Christ is All

Here is a classic account of of Christ delivered by S. M. Lockridge. It is 6.14 minutes long but well worth the time.

Sin removed in single day

I am alive. It has been along time since my last post. This seems to be my blogging pattern which I am ok with. A few have asked and said they missed my posts. Thank you. Back to the subject of this post.

My daily reading of the Bible has taken me to Zechariah the last few days. Actually I have scratched my reading plan for this year. I did not like it. So now for the the next time period. I am reading some of the books of the Bible that I am least familiar with. Zechariah being one of them. Zech is one of the longer minor prophets. And as you know is next to the last book in the Old Testament. Zech is a hard read for me. I am trying to spend some time understanding. Maybe just maybe I will post on my understanding in the next few days.

Now I want to focus on one verse Zech3:9. And actually it is the last part of the verse. The LORD Almighty said:

. . . and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.

This is in the context of a vision that Zechariah is shown of Joshua dressed in filthy clothes. This vision gives a prophetic discription of Jesus Christ. This verse aludes to what Jesus Christ will do.

This is amazing to me. One Day! Not that one day sin will be no more, but rather that in one day sin will be removed from the world. I think of that and cannot fathom the greatness of our King to be able to remove sin in one day. To me sin is to prevelent. No way says my mind.

We have an all powerfull King! Who one day will remove all sin from this world in one day. May that day come quickly. Jesus, restore creation.

Assimilation - Part 9 Continued - Closed Groups

In my last post on assimilation, I briefly mentioned that the basic structure of closed groups is tracks. Closed groups are to equip us to accomplish the objectives of the church. A track would be specialized in nature for a particular objective. These tracks would align with spiritual giftedness. If you have skills and talents in an area, a track would help you understand how to use those skills and talents to minister to yet-to-be Christians and/or the body of Christ.

Here are some possible tracks. Hopefully this helps in understanding what I am trying to communicate.

1. Leadership Training - intentionally organized to train people for volunteer leadership positions in overseeing open group or closed groups, corporate worship, committees (teams as we at FCC like to call them) and so forth. Larry Szyman talked about Deacons in last weekends message.
2. Evangelism Training - intentionally organized to train open group leaders and participants in evangelism and to engage in ongoing evangelistic experiences.
3. Ministry Equipping - intentionally organized for a short period of time for the purpose of training people for a specific ministry experience or assignment. Example: training adults to serve as counselors on a youth mission trip.
4. Women's and Men's training - groups intentionally organized for men/women to discover how they are uniquely called and shaped by God. Training in how to apply our uniqueness to every aspect of their lives - personal, home, church, workplace, community and the world.
5. Special Interest - groups intentionally organized on interest of people such as marriage enrichment, parenting skills or prayer.
6. Special Needs - groups intentionally organized on the basis of specific affinity and personal needs such as divorce recovery, substance abuse recovery or health.

Closed Groups would lead Christ followers in pursuing Christ's reign in all of life. As well as train Christ followers to facilitate others in pursuit of Christ reign in their life.

A Gift?????????????

You probably all have seen this.

Newly elected leader of the U.S. Episcopal Church Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said in an interview with CNN:

"I don't believe so. I believe that God creates us with different gifts. Each one of us comes into this world with a different collection of things that challenge us and things that give us joy and allow us to bless the world around us. Some people come into this world with affections ordered toward other people of the same gender and some people come into this world with affections directed at people of the other gender."

Homosexuality a "gift" from God. Romans 1:18-32 doesn't agree. I don't equate God's wrath with a gift from God.

God's Wrath Against Mankind

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts
were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18-32)

Assimilation - Part 9 Closed Groups

Making better disciples is key. By better we are looking to move people along in there sanctification. Sanctification is the process of becoming more holy. You may have heard language like becoming more like Jesus when talking of sanctification. We desire that above all. Making better disciples also means that you would be trained in disciplines of Christian living. This training would occur in close groups.

A closed group simply means the group is comprised of believers only. The focus is training. The context is discipling and the intent is to continue assimilation. A closed group is composed of believers that covenant together to meet over a short period of time for the purpose of becoming equipped to accomplish the objectives of the church.

Discipleship is a lifelong journey of obedience to Christ that transforms a person's values and behavior which results in ministry in the person's home, church and the world. It is the process of teaching new citizens in the kingdom of God to love, trust and obey God and how to win and train others to do the same.

The basic structure for closed groups will primarily include several short-term tracks (6 -13 weeks in length) and one time events for training the body of Christ. In my next post I will discuss and give more definition to the tracks.

Assimilation - Part 8 Evangelism

Yesterday, I wrote the post that would have drawn a million hits. NOT! Actually, I did compose a similar post as this one but lost it before getting it published. I will try to recreate it.

You ever done "cold turkey" evangelism. Some may no it as "door to door" or "street evangelism." Basically it is when you have a memorized presentation of the gospel that you take to some complete stranger with the hope of God using the presentation to "save" them.

I am a trained Navigator so my presentation was is the bridge illustration. I still have a bible that is marked in a way to lead me through it. Although I would be rusty, I believe I could still take you through it. Using the canned talk many times in our door to door evangelism campaign. I can share that I witnessed zero actual converts with this method. Now that is not to say that God did not use the illustration to bring that person closer to himself and eventually some of those people became Christ followers. I believer some became Christ followers later in life. Jesus the Radical Pastor has a post on his experience with "street" evangelism here.

Evangelism is always something that makes me nervous. But, I am less nervous when doing it "cold turkey." I don't know the person and may never see them again. Typically the "target" was an area of social need. I was going to spend a few minutes usually not over an hour talking with a total stranger. I was not there to listen to their story. I only wanted to present the gospel.

