In the Gospel of Luke, Luke recorded there an event that took place just before Mary the mother of Jesus left the company of Elizabeth and Zechariah, Mary's cousin. Elizabeth was pregnant with a son as well, John the Baptist. At hearing the voice of Mary the mother of Jesus, he leapt in his mother's womb. In response to the visit Mary had with Elizabeth she declared to Elizabeth and Zechariah the joy she could no longer contain in her heart. Read it for yourself Luke 1:45-56 and you can feel the jouy ozzing from every fiber of her being.
Now how full of joy is your heart? A saying became popular a few years ago, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season". But why? so many people ask. Isn't the season about giving and receiving? Isn't Christmas as much about feeling good as it is in doing good things? What about those people who don't have anything to give? Can they find joy in the season?
In response to this I would first have to say that in the whole mix of things that without Jesus there is no real meaning in the season. It's really all about him. The celebration and anticipation should all be about Him. The sooner we learn that Christmas isn't about us and our wants or needs for the matter, the sooner we will be able to place Him in the highest place. Thanks to commercialism and selfish desires we have lowered Him to a place that is unacceptable. Let's elevate Him to the place that He belongs, to a place above all places.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Ever feel like a shepherd?
In the gospels of Matthew and Luke both writers give us some of the detail of what took place on the night of Jesus's birth. The shepherds, as I mentioned in my message on Sunday, were the lowest of the low in society at the time. Hopefully you and I don't feel like the lowest of the low in our society but sometimes society can turn the tables on us rather quickly and we suddenly feel like we are the lowest on the food chain. Although many counselors and therapists will go to great lengths to encourage us that the only way this can happen is if we let it, I would have to take issue with that. We are all shaped by our upbringing and by those who influence us, however, that doesn't mean that we are defined by our upbringing. That's like saying because you were born in poverty don't ever expect to get out of poverty because it just won't happen. Fortunately we live in an enlightened age. At least more enlightened than they did in the days of Jesus. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that we shouldn't allow life apart from the influence of Christ to determine who we are and who we desire to become. Jesus's destiny was pre-determined by His Father. He wasn't bitter about this, rather He embraced His destiny and allowed God his Father to plan his life for Him. Are you allowing God the Father through Christ to direct your life. Are you and I willing to allow God to awaken in us what He desires for us to be passionate about? I trust that you can trust Him that much with yor life. I'll be praying that you will discover that He desires for you!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The Advent
Hello everyone! Sorry it's been several weeks since my last post. As I consider this time of year, I have a confession. It's not one of those earth shaking confessions fir most, but it is for me. Rita and I got married in the "good old days", 1977. She a lifelong lutheran and me a lifelong methodist. Even as short as my life had been, all of 21 years, I was not familiar with the custom and tradition of the Advent Season. Needless to say my formal education in church and church history was sorely waning. So soon after my wife and I married Christmas season came around and she suggested we buy an advent wreath or candle set to celebrate the season. Not wanting to feel foolish and let on like I had no idea what she was talking about, I said sure why not. Our first advent candle thing-a-ma-bobber was one that you light the candle weekly and as you light more candles the dealy thingy turns around until the candles burn out. The next year was a little leaner so we just bought a cardboard advent calendar and each day of advent season opens a new day for the season. At least I wasn't burning down the house! To make a long story short, we have done various things throughout the years for advent season. Some years we didn't do anything beyond the yearly christmas program at church and the annual choir christmas cantata.
What has impressed me most about the advent season is that it gets celebrated whether I participate or not. Jesus's coming to earth was impinged on whether or not I either believed or celebrated the advent season. I still as many others still, celebrate the birth of a Savior, our Savior, my Savior.
Will you do that regardless of the economy? Celebrate Jesus's birth as thought it has been a good year economically. Celebrate His birth as thought it were the first time you do so. With all the wonderment and joy or a 6 year old who still begs for the chance to sing Happy Birthday Jesus with their whole heart. For a while I was an old grinch, I thought that Christmas was only for the kids, but Jesus has taught me these many years that it's for my good that He came to, to be my Savior.
