The Gospel of John

Irony. Paradox. Sarcasm. Symbolism. Double (and Triple) Meanings. Juxtaposition. With these John retells the events of Jesus’ life. One thing you can be sure of from the Gospel of John, there is always a deeper meaning beneath the surface. Always more going on than first meets the eye. John invites us to dig, uncover and ponder the Truth that permeates the actions and teachings of Jesus. You see the purpose of the Fourth Gospel is primarily theological, not historical. The main point isn’t the precise chronology of events in Jesus life, but the theological significance of those events. So John’s main point is not to merely detail where Jesus went and what he did when he went to a certain place. His main objective is to get his readers (us) to have our souls nourished by the bread of life and living water. He bids us into the spiritual deep in search of the life-giving (eternal) meaning behind Jesus’ words and actions. Ironically, John’s goal in highlighting all of the irony, paradox, and double meaning is crystal clear. His purpose for writing is so that all may believe in Jesus and by believing enjoy life in his name. Join us as we wade into to the deep for a truth search through the Gospel of John. Each week a diffent chapter. Each week a new discovery!

Lime Tree Miracle

The start of a new year always provides a fitting time to examine the trajectory our lives are taking. It’s a good time to review the past, examine the present and consider the future path of our lives. A helpful question I often ask is something like this, "Where are my current actions, attitudes and behaviors invariably leading me?" This is helpful because isn’t it true that our current actions, behaviors and beliefs largely determine our destination. Or to say it another way, your current direction determines your destination. In nearly every area of life, where we end up is based on the path we choose to take. Let me illustrate by telling you about our Christmas lime tree miracle. True story. As you all know, a few months ago we moved here to Florida. In the back yard of our new home is a tree. Not knowing much about horticulture generally, and even less about plant life in Florida specifically I had no idea what kind of tree it was. It’s about 10 feet tall and over the summer it was producing a bright green fruit. Someone told us it was a lime tree. So out of the limes we made guacamole, we squeezed its juices into our water, we even drank the juice of a few limes right off the tree. Over that last few months our limes started to turn yellow and shades of amber. On Christmas Day my brother in law gave us an unexpected gift. He brought in one of our rotten limes and told us that we didn’t have a lime tree at all, we had an orange tree. It’s an orange tree! For the record, orange juice in guacamole isn't so bad… a little sweet, but not awful. Over time the type of tree was proved by the fruit it produced. Given enough time the tree would inevitably be shown for what it is, not a lime but an orange tree. The outcome (oranges) was determined by what it was (orange tree). Jesus once said “a good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit” (Matt 7:18). Who we are (our current beliefs, actions, attitudes and values) determines what fruit will be produced in our lives. Now at the beginning of the year, I encourage all of us to make a life course evaluation. Is your life - spiritually, financially, relationally, vocationally, physically- heading in the direction you want it to end? Our direction determines our destination. If all is on track then I pray you'll be encouraged to press on toward the prize. But if your direction is aiming toward a bad ending then know there is hope. The good news is that Jesus always allows course adjustments, even all out U-turns. You can turn around at this New Year, adjust your course and Christ will help you. May the Lord be a light for your path in 2013 illuminating the way that leads to life... life in abundance!