This "cold turkey" evangelism is not the evangelism I believe is needed for assimilation. We need to be willing to listen to the persons story first before even thinking about sharing the gospel. We need to know where they are and I am not talking spiritually. We already know they need Jesus. I need to become part of his/her community or culture. I need to enter his/her world. After understanding that then I can look to sharing the gospel. While entering his/her world, I don't become part or integrated in his/her world.

If you have not thought of it on your own at this point, let me tell you that many will accuse you of being a sinner. You may be entering places where sin is prevalent. You will be guilt by association. Some from your own local church body will make these accusations. It will happen. It has happened from the very day that Jesus proclaimed that "the kingdom of God is near." (Matthew 4:17) You know that Jesus was accused in this way. Peter also see Acts 11. Peter was accused of eating with uncircumcised men (Gentiles).

Are you willing to advance God's kingdom in all the earth for His glory? We must enter their world. We cannot expect them to come to us no matter how attractional we think we or our church is. The church must move out of the four walls of the building. All the earth includes those that are very close in distance from the building.

Church Sign

I wish I would have had a camera with me yesterday. I passed a church sign that was worthy of taking a picture of. The sign read:

Congratulations Graduates!
Miracles still do happen.

I don't think I would be edified if I was a graduate.

Another Question to ask yourself.

What would your experience of church be like:

• If you no longer had a building?
• If you could no longer meet on Sundays?
• If you had no pastor or clearly identifiable leadership team?

Question to ask yourself

How do I intend to increase a life of decisive devotion toward my Redeemer – a passion that makes a difference in what I say, how I grow and what I show?

The Last Day

The verse for the day from Biblegateway.com is Revelations 21:2-4. Are you earnestly praying and looking forward to the last day? This is a day we should look forward to and a day that we should desire to come quickly. Pray for it to come. Focus on it coming. Meditate on that day. Be driven by the last day. Be motivated by the last day.

Christ is all! He is supreme! Upon the dawn of the last day, we will more fully understand and realize his supremacy.

God may the last day come quickly.

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:2-4)

Assimilation - Part 7 Making More and Better Disciples of Jesus Christ

The motto, tag-line, goal or the calling for Faith Community Church of Hudson, WI is to Make More and Better Disciples of Jesus Christ. Yesterday, I briefly outlined four strategies that may be used in assimilation. The ultimate goal being to present Jesus Christ. The four strategies are also key and integral to "making more and better disciples." I believe that the four strategies of Corporate Worship, Open Groups, Closed Groups and Ministry Teams are further defined in the context of making, maturing and multiplying disciples.

Making disciples is were we begin. It is the first step. The open group is a foundational strategy that serves as an entry point for yet-to-be Christians. An open group is primarily an evangelistic Bible study group or event comprised of an intentional mix of both believers and unbelievers. The focus is evangelism.

An evangelistic Bible study group is a group intentionally formed around the study of God's Word. This is deferent from a group that gathers for support, fellowship, leadership training or skill development. Groups that are designed primarily for reaching lost people are open groups.

An evangelistic Bible study is not restricted to studying the first four chapters of John (can you tell I have Navigator training?) although it may. How I view an evangelistic Bible study is regardless of the group topic whether it be nutrition, weight loss, divorce recovery, stress management, parenting, or other life issues they are discussed in the context of the Bible and the supremacy of Christ. The intention is to share Christ.

It might be helpful to think of open groups being of two kinds. I don't have specific names for these two kinds. So, I will use examples. The first would be along our current Alpha program. Alpha is specific to challenge people about who God is and to investigate and have their questions answered about Jesus. The second type would address life issues common to individuals, families and community.

The hope is that open groups engage people in the biblical model of instruction that begins to lead people toward spiritual tranformation. This is the first step, but is only the starting line. People must be encouraged to continue their journey in a closed group experience.

Assimilation - Part 6 Strategies

I am going to briefly cover four strategies to use in assimilation. These strategies where developed in the book "Kingdom Principles for Church Growth." In subsequent posts I will discuss at least three of them in greater depth.

The first is corporate Worship. Corporate worship exists for believers to celebrate God's grace and mercy, to proclaim God's truth and to evangelize the lost in a atmosphere of encountering the presence, holiness and revelation of Almighty God.

The second strategy is Open Groups. Open groups lead people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. These groups are avenues of reaching into the community to minister to the communities need. This strategy is built around building relationships and encouraging yet-to-be Christians. These groups combine believers with yet-to-be believers in an atmosphere of compassion with the intention to share the gospel. These groups are open to anyone.

The next strategy is Closed Groups. Closed groups build kingdom leaders and equip believers to serve by engaging people in discipleship that moves them toward spiritual transformation through short-term, self-contained training units in an atmosphere of accountability to God and to each other. A closed group is primarily an equipping group for believers. The focus is on training in the context of discipleship.

An lastly, a Ministry Team strategy. Ministry teams exist to build up the body of Christ to accomplish the work of service within the church and to be involved in missions outside the church through new or existing kingdom units in an atmosphere of prayer and urgency for people in need of God's love.

Assimilation - Part 5 When does Assimilation Begin?

Most of us (which included me) think assimilation begins once a person visits our church. We think of assimilation as newcomer follow-up. I am coming to understand that this is a limited definition of assimilation. In actuality assimilation starts before a person attends church for the first time. Assimilation needs to be intricately linked to evangelism.

If churches are to do effective assimilation it is imperative that there be ministry activity happening in the community. Examples of this would be if someone moves into your neighborhood. You reach out a helping hand to complete the move. Or it may be a community need like handyman work that is done by a group of servants that view this as a ministry to the community. Rather than concentrating too much on follow-up, we need to initiate contact. By initiating we intentionally develop ministries in the community that begin the process of connecting people to the church and to Christ.

