Cops & Baptism

Brothers and Sisters “of the Sword:”

We had a packed house at last Thursday’s Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry/FCPO-Denver chapter meeting where I taught on the importance of having A Sense of Urgency in both being right with Christ and in sharing His salvation message with others. As always, I’ve included my RECAP in this week’s newsletter (see below). This week I’ll be teaching a special message on baptism with a unique profession-relevant tie-in that will serve as a great preamble to our first-ever law enforcement baptism service this Saturday at Southern Gables Church in Lakewood (details under “FCPO-Denver News” below). I’ve also included our regular array of announcements and news – keep reading and be sure to pass-on our newsletter to others on your email contact lists.


The latest PRAYER REQUESTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS have been posted here on our website (next post after this one) and I would encourage you to check back frequently for updates. That said, I’d like to ask you all to take some extra time to pray for our Australian colleagues and those they are fighting to serve in protect “Down Under” in the wake of the horrific floods that have been ravaging that country. The vast majority of us serving in the US will sleep in a dry bed at the end of our shifts while many in Australia will not.


FCPO-DENVER News:

(1) Law Enforcement Baptism Service! 1:00 PM at Southern Gables Church (4001 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80123-1358). Entry will be through the side door west of the main entry and retired Arapahoe County Dep. Roy Hood and Erv Meyer will be inside to direct the attendees into the baptismal area. This door will be in an unlocked position for entry to the event only. Erv is making a sign for the side door advising entry for "Centurion Ministry Baptism Event.” Join us at our regular Thursday meeting tomorrow (Jan. 13th) for more details!

(2) The latest local MEETING SCHEDULE has been posted here on our website (updated Jan. 5th post) – check back frequently for any changes.


FCPO and The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry on FACEBOOK:
Some may not know that we have a growing presence on Facebook. There is a list of Facebook pages here our website (scroll down the left side) and you can search my personal page -- used for ministry/outreach purposes only -- by entering “Mike Williams” and “Centurion” in the search bar.


TRAINING Corner:

CBI Special Agent Frank Vanacek sent me the following article that is right on point. Are you carrying what my friend Lt. Col. Dave Grossman calls your “essential life-saving tools” (firearm, extra mag, cuffs, etc.) with you when off duty (you already know what farm animal sound Dave would make if you’re not)? Frank writes, “Imagine being an off-duty cop at the grocery store in Tucson, without a weapon. Most of us get complacent and think it will never happen to us – until it does.” Well said! http://www.policeone.com/off-duty/articles/3165822-Arm-yourself-for-an-active-shooter-incident-off-duty/


COURAGEOUS Preview in Florida! No one will tell me how they got the film 8 months before its official release!!??

January 29th at 4:30 PM in the main sanctuary of Jacksonville First Baptist Church (124 W. Ashley Street, 32202). Robert Hinson writes, “Please come and bring your family to a sneak preview of the movie. The movie release date is not until September 2011 and this is a great opportunity to see it early and to fellowship with other law enforcement officers. If you can attend please wear your uniform or something that identifies you as being involved with the Criminal Justice System. If you are plainclothes, work undercover, retired or just do not want to wear a uniform do not let it stop you from coming, just come and mix in with the guys in uniform. First Baptist wants to honor the law enforcement community and has invited us and our families to attend at no charge. I have attached the trailer, please look at it and spread the word to everyone you know. http://www.courageousthemovie.com/home”


Message RECAP – A Sense of Urgency:

The Holy Spirit has truly convicted me of late about the need to have both a right (biblical) way of thinking about His word and about the command we have to share it with others. A recent Pew study poll revealed some startling news:

** 23% of those who call themselves “Christians” believe that there is spiritual energy in trees and in reincarnation. WRONG!

** 15% of Evangelicals (that’s us – those that profess adherence to the tenants of historical biblical Christianity) and 30% of “mainline Christians” (whatever that is ??) between the 18-29 don’t believe in hell. WRONG!

** 50% of Evangelicals don't believe that the Bible is the literal word of God. WRONG!

** 70% believe that there is more than one way to heaven!!! WRONG!

So is Christ IS the only way? Is His word literal and true? Does 2+2 still = 4? In the end, what you “believe” ONLY matters if what you believe is TRUE! Here in America, we can still “believe” that 2+2= “5” but that does not make it so. Our “opinion” only matters if it lines up with God’s inerrant word and it should be our goal to have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) in all we do! God’s clear answer – as laid out in His revealed (God-breathed) word -- the Bible – is an emphatic and commanding “YES!” If you’ve been living some other kind of false theology – a bogus, compromised, watered-down, politically “correct” (oxymoron), FALSE kind of “Christianity” that is not really Christianity at all, then may I strongly suggest that you need to check your heart and ask yourself on what your faith is based. If it is in anything else than on God’s word and Christ crucified, then you may very well be in real danger of hell! Hell? Yea – it’s really REAL (see http://www.gotquestions.org/hell-real-eternal.html).

Jesus says in John 14:6, I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life. No one (NO ONE) comes to the Father except through me.
and
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we MUST be saved (Acts 4:12).

With our theology sorted out, and understanding that this life could end NOW, we need to have a real sense of urgency about sharing Christ’s love and message of salvation with others. “The Great Commission” (Matthew 28:18-20) is not “The Great SUGGESTION.” Rather, it is an urgent command – a “call for service” if you will – to both live and share the Gospel message with others. Hebrews 9:27 says, And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment. Note that once this life ends, that “judgment” is PERMANENT. Jesus is coming – and SOON.

Bottom line is this: we would never leave a wounded brother in the field. Why are we then doing so when it comes to sharing Christ? If a brother dies in his sin, then he is LOST forever. Let’s start living and sharing our faith with others TODAY so that our fellow warriors will have every chance to say “yes” to our Lord NOW – tomorrow may very likely be too late.

Finally, a reader took me to task for having the temerity to suggest that a brother officer killed in the line of duty would go to hell because he never accepted Christ as Savior. My answer was God’s word and only God's word. Know that I will NOT compromise on this – the alternative would be nothing short of leaving one our own without cover when under fire. We preach Christ – and nothing less. For more see:
http://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-only-way.html and
http://www.michaelyoussef.com/god-culture/2009/10/18/we-preach-christ.html

Let’s stay the course and finish strong in Christ!