Leaders know where they are going and they take people with them! If you consider yourself a leader how many people are following you? If they are following you what are they actually doing? In other words-what are you doing?
Not that anyone comments on my blog anyways... but this will probably get 0 comments. Some of you guys that tell me you read my blog need to start posting your thoughts.
I don't have it all figured out, but I want to learn as much as I can! One of the main reasons I blog is to strecth others and be streched by others.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
A Routine Instead Of A Movement
I’ve been praying about my last 2 posts and thinking about what I’m really trying to say and so here goes.
“Church” has become a routine that we DO at a particular location instead of a movement that we are living. A church that is GOING is moving! There is nothing wrong with owning property and stationing church meetings at a particular location, but “Church” is more than meeting at the “House of God.” If the church is the people then those same people are to be actively participating in the mission of making disciples (7) days a week! As one commented, 99% of our communities do not meet at our locations. Why have we been called into the ministry? The answer is to GO MAKE DISCIPLES!
How many of our church members have ever taken part in making one disciple much less involved in this proceess on a daily basis?
“Church” has become a routine that we DO at a particular location instead of a movement that we are living. A church that is GOING is moving! There is nothing wrong with owning property and stationing church meetings at a particular location, but “Church” is more than meeting at the “House of God.” If the church is the people then those same people are to be actively participating in the mission of making disciples (7) days a week! As one commented, 99% of our communities do not meet at our locations. Why have we been called into the ministry? The answer is to GO MAKE DISCIPLES!
How many of our church members have ever taken part in making one disciple much less involved in this proceess on a daily basis?
Friday, November 30, 2007
The "ekklesia"
Is it possible that the word “ecclesia" or "ekklesia” is used to identify individuals with a particular group who embrace a particular mission, but that the success of the mission is generally determined by what happens while the church is disassembled?
Please post your comments if this makes sense or if it doesn't share why.
Please post your comments if this makes sense or if it doesn't share why.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
A Plan That Works!
I’m tearing apart the ideology most common to my affiliated work. Our focus has been shifted to maintaining an organization instead of obeying the commands of Christ. I know this is going to blow some out of the water, but Jesus never said, “Go start churches.” Jesus never suggested the sinner’s prayer. He never invited someone to church for all we know. His words were/are clear, “Make disciples of all nations” or “Teach all nations.” Church buildings are not holy or sacred in the eyes of God-it is the body/life of the believer that is to be holy and set apart for God. Our mission has become too much about being a true church instead of being true followers (disciples) of Jesus Christ. Call it a play on words, I call it a mixed up mission!
My point is simple, the spiritual growth of a “church” is generally defined by how well all the members participate in the organization instead of how they live (7) seven days a week. Who cares if everyone brings a bible to church-do they read it when they are not on the church property? Who cares if they show up on Sunday night-are they spending quality/spiritual time with their families during the week? Who cares if Darrel knows how to pray publicly-does he pray in his closet? Who cares how big the church is-are the people lifting up holy (clean) hands to God? Who cares that Jim hasn’t missed a service his entire life-has he ever made a disciple?
Yes, the church is the byproduct of making disciples, but are we going about things the wrong way or even backwards? We need to redefine our priorities!
1. Salvation comes by someone putting their confidence completely in Jesus after hearing the gospel. It is a personal decision of the heart expressed by calling out to the Lord. John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10, 13
2.Genuine faith initiates a desire to follow. John 10:27, James 2
3. Fellow disciples hold the responsibility of mentoring the ones embracing Christ by faith. Acts 9:19, 2 Timothy 2:2
4. Each person of faith is to be baptized for the sole purpose of obeying Christ and NOT to join a church. Acts 2:38, Matthew 3:13-17 (yes I know it’s a requisite to being in the body of a local church)
5. The first thing a new disciple should learn to do is to reproduce themselves by making new disciples. If this is not learned nothing else matters. Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8
6. After one begins to reproduce themselves the process of learning varies in subjects ONE at a time beginning with loving God, then loving others, and everything that falls under those two categories such as prayer, giving, and good works pertaining to others. Matthew 22:37-40, James 2
7. Discipleship takes place through a variety of avenues like one on one mentorship, small group Bible studies/prayer groups, and yes even congregational worship meetings. All of which could take place at different locations (not purchased or set apart for worship).
If the above principles are used in dependence upon the Jesus who commissioned the “church” visible results of life change will be frequent! To make disciples is to add or even multiply to the body. A church that is not making disciples dies!
My point is simple, the spiritual growth of a “church” is generally defined by how well all the members participate in the organization instead of how they live (7) seven days a week. Who cares if everyone brings a bible to church-do they read it when they are not on the church property? Who cares if they show up on Sunday night-are they spending quality/spiritual time with their families during the week? Who cares if Darrel knows how to pray publicly-does he pray in his closet? Who cares how big the church is-are the people lifting up holy (clean) hands to God? Who cares that Jim hasn’t missed a service his entire life-has he ever made a disciple?