The longer one is a Christian the fewer yet-to-be Christian friends on tends to have. This is sad but generally very true. Christians like to hang out with Christians. When this happens the necessary relationships with yet-to-be Christians that need to be in place in order to do effective assimilation is not nurtured. We must intentionally develop ministries that are focused out into the community to build relationship with yet-to-be Christians.

In intentionally developing ministries, we are being programmatic and organizational. What we desire to happen is that individuals begin to develop a mentality to cultivate relationships with yet-to-be Christians. This will move the process from being a program to being personal and a natural process for us. It becomes a learned way of living.

When assimilation is organic, people will naturally share Christ at a personal level. They will not have to wait on the church to mobilize them to practice evangelism or be told to make sure they invite their friends to the latest "seeker sensitive" worship service.

This should be our goal is to develop a consciousness within Christians to minister naturally instead of programmatically.

What ministries do we at FCC have that are based in the community? What are some possible ministries that could be developed?

Assimilation - Part 4 continued.

I read an article yesterday after writing my post that goes right along with the "us vs them" mentality that I spoke to. You can view the article here. Below are the first two and the last paragraph of the article from Outreach Magazine.

In April 2003, National Public Radio aired a news story about a standoff between an angry mob of Iraqi Shiites and a heavily armored patrol from the American 101st Airborne Division. Fearing that the soldiers were about to desecrate their holy shrine, hundreds of unarmed civilians pressed in toward the soldiers, waving their hands and shouting defiantly. Although the patrol's intentions were peaceful, the standoff would most likely have ended in tragedy—had it not been for the quick thinking of U.S. Lt. Col. Christopher Hughes.

The commanding officer that day, Hughes picked up a loudspeaker and barked three simple commands to his group. First, he told them to take a knee; second, to point their weapons toward the ground; and finally, to look up and give everyone in the hostile crowd a friendly smile. Within moments of obeying his orders, NPR reported, the troops saw the crowd's demeanor transform. Hostility and defiance melted away, as smiles and friendly pats on the back replaced shaking fists and screaming voices.

Lt. Col. Hughes saved the day as he acted in wisdom toward the Iraqis. I pray that the Church will follow his example. Let's take a knee (a position of humility, whereby we come as listeners and wonderers—not know-it-alls). Let's point our guns to the ground (backing away from the confrontational attempts to overpower people with our dogmatic certainty). And let's look up and smile (communicate that we're warm, friendly people who come to build bridges of care).

Assimilation - Part 4 "Us vs Them"

In this world (at least my world), we tend to view peoples as either Christian or non-Christian. By doing this are we setting up a "class system?" Ever heard someone say "I can't do that with Joe he is not a Christian." Not only have I heard that I have said it. We Christians have our things that we can only do with other Christians.

Or, if we are going to allow (invite) the non-Christian to attend then we got to make it "seeker sensitive." We change our language that is no Christian jargon. We sugar-coat our questions to them.

A tangible example of this is T-shirts that are worn by Christians as a "witness." We are saying I got it and you don't.

You may have noticed in some of my last posts that I have begun to use "yet-to-be Christian" when referring to non-Christians. Now you might be thinking "Bill, you are just playing with words." And yes I am. But, I think this play on words can help us not view people as either Christian or in another class. We need to intentionally develop a view of people that includes them totally (regardless of any characteristic or trait) as people who need grace and mercy just as we once and still do.

We also need a mindset of going to there "place." We tend to try to attract the yet-to-be Christian to our safe place (church building). Think about this hypothetical possibility. Across the street from your church building every Sunday morning a group of people (age 0 to 99) gather to race remote control cars. It is a remote control car club. Some people from our church begin to recognize that they are there every Sunday morning. The wheels get to turning and ah ha the car club becomes a target group for the church. Plans begin to form. We will reach out to them with a special event geared toward them. (Note: even as I am typing this post, I am using puns that would relate to the car club.) We might do something like this. We identify Jim Blow a Christian who attends our church and owns a hobby shop as a person who would be able to relate to the club. Jim Blow will be our speaker. Let's create a nice brochure that we can put under there windshield wipers on Sunday while they are doing their club thing. On and on we plan. Should work right! Can you identify with doing something like this?

What we need to do is go to there place. What about this approach? It starts the same as we notice the yet-to-be Christians and then decide to target the car club. Rather this time the church commissions a few of it members to join the car club. The church buys the remote control cars for these commissioned people from Jim Blow's hobby shop. They begin to befriend the car club members every Sunday morning. Slowly getting to know them and slowly earning their trust with the intention of sharing Christ with them. Actually all along sharing Christ with them with the intention of one day having them make a decision about Christ.

Referring to a previous post where I identified 5 people groups that we want to assimilate. Can you think of ideas for each of these groups of how we might go to their place?

Does anyone have a suggestion for another word we might use instead of assimilation? My current working definition of assimilation is the process of intentionally bringing, including, integrating people into the life of the local church with the goal of equipping and releasing them to serve and advance the kingdom of God. What would you suggest as a few words to define this process of assimilation? Think of it in these terms rather that Assimilation Ministry, What would you call it?

Christ is All!

I more and more understanding that Christ is all. In addition to reading a book which is titled "Christ is All" by David Bryant, I came across this paragraph in reading "The Shape of Things To Come" by Michael Frost & Alan Hirsch.

