Bro Chris’ Ponderings

More Than a Shout-Out: The Danger of the Lukewarm Gospel

Pastor Chris Downing

 There is a troubling trend sweeping through our culture today. I call it “sprinkling a little Jesus” on top of a lifestyle that is opposite of living for Jesus. It’s the act of celebrating unbiblical living while claiming the false assurance that God overlooks our choices simply because we gave Him a shout-out. You see it everywhere in society.  It used to be that people would go to church on Sunday and then live the opposite of what the Bible teaches the rest of the week. Now, it has devolved even further: we live exactly how we want and then give Jesus a shout out for a few minutes or a social media post about how much we love Jesus.

Let me give you an example. I recently attended a national drag race. The event was sponsored by a beer company owned by a rock singer I’d honestly never heard of. Their beer slogan was soaked in patriotism: “America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand-Your-Ground Beer.” If I heard that slogan once, I heard it fifty times that weekend. Now, the debate over alcohol consumption and “God-fearing” is one thing, but that’s not my main point.

As I was walking through the pits between rounds, this singer was performing a concert. A song caught my ear with the chorus “Give Them the Finger”—a blatant reference to a vulgar gesture. People were walking by with their “God-fearing” beers in hand (I know I am being a bit sarcastic), doing exactly what the song suggested. That was bad enough, but the artist’s next statement absolutely floored me. He cleared his throat and told the crowd he was a “blood-bought, born again child of God” and began talking about how much he loved Jesus. Immediately, the same people who were just being vulgar and making obscene gestures started to applaud and shout, “Amen!”

How can we say we love Jesus when, moments earlier, we were being vulgar toward those we disagree with? Evil never justifies more evil. To be honest, at that moment, he was in the same camp as the ones he was cursing.

Let me be very clear: God doesn’t want a shout-out; He wants to be your Lord. That means Jesus has total control of your life. It means everything we say and do must align with what the Bible says. Our desire to be obedient must be a 24/7 attitude. Are we going to be perfect? No, that’s impossible—but we must have a desire to obey. There must be conviction when we sin. If there is no conviction, there is no Holy Spirit; and if there is no Holy Spirit, there is no salvation. The Christian life is a life of surrender to the purpose and will of God.

Personally, I don’t need a little Jesus “sprinkled” on my life. I need every bit of the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ to restore and redeem me from the curse of sin.

Why Wholehearted Faith is Required to Follow Jesus:

1. Jesus is either Lord of all or not Lord at all. There is no middle ground. Jesus never allows us to “serve two masters” Jesus says Matthew 6:24 you will love one and hate the other or devoted to one and despise the other. Jesus allows no room for partial surrender. You are either changed by the grace of God, or you are not.

2. Jesus demands our whole heart, not just occasional attention. “Sprinkling” Jesus here and there treats Him like a hobby or a lucky charm. The Bible presents Him as King. Kings are not invited into a small portion of your life; they rule the whole territory. Jesus says the greatest commandment is this in Mark12:30: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

3. A divided life is a deceptive life. Real change comes when we surrender everything. Partial surrender will always lead to partial obedience. God’s Word is clear in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.”
   
   
4. The Cross demands total commitment. Jesus didn’t give a “little” sacrifice; He gave His entire life. In response, we are called to give ourselves fully. Paul writes to the church Romans 12:1 declares: “…I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.”  Half-hearted faith is inconsistent with wholehearted grace.

Jesus gives a firm warning about lukewarm faith in Revelation 3:16: “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth.”

A person with lukewarm faith is rebuked more sharply than a person with no faith at all. Why? Because lukewarmness disguises our true spiritual need. Someone who thinks they just need to toss a little Jesus over their life may never realize they actually need all of Him. That is a dangerous place to be.

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Twenty-Five Wonderful Years with Alisa                                                                                                             Pastor Chris Downing

On March 17, 2001, the Lord blessed my life when Alisa Laine Sanders and I said our “I do’s” in front of our family and friends. At 2:00 PM at Bethel Baptist Church in Gilbertsville, Kentucky, we became husband and wife. Now, 25 years later, I can safely say that my life has been blessed every single year since.

I don’t think there has been a day in our marriage that I have not told her, “I love you.” Many days, I say it more than once because I want her to know just how serious I am. And I love to hear her say “I love you” back; it is proof that I am a blessed man to know she loves me, too.