Yes, the church is the byproduct of making disciples, but are we going about things the wrong way or even backwards? We need to redefine our priorities!
1. Salvation comes by someone putting their confidence completely in Jesus after hearing the gospel. It is a personal decision of the heart expressed by calling out to the Lord. John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10, 13
2.Genuine faith initiates a desire to follow. John 10:27, James 2
3. Fellow disciples hold the responsibility of mentoring the ones embracing Christ by faith. Acts 9:19, 2 Timothy 2:2
4. Each person of faith is to be baptized for the sole purpose of obeying Christ and NOT to join a church. Acts 2:38, Matthew 3:13-17 (yes I know it’s a requisite to being in the body of a local church)
5. The first thing a new disciple should learn to do is to reproduce themselves by making new disciples. If this is not learned nothing else matters. Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8
6. After one begins to reproduce themselves the process of learning varies in subjects ONE at a time beginning with loving God, then loving others, and everything that falls under those two categories such as prayer, giving, and good works pertaining to others. Matthew 22:37-40, James 2
7. Discipleship takes place through a variety of avenues like one on one mentorship, small group Bible studies/prayer groups, and yes even congregational worship meetings. All of which could take place at different locations (not purchased or set apart for worship).
If the above principles are used in dependence upon the Jesus who commissioned the “church” visible results of life change will be frequent! To make disciples is to add or even multiply to the body. A church that is not making disciples dies!
I am changing!
My desire is to become more like Jesus every second of every day. I am far from arriving and won't completely until He appears at His return, but I'm trying. I John 3:2-3 makes clear that Jesus is pure, but we must continually purify ourselves like Him. This is the difference in us and Him-He is perfectly pure and we are not. I don't need anyone to tell me I'm not perfectly pure (i get it), but I am changing!
God is helping me...
1. Become a better husband and father
2. Become a better pastor and leader
3. Become a better witness
4. Become more passionate about Him and His work in general
5. Become a better listener
6. Become less judgmental
7. Become more merciful
8. Become willing to admit my faults
9. Become more understanding and tolerant
10. Become more willing to please Him than anyone else
11. Be patient
12. Be kind
13. Be a peacemaker
The areas I really need to work on are...
1. How I come across in conversations and being misunderstood
2. My attitude toward good people doing nothing for God
3. Humility especially at home and around my extended family
4. Using words that might not be wrong or all that bad, but portray a negative attitude Example: "Look at that ugly car." or "What's wrong with that idiot?"
5. Spending quality time with my kids
6. Picking up after myself for my wife's sake
7. Reading my bible more
8. Spending more time in prayer
9. Having a balanced ministry in my current church setting
10. Not allowing preconceived positions I hold to keep me from seeing from other points of view
11. Becoming a better communicator
12. Teaching less for more
13. Choosing my battles
14. Living at peace with everyone-Romans 12:18
15. For some reason I don't get along with a lot of pastors and preachers. I commonly say, "I don't like preachers."
Lord, help me to keep changing!
God is helping me...
1. Become a better husband and father
2. Become a better pastor and leader
3. Become a better witness
4. Become more passionate about Him and His work in general
5. Become a better listener
6. Become less judgmental
7. Become more merciful
8. Become willing to admit my faults
9. Become more understanding and tolerant
10. Become more willing to please Him than anyone else
11. Be patient
12. Be kind
13. Be a peacemaker
The areas I really need to work on are...
1. How I come across in conversations and being misunderstood
2. My attitude toward good people doing nothing for God
3. Humility especially at home and around my extended family
4. Using words that might not be wrong or all that bad, but portray a negative attitude Example: "Look at that ugly car." or "What's wrong with that idiot?"
5. Spending quality time with my kids
6. Picking up after myself for my wife's sake
7. Reading my bible more
8. Spending more time in prayer
9. Having a balanced ministry in my current church setting
10. Not allowing preconceived positions I hold to keep me from seeing from other points of view
11. Becoming a better communicator
12. Teaching less for more
13. Choosing my battles
14. Living at peace with everyone-Romans 12:18
15. For some reason I don't get along with a lot of pastors and preachers. I commonly say, "I don't like preachers."
Lord, help me to keep changing!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Crossing All Racial Boundries!
Eunice and Chris were saved tonight in their home. Mercedes was saved two weeks ago during Sunday night live and God blessed me with the opportunity to lead her mother and brother to the Lord tonight. When they get baptized it will be the second black family I have baptized at TBC. Thank you Jesus!
