I'm sure I'm not the only person who has many fond memories of Christmas as a child. I'm probably not the only person who would like for the joy of those times to return. Do I just accept that it is because I'm an adult that the emotions of Christmas will never be the same? Should I feel guilty because the anticipation isn't the same as when I was a child?
Maybe it's because I worship Jesus all year round that the Christmas season is no different from any other time of year. Do we pressure each other to have a certain response when Christmas comes?
With all these questions, am I too self focused? Maybe that's the problem.
Let me say this. I am truly thankful that Jesus came. I'm sorry He had to endure what He did but I'm thankful He did it. Hebrews 12:2 says, "...who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..." I'm thankful that the Lord sought me, revealed Himself to me, and gave me the faith to believe.
After having said that, my attitude is changing. It takes a reminder. I had to remind myself why we celebrate Jesus' birth. It was His death and resurrection that makes His birth worth celebrating. I'm no longer focused on me but on Him. It's not about ME!
In the midst of all your Christmas shopping and preparations, remind yourself why we celebrate Jesus' birth. Have a wonderful, blessed, joyous Christmas! God bless y'all real good.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Well, DUH!!
I really appreciate how God prompts me to stay focused on the Scriptures. Okay, I'm humbled by it too.
I recently read "The Shack" by William P. Young. It's a controversial book. Basically it is about a man who meets with the Trinity. He learns that he needs to forgive two people in his life that caused him great pain, his father, and the man who murdered his daughter. I won't go into details but I will point you to a review that I found to be really good.
http://www.challies.com/archives/book-reviews/the-shack-by-william-p-young.php
I have friends who love it and I have friends who refuse to read it. Even though the book is fiction, the author portrays God (the Trinity) and makes statements about God that I assume he believes to be true. The bottom line is that they are not Scriptural.
In my reading there were times when I would shake my head and say, "That's not right!"
I continued to read constantly reminding myself that it was fiction. The conclusion about unforgiveness, it's control on our lives, and the importance of forgiveness could have been reached using Truth. The author's ideas about the relationship between the Father, Son, and Spirit needs to be reviewed with a Bible.
It wasn't until I read the review that I mentioned above that I realized something. There were little subtleties that I missed. Had I known (or remembered) Scripture they wouldn't have slipped by me unnoticed.
That's the point of my post. Christians need to know the Scriptures! I know what you're thinking, WELL DUH!
I can't stress enough that Christians need to know their Bible. They need to be under good teaching. They need to be able to discern what is right. They need to be in constant communication with God. They need to be lead by the Spirit.
Read 2 Timothy. It is Pauls's last letter. I refer to it in my post from September
14th. You will see the importance of knowing Scripture. Also read Hebrews 5:11-14.
I am thankful that the Lord has lead me to good instruction. He has put wonderful brothers and sisters in my life that encourage me to study the Bible. He has put me in the presence of many good teachers. Even though I might wander off course at times, He is faithful to guide me back to the narrow way. God bless y'all real good.
I recently read "The Shack" by William P. Young. It's a controversial book. Basically it is about a man who meets with the Trinity. He learns that he needs to forgive two people in his life that caused him great pain, his father, and the man who murdered his daughter. I won't go into details but I will point you to a review that I found to be really good.
http://www.challies.com/archives/book-reviews/the-shack-by-william-p-young.php
I have friends who love it and I have friends who refuse to read it. Even though the book is fiction, the author portrays God (the Trinity) and makes statements about God that I assume he believes to be true. The bottom line is that they are not Scriptural.
In my reading there were times when I would shake my head and say, "That's not right!"
I continued to read constantly reminding myself that it was fiction. The conclusion about unforgiveness, it's control on our lives, and the importance of forgiveness could have been reached using Truth. The author's ideas about the relationship between the Father, Son, and Spirit needs to be reviewed with a Bible.
It wasn't until I read the review that I mentioned above that I realized something. There were little subtleties that I missed. Had I known (or remembered) Scripture they wouldn't have slipped by me unnoticed.
That's the point of my post. Christians need to know the Scriptures! I know what you're thinking, WELL DUH!
I can't stress enough that Christians need to know their Bible. They need to be under good teaching. They need to be able to discern what is right. They need to be in constant communication with God. They need to be lead by the Spirit.
Read 2 Timothy. It is Pauls's last letter. I refer to it in my post from September
14th. You will see the importance of knowing Scripture. Also read Hebrews 5:11-14.
I am thankful that the Lord has lead me to good instruction. He has put wonderful brothers and sisters in my life that encourage me to study the Bible. He has put me in the presence of many good teachers. Even though I might wander off course at times, He is faithful to guide me back to the narrow way. God bless y'all real good.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Article From The Simple Church Journal
The following article is from the Simple Church Journal aka House Church Blog. It is from a book titled "The Simple/House Church Revolution" by Roger Thoman.
My intention for posting it is not to continue the argument of house church vs. traditional church. For me that has been resolved by my understanding of "one body, many parts". I think it is a simple reminder of what the church is.
Read it and be reminded and encouraged. Let me know what you think.
Chapter 2: Defining "Church" (Webster Has It Wrong)
From "The Simple/House Church Revolution" Book. The entire book can still be downloaded here.
Church according to Miriam-Webster’s online dictionary:
1: a building for public and especially Christian worship
2: the clergy or officialdom of a religious body
3: a body or organization of religious believers: as a: the whole body of Christians b: denomination c: congregation
4: a public divine worship
Webster defines church according to the way this word is used today. I was taught this same definition as a little boy when I would put my hands together and recite the rhyme: “Here is the church, and here is the steeple; open the door and here are all the people.”
Jesus, however, introduced the term “church” with a very different meaning in mind. He used a word “ekklesia” that simply described a group or assembly of people. This is the original definition of the word. He described “church” as those people who were following Him—people walking in allegiance to him. People. His followers. Nothing more than that.
Jesus did not spend much time describing how to organize his people together or how to do meetings. Rather, his focus was on a lifestyle of loving others and obeying Him: “Go into all the world…” “Let your light shine…” “Do what you see the Father doing…” “Love one another…” Church, as defined by Jesus, was simply his followers living life for and with him.
Over the years, however, the word “church” began to include the many structures and forms that we added to the original meaning:
• Public meeting places (buildings or storefronts)
• Organizations of believers who get together to be led by a worship team and preached to by a pastor
• Denominations that we join
But, as John Eldredge reminds us:
Church is not a building. Church is not an event that takes place on Sundays. I know, it's how we've come to think of it. ‘I go to First Baptist.’ ‘We are members of St. Luke's.’ ‘Is it time to go to church?’ Much to our surprise, that is not how the Bible uses the term. Not at all.
No. Not at all. Church is God’s people—those who are choosing to live life with Jesus… 24/7. That is it. Nothing more.
But don’t God’s people gather together? Yes. We do see gatherings take place in Scripture. Many gatherings. Most often informal and simple. Normally in homes (Romans 16:5). Everyone participated (1 Corinthians 14:26). They functioned as spiritual families that cared deeply for one another (Romans 12:10). Yet the focus of the church (God’s people) was a lifestyle of Jesus-following, rather than organizing events, attending programs, or joining organizations.
Perhaps the best way to describe the church of the New Testament is as small, vibrant, caring families of believers who are loving others and reproducing themselves into every corner of the world.
The Things I Learned About Church From Bible College
I attended a Bible College as a brand new Christian hungry to live a life useful to God. I loved reading the stories of the disciples following Jesus, traveling with him, ministering with him, doing miracles alongside of Jesus as he poured out his life for others. I thought it was fantastic. I enjoyed studying the book of Acts and seeing God’s people going throughout the world, filled by the Spirit, walking in God’s purposes and power. But, as a subtext, I was also taught to “do church” in Bible college. It was not a specific class. There was no text book. I simply learned to follow “how it was done” by those around me. Frankly, the way I learned to “do church” did not look much at all like the lives of the early disciples that I was studying and wanting to be like.
Nevertheless, by the time I felt called to pastor a church, I no longer questioned how church was done. We started with a building and a core group of Christians. We invited, and planned, and organized, and put together Sunday events. We built more buildings and started more services to invite people to. We developed programs for young and old, men and women, married and divorced. We hired staff and we organized ministry teams.
Without realizing it, we were following human traditions for church life that were developed over the centuries: cathedrals, pulpit-led services, pews, order-of-service, etc. All of these things may be useful in their place (God can use anything), but they have no place in the basic definition of “church.”