Counted, but Not Fully Accounted For

Luke 2:1 - The powerful Roman Empire wanted to take inventory of its power. So they required that all the inhabitants of their world, return to the home town, to register. Register so that Rome would know that you existed. Rome had to know if one existed, so that they would know that you could pay taxes. That was the real purpose for the census, to count heads and to make sure they were getting all the tax revenue that was coming to them. Caesar Augustus took a census. He wanted to take a look at the numbers. How many people do we have in the empire, how many do we control? How many do we rule over? How many owe us money? So they counted. The numbers were important. While this massive count was going on, a hard working carpenter and good citizen named Joseph took his family to his hometown of Bethlehem. The city was packed, for the required homecoming. It was a homecoming of sorts, as people that had moved away were required to return home. So in Bethlehem were people Joseph hadn’t seen in years. Back in Bethlehem, back to the hood for the census. And he with all the inhabitants of Bethlehem came to be counted. Sometimes I like being counted. Like when I vote, I like to know that my vote counts. I like to know I’m being counted. In fact whenever I have an opinion about something, I like to know mine is counted taken into consideration. When people are handing out pecan pie for dessert, I like to be counted. Sometimes I like to be counted. When I go to lunch with friends, I like it when there is a chair there for me. I like to be counted for dinners. When I go to my kid's performances or events at school and they want to know how many parents are in the audience, I want to be counted. I want them to know that I’m there, sometimes I lift two hands. When I was in school and the teacher would ask, how many read your assignment last night. I liked to raise my hand, look around with a shot of superiority, and be counted. That didn’t happen very often. Sometimes I like to be counted. One September, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of 9/11 a human flag was assembled on Mount Trashmore. It was a Monday at about 9:00am, JT and I went. We were part of the second red stripe. We held a red 4’ square. We were five rows from the bottom, and four from the end. When they counted how many were there I wanted to be counted. Sometimes I like to be counted. Some times you like to be counted too. You like to know there’s a chair at the table for you, you like to know that you’re voted counts, that your opinion is taken into consideration, that your presence matters. But sometimes I don’t like being counted. Sometimes I get mad when people tell me to take a number and seat. Sometimes I don’t like it when people ask me for my account number before they address me by name. Sometimes I like to duck when people are counting heads. Some times when I’m told to take number...I take two and double my chances. Sometimes I don’t like being counted. Some thing about being counted...some times it makes me feel kind of empty though does it you? Being counted kind of doesn’t feel right, it doesn’t feel quite appropriate. I mean who likes to be a number. Some people quit jobs, and they tell us it’s because they felt like a number. And we all know what that means. Some people get disgruntled with churches because they feel like they are just a number. Being counted can feel like being used. We’ve all been in situations where it seemed like people were more concerned with who wasn’t there, than the fact that we were there. I’ve been both criminal and victim in that deal. And it doesn’t feel good. That happens at Christmas gatherings doesn’t it. Sometimes we gather, and all everyone can talk about is who isn’t there. Who could have come but didn’t, because they’re too selfish or lazy or whatever. Sometimes worse than being counted is, to be in the room but not counting. I bet you don’t like that much either. I don’t like being counted some times. I bet that’s how Joseph felt. He probably didn’t like being counted by Rome. He probably felt used. All of his friends and family probably felt a little like property. Because the empire was only interested in “who are we missing.” Like counting subjects...funny thing about counting subjects...it can make you feel like an object. I bet that is how Joseph felt, like an object of Rome. He and his wife and the baby, they were counted. But didn’t feel like they much counted. People still like to do a lot of counting at Christmas. At the Christmas play we like to count the wise men, to make sure it’s biblically accurate and has three. People like to count gifts. And if their gift count is less than another’s, the its is perceived that the other is loved more. They think it means they count, or don’t count as much. Parents count how much other parents spend on their children, and say rude things about them. People count pounds at Christmas too. They have given up on counting calories. A lot of counting still goes on for Christmas. Retailers like to count at Christmas. They rely so heavily on our materialism to survive. They depend on our indulgence to make it through the trying days of seasonal change. So they count. They calculate revenue, the count sales, they count shoppers, they count profit margin. A lot of counting goes on at Christmas time. There was a lot of counting going on the night of the first Christmas. Rome was counting. People were being counted. And the census was going well. The numbers were up. Leading indicators suggested Rome was strong. But numbers can lie. Well numbers don’t lie, but people do. I think that’s why I don’t always like being counted. The numbers didn’t tell the whole story. You see that night in Bethlehem the numbers didn’t tell the whole story. You see according to the census there were two in Joseph’s family. But a baby was born...so I guess that counts as three. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. You see the census told Rome how many were in the kingdom, it told them how many were in Joseph’s family...but the numbers didn’t tell the story. According to the numbers there were just three. Nothing significant, nice small family. Rome’s census could count the birth of Jesus, but it could not account for the one who was born. Because as anyone who has ever been in a meeting knows, it’s not how many are far a decision, it matter who many are for it. I guess what I’m saying is that what was significant on Christmas night, was not how many were in Joseph’s family, or how many were in Bethlehem that evening. You see counting, could not account for WHO was born that night. ON the spreadsheet he was just one. But he was so much more than that. Each year we come back to Christmas. And we gather for Christmas eve, and in our homes, and remember that the world can’t fully account for the impact of Jesus’ life death and resurrection. While the numbers are impressive....millions of devoted followers of Jesus all over the world. But the numbers, as impressive as they are, don’t account fully for who Jesus was, and who he is. And so we come to Christmas eve, and we light the candles, and we sing the songs, and marvel. Because who he was and what he has done can’t be calculated. There is not a spreadsheet long enough, or calculator complex enough that it can explain what this baby has meant to our world. The lives changed, the hope that he has restored, the strength that he has given, the goodness that he has brought to this world. Nations have risen and fallen because of him, people have been healed because of him, and relationships have been restored because of him. All of this, from just a “1” on a Roman spreadsheet. We come again and again and marvel, because the impact of his life can’t be counted. The empire had no idea what the child born in Bethlehem would accomplish, what he would teach us about love, righteousness, goodness, faith, sacrifice, and victory. He taught the world a side of those things it had never known before, and would have never figured out on its own. All from just a number 1, on a Roman Spreadsheet. He could be counted but not fully accounted for. No one here knew what his life would become. That’s why there was no room for him. That is why no special arrangements were made for him, no VIP accommodations. Just a feeding trough on the backside of a Bethlehem inn. No one here could imagine what he would become, how could we? But heaven took an accurate account. Heaven knew what he was and what he would be, and what he would make possible for the earth’s inhabitants. And the announced it publicly on the first Christmas night “I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior is born to you: he is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths lying in a manger.” ..... “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Lk. 2. 10-14) It wasn’t how many were in Bethlehem or in Rome. I’m sure there were other babies born that night...but there was none like him. There never has been, there never will be. It wasn’t how many were born, it was Who was born. The inventory, the census missed that. Here’s the strange twist to this story. There was an important inventory being taken in the days of Caesar Augustus. But it wasn’t a physical inventory of heads. No in those days, a spiritual inventory was being taken. And the one taking inventory wasn’t Caesar, it was God. An inventory, a census of the hearts and souls of human beings was being done. And to those whose hearts were found hungry for truth and righteousness and redemption, well to them good news was headed their way. To those who were too at home in this world, too at ease with its wisdom and wickedness, well to them the news wasn’t so good. There was a census being taken. But the important census was being taken by God...and he is still taking it. He is still searching for hearts that long to be made whole, lives that long to be restored, people who have sinned and who want to be forgiven. And to those who receive him and believe in his name, they find themselves in the Book of Life...the book that lists all those who have become children of God. We discover that in God’s book we count. The inventory began during the reign of Caesar August, in a manager in Bethlehem. The numbers are in, and the result is clear, there is just one appropriate response Jesus: Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning, O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. God, born as a baby and became a man- we FALL DOWN BEFORE HIM AND WORSHIP HIM AS GOD. Whether you do or whether you don’t, the census has begun. Amen