In our 25 years together, we have had many ups and downs.  There have been many laughs, and we have cried, we have comforted each other, and he have gotten mad at each other, but the one thing that has remained common in any situation we have found ourselves in is that we have done it together and depended on God to get us through.

As a godly wife, mother, pastor’s wife, and professional, Alisa carries many important responsibilities that keep our family going. She handles each one with excellence. She might try to dispute this, but that is just her humility showing through—which is exactly what makes her such a godly woman! She might not be perfect in her own opinion, but she is perfectly fit for me and our daughter, Ella Cate.

Alisa embodies what Solomon wrote regarding a woman of noble character in Proverbs 31:10-12: “Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good. She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life.”

 Here are the qualities, which are more precious than jewels, that Alisa wears and for which I am so thankful:

1. She loves Jesus! You don’t have to watch Alisa in action for long to realize that Jesus is the Lord of her life. It is obvious. Her love for Jesus and her dependence on Him allow her to be compassionate in everything she does.

2. She loves her family. My wife consistently puts her family’s needs above her own. Ella Cate and I never have to wonder if she loves us; she displays it repeatedly. No sacrifice is too small or too big when it comes to caring for her family.

3. She loves the church. Alisa has served on committees, taught Sunday School, taught teenagers, and currently teaches God’s Word to children. As a pastor’s wife, she has a level of care for people that others might overlook. She would say I am a good pastor, but I credit much of that to her and the Lord.

4. She has a giving heart. If Alisa sees a need she can meet, she goes out of her way to do so. It doesn’t matter if it is a family member, friend, neighbor, coworker, or a stranger on the corner—she has a heart to help wherever she can.

5. She sees the best in people. Alisa has a gift for seeing the good in everyone. That is what makes her such a wonderful teacher and why she excelled during her time in family court. She believes there is something good in everyone and desires to bring that out. She motivates others to be the best they can be.

I could go on and on about what I love about Alisa, but these five things are the core of who she is and why I love her.

As Solomon concluded in Proverbs 31:29-31, “Many women have done noble deeds, but you surpass them all! Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates.”

I can say the same of my Alisa. She is a godly woman, and I am so very blessed to call her my wife. These past 25 years have been amazing, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings, because I know I will get to face it with her by my side.

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“The Outcome Trap: Why a Good Result Doesn’t Justify a Wrong Turn”                                                          Pastor Chris Downing

Throughout my ministry, this question surfaces periodically: Is it okay to do something wrong, unethical, or even sinful, if the result or even the goal is “good”? Rarely is the question asked so bluntly. Usually, it’s framed as a justification for participating in questionable activities. Some even attempt to use Scripture to defend their actions, often quoting Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” It is the age-old fallacy that if the outcome is good, the action must have been right.  The problem with this logic is that the Bible never defines “right” based solely on results. God measures righteousness by our obedience to His Word.

The Danger of “Doing Evil for Good”

The Apostle Paul addressed this directly in Romans 3:8: “And why not say, just as some people slanderously claim we say, ‘Let us do what is evil so that good may come’? Their condemnation is deserved!”  Paul makes it clear: we cannot excuse sinful actions just because a benefit might arise. It’s like stealing a neighbor’s car, selling it, and donating a portion of the proceeds to charity. Theft is a crime and a sin, regardless of the intention. A good outcome does not justify a bad decision.

Why the “End” Does Not Justify the “Means”

1. God judges the heart by His character, not our results. We live in a result-driven culture, and sometimes that pressure bleeds into the church. However, God evaluates our intentions based on His holiness. Righteousness isn’t judged by what we produce, but by our alignment with Scripture. As Micah 6:8 says: “Mankind, He has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.”

2. God can bring good from wrong, but He never justifies the wrong. God is sovereign; He has the power to redeem even our worst mistakes for His glory. However, God is also just. He cannot overlook sin. While God forgives the wrongdoer, He never excuses the wrong act. Proverbs 17:15 tells how God feels about this: Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just—both are detestable to the Lord.

3. Replacing God’s will with our desires breaks fellowship. When we push our own agenda because “the end justifies the means,” we are essentially telling God He isn’t needed. This is the very definition of idolatry—placing our wisdom above His. Isaiah 59:2 confirms this truth: But your iniquities are separating you from your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not listen.

