization.”

Travis is a radical Christian obediently delivering a radical message. Likewise, Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow is another radical Christian who is often vilified for his outspoken (radical) faith. In response to one such criticism, Tim said, "If you're married and you have a wife and you really love your wife, is it good enough to only say to your wife, ‘I love you,' the day you get married? Or should you tell her every single day when you wake up and every opportunity? That's how I feel about my relationship with Jesus Christ; that is the most important thing in my life. So any time I get an opportunity to tell Him I love Him or am given an opportunity to shout Him out on national TV, I'm gonna take that opportunity. So I look at it as a relationship I have with Him that I want to give Him the honor and glory anytime I have the opportunity. Then right after I give Him the honor and glory…" (Note: I highly recommend Tim’s book Through My Eyes and his charitable foundation, http://timtebowfoundation.org).

So is Travis’ and Tim’s radical Christianity something that we too should be pursuing? What does God himself say? In the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7), Jesus Himself presents the radical Christian worldview. Moreover, He radically proclaims in Matthew 10:34, Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

In Hebrews 13:1-6, God reveals that radical Christianity is based on love; radical Christianity is dangerous (criticism, persecution, imprisonment and even death); and radical Christianity is feerless.

Feerless? The command “Fear not!” is used more than 365 times in the Bible. God won’t leave me; God will never forsake me; He is my helper and my strength; To live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21); I will not fear (Psalm 118:6); I will stand strong and courageous (Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:6). Rak Chazak! Fear not! (http://ellerslie.com/BHT-The_Ancient_War_Cry.html). Radical!

Pastor Fernando Ortiz of Mile High Calvary (www.milehighcalvary.com) says the following in his introduction to his daily Radical Living radio show on 89.7 Grace FM (http://897gracefm.com/):
“A radical by definition is someone who gets back to the root of their belief, someone who is not satisfied with the status quo. As Christians we are to be as counter-cultural to our culture as Jesus was to His. We are to get back to the root of who we are and what we believe, and Jesus is calling us to be radical followers of Him. Radical in our walk, radical in commitment, radical in our faithfulness, radical in our prayers, radical in our devotion and radical in our living. Will you be that? Will you be a Christian that is not satisfied with the status quo? Will you be a radical follower of Jesus?” Will you?

In his 1936 book Sacrifice, Howard Guinness wrote, “Where are the young men and women of this generation who will hold their lives cheap, and be faithful even unto death, who will lose their lives for Christ’s, flinging them away for love of him? Where are those who will live dangerously, and be reckless in this service? Where are the men of prayer? Where are the men who count God’s Word of more importance to them than their daily food? Where are the men who, like Moses of old, commune with God face to face as a man speaks with his friend? Where are God’s men in this day of God’s power?”

Where indeed! Jesus is calling ALL of us to radical Christianity – REAL Christianity (there should be no other kind)! Will you obediently and radically love, serve and protect your wife and family? Will you radically serve and protect your church? Will you radically serve, protect and minister to the public? Will you live a radical, real Christian life? Will you?

May God make us into true servant-warriors who are clearly sold out – radical – for Him. May He raise up an army of radical believers who are not satisfied with typical mediocre, lukewarm (Revelation 3:16) “Christian” lives -- cops who are radical, churches that are radical, pastors who are radical, Sunday School teachers who are radical, businessman who are radical, athletes who are radical, retirees who are radical, parents who are radical, students who are radical, teenagers who are radical, and children who are radical for Christ.

Amen!
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Courageous! Courageous the Movie has just been released on DVD and Blue-Ray and I can’t recommend this film enough (and fits in perfectly with our current series). Order your copy today via www.courageousthemovie.com/.


That’s it for this week folks. If in the area, join us this Thursday in Aurora for our concluding Part 3 – Bold as Lions (from Proverbs 28:1). If not, stay tuned for the recap in next week’s newsletter. Be safe but radically BOLD in Christ!