Wise Guidance for Christmas

As we approach another holiday season, my thoughts take me to Matthew’s gospel and a few guys who knew a lot about making a successful Christmas journey. Here are some facts from their story I found very helpful. I trust they will be enlightening to you too. 1. Be Wise. The Wise Men were, well… wise. This not only describes their job as magi or wise men for Persian Royals, it also says what was true of them. They were men of wisdom. At Christmas time it seems wisdom is always called for but too often buried under a month of feel good, impulse decisions that too often create in its wake eleven months of regret. At Christmas, financial wisdom is needed to spend appropriately. Relational wisdom is needed to deal with that one relative (or a dozen) that seems to know just how to turn your egg nog. And spiritual wisdom is needed to keep the focus on Christ through all the many festivities that will call for our time and focus. May we be wise people. 2. Approach the Season as a Journey. The magi journeyed a long way to find the Christ Child. It is helpful to approach the season of time from Thanksgiving Day to Christmas Day as a journey. The celebration of Advent is the way Christians have historically reenacted the anticipation that preceded the first arrival (advent) of Christ. This is why I love advent calendars. They help me savor this Season as a daily journey and not just a one day event. May we enjoy and fully experience the Advent journey. 3. Remember the Search is for a King. What raised the intensity and excitement of the magi’s journey is for whom they were searching. They were not combat shopping, better known as Black Friday shopping. I am assured by many that there is an adrenaline rush that comes with combat shopping though personally I do not have that Black Friday adrenaline gland. The Magi were not driven by the quest to land the latest toy or gadget. The thrill of the wise men’s journey was what was at stake. What waited at the end of a successful journey would change their lives. May we search as those searching for a living King, not merely for a historical figure. 4. Be Willing to Learn. The magi were really smart guys and yet their humility is what made finding Christ a possibility for them. Intelligence alone never leads anyone to Christ (or away from him for that matter). The journey always eventually requires faith and humility. The Magi first went to Jerusalem thinking they would find the king there. They were wrong. He was born in Bethlehem. Yet, to their credit they didn’t try to make an argument for, "The Rightness of Israel’s King Birthed in the City of David.” No, in joyful humility they turned and traveled to Bethlehem. We get the most out of any experience when we are willing to learn. Willingness to learn means, in part, being open to truths we don’t know and admit that some assumptions we hold may be wrong. May we be humble enough to learn and to change. 5. Spontaneously Worship. These smart worldly men spontaneously worshipped when, at the end of their search, they found Christ. The first gift they gave Christ was not gold, frankincense nor myrrh. They first offered their search, then their worship, then their treasures. Their worship was spontaneous and full of joy! May our journey to Christmas Day be sprinkled with divine encounters and may it culminate in spontaneous overflowing joy at the feet of Christ the King. This Christmas season will provide the opportunity to once again journey toward Christ. Enjoy the Season and learn from the journey.