4. Obedience honors God even when results are uncertain. Faithfulness often looks “ineffective” by worldly standards. Obedience may cost us money, time, or the approval of others. But God has never asked us to manage outcomes; He has only asked us to obey His Word.  Proverbs 3:5-6 states where our loyalty must be: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.

A Better Way to Look at the Issue.

Instead of looking at the potential result, use Philippians 4:8 as a litmus test for your intentions: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.”

When our actions are rooted in God’s Word, we don’t have to guess if the outcome is “good”—we know it is, because it began in obedience.

Don’t Allow Your Footing to Give Way: Reminders about how to stand firmly on God’s Word.                      Pastor Chris Downing                                                                                                                                                                            February 3, 2026

I recently had the opportunity to go inside the home that once belonged to my great-grandmother, Daisy Sphinx, and later my great-uncle, Ethel Birdsong. I remember visiting that house at least twice a week with my grandmother when I was a child. Every Tuesday, she would pick up Ethel’s grocery list, and every Thursday, I would go with her and help do his shopping. I can still picture sitting in the living room with my granny while he offered my sister and me molasses cookies. The house is rich with our family history, but unfortunately, it has not held up. It has deteriorated over the years to the point that the roof has caved in and the structure is no longer secure.

My wife Alisa and I, along with other family members, went through the home looking for mementos to salvage before the house is demolished. We found a few treasures that we cleaned up and now have on display in our kitchen.

However, it wasn’t the safest place to be. Many parts of the floor are weak or have already fallen in—something I found out the hard way. As I was walking through the living room trying to avoid a hole, the floor suddenly gave way and I went straight through to the ground. Fortunately, it was a low drop, but it wasn’t comfortable to have one foot on the ground and the other still on the living room floor. I am grateful the floor gave way entirely so I went straight down, only tweaking my ankle a bit. Once I got back up on level ground, I was definitely more aware of where I was stepping.

Physical footing is something we must treat with caution, but understanding our spiritual footing is of deep, eternal importance. Jesus was not silent on this matter.

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus said “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand…”

Jesus was telling us that we must have our spiritual footing on the solid rock, which is the Word of God. When we live according to the Bible, we can endure the storms this life bring us and the lies of the enemy because our footing is firmly on the truth. We can be sure that we will not be moved.

When our footing is on the sand—the opposite of the rock—it might feel good for a moment. It might even feel secure for a time. But much like that floor I fell through, when the storms blow and the devil shouts his lies, we will fall because our footing is not sure. We won’t just be blown over; we will be blown away.

How can you ensure your footing stays on the solid rock of God’s Word? Here are truths you can put into practice to ensure you are standing on sure ground.

• Read the Bible for transformation, not just information. Make it a discipline to read what God has given you. Much like a builder checks blueprints to ensure the house matches the architect’s design, we must check God’s Word to ensure our ways align with His. (2 Timothy 2:15)
• Practice active obedience. Reading isn’t enough; hearing isn’t enough. We must apply it. Ask yourself: “How does this passage change how I think, speak, or act today?” Action is key. (John 14:15)
• Depend on the Holy Spirit through prayer. We must seek guidance to live according to the Word. The Spirit’s responsibility is to give light to the Scriptures and the strength to obey them. (John 16:13)
• Surround yourself with fellow believers. Being active in a local church is key to staying secure. We all need people to pour into our lives through mentoring, accountability, and encouragement. (Proverbs 27:17)
• Live with integrity. Let your actions reflect God’s Word in all areas—work, family, finances, and relationships. The more your life matches Scripture, the firmer your foundation becomes. (Matthew 5:16)
• Evaluate your footing regularly. Watch where your feet are moving. Regularly examine your life for “foundation cracks,” confess sin, and adjust your actions. (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Firm footing is the key to living a life that honors God. A foundation built on the solid rock of the Bible will never fail you!

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my rock where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” — Psalm 18:2

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Not Lost, Just Home: Navigating My First Year Without Dad
Pastor Chris Downing                                                                                                                                                                                January 30, 2026

With that said, we have experienced all kinds of “firsts” this year since his passing: his birthday, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and, in a few days, the first anniversary of his death. These times have not been the same without him. I have often had to redirect my thoughts to focus on the promise of eternity rather than dwelling solely on the fact that he is gone.