What has impressed me most about the advent season is that it gets celebrated whether I participate or not. Jesus's coming to earth was impinged on whether or not I either believed or celebrated the advent season. I still as many others still, celebrate the birth of a Savior, our Savior, my Savior.
Will you do that regardless of the economy? Celebrate Jesus's birth as thought it has been a good year economically. Celebrate His birth as thought it were the first time you do so. With all the wonderment and joy or a 6 year old who still begs for the chance to sing Happy Birthday Jesus with their whole heart. For a while I was an old grinch, I thought that Christmas was only for the kids, but Jesus has taught me these many years that it's for my good that He came to, to be my Savior.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
I'm a what? A sinner? I don't get it!
In the gospel of Luke in at least nine different places Luke talks about being saved. Now to the people of Israel this was a new, and I mean brand new concept. They weren't accustomed to the concept of being saved once and for all. What system was in place for them was the Old Testament system of the high priest going before God during the time of the passover and offering sacrifices for the sins of the people collectively not individually. Jesus was in the process of teaching them a new way to not only begin their spiritual life anew but a whole new way of life. But because they didn't see Jesus as their Savior, their Messiah, their Redeemer they couldn't grasp the important need for them take the first step by faith. Jesus gave them plenty of examples of what He could do. He chased out a legion of demons, healed the sick from terrible debilating diseases, gave sight to the blind and gave the deaf back their hearing. He turned water into wine and forgave countless people their sins. And yet they still needed proof of his divinity, that He indeed was the Son of Man, as Luke describes Him as. And they still refused to accept Him as the Messiah.
Getting back to Luke's description of getting saved. That word in the greek language is sozo with emphasis on the two o's. It means to be rescued or delivered. This was so people could find their way back into right relationship with their Heavenly Father. What's most important about this is that the Lord never, ever rejects someone who is longing to be made whole spiritually. He is afterall, the only one who can do that. We can be assured that the Lord always responds to those who eagerly seek Him.
When was the last time you eagerly sought after Him. Yesterday as I finished my morning devotions and I was closing that time with the Lord in prayer, I sensed God's presence in a wonderful, nearly overwhelming way. I began to cry and I let the tears flow freely as I desired to receive all that God had prepared for me that morning. He spoke words of encouragement, discipline and love. As I finished my prayer time I realized that it all started so many years ago when I realized that I would need to get saved, sozo, rescued from my sins, that had condemned me to a eternity forever separated from my Heavenly Father. Thank you Lord for those moments of care and for filling me up to overflowing with your presence. Amen
Getting back to Luke's description of getting saved. That word in the greek language is sozo with emphasis on the two o's. It means to be rescued or delivered. This was so people could find their way back into right relationship with their Heavenly Father. What's most important about this is that the Lord never, ever rejects someone who is longing to be made whole spiritually. He is afterall, the only one who can do that. We can be assured that the Lord always responds to those who eagerly seek Him.
When was the last time you eagerly sought after Him. Yesterday as I finished my morning devotions and I was closing that time with the Lord in prayer, I sensed God's presence in a wonderful, nearly overwhelming way. I began to cry and I let the tears flow freely as I desired to receive all that God had prepared for me that morning. He spoke words of encouragement, discipline and love. As I finished my prayer time I realized that it all started so many years ago when I realized that I would need to get saved, sozo, rescued from my sins, that had condemned me to a eternity forever separated from my Heavenly Father. Thank you Lord for those moments of care and for filling me up to overflowing with your presence. Amen
Thursday, November 12, 2009
A non-transformation/non-multiplying church
Good afternoon everyone. I trust that you have all had a good week and that the Lord is bringing blessing into your life. Today I want to share with you what it is like to be a non-transformational church. Keep in mind and compare to last weeks blog what the transformational church is doing right and where the other goes off track.
1. The church is dis unified or shares a casual commonality. I'm not even sure that "dis unified" is a word but anyway, the author is trying to point out that in a church more of the obvious things to outsiders is how unified the church is and how well they are able to assimilate into the lives of their congregation.
2. The people of the church have a fondness or appreciation for each other and others. In other words they/we could do a better job of demonstrating of love for one another in the family of God.