Sadly, as the church has adopted more and more traditions and become more and more institutionalized, it has become largely ineffective in its impact on earth. In the western world, where we have created the best organizational church systems that exist, Christianity is declining. In contrast, in parts of India and China where the expression of church is largely organic, simple, and fluid, the church is flourishing.
Our longing is to see the church restored to its essence of life and vitality so that she becomes the full expression of Christ’s power and love on earth. This is the great hope of God’s kingdom coming to influence, save, and redeem a lost planet. Priscilla Shirer made this comment:
In the first century in Palestine Christianity was a community of believers. Then Christianity moved to Greece and became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome and became an institution. Then it moved to Europe and became a culture. And then it moved to America and became a business. We need to get back to being a healthy, vibrant community of true followers of Jesus.
Being Church.
My Filipino friend, Molong Nacua, wrote an excellent article entitled “Being Church” that reminds us of the true meaning of “church:”
Church is where Christ lives, not the place where we meet. It is Christ-empowered people, a kingdom of priests for the purpose of winning against the works of the devil and establishing God's Kingdom (1 Cor. 3:17; Matt. 18:19; Ex. 19:6)… Christianity is not about doing church, but being the church. Church is not some place to go to participate in, but it is about being who you are in Christ and thus experiencing His real life in you. Your Christianity was never defined by attending a particular church. It is defined by Christ in you. In other words, you are a Christian 24/7, not because you participate in a two-hour worship service, but because Christ lives in you every minute of every day.
Again, my intention is not to step on toes. If anyone is offended please forgive me. I was encouraged as I read this article that I am a part of the church. It excites me to see the bigger picture. God bless y'all real good.
My intention for posting it is not to continue the argument of house church vs. traditional church. For me that has been resolved by my understanding of "one body, many parts". I think it is a simple reminder of what the church is.
Read it and be reminded and encouraged. Let me know what you think.
Chapter 2: Defining "Church" (Webster Has It Wrong)
From "The Simple/House Church Revolution" Book. The entire book can still be downloaded here.
Church according to Miriam-Webster’s online dictionary:
1: a building for public and especially Christian worship
2: the clergy or officialdom of a religious body
3: a body or organization of religious believers: as a: the whole body of Christians b: denomination c: congregation
4: a public divine worship
Webster defines church according to the way this word is used today. I was taught this same definition as a little boy when I would put my hands together and recite the rhyme: “Here is the church, and here is the steeple; open the door and here are all the people.”
Jesus, however, introduced the term “church” with a very different meaning in mind. He used a word “ekklesia” that simply described a group or assembly of people. This is the original definition of the word. He described “church” as those people who were following Him—people walking in allegiance to him. People. His followers. Nothing more than that.
Jesus did not spend much time describing how to organize his people together or how to do meetings. Rather, his focus was on a lifestyle of loving others and obeying Him: “Go into all the world…” “Let your light shine…” “Do what you see the Father doing…” “Love one another…” Church, as defined by Jesus, was simply his followers living life for and with him.
Over the years, however, the word “church” began to include the many structures and forms that we added to the original meaning:
• Public meeting places (buildings or storefronts)
• Organizations of believers who get together to be led by a worship team and preached to by a pastor
• Denominations that we join
But, as John Eldredge reminds us:
Church is not a building. Church is not an event that takes place on Sundays. I know, it's how we've come to think of it. ‘I go to First Baptist.’ ‘We are members of St. Luke's.’ ‘Is it time to go to church?’ Much to our surprise, that is not how the Bible uses the term. Not at all.
No. Not at all. Church is God’s people—those who are choosing to live life with Jesus… 24/7. That is it. Nothing more.
But don’t God’s people gather together? Yes. We do see gatherings take place in Scripture. Many gatherings. Most often informal and simple. Normally in homes (Romans 16:5). Everyone participated (1 Corinthians 14:26). They functioned as spiritual families that cared deeply for one another (Romans 12:10). Yet the focus of the church (God’s people) was a lifestyle of Jesus-following, rather than organizing events, attending programs, or joining organizations.
Perhaps the best way to describe the church of the New Testament is as small, vibrant, caring families of believers who are loving others and reproducing themselves into every corner of the world.
The Things I Learned About Church From Bible College
I attended a Bible College as a brand new Christian hungry to live a life useful to God. I loved reading the stories of the disciples following Jesus, traveling with him, ministering with him, doing miracles alongside of Jesus as he poured out his life for others. I thought it was fantastic. I enjoyed studying the book of Acts and seeing God’s people going throughout the world, filled by the Spirit, walking in God’s purposes and power. But, as a subtext, I was also taught to “do church” in Bible college. It was not a specific class. There was no text book. I simply learned to follow “how it was done” by those around me. Frankly, the way I learned to “do church” did not look much at all like the lives of the early disciples that I was studying and wanting to be like.
Nevertheless, by the time I felt called to pastor a church, I no longer questioned how church was done. We started with a building and a core group of Christians. We invited, and planned, and organized, and put together Sunday events. We built more buildings and started more services to invite people to. We developed programs for young and old, men and women, married and divorced. We hired staff and we organized ministry teams.
Without realizing it, we were following human traditions for church life that were developed over the centuries: cathedrals, pulpit-led services, pews, order-of-service, etc. All of these things may be useful in their place (God can use anything), but they have no place in the basic definition of “church.”
Sadly, as the church has adopted more and more traditions and become more and more institutionalized, it has become largely ineffective in its impact on earth. In the western world, where we have created the best organizational church systems that exist, Christianity is declining. In contrast, in parts of India and China where the expression of church is largely organic, simple, and fluid, the church is flourishing.
Our longing is to see the church restored to its essence of life and vitality so that she becomes the full expression of Christ’s power and love on earth. This is the great hope of God’s kingdom coming to influence, save, and redeem a lost planet. Priscilla Shirer made this comment:
In the first century in Palestine Christianity was a community of believers. Then Christianity moved to Greece and became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome and became an institution. Then it moved to Europe and became a culture. And then it moved to America and became a business. We need to get back to being a healthy, vibrant community of true followers of Jesus.
Being Church.
My Filipino friend, Molong Nacua, wrote an excellent article entitled “Being Church” that reminds us of the true meaning of “church:”
Church is where Christ lives, not the place where we meet. It is Christ-empowered people, a kingdom of priests for the purpose of winning against the works of the devil and establishing God's Kingdom (1 Cor. 3:17; Matt. 18:19; Ex. 19:6)… Christianity is not about doing church, but being the church. Church is not some place to go to participate in, but it is about being who you are in Christ and thus experiencing His real life in you. Your Christianity was never defined by attending a particular church. It is defined by Christ in you. In other words, you are a Christian 24/7, not because you participate in a two-hour worship service, but because Christ lives in you every minute of every day.
Again, my intention is not to step on toes. If anyone is offended please forgive me. I was encouraged as I read this article that I am a part of the church. It excites me to see the bigger picture. God bless y'all real good.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
I Need Them! They Need Me!
I see the church differently today than I did twenty-nine years ago. I was twenty-one years old when I became a believer. I was "saved" in the Lutheran church, Missouri Synod. After two years I joined the Wisconsin Synod which was more conservative. Later I spent time in a non-denominational church and eventually ended up in a pentecostal church.
I held different positions from youth leader to worship leader. I was on a pastoral search committee and lead a small group.
At one time I thought of church as only the people that belonged to my group. Church was confined to everyone within the four walls of the building. I was only seeing a part of the picture. The building had windows but I thought they were for letting in light not looking out into the world. I'm glad God is bigger than that. I am thankful that He began a good work in me. (Philippians 1:6)
I am no longer a member of a particular church body. I meet with a group of people on Sunday morning for coffee, bagels, Bible study, and encouragement. I still lead a small group. I am a part of the body of Christ! I always was! Today I have a fresh perspective on what that means.
Does this mean that believers who gather in different places with different forms are not a part of the body? NO! That's the point! We're all a part of the body! I need them! They need me! Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-30. One body, many parts!
When another part of the body has a need and I can help, I should. When another part of the body needs encouragement, I should speak up. When another part of the body needs prayer, I pray. Should I not fellowship with other parts of the body because I'm not a member of their church? Should they keep me from fellowship because I'm not a member? 1 Corinthians 12:26 says, "If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad."