There have even been times when, for a split second, I forgot he had passed. I’ll think, I’d better call and check on Dad, or, I need to get Dad’s opinion on this. Then, just as the thought forms, I remember he is no longer with us. As you can see, these firsts were not easy. But I can tell you that having faith in Christ allows us to mourn differently than those without hope. While some call it “getting used to a new normal,” I see it as leaning on a higher strength.

I know everyone grieves differently. I am not one to share my feelings openly—a characteristic I likely inherited from my father. However, I want to share a Christian perspective on how believers can approach the first year without a loved one. Here are five things the Lord has reminded me of this past year:

3. Remember the past without compromising the present.
This has been a big one for me. If I am not careful, I can live in the past longer than I should. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us: “To everything there is a season… a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” God gives us memories as a gift, but He also ordains our present. Grief becomes unhealthy when memory replaces mission. We can remember the past with gratitude and mourn with honesty, but we must still live with expectancy. The past molds us, but it was never meant to bind us.

4. Remember to cling to the gifts God has provided.
One of the greatest gifts God has given me is my family. Between my wife, Alisa, my daughter, Ella, my sister, and my nieces, nephews, uncles, and aunts—we lean on each other. We mourn together and we rejoice together. In Romans 12:9, Paul reminds us to “cling to what is good.” My family is truly good.

5. Remember that God comforts with a multitude of grace.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 calls Him “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction.” Our God is a great comforter. Whenever I feel down, He is there to lift me up—sometimes by sending a friend at just the right time, speaking to me during my devotions, or playing just the right song on the radio.

I love my mom and dad more than words can express. I praise the Lord for their influence; they loved me, pointed me to Jesus, gave wise counsel, and were always there for me. I don’t think I was ever truly “mentally prepared” to live in a world without them.

These are just a few of the truths that have sustained me through the “firsts.” I know I am biased, but they were the best parents a son could have. I am so thankful for the 50 years I had with them and for a family that can still laugh together while telling stories in their memory.

The Ministry of Rest, Relaxation, Refocus, and Renewal                                                                          Pastor Chris Downing                                                                                                                                                                              January 1, 2026

As I sit in a cabin with my family at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama, I find myself finally able to sit back and truly rest. No laptop, no agenda, no schedule—just being present with my family and enjoying the gift of time off. I’ve slept in, watched TV, explored thrift stores, and walked the beach and pier. I even accepted a mini-golf challenge from my daughter (which I won by one stroke!) and ate way too much shrimp. It is the kind of rest I didn’t even realize I needed until I had it.

Before this week, I was consumed by plans for the new year. To be honest, thinking about them was giving me a headache; it felt difficult to focus on what’s ahead. As a pastor, it is easy to pulled in a dozen different directions. It isn’t hard to stay busy, but it is easy to neglect the fact that I need time away. I am incredibly blessed to serve a church that recognizes this need and grants me the time to recharge.

Rest is vital—not just for pastors, but for everyone. One of the most dangerous places you can find yourself is in burnout. I know this from personal experience: burnout drains you to the point that there is no joy in your work, and definitely no joy in ministry. Over the years, I have discovered a “Ministry of Rest” that follows a divine cycle: Rest leads to Relaxation, relaxation leads to Refocus, and refocus leads to Renewal. Let’s look at how God uses this cycle to restart our spirits from a biblical perspective.

Rest

Rest is not a new concept; it has existed since the beginning of time. God is the author and creator of rest. It was created as a gift and should be considered a holy practice. Our Lord rested on the seventh day—not because He was tired, but to set an example for us.

“The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. So then, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” — Mark 2:27-28

Relaxation

While rest is the practice relaxation is the result. Rest is designed to relieve stress and help us take our minds off the trials of the day. More importantly, physical rest often paves the way for spiritual rest. True relaxation is found in God, not just in inactivity. It is an invitation to lay down our burdens and find peace in Christ. Inner rest is the act of trusting God with what we cannot control.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28-30

Refocus

Once we experience relaxation, we can begin to refocus on our faith. Rest is an act of trust that allows us to center our attention on the things of the Lord. When we refocus, we acknowledge that God is our provider and that we cannot sustain ourselves on our own strength.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” — Matthew 6:33

Renewal

Renewal is the birth of a new sense of purpose or direction. Sometimes, it is simply the confirmation of a current path that had become blurred by fatigue. Our God promises to restore our strength and clarify our vision.

