To retaliate or not to retaliate, that is the question

One of the hardest things to do (and yet one of the clearest signs that we're a child of God) is non-retaliation.

I don't know about you but when someone wrongs me in word or deed, while outwardly I may keep my composure, I often don't do so well internally. I mull over the injustice. I say a few 'how dare they"s. I sometimes even find some satisfaction in watching to see if God punishes them while I look on.

Now, I want to become more like Jesus. While God is giving me victory in this area, I still haven't arrived ... not by a long shot. I'm just being transparent. I also suspect that my inner turmoil is pretty common.

Well, in my Bible reading this morning, I came across the principle again. The Lord reminded me again that it's not my job to deal with wrongs. It's His. If the wrong is illegal, it's the government's job to deal with wrongs.

1 Peter 2:13-14 (New Living Translation)

"For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority - whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right."

Yet, a follower of God must never retaliate. It's not our job to pay people back no matter what they've done to us.

In my reading this morning, it was even noted that when we are wronged and don't retaliate, God notices and in some way will reward us on the Day in which Jesus judges the world. (The particular audience was slaves but the general principle remains.)

1 Peter 2:18-23 (New Living Translation)

"You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you - not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly."

When you are wronged today, remember that God is watching. If you respond in retaliation in some way, more than likely your response will not be fair or appropriate and God will not be pleased. But, if you leave the situation up to God who will respond appropriately, you'll see Him smiling at your response and setting aside another reward that you will receive on the Day of Judgment.

E-mail to Murray City Council about SOGI Proposal (November 13, 2014)

November 13, 2014

Dear Council Member,

To say that I am troubled by the recent news that there is a proposal to include SOGI as protected behavior in Murray is an understatement.

Please understand that I am not a homophobe nor a hatemonger. As a follower of Jesus, I am clearly aware that there is such a thing as “sin” and I stand guilty as charged. I also realize that as a follower of Jesus, I am commanded to love those who are like me … and those who are not. Even if my “enemy” is thirsty or hungry, I’m commanded by my Lord to care enough about him to meet his need.

So, I want to be clear that as far as I’m concerned, there are no “enemies” on either side of the issue being brought up at the City Council Meeting tonight. Persons on both sides of the issue are people of value. There is only a very bad proposal.

While I lack complete clarity on the precise language of the proposal, we know all too well that legislation such as this has cropped up in various cities in our country and has caused much havoc. Businesses led by convictional owners are told to either violate their conscience or go out of business. Boys who choose to identify as a girl may be free, by law, to enter a girl’s restroom. On and on I could go but I am only stating what you must be fully aware of.

When I moved to Murray last year, I fell in love with this place. One of the many, many reasons I thanked God that I moved here was the “small town values.” Yet, in this proposal, it seems as if the SOGI agenda that is wreaking so much havoc in our country is trying to claim Murray as well.

While I ask that our community treat all of its citizens the same, I ask that you not create a special class of citizens who receive protections that are not afforded other citizens.

I ask you to cast your vote against the proposal to be read this evening.

Respectfully submitted,

Matt Ellis

Senior Pastor

Westside Baptist Church, Murray, Kentucky

Why God's discipline is great news!

Wouldn’t it be nice if God sent down a “Spiritual Birth Certificate” or something of the sort when we were born again? Wouldn’t it be so reassuring if when we were baptized, we heard God say from Heaven, “This is my beloved son (or daughter), in whom I am well pleased.”?

Well, such things never happen. And yet, eternity is on the line. The Bible tells us that many people will breathe their last breath, stand before Jesus on the Day of Judgment thinking that Heaven awaits them only to have terror grip them as Jesus says, “Depart from Me, I never knew you.” (see Matthew 7:21-23). And then, they are ushered into an eternal Hell.

So, how can we KNOW we’re saved? How can be absolutely sure that we aren’t deceiving ourselves?

Well, in my Bible reading this morning, I came across a very simple way that we can be assured that God is our Father, Jesus is our older Brother, the Holy Spirit indwells us and Heaven is our home. It is rooted in the fact that God punishes us when we sin.

Hebrews 12:5-8 (New Living Translation)

“And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,

‘My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline,

and don’t give up when he corrects you.

For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.’

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.”

So, yes, you understood correctly. We can take comfort when God disciplines us when we violate His commands. Why? Because it assures us that we are really His children. It assures us that really are saved and on our way to Heaven.

So, does God discipline you when you sin?

"If you are living in immorality, you're either headed to the woodshed or headed to hell." – Adrian Rogers

Sermon (video): "Armed and Dangerous" (Ephesians 6:10-18)

When God saves us from His judgment by wiping away our sin debt, we become His child. But, we should never expect that as we begin our journey toward holiness that it will be easy. In fact, it will often be anything but easy!

Why? Because when we join the Lord's army, we declare Satan to be our enemy. He will fight against us any way that he can to render us useless on the battlefield of life.

Fortunately, our God has not left us helpless. He has made Christ's strength available to us and given us armor to wear so that we cannot simply survive but thrive in our pursuit of holiness.