Chistianity is not a doctrine but a person to whom I entrust myself without reserve. If Christianity were merely a codtrine, its leader would be just as superfluous as the teachers of any other sort of religious or philosophical sytem. The focus would be on the truth claims, which are learned and then appropriated independently of the instructor. Since, however, Christianity is not simpley a set of beliefs but is inseperably connected to the person of the Messiah, it stands or falls with him. Christianity's principles, moreover, can never be understood independently of the person of Christ. Consequently, to understand Christ's words "by themselves" - that is, as doctrine - is to discount the element from which they receive their basic meaning, the divinity of their speaker. For the true believer, it is blasphemy to say that Christ's words are merely wise or profound, for that puts them on par with human philosophies and takes away the transcendence of him who proclaimed them. Our histories was well as our destinies are caught up inextricably with the person of Jesus the Messiah. We are embroiled in messianic destiny.

I increasingly find statements like this liberating. This is true freedom. I pursue Christ not a list of doctrine. I desire doctrine as a result of Jesus Christ the Messiah. Only by and through him is doctrine defined. Christ is truly all!

Assimilation - Part 3

Today I will seek to give definition to the different people groups that we should be trying to assimilate into the church (body of believers). Please note that the people groups I am about to define in general is not characterized by Christ followers or yet-to be Christ followers. As I believe all groups may and probably do contain both.

I have come up with 5 people groups that either will visit a church or the church would like to reach out to and bring to the church.

1. Visiting as a result of being in the area.
   These people truly are visitor. They may sporadically repeat their visit to the church, but are not looking to be “assimilated.”
   a. They are visiting relatives or friends
   b. They are on a vacation or a business trip
2. Visiting as in searching for a new church home.
   a. They are new to the area.
   b. Their current church is not meeting their needs.
3. Visiting to investigate Christ.
   a. They are invited by a current attendee of the church.
   b. They have a crisis in life.
   c. They have no crisis but feel something missing in their life. What is my purpose?
4. Attendees of the Church.
   a. They are attending worship services, but not involved or feel connected.
   b. They do not see themselves as a vital part of the body of Christ.
5. Those that do not attend a Church.
   a. They may be opposed to the church for various reasons.
   b. They may have never been exposed to the church.

Assimilation - Part 2

Today I am going to give several definitions of "assimilation" as related to the church specifically. These definitions come from some of the materials I have read recently.

Assimilation is the task of moving people from an awareness of your church to attendance at your church to active membership in your church. - Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church

Assimilation is the process by which we welcome, receive, and incorporate individuals (families) into our community of believers.

Assimilation has three components: absorption, integration, and incorporation. Assimilation as absorption is to bring into the tradition of a group. Assimilation as integration is to coordinate or blend into a unified whole. Assimilation as incorporation is to unite into one body. - Robert Bast, Attracting New Members

Assimilation is the process of intentionally bringing, including, integrating people into the life of the local church with the goal of equipping and releasing them to serve both the local church and the kingdom of God. - Owen Facey, A Guide To Assimilation In The Local Church

Ron Jenson and Jim Stevens refer to assimilation as absorption. They define absorption as the process by which people are taken into the life of the church and by which a strong sense of identity and belonging develops. - Dynamics of Church Growth

There are many definitions and each is different. Yet they are all true. Each contains aspects that we would all agree are assimilation. Some of us probably look at these definition and resonate with them at many levels as I do.

The one I resonate with most is Owen Facey's. I particularly like the idea of "intentionally bringing." The other definitions seem to imply that the people come on their own or are attracted to the church. We as a church can believe if only we can find the right program, topic, buzz word or speaker etc. That not-yet-Christians will come to us. When I read Facey's definition I get the sense of going to the not-yet-Christian and "bringing" them. Look for more on this in a later post on assimilation.

Which definition do you resonate with, or do you have another definition?

Next post, I will try to identify the people groups we are assimilating.

Assimilation

As a result of the Fire & Reign Bible study (a sermon series and personal/group Bible Study by Jerry Sheveland), I came out of it with two action items (i.e. applications) for my life. I am going to post a series of thoughts about one of the applications. The application is seeking to do a better job of assimilation at FCC. Today I want to start by looking at the definition (dictionary.com).

Assimilation

1. The act or process of assimilating.
   The state of being assimilated.
2. Physiology. The conversion of nutriments into living tissue; constructive metabolism.
3. Linguistics. The process by which a sound is modified so that it becomes similar or identical to an adjacent or nearby sound. For example, the prefix in- becomes im- in impossible by assimilation to the labial p of possible.
4. The process whereby a minority group gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture.

Don't you just love it when they use a form of the word to define the word. So, lets try assimilate.

1. Physiology.
   To consume and incorporate (nutrients) into the body after digestion.
   To transform (food) into living tissue by the process of anabolism; metabolize constructively.
2. To incorporate and absorb into the mind: assimilate knowledge.
3. To make similar; cause to resemble.
4. Linguistics. To alter (a sound) by assimilation.
5. To absorb (immigrants or a culturally distinct group) into the prevailing culture.

Out of those five definitions for assimilate, I believe two are applicable to some degree of what assimilation is or should be about in a body of believers (church). The two are numbers 3 and 5.

To assimilate an individual into the church based on these definition must relate to making similar or cause to resemble and to absorb into the prevailing culture. However, I am not sure that "prevailing" is the correct word. As prevailing gives the sense of most frequent or predominant.

Next post, I will look at a more refined definition specifically related to the church.

If you want to know my second application, ask me about it.

Am I "Forcefully" laying hold of the Kingdom?

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. (Matthew 11:12)

I read this verse this past weekend and was challenged by it. I looked up the word forcefully in the dictionary. The definition I found is: characterized by or full of force; effective. Other translations use the words suffered violence or has been coming violently (ESV and KJ).