MapMyRoute

I enjoy running. Yes, I run even though I’m not being chased. Anyway, I use this I-Phone app when I run called “mapmyrun.” It’s a neat little tool that lets me know through my earphones in an unemotional and direct female voice, how long I’ve been running, how far I’ve gone, and how slow my minute per mile pace is. One of the coolest aspects of the app is that when my run is finished I can see a picture of my route. I like pictures. It’s always interesting to see what the route looks like. Usually my route resembles some state. Sometimes it makes a big state like Texas or Alaska, sometimes an Oklahoma or Illinois. And sometimes when I’m tired a Hawaii or Rhode Island. Two Biblical passages come to mind when thinking of routes. The first one comes from the Old Testament. Just imagine Israel’s route in the wilderness. Can you say scribble scratch!? Remember Israel was freed from Egypt and traveled through the wilderness on their way toward the Promised Land. A journey that should have taken about two weeks was stretched into forty years! If we were to look at that route, it would tell a story. It would tell the story of a people who weren’t sure where they were going and who were not prepared to enter the place God prepared for them. Their map was a tightly woven circular route of cleansing and preparation. It was a painful, extended, and redundant journey that eventually prepared them for crossing the Jordan River. As a church staff, we have been in the process of prayerfully sketching out the route God wants to take. Strategic ministry planning is challenging but exciting work. We have been inspired to think and dream about where God wants to take the Bayside church family. We know this. We do not want to be Israel wandering in the wilderness. The other Biblical route that comes to mind is from the ministry of Jesus told in the New Testament. It is found in John 4. Jesus was in Judea in the South on his way to Galilee in the North. We are told that Jesus ‘had to go through’ Samaria. Interestingly, what we know from history is that during that time period Jews intentionally avoided going through Samaria to avoid being defiled by a people considered unclean. But Jesus ‘had to go’ through Samaria because Samaritans had to be reached with the gospel. His route tells a story. That journey tells as story of fearless love for all people, “even the least of these.” As for our church family, Jesus’ example tells us that a route that is faithful to the mission of reaching people will often be unconventional and rarely safe. I’ve often wondered what my personal route would like if I had an application called “map my spiritual route.” I think it would be filled with straight lines, a few big loops, and even a few well worn dots- places where it looked like I wasn’t moving at all. What would your route look like? Today wherever you are on your route, step toward Jesus. That, you can be sure, is never a wrong move. And one day we will see what shape our completed route took. As a Christian, regardless of the final shape we know where our route ends. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Cor. 2:9

SMART JESUS

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18 Benny was a really smart kid I went to elementary school with. I was smart for a while too, but then for some strange reason in the fourth grade I got a “C” on my report card. I wasn’t smart anymore. Benny didn’t stop in the 4th grade, he just kept getting smarter. The saving grace in my unspoken competition with Benny was that I was much better basketball player than him. So I was usually eager to get out of the classroom and onto the court for practice. The court provided me opportunities to put it in Benny’s face (in the love of Christ of course). My dominance was assisted by the fact that he was about 4 inches shorter than me. But one day in the third grade, Benny beat me at my own game. Our coach had the team doing layups at the end of practice. In the course of doing the lay ups, everyone had missed at least one layup except for Benny and me. A teammate noticed this and began to provoke the competition. Who would miss first? So it went back and forth. He would make a layup and then I would make one. He made one. Then I made one. Then him. Then I, with a little bit too much confidence, went to the basket too strong. The ball ricocheted off the backboard, grazed the front of the rim and bounced onto the hardwood. The thud of the basketball was a dagger. He had beaten me at my game. I always respected Benny as the smart kid in the classroom, but from that day on I respect him a bit more as a ball player. I’ve met a lot of people who respect Jesus as a compassionate and caring person. On the field of kind words and warm hearts many people respect Jesus. Many even admire him because they know that in the compassion arena no one has a game like Jesus. And that is true. Jesus has exemplified for the world much about kindness and compassion. What many miss is the “smart Jesus.” I don’t know that we speak enough about how smart Jesus was. This is important because if we doubt a person’s intelligence it’s very unlikely that we will heed their advice, much less obey their direction. Very few talk much about the intelligence of Jesus. Some talk about his courage. Many laud his grace, his mercy, and even his devotion to God. But too few talk about how smart he was. People seem comfortable talking about his spirit and heart, but not as much about his mind. That to me is a missing link in much of our understanding of Jesus of Nazareth. If you’re a thinker, if you are a brain, let me just say it. Jesus was really smart. He was indeed the smartest person to ever grace this planet. The apostle Paul was one of the most well-educated, fiercest debaters, and sharpest minds of his day. And he found no problem bending his intellectual knee to the superior mind of Christ. In fact, Paul would pray that people might have the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:1) and he marveled at the knowledge held in the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16). I want to encourage you to continue to love the Lord with all your heart, with all soul, with all your strength and with all of your mind. It could deepen your worship of Jesus more than you thought possible. Jesus invites us, “Come let us reason together.”