This world has enough challenges. We need Jesus and we need each other. How healthy is a body with missing parts? God bless y'all real good.
I held different positions from youth leader to worship leader. I was on a pastoral search committee and lead a small group.
At one time I thought of church as only the people that belonged to my group. Church was confined to everyone within the four walls of the building. I was only seeing a part of the picture. The building had windows but I thought they were for letting in light not looking out into the world. I'm glad God is bigger than that. I am thankful that He began a good work in me. (Philippians 1:6)
I am no longer a member of a particular church body. I meet with a group of people on Sunday morning for coffee, bagels, Bible study, and encouragement. I still lead a small group. I am a part of the body of Christ! I always was! Today I have a fresh perspective on what that means.
Does this mean that believers who gather in different places with different forms are not a part of the body? NO! That's the point! We're all a part of the body! I need them! They need me! Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-30. One body, many parts!
When another part of the body has a need and I can help, I should. When another part of the body needs encouragement, I should speak up. When another part of the body needs prayer, I pray. Should I not fellowship with other parts of the body because I'm not a member of their church? Should they keep me from fellowship because I'm not a member? 1 Corinthians 12:26 says, "If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad."
This world has enough challenges. We need Jesus and we need each other. How healthy is a body with missing parts? God bless y'all real good.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Thoughts on 2 Timothy
This past Sunday we touched on 2 Timothy at B & B Fellowship. As the day progressed I felt the need to look at it further. I then decided to look at it with our Wednesday night group. We read the whole book out loud from the Message Remix Bible. As an old friend used to say, "The Lord blessed me down to my shoes!"
2 Timothy is Paul's last letter. What was on his mind? What would you want to say to someone if it was your last letter?
I see it as a letter of encouragement, speaking of Timothy's "honest faith" and his "special gift of ministry". Paul says, "So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It's as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us." He goes on, "throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me.."
Timothy is warned to "stay clear of pious talk" (his words must be backed by a godly life) and to "run away from infantile indulgence" (run after mature righteousness).
"Refuse to get involved in inane discussions, they always end up in fights. God's servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool..."
It wouldn't be easy though. He would have to "take your share of the suffering for the Message". He says, "When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did." Paul was writing this letter from prison having been abandoned by many of his followers (2 Timothy 1:15). Timothy should not expect anything better, neither should we.
There's so much more. Get your Bible out and read 2 Timothy. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 (NLT) says, "You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." Read it and let me know what stands out to you.
Finally Paul says in chapter four, verse two (NLT), "Preach the word of God. Be prepared whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching."
God bless y'all real good.
2 Timothy is Paul's last letter. What was on his mind? What would you want to say to someone if it was your last letter?
I see it as a letter of encouragement, speaking of Timothy's "honest faith" and his "special gift of ministry". Paul says, "So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It's as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us." He goes on, "throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me.."
Timothy is warned to "stay clear of pious talk" (his words must be backed by a godly life) and to "run away from infantile indulgence" (run after mature righteousness).
"Refuse to get involved in inane discussions, they always end up in fights. God's servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool..."
It wouldn't be easy though. He would have to "take your share of the suffering for the Message". He says, "When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did." Paul was writing this letter from prison having been abandoned by many of his followers (2 Timothy 1:15). Timothy should not expect anything better, neither should we.
There's so much more. Get your Bible out and read 2 Timothy. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 (NLT) says, "You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." Read it and let me know what stands out to you.
Finally Paul says in chapter four, verse two (NLT), "Preach the word of God. Be prepared whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching."
God bless y'all real good.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The Meeting Place Doesn't Manifest God's Kingdom
I entered the house church verses traditional church debate about two or three years ago. My wife attends a traditional church. I attend a fellowship that meets in a house on Sunday morning.
For those of you that might be concerned because my wife and I don't worship at the same place on Sunday morning, don't be. We have a small group that meets in our home on Wednesday nights. On occasional Sunday afternoons we meet with other believers for singing, prayer, Scripture reading, and fellowship. We are "not forsaking our own assembling together".
My two Sunday meetings are not defined. By that I mean they are less structured. Wednesday night is a little more structured. We have a Bible study, either a book of the Bible or a topical study. The folks that attend the Wednesday meeting have a pretty good idea what to expect.
The different meetings mentioned above are a part of God's kingdom. "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them." Mat.18:20.
Because of my situation, I feel I have more freedom to serve where I'm needed. I can help a friend with music ministry at his church. I can fill in for a youth pastor who's on vacation at another church. Guess what? When I'm doing those things, I get to fellowship with other members of God's kingdom!
Others are called to serve one particular assembly. My wife fits that category. She's a treasurer and board member. She's made a commitment to serve the Lord at the church she attends. Hey! We're all a part of God's kingdom!
Luke 9:49,50 says, "John answered, 'Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow us.' But Jesus said to him, 'Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you."
The kingdom is manifest when people that are "for Him" gather. Where they gather is not important. It can be in a cathedral or a cafeteria, in a building or at a bus stop. I am really excited by what the Lord has been showing me concerning His kingdom! God bless y'all real good.
For those of you that might be concerned because my wife and I don't worship at the same place on Sunday morning, don't be. We have a small group that meets in our home on Wednesday nights. On occasional Sunday afternoons we meet with other believers for singing, prayer, Scripture reading, and fellowship. We are "not forsaking our own assembling together".
My two Sunday meetings are not defined. By that I mean they are less structured. Wednesday night is a little more structured. We have a Bible study, either a book of the Bible or a topical study. The folks that attend the Wednesday meeting have a pretty good idea what to expect.
The different meetings mentioned above are a part of God's kingdom. "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them." Mat.18:20.
Because of my situation, I feel I have more freedom to serve where I'm needed. I can help a friend with music ministry at his church. I can fill in for a youth pastor who's on vacation at another church. Guess what? When I'm doing those things, I get to fellowship with other members of God's kingdom!
Others are called to serve one particular assembly. My wife fits that category. She's a treasurer and board member. She's made a commitment to serve the Lord at the church she attends. Hey! We're all a part of God's kingdom!
Luke 9:49,50 says, "John answered, 'Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow us.' But Jesus said to him, 'Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you."
The kingdom is manifest when people that are "for Him" gather. Where they gather is not important. It can be in a cathedral or a cafeteria, in a building or at a bus stop. I am really excited by what the Lord has been showing me concerning His kingdom! God bless y'all real good.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The Church (What Do You Think)
THE CHURCH. If I were to gather my Christian friends in a room and open a discussion about the church, it would probably release a set of fireworks that would make the Y2K New York harbor fireworks look like a sparkler in the hands of a 3-year old. The opinions (all based in Scripture) would be diverse to say the least.
What I would like to do is hear from you. How would you define "church"? I read a quote basically saying that we have replaced the "Kingdom of God" with "church" therefore losing the meaning of both. What do you think about that? Let's see some fireworks! (If this stirs up anger in you please count to ten before responding)
What I would like to do is hear from you. How would you define "church"? I read a quote basically saying that we have replaced the "Kingdom of God" with "church" therefore losing the meaning of both. What do you think about that? Let's see some fireworks! (If this stirs up anger in you please count to ten before responding)
Saturday, June 28, 2008
KoG
Okay, see if you can follow this. In a blog post written by Felicity Dale, she quotes author Phillip Mauro from his book, "The Church the Churches and the Kingdom". He writes, "… we cannot regard it as a matter of indifference but rather of grave concern that in our day the existence of the Kingdom of God as a present reality, the place and responsibility of every regenerated person therein and the great and precious truths and promises that pertain thereto, have all but faded out of the consciousness of those who have entered into that Kingdom by the door of the new birth;" (emphasis mine)
Our Wednesday group has been looking at the Kingdom of God (KoG) for the last several weeks now. It is changing my perspective of the Christian walk big time! Mauro's quote for me was a reality, "faded out of the consciousness". What does Scripture say?
-John the Baptist preached, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mat. 3:2)
-Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness". (Mat6:33)
-"Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God," (Mark 15:43)
-Jesus said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God," (Luke 8:10)
-"Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (John3:5)
-"And he (Paul) entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God." (Acts 19:8
Vine's says,the Kingdom of God is (a) the sphere of God’s rule. The Kingdom is also (b) the sphere in which at any given time His rule is acknowledged.