God's kingdom is advancing from the days of John the Baptist through Jesus Christ and then by the Holy Spirit through men like the apostles and then many other men through out history. And has continued to advance to this present day. The kingdom will continue to advance and will one day be fully established by the return of Jesus Christ. I pray for that day to come quickly. And as I wait for that day, I must allow the Holy Spirit to work through me to effectively advance the kingdom day by day. These advancements which we are mercifully allowed to participate in are a foretaste of that final day.

I desire to be a forceful man who will be used by God to advance His kingdom.

FAITHCOM Blog Coalition link from FCC Website?

The staff is seeking input on whether we should provide links to any regular attenders blog. Currently, we have Pastor Porters Convergence blog and Men of Faith blog. Read the post and give your comments here.

Who do you identify with?

This is a typical question in Bible studies when looking at events discribed in the Bible. I am reading C. J. Mahaney's book "Living The Cross Centered Life". Mahaney posses the question "Who do you identify with?" in context of Jesus dying on the cross. Mahaney suggest that you may identify with Peter weeping over his denial of the Lord; Simon who was forced to carry Jesus' cross; Women standing at a distance watching; Mary His mother; John who Jesus spoke to from the cross; the thief on the cross or the centurion who after watching the events said, "truly this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:39).

Mahaney says: "I identify most with the angry mob screaming, "Crucify Him!"

He goes on to say: "That's who we should all identify with. Because apart from God's grace, this is where we would all be standing, and we're only flattering ourselves to think otherwise. Unless you see yourself standing there with the shrieking crowd, full of hostility and hatred for the holy and innocent Lamb of God, you don't really understand the nature and depth of your sin or the necessity of the cross."

That is so prefound! I can reasonate with this and slowly I am beginning to have this view. As I make Jesus Christ supreme in my life.

1 Timothy 4:16

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

I recently memorized 1 Timothy 4:16 and have been meditating on it. C. J. Mahaney spoke on this verse at the Together for the Gospel Conference which is happening right now in Louisville. Tim Challies has been live blogging the conference. Here is a link to Tim Challies blogging of Maheney's sermon.

A Question We All Should Answer Periodically.

In this weeks preparation for Cell Group, there was a great question in the work book that I am inclined to say should be a question that we ask ourselves often and regularly. The question is:

What is it in your life right now that most indicates your degree of trust in the Lord?

When I first read the question, my first thought was that is a hard question to answer. Then as I pondered upon it, I thought it shouldn't be. If I truly am pursuing Christ's reign in all of life to advance God's kingdom in all the earth for His glory, I should have an answer right away.

Thankfully, I didn't have to think about this too long to come up with my answer. The Evidences of my trust in the Lord are daily whether I am seeking God through my prayer and Bible reading. Am I fully surendering to God, trying to understand his will for my life and more specifically this day. Am I releying on Him or using my own energy, talents and skills to get me though the day. Another measure is whether I am holding anything back from God. There are times (too ofter I might add) when I allow God in limited areas of my life.

Another indicator of my trust in the Lord is how thankful I am for His daily provision. Am I prayerfully expressing my thankfullness. In some respects God can become something that I don't even think about. Yet God has given me everything I have. I am a steward of what he has intrusted me with. So my trust must be acknowledged to God daily. My trust must be active and constant.

How would you answer the question?

Men of Faith - Kickoff Night

Wow! About 160 men attended last nights kickoff of the Men of Faith ministry. Bill Butters was our speaker for the night.

Men of Faith purpose is to Connect Men with God . . . Connect Men with Each Other. We got off to a great start on both aspects of the purpose. Bill Butters gave an excellent testimony which covered both aspects of our purpose. Bill clearly is a gifted evangelist and his testimony points men to Jesus Christ. In addition he weaves in aspect of life that are real to men. For instance he spoke on how his father was not a part of his life from the age of 4 except for wanting free tickets to Bill hockey games at the U of Minnesota and his NHL career. He also spoke of not knowing the roles and responsibilities of a husband and father. Bill shared many of his struggles in life.

I think that every man last night could relate to some part of Bill's testimony. I know the table that I sat every man talked about what Bill had said.

Men of Faith will meet on the 3rd Sunday of every month. Our next meeting is Sunday May 21 at 6:30. See here or here for further information on Men of Faith.

Not Once But Twice

I was struck by a reading of the Bible last week. I was reading some chapters in Mark. My reading took me through chapters 9 and 10. In each of those chapters Jesus predicts or better prophesies of His death. I was amazed that after each prediction of His death the disciples or at least part of them either ask Jesus if they may be seated at his right and left (chapter 10) or are quarreling amongst themselves as to who is the greatest (chapter 9).

I can easily understand this happening once. But twice? I don't know how much time elapses between chapter 9 and 10. I realize that the disciples also had a misconception that Jesus was going to bring His kingdom to fruition at that moment. They therefore in pride and ambition were desiring to establish themselves with prominent rolls in the kingdom.

Striving to be someone of importance is a characteristic of myself. I have always strove to be at the top. This happened early in life and teachers helped to instill this in me. You probably all can remember having math races in school. Where the teacher would divide the class into two groups. He/she would try to divide the class as evenly as possible. The team I was on would almost always win. So, the teacher one day decided to divide the class by pitting me against the entire class. Well this did nothing but bolster my pride as I personally got victory over the entire class. As you can see I still take pride in this accomplishment some 35-40 years later. My point being that I can relate to the disciples continuing to ask for and desire prominent positions in the kingdom.

Jesus relates to the disciples that being great is being a servant.

. . . Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:43-45)

Mark Driscoll of Mar Hill Church in Seattle has begun a blog series titled "Jesus' Resurrection: Answer to Common Questions" at Resurgence. This first post has ten prophetic promises about Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Some great stuff. This prophetic stuff really makes the Bible and God real to me.

As part of my study on the Holy Spirit I read this verse today in 1 Corinthians 14:1 which says: Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. The providence of God is great!