The Refuge
If I were to start a church today and probably will later, I would/will call it The Refuge. I have thought about this a lot and think it's the perfect name. A church is made up of saved baptized believers who encourage one another to live for Jesus-who is our REFUGE-therefore with Jesus as our Refuge and believers commanded to meet together to encourage/exhort one another what better name! Also, it is a name that calls to the unbeliever to come and find refuge in Christ.A church is a place where sinners come together to learn how to live a better way. No one is perfect, but needs guidance. I can hear it now... "What church do you go to? Dude, I go to Refuge, its awesome, you ought to come and check it out! Everyone is normal, even the pastor, and there aren't a bunch of people staring at you because you aren't dressed like them."
If your church isn't open to sinners then you better leave!
Is your church a place of Refuge?
Monday, November 26, 2007
Great Thoughts On CPM's (Church Planting Movements)
The following post was written by church planter David Watson...
God began to teach me through many failures that I had to focus on making Disciples of Christ, not followers of my church or denomination, and teach them to obey all the commands of Jesus, not my church/denominational doctrines or traditions. And this is what led to the breakthrough that has resulted in more than 40,000 churches among a people who were once considered unreachable.
Many people use the term “CPM” to describe or justify what they are doing. But, on closer examination, I find that many groups who use this term are simply applying it to what they have always done. CPM is not a method! It is an observation of results. In my experience, and this is what I teach, CPM is the result of obedience-based discipleship that sees disciples reproducing disciples, leaders reproducing leaders, and churches reproducing churches. If this is not happening, it is not CPM.
True CPM methodology is about being disciplined in education, training, and mentoring to obey all the commands of Jesus, regardless of consequences. The results are not quick. They only appear to be quick because of exponential growth. When one is truly engaged in the process that leads to observable CPM, then one is spending years investing in leaders. The typical investment timeline is two to four years. But, because of the replication process due to obedience to make disciples and teach them to obey, in this same two to four years, as many as five more leaders, who are also developing more leaders, will emerge. Each leader is investing two to four years in other leaders who invest two to four years in other leaders, and so on. The apparent result is explosive growth that does not seem to take much time and energy. But appearances are misleading.CPM is extremely time and energy intensive. Leaders invest a major portion of their time in equipping other leaders. Churches invest in starting more groups that will become churches as they obey the teachings of Christ and begin to fulfill the nature and functions of church, which means they teach others to do the same.
There were no visible or measureable results the first four years of my ministry among a very resistant unreached people group. My mission was ready to discipline me for failure to do my job. But during those years I was equipping five leaders. These five leaders began to equip twenty-five more leaders, who in turned equipped hundreds of other leaders.A few churches became more churches as leaders were equipped and trained to obey all the commands of Christ. More churches became hundreds of churches as the leadership equipping process continued. Every leader has years invested in him or her by other leaders. Nothing is quick. It only appears to be quick because more and more leaders are being produced in obedience to the command of Christ to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV)
So, CPM rapid multiplication really isn’t. We go slow in order to appear to go fast. We invest extensively in one in order to reach and train many. Our goal is to add at least two new leaders to our mentoring process each year, and equip the new leaders to do the same every year. As leaders multiply, churches grow and multiply.If you really want to have CPM anywhere in the world, invest in teaching, training and mentoring leaders to obey all the commands of Christ. If you want to evaluate a so-called CPM, examine the discipleship and leadership equipping process. Real and lasting CPMs invest heavily in leadership and training. CPM is a result, not a cause.
God began to teach me through many failures that I had to focus on making Disciples of Christ, not followers of my church or denomination, and teach them to obey all the commands of Jesus, not my church/denominational doctrines or traditions. And this is what led to the breakthrough that has resulted in more than 40,000 churches among a people who were once considered unreachable.
Many people use the term “CPM” to describe or justify what they are doing. But, on closer examination, I find that many groups who use this term are simply applying it to what they have always done. CPM is not a method! It is an observation of results. In my experience, and this is what I teach, CPM is the result of obedience-based discipleship that sees disciples reproducing disciples, leaders reproducing leaders, and churches reproducing churches. If this is not happening, it is not CPM.
True CPM methodology is about being disciplined in education, training, and mentoring to obey all the commands of Jesus, regardless of consequences. The results are not quick. They only appear to be quick because of exponential growth. When one is truly engaged in the process that leads to observable CPM, then one is spending years investing in leaders. The typical investment timeline is two to four years. But, because of the replication process due to obedience to make disciples and teach them to obey, in this same two to four years, as many as five more leaders, who are also developing more leaders, will emerge. Each leader is investing two to four years in other leaders who invest two to four years in other leaders, and so on. The apparent result is explosive growth that does not seem to take much time and energy. But appearances are misleading.CPM is extremely time and energy intensive. Leaders invest a major portion of their time in equipping other leaders. Churches invest in starting more groups that will become churches as they obey the teachings of Christ and begin to fulfill the nature and functions of church, which means they teach others to do the same.