This world needs to hear about this kingdom. You need to know about this kingdom. There are many verses that say what the kingdom is like (check out my April 21st post), what it is, and what it is not. John the Baptist preached the KoG, Jesus preached the KoG, Paul, Peter, James , and John preached the KoG. Get the picture? See how my perspective can be changed? How about you? Get a concordance and start studying. You will be changed! God bless y'all real good.
Our Wednesday group has been looking at the Kingdom of God (KoG) for the last several weeks now. It is changing my perspective of the Christian walk big time! Mauro's quote for me was a reality, "faded out of the consciousness". What does Scripture say?
-John the Baptist preached, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mat. 3:2)
-Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness". (Mat6:33)
-"Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God," (Mark 15:43)
-Jesus said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God," (Luke 8:10)
-"Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (John3:5)
-"And he (Paul) entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God." (Acts 19:8
Vine's says,the Kingdom of God is (a) the sphere of God’s rule. The Kingdom is also (b) the sphere in which at any given time His rule is acknowledged.
This world needs to hear about this kingdom. You need to know about this kingdom. There are many verses that say what the kingdom is like (check out my April 21st post), what it is, and what it is not. John the Baptist preached the KoG, Jesus preached the KoG, Paul, Peter, James , and John preached the KoG. Get the picture? See how my perspective can be changed? How about you? Get a concordance and start studying. You will be changed! God bless y'all real good.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
The Law of Liberty
The past couple of weeks James 1:25 and 2:12 has been the subject of conversation at Bible & Bagel Fellowship. It spilled over into my Wednesday group and also in a conversation with my wife and my sister. These verses talk about the "law of liberty". I'm still trying to wrap my mind around what that means.
The law of liberty is certainly not the law of the Old Testament. Christians are not bound to the ceremonial law. Jesus fulfilled it. I believe that is made clear in the book of Galatians. (Check out the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew to see how Jesus feels about the commandments.)
"So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good." (Rom 7:12).The law could not save us because of our sinful flesh. "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." (Rom 8:8). Read Romans 7:13 through 8:17. Romans 7:14 says that the law is spiritual but we are of the flesh, sold under sin. Jesus took care of that (Rom. 8:1-4).
I believe the law of liberty is the gospel, the good news of forgiveness and freedom in Jesus. Romans 8:1-4 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
The Spirit of Christ dwells in all believers. All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. We did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear (the opposite of faith). We are adopted, we are sons and daughters, and we are free!
Galatians chapter five, verses 13 & 14 says, " For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." James 2:8 says, "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well." When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment in the Law he said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. and the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." 1 Corinthians 13 gives us a great definition of love.
We are now under the law of liberty. Free to love and serve God. Free to love and serve others. Free to share the gospel. Free to be merciful (James 2:13) What an awesome God we serve! God bless y'all real good.
The law of liberty is certainly not the law of the Old Testament. Christians are not bound to the ceremonial law. Jesus fulfilled it. I believe that is made clear in the book of Galatians. (Check out the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew to see how Jesus feels about the commandments.)
"So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good." (Rom 7:12).The law could not save us because of our sinful flesh. "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." (Rom 8:8). Read Romans 7:13 through 8:17. Romans 7:14 says that the law is spiritual but we are of the flesh, sold under sin. Jesus took care of that (Rom. 8:1-4).
I believe the law of liberty is the gospel, the good news of forgiveness and freedom in Jesus. Romans 8:1-4 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
The Spirit of Christ dwells in all believers. All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. We did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear (the opposite of faith). We are adopted, we are sons and daughters, and we are free!
Galatians chapter five, verses 13 & 14 says, " For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." James 2:8 says, "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well." When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment in the Law he said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. and the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." 1 Corinthians 13 gives us a great definition of love.
We are now under the law of liberty. Free to love and serve God. Free to love and serve others. Free to share the gospel. Free to be merciful (James 2:13) What an awesome God we serve! God bless y'all real good.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Persevere! His Word Is Still Sufficient
Matthew 10:22 says, "And you will hated for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved."
Romans5:3 says, "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations knowing that tribulation produces perseverence;"
James 1:3 says, "...knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.."
To persevere is to persist in or with any undertaking, plan, or course. To persist is to continue steadfastly, to remain, to continue, to endure.
Has your faith ever been tested? Have you ever been taken to a point of choosing faith or choosing unbelief? I'm not talking about when Christ revealed Himself to you. I'm talking about an incident as a believer where you had to choose to trust God to get you through?
I've been there. During the lowest point in my life I had a decision to make. I won't go into the details but you can read about it at Witness Jesus - Testimonies which I link to from my site, look under Guidance, and read "Provided 4".
At that time I had a decision to make. I chose faith. Looking back, I see in that time of my life tremendous growth. It wasn't easy. I had questions, doubts, there was disappointment, and tears. With the help of God I remained faithful. He rewarded my perseverence. I'm still running the race! Thanks be to God!
How about you? I know many believers are suffering much more than what I went through. I encourage you to continue in the race. Keep your eyes fixed on the prize. Persevere! His Word is still sufficient. God bless y'all real good.
Romans5:3 says, "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations knowing that tribulation produces perseverence;"
James 1:3 says, "...knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.."
To persevere is to persist in or with any undertaking, plan, or course. To persist is to continue steadfastly, to remain, to continue, to endure.
Has your faith ever been tested? Have you ever been taken to a point of choosing faith or choosing unbelief? I'm not talking about when Christ revealed Himself to you. I'm talking about an incident as a believer where you had to choose to trust God to get you through?
I've been there. During the lowest point in my life I had a decision to make. I won't go into the details but you can read about it at Witness Jesus - Testimonies which I link to from my site, look under Guidance, and read "Provided 4".
At that time I had a decision to make. I chose faith. Looking back, I see in that time of my life tremendous growth. It wasn't easy. I had questions, doubts, there was disappointment, and tears. With the help of God I remained faithful. He rewarded my perseverence. I'm still running the race! Thanks be to God!
How about you? I know many believers are suffering much more than what I went through. I encourage you to continue in the race. Keep your eyes fixed on the prize. Persevere! His Word is still sufficient. God bless y'all real good.
Monday, April 21, 2008
The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like That
I had another one of "those" experiences. The one that I'm sure many of you have had. The one where you read a Bible verse for the thousandth time and something new jumps out at you, giving you a whole new look at the message.
I am referring to Matthew 13. Matthew 13 is giving us glimpses of the Kingdom of Heaven. With the exception of the first one, the parables start out with the phrase "The Kingdom of Heaven is like..." or "may be compared to". It is those words that caused me to see things differently.
The first parable is the parable of the sower. The sower sows the seeds (the word of the Kingdom, Mat. 13:19) and they fall in different places. Here are the results:
The seed on the path - not understood, the evil one snatches away what was sown.
The seed on rocky ground - received with joy, no root, tribulation and persecution
cause it to fall away.
The seed in the thorns - the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches
chokes the word and is unfruitful.
The seed on good soil - heard, understood, bears fruit.
For the longest time I thought this parable was about who is saved, who is not, and did some lose their salvation. That's not the case here at all. It's basically saying, here's why some make it into the Kingdom (the good soil) and why others don't (all others).
The seed on the good soil is understood, takes root, and not swayed by tribulation and persecution. It is not choked by the cares of the world or the deceitfulness of riches. It is fruitful.
The Kingdom of Heaven is like that.
There is definitely going to be a separation between those in the Kingdom and those that are not. The parable of the wheat and the tares and the parable of the fish in the net show this. At the end of the age the tares will be separated from the wheat and burned. The good fish will gathered and the bad fish will be thrown away. Matthew 13: 49, 50 says, "So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
The Kingdom of Heaven is like that.
The Kingdom is valuable. The parable of the treasure in the field and the parable of the pearl tell us that. It is worth selling all you have to obtain it. Remember the seeds thrown among the thorns?
The Kingdom of Heaven is like that.
The parable of the mustard seed and the leaven shows us that the Kingdom will grow into something huge. That it will infect the world.
The Kingdom of Heaven is like that.
I hope this gives you a little glimpse into what the Lord is showing me. God bless y'all real good.
I am referring to Matthew 13. Matthew 13 is giving us glimpses of the Kingdom of Heaven. With the exception of the first one, the parables start out with the phrase "The Kingdom of Heaven is like..." or "may be compared to". It is those words that caused me to see things differently.
The first parable is the parable of the sower. The sower sows the seeds (the word of the Kingdom, Mat. 13:19) and they fall in different places. Here are the results:
The seed on the path - not understood, the evil one snatches away what was sown.