My Best - or God's?

Do we want to give the world our best or do we want the world to experience God's best? I am continuing my study of the Gift of the Holy Spirit. This week is focused on our talents and skills and whether they equate to our spiritual gift. The book by Henry and Mel Blackaby has challenged my thinking of the Holy Spirit and how he works in our lives? Could it be a myth that our natural talents are the same as our spiritual gifts?

We tend to look at ourselves and evaluate what we are good at and what we like to do, then line this up with some way of serving. We figure out what our talents are and then offer them to God equating them to our spiritual gift. We want to serve God in areas that we perceive we are good at.

I am not saying not to do this. Obviously, God has made us unique with talents and skills to serve him. The question I am pondering is whether we should call these talents and skills spiritual gifts. If they are talents and skills, we might have a tendency (and I do) to act in our own abilities rather than relying on the Holy Spirit to empower us. We don't rely on the Holy Spirit because we are confident in our own abilities and think we have everything under control. The Blackabys state: "the world looks at the church and sees good people doing good things for God, but they don't see the power of God working through His people to accomplish what only He can do."

The Blackabys challenge the use of spiritual gifts inventory tests. These tests actually reveal what our talents and skills are. A non-believer could take the test today and then in five months become a Christian and take the test again. Would we see different gifts? Probably not.

Our self-worth is based on our relationship to Christ not our abilites. It is easy for us to do what were good at and comfortable with, rather than to walk with God and obey Him when He asks us do what we are unable to do in our own strength. This kind of obedience requires us to know His will, have faith to trust His will and humbly submit to His will.

"We are servants, and Chirst is our Master. The servant never tells the Master what he or she wants to do for Him. The servant simply obeys the Master. Could you imagine the Master giving an order to the servant and the servant replying, "Sorry, that isn't my gift"?" (Blackaby, Henry and Mel; What's so spiritual about your gifts? pg 30)

We should seeking God's will then step out in obedient and rely on God's strength and power to accomplish what He desires. Thereby, the Holy Spirit will be relied upon for the gifts to accomplish God's will.

I realize God is showing me these truths for a purpose. As I have been seeking God lately, He is leading me in directions that I would not personally want to do. Pray for me that I would be obedient and adjust my plans to God's activity.

Crucified with Christ

As we are at the eve of Holy Week, I have pondered on Christ's crucifixion. One of the verses I was drawn to was Galatians 2:20.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

As I have meditated on this verse, I am realizing that being crucified with Christ means for me to allow my independence to be crucified on the cross (be put to death). I am to surrender my life to the supremacy of Jesus Christ. It means not following my own ideas as they maybe evil desires (typically are), but rather be completely loyal to my Lord. I must surrender my way of looking at things and look at things through the lense of Christ. Only by the faith that God can bestow on me by his grace will I be able to live in this body in such a way to bring him glory. This does not mean that I will sit back and wait for God to give me that faith. Rather, I am pursuing Christ's reign in all of life to advance God's kingdom in all the earth for His glory. I am seeking to know the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to walk in the Spirit?

In preparing for cell (small) group this week I came across this question: What does it really mean to walk in the Spirit's fullness and power? We are using the workbook What's so spiritual about your gifts? by Henry & Mel Blackaby.

My answer to the question: In order to walk in the Spirit, I must choose to think about areas of my life from the perspective of God.

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. (Romans 8:5-7)

If we set our minds on what the Spirit desires, our minds will transform our character and behavior. So what are the desires of the Spirit?

We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)

Desire of the Spirit is the truths of God. And a measure of whether we are walking in the Spirit comes from Galatians 5:22 - 26.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

The fruit of Spirit will be visible if I am seeking truth and making choices based on the truths of God. Anytime there are spirits of conceit, provoking or envying I need to examine myself.

By the way the second part of the question is: In your own life, is that what you are striving for?

What's Up with The Lord About to Kill Moses?

Have you ever read something in the Bible and said; "What's up with that? I had one of those times recently. I was reading Exodus 4. God seems to be all friendly-friendly with Moses. The Lord is giving Moses some instruction as to how to approach the Isrealites and Pharoah when Moses returns to Egypt. I am sure you remember the Lord gave Moses 3 miraculous signs. First, the staff turns into a snake, then the leprous hand and lastly turns water into blood. Moses then suggest to God he has the wrong man because he can not communicate well. God tells him "I will help you speak and will teach you what to say" (Exodus 4:12). After that Moses pleads with God and asks him to send someone else. With this God gets angry with Moses. God inquires of Moses' brother Aaron to help. This satisfies Moses and he goes to his father-in-law Jethro and asks permission to go to Egypt. The Lord then instructs Moses more about going back to Egypt and how to approach Pharaoh.

What happens next is were I thought "what's up with that?". The Lord is going to kill Moses.

At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met {Moses} and was about to kill him. But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son's foreskin and touched {Moses'} feet with it. "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me," she said. So the LORD let him alone. (At that time she said "bridegroom of blood," referring to circumcision.) (Exodus 4:24-26)

Why did God turn on Moses? What is going on here? All appears to being going great. Moses after some protests is ready to head and in fact is on his way to Egypt. Now God wants to kill him. Why after all this preparation of Moses does God now decide to deal with Moses not having circumcised his youngest son? Why now and not earlier?

God decided to deal with Moses sin of not circumcising his son. Circumcision is a sign of agreeing with the covenant. It is a sign of sealing the covenant. Moses must have circumcised his older son, since only the younger is circumcised at this time. By not sealing the covenant, we are saying we are displeased with the conditions of the covenant. Is it a sin of ommision then? Possibly. It could have been that Moses was having the feelings of being in the middle. He knew what God required for the covenant. Yet, his wife being a Midianite may have been persueding him not to circumcise. (Speculation on my part based on the fact that Zipporah preforms the circumcision.)