There were no visible or measureable results the first four years of my ministry among a very resistant unreached people group. My mission was ready to discipline me for failure to do my job. But during those years I was equipping five leaders. These five leaders began to equip twenty-five more leaders, who in turned equipped hundreds of other leaders.A few churches became more churches as leaders were equipped and trained to obey all the commands of Christ. More churches became hundreds of churches as the leadership equipping process continued. Every leader has years invested in him or her by other leaders. Nothing is quick. It only appears to be quick because more and more leaders are being produced in obedience to the command of Christ to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV)
So, CPM rapid multiplication really isn’t. We go slow in order to appear to go fast. We invest extensively in one in order to reach and train many. Our goal is to add at least two new leaders to our mentoring process each year, and equip the new leaders to do the same every year. As leaders multiply, churches grow and multiply.If you really want to have CPM anywhere in the world, invest in teaching, training and mentoring leaders to obey all the commands of Christ. If you want to evaluate a so-called CPM, examine the discipleship and leadership equipping process. Real and lasting CPMs invest heavily in leadership and training. CPM is a result, not a cause.
C H A N G E
In the month of January we will be kicking off a new ministry called "CHANGE." It will be a monthly outreach to students in our area. Local churches that are ready for change are also invited to participate. The ministry will feature a band, drama, media, and relevant biblical messages to students. The current monthly youth meeting we participate in does not work to make disciples of the younger generation. WE NEED TO CHANGE!
The Purpose of "Real Life"
I call my blog “Real Life” because that is what I want to enjoy while on this globe. Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly.” The best way to determine how to experience this kind of life in any particular circumstance is to ask the question, “What would Jesus Do?”
We need to ask this question as pastors, husbands, fathers, and church members, etc. Women need to ask this question as leaders, wives, mothers, and church members, etc. What Jesus would do in most cases is much different than the way we respond to life circumstances. The only way to know what Jesus would do is to study His life in the Gospels and draw close to him in a personal relationship in the here and now!
The things that I write on my blog are not to please a particular person or group of friends. The ones that know me personally know my heart and vision. I am my own person and desire to live in the perfect will of God. This is a struggle and very difficult at times, but it is what I am striving for. If I write something that encourages or challenges someone to live a “Real Life” in Christ, great! If not, maybe someone else will write something to help me to experience this very thing.
The following are things that constantly challenge me to be more like Jesus and not exclusively associated with a particular group...
1. The postmodern culture in which we live has believed the lie that there is no absolute truth. Overall people don’t read the Bible, but they conclude with such an ignorant position. The answer to this problem from many seems to be, “Well, just go to Hell then.”
2. The church of Satan meets regularly to pray for families and churches to be destroyed, and most Christian churches spend very little time praying for families and churches to succeed!
3. Over 150,000 people die every day and most of them go to Hell, who cares?
4. The ABA is caught up in traditionalism and cannot see beyond their model of what a church is supposed to look like.
5. There are churches that teach the right doctrine but don’t understand their light stopped shinning years ago.
6. Pastors and people who think their perspective is the only one that makes sense.
7. People that give name tags and cut you off because you question or challenge a certain way of thinking. In my opinion they are closely connected to the mentality of the Pharisees.
8. People that claim to be followers of Christ, but their attitude is far from the Spirit of Christ. Gal 5:22-23
9. On the other hand, some are so frustrated that they are willing to go with anything that comes along. They jump on a train and have no clue of the destination. A short time later they get on another train and go back to where they came from. Books and magazines shape their minds and mission instead of the word of God.
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? Would he take a balanced approach to life and ministry based on Scripture? The more I study the scriptures the more I realize we have been taught to take certain positions that Jesus would not have taken. I write to challenge these positions.
How does the following passage apply to the mentality of the ABA and doctrinal statement number (1) one? Mark 9:38-41
How does the following passage apply to the fact that many churches are not reaching people because of their traditions? Matthew 15:1-9
“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8
Keep It Real In Christ!
We need to ask this question as pastors, husbands, fathers, and church members, etc. Women need to ask this question as leaders, wives, mothers, and church members, etc. What Jesus would do in most cases is much different than the way we respond to life circumstances. The only way to know what Jesus would do is to study His life in the Gospels and draw close to him in a personal relationship in the here and now!
The things that I write on my blog are not to please a particular person or group of friends. The ones that know me personally know my heart and vision. I am my own person and desire to live in the perfect will of God. This is a struggle and very difficult at times, but it is what I am striving for. If I write something that encourages or challenges someone to live a “Real Life” in Christ, great! If not, maybe someone else will write something to help me to experience this very thing.