The seed on rocky ground - received with joy, no root, tribulation and persecution
cause it to fall away.
The seed in the thorns - the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches
chokes the word and is unfruitful.
The seed on good soil - heard, understood, bears fruit.
For the longest time I thought this parable was about who is saved, who is not, and did some lose their salvation. That's not the case here at all. It's basically saying, here's why some make it into the Kingdom (the good soil) and why others don't (all others).
The seed on the good soil is understood, takes root, and not swayed by tribulation and persecution. It is not choked by the cares of the world or the deceitfulness of riches. It is fruitful.
The Kingdom of Heaven is like that.
There is definitely going to be a separation between those in the Kingdom and those that are not. The parable of the wheat and the tares and the parable of the fish in the net show this. At the end of the age the tares will be separated from the wheat and burned. The good fish will gathered and the bad fish will be thrown away. Matthew 13: 49, 50 says, "So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
The Kingdom of Heaven is like that.
The Kingdom is valuable. The parable of the treasure in the field and the parable of the pearl tell us that. It is worth selling all you have to obtain it. Remember the seeds thrown among the thorns?
The Kingdom of Heaven is like that.
The parable of the mustard seed and the leaven shows us that the Kingdom will grow into something huge. That it will infect the world.
The Kingdom of Heaven is like that.
I hope this gives you a little glimpse into what the Lord is showing me. God bless y'all real good.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
An Article By John Armstrong
I read the following article by John Armstrong at theresurgence.com
I found it to be thought provoking. What do you think? God bless y'all real good.
Keeping Christ Primary: Still the Church's Greatest Task. Author: John Armstrong DATE: 2007 POSTED ON: 03.20.08
"Primary: earliest, original, of the first rank, of first importance, chief." So reads the entry in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (1976).
What, I ask you, is the church's primary task? Not what are the many good things the church should be doing, since there are a number of good answers to this question. But rather, what is really of first importance in the life of the church? How should leaders in your church think about doing the primary thing, that which is truly of first importance?
Spiritual Amnesia
It seems to me history reveals that the church of Jesus Christ is always in danger of spiritual amnesia. This danger seems even more evident to me now than it has been in many, many years. Today we argue about all kinds of church-related issues and needs. We even occasionally speak about revival and renewal. And we promote numerous causes-social, spiritual and political-but rarely do we address the need to restore the primary thing-the proclamation and place of Jesus Christ as Lord. Simply put, we don't see Christ as the end for which the Church exists in the world. He is, if we are concerned with him at all, seen by us as a means to an end but almost never as the end itself.
Listen to our conversations. Read our literature. Pay attention to our sermons and our popular speakers. Ask yourself: "Where is Christ in these orations and equations?" What really fires our imagination, moves our will, and strengthens our resolve? It doesn't seem to be Christ, not if our words and actions are a true barometer.
Recent years have witnessed a great deal of conversation about dysfunctional families in America. We even have Dr. Phil to remind us of this problem on a daily basis. There can be no doubt-the evidence abounds, no matter the angle from which you consider it-the problems of everyday life are deeply and systemically rooted in the life and structure of the family itself. Numerous case studies have clearly revealed that human life is best nurtured within the family. In fact, when family structure breaks down the results within the larger culture are clearly connected; social breakdown and rampant personal dysfunction happen everywhere. The connection that I am seeking to make here should be self-evident. But I use the family dysfunction category for a different context, namely the church family. I am suggesting that there should be no doubt that our most basic problems in the Christian life begin within God's family; i.e., inside the church.
The Need for Healthy Churches
Over the course of the last fifteen years, I have written a great deal about the need for healthier churches and stronger Christian leaders. I even wrote an entire book on the moral breakdown of ministers. I am called to invest my life in the kinds of people and issues that touch the health of the church. I have suggested for fifteen years, in public and private, that very few local churches in North America can be honestly described as robust and healthy. No one seems to take serious issue with my conclusion. I have come to think the reason is fairly obvious-we instinctively know that our congregations are not healthy.
My question then is really very simple: "If this observation is true, that our churches are not spiritually robust and healthy, then why aren't we deeply concerned about the renewing of our dysfunctional congregations?" And if we are concerned, what should be primary in our effort for restoring the church's health?
Plainly the most dysfunctional of all churches, at least on the pages of the New Testament, had to be the church in Corinth. From reading the Pauline letters to Corinth we discover that there were at least four different rival camps within this one church. Members lied to each other, cheated and stole from one another, and even took their fellow members to court to settle personal differences. Furthermore, these members engaged in the most ignominious sexual behavior within the life of the congregation. To top it off they routinely got drunk at their regular celebrations of the Lord's Supper. The apostle informs us that God's judgment against them resulted in some pretty direct discipline.
So then whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment (1 Corinthians 11:27-31).
Most of the church growth experts that I know would have written this congregation off as a bad church plant and simply moved on, counting their losses and planting a new and more exciting local church with a bright young entrepreneurial pastor. I can hear such experts saying: "This church doesn't deserve our support. It can only drain our energies and resources. Move on. Start fresh. Let this one die. New churches, with vision and hope, are always to be preferred to old ones with their huge problems and serious breakdown." To quote the old gambler, "You've got to know when to hold 'em and you've got to know when to fold 'em."
Thankfully Paul didn't follow this kind of worldly advice. Around A.D. 55 he began to write a letter to this flock. Eventually there were several epistles sent to the church in Corinth, perhaps four in all, though only two are included in the canon of the New Testament. These letters urged the Christians at Corinth to cut out the nonsense and to correct their problems by properly understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ. A careful reading of the first letter demonstrates a number of specific pastoral steps that should be followed to resolve specific problems in the Corinthian church, problems that were both ethical and doctrinal.
Near the very beginning of Paul's first letter we get an important insight into the primary thing needed to bring health back to this church. This insight had clearly been missed in the Corinthian context. I want to suggest that it is too easily passed over, or simply assumed, in the modern church context. Paul wrote:
And I, when I came to you, brothers and sisters, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Put simply, Paul says that a healthy, balanced and prospering church is not a church focused upon size, budget or program. Church health is not about unique sectarian systems of doctrine, or the promotion of special interest groups that defend the right issues. Furthermore, a healthy church does not make human wisdom, or even pulpit eloquence, the centerpiece of its ministry. The church is at its best, and thus is the healthiest, when it keeps "the main thing" the main thing, that is when it makes Christ primary.
Most New Testament scholars agree that Paul was an intellectual giant. He was bi-lingual, if not tri-lingual. He had the equivalent education of a PhD in religion and philosophy. He understood the major issues of his day and he could debate with the best Jewish and Greek minds. But it seems this brilliant man decided, as an act of sheer faithfulness to God, to keep that which is of first importance primary.
This observation doesn't mean that Paul was an anti-intellectual. He did not head up the ancient "Know Nothing Party." Ignorance is never the mother of true piety. A careful study of Paul's sermons and letters will demonstrate his amazing literary and intellectual powers. These were all used to great advantage, as his letters show.
What Truly Makes a Church Healthy?
What Paul is saying is actually quite plain-a healthy church is not established on human talent, conventional wisdom, or sociological/market-oriented insights. Why? Because "[T]he foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (1 Corinthians 1:25). "For," Paul adds, "what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake" (2 Corinthians 4:5).
What Paul is teaching is patently obvious-the healthiest congregation, at its very best, must revolve around the primacy of the person of Jesus Christ. And we do not proclaim our theology, though inevitably we must have one that helps to produce health. We surely do not embrace and promote a philosophy, though we must think deeply about the ultimate issues posed by various philosophical questions. And we should not make liturgy, institutional well-being, numerical growth, or denominational and special interests our raison d'être. What we are called to do, if the church is to be truly healthy, is simple really.
We must unapologetically make Jesus Christ the centerpiece of everything we preach, everything we pray, and everything we seek to do in this world.
No other reading of the words of the apostle "For I decided to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2) make any sense at all if we miss this point. Everything else, important as it may be, is secondary. This must be primary.
Martin Luther understood this text to be the very center of all true theology and faithful Bible reading. He wrote, "There is not a word in the Bible which is extra crucem, which can be understood without reference to the cross." And the great English theologian P.T. Forsyth put the same truth this way: "You do not understand Christ until you understand his cross."