3. When it comes to sharing their faith people find it hard to do. It's difficult to love, share or give to others.
4. A transformation church practices the one anothers of scripture. A non-transformational church practices some of the one anothers. IE., love one another, forgive one another, be kind to one another. I think you get the idea. To truly become a transformational church we need to put those one another sayings of scripture to work as quickly as is possible.
5. They/we are characterized as being a civil and/or friendly and polite community.
This alone is not anything bad, however when we can't move beyond this is when we get into trouble. The people who visit our church are looking for transparency and authenticity. Are we that?
6. The inside ministry is what looks to be the most important and is promoted as the most important. In others words, what others see as important to us is that we take care of our own first and everyone else second.
7. When we gather for prayer or pray for others we do so by "targeting" them. IE., we tell them that we will be praying for them rather than praying with them that very moment. If someone has come to you with a need that they needed prayer, more than likely they won't want to "wait" for someone to pray for them but to pray "with" them.
8. Generally we have been taught that in order to have a time of prayer it must take place in an appropriate place at an appropriate time. Prayer is planned. Often times needs cannot wait to be prayed for, they must be prayed for then.
9. I'm guilty of this, spending a lot of time with the prayer requests, gathering them, talking about them, explaining them. And then in reality little time is spent praying about those needs.
10. The leader's of the church are primarily focused on the church. I'm sure you're asking yourself what's wrong with that? Isn't that what the leader's are supposed to be doing? Well the answer is somewhat ambiguous. Yes they should be focused on the church. However, they should be more engaged in the church and bringing others into it.
11. The leaders of the church seem to be doing their own thing, individually, and working independent of the overall vision of the church.
12. For many years the church had one function, to serve as the place where people gathered together for worship. For many congregations today, their "church" building is used primarily for church and outside groups aren't necessarily allowed to use the facility for anything else.
13. In a non-transformational church Bible Study is stressed. Nothing really wrong with Bible study per say, but acquiring knowledge and information isn't the point with the Bible. The point is to put into practice what the Bible teaches.
14. Our passion is the highest for our vision or program.
15. Few people can answer the question, "Who are we reaching?"
16. In a non-transformational church "Faith" activity is rare.
17. When it comes to ministry only a few people are included in significant ministry.
18. Generally speaking, academic based training teaches the "how to think and do".
19. Obedience is a means to an end.
20. Preaching and teaching is correct but tends to be cliche, manipulative or uninspired.
Okay, there you have it. I would suggest you print off both pages and then do a comparison of what you believe that our Church is doing. Are we a transformational or non-transformational church? You may ask yourself if it makes any difference? I believe it does. You might also say that all this stuff on here is the job of the pastor. That's what we pay him to do. Oh but it isn't just the pastor's job, the church is for all of us. And the call He has placed on our life is one that can help us place our trust and faith in Him and trust His guidance. James 1:22 tells us not to be listeners only but doers as well. What do you say? I say let's do something!
1. The church is dis unified or shares a casual commonality. I'm not even sure that "dis unified" is a word but anyway, the author is trying to point out that in a church more of the obvious things to outsiders is how unified the church is and how well they are able to assimilate into the lives of their congregation.
2. The people of the church have a fondness or appreciation for each other and others. In other words they/we could do a better job of demonstrating of love for one another in the family of God.
3. When it comes to sharing their faith people find it hard to do. It's difficult to love, share or give to others.
4. A transformation church practices the one anothers of scripture. A non-transformational church practices some of the one anothers. IE., love one another, forgive one another, be kind to one another. I think you get the idea. To truly become a transformational church we need to put those one another sayings of scripture to work as quickly as is possible.
5. They/we are characterized as being a civil and/or friendly and polite community.
This alone is not anything bad, however when we can't move beyond this is when we get into trouble. The people who visit our church are looking for transparency and authenticity. Are we that?
6. The inside ministry is what looks to be the most important and is promoted as the most important. In others words, what others see as important to us is that we take care of our own first and everyone else second.
7. When we gather for prayer or pray for others we do so by "targeting" them. IE., we tell them that we will be praying for them rather than praying with them that very moment. If someone has come to you with a need that they needed prayer, more than likely they won't want to "wait" for someone to pray for them but to pray "with" them.