The following are things that constantly challenge me to be more like Jesus and not exclusively associated with a particular group...
1. The postmodern culture in which we live has believed the lie that there is no absolute truth. Overall people don’t read the Bible, but they conclude with such an ignorant position. The answer to this problem from many seems to be, “Well, just go to Hell then.”
2. The church of Satan meets regularly to pray for families and churches to be destroyed, and most Christian churches spend very little time praying for families and churches to succeed!
3. Over 150,000 people die every day and most of them go to Hell, who cares?
4. The ABA is caught up in traditionalism and cannot see beyond their model of what a church is supposed to look like.
5. There are churches that teach the right doctrine but don’t understand their light stopped shinning years ago.
6. Pastors and people who think their perspective is the only one that makes sense.
7. People that give name tags and cut you off because you question or challenge a certain way of thinking. In my opinion they are closely connected to the mentality of the Pharisees.
8. People that claim to be followers of Christ, but their attitude is far from the Spirit of Christ. Gal 5:22-23
9. On the other hand, some are so frustrated that they are willing to go with anything that comes along. They jump on a train and have no clue of the destination. A short time later they get on another train and go back to where they came from. Books and magazines shape their minds and mission instead of the word of God.
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? Would he take a balanced approach to life and ministry based on Scripture? The more I study the scriptures the more I realize we have been taught to take certain positions that Jesus would not have taken. I write to challenge these positions.
How does the following passage apply to the mentality of the ABA and doctrinal statement number (1) one? Mark 9:38-41
How does the following passage apply to the fact that many churches are not reaching people because of their traditions? Matthew 15:1-9
“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8
Keep It Real In Christ!
Monday Morning Download
- It’s cold, rainy, and sick season. I am the last in the family to get a sore throat and sinus cold.
- Last week we had a record attendance of 95 in Sunday School.
- Yesterday we had 70 in morning worship attendance. That was a little different, but services were good!
- Alison, a 12 year old girl we pick up on the van was saved!
- We kicked off the evening with a little hangout time at 5PM. Cathy surprised us with chicken and dumplings!
- Josh Stacy came and shared his burden for Ft. Myers, Lee County, Florida. He is looking for a sending church and our people seemed to be very interested! We will be taking the next steps in pursuing God in this great opportunity.
Christmas is just around the corner and my family is going skiing in New Mexico. We will finish up our trip in Chihuahua, Mexico with Margarita’s family. I am actually excited about going (this time)! - I need to make some phone calls and follow up visits that I have neglected lately.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
The Spirit of Christmas
Although I know Jesus wasn’t born on the date we celebrate His birth, I still enjoy the Christmas season! Some get technical then in turn become negative and miss out on all the excitement, but not me. I look at Christmas as a great time to teach my kids about our wonderful Savior. It’s a time to encourage people to go deeper in their walk with God. This Christmas I am challenging TBC to fall deeper in love with Jesus. The first message is titled, “The Spirit of Christmas.”
You can’t fall deeper in love with Jesus or really enjoy the Christmas season without the Spirit of Christmas! We use this phrase to talk about the attitude and atmosphere during the holiday season, but I’m talking about something much more exciting than that!
Text: Luke 1:26-35
-The Christmas Spirit is the Holy Spirit of God. The Christmas Spirit has been around for Eternity. The Christmas Spirit is part of the Trinity. This Spirit unquestionably points men to Jesus (the real meaning of Christmas). One of His man purposes is to convict sinners of their need for Jesus. This Christmas people’s lives will be changed because of the Spirit of Christmas. I John 5:7, John 15:26
-The Christmas Spirit showed up in the womb of Mary. Without the Spirit of Christmas Jesus would not have been born and our sins would not have been dealt with! Our majestic God supernaturally placed our majestic Jesus in the womb of Mary! Luke 1:35, 2 Peter 1:16
-The Christmas Spirit shows itself in the life of all believers. Through the words and actions of believers the Holy Spirit manifest fruits like LOVE, JOY, and PEACE. The Christmas Spirit is the opposite of the spirit of Scrooge. Galatians 5:22
-The Christmas Spirit has an opponent. The god of this world loves to impose on the Christmas season. He hates the Spirit of Christmas and everyone who enjoys the real meaning of Christmas. One day he himself will claim to be the Christ. Satan loves to distort and replace the true meaning of Christmas. 2 Thessalonians 2:4
Jesus is the reason for the season!
You can’t fall deeper in love with Jesus or really enjoy the Christmas season without the Spirit of Christmas! We use this phrase to talk about the attitude and atmosphere during the holiday season, but I’m talking about something much more exciting than that!
