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.
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
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
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
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.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
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.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
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).
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
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
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
Thursday, January 06, 2011
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
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
Monday, January 03, 2011
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!
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!
Monday, December 20, 2010
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!
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!
Monday, October 11, 2010
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.
- 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.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Man Up = Serve God
The Scripture indicates that King David's middle son, Abonijah, was raised to do his own thing (1Kngs 1.6) without direction or correction from his father. This left Adonijah with a squishy middle, without the strength and depth of a godly man. What C.S. Lewis would call "a man without a chest." Abonijah's chestlessness plays out when David is near his final days. Abonijah takes the opportunity to crown himself king of Judah and Israel. With partying, celebration, and self-indulgence he proclaims his paper crown. It was all done without God, by a man without a chest. And it all failed miserably. When Solomon, the rightful heir calls Abonijah to the mat Abonijah quickly wilts and cries in fear because he (to his credit) realized he acted thoughtlessly and without God. In humilitaion he bows before Solomon and spares his own (miserable) life.
The Bible shows that men (and women) who serve God prosper. Those who 'man-up' succeed. In Biblical terms to "man up" is to be a man with a chest, a strong man who serves God.
Shortly before his death, King David gave Solomon this advise. "Be strong, show yourself a man (man-up) and observe what the Lord your God requires....so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go." (1 Kings 2.2-4)
The Bible is clear, Man up = serve God.
The Bible shows that men (and women) who serve God prosper. Those who 'man-up' succeed. In Biblical terms to "man up" is to be a man with a chest, a strong man who serves God.
Shortly before his death, King David gave Solomon this advise. "Be strong, show yourself a man (man-up) and observe what the Lord your God requires....so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go." (1 Kings 2.2-4)
The Bible is clear, Man up = serve God.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Proximity is not Reconciliation
God does not take away life; instead he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him" (2 Samuel 14.14)
From this text I am reminded of how much God values genuine reconciliation. King David, for all his success as a military and political leader, was not an exemplary father. In fact, he stunk! Absalom, David's son, murdered his brother. David forgave him, but never communicated that forgiveness. In place of the confrontation that might have led to genuine reconciliation, he merely ignored the sin. He allowed Absalom back in Jerusalem but never addressed anything to do with Absalom's bloody offense. The guilt of Absalom, and the silent treatment of David combined to create an explosive mix that would rip a family and kingdom apart.
I think David mistook proximity for reconciliation. People can live in the same town and still be estranged from each other. Shoot, I've known people who slept in the same bed but could not have been further apart. The Scriptures reveal to us the God who devises plans to reconcile people. And as his followers, he leads us away from estrangement toward reconciliation. God is a master reconciler! He devised a plan of reconciliation for sinful people to be reunited with their Holy Heavenly Father- the plan of salvation that comes through Jesus Christ. The Bible is filled with stories of reconciliation. A few examples- Jacob and Esau, Jesus and Peter, Paul and John Mark.
I guess I am just reminded today that closeness is not intimacy, proximity is not reconciliation. And ignoring a persons problem (sin) is not the same a offering forgiveness. Ignoring leads to destruction, forgiveness leads to healing.
From this text I am reminded of how much God values genuine reconciliation. King David, for all his success as a military and political leader, was not an exemplary father. In fact, he stunk! Absalom, David's son, murdered his brother. David forgave him, but never communicated that forgiveness. In place of the confrontation that might have led to genuine reconciliation, he merely ignored the sin. He allowed Absalom back in Jerusalem but never addressed anything to do with Absalom's bloody offense. The guilt of Absalom, and the silent treatment of David combined to create an explosive mix that would rip a family and kingdom apart.
I think David mistook proximity for reconciliation. People can live in the same town and still be estranged from each other. Shoot, I've known people who slept in the same bed but could not have been further apart. The Scriptures reveal to us the God who devises plans to reconcile people. And as his followers, he leads us away from estrangement toward reconciliation. God is a master reconciler! He devised a plan of reconciliation for sinful people to be reunited with their Holy Heavenly Father- the plan of salvation that comes through Jesus Christ. The Bible is filled with stories of reconciliation. A few examples- Jacob and Esau, Jesus and Peter, Paul and John Mark.
