Author Archives: Michael Yates

About Michael Yates

I am currently employed as a Bible Teacher at the Secondary level. I have a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Evangel University. I have also been educated as a husband and father by my wife and 2 lovely children. I enjoy reading about political theory and theology. Mostly I have learned that a theologian is one who prays; therefore, I pray for my family, friends, and for you.
April 7, 2012

Cursed Cussing

By Michael Yates

Cussing Christians

I can still taste the soap.

The one time I knowingly cussed in public, I was at the dinner table. The cat came over and bit my foot. I promptly prophesied the cat’s eternal destination.

Then I copied 5 chapters of the Bible in my room at my parent’s polite request.

Despite the Christian aversion to foul language, I have read the Bible a couple of times and haven’t yet found the list of words I’m not supposed to say. How do I know which words are really bad?

Maybe I should try a few on my pastor and see which ones make him cry.

Then again, there’s that verse that says to those who have “learned Christ,” “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29 NASB) So, first, I should not say anything “unwholesome”. This word is variously translated “corrupting” or even “evil.” Secondly, I should only say things that build up people, especially their faith,
and that sound gracious at the time.

That eliminates 90% of the words that have ever left my mouth.

To make matters worse Jesus says to a group of religious leaders that falsely accused him, “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36, 37 NASB) Yes, he said “careless” as in “idle” or “useless.” The judgement of my internal character is based on my words: good, bad, or idle.

Now my list of cuss words seems trivial. Forget about bad words, most words I say reveal nothing good about my character, nor do they improve the lives of those around me. What to do?

I suppose I should start with a little more silence in my life, listening to and reading God’s words rather than my own. Then, when I am in conversation with someone, I should ask more questions than make statements. Finally, when I must say something, I should consider its impact on them.

Then I should repent, because there’s no way I’m going to get this right.

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December 12, 2011

Armchair Theologian

By Michael Yates

Every Saturday and Sunday guys (and gals) all across America comment on the performance of their favorite athletes. Inevitably, one guy feels like he could have done a better job than his team’s quarterback, and everyone else thinks he’s full of bologna.

Well, I’ve come to realize I’m guilty of an even worse offense (no pun intended…. Okay, yes it was.) I have so often made the mistake of thinking I could get to know God primarily by reading good books about him, preparing for sermons and listening to good teachers. I thought that I was a professional theologian simply because I am paid to teach about God, (a most amazing job I must say.) I even thought that Bible reading alone would make me a theologian.

But, I am an armchair theologian.

None of these things on their own make us closer to God. Theology is not the “study of God” as if God was just another academic subject. To study God, one must grow in relationship with Him.

How do we do this? It must start with the most perfect revelation of God that humanity has received, Jesus himself. Jesus is the Word of God. Those that knew him personally sought to explain him to others. John the Apostle, the beloved disciple whom Jesus saw fit to give a Revelation of the Apocalypse, is more appropriately termed a theologian than anyone else. He walked with Jesus, heard him, loved him, and proclaimed him. Similarly, the other biblical authors proclaim him either prophetically (Old Testament) or didactically (New Testament).

So rather than continuing my game of trying to come up with innovative ways to explain old ideas, how can I truly become a theologian? I must be like John by walking in the presence of Christ. I must obey Paul by rejoicing always, praying without stopping, and giving thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

True theology is about prayer. Prayer is appropriately guided by the teachings of Scripture and the advice of those with a consistent prayer life.

Pray for me as I pray for you, and let’s get to know God.

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October 9, 2011

Fast Food

By Michael Yates

I am happy to announce that I have developed something just for you! Have you ever felt like you wanted to develop spiritual discipline but just didn’t have the time? I have just the thing to feed your hungry soul!

Fast Food!

No, I’m not talking about McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, or any other “I’ll have a number 2″ kind of establishment. Nope, I’m telling you to fast food.

Fast (intransitive verb) – to eat sparingly or abstain from some foods.

Thanks Merriam-Webster! Sounds great doesn’t it? It takes no time, no money, and you might even lose weight. (Goodness! Why am I saying “you”? I need to get in on this.)

In truth, though, fasting isn’t about food. In fact, the point of fasting is to make life not about food. We (you and I) eat so unthinkingly that we barely stop to breathe. If I got good at praying before every meal, my prayers would often last longer than my meal.

Fasting strengthens the soul and focuses the mind. It is an opportunity to focus our hearts on Christ as the only one who truly keeps us alive. No food can do for us what Christ has done.

So how do you get started? Start by stopping. A common Christian practice throughout the past has been to fast meat and meat products on Fridays in commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice for us. Many include Wednesday as the day Judas sold out his spirit to betray his Lord for some physical money. Fasting in this way in preparation for a major holiday (like 40 days before Christmas or Easter) is also common.

This is by no means a cause for guilt, legalism, or judgementalism. It is a personal, individual way to commit a small portion of food and time to what really matters. Even if we commit to fast together, keep you eyes on your own plate!

The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. Matthew 9:15b ESV

So hurry up… FAST!

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September 25, 2011

I Promise Death

By Michael Yates

I’ve been in sales for 20% of my life. (That sounds more dramatic than 5 years, right?) I have developed a firm policy of under-promising and over-delivering. With that in mind, I have some unfortunate but expected news for you:

You will die.

I can guarantee it. St. Paul’s letter to the churches of Rome poses a very challenging reality:

“For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23a ESV

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23 ESV

I’ve never been known as a prophet, but those are pretty good odds. Based on my experience with human beings, it seems that every one of them sins and every one of them dies.

While I appear to make light of that reality, it is unquestionably the most depressing, tragic reality of our world. The ultimate questions of life quickly lead to the ultimate questions of death. For those that consider the possibility of believing in a good and all-powerful God, the question of death is forefront.

Why would a good God who could stop death allow so many to die?

The answer resides partly in the understanding of who God is. He is the source of life, and sin by nature is any action that causes us to separate from him

“…then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into  his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” Genesis 2:7 ESV

The following question would be equally valid, I believe:

If God is life and sin cuts us off from life and all have sinned, why is anyone ever surprised that death occurs?

I realize that we are not surprised by death in general but mainly when it happens to someone close or in large groups. Death is shocking, and from the belief that God is life we can also claim that death is unnatural.

Death is not the way that God chose for man. It was the way that man chose for himself. However, God is not limited by man. From the beginning of the world he forsaw that we would choose death. It is no coincidence that he had eternally planned for God the Son to become human, emptying himself and assuming a human body through the Virgin Mary, to become the lowliest of men. From there he chose death.

God, who did not sin, died. How unnatural is that?

But that wasn’t the end. He descended into death where all who had passed on before anxiously awaited his arrival. From there he conquered death with overwhelming life. (He is Life after all!) He resurrected in spirit and flesh and later ascended to the presence of the Father in spirit and flesh. From there he promises to return to resurrect your dead bodies. In other words, he will come to give you life!

I promise you life! Are you ready for it?

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