Time To Shine

In a few weeks the Games of the XXX Olympiad will begin. We will watch young Olympians compete at the highest level. Young athletes we’ve never heard of before, with success in their disciplines, will become household names. Yet, what we know is that these overnight successes have been years, sometimes decades in the making. Countless hours of training and preparation has gone in to ready them for peak performance in their “moment.” That moment for some will begin with fingertips on a starting line, for some toes on the edge of a diving board, for others hands raised on the corner of a gymnastics mat. With the pride and support of their homeland, each individual’s ability will be on display for the World to observe. It will be their moment to shine. Everything they have worked for will matter in that moment. As Christians we resonate deeply with such Olympic themes as training, perseverance, honor and victory because we too are in a great competition. Our Apostolic trainer, St. Paul called on the themes of sport to inspire and instruct Christ-followers toward the worthy prize of godliness and the ultimate reward of heaven. God’s Word teaches us that now is our time to shine. “Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky…” (Phil 2:15). On August 5th we will be starting a sermon series through the book of Philippians. Philippians is a training guide for how we can compete with joy at the highest level. Join as at Bayside as we seek to apply its principles and win the most important prize of life…and have fun doing it! August 5 Finish What You Start / Philippians 1:1-11 August 12 Live Up To the Hype / Philippians 1:12-29 August 19 Be Remarkable / Philippians 2:1-11 August 26 Time to Shine / Philippians 2:12-21 September 2 Understand the Scoring System / Philippians 3:1-11 September 9 Dig Deep / Philippians 3:12-21 September 16 Joy in Everything / Philippians 4:1-7 September 23 Contentment Always / Philippians 4:8-23

Leader Check List

Eight Questions in Identifying a Leader

1. Are they discontent?
A person with the leadership gift usually thinks s/he could do it better if only they were running things. Leaders are always looking to improve things and are often discontent with status quo. A constructive spirit of discontentment is found in the heart of Godly leaders.

2. Do they bring ideas to the table?
There is a difference between critics and leaders. Criticism is easy. Leadership is not. Like a critic, leaders see problems but unlike the critic the leader chooses to be part of the solution. Leaders find practical solutions to the problems they see.

3. Is anybody listening to them?
If people are paying attention to what "x" is saying. Then "x" is a leader. Identify those that others are listening to.

4. Are they respected by others?
Some people talk but are not respected. They are not leaders. Find those whose opinions and ideas carry weight because the person voicing them is respected.

5. Can they create and/or catch vision?
Not all leaders are able to cast vision, but all leaders get jazzed about possibilities. Their eyes widen when vision is spoken.

6. Do they show a willingness to take responsibility?
Leaders step up.

7. Do they finish the job?
Good leaders get-'r-done. They show perseverance and determination, not stopping until the job is complete. A quitter is not worth following.

8. Can they handle Criticism?
All leaders face criticism, doubt and questions. Leaders learn not to whimper every time people talk negatively about them. Followers are suppose to talk about leaders... you're the leader! If they aren't talking about you then you probably aren't leading them any where. Criticism is part of the price tag of leadership so tough mindedness is a must.

(adapted from Multi-site Church Revolution)

Gospel of Mark

Click Here To View Series Video Introduction.

Fast. Raw. Razor Sharp. Unrefined. Urgent. Poignant. Each an appropriate characteristic of the gospel of Mark. No shepherds, no manger or silent night, Mark blasts out of the blocks with, "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."
"Immediately" is one of the most used words in Mark. Jesus is presented as the Son of Man who has a mission to accomplish, an urgent job to do. Namely, crush Sin and set Sinners free through the Cross.
Written to a Church facing intensely unjust persecution, literally being burned as living torches for Rome's perverse entertainment, Mark wants to make powerfully clear that Jesus Christ is Sovereign and therefore all suffering for his name is worth it and will be rewarded mightily.
Like a top fuel dragster off the line, Jesus accelerates throughout the book of Mark until he takes the Roman Centurion's checkered flag, "Surely this man was the Son of God" (15:39).
Experience the thrill ride of Mark's gospel with us. Fasten your seat belt, the green flag drops February 26th.

