Apostle Paul the "Cop"

Brothers and Sisters:

I’ve entitled this week’s profession relevant message,“Paul the Cop.” That’s right – the very same Apostle Paul whom God used to write much of the New Testament was very much a “police officer.” To find out more, please join us this tonight at Calvary South Denver (www.calvarycsd.org) starting at 7 PM or (for everyone else around the country/world) stay tuned for next week’s newsletter where I’ll post my usual detailed RECAP.

Speaking of recaps, here is the one from last Thursday’s study:

Message RECAP: “We Don’t Leave our Wounded”

I adapted my message from a teaching given by Calvary Chapel Aurora (www.CalvaryAurora.org) Pastor Ed Taylor (with Ed’s permission, of course).

Galatians 6:1-5 (NKJV) "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load."

This biblical principal has a correlation to the fact that we as God’s servant-warriors (law enforcement and military) are bound to never leave a fallen brother on the field of battle. But what about when we allow the “bullet” of SIN to take us out?

Ed writes, “Unfortunately from time to time, sin and sinfulness picks off a believer. It's something I wish we didn't have to see or watch. But it's not the end. For a person who has fallen, there is always our God filled with grace and compassion Who picks them up. Like the Bible says, even though a person falls seven times, he will rise again.

We have a great responsibility to serve those who have gotten up, repented, and left their sin behind. A few years ago I taught a very important Bible study entitled "Going After the Strays." Please, please, take the time to listen to it today.”

Here's the link:
www.calvaryaurora.org/multimedia/message-archives/going-after-the-strays/.

How can we help those who have strayed (fallen)?

#1 - PRAY FOR THEM

We should pray for those that are struggling and straying. Ask God to move upon their hearts.

• Ask that God would speak to them and order things in such a way that they would desire to return!
• Oh Lord, we ask for HIM, we ask for HER. Specifically and persistently.

#2 - WATCH YOURSELF

Don't look down on anyone else because they have been trapped by the enemy.

• Oh wow, I can't believe what he did. Look at her mistake!
• That's not the Body of Christ, that's the world we live in.
• They love to expose and shame the fallen.
• That's not God's heart. His heart to restore and receive!

The truth is that I could stray and you could stray!

1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

When others fall around us, it should send us to our knees

• Not just for them but also for ourselves.
• Lord, I'm so weak, if it wasn't for your grace and mercy, Lord that could be me, and I so don't want to go down that path!
• One of the fastest ways to fall is to think you won't.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

#3 - CONFRONT THE ERRING PERSON

Remember, confrontation isn't a fight, it is simply lovingly approaching the person with the truth.

• In order to TURN a sinner, you have to be in their life, available, and ready to be used of the Lord.

#4 - FORGIVE THE REPENTANT
(those who do a "180" turn from sin and back to God)

This is so important. Don't miss this. Forgive. Forgive. Forgive.

• We don't shoot our wounded. We don't kick them while down!
• We accept them in Jesus Christ and help them rebuild what the enemy has tried to destroy!
• This is the church of Jesus Christ and Jesus loves to rebuild!

#5 - SPEAK WORDS OF KINDNESS AND LOVE

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

• This is so key because the enemy does such a complete and thorough job of accusing the brethren.
• When we stray (FALL), he's always there to hurt us even more: "You call yourself a Christian!? HA!" He'll jump all over you.

I guarantee you they are hearing all sorts of things...

• I can't go back to church. No way. I've messed up too bad! (LIE of the enemy)
• And when they DO come back, they need encouragement – we need to pick up our wounded and carry them off the field of battle.

Lord help us...

Here's a word from the Lord for those of you who have fallen:

Isaiah 35:3-4 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you."

The bottom line is that we as committed Christian warriors need to pick up our fallen, help them heal/be restored and get them back in the fight. God is calling us to serve and protect our own – what say you?


What about that officer who has never repented of their sin and entered into a life-saving/life-changing personal relationship with Christ as Lord and Savior (what it means to be born again -- to become a Christian)? I encourage you to listen to this short message from Tulsa PD Captain and law enforcement ministry partner Travis Yates: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J6dqrOjCks&feature=youtu.be.

But is Jesus the ONLY way? The answer from God’s inerrant word is a loving but emphatic YES (John 14:6)! See www.leestrobel.com/videoserver/video.php?clip=strobelT1022&cm_mmc=ExactTarget-_--_--_-http%3a%2f%2fwww.leestrobel.com%2fvideoserver%2fvideo.php%3fclip%3dstrobelT1022

Speaking of Christian warriors, many around the country are aware that a Colorado chief played a major role in stopping a trio of armed and dangerous suspects who were among “America’s most wanted” for trying to kill an officer in Florida (among other charges). I met Jim Chamberlain at a training some years ago when he was a fellow sergeant and we’ve kept in touch since. Here is a link to a local news story that highlights how God used and protected Jim for His glory: www.9news.com/news/article/226016/339/Police-chief-helped-capture-Dougherty-Gang-on-day-off/

DENVER-AREA NEWS:

(1) Best-Selling Police Author Jerry Jenkins Event!

Next Thursday (November 10th) we will be hosting noted author Jerry Jenkins (Left Behind series and more than 170 other books) at Calvary South Denver in Littleton. The following (Nov. 1st) post here on our website details this very special event – check it out, and plan on joining us (this event is open to the public)!

(2) Our very own Jim Wattles will be speaking at the Calvary South Denver Men’s Breakfast on Satuday, November 12th starting at 8 AM. The food is always outstanding and comes at a great price -- $5.00! Please invite a colleague, older teen son, father (etc.) and join us!

More here on the website (including the latest meeting area meeting schedules, prayer requests, etc.) and in upcoming newsletters. The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry also has a presence on Facebook – check it out at https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Centurion-Law-Enforcement-Ministry-FCPO-Denver/165229383527705. There is a link to my page as well if you want to “friend” me but please be advised that my sole purpose for Facebook is to spread “the Word.”

Until next time let’s strap on our armor (both physical and spiritual) and get into the fight with Christ as our Captain!