For me the point her is that Moses was on his way to lead Israel. God wanted him to be a man of integrity. Known or revealed sin must be repented. Being "right" with God also makes us "right" with man. That is we have integrity in the eyes of men.

I don't know why God choose to do it now and not earlier. Maybe you have an idea.

God's Purpose for Spiritual Gifts

The cell group I am in is just starting a study on spiritual gifts. We are looking at a study by Henry and Mel Blackaby called "What's so spiritual about your gifts?" Last night I read the first chapter in the book. I was impressed by the comments on 1 Corinthians 12:7.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

The Blackaby's had these comments on each of the phrase in this verse. "The manifestation of the Spirit" means the Spirit will reveal Himself and His activity in you. You have received the gift of the Holy Spirit and He will manifest Himself in your life.

I absolutely love this next statement they made. We hear people complaining about the talents and skills they lack, then concluding, "I don't have anything to offer God." That's likely true, but what does that have to do with the Holy Spirit working in your life?

Then the last phrase "for the common good." There's a corporate dimension to everything God does in your life. Every gift He has given is to be shared within the life of His people. If we aren't actively building up the body, we aren't functioning as God desires.

They go on to say: The Holy Spirit is God's gift to you. The same Holy Spirit who manifested Himself in the life of Jesus and in the early believers has been sent to work through you. If you open your life to Him, He will manifest His power in your life.

Ok, so what have I learned. Rather than seeking a gift of the Spirit, what I need to seek is the Holy Spirit himself. The gift is the Holy Spirit. He will then be manifested in me through for example teaching, wisdom, administration, mercy, etc., which I must use to edify the body.

Christ is King!

This weekend I was overwhelmed by the message. The sermon title for this week was Convergence on Christ. The text was Mark 9:2-8 and it can be listened to here. This passage proclaims that Jesus is God. More specifically Peter, James and John learned that Christ is All and that God spoke and commanded them to Listen to Him.

There was a story told from "Christ is All" by David Bryant about us regulating Jesus to the role of a mascot. Mr. Bryant states that more rightly Jesus is our Monarch.

What Christ is waiting on is for us to proclaim Him as King. He has already been given his kingship by the Father. As one of the testimonies this weekend pointed out, to proclaim Him as king is to live in obedience to Him (Christ).

Christ is Our Hope

I am reading the book Christ is All by David Bryant. Actually, I am reading it with 9 other men and we get together on Wednesday mornings to discuss it. (By the way this is an open group and I have books on hand. So, if you would like to join you are welcome. We have only done chapter 1 so you would not be that far behind.)

As I was reading chapter 2 last night, I was completely in awe and reverence of Christ as I read these word from Mr. Bryant.

Jesus by taking on human flesh, by abandoning Himself to be the Servant of servants, Christ actually renounced any claim to final control over His own destiny. He placed Himself totally at the Father's disposal. He left in the Father's hands completely the fulfilling of covenant promises. The Son made Himself "nothing" (Phil. 2), because He chose to wait for the Father to vindicate Him, for the Spirit to raise Him, and for lasting lordship to be bestowed upon Him. To be sure, the glory he received as He ascended on high was the same glory He had with the Father and the Spirit from all eternity (Jn. 17). Still, by lifting Him up out of disgrace and despair and destruction, and by giving Him a name above every other name along with a throne above every other dominion, God sealed irrevocably every promise Christ proclaimed (Eph. 1).

The faithfulness of the Father to the Son incarnate, who surrendered so unconditionally to His will, was ultimately displayed when He presented to Him the nations as His inheritance (Ps. 2). The Son has become the heir of all for which we could ever hope (Heb. 1). Even so, the Father will manifest the same faithful commitment to everyone who sets his or her hope on the Son and "kisses" Him (as
Psalm 2 puts it - an act expressing full allegiance to the crown He wears).

The incarnation provides irrefutable proof that our God is personally committed to the future of humankind. Why? Because, through endless ages a Man, delivered from death, will occupy the Praises of Heaven - a Man who is at the same time, God- One with the Father and the Spirit. As a Scottish theologian once noted: We have hope because "the dust of the earth sits on the throne of the Majesty on High". For the Father to renege on even one of His promises to us is for Him to renege on His promise to glorify His Son. Quite rightly, the old hymn boasts: "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!

Awesome! What a grand God we have. Let's make this God known to the "unchurched." Let's not spend all our time in fellowship with other Christians. Let's get involved with non-Christians to expose them to this grand and glorious God. Besides we will have all eternity to spend in fellowship with Christian people. We only have a short time here (James 4:14) to persuade people of the grandeur of God. So, live today with a priority to touch the life of the unsaved.

". . . yet not my will, but yours be done."

This past weekend Dr. Bruce Ware spoke on the Trinity at my home church. To hear the messages click here and look for MP3 downloads under Intersect 2006. In Dr. Ware's message he referenced Jesus praying on the Mount of Olives. I am not sure if this is the exact reference that Dr. Ware used:

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42)

Then my son this week is memorizing John 6:38.

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. (John 6:38)

This has caused me to think about these verses. Are there two wills? Do God and Jesus have different wills? How can that be if they are one (trinity)? Did Jesus have the same type of will that I have that is a will centered on himself?

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible was helpful to me. You can see it here. Jesus did not have a will that was separate from the Fathers or contray to it. The Father and Son are one in nature, therefore their wills are the same. Yet, Jesus' will as a man was distinct from the Fathers, but not resigned from it. Jesus came to earth not to do any will different than that of his Father. Although as man, he had a separate will this will was not different or contrary. Rather there was sameness in their wills.