Text: Luke 1:26-35
-The Christmas Spirit is the Holy Spirit of God. The Christmas Spirit has been around for Eternity. The Christmas Spirit is part of the Trinity. This Spirit unquestionably points men to Jesus (the real meaning of Christmas). One of His man purposes is to convict sinners of their need for Jesus. This Christmas people’s lives will be changed because of the Spirit of Christmas. I John 5:7, John 15:26
-The Christmas Spirit showed up in the womb of Mary. Without the Spirit of Christmas Jesus would not have been born and our sins would not have been dealt with! Our majestic God supernaturally placed our majestic Jesus in the womb of Mary! Luke 1:35, 2 Peter 1:16
-The Christmas Spirit shows itself in the life of all believers. Through the words and actions of believers the Holy Spirit manifest fruits like LOVE, JOY, and PEACE. The Christmas Spirit is the opposite of the spirit of Scrooge. Galatians 5:22
-The Christmas Spirit has an opponent. The god of this world loves to impose on the Christmas season. He hates the Spirit of Christmas and everyone who enjoys the real meaning of Christmas. One day he himself will claim to be the Christ. Satan loves to distort and replace the true meaning of Christmas. 2 Thessalonians 2:4
Jesus is the reason for the season!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
10 Questions Every Christian Should Be Able To Answer
I found this video that illustrates the mindset of the majority. They are questions that we should all be aware of and consistent when answering them. It is evident that Satan has been winning the battle to confuse people concerning miracles and all kinds of other teachings in the world of Christianity. The reason I post this video is for information purposes in order to reach the rational thinker.
BTW
I am also thankful that Mason and Chelsey were baptized Sunday! They are getting married in December as soldout followers of Christ!
Happy Thanksgiving!
To all the blog world-HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
My sister is in from Alaska and we are having dinner in Little Rock at mom and dad's house. We are taking the four wheeler and going to have FUN FUN FUN (until it gets taken away by mom)! Can't wait to eat mom's green bean casarole.
"in every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus." I Thess. 5:18
I don't know what I would do without my Savior, Margarita, Daniel, Anna, Mom and Dad, Leslie, Scotty, Justin, and all the rest of the family! I am so thankful for all of them and the great church that God has allowed me to be a part of.
My sister is in from Alaska and we are having dinner in Little Rock at mom and dad's house. We are taking the four wheeler and going to have FUN FUN FUN (until it gets taken away by mom)! Can't wait to eat mom's green bean casarole.
"in every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus." I Thess. 5:18
I don't know what I would do without my Savior, Margarita, Daniel, Anna, Mom and Dad, Leslie, Scotty, Justin, and all the rest of the family! I am so thankful for all of them and the great church that God has allowed me to be a part of.
Trained Minds
Is your mind trained to look at something from a certain perspective? Does it automatically travel in a certain direction depending on the issue? Is it trained in such a way that you might not be able to see from another angle? How long have you viewed things the same way? Is there another way? Is there truth and reason in the other way? Could there be truth and reason on both sides?
The people we assoicate with has much to do with the direction and perspective of our minds. We join groups because we like the friendship and the overall ideology, atmosphere, and attitude of that particular group. Before long we find ourserlves adopting everything about the group and denying the right to think for ourselves. The longer we are a part of a certain group the more difficult it becomes to seperate ourselves from certain things about the group. Eventually its hard to make your own decisions because the group might not like what you say or do and then, well, its just to much trouble to be different.
Is it ok to be different? Is it ok to think for yourself? Can you still be a part of the group without being attacked because you might not agree with every thing about the group?
One of the most dangerous things we face with the younger generation is establishing new precedents and traditions and calling them, "THE ONLY WAY." I personally want to be very careful about being dogmatic and sure about things that are not fundamental issues in the scriptures. Otherwise I will cause the same problems I see now for future generations.
When it comes to ministry and reaching people if you are leading poeple to Christ and they are following Christ, living by faith, learning to keep His commands, and the fundamentals of the Christian Faith then you are doing your job. What ever method or style you choose if it works I don't have problem with it. There is more than one way to do things!
The people we assoicate with has much to do with the direction and perspective of our minds. We join groups because we like the friendship and the overall ideology, atmosphere, and attitude of that particular group. Before long we find ourserlves adopting everything about the group and denying the right to think for ourselves. The longer we are a part of a certain group the more difficult it becomes to seperate ourselves from certain things about the group. Eventually its hard to make your own decisions because the group might not like what you say or do and then, well, its just to much trouble to be different.
Is it ok to be different? Is it ok to think for yourself? Can you still be a part of the group without being attacked because you might not agree with every thing about the group?
One of the most dangerous things we face with the younger generation is establishing new precedents and traditions and calling them, "THE ONLY WAY." I personally want to be very careful about being dogmatic and sure about things that are not fundamental issues in the scriptures. Otherwise I will cause the same problems I see now for future generations.