To view this sermon as it elaborates upon how a Christian can be victorious, click here.

Why do we get angry when confronted with our sin?

Imagine this scenario with me:


I went to church on Sunday and was approached by one of the medical personnel that are a part of my church family. They approached me and said: "Hey, Matt, I've noticed that you have a little bump on your neck. It may be nothing at all but then again it could be serious given the location. You really need to get it checked out first thing tomorrow."


How do you think I would respond?


"Hey, doc, it's none of your business! In fact, they call people like you hypocrites - you're in poor health and yet you're pointing out health problems in other people. Besides, what makes you think I even wanted to hear your opinion!?"


Of course not! My reply would be VERY different:


"Oh, thank you so much for pointing that out. I hadn't noticed it but I'll get it checked out first thing tomorrow. Thank you so much for caring enough about me to point it out.


Easily 99% of us would respond that way. Why? That's an easy answer - because we want to be physically healthy. We don't want to experience pain and suffering so we'll take medical advice anytime we can get it.


Yet, too often, we act very differently when God's Word or some fellow believer points out some area of concern in our spiritual lives. We bristle. We get defensive. We get angry.


Why? The only possible answer is that while we value physical health, far too often we do not value spiritual health.


The Word of God is for our healing. It points out areas of concern that will lead us down the wrong road and prescribes a remedy.


If we value spiritual health, we must pay careful attention as the light of God's Word shines onto the sinful areas of our mind and heart. We must make the necessary changes if we are to experience the benefits and joys of spiritual health.


Hebrews 4:12-13 (New Living Translation)
"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable."


Hebrews 3:13 (New Living Translation)
"You must warn each other every day, while it is still 'today,' so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God."

Is being a Jesus-follower safe?

I don't know where it originated ... but it's wrong. Horribly wrong. You've heard it, too, I suspect. The notion that the safest place you can be is in the center of God's will.


Following Jesus is NOT a safe thing. Not even close.


Over and over in Scripture, we are shown through illustration and principle that following Jesus will enable us to enjoy our God but will also put us in opposition with many of our peers and our culture.


Some followers of Jesus get persecuted and killed. It seems as if we are hearing more about Christian persecution these days. (Yeah, just try to tell THEM that following Jesus is the safest thing they could do.)


We know this from our own experience, too. Just ask any child who attends school and wants to follow Jesus. Sure, they can find Christian friends but there is an invisible line that they had better not cross. If they cross that line and express too much passion in their pursuit of holiness, even their 'Christian' friends will ostracize them.


It's the same way in our workplaces. It's even the same way at church. Satisfy yourself in being a nominal Christian - don't get too excited about it - and everything is ok. But, if you begin making it clear that even the small sins bother you, you'll find the number of peers who associate with you getting smaller and smaller. Try bringing God's Word into ordinary conversations on a regular basis and you'll find the same results. Speak of how many popular movies are offensive to a Holy God, and you'll see what I'm talking about.


If our safety and affirmation by others is our highest priority, we won't be able to truly follow Jesus with our whole heart. However, if our love for our God and His truth and our love for others (the two greatest commands - Matthew 22:34-40) is what primarily drives us, then we may not be safe and our peer group may be small but we'll see God smiling at us.


In my Bible reading this morning, I was reading through Jeremiah 20. In it, Jeremiah was beaten and jailed for sharing God's Word and calling people to repent and live according to God's standard. He talked to God and essentially said, "Wow. Wasn't I the fool! I thought following You would be safe. But, the more I speak Your Word, the deeper my trouble gets!"


Yet, it is in this context that he utters a very, very powerful statement:


Jeremiah 20:9 (New Living Translation)
"But if I say I’ll never mention the LORD or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!"


God's Word is the standard for us. It tells us what to believe and it tells us how we are to act. It tells us what sort of behavior God is free to bless and what God must punish. It also tells us that God's heart is one that longs for people to live in His favor and enjoy Him.


Yet, when we fall into sin, God's Word is not pleasant. It convicts us. It nails us. It shows that we are wrong and need to make adjustments. It uses the word 'repent' over and over and over. And not one likes that!


But, we MUST be people of the Word. We must read it, strive to live by it and share it with others.


So, are you looking for a safe life? Are you paralyzed with the desire to be liked and affirmed by as many people as possible? Well, following Jesus isn't really for you then, my friend.


But, if you are serious about following Jesus, while it isn't safe and while you may find that other 'Christians' will reject you, you'll see that God is smiling at you. But, and this is exciting(!), one day you'll see Jesus look you in the eye, raise His hands to applaud your entrance into Heaven and hear Him say, "Well done! Well done!" (Matthew 25:23)


That's the ultimate illustration of delayed gratification!

Sermon (video): God's Design for Children and Parents

One of the greatest privileges that anyone can have is to raise the next generation of Christ-followers. Parents have that opportunity as they develop their children into the ones that God is free to use in the years to come.


This sermon digs into Ephesians 6:1-4 and points out two key commands given to children and parents if this relationship is to work.


To view the sermon, click here.