I guess I am just reminded today that closeness is not intimacy, proximity is not reconciliation. And ignoring a persons problem (sin) is not the same a offering forgiveness. Ignoring leads to destruction, forgiveness leads to healing.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Preparing to Hear a Sermon
How to Listen to a Sermon
by George Whitefield
Keys for getting the most out of what the preacher says
Jesus said, 'Therefore consider carefully how you listen' (Luke 8:18). Here are some cautions and directions, in order to help you hear sermons with profit and advantage.
1. Come to hear them, not out of curiosity, but from a sincere desire to know and do your duty. To enter His house merely to have our ears entertained, and not our hearts reformed, must certainly be highly displeasing to the Most High God, as well as unprofitable to ourselves.
2. Give diligent heed to the things that are spoken from the Word of God. If an earthly king were to issue a royal proclamation, and the life or death of his subjects entirely depended on performing or not performing its conditions, how eager would they be to hear what those conditions were! And shall we not pay the same respect to the King of kings, and Lord of lords, and lend an attentive ear to His ministers, when they are declaring, in His name, how our pardon, peace, and happiness may be secured?
3. Do not entertain even the least prejudice against the minister. That was the reason Jesus Christ Himself could not do many mighty works, nor preach to any great effect among those of His own country; for they were offended at Him. Take heed therefore, and beware of entertaining any dislike against those whom the Holy Ghost has made overseers over you.
Consider that the clergy are men of like passions with yourselves. And though we should even hear a person teaching others to do what he has not learned himself, yet that is no reason for rejecting his doctrine. For ministers speak not in their own, but in Christ’s name. And we know who commanded the people to do whatever the scribes and Pharisees should say unto them, even though they did not do themselves what they said (see Matt. 23:1-3).
4. Be careful not to depend too much on a preacher, or think more highly of him than you ought to think. Preferring one teacher over another has often been of ill consequence to the church of God. It was a fault which the great Apostle of the Gentiles condemned in the Corinthians: 'For whereas one said, I am of Paul; another, I am of Apollos: are you not carnal, says he? For who is Paul, and who is Apollos, but instruments in God’s hands by whom you believed?' (1 Cor. 1:12; 2:3-5).
Are not all ministers sent forth to be ministering ambassadors to those who shall be heirs of salvation? And are they not all therefore greatly to be esteemed for their work’s sake?
5. Make particular application to your own hearts of everything that is delivered. When our Savior was discoursing at the last supper with His beloved disciples and foretold that one of them should betray Him, each of them immediately applied it to his own heart and said, 'Lord, is it I?' (Matt. 26:22).
Oh, that persons, in like manner, when preachers are dissuading from any sin or persuading to any duty, instead of crying, 'This was intended for such and such a one!' instead would turn their thoughts inwardly, and say, 'Lord, is it I?' How far more beneficial should we find discourses to be than now they generally are!
6. Pray to the Lord, before, during, and after every sermon, to endue the minister with power to speak, and to grant you a will and ability to put into practice what he shall show from the Book of God to be your duty.
No doubt it was this consideration that made St. Paul so earnestly entreat his beloved Ephesians to intercede with God for him: 'Praying always, with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and for me also, that I may open my mouth with boldness, to make known the mysteries of the gospel' (Eph. 6:19-20). And if so great an apostle as St. Paul needed the prayers of his people, much more do those ministers who have only the ordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit.
If only all who hear me this day would seriously apply their hearts to practice what has now been told them! How ministers would see Satan, like lightning, fall from heaven, and people find the Word preached sharper than a two-edged sword and mighty, through God, to the pulling down of the devil’s strongholds!
This excerpt is adapted from Sermon 28 from The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield. Published by E. and C. Dilly, 1771-1772, London. George Whitefield (1714-1770) was a British Methodist evangelist whose powerful sermons fanned the flames of the First Great Awakening in the American colonies.
by George Whitefield
Keys for getting the most out of what the preacher says
Jesus said, 'Therefore consider carefully how you listen' (Luke 8:18). Here are some cautions and directions, in order to help you hear sermons with profit and advantage.
1. Come to hear them, not out of curiosity, but from a sincere desire to know and do your duty. To enter His house merely to have our ears entertained, and not our hearts reformed, must certainly be highly displeasing to the Most High God, as well as unprofitable to ourselves.