8. Generally we have been taught that in order to have a time of prayer it must take place in an appropriate place at an appropriate time. Prayer is planned. Often times needs cannot wait to be prayed for, they must be prayed for then.
9. I'm guilty of this, spending a lot of time with the prayer requests, gathering them, talking about them, explaining them. And then in reality little time is spent praying about those needs.
10. The leader's of the church are primarily focused on the church. I'm sure you're asking yourself what's wrong with that? Isn't that what the leader's are supposed to be doing? Well the answer is somewhat ambiguous. Yes they should be focused on the church. However, they should be more engaged in the church and bringing others into it.
11. The leaders of the church seem to be doing their own thing, individually, and working independent of the overall vision of the church.
12. For many years the church had one function, to serve as the place where people gathered together for worship. For many congregations today, their "church" building is used primarily for church and outside groups aren't necessarily allowed to use the facility for anything else.
13. In a non-transformational church Bible Study is stressed. Nothing really wrong with Bible study per say, but acquiring knowledge and information isn't the point with the Bible. The point is to put into practice what the Bible teaches.
14. Our passion is the highest for our vision or program.
15. Few people can answer the question, "Who are we reaching?"
16. In a non-transformational church "Faith" activity is rare.
17. When it comes to ministry only a few people are included in significant ministry.
18. Generally speaking, academic based training teaches the "how to think and do".
19. Obedience is a means to an end.
20. Preaching and teaching is correct but tends to be cliche, manipulative or uninspired.
Okay, there you have it. I would suggest you print off both pages and then do a comparison of what you believe that our Church is doing. Are we a transformational or non-transformational church? You may ask yourself if it makes any difference? I believe it does. You might also say that all this stuff on here is the job of the pastor. That's what we pay him to do. Oh but it isn't just the pastor's job, the church is for all of us. And the call He has placed on our life is one that can help us place our trust and faith in Him and trust His guidance. James 1:22 tells us not to be listeners only but doers as well. What do you say? I say let's do something!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Be a transformational church/Galatians 6:9
First of all, I'd like apologize about not getting to this task faster. In the middle of the week after a very busy monday and tuesday I suddenly discovered or remember I should say, that I had completely neglected, you know forgotten, to enter my thoughts about last sunday. So here they are. I mentioned in my message another passage of scripture that we didn't really touch on. Paul wrote to the Galatians, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." The key words or phrases here in this verse are doing good and do not give up. These are two things that I believe are easier to do today perhaps even more than ever before. We are an instant microwave type society bent are being satisfied and pacified NOW! Often times in doing good we don't see the results right away. In the short of it, if we give a gift then most people respond with gratefulness and joy. However if we do good for a group of let's say a homeless shelter or people, then the gratitude doesn't flow our way quite as fast and the tendency is to give up because we weren't instantly gratified. Is that it or is it that we are prepared to go the long haul. In words, volunteer again and again and again to see the good that we are trying to accomplish.
Growing the church into a church that is transformational is much like that. We must volunteer again and again and again. I promised you 20 things that a transformational church is and 20 things that represent a non-transformational church. One note before I give these to you, I was not the original author of these and want to give credit to Bishop Matt Thomas of the Free Methodist Church of North America.
So here we go. Also, I won't be able to comment on them as that would take more time than you may be willing to read. So for the sake of time I will list them and expound on them later.
1. A transformation church is unified.
2. They have an engaging and compelling
love for one another.
3. The people of a transformation church
cannot help but be loving, giving,sharing.
4. They practice all of the one anothers.
(There are many of these listed in scripture
which is probably enouch for another day.)
5. The people of a transformation church are
enthusiastic and excited about what their
church is doing. That translates to a con-
tagious buzz.
6. Outside ministry is celebrated and promoted.
7. Typically a transformation church will pray
"with" someone right away.
8. In a transformational church prayer is spon-
taneous.
9. They spend a little time in taking prayer
requests and Much time is actually sprent in
prayer.
10. Leaders are engaged in being the church.
11. There is a team and interdependence atmosphere.
12. There are "pre-christian" groups using the
church. ie.AA, AlAnon,Medical Clinic, Language
study.
13. Bible application is stressed
14. A transformational church has the highest
passion for Jesus and people.