How Hard It Must Have Been!

I just read the account of Samuel giving what essentially is his farewell speech to the people of Israel. Samuel being the last Judge to preside over Israel, is to commission and anoint Saul as the King of Israel (1 Samuel 9). Samuel struggles with giving the people what they want and he knows it is not what God wants.

1 Samuel said to all Israel, "I have listened to everything you said to me and have set a king over you. 2 Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. 3 Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these, I will make it right." 4 "You have not cheated or oppressed us," they replied. "You have not taken anything from anyone's hand." 5 Samuel said to them, "The LORD is witness against you, and also his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand." "He is witness," they said. 6 Then Samuel said to the people, "It is the LORD who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your forefathers up out of Egypt. 7Now then, stand here, because I am going to confront you with evidence before the LORD as to all the righteous acts performed by the LORD for you and your fathers. 8"After Jacob entered Egypt, they cried to the LORD for help, and the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your forefathers out of Egypt and settled them in this place. 9 "But they forgot the LORD their God; so he sold them into the hand of Sisera, the commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hands of the Philistines and the king of Moab, who fought against them. 10 They cried out to the LORD and said, 'We have sinned; we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and the Ashtoreths. But now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, and we will serve you.' 11 Then the LORD sent Jerub-Baal, Barak, Jephthah and Samuel, and he delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, so that you lived securely. 12 "But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, 'No, we want a king to rule over us'-even though the LORD your God was your king. 13 Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the LORD has set a king over you. 14 If you fear the LORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God-good! 15 But if you do not obey the LORD, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers. (1 Samuel 12:1-15)

I am seeing a pattern of God's messengers to his people. History is chronicled in refuting and rebuking. Israel was shown by Samuel how they in their history cried to the Lord for help. These cries for help come at times when Israel is rebelling against God and his commands. God was faithful to send people like Moses and Aaron to lead his people back to a right relationship with him.

Samuel realizes that Israel does not need a king. The fact is Israel has a king - God himself. Samuel warns and proclaims to the people. That if they and this king do not fear the Lord, serve and obey him and his commands then God's hand will be against them. The text does not say this, but I have a feeling Samuel knew what the outcome was going to be.

Why can't we understand that God is sovereign and just? He will only act in our best interest and that is to build us up and bring us into a relationship with him. Yet, we constantly think we know better.

Resuming This Blog

After an almost three month absence, I am going to resurrect this blog. Playing on the picture at right, I am back in the saddle. I have been blogging on a series that my church did as a body for ten weeks. See Fire & Reign blog. I will resume tomorrow with a post regarding my daily Bible reading of today.

Fire & Reign

I have created a blog specifically for Fire & Reign. If you would like to follow along my journey, please go here.

www.fccfireandreign.blogspot.com

Fire & Reign - Introduction

What would happen if the Holy Spirit took full control of my life today? The fact that I am a follower of Jesus Christ means that the Spirit is leading me day by day. Am I hearing, listening and obeying the Spirit? What would this look like? Would that mean preaching on street corners or another continent? Would I do things that cause my family, friends, neighbors and coworkers to think I am foolish? Would my life be stripped of fun, pleasure and relaxation and replaced with grinding responsibility and suffering?

Probably not. Rather the Spirit would change me into the kind of person we read about in the Book of Acts:

• I would be a man whose love for God and other people is so strong, real and infectious that people would wnat to know its source.
• I would wait on the Lord's direction and empowerment and then watch God use me to do remarkable things beyond what I can imagine.
• Speak the truth boldly, yet in humility always aware that it is only by Christ's sacrifice that I am rescued from God's wrath.
• My door and heart would be open to people as I watch God transform broken people into devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
• I would have a confident faith and hope that nothing could discourage or dissuade me from doing God's will.

How about my church what would that look like if the Spirit was more alive? Would people begin practicing spiritual gifts? Would healings and miracles be commonplace? Would worshippers become more physically expressive?

More likely it would be along these lines:

• People drawn to repentance from sin.
• Greater understanding of Christ's priorities for His church.
• Empower Chirst followers to make a measurable impact for Christ in the community.
• Stir a passion to know Jesus, become more like Him and display Him to a world that needs Him.
• Prompt people to reconcile differences, seek each other's gain and love one another as Christ loves His church.

As I ponder this, I have to ask myself if I want more of the Holy Spirit's power and presence in my life and in my church? There is a fear in me. What will happen to me? What will people think? Oh, my insecurities and lack of faith. It's time to face into them!

It's high time I give Christ's Spirit more authority in my life and in my church.

Fire & Reign

My home church is beginning a sermon series to reacquaint our congregration with Christ's kingdom priorities for His church and to evoke Spirit empowered engagement to achieve His mission. We are calling this emphasis on spiritual renewal "Fire & Reign" - the fire of God's Spirit for the reign of God's Son.

Have you ever wondered how does the Lord shape, change and grow a spiritually healthy and fruitful congregration?

The first seven chapters of the Book of Acts tell the story of the Jerusalem church. A small band of Galilean disciples grew together into a multicultural movement that changed lives and impacted communities and nations. How did it happen? The answer is found in the power of God's Spirit at work in the lives of believing people.

That first church shared the same challenges and uncertainties we face today. How does a fellowship of believers characterized by strong personalities and human fralitiess follow Christ together? The account of the Jerusalem church is our case study for thinking about Jesus' priorites for our congregration and the next chapter is waiting to be written.

This study was written to help participants personally embrace Jesus' kingdom priorities for His church. It is written by Jerry Sheveland President of the Baptist General Conference. More information about this study can be found here.

Over the next 10 weeks I will be posting my thoughts as I work through the Study.