2. Give diligent heed to the things that are spoken from the Word of God. If an earthly king were to issue a royal proclamation, and the life or death of his subjects entirely depended on performing or not performing its conditions, how eager would they be to hear what those conditions were! And shall we not pay the same respect to the King of kings, and Lord of lords, and lend an attentive ear to His ministers, when they are declaring, in His name, how our pardon, peace, and happiness may be secured?
3. Do not entertain even the least prejudice against the minister. That was the reason Jesus Christ Himself could not do many mighty works, nor preach to any great effect among those of His own country; for they were offended at Him. Take heed therefore, and beware of entertaining any dislike against those whom the Holy Ghost has made overseers over you.
Consider that the clergy are men of like passions with yourselves. And though we should even hear a person teaching others to do what he has not learned himself, yet that is no reason for rejecting his doctrine. For ministers speak not in their own, but in Christ’s name. And we know who commanded the people to do whatever the scribes and Pharisees should say unto them, even though they did not do themselves what they said (see Matt. 23:1-3).
4. Be careful not to depend too much on a preacher, or think more highly of him than you ought to think. Preferring one teacher over another has often been of ill consequence to the church of God. It was a fault which the great Apostle of the Gentiles condemned in the Corinthians: 'For whereas one said, I am of Paul; another, I am of Apollos: are you not carnal, says he? For who is Paul, and who is Apollos, but instruments in God’s hands by whom you believed?' (1 Cor. 1:12; 2:3-5).
Are not all ministers sent forth to be ministering ambassadors to those who shall be heirs of salvation? And are they not all therefore greatly to be esteemed for their work’s sake?
5. Make particular application to your own hearts of everything that is delivered. When our Savior was discoursing at the last supper with His beloved disciples and foretold that one of them should betray Him, each of them immediately applied it to his own heart and said, 'Lord, is it I?' (Matt. 26:22).
Oh, that persons, in like manner, when preachers are dissuading from any sin or persuading to any duty, instead of crying, 'This was intended for such and such a one!' instead would turn their thoughts inwardly, and say, 'Lord, is it I?' How far more beneficial should we find discourses to be than now they generally are!
6. Pray to the Lord, before, during, and after every sermon, to endue the minister with power to speak, and to grant you a will and ability to put into practice what he shall show from the Book of God to be your duty.
No doubt it was this consideration that made St. Paul so earnestly entreat his beloved Ephesians to intercede with God for him: 'Praying always, with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and for me also, that I may open my mouth with boldness, to make known the mysteries of the gospel' (Eph. 6:19-20). And if so great an apostle as St. Paul needed the prayers of his people, much more do those ministers who have only the ordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit.
If only all who hear me this day would seriously apply their hearts to practice what has now been told them! How ministers would see Satan, like lightning, fall from heaven, and people find the Word preached sharper than a two-edged sword and mighty, through God, to the pulling down of the devil’s strongholds!
This excerpt is adapted from Sermon 28 from The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield. Published by E. and C. Dilly, 1771-1772, London. George Whitefield (1714-1770) was a British Methodist evangelist whose powerful sermons fanned the flames of the First Great Awakening in the American colonies.
Friday, June 04, 2010
Reflections for BoB (Blessing of the Bikes)
Last Sunday (May 30) was an amazing day. Such unity, love and Kingdom impact. Here are just some of my quick reflections on the day. When God does great things I too rarely take time to physically note it, and too often forget God's amazing work. This is a way to just give God praise for a breakthrough day.
What I noticed...
1. God clearly had a plan.
2. Visitors felt embraced and welcomed BECAUSE the church (we) looked outward.
3. Our church family invited their friends and family members.
4. There was Tangible (you could feel it) unity and love for each other that welcomed (and fanned) the Holy Spirit.
3. Christ followers from every generation served side by side. Beautiful sight!
4. Powerful worship in both services. Did I mention God was there!
5. We celebrated with freedom in Christ. It was a time free from that stifling religious spirit of dos-don'ts and judgement.
6. God stretched our outreach bandwidth. God helped us see we could reach even more types of people with the good news.
7. We met some amazing Christian brothers and sisters in the motorcycling community.
If you were there, I'd love to hear your reflections. If you're up to it, feel free to add how God blessed you last Sunday and what God might have been teaching you and/or our church.
What I noticed...