“He gives strength to the faint and strengthens the powerless. Youths may become faint and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.” — Isaiah 40:29-31

It is nearly impossible to experience renewal if you never stop moving. Rest is a gift from God designed to help us understand His will. Don’t neglect the ministry of rest, relaxation, refocus, and renewal.

Christian First: Lessons Learned from Ministry and the Airwaves

Reflections on Identity, Faith, and the Call to Glorify Christ in All Things

One of my first jobs in ministry was working at a Christian radio station in the late 1990s and early 2000s. I was truly blessed to share great Christian music and encouraging programming with our listeners. It remains a highlight of my ministry; I still have people, more than 20 years later, who remember me from the station. During my time there, I had the privilege of serving as the Southern Gospel station’s music and program director and as the morning drive-time on-air personality.

I loved what our ministry president, Darrell Gibson, often said to our listeners: “We are a ministry that happens to be a radio station.” That statement has profoundly impacted my own ministry over the years. I often tell people that our professions do not totally define us. If you are a follower of Christ, you are first and foremost a Christian that happens to be in whatever position you currently hold. A person’s career may change, but our faith in Christ never changes. It makes perfect sense, then, that our primary identity must be in our faith in Christ—the one constant in our lives. When we fully embrace that truth, it will shape our worldview to increasingly strive to live for Him.

I enjoy and listen to all forms of Christian music, some more than others, but if the artist and their music genuinely glorifies Christ, I will usually give it a listen. (The criteria for that is a discussion for another day, because not all Christian music is necessarily biblically and theologically sound—a truth I learned early on at the radio station.)

This past summer, my daughter introduced me to the fairly new Christian recording artist Forrest Frank. His music is a combination of pop and R&B. While not my favorite genre, I’ve found myself enjoying a few of his songs—the kind you enjoy driving in your truck, even if they aren’t what you’d sing in church worship.

This year, Forrest Frank was nominated for a Dove Award for Artist of the Year and actually won, but Frank did not attend the show. Days before the ceremony, he confessed on his Instagram page that he does not attend or accept awards due to personal convictions. Frank was quoted saying, “As a Christian artist, I dress kind of like the world. I kind of look like the world. My music can kind of sound like the world. So, where’s the line in the sand drawn?”

Forrest Frank makes a powerful point. The Christian music industry (and it is, indeed, an industry) often sounds and sometimes looks too much like secular music. I perfectly understand what he is saying: he is a follower of Christ who happens to sing and perform Christian pop and R&B music. He is a Christian first, and a performer second. The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13-15: Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you.

I believe we need to do exactly what Forrest Frank has done: we need to draw our own line in the sand so that we start looking and sounding different than the world. Our ultimate “award” is Christ, and if we are not careful, we can start taking credit for things where the credit belongs only to Him. We must understand that the good work we do must be the natural result of who we are and who lives inside of us. As Christians, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, and that must be displayed in our lives! What is on the inside will always come to the outside.

Our ultimate reward, award, and prize is, and always has been, Christ Jesus! No matter if you are a Christian recording artist or a construction worker, Jesus should always be enough. Your core purpose is to glorify Christ; everything else is secondary to that crucial truth.

Glorify Christ in All Things. It doesn’t matter if you serve in a “ministry position,” or are a carpenter, a CEO, or anything else; our number one job is to live our lives for Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”

Proclaim the Name of Christ in All We Do. It’s one thing to live for Christ; it’s another to proclaim Him. We live in a time where we need to be bold in our faith. Pray for opportunities to lift up the name of Christ in your community and sphere of influence. Philippians 2:10-11 says: “…so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Praise the Lord for All He Is and All He Does. We must give credit where credit is due. If it wasn’t for the Lord, our lives would be on sinking sand, as the old hymn states. We need to praise the Lord in the good times and in the bad times, never taking credit for the good and never blaming God for the bad. Hebrews 13:15 tells us, “Therefore, through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.”

So, let’s go into the world being a Christian that happens to be whatever we do, because what you do must be done for Christ!