When it comes to ministry and reaching people if you are leading poeple to Christ and they are following Christ, living by faith, learning to keep His commands, and the fundamentals of the Christian Faith then you are doing your job. What ever method or style you choose if it works I don't have problem with it. There is more than one way to do things!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Go Make Disciples
James makes clear that godly works prove a genuine faith. A person that says "I have faith" but does not have fruits of righteousness to follow is still in darkness with the wrong kind of faith. Faith without works is dead! (James 2)
In my last post I mentioned the ABC and ABCD versions (plan of salvation) to make the point that salvation is not about saying a little pray to make you feel better about yourself. To be clear I do not present either one of the two versions when sharing the gospel. My concern is that we leave people thinking they can pray a little prayer and thats it (have a good day-see you later). Would Jesus tell someone to pray a prayer and not take the time after they did to tell them what's next? Do we spend 3 minutes with people and think we have fulfilled the commission? I know there are times when we don't have time to go any further with someone, but we need to be conscious not to give people the wrong idea. In Acts people who believed immediatly followed and were baptized. Not baptized to complete their salvation, but because they understood by the preaching, it was about a commitment to Christ. Look at the message Peter preached in (Acts 2:38).
I believe that there are saved people who were never discipled living in the world that will be in Heaven for eternity. However I am very concerned that many have been given a simple rehersed presentation of the gospel, forced to pray a little prayer, but they will spend eternity in Hell because they believed in vain. (I Cor 15 1-2)
Genuine faith is embracing Jesus as God and the only means to save our sin sick souls from such a wicked condition. Repentance is so connected to faith that when one puts their confidence (trust) in Jesus for salvation it is only because they have changed their mind, and as urged by the Holy Spirit desire to surrender their life to the Lord. (Luke 13:3)
Let's make followers of Christ! Isn't that the commission? Matthew 28:18-20
"Go make disciples"
In my last post I mentioned the ABC and ABCD versions (plan of salvation) to make the point that salvation is not about saying a little pray to make you feel better about yourself. To be clear I do not present either one of the two versions when sharing the gospel. My concern is that we leave people thinking they can pray a little prayer and thats it (have a good day-see you later). Would Jesus tell someone to pray a prayer and not take the time after they did to tell them what's next? Do we spend 3 minutes with people and think we have fulfilled the commission? I know there are times when we don't have time to go any further with someone, but we need to be conscious not to give people the wrong idea. In Acts people who believed immediatly followed and were baptized. Not baptized to complete their salvation, but because they understood by the preaching, it was about a commitment to Christ. Look at the message Peter preached in (Acts 2:38).
I believe that there are saved people who were never discipled living in the world that will be in Heaven for eternity. However I am very concerned that many have been given a simple rehersed presentation of the gospel, forced to pray a little prayer, but they will spend eternity in Hell because they believed in vain. (I Cor 15 1-2)
Genuine faith is embracing Jesus as God and the only means to save our sin sick souls from such a wicked condition. Repentance is so connected to faith that when one puts their confidence (trust) in Jesus for salvation it is only because they have changed their mind, and as urged by the Holy Spirit desire to surrender their life to the Lord. (Luke 13:3)
Let's make followers of Christ! Isn't that the commission? Matthew 28:18-20
"Go make disciples"
Sunday, November 18, 2007
THE GOSPEL STILL WORKS!
If you have a problem with growing churches (church growth mentality) you might not want to read this post!
There are great churches in the ABA, but there are also dead churches in the ABA. Some guys argue that their church is doing just fine the way they are. My question is, "If that is the case, what do you preach about?" Oh, I forgot "contend for the faith, Jesus is coming soon, the world is going to Hell but we are safe."
The fact of the matter is my church isn't doing just fine. We need to be doing more! We are certainly not the ideal church, but we want to become one. We are to be salt and light in this dark world.
There is no excuse for why churches are closing their doors. Its not that they don't have the right leaders, because its not about men. It's not about me and its not about you. For anyone that wants to call me "Mr. Holier than Thou", allow me to help you. I am a NOBODY. I don't want to be anybody. I don't say, "hey look what I'm doing." I'm not perfect, thats right, I sin all the time. I am a rotten dirty sinner that got saved by Jesus who is convicted by the Holy Spirit about reaching this lost world!
People are not getting saved in Bald Knob because of me. We preach a message that is provisionally universal, vicarious in nature, and must be applied to the wicked heart of man. We preach that Jesus died for all men everywhere, but you must "GIVE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS" not just pray a little prayer in vain. We preach the ABCD version not the ABC version.
A-ADMIT you are a sinner
B-BELIEVE (trust) in the Lord Jesus
C-CONFESS with your mouth-call on Jesus
D-Become a DISCIPLE of Christ-Jesus called men to follow!