1. God clearly had a plan.
2. Visitors felt embraced and welcomed BECAUSE the church (we) looked outward.
3. Our church family invited their friends and family members.
4. There was Tangible (you could feel it) unity and love for each other that welcomed (and fanned) the Holy Spirit.
3. Christ followers from every generation served side by side. Beautiful sight!
4. Powerful worship in both services. Did I mention God was there!
5. We celebrated with freedom in Christ. It was a time free from that stifling religious spirit of dos-don'ts and judgement.
6. God stretched our outreach bandwidth. God helped us see we could reach even more types of people with the good news.
7. We met some amazing Christian brothers and sisters in the motorcycling community.
If you were there, I'd love to hear your reflections. If you're up to it, feel free to add how God blessed you last Sunday and what God might have been teaching you and/or our church.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Church, the Soil is Ready for Planting
Breiel, the soil has been turned over. A hardened layer has been broken, the moist soil beneath has been brought to light. The work before us now is remove the weeds that have held us back, and in their place plant God's good seed. Last Sunday, God moved powerfully at Breiel Church. Because we confessed and repented, God turned over the soil. It was painful, but incredibly refreshing. Everyone there knew that God had done a work. Now is not the time to remain idle, instead we must get busy planting the seeds of unity, peace, righteousness.. you know, all the Galatians 5 - Fruit of the Spirit stuff. Remember that turned soil left untended will quickly be over run with aggressive weeds and thorns.
We plant the Fruit of the Spirit through prayer and through righteous actions. To see the harvest God has dreamed for us, we each must understand who we are- Commissioned Holy Spirit farm hands called and equipped to tend this field. God has done the hard work, now let us each do ours for the glory of His name. You in? I am.
We plant the Fruit of the Spirit through prayer and through righteous actions. To see the harvest God has dreamed for us, we each must understand who we are- Commissioned Holy Spirit farm hands called and equipped to tend this field. God has done the hard work, now let us each do ours for the glory of His name. You in? I am.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Choosing and Leading Wisely
I journal occassionally. Several times each month. I find it helps me process what God is speaking into my life. And it serves as documented proof, that I do actually pray :-)
Many months back we (our leadership team) were facing a series of tough decisions. The desired outcome was the will of God and ultimately the glory of Jesus. While still on the front end of those decisions, I reflectively wrote down the following three questions and statement. God must have provided this insight, because I don't think I'm smart enough to have thought of this on my own.
Three Questions
1. What are the various outcomes of this decision?
2. What is the worst outcome of this decision?
3. What is the best outcome of this decision?
Statement: If God is leading then go courageously.
Many months back we (our leadership team) were facing a series of tough decisions. The desired outcome was the will of God and ultimately the glory of Jesus. While still on the front end of those decisions, I reflectively wrote down the following three questions and statement. God must have provided this insight, because I don't think I'm smart enough to have thought of this on my own.
Three Questions
1. What are the various outcomes of this decision?
2. What is the worst outcome of this decision?
3. What is the best outcome of this decision?
Statement: If God is leading then go courageously.
Saturday, April 03, 2010
The Big Switch of Easter
If a person were to change religions, say from Islam to Judaism it makes sense that one would willingly change from worshipping on Friday to Saturday. However, one would have to have an incredible powerful revelation (knowledge) to remain a Muslim yet change to a different day of worship. For a religious person to make such a change would make an interesting yet isolated story. But now consider hundreds of people simultaneously changing, not their religion mind you, but the day of worship. This would be a bit more than interesting.
And this is exactly what the early Jewish followers of Jesus did, practically overnight. Shortly after the death of Jesus, they instantaneously began to gather to worship the same God (still very much Jewish) on a different day. From Saturday to the first day of the week (Sunday).
To make matters more interesting, it was not as if those Jewish Jesus followers had joined a group that was already worshipping God on Sunday. No such group existed. No, they continued believing in the same God, but the Empty Tomb had proven to them (given them knowledge) something so powerful about their God that they instantly began worshipping Him on a different day (They would come to call it the Lord's Day).
Isn't it reasonable to believe that something incredibly powerful must have occurred after the death of Jesus to cause this monumental change? There is only one logical conclusion to explain how hundreds and then 1000s of devoted Jewish believers could have changed a sacredly held, 4,000 year old worship practice overnight. They witnessed God do something so astonishing on the first day of the week, shortly after the death of Jesus, that it warranted a new day of worship. Only seeing first hand the Empty Tomb and the Resurrected Jesus would have had that kind of power. From Saturday to Sunday, this is the Big Switch.