If my reading of Paul is faithful, and it seems self-evident that it is, then a church does not revolve around a pastor, as important as this office and ministry is for a healthy church. There are two extremes to be avoided by this observation. First, a healthy church will almost always have a healthy pastor, or several healthy pastors. But this is not the primary thing to focus the church's ministry upon. Second, the elders and/or deacons (or church councils) are not the central thing in the life of your church either. It is important that you have godly and faithful leaders. Don't misunderstand me. But some seem to think that if you get the right leaders and the right system of leadership in place you will have health, ipso facto. (I have seen this emphasis fail time and time again over the past thirty-five years of ministry.) But if the proper emphasis is not on our leaders, then it is not on us as the congregation either. We are not the center of attention, as shocking as that sounds to modern Christian ears. To understand this point about what is truly primary would, I am convinced, lead to the true health of many Christians and thousands of local congregations. Read these words slowly and carefully:
The church is not about you, it is about him! Christ is Lord and you are not!
Your strengths, your weaknesses, your opinions, your gifts, and your personal experiences are not what the church is about. End of argument. Case closed.
The ancient Jews thought that the idea of a Messiah, crucified on a cross, was totally obnoxious, patently ridiculous. The Greeks thought this business of the cross was foolishness. They held this idea in utter contempt. Paul ignored the entire spectrum of this kind of response and tells us, simply, that he preached Christ crucified, "whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness" (1 Corinthians 1:30). Why?
Because Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead!
This fact established Paul's entire mission. John Calvin was right when he said, "The resurrection of Christ is the commencement of his reign" and added, "It is the most important article of our faith." Christ risen from the dead meant that Christ was Lord over all. J. I. Packer has this right and thus concludes: "The victim of Calvary . . . is loose and at large." Christ alone has authority to forgive sins. Christ alone is the fact of all facts, the truth of all truths. Christ alone and Christ above all else. That is Paul's point. He desired to decrease in order that Christ might increase as Lord. He must be primary!
Finally, Paul plainly understood what we have so easily forgotten. The church is the only organization, in reality the only organism, ordained by God to make Christ known to the world. The Bush administration doesn't have this mandate. Your place of employment doesn't have this mandate, even if it is a Christian institution. The school system doesn't have this commission, public or Christian. Only the church, expressed in various and diverse local settings, has this commission from God to preach this message, to live out this story, and to make followers of the resurrected Messiah.
But preaching Christ as primary is much more than proclaiming good expositions from the Bible each Sunday. If this was all Paul desired he could have made this point and closed shop. But he spent chapter after chapter making a far more important point in 1 Corinthians. We simply cannot preach Christ as primary and be done with it. No, we must live what we proclaim and we must work it out within our family (the church) or we will become a dysfunctional family. We are to do this work, which is called by Paul "work[ing] out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). We do not do the work to earn our salvation but we dare not profess God's salvation without doing this work. This means that we must be reconciled one to another. It means we must actively pursue the healing of our churches. And beyond all else it means that we must make Christ the primary goal of all we undertake. Health is not an option if w e would be faithful to the call of Christ to make him primary. We must address our dysfunction with the only cure that still works.
If most of our churches are not healthy, and again I think most of us would admit this to be true, then we must do everything that we can to restore them to this biblical pattern of "Christ alone." This pattern begins with making Christ the primary issue, not with us or with our building of sandcastles on the beach. A. W. Tozer was right when he said, "The cross of Christ is the most revolutionary thing ever to appear among men."
A Prayer to Keep Christ Central
"God make me an instrument of your peace. Let me sow love and allow me to be part of the healing of the church, not of its further division and dysfunction. Help me to keep the primary issue central-the supremacy of Christ and him crucified. Please do this Father, for the glory of Christ, Amen."
I found it to be thought provoking. What do you think? God bless y'all real good.
Keeping Christ Primary: Still the Church's Greatest Task. Author: John Armstrong DATE: 2007 POSTED ON: 03.20.08
"Primary: earliest, original, of the first rank, of first importance, chief." So reads the entry in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (1976).
What, I ask you, is the church's primary task? Not what are the many good things the church should be doing, since there are a number of good answers to this question. But rather, what is really of first importance in the life of the church? How should leaders in your church think about doing the primary thing, that which is truly of first importance?
Spiritual Amnesia
It seems to me history reveals that the church of Jesus Christ is always in danger of spiritual amnesia. This danger seems even more evident to me now than it has been in many, many years. Today we argue about all kinds of church-related issues and needs. We even occasionally speak about revival and renewal. And we promote numerous causes-social, spiritual and political-but rarely do we address the need to restore the primary thing-the proclamation and place of Jesus Christ as Lord. Simply put, we don't see Christ as the end for which the Church exists in the world. He is, if we are concerned with him at all, seen by us as a means to an end but almost never as the end itself.
Listen to our conversations. Read our literature. Pay attention to our sermons and our popular speakers. Ask yourself: "Where is Christ in these orations and equations?" What really fires our imagination, moves our will, and strengthens our resolve? It doesn't seem to be Christ, not if our words and actions are a true barometer.
Recent years have witnessed a great deal of conversation about dysfunctional families in America. We even have Dr. Phil to remind us of this problem on a daily basis. There can be no doubt-the evidence abounds, no matter the angle from which you consider it-the problems of everyday life are deeply and systemically rooted in the life and structure of the family itself. Numerous case studies have clearly revealed that human life is best nurtured within the family. In fact, when family structure breaks down the results within the larger culture are clearly connected; social breakdown and rampant personal dysfunction happen everywhere. The connection that I am seeking to make here should be self-evident. But I use the family dysfunction category for a different context, namely the church family. I am suggesting that there should be no doubt that our most basic problems in the Christian life begin within God's family; i.e., inside the church.
The Need for Healthy Churches
Over the course of the last fifteen years, I have written a great deal about the need for healthier churches and stronger Christian leaders. I even wrote an entire book on the moral breakdown of ministers. I am called to invest my life in the kinds of people and issues that touch the health of the church. I have suggested for fifteen years, in public and private, that very few local churches in North America can be honestly described as robust and healthy. No one seems to take serious issue with my conclusion. I have come to think the reason is fairly obvious-we instinctively know that our congregations are not healthy.
My question then is really very simple: "If this observation is true, that our churches are not spiritually robust and healthy, then why aren't we deeply concerned about the renewing of our dysfunctional congregations?" And if we are concerned, what should be primary in our effort for restoring the church's health?
Plainly the most dysfunctional of all churches, at least on the pages of the New Testament, had to be the church in Corinth. From reading the Pauline letters to Corinth we discover that there were at least four different rival camps within this one church. Members lied to each other, cheated and stole from one another, and even took their fellow members to court to settle personal differences. Furthermore, these members engaged in the most ignominious sexual behavior within the life of the congregation. To top it off they routinely got drunk at their regular celebrations of the Lord's Supper. The apostle informs us that God's judgment against them resulted in some pretty direct discipline.
So then whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment (1 Corinthians 11:27-31).
Most of the church growth experts that I know would have written this congregation off as a bad church plant and simply moved on, counting their losses and planting a new and more exciting local church with a bright young entrepreneurial pastor. I can hear such experts saying: "This church doesn't deserve our support. It can only drain our energies and resources. Move on. Start fresh. Let this one die. New churches, with vision and hope, are always to be preferred to old ones with their huge problems and serious breakdown." To quote the old gambler, "You've got to know when to hold 'em and you've got to know when to fold 'em."
Thankfully Paul didn't follow this kind of worldly advice. Around A.D. 55 he began to write a letter to this flock. Eventually there were several epistles sent to the church in Corinth, perhaps four in all, though only two are included in the canon of the New Testament. These letters urged the Christians at Corinth to cut out the nonsense and to correct their problems by properly understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ. A careful reading of the first letter demonstrates a number of specific pastoral steps that should be followed to resolve specific problems in the Corinthian church, problems that were both ethical and doctrinal.
Near the very beginning of Paul's first letter we get an important insight into the primary thing needed to bring health back to this church. This insight had clearly been missed in the Corinthian context. I want to suggest that it is too easily passed over, or simply assumed, in the modern church context. Paul wrote:
And I, when I came to you, brothers and sisters, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Put simply, Paul says that a healthy, balanced and prospering church is not a church focused upon size, budget or program. Church health is not about unique sectarian systems of doctrine, or the promotion of special interest groups that defend the right issues. Furthermore, a healthy church does not make human wisdom, or even pulpit eloquence, the centerpiece of its ministry. The church is at its best, and thus is the healthiest, when it keeps "the main thing" the main thing, that is when it makes Christ primary.