I have a problem! My problem is when men make excuses for why people are not being saved and why their churches are not growing in numbers. Numbers are real people, and every person that dies without Jesus really does go to Hell. Its not about whose got the biggest church-its about those precious souls who are lost without a shepherd. The fact is every church that is obeying the great commission should be reaching new people all the time. If door knocking doesn't seem to work, do that and something else!!!! How about motivating your church to reach their friends and neighbors and take advantage of using special services throughout the year to do so! Train your people to reach the lost and stop trying to do it yourself. In the last few weeks here at BK it has been church members that have brought their friends or have led them to the Lord in their places of employment. Again, its not about me!
I was accused by a pastor recently who said I have a problem. My problem seems to be what I believe. I am a heretic for the following reasons (this list wont be 21 statements long).
1. I believe the same Holy Spirit still works to change lives today. God is still on the throne in 2007! The gospel still works! Jesus saves!
2. Lost people are interested in the gospel and are searching for truth. They are being saved and discipled all over the world!
3. Churches can grow without compromising the truth!
4. Churches have become cold, comfortable, pridful, and seemingly uninterested in seeing lost people saved. Their traditions have caused them to have a form of godliness without experiencing the power of godliness. They deny there is such power today!
5. Churches can practice discipline and still grow in number. We have recently removed a deacon from our church for unfaithfulness. We took action in love and restored a young lady who had a baby out of wedlock this past year.
6. Numbers are important because numbers represent real people! Its not about pride or having a big church, but about people experiening the wonderful works of God.
Read the following with a squeaky voice holding your nose to get it the way i'm writing it.
"You have a problem. You care about lost people. That means you think you are somebody. Only time will tell about your kind."
Give me a break!
There are great churches in the ABA, but there are also dead churches in the ABA. Some guys argue that their church is doing just fine the way they are. My question is, "If that is the case, what do you preach about?" Oh, I forgot "contend for the faith, Jesus is coming soon, the world is going to Hell but we are safe."
The fact of the matter is my church isn't doing just fine. We need to be doing more! We are certainly not the ideal church, but we want to become one. We are to be salt and light in this dark world.
There is no excuse for why churches are closing their doors. Its not that they don't have the right leaders, because its not about men. It's not about me and its not about you. For anyone that wants to call me "Mr. Holier than Thou", allow me to help you. I am a NOBODY. I don't want to be anybody. I don't say, "hey look what I'm doing." I'm not perfect, thats right, I sin all the time. I am a rotten dirty sinner that got saved by Jesus who is convicted by the Holy Spirit about reaching this lost world!
People are not getting saved in Bald Knob because of me. We preach a message that is provisionally universal, vicarious in nature, and must be applied to the wicked heart of man. We preach that Jesus died for all men everywhere, but you must "GIVE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS" not just pray a little prayer in vain. We preach the ABCD version not the ABC version.
A-ADMIT you are a sinner
B-BELIEVE (trust) in the Lord Jesus
C-CONFESS with your mouth-call on Jesus
D-Become a DISCIPLE of Christ-Jesus called men to follow!
I have a problem! My problem is when men make excuses for why people are not being saved and why their churches are not growing in numbers. Numbers are real people, and every person that dies without Jesus really does go to Hell. Its not about whose got the biggest church-its about those precious souls who are lost without a shepherd. The fact is every church that is obeying the great commission should be reaching new people all the time. If door knocking doesn't seem to work, do that and something else!!!! How about motivating your church to reach their friends and neighbors and take advantage of using special services throughout the year to do so! Train your people to reach the lost and stop trying to do it yourself. In the last few weeks here at BK it has been church members that have brought their friends or have led them to the Lord in their places of employment. Again, its not about me!
I was accused by a pastor recently who said I have a problem. My problem seems to be what I believe. I am a heretic for the following reasons (this list wont be 21 statements long).
1. I believe the same Holy Spirit still works to change lives today. God is still on the throne in 2007! The gospel still works! Jesus saves!
2. Lost people are interested in the gospel and are searching for truth. They are being saved and discipled all over the world!
3. Churches can grow without compromising the truth!
4. Churches have become cold, comfortable, pridful, and seemingly uninterested in seeing lost people saved. Their traditions have caused them to have a form of godliness without experiencing the power of godliness. They deny there is such power today!
5. Churches can practice discipline and still grow in number. We have recently removed a deacon from our church for unfaithfulness. We took action in love and restored a young lady who had a baby out of wedlock this past year.
6. Numbers are important because numbers represent real people! Its not about pride or having a big church, but about people experiening the wonderful works of God.
Read the following with a squeaky voice holding your nose to get it the way i'm writing it.
"You have a problem. You care about lost people. That means you think you are somebody. Only time will tell about your kind."
Give me a break!
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