He is alive.
And this is exactly what the early Jewish followers of Jesus did, practically overnight. Shortly after the death of Jesus, they instantaneously began to gather to worship the same God (still very much Jewish) on a different day. From Saturday to the first day of the week (Sunday).
To make matters more interesting, it was not as if those Jewish Jesus followers had joined a group that was already worshipping God on Sunday. No such group existed. No, they continued believing in the same God, but the Empty Tomb had proven to them (given them knowledge) something so powerful about their God that they instantly began worshipping Him on a different day (They would come to call it the Lord's Day).
Isn't it reasonable to believe that something incredibly powerful must have occurred after the death of Jesus to cause this monumental change? There is only one logical conclusion to explain how hundreds and then 1000s of devoted Jewish believers could have changed a sacredly held, 4,000 year old worship practice overnight. They witnessed God do something so astonishing on the first day of the week, shortly after the death of Jesus, that it warranted a new day of worship. Only seeing first hand the Empty Tomb and the Resurrected Jesus would have had that kind of power. From Saturday to Sunday, this is the Big Switch.
He is alive.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Life Cycle of a Church or Christian Movement
Remember: The curve is common but not inevitable. Both growth and decline can be stopped at any time.
1. Birth- Begins with a founder and/or founding group who burns with passion to make a difference in the lives of others.
2. Infancy - Group expands it's external focus and almost exclusively works to bring others into the cause.
3. Adolescence - Programs and services are added to take the strain off the Founder and founding group.
4. Prime - ministry and action is being done through a variety of people. The movement is "in the zone." Ephesians 4.
5. Maturity - Movement/church begins to lose momentum and begins to develop an "our way of doing things." Subtly becomes more inwardly (us) focused.
6. Aristocracy - Momentum takes an even greater hit, marked by less energy and less effectiveness. Status quo is maintained. Cliques form. Turf is protected.
7. Bureaucracy - The birth story and accompanying passion are forgotten. The activity of administration substitutes the accomplishment of the real mission. Disgruntled members begin to look for someone to blame for ineffectiveness.
8. Death - The skeleton is all that remains. Survival continues until the door is locked for the last time.
1. Birth- Begins with a founder and/or founding group who burns with passion to make a difference in the lives of others.
2. Infancy - Group expands it's external focus and almost exclusively works to bring others into the cause.
3. Adolescence - Programs and services are added to take the strain off the Founder and founding group.
4. Prime - ministry and action is being done through a variety of people. The movement is "in the zone." Ephesians 4.
5. Maturity - Movement/church begins to lose momentum and begins to develop an "our way of doing things." Subtly becomes more inwardly (us) focused.
6. Aristocracy - Momentum takes an even greater hit, marked by less energy and less effectiveness. Status quo is maintained. Cliques form. Turf is protected.
7. Bureaucracy - The birth story and accompanying passion are forgotten. The activity of administration substitutes the accomplishment of the real mission. Disgruntled members begin to look for someone to blame for ineffectiveness.
8. Death - The skeleton is all that remains. Survival continues until the door is locked for the last time.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Jesus' Three Habits
Jesus had three simple habits. He "stood up to read the Scripture" as was his custom. Second, he "went into the mountain to pray" as was his custom. Third, "he taught them" as was his custom.
1. Daily Read the Bible. Spiritually mature people know the Bible and apply the truth of the Bible. Knowing the Bible comes from reading and hearing it. If you don't know much about the Bible you don't know much about Jesus.
2. Get Alone with God and Pray. The depth of one's relationship with God will remain shallow without private prayer. Intimacy with God grows through conversation with Him.
3. Pass it on. A proven way to retain a lesson is to teach it to someone else. A lesson learned but not taught is often forgotten. And therefore must be relearned.
(adopted from E. Stanley Jones, Conversations)
1. Daily Read the Bible. Spiritually mature people know the Bible and apply the truth of the Bible. Knowing the Bible comes from reading and hearing it. If you don't know much about the Bible you don't know much about Jesus.
2. Get Alone with God and Pray. The depth of one's relationship with God will remain shallow without private prayer. Intimacy with God grows through conversation with Him.
3. Pass it on. A proven way to retain a lesson is to teach it to someone else. A lesson learned but not taught is often forgotten. And therefore must be relearned.
(adopted from E. Stanley Jones, Conversations)
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