Two Laned Path to Greatness

When it comes to making an impact for Christ, it seems there are two very important questions to ask.

1. Where are we showing up?
The ministry of presence is powerful. As a Church (as Christians) we have impact when we show up for events, outreaches, difference making gatherings in our community. So where are you showing up? Where you show up says a lot about what you care about.

2. What are we giving away?
Impact is made by our presence and what we leave behind in those places. The greatest impact on this world came through Jesus. And the coming of JEsus meant that 1) God showed up and 2) He gave himself away. God came to earth in the incarnate Son and gave his life as a ransom for sin for the entire world. His Church that continues to exists as the hands and feet of Jesus are at its best when it shows up and gives away compassion, grace, love, food, clothes, money.

So where are you showing up? What are you giving away? The way you answer those questions will largely reveal your impact for Christ in the world.

I'm grateful to pastor a church that shows up and gives away in our community! I'm convinced those two questions make up the two laned path to greatness in the Kingdom of God.

SOAP BOX: Too many of us in churches get it backwards. We judge our impact by how many show up for our stuff (our own church/denominational events, progams, services) and give us stuff (tithes, offerings, time). While gatherings have there place in accomplishing impact, I think this view is at best woefully inadequate.

DONE! ...Our Challenge

QUESTIONS-> Do you ever want to say “I’m done!”? Does your life seem stuck? Do you feel like you’re on a plateau? Are you tired of the spiritual rut? Are you eager to see your life, your family and your church achieve a deeper devotion to, and impact for, Christ? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions then you will be very interested in the NEW sermon series and small group semester starting August 28th.

DONE! -> “I’m done!” This is a phrase we often use in exasperation to declare we are closing one chapter and beginning and new one. The reality is that advancement in any endeavor, achievement of any goal, growth in any area of life demands that we say “I’m done.” We must forsake certain things and replace them with others. To achieve a goal, old habits are forsaken and replaced with new ones. You’ve probably noticed that most people remain stuck in unfulfilling patterns of life because they are unwilling to forsake useless, even harmful ways and replace them with healthy, life-giving ones. They haven’t yet come to the place of saying “I’m done”, so their misery continues. We must give up to go up! Improvement means declaring an end to lesser things for greater things.

JESUS‘ EXAMPLE -> Christ was done with people lost without salvation. So he forsook the previously unbroken fellowship with the Father in Heaven, to come to Earth to die on the cross for our sin. He gave up “equality with God” for a greater mission, the mission to redeem people far from God.

SMALL GROUPS -> I urge you to come hear the messages AND to participate in a small group. In our small groups, we will discuss in greater depth the previous Sunday’s message and corresponding challenge. Every member of our church family serious about Jesus should be participating in a group. Groups are forming now and will start the week of August 28st.

BACK STORY -> I read a book and I prayed. In the fall of 2010, I read a book entitled Radical written by David Platt. I knew God wanted me to preach on the topics covered in the book so I waited for the right time. In the meantime, I have been praying a radical prayer for our Church, including you! Because of Radical and Jesus’ words in places like Luke 14, I’ve been praying that all of us would take up the challenge to forsake spiritual mediocrity and replace it with whole-hearted devotion to Jesus. I’m praying every one of us will say “I’m Done” with spiritual mediocrity.

August 28 DONE! with Ignorance of the Bible
September 4 DONE! with Spiritual Apathy
September 11 DONE! with Complacency
September 18 DONE! with Materialism
September 25 DONE! with Isolation

Wisdom -- Follow Me

Street smart, common sense, has a clue, intuitive, emotionally intelligent... these get close to what the book of Proverbs means when it calls us to gain wisdom. Technically, wisdom is the right application of knowledge. We tend to admire knowledge and neglect the critical value of wisdom. Now the Bible celebrates knowledge. Smarts is good! But horse sense is even better! Knowing how to apply said knowledge, having wisdom, is the real treasure. We all know really smart people who do really dumb stuff! Knowledge acquisition is no guarantee that a person will have any clue how to relate to others, order their finances, manage time, or speak with tact (for example).

The ancient sages of the Bible esteemed wisdom highly because they saw a created order in the universe. They rightly perceived that certain moral principles governed human life. Therefore they implored their youth to know those laws (knowledge) and properly apply the principles (wisdom)so that they would have success in life. "He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers" (Prov. 19.8).