15. Most people can answer the question, "Who are
we reaching?"
16. Faith activity is prevalent. Do we do something
based on whether we have the burden for it or if
we have the money for it.
17. There are many people involved in significant
ministry.
18. The church has a ministry based training experience
or how to live and do the work of Christ.
19. People recognize that Obedience is an end.
20. The preaching and teaching of the church is true,
relevant, interesting, clear and applicable
In short, most of us have a long way to go, me included. I am currently learning to
pray in new and more effective ways for the building up of the church and ultimately for the Kingdom of God. I also desire to provide ways that we as a church can continue to reach out and still maintain the spiritual health and vitality of the local church. Next week I'll share with you the non-transformational issues that local churches experience. At that end will share with you where I believe we are and what we could do to improve in those areas.
Love you all,
Pastor Richard
Growing the church into a church that is transformational is much like that. We must volunteer again and again and again. I promised you 20 things that a transformational church is and 20 things that represent a non-transformational church. One note before I give these to you, I was not the original author of these and want to give credit to Bishop Matt Thomas of the Free Methodist Church of North America.
So here we go. Also, I won't be able to comment on them as that would take more time than you may be willing to read. So for the sake of time I will list them and expound on them later.
1. A transformation church is unified.
2. They have an engaging and compelling
love for one another.
3. The people of a transformation church
cannot help but be loving, giving,sharing.
4. They practice all of the one anothers.
(There are many of these listed in scripture
which is probably enouch for another day.)
5. The people of a transformation church are
enthusiastic and excited about what their
church is doing. That translates to a con-
tagious buzz.
6. Outside ministry is celebrated and promoted.
7. Typically a transformation church will pray
"with" someone right away.
8. In a transformational church prayer is spon-
taneous.
9. They spend a little time in taking prayer
requests and Much time is actually sprent in
prayer.
10. Leaders are engaged in being the church.
11. There is a team and interdependence atmosphere.
12. There are "pre-christian" groups using the
church. ie.AA, AlAnon,Medical Clinic, Language
study.
13. Bible application is stressed
14. A transformational church has the highest
passion for Jesus and people.
15. Most people can answer the question, "Who are
we reaching?"
16. Faith activity is prevalent. Do we do something
based on whether we have the burden for it or if
we have the money for it.
17. There are many people involved in significant
ministry.
18. The church has a ministry based training experience
or how to live and do the work of Christ.
19. People recognize that Obedience is an end.
20. The preaching and teaching of the church is true,
relevant, interesting, clear and applicable
In short, most of us have a long way to go, me included. I am currently learning to
pray in new and more effective ways for the building up of the church and ultimately for the Kingdom of God. I also desire to provide ways that we as a church can continue to reach out and still maintain the spiritual health and vitality of the local church. Next week I'll share with you the non-transformational issues that local churches experience. At that end will share with you where I believe we are and what we could do to improve in those areas.
Love you all,
Pastor Richard
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Over the top?
Ok I'll admit it, my message Sunday morning may have been a little over the top. My intent was not to necessarily divulge personal information for sympathy but rather to let you know that even pastors are human and subject to problems that everyone else experiences. Not necessarily to the extreme that I did, but people do suffer from all kinds of maladies. Mine just happened to be emotional.
Ok, with that said I wanted to review with you the importance of putting those
"tools" into practice. There was one that I actually left out. Not on purpose of course, but never the less it is important to talk about the thing I that I wished I'd said. And that is, drum roll pleaseeeeee. The one that I left out was the important roll that Scripture plays when we feel stretched to limit and beyond our limit of stress. I'm wondering if you ever have sensed the calm that comes over our heart in times of grief or bewilderment? Or when you don't feel like you can go another step or make another move and Phil. 4:13 pops into your head, "I Can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." How about when you loose you way? What you've never lost your way? It's then that you remember that passage you memorized as a child in what 3rd or 4th grade? "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."(Prov. 3:5) Now that will help us get back on track! You see
when we feel like we're on our own, we're really not on our own. Scripture is what helps keep us on track and is probably the biggest tool in the toolbox. Maybe we could say that God's Word IS the toolbox and everything inside are the tools He intends for us to use. He won't mind, He doesn't even care that much if we don't always give credit where credit is due, afterall, "His word never returns to Him void".