Most New Testament scholars agree that Paul was an intellectual giant. He was bi-lingual, if not tri-lingual. He had the equivalent education of a PhD in religion and philosophy. He understood the major issues of his day and he could debate with the best Jewish and Greek minds. But it seems this brilliant man decided, as an act of sheer faithfulness to God, to keep that which is of first importance primary.
This observation doesn't mean that Paul was an anti-intellectual. He did not head up the ancient "Know Nothing Party." Ignorance is never the mother of true piety. A careful study of Paul's sermons and letters will demonstrate his amazing literary and intellectual powers. These were all used to great advantage, as his letters show.
What Truly Makes a Church Healthy?
What Paul is saying is actually quite plain-a healthy church is not established on human talent, conventional wisdom, or sociological/market-oriented insights. Why? Because "[T]he foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (1 Corinthians 1:25). "For," Paul adds, "what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake" (2 Corinthians 4:5).
What Paul is teaching is patently obvious-the healthiest congregation, at its very best, must revolve around the primacy of the person of Jesus Christ. And we do not proclaim our theology, though inevitably we must have one that helps to produce health. We surely do not embrace and promote a philosophy, though we must think deeply about the ultimate issues posed by various philosophical questions. And we should not make liturgy, institutional well-being, numerical growth, or denominational and special interests our raison d'être. What we are called to do, if the church is to be truly healthy, is simple really.
We must unapologetically make Jesus Christ the centerpiece of everything we preach, everything we pray, and everything we seek to do in this world.
No other reading of the words of the apostle "For I decided to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2) make any sense at all if we miss this point. Everything else, important as it may be, is secondary. This must be primary.
Martin Luther understood this text to be the very center of all true theology and faithful Bible reading. He wrote, "There is not a word in the Bible which is extra crucem, which can be understood without reference to the cross." And the great English theologian P.T. Forsyth put the same truth this way: "You do not understand Christ until you understand his cross."
If my reading of Paul is faithful, and it seems self-evident that it is, then a church does not revolve around a pastor, as important as this office and ministry is for a healthy church. There are two extremes to be avoided by this observation. First, a healthy church will almost always have a healthy pastor, or several healthy pastors. But this is not the primary thing to focus the church's ministry upon. Second, the elders and/or deacons (or church councils) are not the central thing in the life of your church either. It is important that you have godly and faithful leaders. Don't misunderstand me. But some seem to think that if you get the right leaders and the right system of leadership in place you will have health, ipso facto. (I have seen this emphasis fail time and time again over the past thirty-five years of ministry.) But if the proper emphasis is not on our leaders, then it is not on us as the congregation either. We are not the center of attention, as shocking as that sounds to modern Christian ears. To understand this point about what is truly primary would, I am convinced, lead to the true health of many Christians and thousands of local congregations. Read these words slowly and carefully:
The church is not about you, it is about him! Christ is Lord and you are not!
Your strengths, your weaknesses, your opinions, your gifts, and your personal experiences are not what the church is about. End of argument. Case closed.
The ancient Jews thought that the idea of a Messiah, crucified on a cross, was totally obnoxious, patently ridiculous. The Greeks thought this business of the cross was foolishness. They held this idea in utter contempt. Paul ignored the entire spectrum of this kind of response and tells us, simply, that he preached Christ crucified, "whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness" (1 Corinthians 1:30). Why?
Because Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead!
This fact established Paul's entire mission. John Calvin was right when he said, "The resurrection of Christ is the commencement of his reign" and added, "It is the most important article of our faith." Christ risen from the dead meant that Christ was Lord over all. J. I. Packer has this right and thus concludes: "The victim of Calvary . . . is loose and at large." Christ alone has authority to forgive sins. Christ alone is the fact of all facts, the truth of all truths. Christ alone and Christ above all else. That is Paul's point. He desired to decrease in order that Christ might increase as Lord. He must be primary!
Finally, Paul plainly understood what we have so easily forgotten. The church is the only organization, in reality the only organism, ordained by God to make Christ known to the world. The Bush administration doesn't have this mandate. Your place of employment doesn't have this mandate, even if it is a Christian institution. The school system doesn't have this commission, public or Christian. Only the church, expressed in various and diverse local settings, has this commission from God to preach this message, to live out this story, and to make followers of the resurrected Messiah.
But preaching Christ as primary is much more than proclaiming good expositions from the Bible each Sunday. If this was all Paul desired he could have made this point and closed shop. But he spent chapter after chapter making a far more important point in 1 Corinthians. We simply cannot preach Christ as primary and be done with it. No, we must live what we proclaim and we must work it out within our family (the church) or we will become a dysfunctional family. We are to do this work, which is called by Paul "work[ing] out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). We do not do the work to earn our salvation but we dare not profess God's salvation without doing this work. This means that we must be reconciled one to another. It means we must actively pursue the healing of our churches. And beyond all else it means that we must make Christ the primary goal of all we undertake. Health is not an option if w e would be faithful to the call of Christ to make him primary. We must address our dysfunction with the only cure that still works.
If most of our churches are not healthy, and again I think most of us would admit this to be true, then we must do everything that we can to restore them to this biblical pattern of "Christ alone." This pattern begins with making Christ the primary issue, not with us or with our building of sandcastles on the beach. A. W. Tozer was right when he said, "The cross of Christ is the most revolutionary thing ever to appear among men."
A Prayer to Keep Christ Central
"God make me an instrument of your peace. Let me sow love and allow me to be part of the healing of the church, not of its further division and dysfunction. Help me to keep the primary issue central-the supremacy of Christ and him crucified. Please do this Father, for the glory of Christ, Amen."
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
O Wretched Man That I......Was?
"The Lord blessed me down to my SHOES!!!!" That is a quote from Pastor Bob while delivering a sermon one Sunday many years ago. I will never forget that line.
First off, there's a lot going on in my life spiritually. I am forever being blessed by the Wednesday night group and Bible and Bagel Fellowship on Sunday morning. Since November I have been meeting with friends for a Sunday afternoon fellowship. It started out as believers gathering together to blanket a sister in prayer. It has developed into a wonderful fellowship where we gather much like the early church may have.
Hebrews 10: 19-24 says, "Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is His flesh, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds."
Jesus is not only the great high priest, He is the perfect sacrifice. His blood accomplished what the blood of goats and bulls could not. There is no longer a veil between us and God. The price was high. Our salvation didn't come cheap. Don't minimize His work with a timid faith or living in your "unworthiness". Yes, we were not worthy. That's why He did it! Oh wretched man that I.... was! Thanks be to God! Thank you Jesus!
Now we can CONFIDENTLY enter the holy place! We can draw near IN FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH! Our hearts have been SPRINKLED CLEAN from an evil conscience! Our bodies have been WASHED CLEAN with pure water. Let us hold fast our hope WITHOUT WAVERING.....FOR HE WHO PROMISED IS FAITHFUL! HE promised! HE is faithful!!
What better way to stimulate one another to love and good deeds than by reminding each other of these truths. I was reminded of these truths this past Sunday. The Lord truly blessed me down to my shoes! I pray that this happens for you each time you gather with other believers. God bless y'all real good.
First off, there's a lot going on in my life spiritually. I am forever being blessed by the Wednesday night group and Bible and Bagel Fellowship on Sunday morning. Since November I have been meeting with friends for a Sunday afternoon fellowship. It started out as believers gathering together to blanket a sister in prayer. It has developed into a wonderful fellowship where we gather much like the early church may have.
Hebrews 10: 19-24 says, "Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is His flesh, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds."
Jesus is not only the great high priest, He is the perfect sacrifice. His blood accomplished what the blood of goats and bulls could not. There is no longer a veil between us and God. The price was high. Our salvation didn't come cheap. Don't minimize His work with a timid faith or living in your "unworthiness". Yes, we were not worthy. That's why He did it! Oh wretched man that I.... was! Thanks be to God! Thank you Jesus!
Now we can CONFIDENTLY enter the holy place! We can draw near IN FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH! Our hearts have been SPRINKLED CLEAN from an evil conscience! Our bodies have been WASHED CLEAN with pure water. Let us hold fast our hope WITHOUT WAVERING.....FOR HE WHO PROMISED IS FAITHFUL! HE promised! HE is faithful!!