It's frustrating when we smart folk consistently find our lives hitting the "proverbial" brick wall. Here's the truth. It may not be because we lack knowledge, it may be that we are futilely attempting to defy wisdom. The Lord promises to instruct us, if only we will listen.

June 12 we will begin a series on the book Proverbs. Each Sunday through the summer we will be talking and learning wisdom from Israel's wisest King Solomon. The school of wisdom is now enrolling.

When We Pray

Two things are true of prayer. (1) Never is a Christ-follower STRONGER than when s/he is praying. (2)Nothing in the Christian life is HARDER than praying. We desire to pray but honestly we fail so often at it. Prayer gets misunderstood. Evidence of this is seen in how much time is spent discussing and debating postures and volume - sit or stand, quiet or loud, hands up or folded, eyes open or closed, written or spontaneous. Which is the right way? Which is better? Which way works?

Did you know the original disciples of Jesus were just as curious about prayer as we are? They once asked Jesus (the master pray-er), "how do we pray?" Jesus told them, WHEN YOU PRAY say...
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.

You've heard it before. It's been called the Lord's Prayer, the Our Father, even the Disciples' Prayer. What's important to remember is that the words of this prayer are not a rhetorical rabbits foot, or spell or incantation, they contain the Lord's insighful teaching on prayer. And the prayer is POWERFUL!

In the next few weeks at Breiel Church we are going to plunge the topic of prayer by looking verse by verse at the Lord's Prayer found in Matthew 6. We're not going after pat answers or evidence to defend our preferred method of prayer. We are seeking illumination into the power of prayer and inspiration to do it! I'd love to have you join me in this study of prayer. The series runs from May 1 - May 22.

Re:Presenting Christ

"Better"... that is the one word that sums up the book of Hebrews. Twenty-five times the cluster of words, 'greater', 'better', 'more' appear in Hebrews' 14 chapters. The book, which really functions and reads more as a sermonic letter, reveals how much greater Christ is than... well than everything! The Supremacy of Christ is a powerful biblical truth that Christ reigns over all. This doctrine is a deep and crucial one that every follower of Jesus must understand and be convinced of. It has practical implications for our lives. Understanding that Christ is above and over all impacts our worship, our understanding of suffering, our understanding of the cross, our decision making, even our understanding of the history of the world. Just to name a few.

This letter was originally written within the first few decades after the resurrection of Jesus. The writer of Hebrews provides encouragement to a weak, scared, confused and intensely persecuted church by pointing them to the truth of Christ's Supremacy. He heads off their fear fed temptations to turn away from Christ, back to false religion by reminding them of the greatness of the One that saved them.

So, if you are a Christian who is questioning your faith; or if you're not a Christian and wondering what's the big deal about Jesus; or if you're simply unfamiliar with the doctrine of the Supremacy of Christ then this preaching series will be of great benefit to you. The series, RE:PRESENTING CHRIST, continues each Sunday from February 20 through Easter (April 24).

One Outstanding Student Loan

With our 16th Anniversary just days away I thought I'd re-post this in her honor. This was written to my wife Kristy upon OUR graduation from Asbury, 13 years ago.

From May 22, 1998
At times I am overwhelmed with gratefulness for the wonderful person I have married. This time in my life, when the sentiments are running high, I can’t help but express in words how much you mean to me. These past three years of our marriage have been nurtured in a place we have both grown to love. We have had celebrations –September 20th, and we’ve had disappointments- like when the couch wouldn’t fit! But through it all we have maintained our sense of humor and been willing to adapt to each situation.

As I prepare to walk the stage this Sunday I want you to know that you will walk with me. You, probably more than me, earned this degree. You deserve to be celebrated. It takes an extraordinary person to delay his or her own plans and dreams for someone else’s, like you have for me.

So as we look at paying back the monetary loans, let me assure you that I realize that there is yet one other outstanding debt to be paid. I hope that this down-payment of gratitude is a good start to my lifelong payment plan: a plan that includes honoring you, serving you, and never forgetting the hard work you have done to make this graduation from Asbury so meaningful.


I LOVE YOU,
Terry
May 22, 1998

A Simple Plan to Become More Like Jesus

At Breiel Church our mission is to see “more people become more like Jesus.” If you want to be more like Jesus, here is a simple plan to follow. Commit to the following plan and you will be more like Jesus by the end of 2011.

1. Worship (Love)
Practice: Devotions
Frequency: Daily
Make a habit of doing devotions (Bible reading and prayer) every day, or at least most days. This will make your relationship with Christ personal and authentic. The daily devotional can be as simple as reading a few verses from the Bible and praying on your way to work. Making this a daily habit is vital to your maturation as a Christian.

