For today’s entry in the Friday Five interview series, we chat with Mark DeMoss. Mark is president and founder of The DeMoss Group, a high-profile public relations firm that advises Christian organizations such as the Billy Graham Association, Prison Fellowship, and The American Bible Society. Mark served as an unpaid advisor to the Mitt Romney campaign in 2012. He is the author of The Little Red Book of Wisdom.
My Dear Shepherds,There before us, there among us, may well be some people who, regardless of what they say, will not be with us in glory. The pastor who preached Hebrews felt that burden and demonstrates the solemn tone required of all gospel preachers from time to time. These words were not preached in an evangelistic meeting but in a church service to those who professed faith but whose hearts were like the Israelites who died of unbelief in the wilderness.
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. (Heb. 4:1)
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened … and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. (6:4-6)
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. (10:26-27)
Such grave warnings, whether we are preaching from Exodus, Ezekiel, Galatians, 2 Peter, or Revelation, are always set against the bright light of God’s grace. They proclaim, “How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?” (Heb. 2:3).
Warning is part of our work, not just to the unevangelized, but even more to professing believers “who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God …” but yet are like “… land that produces thorns and thistles … in danger of being cursed.” We must not mince words. Sometimes we’re duty-bound to use language stark and stern.
It is terribly tempting when we’re frustrated with our congregation’s immaturity to preach out of anger, but only love can carry such a message with any hope of drawing back the hard-hearted. A pastor friend told me how he grieves over kids who want to put Jesus off till later. He often thinks of R. C. Sproul’s frequent outburst, “What’s wrong with you people?!” Yet my friend also said softly, “But I don’t want to break the bruised reed.”
Even when—especially when—hard warnings rise from your text, always point in the next breath to the grace of God in Christ. The Hebrews sermon, for example, eloquently preaches multiple excellencies of Christ, bright examples of persevering faith, and the manifold delights of our home now and forever on Mt. Zion.
Romans taught me, Law reveals. Grace heals. After Hebrews’ biting warning the preacher says,
Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. (6:9)
To foster perseverance, good pastors often celebrate the evidence we see of genuine salvation, saying things like this:
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. (6:10)
If God doesn’t forget neither should we. As often as you can, taking your cues from Hebrews 10:22-25, commend anyone whom you see drawing nearer to Christ in full assurance of faith. At every opportunity, tell your church about those among them who haven’t wavered in their confession of Christ even under pressure. Make it known how pleased you are when those in your flock stir up one another to love and good work. Thank those who keep meeting together in person for encouragement. And with that …
Be ye glad!
Today we talk with Mark DeMoss about Christians and civil discourse, the future of the evangelical movement, and the lessons he learned from his father.
In 2009 you launched The Civility Project, calling for greater respect and civility in the public square. After 2 years you shut it down, citing lack of participation. What did this exercise tell you about the state of the discourse in our country?
The state of civil discourse in our country is, in my view, not good. In fact, it is generally terrible. This is not only a problem on the left or among secularists; it is a problem on the right (sometimes worse so) and among people calling themselves followers of Christ.
Some equate incivility with courage, as if to be civil is to surrender core convictions. But you disagree. Can you explain?
I have never, to my knowledge, sacrificed conviction on the altar of civility. These are not mutually exclusive. I can challenge or disagree with you without being rude, ugly, mean-spirited or uncivil.
Should pastors and church leaders make the teaching of civility a priority?
Yes! There are plenty of Scriptures to support that answer. For example, “In lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than himself.” (Phil. 2:3) “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” (Col. 4:5) And then, “Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Cor. 16:14) I strongly believe it is never an option for me to claim Jesus Christ as Savior and behave in an uncivil manner with anyone, under any circumstance. Never.
You’ve represented evangelicals for many years. What is one thing that gives you hope about the evangelical movement today and what is one thing that gives you pause?
I have hope when I see so many people hungry for teaching from God’s Word. In January I watched 60,000 college students (primarily) worship for four days in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome during Passion 2013. It filled me with hope. On the other hand, I am concerned that we appear to have lost the battle on a number of issues clearly addresses in the Bible and evangelicals are among those abandoning some of these issues because of the unpopularity of addressing them publicly.
In 2011, you released a book, Little Red Book of Wisdom. In there you shared practical bits of advice, many of which came from your father, Arthur DeMoss. What is the most important piece of wisdom your dad passed down to you?
Spending the first part of every day with the Lord, alone. Part of that practice included reading a chapter of Proverbs every day, a practice that will take you throughout the book of Proverbs every month. I estimate I have read the book of Proverbs some 300 times now. It is the greatest wisdom textbook ever written.