Ok, with that said I wanted to review with you the importance of putting those
"tools" into practice. There was one that I actually left out. Not on purpose of course, but never the less it is important to talk about the thing I that I wished I'd said. And that is, drum roll pleaseeeeee. The one that I left out was the important roll that Scripture plays when we feel stretched to limit and beyond our limit of stress. I'm wondering if you ever have sensed the calm that comes over our heart in times of grief or bewilderment? Or when you don't feel like you can go another step or make another move and Phil. 4:13 pops into your head, "I Can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." How about when you loose you way? What you've never lost your way? It's then that you remember that passage you memorized as a child in what 3rd or 4th grade? "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."(Prov. 3:5) Now that will help us get back on track! You see
when we feel like we're on our own, we're really not on our own. Scripture is what helps keep us on track and is probably the biggest tool in the toolbox. Maybe we could say that God's Word IS the toolbox and everything inside are the tools He intends for us to use. He won't mind, He doesn't even care that much if we don't always give credit where credit is due, afterall, "His word never returns to Him void".
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Last Sunday/10-18-2009
I've mentioned before that as I am speaking I am trying to think ahead to what I want to say next and sometimes my brain gets twisted 'round. That's right twisted 'round. It gets twisted 'round everything that I've already said and is sorting out the things it wants to say. For instance, last sunday I made reference to Isaiah and that he was a prophet of the Lord at the time of his experience in the temple. He was actually dreaming, at least that's what the general agreement is, and the Lord came to him in his dream. Someone following the service mentioned to me that, that moment in Isaiah 6:8 was God's calling upon him to forsake all and announce to His people the message that was to follow. I said that Isaiah was already a prophet of the Lord. I wish I'd said that this was actually prior to his calling instead of the other. This reminds me of the importance of getting my scholarship right before I open my mouth.
People often wonder I'm sure, what difference does it make. Perhaps in the long run, not a whole lot. But on the short end it does matter. It matters because as a pastor and as fellow Christians when we make statements about characters in the Bible we need to be as accurate as possible. Now we all make our far share of mistakes and misquotes. At least I do and so I strive to create the best picture I can of who God is and what He has done. Otherwise it opens too many doors and gives too much room for incorrect scholarship and storytelling.
However, when someone reads the Bible they are reading more than just a story! The Bible is a collection of accounts, which is different than a story. Often times stories are simply a fictional recollection of what someone heard or wrote. The accounts in scripture are more than that. They are accounts of what really took place. In some cases they may seem unbelieveable, but never the less are still true and contain truths for our everyday lives. And that's the place that our faith goes to work. The writer of Hebrews told us this, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Heb. 11:1 NIV This is faith at work. Believing and confident that what God said is not only true but will come to pass.
Have you exercised your gift of faith yet this week? No matter how large or small it may be. As we exercise our faith it grows right along with us. Trust God to help you as you exercise your faith to get to know Him and the plans that He has made for you.
People often wonder I'm sure, what difference does it make. Perhaps in the long run, not a whole lot. But on the short end it does matter. It matters because as a pastor and as fellow Christians when we make statements about characters in the Bible we need to be as accurate as possible. Now we all make our far share of mistakes and misquotes. At least I do and so I strive to create the best picture I can of who God is and what He has done. Otherwise it opens too many doors and gives too much room for incorrect scholarship and storytelling.
However, when someone reads the Bible they are reading more than just a story! The Bible is a collection of accounts, which is different than a story. Often times stories are simply a fictional recollection of what someone heard or wrote. The accounts in scripture are more than that. They are accounts of what really took place. In some cases they may seem unbelieveable, but never the less are still true and contain truths for our everyday lives. And that's the place that our faith goes to work. The writer of Hebrews told us this, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Heb. 11:1 NIV This is faith at work. Believing and confident that what God said is not only true but will come to pass.
Have you exercised your gift of faith yet this week? No matter how large or small it may be. As we exercise our faith it grows right along with us. Trust God to help you as you exercise your faith to get to know Him and the plans that He has made for you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)