Practice: Community Worship
Frequency: Weekly
Go to Church each week. Grow in your love for God by worshipping him along with the local Body of Christ. Weekly large group worship will lift you up and keep you encouraged.

2. Discipleship (Learn)
Practice: Small Groups
Frequency: Once Every Six Months
Participate in two discipleship sessions per year. This will deepen your knowledge of God’s Word as well as help you connect with other Christ-followers. Attend two discipleship classes per year (10-20 meetings). This will look different for each person depending on their needs. For example, your two discipleship sessions might be a (1) Fall Financial Peace University course and (2) Spring Bible Study. Or it could be an eight-week (1) Sunday night ULearn elective in the Fall and a (2) Summer small group. Or it could be two sessions of a Sunday morning class (Sunday School).

3. Serving (Live)
Practice: Serving
Frequency: Once a year
Obviously there will be times to serve more often than once per year. But make it a point to participate, at least annually in an outreach event. This could mean involvement in a local outreach event like serving the homeless or volunteering at a block party outreach. Or it could mean that you go on an overseas mission trip to Peru or Ecuador. Another option would be involvement in a special outreach production like a Christmas or Easter outreach event

There you have it, a simple plan that can help you become more like Jesus.
"Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
2 Peter 3:18

Never Waste a Crisis

No one likes a crisis. I know I don't. Actually, I like to avoid them if possible. But here's my suggestion, if avoiding a crisis in not possible then for heavens sake don't waste it! I discovered that a crisis, though hard and treacherous at times to navigate through, provides golden opportunities. Some times these are once in a life time opportunities! Here are three good things a crisis can give you.
1. A crisis zooms us in what is most important. When you're in a crisis, you discover very quickly what is really important, what the real mission is, what the real purpose is.
2. A Crisis cuts through the bull. Few things reveal true attitudes, thoughts, feelings, movitations quickier and as clearly as a crisis situation. Often what we call crisis is merely bringing to the surface what has been lying below the surface all along. Thus, a crisis gives you the opportunity to deal with what's really going on and to understand what is really happening in the relationship, family, or organization.
3. A Crisis provides the opportunity for systemic change. A crisis, a real good one, will provide the opportunity to address and change long-standing, deep-rooted and systemic dysfunction in your relationship, family, or organization.

My advice, never waste a crisis!

The Season for Getting

Christmas is the season for giving! At least that's what we are told. But really? Well really... it's not. Now I like giving and recieving gifts as much as anyone. But Christmas doesn't begin with what we give, it begins by getting. Christmas is really the season for getting (receiving). This is not a call for unbridled greed nor is it a grinch like stiffling of the family gift exchange. What it is, is a call to a humble acknowledgement that we need what God came to offer - the way for reconciliation with God. God gave first. We recieve. The mandate of the gospel is “Get it!” Get what God gave through the incarnation of Jesus.

The pressure to give is largely to blame for the anxiety (and debt) that drains the joy of this season. Receiving what money could not buy, but what Jesus purchased by giving his own life, that is the gift humanity gets through Christmas. Christmas is about getting the good we did not, indeed could not earn nor deserve. Christmas is about getting grace. That’s what it’s all about. So by all means, if you haven't, get it!

My 100 Words on 100 Years

My hundred words on a hundred years…

- a pastor giving his boutonniere to a little girl
- a boy invited to stand on a pew to sing "This Little Light of Mine"
- a dollar given a young man for a 'good job' singing a song he couldn't finish

Reaching out while encouraging within. It feels right to celebrate our past when our future burns bright with promise. Dozens of young leaders receiving batons Sunday morning assure us of that! Should Jesus tarry, they will celebrate the 150th, and their children the Bi-Centennial. Find us faithful, God we pray.

Sin Cheats

In 2 Samuel 12 Nathan the prophet, confronts King David regarding his adultery and murder. Nathan makes the point to show David how much God had graciously given him. David had been blessed. Nathan declares that God was willing to give him even more. But instead of seeking God, David chose to have his desires met outside the will of God. The results (as always) were devestating.

This text makes me wonder how often sin is the result of greed and selfishness. Like a spoiled child David wanted more and he wanted it now. He was unwilling to wait or seek God for what he needed. Greed and selfishness led to his sin.

Sin is often our attempt to meet our own wants/needs outside the will of God. Sin not only cheats us, it also cheats God. Selfishness, impatience, and greed cheats the "God who wants to give us more". Sin provides what we want but adds destruction. Conversely, God's Will provides what we need, multiplies joy and takes away the (minus) destruction.