What better way to stimulate one another to love and good deeds than by reminding each other of these truths. I was reminded of these truths this past Sunday. The Lord truly blessed me down to my shoes! I pray that this happens for you each time you gather with other believers. God bless y'all real good.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
A Confession
I have a confession. Last year I left a church because of a difference I had with the leadership. I won't go into details but the end result was that I left the congregation. After leaving, it was my hope that their ministry would fail. Their failing would somehow vindicate me. I'm talking about a congregation that my wife and some good friends still serve. How selfish is that? Every once in a while I still think it's all about me. Please forgive me.
How can we show the love of God to the world when we can't even love each other. There are some that will say to me, "I can love them but I don't have to like them."
Do I really need to address that?
1Corinthians 13: 4-8 says, "Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on it's own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."
It's okay to have disagreements. Paul was involved in a few of them. It's how we handle them that makes us different from the others. Don't think I'm saying that the church should wink at sin to maintain unity. We are to correct each other.
All that being said, we need to practice patience. 2 Peter talks about God's patience, not wanting any to perish. We see his patience with Israel. Paul tells us to be patient with the weaker brother, Rom. 15:1.
A friend of mine likes to remind me that we are a work in progress. It is God who does the work and he has to be the One to complete it. God bless y'all real good.
How can we show the love of God to the world when we can't even love each other. There are some that will say to me, "I can love them but I don't have to like them."
Do I really need to address that?
1Corinthians 13: 4-8 says, "Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on it's own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."
It's okay to have disagreements. Paul was involved in a few of them. It's how we handle them that makes us different from the others. Don't think I'm saying that the church should wink at sin to maintain unity. We are to correct each other.
All that being said, we need to practice patience. 2 Peter talks about God's patience, not wanting any to perish. We see his patience with Israel. Paul tells us to be patient with the weaker brother, Rom. 15:1.
A friend of mine likes to remind me that we are a work in progress. It is God who does the work and he has to be the One to complete it. God bless y'all real good.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Take Heart! Be Encouraged!
I really enjoy getting together with other believers. A line from the Steve Taylor song, "Jenny", says, "Those Bible belt people think living is a sin so they all start dying from the day they're born again." (Steve Taylor is a Christian so the line needs to be understood in context to the song.) The point here is that those outside the faith believe that to be true. However for me it couldn't be more false.
I've often said that I laugh more with believers than any time I used to spend with others in a drunken state. The best part about it is that now I don't wake up with a hangover! Most Christians are not stuffy ol' killjoys. Actually it's the opposite.
What I like most about meeting with other believers is the encouragement I receive when we gather together. 1 Corinthians 14:26 says, "How is it then, bretheran? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification." If I may be so bold I would like to add (not to the Scriptures) tell a joke! To edify means to instruct; to improve; to build up esp. morally and spiritually. (Cassell Compact Dictionary)
The Scriptures are not silent concerning encouragement. I Thessalonians 5:4 says, "encourage the fainthearted". In Colossians 2:2 Paul wants the church at Coloasse to be encouraged "to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul is explaining the difference between a tongue and a prophecy. He basically says a tongue is spoken to God and builds up the speaker. One who prohesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement.
We need to be encouraged. The Christian life is not a sprint, it's a marathon. I used to be a runner, running in 5K, 8K, and 10K races. Along the course people would be standing on the side of the road. Some would hand out water and others would yell out words of encouragement. I loved it. At times I found myself wanting to give up but their words kept me going.
Hebrews 12:1,2 paints a wonderful picture. It says, "Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with enurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
There are two things I want to point out from this passage. Number one is that we are surrounded by witnesses. These are the ones who have gone before us and lived the life of faith that we're living. I like to think of them as the people along the side of the race course yelling out encouragement as we run. Number two is keeping our eyes on the prize which is Jesus (Philippians 5:13,14). We cannot look to the left or right lest we get pulled off course. We focus on the finish, Jesus.
So take heart my friends, be encouraged. You can't make this journey alone. Get together with other believers and live, and laugh, a lot! God bless y'all real good.
I've often said that I laugh more with believers than any time I used to spend with others in a drunken state. The best part about it is that now I don't wake up with a hangover! Most Christians are not stuffy ol' killjoys. Actually it's the opposite.
What I like most about meeting with other believers is the encouragement I receive when we gather together. 1 Corinthians 14:26 says, "How is it then, bretheran? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification." If I may be so bold I would like to add (not to the Scriptures) tell a joke! To edify means to instruct; to improve; to build up esp. morally and spiritually. (Cassell Compact Dictionary)
The Scriptures are not silent concerning encouragement. I Thessalonians 5:4 says, "encourage the fainthearted". In Colossians 2:2 Paul wants the church at Coloasse to be encouraged "to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul is explaining the difference between a tongue and a prophecy. He basically says a tongue is spoken to God and builds up the speaker. One who prohesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement.
We need to be encouraged. The Christian life is not a sprint, it's a marathon. I used to be a runner, running in 5K, 8K, and 10K races. Along the course people would be standing on the side of the road. Some would hand out water and others would yell out words of encouragement. I loved it. At times I found myself wanting to give up but their words kept me going.
Hebrews 12:1,2 paints a wonderful picture. It says, "Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with enurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
There are two things I want to point out from this passage. Number one is that we are surrounded by witnesses. These are the ones who have gone before us and lived the life of faith that we're living. I like to think of them as the people along the side of the race course yelling out encouragement as we run. Number two is keeping our eyes on the prize which is Jesus (Philippians 5:13,14). We cannot look to the left or right lest we get pulled off course. We focus on the finish, Jesus.
So take heart my friends, be encouraged. You can't make this journey alone. Get together with other believers and live, and laugh, a lot! God bless y'all real good.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Fresh Starts
I hope this doesn't offend my former pastors. All of them (about six total over 28 years) have been a positive influence on my life.
The truth is I don't remember too many of their sermons. The best way for me to learn is through interaction usually in a Bible study or a small group setting. However, every so often a word or phrase from a sermon finds it's way into my heart and blesses me.
One Sunday after New Year's Day I heard a message on fresh starts and new beginnings. The pastor said that God is a God of fresh starts. That's all I remember of the teaching. I would like to share with you what that means to me.
Lamentations 3:22,23 says, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness."
2 Corinthians 4:16 says, "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day."
At the beginning of each new year I always think about a fresh start in my walk with the Lord. How can I know and relate to Him better? How can I improve my prayer life? Are there better ways to share Him with others? How can I better encourage others in their walk?
The best thing about starting fresh is that if I fall short or fail, He's ready to offer me another opportunity. A new chance to get up, repent if needed, and move on. God doesn't want us to fail! Let me say that again a little louder, GOD DOESN'T WANT US TO FAIL!! I am reminded of Israel and their opportunities or Peter and his.
The "fresh start" doesn't have to be yearly. It can be daily, hourly, or minute by minute. The point is that it's available.
I want to encourage you to get a fresh start. You don't have to do it alone. Get the help of a spouse, or close friend, an accountability partner. Do it with your small group or Bible study group.
God's mercies are new every morning. Have a wonderful new year. God bless y'all real good.
The truth is I don't remember too many of their sermons. The best way for me to learn is through interaction usually in a Bible study or a small group setting. However, every so often a word or phrase from a sermon finds it's way into my heart and blesses me.
One Sunday after New Year's Day I heard a message on fresh starts and new beginnings. The pastor said that God is a God of fresh starts. That's all I remember of the teaching. I would like to share with you what that means to me.
Lamentations 3:22,23 says, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness."
2 Corinthians 4:16 says, "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day."
At the beginning of each new year I always think about a fresh start in my walk with the Lord. How can I know and relate to Him better? How can I improve my prayer life? Are there better ways to share Him with others? How can I better encourage others in their walk?
The best thing about starting fresh is that if I fall short or fail, He's ready to offer me another opportunity. A new chance to get up, repent if needed, and move on. God doesn't want us to fail! Let me say that again a little louder, GOD DOESN'T WANT US TO FAIL!! I am reminded of Israel and their opportunities or Peter and his.
The "fresh start" doesn't have to be yearly. It can be daily, hourly, or minute by minute. The point is that it's available.
I want to encourage you to get a fresh start. You don't have to do it alone. Get the help of a spouse, or close friend, an accountability partner. Do it with your small group or Bible study group.
God's mercies are new every morning. Have a wonderful new year. God bless y'all real good.
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